Local and General News

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21531, 19 December 1939, Page 6

Local and General News

Christmas Poultry Instructions to keep a close watch on auction marts and similar establishments over the holiday period to ascertain that Christmas poultry was humanely handled were given to the inspector and honorary inspectors at a meeting of the Timaru Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Chamber of Commerce Examinations Tire following were successful in the Wellington Chamber of Commerce examinations conducted in Timaru last month (all the candidates were pupils from the Girls’ High School)—Typewriting, junior: June Barbour. Nancy J. Chapman, Jean Urquhart. Book-keeping: Jean Urquhart. Office practice: Kathleen O. Bradley, Una I. Read. Action Appreciated A letter was received from the Automobile Association (South Canterbury) thanking the Council for rescinding the previous alteration to parking regulations in Stafford Street, and suggesting again that the Association be given an opportunity to commend upon any proposed alterations to traffic bylaws. It was agreed that the Association be informed of any proposed alterations to the by-laws. Holiday Traffic Control On the recommendation of the Traffic Inspector, Mr C. H. Newcome, the Timaru Borough Council | decided last night that Stafford Street be closed to vehicular traffic from 7.30 to 10.30 o’clock next Friday, which will be the late shopping night. As New Year’s Eve would fall on a Sunday. Mr Newcome did not consider it necessary to close Stafford Street to vehicular traffic on December 29. Red Cross Supplies Following a request from Headquarters a supply of bed-jackets, hospital shirts, bed socks, bandages and linen, has been packed by the local Red Cross Committee and is ready for despatch. A supply of cocoa, gulcose, raisins, chocolate, ovaltine, biscuits, jam and Bourn-vita will also be forwarded with the consignment. The Red Cross expresses gratitude for the generous response to the appeal. Borough Rate Collection The amount of rates collected to the end of November was £10,925, compared with £9567 for the corresponding period last year, said a report by the accountant, Mr R. Jordan, which was presented to the Timaru Borough Council last night. The increase in the amount collected represented 16.6 per cent compared with 15.3 per cent last year, the amount struck representing an increase of 5.2 per cent on last year. Timaru Borough Finances The Timaru Borough Council’s bank overdraft amounts to £5169, reported the accountant, Mr R. Jordan, to the meeting last night. “Since last report,” continued Mr Jordan, “temporary loans amounting to £7300 have been received, making the total temporary loans and deposits held £16,161. There are advances against loan accounts which will be refunded as soon as funds are available amounting to £4778. The Bank have in hand the application for remitting the London interest.’’ Brush Fences at Caroline Bay In reporting on work at Caroline Bay to the Timaru Borough Council last night, Mr A. W. Anderson, Curator of Reserves, said that the formation of the brush fences on the sand was almost finished and already it was very gratifying to see the number of people taking advantage of their shelter. The various beds and borders were being watered and hoed, and it was hoped that the season would be such as would allow the plants to come into flower instead of being killed by drought. He Lost His Hat The danger confronting his straw hat was realsied by a small boy on Saturday afternoon but in spite of all his efforts it went to destruction beneath a train. The hat had blown on to the railway line above the Bay just as one of the race trains came into sight on its return from Washdyke. The boy stood near the line and held his arms above his head in the shunting signal to stop. Trains do not stop for straw hats and the boy had to watch the loss of his hat and probably also had to think of an explanation for the folks at home. Extension of Bay Carnival On the motion of Crs. P. B. Foote and F. B. Hawkey, the Timaru Borough Council decided last night that an extension of the carnival conducted by the Caroline Bay Association be authorised for January 3 and 4 for the purpose of raising money for the Timaru Municipal Band’s centennial contest fund. The secretary of the Caroline Bay Association (Mr H. L. Warsaw) advised the Council that the Association had agreed to the Timaru Municipal Band’s request for the extension of the carnival, and the Association's helpers, together with the Executive, would carry on for the two additional days. Festoon Lighting The nearness of the holiday season was brought home to residents who were in town last night by the unusually bright appearance of Stafford Street over its entire length. For some years the Council erected festoon lighting in the main thoroughfare, but owing to the preponderence of Neon lighting, it was considered unnecessary to festoon the centre of the town, because the lighting would be rendered ineffective by the other lights. The new system of lighting in use would also present difficulty in erecting coloured streamers. The areas effectively lighted last night were from Woollcombe Street to North Street, and from Sefton Street to the Bay Viaduct. Coloured lighting probably will also be placed on the Bay. Theft of Jewellery A young girl appeared in the Children’s Court In Timaru yesterday before Mr H. Morgan, S.M., charged with the theft, between September 1 and December 4 of £1 in money, a pearl necklace, a diamond pendant, one safety razor, a frock and a part pair of spectacles, of the total value of £3Ol/7/6. DetectiveSergeant Thomas, who prosecuted, said that the accused had stolen the goods from a house in the country where she was employed. With the exception of the money, all the stolen articles had been recovered. Detective-Sergeant Thomas said that he was of the opinion that if the accused had known the value of the goods she would not have taken them. After severely admonishing the accused, the Magistrate placed her upder the supervision of the Child Welfare Officer for 12 months, and ordered her to make restitution of £1 within one month.