GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19299, 28 September 1932, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

Another Government scheme, No, 12, will shortly be put into operation on some of the larger Marlborough runs. Under this scheme single men will be employed in trapping and poisoning rabbits for the Department of Agriculture. Men from Wellington will be sent.

“X have nothing to say about it,” said Mr A. J. Stallworthy, M.P. for Eden, who returned to Auckland at the week-end, when the Prime Minister s reference of his absence from caucus was brought under his notice. “I do not think anything would be gained by discussing such a matter. There is too much serious work to be done at the present time.”

Lambing is general throughout the Ashburton County, but it is reported from several quarters that the percentages are not up to the usual mark. One sheepowner stated that his percentage normally was 110 to IXS. but this year it would not exceed 95, and he knew of others whose lambing would not be better.

"It is no use swapping horses when you are on a good wicket,” commented a speaker when supporting the reelection of an officer, at the annual meeting of delegates to the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association last night. The speaker appeared to realise the “lull” before he had completed the statement, but nevertheless he continued, to the amusement of the meeting.

Work has been commenced in connection with improvement to the gasworks corner in Arthur Street. As a result of accidents occurring in the vicinity, the Borough Council entered into negotiations some time ago with the Gas Company for the purchase of a small piece of land at the corner. The present high fence, which together with a gasometer considerably obscured vision, is being demolished and a new one, which at the corner will be about ten or eleven feet back from the present line, is to be erected.

A new form of confidence trick is being practised in Auckland, and with some success. A bottle-gatherer calls at a house and inquires whether there are any bottles for sale. The householder might produce one or two, which he immediately puts in his bag, and in payment produces a 10/- note, inquiring if the vendor has any change. On being informed the note cannot be changed, he blandly remarks: “You will trust me, lady, while I get change.” and off he stalks, bag, bottles and all.

It is reported that some time on Monday night an unsuccessful attempt was made to enter the premises of a Stafford Street business house which had been visited by thieves on previous occasions. It is understood the intruder removed a heavy lock from a door at the rear of the premises, but on entering was confronted by another door which he was either unable to open or he was disturbed. The attempted burglary may have been inspired by the fact that Monday was Dominion Day. and as the banks were closed, the day’s takings would be expected to be in the safe.

An elderly man who was driving a horse in a four-wheeled trap in Stafford Street yesterday morning had a narrow escape from serious injury when the animal lost its balance on the bitumen surface. Just after turning into Stafford Street from Strathallan Street, the horse slipped and fell, and then slid from the centre of the road to the kerb. Here it regained its feet, but reared on to the footpath, where it again fell, its head just missing the plate-glass window of one of the business premises. The trap struck a verandah standard, the driver being thrown heavily, sustaining cuts on both hands. The horse also suffered injury.

Although earlier in the season a number of farmers were looking for big lambing percentages this year, several have found, with the progress of docking, that expectations have not been fulfilled (says a Wanganui paper). A number along the west coast near the sea are now doubtful whether their total will reach 100 per cent. One man who expected 30 per cent, of twins each season, is now doubting if he will have a 5 per cent, return of twins in his flock. The reason given for the poor lambing in some portions of the district is the dry autumn. The whole flock must be in good condition during mating in the autumn if the lambing results are to be good, and last autumn was not as good a season for sheep feed as a great many of the farmers would have wished.

Counterfeit coins are again making their appearance in Timaru. On Monday a resident visited three shops in the course of her afternoon’s shopping, making cash purchases at each. On tendering some silver at the third in payment for her purchases, her attention was drawn by the attendant to a coin which had excited his curiosity. On close examination it was found that the coin was a penny cleverly silvered over to represent a half-crown, and was one which the shopper had received as change at a shop previously visited. Shop-keepers report that a number of similar counterfeit coins are. in circulation, so shoppers would be well advised to examine their change before pocketing it.

An inquiry about an interview- alleged to have been given to the “San Francisco Chronicle” by Mr Coates was addressed to Mr Forbes in the House by Mr R. Semple (Labour, Wellington East). Mr Semple gave notice to ask if Mr Forbes would take the necessary steps to supply the paper in question with the correct information regarding unemployment and land settlement in New Zealand in order to avoid a possible influx of immigrants from that country. Mr Semple said that extracts from the interview read as follows: —“New Zealand is singing a song of back to the land with no alluring accompaniment—the clink of cash. Thousands of city-bred folk are turning ‘tillers of the soil.’ Twenty thousand single men and 5000 heads of families have turned farmers under the persuasiveness of 1200 dollars from the Government and a tract of land rent free for five years with the privilege of leasing it at the end of that time. To make city folk contented down on the farm they are provided with houses with all modern conveniences and taken to the pictures twice a week. The plan is putting a deep dint into the depression, Mr Coates says, besides taking the pressure off the cities in caring for their needy.”

Fire! Water! Damaged goods! The great fire sale promised by England, Mcßae’s commences to-day. Full particulars appear in our general advertisement, but We want to stress here the tremendous reductions made possible through a fair and satisfactory insurance adjustment. The public is to reap the benefit, and you are offered dozens of half-price bargains. Early callers will be able to secure hot water bottles for 1/-, bread knives for 9d, scissors at 1/- pair, and half-price items in fishing tackle and tennis rackets. England, Mcßae’s great fire sale to-day. ..