Local and General News

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21507, 21 November 1939, Page 6

Local and General News

Girls’ Hostel A start has been made with the erection of the new hostel at the Napier Girls’ High School. The hostel will cost slightly in excess of £16,000. Soldiers to Enjoy Free Bathing On the recommendation of the Reserves Committee, the Timaru Borough Council decided last night that members of the New Zealand Special Force, iii uniform, should be granted the use of the swimming baths and bathing facilities free of charge. New Zealand Special Force After a lapse of several days two more enlistments were received at the Timaru Defence Office yesterday for the New Zealand Special Force. They were William Jacob Wyndham (Waimate) and Frederick William George Kettle (Geraldine). The total South Canterbury recruits now stands at 408. Borough Rate Payment The accountant, Mr N. V. R. Jordan, reported to the Timaru Borough Council last night that the amount of rates collected continued in excess of the amount received for the corresponding period last year. The excess amounted to £lO6B. and was a slight increase since the previous report, when the amount was £B5O. Improving Dangerous Corners The Borough Traffic Inspector, Mr C. H. Newcome, reported to the Timaru Borough Council last night that he had examined 11 hedges which interfered with visibility at intersections. It was decided that the matter be brought under the notice of the property owners concerned and that they be asked if they would assist the Council by lowering the hedges or fences. The inspector was also asked to report on further corners that might require attention. Ashbury Park Football Grounds The two new football grounds had been completed and sown in grass seed, and the entrance to the area known as Jeffrey’s property had been levelled and sown, the Borough Curator, Mr A. W. Anderson, reported to the Timaru Borough Council last night. At the present rate of progress it would appear that the balance of the levelling would be completed about Easter, and that, if no unexpected hitch occurred, the whole of the area known as Allan’s property should be sown in the autumn. Library Popularity Increasing Statistics presented by the librarian, Miss A. K. Elliot, at the meeting of the Timaru Borough Council last night, show that the Timaru library continues to grow in popularity. During October 15,719 volumes were Issued to borrowers in the adult library, compared with 14,209 in October, 1938. In the juvenile library 3427 works of Action and 1565 class books were issued, a total of 4992, and in October, 1938, the issues were: Fiction 3282, class books 933, total 4215. The total issues last month were 20,711, compared with 18,424 in October, 1938, an increase of 2287. "‘ Father Confessors ” It was a common belief among members of the public, said Mr D. J. Cummings, Commissioner of Police, in New Plymouth, that a policeman’s chief job was to “run people in.” That was not so, ne said. Only the wrong-doer needed to fear the law, and for every case that came before the courts there were probably a dozen investigated by the police that did not. The policy of the department was not to prosecute trivia! matters, and he personally was against that sort of thing. A police officer was encouraged to take an interest in social work, and in many cases, especially on the country stations, he became a sort of father confessor to whom people brought their troubles. Rugby not Football Among old letters preserved by the late Mr C. S. Fraser is one that sheds some light on the establishment of football in South Canterbury. The letter is a reply to a request sent by Mr Fraser to a friend in Christchurch for the procuration of balls with which to commence practice in Timaru. The Christchurch man, an Association devotee, after notifying that he had been able to purchase part of the material asked for, went on to say: “I regret that you are likely to choose Rugby Union rules. They are all very well for fellows at school and in good training and condition, but after a really hard-fought game under Rugby Union rules played by fellows shut up 24 hours out of 48, it not only gives them fits, but one such game is sufficient to last the season. And the thing is NOT FOOTBALL; it Is legs, hands, and everything but ball.” Progress at Centennial Park In reporting on the work at Centennial Park, the Borough Curator (Mr A. W. Anderson)) informed the Timaru Borough Council last night that the road was progressing very satisfactorily and the part over the top of the cliffs at the Claremont end was almost completed. The eastern end of this part had been graded and a commencement had been made to construct a drain to remove the surplus water. In this connection the Council was very much indebted to the Timaru Harbour Board’s engineer, Mr B. W. Charman, for his very active co-operation. The west end, abutting the Claremont Road, had been regraded and some big rocks which were originally covered had to be blasted because the toe of the road extended over the highway. Although this had meant a considerable amount of extra work, it was undoubtedly a great improvement and. the road would be much safer.