LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20680, 19 March 1937, Page 8

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Placement Scheme The Placement Officer (Mr R. G. Sampson) reports that for the week ended March 13 the following casual and permanent work was secured in Timaru: Permanent 8 (to date 270); temporary 12 (325); casual 32 (669). This gives a total of 52 men placed for the week, the total to date being 1264. The national figures to date are 30,234. Vote to Labour Party A plebiscite is now being taken among the 10,700 financial members of the New Zealand Union of Railwaymen, in accordance with the recent amendment to the Finance Act, to determine whether the members are prepared to vote £lOOO to the funds of the New Zealand Labour Party. The ballots will close in April. Under-Consumption of Sermons Referring to the fact that a minister has to prepare at least 100 sermons a year, the Rev. P. Gladstone Hughes, in a special sermon at St. Andrew’s Church to members of the Auckland Bowling Club, which was celebrating its 75th anniversary, said the trouble, as in the industrial world, was not due to over-production, but to under-consumption. The slogan "Drink more milk” might also have a parallel one, ‘‘Taste more sermons.” Temuka Electorate Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., has sent the following telegram to the Minister of Labour: “In connection with circular letter received by the Geraldine County engineer asking for a list of works in Geraldine County suitable for absorbing unemployed men, the engineer is preparing a schedule of eight works for forwarding to the district engineer. I would point out, however, that there are between two and three hundred men to Temuka and Geraldine, and that they should have priority on any works within the county.” A Leader of the People An untranslatable incantation was recited by an old Maori chief at the tribal welcome to the Prime Minister at Rotorua, in describing how Ngatoirangi, the famous navigator of the tribal canoe, invoked the power of the gods to set the lost canoe upon its course. According to Arawa history the gods heard and finally brought the Maoris safely to land. The chief compared the coming voyage of Mr Savage to England with the voyage of his ancestors across the sea of Kiwa in the great Arawa canoe. The canoe of Aotearoa, he said, was now in Mr Savage’s charge, and he was guiding the destinies of the people. Big Broadbill Caught Weighing 6201 b and measuring 13ft Bin in length, a broadbill swordfish which was landed off Mayor Island was the first to be caught in New Zealand waters for over nine years, and the first of the species yet caught in that locality. The giant “catch” was made by Mr H. W. Burch, of Remuera, fishing from the launch Dauntless about four miles off the island. It fought for over two hours and a half, and towed the launch about ten miles. The fish sounded eight times. After it was gaffed it was found impossible to lift it on to the launch, and it was towed 12 miles into Opu Bay, Mayor Island. Its girth measured sft, and its bill 4ft. It has been presented to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Price of Cement A denial that he had stated during his tour of North Auckland recently that cement could be produced for 30/- a ton was made by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, at Rotorua. The Minister said that some alarm had apparently been caused by Press reports of the matter, and he thought it advisable to clear up an obvious misconception. “A complaint was made that the price of cement was too high," said the Minister, “and that as far as the farming community was concerned it was absolutely prohibitive. My reply was that If prices were found to be too high, the position could be rectified, either by price fixation or by Government manufacture. I also added that the Government would not countenance any exploitation in the matter.” To Lie Dormant Because of lack of interest to its activities, the Waimataitai School Ex-Pupils' Association has decided to enter upon a period of dormancy until such time as renewed interest is aroused by some need for definite action. This decision was made at the annual meeting of the Association last night, when only seven members were present. Five apologies for absence were received. The secretary (Mr G. Williams), who gave a verbal report on the work in the last year, said that the lack of interest did not permit of much activity. The Association had a credit balance of £4/2/9. There were about seven or eight financial members, while seven, including several new members, had already paid their subscriptions for the new year. The president (Mr F. C. Ward) said It had been suggested that the Association lie dormant until the celebration of the School’s diamond jubilee hove in sight, as it was apparent that little interest could be aroused, particularly among young people, unless some event of importance was happening. It was emphasised by members that this course would not mean the breaking up of the Association, which could be revived immediately any important matters required attention. The meeting passed a motion thanking the president and secretary for their services and leaving in their hands the calling of the next meeting. Votes of thanks for assistance to the Association were carried, and it was decided to refund the subscriptions already paid for the new year.