GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19783, 26 April 1934, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

The total fire loss on insured property in Timaru for the year ended March 31 was £722, according to a report submitted to the annual meeting of the Timaru Fire Board, on Tuesday, by Superintendent P. Campbell. The loss on uninsured property was £4O.

Fires were more prevalent in Timaru during August than in any other month last year. There were eight fires last August, five in May, four in September and four in April. Thursday, appears to be the worst day for fires and the hours at which the majority of outbreaks occur are between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The fire bell has not been rung for nearly three years, stated Superintendent P. Campbell at a meeting of the Timaru Fire Board on Tuesday. The Superintendent explained that it had been found that when the bell rang everyone who had a car turned out with a result that traffic was blocked and the work of the brigade severely hampered. Under the present system the brigade had an opportunity of doing its work without interference.

The fact that there had been only 39 fires during the last year was favourably commented on at Tuesday’s meeting of the Timaru Fire Board. Mr W. H. Hall suggested that a motion of censure should be passed on the brigade for not having more fires. He wondered why there had been so few outbreaks. The chairman (Mr Wm. C. Raymond): The depression is over. Mr C. S. Young: It is because these Magisterial inquiries are putting fear into certain people.

“In some quarters there is some opposition to this day being observed as a close holiday,” said Captain A. N. Oakey M.C., in an Anzac Day address at Pareora yesterday morning, in explaining that April 25 each year was set aside chiefly at the request of the Returned Soldiers’ Association as a tribute to the memory of their comrades who did not return, “I can tell you, however,’’ said Captain Oakey, “that returned soldiers of this Dominion will jealously guard the privilege granted to them, and will strenuously oppose any interference with this day.”

The Pleasant Point District High School Farm Committee in conjunction with the Pleasant Point Branch of the Farmers’ Union has arranged a field day to be held at the school commencing at 2 p.m. to-day. An inspection is to be made of the many experimental plots, and farmers and others interested will be afforded an opportunity of observing the good progress that has been made in the work. Addresses will be given by Messrs T. D. Burnett M.P., R. McGillivray (fields superintendent in Canterbury for the Agricultural Department), W. C. Stafford (Instructor for the Agricultural Department, Timaru) and S. D. Blomfield.

Representations that the Government should adopt the decimal system of coinage either in conjunction with the present monetary system or as a necessary part of any new currency system that might be recommended, were made to the Parliamentary Monetary Committee by a number of representative persons. It was recognised that the Committee was primarily concerned with the broader currency schemes and that coinage and bank note structures were merely incidental, but it was considered that an Investigation into the whole question would not be complete without an examination of the decimal system which, from the standpoint of world usage and experience, was generally regarded as the most efficient basis of all coinages.

The recent remarks of Mr J. G. Jeffery, expressed as a returned soldier, at a meeting of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association, on the observance of Anzac Day, in which he suggested, in view of the loss to industry, the ceremonial observance should be on Sunday instead of a compulsory holiday, was considered by a meeting of the Executive of the Dannevirke R.S.A., which passed the following resolution: “This meeting strongly protests against the remarks of Mr Jeffery of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association, in connection with the abolition of the observance of Anzac Day, and deplores the fact that an ex-soldier should subordinate this principle for the worship of material wealth.”

The metal engineering workshop at the Timaru Boys’ High School, which has been In the course of construction for some time, was completed recently. A large, reinforced concrete extension has been built onto the gymnasium, and there is now a fine, exceptionally well ventilated and lighted workshop, completely fitted for engineering work. Among the equipment are two lathes, drill, emery wheels, all electrically driven, anvil and forge, as well as a motor chassis, complete with engine. There are twelve benches, each with vyce and tool outfit, and one bench with gas heated soldering irons. It has been built for the purpose of giving the pupils a practical working knowledge in engineering and agricultural subjects, although no attempt is made to turn the boys out as engineers or farmers.

By permission of the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel S. D. Mason, D (S) Coinpany, First Battalion Canterbury Regiment, had the honour of carrying the Regimental Colour, which has the Regimental Battle honours worked into the silk, with the Regimental Crest and motto as a centrepiece, at the Anzac Day parade in Timaru yesterday. The Colour is never taken from its resting place in the officers’ mess without an escort or guard. Yesterday it was received at the drill hall by the guard to the accompaniment of the General Salute and escorted to the Post Office from where the parade started, the General Salute again being given at the Memorial. At the conclusion of the service, the Colour guard, memorial guard and firing party moved to the Park where Major-General Sir Andrew Russell K.C.8., K.C.M.G., who inspected the company, was received with the General Salute, given to a musical accompaniment by the Timaru Municipal Band. Sir Andrew showed keen interest in the company, and chatted with several of the men in the ranks. The company returned to the drill hall, -where the Colour was marched off with the General Salute, music being provided by the Timaru Highland Pipe Band. The Regimental and King’s Colours are always treated with the utmost respect, and this was most apparent amongst Timaruvians yesterday.

“On the ball, lads” —down the field at the toe; pick-up, pass, and over! That’s the game for fitness and manly exertion —foo.tball! We’re into it again as keen as mustard. England, Mcßae’s are “scoring” a great “conversion” to the sound principle that it pays to buy first-class, “tough-hide” footballs. Thus their new range proves all that clubs and captains can wish for. Bounce them, thump them, suffer them to a gruelling tussle. They’ll stand it. Otherwise we wouldn’t stock them. Come and price your needs in match and practice balls