GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20096, 1 May 1935, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS

Time Off to Vote. A request that relief workers should be allowed time off in which to record their votes at the municipal elections was made by Mr A. H. Moore at a meeting of the Timaru Unemployment Committee last night. The chairman (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) promised that he would make arrangements for the time off to be granted. Rainfall Figures. The rainfall in Dunedin for April was 1.05 inches, the lowest recorded for that month for the last six years. The fall was 4.63 inches less than that for March, and .81 inches less than the rainfall in April last year. Rain fell on 10 days. Sunshine for April was 135 hours 20 minutes, compared with 187 hours 24 minutes in March. Five Breakfasts. Five breakfasts in one day was the fortunate, or unfortunate, lot of a minister caught in the wave of Easter marriages in Whangarei. Four of the breakfasts were wedding breakfasts, and the marriage ceremonies which preceded them all took place between 11 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Altogether 13 marriages were celebrated in Whangarei between April 1 and 24, which is an abnormally large number for any one month. The four which occurred on the same day took place on April 23, the day after Easter Monday. Savage Club. At the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Savage Club, Great Chief W. J. Hogg presided over an attendance of 26 members. The annual report, which indicated that the past year had been a most progressive one, was adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows: Great Chief, Mr A. J. Wheeler; Braves, Messrs G. J. Walker and R. L. Eames; Warriors, Messrs J. Stevens, De L. Cameron, H. J. Washer, J. Duncan and G. Williamson; secretary, Mr D. T. Todd; treasurer, Mr E. Budd; Tohunga, Messrs A. Wotherspoon and W. I. Tait. Praise For Timaru. A warm tribute to Timaru was paid by Dr. W. G. Fern, British efficiency expert, after his tour of New Zealand. In an article published in a journal which he edits, Dr. Fern says that some of the things which impressed him in the Dominion were: “The Farmers’ Trading Company of Auckland, which he regards as the greatest business in New Zealand, the Massey Memorial, the beautiful Bowker Fountain, the Scott Statue in Christchurch, Timaru—the finest little town he saw in New Zealand—and Mr P. Barling’s charming garden in Dunedin.” Unique Postcard. A Timaru resident has received a postcard from a friend in Hungary giving a most interesting view of a mirage. The main scene reveals a large number of cattle feeding in a paddock, while reflected in the sky is portion of a city, with a church standing out prominently. In front of this again appears a rural scene, with sheep grazing in the vicinity of a large farm-house. Curiously enough the mirage appears upside down. The postcard is rather unique, both from the point of view of the subject and the photography. Decorating Buildings. During the last two days work has been proceeding with the decorating of the Post Office and the Municipal Chambers for the King’s Jubilee week. Outside the Municipal Chambers, at the base of the clock tower, appears the letters “G.R.,” which at night will stand out in electric lights. Lines of coloured lights will also ornament the building. The scheme to be adopted on the Post Office is not yet known, but workmen have been engaged putting in permanent plugs, which will be available for use on future occasions. It is understood that several business houses intend making special displays. r -tty Fast Flying. “I have escaped the snare of the fowler,” said General Evangeline Booth, International Leader of the Salvation Army, during her address in the Wellington Town Hall, in explaining why she was still single. She recalled a newspaper interview when a reporter, told that she was Evangeline Eooth, Commander-in-Chief in America, proceeded to write “Mrs Evangeline Booth.” “No, not Mrs, Miss,” she said. “I added that I had had to do some pretty fast flying on occasions, and that I’m still on the wing.” The General also recalled that once an ofT.cer had expressed the opinion that she ought to consider the question of marriage. She had replied: “I have. That’s the reason why I’m single.” Sustenance Men’s Complaint.

A complaint against the regulation which requires them to report twice to the labour bureau and once to the Post Office in one week was made on behalf of unemployed men in receipt of sustenance payments by Mr G. T. Koller at a meeting of the Timaru Unemployment Committee last night. Mr Koller said that it was inconvenient for men who happened to be working to have to leave their jobs and report at the bureau. At Mr Koller’s suggestion the following resolution, moved by Mr J. G. Leckie and seconded by the Rev. Father Murphy, S.M., was framed and carried: “That a letter be sent to the Unemployment Board objecting to the necessity of sustenance drawers having to attend at the bureau twice a week, and suggesting that once a week would suffice.”

Blankets for Unemployed. The fact that concessions of blankets and rations which were granted to unemployed in the cities were not available to Timaru relief workers was mentioned by Mr G. T. Koller at a meeting, of the Timaru Unemployment Committee last night. He suggested that inquiries should be made to ascertain why that was so. The Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) said that Timaru was just as entitled to the concessions as the cities. They all paid alike and the provincial towns should be given a fair share. A motion along the lines of his previous remarks was moved by Mr Koller and seconded by Mr P. B. Foote, who suggested that the blankets should be made locally. The motion was carried and the Mayor promised to despatch a telegram this morning requesting an order for blankets to be made in Timaru.

Making- His Own “Sleeper.” A man who obviously appreciates comfort above all things—above even the embarrassment of feeling the amused interest of his fellow-passengers —entered a Wellington-Auckland express carriage on a recent night and began to busy himself with some planks and a parcel he had brought with him. Neatly and with the greatest aplomb he arranged the planks between a pair of unoccupied seats, briskly he opened the parcel, and gravely he began to blow through a rubber tube. The blowing process continued for many minutes before the nearby passengers discovered that a large “lilo” bathing mat was being inflated. When it was ready the man placed it on the boards, went through the usual train toilet, and curled up on his bed under some rugs. It was unfortunate that at the first sharp turn made by the train he and his bed shot off into the aisle, but he took this calmly, rearranged his bed safely, and quickly went to sleep.