GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19985, 18 December 1934, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

Stone Throwing. Apparently owing to stone throwing three more globes have been broken on the Caroline Bay electric light pillars. Dunedin Wool Sale. The Dunedin wool sale is to be held on Thursday next at 2 p.m. instead of Friday at 9 p.m. as was originally arranged. Receipts at Royal Show. The total takings at the Royal Show at Invercargill for the three days amounted to £I9OB, compared with £2700 in 1929—a drop of approximately £BOO. Festoon Lighting. The town presented a real holiday appearance last night when all the festoon lighting was turned on. The Council Chambers and the town clock tower presented a particularly attractive appearance. Oppressive Weather. Blenheim is experiencing the most severe heat wave for many years. On Saturday, the thermometer registered 92.5 degrees in the shade. Sunday was somewhat cooler, but yesterday the mercury was again very high. Abattoir Killings. Stock slaughtered at the borough abattoir during November were as follows: 117 cows, 120 bullocks, 82 heifers, 126 lambs, 1205 ewes, 311 wethers and 24 calves, a total of 1985. Four cattle and three sheep were found diseased and were condemned. Cleaning of Water Race. The annual cleaning of the borough water race commenced on November 26. Good progress is being made and in spite of the fact that the water is turned off for approximately ten hours a day, the reservoirs are being kept full. Conductor’s Record. The performance of “The Messiah” in the Bank Street Methodist Church last night was the thirty-second consecutive occasion on which Mr J. W. Holdgate has conducted the presentation of this great oratorio in Timaru, and this is probably a record unequalled in the Dominion. Omnibus Receipts. The municipal omnibus receipts for November, with the figures for the corresponding month last year in parentheses, are as follows: Fares £452/9/5 (£4lB/6/2); concessions £IBB/4/3 (£169 1/3); surplus 6/3* (8/4); total £640 19/111 (£587/15/9); daily average £24 13/1 (£22/12/1). Fernery at Park. Reference to the new fernery at Timaru Park was made at last night’s meeting of the Timaru Borough Council by Cr. W. G. Tweedy, who congratulated the curator (Mr A. W. Anderson) on the satisfactory nature of the work. The public, said Cr. Tweedy, did not generally know that such a fine display was to be seen at the Park. Driest November for Years. November in Timaru was very dry in comparison with the corresponding month last year, when the rainfall was 4.77 inches. Last month’s rainfall of 0.93 inches made it the driest November for 18 years. Fog being recorded on 13 days accounts for the comparatively low sunshine record of 175.5 hours. Crossings for Pedestrians. The provision of white lines setting out crossing places for pedestrians opposite the Empire Hotel, Oxford Buildings, and from Dalgety and Co’s premises to the railway station, was mentioned at last night’s meeting of the Timaru Borough Council by the Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) who said that the crossing places should constitute more safety on the streets if the rights of pedestrians and motorists were observed. “A Ridiculous Idea.” Describing a proposal to erect conveniences on the eastern side of the top end of LeCren’s Terrace, as “a ridiculous idea,” in that they would be a desecration to one of the best parts of the town, and “an abomination.” Cr. G. Benstead, at last night’s meeting of the Timaru Borough Council, moved that they be not erected. The matter was discussed by the Works Committee, but was postponed. The motion was carried, Crs. J. R. Hart, H. J. Mathers and W. H. Hall voting against.

The Bay Shelter. “I see that the Works Committee is making the best of a bad job v ” said Cr. P. B. Foote at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council in referring to the improvements to the much-discus-sed bus shelter near the Bay Viaduct There was, however, he said, still two kinds of paint in evidence about the structure, and no doubt the chairman of the committee (Cr. W. H. Hall) who, he understood, was fairly good on painting matters, would have the position remedied. (Laughter.) Cr. Hall said it was intended to give the matter attention.

Charge Of Drunkenness. In the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr D. McLennan J.P.. Edward Hennesey was charged with being found drunk in Otipua Road. Sergeant J. R. Hodgson said that accused was before the Court on a similar charge last week. He understood that Hennesey had been drinking methylated spirits. Apparently he obtained methylated spirits to rub on the stump of his leg, but the bulk of it went through his body. Accused was convicted and discharged on condition that he took out a prohibition order. “I’ll never touch it again,” commented Hennessey. “Usually I have a drop of beer at Christmas, but I’ll have to do without that now.”

Christmas Cantata. On Sunday evening, St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church Choir presented West’s Christmas Cantata “The Story of Bethlehem.” The choir, under tha baton of Mr A. C. Mclnnes, was wellbalanced and the choruses Vere given with a precision and an interpretation that were most favourably received. This is the first time that this work has been given in Timaru, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by the large attendance. The various solo parts were taken by Miss Barbara Mclnnes (soprano), Mr T. Porter (tenor) and Mr S. Wallace (baritone). At the conclusion of the Cantata, the Rev. J. Bajrd thanked all those who in any way had assisted in the presentation. Mr W. J. Blight, who officiated at the organ, helped in no small measure towards the success of the evening.