GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19373, 23 December 1932, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

The work of tar-sealing the main highway between Ashburton and Rakaia has just been completed, and holiday traffic will escape the dust and inconvenience which has been in evidence at the Rakaia end for some weeks. Yesterday was the “longest day” of the summer, the sun reaching its greatest southern declination. The period between sunrise and sunset was approximately 15 hours 11 minutes. From t-o-day, the sun will rise later each morning, though it will set slightly later also. In reply to a telegraphed query whether the Government proposed to reenact last year’s legislation authorising the remission or postponement of the 10 per cent penalty on rates, the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr R. S. Black), has received from the Prime Minister a wire stating that it is not proposed to reenact the legislation. In conection with the dolls’ house which was presented by Mr Hugh Mayo to the Presbyterian Children’s Home, it transpires that the furnishings were made by the Waimataitai Girls’ Christmas Club. In addition to this a cradle, a number of beautifully dressed dolls and choice sweets, all made by the members of the club, were presented to the Home children. There has been a slight fall in the Lake Coleridge level during the past week; the level yesterday was 1866.425 ft, as compared with 1666.475 ft. last week and 1666.175 ft the week before that. The lake is unusually low for this time of year, and is now five and a half-feet below the overflow level. It is anticipated that it will pick up next month, which is usually a wet one at the lake. The attendance at Alexandra Square last everrng, when the Municipal Band gave a concert, was not very large, due no doubt to the cold wind. An enjoyable programme was rendered as follows: —March. “Under Western Stars”; “The Prelude”; selection, “Maid of the Mountains”; tone poem, “Elegy”; hymn, “The Vesper Hymn”; march, “Sons of Liberty.” Official advice has been received that authority has been granted io pay in anticipation those relief workers in Timaru who would normally be entitled to work in the week December 24th to December 31st, but who are standing down during the present week, December 17th to December 24th. The men will be paid at the Timaru Borough Council to-day, and will not be eligible for further payment until Friday, January 6, 1933. Careful attention is being paid by the Ashburton County Council to precautions against outbreaks of fire in the grass bordering the railway line. Breaks have been ploughed in several places and there is a complete break between Ashburton and Dromore. It is expected that this will stop any fire that is started by passing trains, but additional safeguards are being prepared in the way of placing drums of water at frequent intervals where they may be used to suppress fires. These drums will be replenished from 400 gallon tanks which the County Council has decided to place In position. The Standing Committee of the New Zealand Alliance has adopted the following resolution for transmission to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture:— “The Standing Commute of the New Zealand Alliance expresses its deep regret that in this time of economic depression, when the salaries of public servants have been materially reduced, the Department of Agriculture should, per medium of a leaflet in the Public Service Journal, solicit orders for wines from civil servants. The Committee protests against this attempt to induce civil servants to spend from £1 to £2 7s 6d or more on intoxicating liquor, and also against the infringement of the law involved in the circulation of this solicitation in no-license districts. In view of the fact that wine is a harmful luxury, the Committee considers this official action deplorable on the part of a Government advocating economy.”

The same old thing again—Christmas gift-buying left until the last minute. We have heard it said that if people only knew the inexpensiveness of England, Mcßae’s new stocks of gifts every Christmas gift in Timaru would be secured to-morrow. Do any of these appeal to you as a gift-seeker: Stainless table knives 7/6 per 2-doz; Stainless table forks 8/6 per i-doz; sets of teaspoons in cases at 7/6; pocket wallets from 5/6; shaving brushes from 2/-; brass candle-sticks from 8/9; 2cell electric torches 2/-; cigarette cases from 5/6; pearl-handled bread forks 4/6; butter dishe~ 9/6. Certainly England, Mcßae’s is the place for gifts. ...