GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19945, 1 November 1934, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

Art Union Prizes. In the “Best of Luck” art union. £5 prizes were won by “Scotch Heather,” Studholme Junction; F. Harold, Hassall Street, Timaru; F. Dearthe, Edward Street, Timaru. New Cars Registered. During the last tew months there has been a large increase in the number of new cars registered at Timaru Post Office, compared with last year. For the month ending yesterday, 18 new cars and five new motor trucks were licensed. Levels County Rates. In a statement presented to the monthly meeting of the Levels County Council yesterday, the clerk (Miss H. J. Allen) stated that the amount collected during the month was £156 0 5 general and £lO/17/8 special. The amount collected from April 1 was £755/8/8 general and £2B/16/- special. Cigarette Prices Reduced. The retail price of cigarettes will be reduced as from to-day. Two or three lines will come down to sd, others to 6d, while several lines will be reduced to 7d and Bd. A good many retailers allowed their stocks to become depleted in view of the drop in prices, but fresh supplies are expected to arrive to-day. ,r What Answer Do You Want?” A confused witness being crossexamined paid a huge compliment to counsel, who asked him a rather pertinent and cunning question in the Supreme Court at Wellington on Monday. The witness looked at counsel for a moment or two. Then his lower jaw fell and he hesitated before he spoke. He asked counsel a question uttered in the most earnest and puzzled tones. “What answer do you want? Do you want me to say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’?” (Laughter.) Generous Gift. For some time now efforts have been made in Hunterville to raise funds for the laying down of up-to-date swimming baths, but in these difficult times it has been no easy task. More than £SOO was required, and only £IOO was in sight when the organising committee received advice that Mr T. A. Duncan, of “Otairi,” would give the remaining £4OO so that the work could start immediately. The work is being put in hand, so that the baths can be opened this summer.

Philomel’s New Mascot.

An intelligent young dog with a predominant collie strain has been officially signed on as the mascot to H.M.S. Philomel, in place of the popular terrier, “Woofit,” which recently died. The new mascot has been christened “Bruiser,” and awarded the rank of “ordinary dog.” The “New Zealand Herald” says that his ultimate promotion to “able dog,” the rank which his predecessor held at the time of his death, will depend upon his general behaviour and observance of naval discipline. Unable to Wait. Sundry poppings and bangings indicate that the fireworks season is approaching and that some of the younger fry cannot restrain their desires for a pyrotechnic display until the orthodox date. November 5. Some shops are already exhibiting fireworks for sale, but trade, it is stated, is not brisk as yet, and the general opinion seems to be that sales will not be very extensive, even when November 5 approaches closer. Restrictions imposed on the sale of fireworks, coupled with hard times, tend to make Guy Fawkes celebrations less explosive and extensive than they used to be.

M:.; )r?I Lapse of Memory. A temporary lapse of memory by the Mayor of a town not far from Timaru, while performing the official opening of a ladies’ bowling club, resulted in a faux pas. In recalling the traditions of the game, his Worship referred to the famous incident, when, although the Spanish Armada was sighted. Sir Francis Drake remarked that there was plenty of time to finish the game, and then to beat the Spaniards. Unfortunately, his Worship attributed the incident to Sir Walter Raleigh, who is largely remembered for his innate sense of courtesy in laying down his cloak for Queen Elizabeth to cross a muddy puddle.

Vital Statistics. The return of vital statistics for Timaru for October showed a slight increase in births and marriages compared w: the corresponding month of last year, the number of deaths in each period being the same. The figures for last month are as follow, those for October, 1933, being shown in parentheses:—Births, males 25 (23), females.l9 (19), total 44 (42). Deaths, males 6 (9), females 8 (5), total 14 (14). Marriage licenses issued last month totalled 18. as 17 in October last year. Three marriages were performed by the registrar last month, the number for October, 1933, being four.

New Type of Car. A former resident of Wanganui, now in U.S.A., writing to a relative, states that he has just seen, fresh from the factory, one of the neatest little jobs in single-seater motor-cars, that can in less than a minute be converted into a two-seater car, or rather a car to accommodate two passengers. By working a lever the rear portion of the body slides backwards, much on the same principle as the opening of a slide matchbox. Into the extra space a spare seat is slipped and the extra passenger sits immediately behind the driver. The little car, which has a good wide wheel-base, was capable of making 45 miles an hour and was said to be very light on petrol.

Damage Not Excessive. Reporting to the monthly meeting of the Levels County Council yesterday, the engineer (Mr T. Black) stated that during the month a fairly heavy rainfall was experienced, and owing to the ground being well saturated before the rain, most of the water ran off the ground, finding its way into creeks and rivers, causing considerably heavy floods, and much inconvenience to traffic for several days. However, taking it all over the county, the damage caused by the floods was not excessive. The protective works in most cases stood up to the floods splendidly, and did the work asked of them, t-'iough repairs would he required in various places where noses of boulder and netting groynes dropped into holes caused by scour.

Cutting of Willows. In the course of his report to the monthly meeting of the Levels County Council yesterday, the engineer, Mr r. Black, said that during the recent rain Cunningham’s Bridge had a narrow escape from damage owing to a large willow log blocking against the centre pier, but fortunately the log packed m longitudinally instead of crossways, thus allowing the water to flow through the bridge channel. It should be strongly impressed on land-holders cutting willows near a c.eek bed that all felled trees and stumps should not be left so that they would be washed away during floods, causing damage to roads and bridges and landholders down stream. The effect of permitting willow trees to block up the course of streams and creeks was seen in many parts of the county, but fortunately in this instance with little damage to the Council.