Local and General News

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21085, 11 July 1938, Page 6

Local and General News

Another Fall of Snow -Lute yebcerday afternoon snow started to fall in the Mackenzie Country. Fairlie had light rain and no snow. There was no definite indication of an I improvement in the weather, except that the barometer was rising. Precautions, however, had been taken to have the Mackenzie County Council’s snow clearing plant in readiness. Overcoats Popular Overcoats and mufflers were popular in Timaru yesterday, when a sunless day and a biting wind kept the temperature very low. The hills were dressed in true winter garb and snow fell in the back country. Saturday morning produced 16.6 degrees of frost—the hardest this season. Frozen water pipes were frequent and plumbers were in demand. Yesterday’s excursion train from Christchurch brought 280 visitors, while 150 passengers left on the train for Christchurch. Still No Trace More than a week has elapsed since Mr T. M. McKinnon disappeared from a hotel at which he was staying in Timaru. Although a widespread search, including dragging in the harbour, has been conducted, no trace has been found of the missing man. Trawling in Caroline Bay on Saturday morning, a fisherman recovered a fairly new felt hat in his net. It cannot be established, however, whether or not the hat is the property of Mr McKinnon. It is a standard and popular make. Course For Guide Commissioners Seventeen Commissioners of the Girl Guide movement in the South Island are in residence al “Carne,” Sealey Street, kindly placed at the disposal of the movement by Mrs R. P. Woodhouse, for the first training course of the kind held in New Zealand. Distinguished visitors include Miss Ruth Herrick. Commissioner for New Zealand, an* Miss M. Knight, of England, Eagle Owl, who has come to the Dominion to conduct courses for Commissioners and Guides. The course commenced on Friday night and will conclude to-morrow morning. Tricky Road Surface The heavy frosts experienced in the Mackenzie i Country made road conditions tricky in parts during the week-end, especially in the vicinity of Lake Tekapo. Motorists had to exercise great care in the application of brakes as sudden stopping mean quick swerving. Many had narrow escapes and a sedan car owned by Mr A. C. Martin turned on its side on the flat some distance before Tekapo. Fortunately none of the party was hurt, and the car was not seriously damaged. Another car capsized at the same spot, the occupants receiving a severe shaking. Judical Enthusiasm Even judges express, at times, gratification at being relieved of a burden of responsibility. Two counsel appeared before Mr Justice Callan in the Supreme Court in Auckland to report that the case which was about to engage his Honour had been settled by agreement between the parties, and the only application they desired to make was that the case should be adjourned sine die. “Your application is granted with enthusiasm.” said his Honour with a smile. Power Supply Interruptions A protest against the practice of the South Canterbury Electric Power Board of advising consumers that the power is to be cut off the day the supply is interrupted was made by members of the Temuka branch of the Farmers’ Union al the monthly meeting on Friday night. Mr C. R. Barnett said some people did not receive their paper until late ,afternoon and by that time the power was already off. Great inconvenience was sometimes caused farmers, particularly dairymen. It was decided to ask the Power Board to advertise the disconnecting of the supply the previous day. Restoration Issue in Invercargill When the Southland Progress League meets on Wednesday night the main subject for discussion is likely to be the following notice of motion by Mr M. H. Mitchel: “That the League is of the opinion that it is desirable in the interests of the province that hotel accommodation in Invercargill should be very much increased and improved, and is in favour and will support a vote of restoration of licensed accommodation at the forthcoming elections.” Mr Mitchel raised the subject at the meeting of the League last month, and moved this motion, but agreed to give notice to bring it forward at this months meeting. New Zealand Ski Championships The New Zealand ski championships are to be held this year in the South Island, the venue being the Ball Hut, Mount Cook. Last year no New Zealand titles were competed lor on account of the visit of the New Zealand team-to Australia. It is not known yet if any Australian or other overseas competitors will be present, but it is most likely that the leading exponents of the art in New Zealand will be assembled at the Ball Hut for the national events. The New Zealand Ski Council has confirmed the appointment of a committee to conduct the championship meeting and the preliminary arrangements are now in the hands ol this committee, consisting of Messrs F. IL Drcwilt (chairman.!, C. L. Mahan and P. W. Young (hon. secretary). Maui's “Fishing” That there were two Mauls in early Maori and Polynesian history was mentioned by Mr George Graham in an address to the anthropology and Maori race section of the Auckland Institute and Museum. He said students of Polynesian migrations believed that there lived in very early times a personage named Maui, of a mythological or demi-god nature, and later there had been another Maui, a mortal, who was more generally known. The former was probably an ancient ancestor of the Polynesian race, and to him were attributed many feats which were beyond mortal power. The second Maui was famous as an explorer, consequent on his voyaging from his birthplace, Tahiti, to many parts of the Pacific. He was credited with the discovery of Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand, the Maoris in the picturesque way saying that he had fished these lands up from the depth of the sea.