TEMUKA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20613, 30 December 1936, Page 4

TEMUKA

POSTAL BUSINESS HOLIDAY INCREASE An exceptionally good Christmas week’s business at the Temuka Post Office was yesterday reported by the Postmaster (Mr L. W. PaiTant), who stated that in practically every department there had been a good increase on the figures for 1935. All leave was cancelled for the period and an extra message boy was engaged. In the mailroom between December 21 and 27 long hours were worked in dealing with the rush, 150 outward bags and hampers being despatched, as compared with 118 in 1935. Inward bags and hampers sorted numbered 173 this Christmas and 152 last. For the week ending on December 23 an increase of 218 in outward Loll calls took place in the telephone exchange, the total being 1473 in 1936 and 1255 last year. As usual, there was a big rush on Christmas Eve, 225 outward calls being put through, as compared with 163 for last year. In the telegraph department an increase of 114 in outward telegrams took place in. the week ending on December 23, 399 being despatched this Christmas and 285 last. Included in those totals were respectively 185 and 104 greetings telegrams. On Christmas Eve 439 outward telegrams were sent, there being 373 of the special greetings type, as compared with 360 and 311 respectively for last year. Telegrams received for the week up to Decer-.ber 23 showed an increase from 341 to 347 but on Christmas Eve the increase was much greater, the figures jumping from 282 last year to 420. Telegrams transmitted on behalf of country district offices showed a decline from 76 to 72 between December 16 and 23 but an increase from 51 to 56 on Christmas Eve took place. Commenting on the rush of business, Mr Parrant said that a man could pot be spared from the office for paying out the Christmas bonus and sustenance to the unemployed on December 23, and he iiad undertaken the task. On Christmas Eve some of the clerks worked until 1 a.m. and in the mailroom officers worked between 9 a.m. and noon on Christmas Day. OBITUARY MR JOHN SHERWIN Mr John Sherwin, whose death occurred on Saturday after a long illness, had been a resident of Temuka for the last year, having been a member of the Public Works Department’s staff at Temuka up till ill-health compelled his retirement. In his short sojourn in Temuka he had become well known and had made himself popular with his many workmates. The third son of the late Mr and Mrs Matthew Sherwin, his father having been a prominent stud breeder and racehorse owner, Mr Sherwin was born in Waimate 53 years ago. For a while he attended the Waimate School and when his parents moved to Christ, church he continued his schooldays at Spreydon. As a young man he became a law clerk but ill-health necessitated his forsaking office work and he next took up a position in the Addington railway workshops. Later he became a tram conductor during the transition from horse to electric trams in Christchurch. Having a liking for business, he secured a position In Mr Arthur Jones’s draper’s shop in Waimate and after a few years he went into partnership in an outfitter’s business at Fajrlie. The partner sold out and Mr Sherwin’s brother and he continued in business as booksellers and men’s outfitters, His health again failing, Mr Sherwin went farming for a few years, but 12 years ago he once more entered business on his own account in Christchurch. In 1928 he was appointed Waimate representative of “The Timaru Herald,” which he served for seven years, and 12 months ago he joined the Public Works staff as a clerk at Temuka. Wherever he went Mr Sherwin’s genial manner made him many friends, -and his interest in musical affairs made him popular in the community. He was a member of Derry's Band while in Christchurch, and for some years he most successfully conducted the Fairlie Band. He organised an orchestra for dances while In Fairlie, and was a pro. minent member of St. Stephen’s church choir. In 1914 he married Miss Hannah Welsh, third daughter of Mr and Mrs H. Welsh, early settlers of the Fairlie district, and she survives him, together with three sons, Messrs Harold and Jack (Waimate), William (Temuka) and a daughter, Miss Edith Sherwin (Waimate). The funeral took place at Waimate on Monday, the service at the graveside being conducted by the Rev, C. F. Main. The pall-bearers were four fellow-members of the Public W >rks staff, Messrs F. Quinn, E, Vincent, W. Wakefield and M. F. Kennedy. PERSONAL Mr R. Trigance, Wood street, returned on Monday after spending a short holiday in Christchurch. Mr R. Findlay who has been spending a holiday with his parents returned to Christchurch yesterday, Mr and Mrs A. Findlay and family, Dyson street, are camping at Hanging Rock. Mr and Mrs J. R. Hatton and family have returned from a trip to O*ira. WORK ON RAILWAYS As a precautionary measure against fires later in the summer, railway employees are at presen’ engaged in scything grass along the permanent way on the length extending through the borough. At the same time the party is carrying out repairs to boundary fences on railway property. CRICKET PLANS FOR REPRESENTATIVE GAME Arrangements for the first representative match of the present season, an elimination game between Ashbur-

ton and South Canterbury to decide which shajl play West Coast for the Canterbury Minor Associations’ challenge shield were made by the executive of the Temuka Cricket Club at a meeting on Monday evening. The match is to be played at the Temuka Domain 911 New Year’s Day and January 2, and the executive, acting on behalf of the South Canterbury Association, made arrangements for the Ashburton players’ board and the entertainment of the two teams. It was reported by the chairman (M. G. C. Tully) that the Association did not propose to charge for admission to the ground, but would make a collection. The use of the oval had been granted by the Domain Board. Mr Tully sale’, he had done some preliminary work on the wicket which was already in good order. It was decided to engage men to finish eff the work. “THE COUNTRY BEYOND” Bringing James Oliver Curwood's stirring story of a man, a girl rnd a loyal dog in the frozen North to the screen, "Tire Country Beyond" is now at the Elite Theatre. Buck, the giant St. Bernard sensation of “The Call of the Wild,” is the animal star of this new picture, with Rochelle Hudson, Paul Kelly and Robert Kent heading the stellar Hollywood cast “The Country Beyond" is the trackless wastes of Northern Canada. Its hero is Robert Kent, playing a Canadian mounted policeman. New to the game, he permits Rochelle Hudson and her father, Alan Hale, to give him the slip. Hale is wanted for a murder actually committed by Alan Dinehart, his partner in crime.