GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19513, 12 June 1933, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS

Passengers on yesterday’s excursion train from Timaru to Christchurch numbered 170, while 276 travelled to Timaru by the train from the city. A petition for an inquiry into the recent mayoral election at Otaki has been filed on behalf of Mr Charles Frederick Atmore, who was defeated by Mr Timothy O’Rourke in the recount by six votes. Further heavy rain commenced to fail in Timaru early yesterday morning, and continued for the best part of the day, the fall latterly developing into a heavy drizzle. Up to 5 p.m. 41 points were recorded at Timaru Park. Some inches of snow were lying about the King Country on Wednesday last. The north-bound express ran into a countryside which was chequered with white about Ohakune, and the chequering remained with it until past National Park. In the station yard at Horopito the fafi was five inches deep.

The Union Company’s steamer Waitomo, which has been sold to Eastern buyers, has been docked for cleaning and inspection. After the vessel undocks, she will return to complete overhaul and refitting preparatory to sailing for the East, via Australia. A captain, officers and 40 Chinese are expected to arrive from Australia by the Marama on June 13 to join the Waitemo.

Councillor Duncan has given notice to move at the Wellington City Council “That to enable a review of the question of the future site for the central fire station, as well as for other reasons, the council decide to take no further action with regard to proposals previously made for the establishment of a civic centre on the block occupied by the existing fire station and other buildings.”

The speaker at the evening service at St. Mary’s Anglican Church yesterday was Captain Banyard, advance agent of the Church Army Column, which is to visit New Zealand shortly on a campaign lasting approximately two and a half years. Captain Banyard explained to a large congregation that the Church Army, which was a social service arm of the Church of England, was established in 1882 by the Rev. Wilson Carlile, prebendary of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. Statistics for last year, he said, showed that the Church Army was responsible for 75 per cent, of the social work in the prisons, slums, and other parts where social service was necessary. It was hoped during the time that the representatives of the organisation were in New Zealand, the Church Army would be established in New Zealand, and in this connection a mission was to be conducted in Timaru about September.

A promise was made to Parliament by the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) that a commission would be set up to investigate the possibility of economy in the Dominion’s local body administration by reducing the large number of authorities in existence (says a Wellington report). From inquiries made nothing appears to have been done to select the investigating body, though the Health Department has been steadily pursuing the policy of making suggestions for economy in the closing of expensive little hospitals when service can be more economically and effectively rendered at more central institutions. The real problem involved is that of the strong local objections to the disappearance of any authority. Every merger proposal has so far resulted in strong pressure on members to oppose it. While, on general principle, legislators may approve mergers, they discover serious difficulties when actual cases arise.

An unemployed married man from the Ashburton district, who returned yesterday from the Waitaki hydro works, after being unsuccessful in securing a permanent position, informed a representative of “The Timaru Herald" that conditions at the works were not all that they were reported to be. He had applied for work, but was told that as he did not have a certificate from the Unemployment Bureau in his district, he could not be put on. He was, however, given a few days’ work in a shingle pit. He was, he alleged, given a hut, without windows, and without a bunk. He made inquiries regarding wood for firing, and was told that he would have to buy it off a merchant. The men who were going to the works were told that they would receive 10/- per day, but deductions were made for a medical scheme and other matters which reduced the daily wage to 8/4. Payment was made only once a month, so that a man’s wife would have to wait five week’s before receiving her half share of the wages.

The crack of hockey sticks rings out again. See them flashing on the field. Good sticks those —probably 60 per cent, of them come from England, McRae’s. There’s a new “Dhian Chand/’ a beauty. Only 27/6 at England, McRae’s—one of the finest sticks in New Zealand. England, Mcßae's have other sticks at 13/6 to 21/-; shin pads 5/6 and 6/6 per pair; leather balls 9/6, 10/6 and 12/6. Hockey players make England, Mcßae's their sports depot—and it pays them well