GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20098, 3 May 1935, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

Unpaid Death Duties. A gazette notice fixes the rate of interest payable on death duties unpaid within three months after the death of a person at 5 per cent, per annum. Decision Reserved. The hearing of the application on behalf of Madge Munro for the issue of a writ of habeas corpus was continued before the Full Court yesterday. After hearing legal argument the Court reserved its decision. Stranded Sperm Whale. Several weeks ago Mr E. Jacobsen, of French Pass discovered a sperm whale washed ashore at Rock Cod Bay. He secured the assistance of two men who had had experience with whaling, and as a result became the possessor of 18 barrels of oil. Reduction in Light Rates. It was announced by the Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) at an election meeting at the South School last night that in electric light charges would not come into effect for the community generally until the first meter reading this month. Spine Broken. While standing on a carriage platform on a stationary train at Te Kauwhata on Saturday evening, Mr James Allen, aged 31, a French polisher, of Timaru, slipped and struck his back violently suffering a fracture of the spine. Mr Allen was taken to the Waikato Hospital. A Council’s “Baby.” “The Domain is the baby which the Mayor and Council carry; that is all you can say about it,” remarked Mr J. R. Lack, chairman of the Geraldine Domain Board’s Finance Committee, in presenting the financial statement to the monthly meeting of the Board on Wednesday evening. The Domain is largely maintained by the Geraldine Borough Council, receipts from sports bodies and other revenue being comparatively small.

Intelligent Young Witness. A little girl of seven who gave long evidence in a case before the Auckland Magistrate’s Court on Monday was commended by the Magistrate, Mr F, K. Hunt. She was stood on a chair so that the Magistrate could hear her, and for over half an hour she gave evidence clearly and to the point (states the “Herald”). A friendly but telling cross-examination was met with an intelligence which showed that she realised the points the opposing lawyer was attempting to make. “I have seen many witnesses of 70 who could not compare with this little girl of seven,” said Mr Hunt, at the conclusion of her evidence. Two White Herons. The appearance of two white herons on the upper reaches of the Whangaroa Harbour has caused considerable interest locally. One bird was seen about two weeks ago and was joined by a mate about ten days later. Both birds are very tame and it is possible to approach close to them while they are feeding on rocks and mudflats. One observer circled several times in a noisy outboard boat a rock on which the birds were feeding, and even at a distance of 10yds did not alarm the visitors. It is stated by a resident that it is 15 years since a pair of white herons was seen on the harbour. A bird was observed two years ago, but unfortunately was shot. The blue heron is very plentiful in the locality.

Band of Hope. There was a fair attendance at the first ' reeting of Highfield Band of Hope, in St. Paul’s Sunday School hall. Mr J. W. Thompson occupied the chair and urged the children to do their best to make the meetings enjoyable by, coming well prepared with their various items. He complimented them upon the improvement made during last winter's session. A short programme of recitations was given by Jean and Pat Mayo, Sylvia McArthur, Jim Baird and Gordon and Allen McArthur and was much enjoyed. The Rev. J. Baird gave an instructive address entitled “Getting Through” and in a very forceful way told the children how often the finest and brightest careers wore ruined through indulgence in strong drink, and emphasised the need of deep thought on these most vital matters.

Egg Shortage. Southland is experiencing an acute egg shortage at the present time, and some merchants are securing their requirements from Dunedin. Several reasons for the shortage are put forth by poultrymen. The hens have reached the moulting period and are not laying; the lateness of Easter caused a heavy autumn demand for a longer period; and the shortage of fowl wheat and the consequent higher values for fowl feed have caused .many poultrymen to sell their hens rather than lose heavily. “We are paying 1/6 a bushel more for wheat and 1/- more for oats than last year,” said one poultryman. “We can’t carry on at these prices and many have gone out of the business. Sixpence a dozen in the summer pays us better than 2/- a dozen in the winter. It’s all a question of the price of feed.”

Advice to Cyclists. “Daylight saving is now over and cyclists must understand that it is necessary to have their machines equipped with a light,” said Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M. in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. He said that it was much cheaper to purchase a lamp instead of paying a fine, and he emphasised that cyclists who broke the law were not only a danger to themselves but also to the public. “The only explanation she could give was that she had a feeling that she would be caught that night,” said Traffic Inspector Cameron in prosecuting Valmai Henderson for riding an unlighted cycle at night. Defendant was fined 10/- with costs 10/-. Similar fines were imposed on David Lloyd Kilgour, Harman Platt, Abiatha Solomon, John Rae and Henry Collett. Maynard Mackay, was fined 10/- with costs 10/- for carrying a passenger, over the age of 10, on the bar of his cycle. It was stated that he had been convicted in 1931 for a similar offence.