LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20674, 12 March 1937, Page 8

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Minister of Railways The Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P. for Tlmaru, yesterday received the following telegram from the Minister of Railways (Hon. D. G. Sullivan): “I am leaving Dunedin by special train to-morrow (Friday) at 9.32 a.m., arriving Timaru 2.30 p.m., and leaving at 3 p.m. Will meet you at station and inspect railway lay-out on wharves with those concerned.” New Stamp Issues The current issue of Commonwealth postage stamps will be gradually replaced in the near future, the first of the series being released at a time approximating to the Coronation. This initial release will be confined to the 2d denomination, on which the bust of his Majesty King George VI will appear, and the Id denomination, which will portray her Majesty the Queen. Designs portraying their Majesties will also form the basis of certain other denominations to be issued later in the year. Cancelling Registration Three more industrial unions of workers in the freezing industry have given notice of proposed cancellation of registration under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. They are as follows: Smithfield Union of freezing works employees, 1454 registered members; Pareora, 1456; and Fairfield, 1462. A notice in last week’s Gazette states that, unless cause to the contrary is shown, registration of those unions will be cancelled at the expiration of six weeks. New Rakaia Bridge The tender of the Rope Construction Company, Auckland, has been accepted by the Public Works Department for the construction of the new highway bridge over the Rakaia River. The contract provides for the completion of the structure within two years. The amount of the contract has not been disclosed. The bridge will have a total length of 5720 ft and a width of 24ft. It will consist of 143 spans of 40ft each, supported on reinforced concrete piles, piers and abutments, and will be built two and a half chains downstream from the present bridge. Labour’s Regard for Soap Box A promise that Labour candidates who have reached the rank of Cabinet Ministers do not intend to forsake the “soap box" during the next election campaign was given by the Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Education, at the civic function in Auckland to the Prime Minister. “The open air meetings at street comers have been wonderful schools, at least, political kindergartens, and even universities, for many Labour representatives,” said Mr Fraser, “and the same procedure will be adopted by Cabinet Ministers, as well as others, at the next election." Builders in Demand “There is a pretty substantial boom coming, and building artisans are going to be in keen demand,” said the Under-Secretary in charge of the State housing scheme, Mr J. A. Lee, M.P., in Napier. Mr Lee said the houses built by the Government under the scheme would be of satisfactory quality, and nothing cheap would be tolerated. Mr Lee added: “The houses we build are not going to be shoddy.” The mere fact that the building subsidy had stopped did not mean there would be a shortage of work for building artisans. “Personally, I am convinced that before we know where we are there will be a shortage of artisans for housing construction. The scheme is now under way in all parts of New Zealand, and I anticipate a building boom soon. A Memorable Race Meeting The near approach of the Ohincmuri Jockey Club's meeting at Paeroa recalls a dramatic episode which occurred at the races in March, 1906—31 years ago. A great sensation was created on that occasion, when about 50 people were attacked with ptomaine poisoning. Among the eatables supplied at the luncheon were potted tongues, and it is believed that these were the cause of the attack. Some of the cases

were serious, and it was feared there would be loss of life. Some of the patients were attacked so suddenly that they had to be carried to Paeroa on stretchers. The hotels for a time were full of sick people. Tire scene on the course during the afternoon was described as remarkable, scores of people being ill at one and the same time. The spectacle on the train at Karangahake, Waikino and was such as was not likely to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. Victims in all kinds of positions and groaning with pain were seen being violently ill. Tire food at the refreshment booth was taken charge of by the police, and an investigation was made later.