LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20474, 20 July 1936, Page 6

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Rumour Denied The Press Association is informed that a report which has been circulated that a certain Taranaki newspaper had been purchased is Incorrect. Fine Weather For Excursionists Beautiful spring-like weather greeted the 300 excursionists who made the trip from Christchurch to Timaru yesterday. The train from Timaru carried 200 passengers when it left for the north. Next Year’s Regatta A meeting of the Akaroa Boating Club and Regatta Club decided to ask all New Zealand Rowing Clubs for support for holding the 1937 championship regatta at Akaroa. It was reported that a splendid three-mile course is available. Old Man’s Death An old aged pensioner, George Puttick, aged 75, boarding at 13 North Street, was found dead in bed on Saturday morning. Dr. G. H. Ussher was summoned and on examination gave a certificate that death was due to heart failure. No inquest will be necessary. Homestead Destroyed Fire at 12.45 on Wednesday morning destroyed the large homestead and men’s quarters at White Rock Station. The property belongs to Mr W. Barton, of Featherston, who was in Wellington at the time. The men on the station escaped with their clothing only. They made frenzied efforts to stem the outbreak, but without avail. The buildings were of wood, mostly heart of totara, and were about seventy years old. Mr Barton will be a heavy loser. The Forty-Hour Week An Industry of importance to every householder and prospective householder, as well as to hundreds of workers in New Zealand—the furniture trade—is to work a 40-hour week after September 1, according to a reserved judgment given by the Arbitration Court in Wellington on Saturday. The decision applies to cabinetmakers, casket makers, upholsterers, chair and frame makers, machinists, wood carvers, turners, polishers, pianoforte makers, pictureframe makers and wire mattress makers.—Press Association. Monowai’s Cruise The Monowal, which is making a cruise of the Islands, arrived at Levuka at daylight on Friday and, although the weather was fine, a strong trade wind prevented the large vessel from berthing at the wharf. The passengers were taken ashore in boats, however, and a programme of entertainment, including native dances and a visit to the Cawaci Mission Station, was arranged by the residents. The vessel departed after lunch for Suva, where she arrived at 5.30 p.m. She sailed at 11 p.m. on Saturday for Auckland. New Cook Strait Cable The new cable which the Government has decided to lay in Cook Strait is expected to provide for seven additional channels for telephone communication between the North and South Island. The PostmasterGeneral (Hon. F. Jones) stated that tenders had been called for the cable, which would provide ample accommodation for many years. Mr Jones added that the toll business between the two Islands was growing rapidly, and the need for further outlets between them was recognised. He anticipated that the new cable would be available in about nine months. "Disgraceful” "Conditions aboard the steamer Simonslde are disgraceful, and in all my experience in Dunedin as secretary of the Seamen’s Union, I don’t think I have seen a vessel sailing under modern conditions so bad as far as quarters and the living conditions of the crew are concerned," said the secretary of the Seamen’s Union (Mr Clarke). He added that he could not blame the crew for having demanded changes. The utensils used would not be tolerated on the New Zealand coast or the Pacific coast. The agents state that the vessel will go into dock this week, when the crew’s quarters will be fumigated by the cyanide process and new mattresses will be put in. The ship will sail on Thursday for Westport. , Sunday Concert To augment the funds of the Irish Queen (Miss Mary Kelly) in the carnival being conducted by the parishioners of the Church of the Sacred Heart, an enjoyable concert was staged in the Theatre Royal last night, when a programme was provided by the Timaru Highland Pipe Band, under Drum Major W. Andrew and Pipe Major W. Morrison, and assisting artists. The Band’s numbers were: "A Man’s a Man,” “Green Hills of Tyrol,” “Cock o’ the North,” “Abide With Me,” ‘‘Barren Rocks” and “Highland Laddie.” Other items were contributed as follows: Operatic dance, Misses Rena Jacobs and Marion Symons; acrobatic dance, Miss Marion Symons: songs, Miss M. Austin (Temuka) and Mr W. Durning;. monologue. Mr D. Newall (Waimate); piano accordeon solo, Mr S. Griffin (Waimate). Mrs M. J. Readdie was accompanist.