LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20611, 28 December 1936, Page 6

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Ambulance Returns The returns of the St. John Ambulance Association for the month of November are:—Transports 20, attendances nursing sisters 8, brigade members 39, hours of transport 231, mileage 250. , Railway Excursions Three excursion trains arrived here from Christchurch yesterday, bringing 822 visitors. The first train carried 260, the second 333 and the third 229. The city-bound train from Timaru carried 260 when it left here. Hotel Accommodation While the infantile paralysis scare resulted in several cancellations of holiday bookings at hotels in Timaru it is thought that many of the proposed visits will be made at a later date. A representative of “The Timaru Herald” was told yesterday by one proprietor that although several last-minute cancellations had been made, others who had been unable to secure accommodation earlier had filled the vacancies. Skeletons of Moas Mr George Shepherd, curator of the Wanganui Museum, has just completed the setting up of the skeleton of another species of moa. It is a perfect specimen of a Dlnomis Novae Zealandiae and stands about 6ft. It has been assembled from bones recovered at Makirlkiri, as were the bones of a 10ft 6in giant Dinomis giganteae, completed two months ago. Now the skeletons of seven moas are in the museum. Mr Shepherd has commenced mounting another special, an Anomalopteryx parvus, one of the smallest varieties of moa. A Graceful Tribute In a letter to Mr R. S. Black, of Dunedin, RearAdmiral R. E. Byrd said he has learned with profound regret of the death of Dr. L. H. Potaka, who was associated with the last Antarctic expedition. Admiral Byrd said that he wished to have some flowers placed on Dr. Potaka’s grave, sending money for this purpose, and added that he would greatly appreciate it if his wishes were carried out. He asked that the following inscription should be laid with the flowers: “In memory of a gallant gentleman—the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, by Richard E. Byrd.” Cruelty to Cows at Sales The practice of selling dairy cows and heifers with "milk leaking from the teats” at stock sales was commented on at the December meeting of the Morrlnsvllle branch of the Farmers’ Union. Speakers considered that the stock firms should provide bails at the saleyards and make it compulsory that cows should be “milked out” before being offered for sale. It was considered that unless something was done on these lines, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals would have to take action. Several farmers said that in the interests of both parties and the cows, vendors should “milk out” their cows as a matter of course. Saved From Strangling By a matter of a few minutes a Napier motorist saved the life of a horse which he found in distress near Tangoio a day or two ago. At first glance the horse, which was tethered to a fence but which was lying motionless on an area of sloping ground, appeared to be dead, but a closer inspection revealed that it was alive. The animal had apparently slipped and fallen, and its halter had become entwined round its forelegs, with the result that its struggles to regain its feet had only caused the rope round its neck to tighten. The horse was bleeding profusely from its nostrils as the result of its struggles, and was undoubtedly within inches of death when a slash from a razor severed the rope round its neck. Mortgagors’ Rehabilitation Bill As a result of the requirements of the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Bill legal offices have been inundated with the work of preparing applications for presentation to the Mortgagors’ Commissions and Adjustment Court early in the new year. In spite of the fact that the last day for receiving applications under the legislation was extended from December 31 until January 31, it Is considered unlikely that the applications can be coped with within the period available. The question of further extending the period, owing to the Christmas vacation and the complicated nature of the details to be appended to the applications, is, it is understood, now before the Government, the Minister of Justice having been made acquainted with the position. Minding the Baby “You cannot take that child in there.” Many times was that instruction Issued during the Christmas shopping rush in Timaru when, owing to the need for precautions against an infantile paralysis outbreak, policemen and officials saw to it that children were not permitted to enter busy shops. A good story is told of one woman who, with baby in arms, was in the midst of her shopping programme. She was about to make for the door of one of the establishments when she was met by an officer, who politely informed her that the child could not be taken inside. “But what am I to do?” inquired the woman. “I must do my shopping.” The officer could not solve the difficulty, but it was overcome. “Here, take the baby,” exclaimed the woman, depositing the child in the arms of the surprised official. “I will be out in a minute.” Band Concert on Bay An excellent programme was presented by the Timaru Municipal Band from the acoustic pavilion on Caroline Bay last evening. An unusually large attendance of holiday-makers and residents repeatedly showed their appreciation of the performance of the Band, whose rendering of the verious numbers under the leadership of Lieutenant W. H. Osborne, was of a high order. The Band was assisted by Messrs Arthur Wheeler and Jack Maybury, the latter from the “Pleasure Cruise” concert party. Mr Wheeler’s vocal numbers, with Band accompaniment, were conspicuously successful. Mr Maybury, a versatile instrumentalist, who has won honours on the baritone and the euphonium in championship classes at the major band contests, delighted the gathering with two saxophone solos. The programme was as follows:—Hymn, “Deep Harmony”; selection, the works of Bizet; songs, “The Trumpeter” and “When the Sergeant Major's on Parade,” Mr Arthur Wheeler; comet duet, The Titlarks,” Bandsmen Taylor and R. Thomas; descriptive fantasia, “A Military Church Parade”; Christmas carols, “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” "Adeste Fideles,” saxophone solos, Mr Jack Maybury.