GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20103, 9 May 1935, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS

Gift to Y.M.C.A. During his recent visit to Timaru, Mr T. Kelly, general manager of Woolworth’s (N.Z.), Ltd., showed great interest in the work of the Y.M.C.A. in this district. He has since assisted the Association to carry on its work by making a generous donation to its funds. Toasting the King In only one of the four cases of drunkenness heard in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, on Tuesday, was the obvious excuse offered. That was by an elderly little man who stepped jauntily into the dock, admitted the charge with a cheery nod, and told Mr W. F. Stillwell, S.M., that he was in his present position through drinking the King’s health on Monday. “Convicted and discharged” was the sentence, and the loyal drinker gave the Magistrate a pleasant salute as he left the dock. Meaningless Names “For my own part I am against names appearing on foundation stones and such things except where Royalty is concerned,” said the Mayor of Hastings, Mr G. A. Maddison, when the Borough Council, at its last meeting, had before it a proposal to put an inscribed stone in. the base of the new clock tower. ‘lt is absolutely meaningless to future generations to see the names of Mayors on public monuments” the Mayor added. “It is purposeless and ridiculous. We as Mayors are paid for doing our job.” A motion against the proposal was carried by nine votes to one. Dunedin Ploughs The quality of the implements manufactured by a Dunedin firm is apparently kitown much farther afield than New Zealand, since by the last air mail from London the firm received an order for a double-furrow plough for Chile. The order is for one of the firm’s standard double-furrow ploughs, complete with set of blocks and chains, and it is to be shipped to Liverpool for transhipment to Magallenes, Chile. Last June the firm received an order from the same company for two double-furrow ploughs, so it is evidently well satisfied with the implements supplied.

Geysers Active Without the slightest waring, four of the principal geysers at Whakarewarewa burst into action on Saturday. Led by Pohutu, they gave ten displays during the day, each display lasting about 20 to 45 minutes. Columns of water were occasionally thrown up to a height of 80ft. The Waikiti and Waikorohihi geysers, accompanied by the Prince of Wales Feather, played in unison. The rare and beautiful spectacle of a series of geysers in close proximity playing together, the separate columns of water breaking into cascades of glittering spray and sending out clouds of steam, attracted a large ntimber of visitors.

Manufacturing Industries A bright future for manufacturing industries in New Zealand was forecast by the former Comptroller of Customs v Dr. G. Craig, speaking at a luncheon given in his honour at Wellington. “Manufacturing industries are really one of the most important in New Zealand,” said Dr. Craig, “and if they are developed along the right lines I think they will become the most important public service to the whole community. In my life I have seen a great deal of manufacturing, and I say that manufacturing industries here are as efficient as in any other part of the world in which I have been. The only drawback is that we have a small country, a small population, and therefore a small demand.”

Cleaner Dairy Farms Addressing a gathering of those attending the dairy factory managers’ week in Palmerston North, Mr T. R. McCarthy, of Kaitaia, said that distinct headway was being made by the Dairy Division in the improvement of the industry in the north. One of the aspects of the industry which had been given particular attention had been uncleanliness on the farm, and a dozen farms had been closed down as far as supplying factories was concerned. If it was warranted another dozen would be closed down, and he thought that such action could well be extended to other districts in New Zealand, although he recognised that it would be far more difficult in areas where there were a large number of factories operating. Serious Erosion The township of Ngakawau, in the Westport district, is in imminent danger of having its tennis courts, recreation ground, public school and a number of miners’ homes washed away as a result of serious land erosion taking place at the mouth of the Ngakawau River. Owing to a large deposit of gravel in the original outlet the river has almost turned due north, and unless something is done immediately much valuable land on the northern bank of the river will be washed away. Each successive flood and high tide washes away chains of good land. The Hon. W. H. Mclntyre (chairman of the Nelson Education Board) has asked the Hon. S. G. Smith (Minister of Education) to visit the district with a view to learning the urgent need for a Government grant to re-open the channel as soon as possible.