Local and General News

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21644, 3 May 1940, Page 6

Local and General News

Chosen to Represent Dominion

Information has been received in Timaru that Tom Morrison, South Canterbury representative and All Black footballer, took part in the Egyptian tennis championships recently. He was selected to represent New Zealand at the championships, as was also G. C. Reid, a former South Canterbury and West Coast tennis champion.

Yesterday's Enlistments

Four enlistments in Timaru yesterday brought the total for South Canterbury to 760. The names available were R. G. A. Munro and J. W. Howes. At a sitting of the Medical Board yesterday 34 recruits were examined and 22 passed fit. There were four temporarily unfit, two fit for home service, one permanently unfit while two or three will be re-examined later.

Repatriation of Soldiers

The repatriation of members of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force was discussed by delegates at the annual conference of the Council of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association yesterday. It was agreed that the Government should be asked to allow returned soldiers to assist with repatriation work and a resolution to this effect was carried.

Farm Labour

On the recommendation of its Lands Committee, the annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association resolved that in the investigation and use of the man power of the Dominion, provision should be made to ensure that adequate, efficient and intelligent farm labour is available for the national effort for increased production during the war. It was decided also that the Association's executive should confer with farmers' organisations to assist effect being given to the resolution.

Sewing of Potato Sacks

Potatoes are now coming on the market for shipment in moderate quantities, but it would seem that the sewing of the bags leaves something to be desired. It was explained yesterday that sewers were failing to make the twine secure in the sack before forming the first lug. They were also failing to secure the twine into the sack on completion of the second lug and in consequence the simple knot pulled through the sack fabric when the sacks were handled, and the bags came open, spilling the contents. Those handling the potatoes were desirous of attention being given to the sewing to save unnecessary trouble and delay.

Payment of Visiting Medical Staff

The principle of the visiting medical staff beingpaid on the basis of an annual salary scale was reaffirmed by the Wellington Hospital Board last night, and the proposed agreement for the future medical staffing of the hospital recommended by the special committee, which consisted of board members and the medical staff, was approved. The chairman, Mr J. Glover, said the scheme was a splendid thing for the hospital and the patients and would do justice to those doctors who had given their services in an honorary capacity for so many years. The scale recommended by the committee ranges from £l5O a year to £5OO.

Canterbury Wool Returns

A payment of £78,321 will be made to Canterbury farmers as a result of the fifth and final main wool appraisal for the province this season. The offering was of only 5047 bales. The total number of bales sold this year under the appraisal scheme was 85,770 of a gross value of £1,455.330, or just under £l7 a bale. Last year 99,209 bales were sold at a total of £1,255,095, so that this year’s return from 13,439 bales fewer has been greater by £200,235. The final figures for the fifth appraisal were announced yesterday by the secretary of the Christchurch Woolbrokers’ Association as follows: Weight, 1,582,6031 b; value, £78,320; average price, per lb 11.887(1, per bale £l5 10s 4.381 d.

Unsound Fruit

Complaints regarding the high proportion of bad fruit among the shipment of Cook Island oranges which arrived in Auckland on Wednesday were made yesterday by several city retailers. They claimed that approximately one-third of each case purchased was bad, some cases of 200 count containing as many as 70 rotten fruit. Private purchasers also expressed indignation that the fruit had not been repacked before being offered for sale. In explanation, an official of the Internal Marketing Division said that the shipment had been slightly late in arriving and the demand for oranges had teen acute. The final 5000 cases loaded on the ship had been brought aboard in heavy rain and packed in an open hold. Consequently these fruit were sodden throughout the voyage. It had been the intention of the division to repack the fruit on arrival before sale, but as the position was acute these 5000 cases had been placed immediately upon the market. The purchasers would not lose by the transaction as it had been arranged to pay compensation for all bad fruit. The remainder of the shipment was of good quality and perfectly dry. High School Concert The second presentation of "Rip Van Winkle" by the pupils of the Timaru Boys’ High School attracted another large audience to the Theatre Royal last evening. The boy who played Rip before bis long rest was excellent, and he was ably supported by another pupil who made a perfect "girl." Rip. 20 years after, proved to be the outstanding piece of acting during the evening. The splendid way in which lire boys were dressed is due entirely to the efforts of the parents in co-operation with the teachers, and materially added to the success of the •show. The singing of tile school reached a very high standard, although the voices at times lacked volume, the sound going up into the wings. Two songs were sung by the school in the first half, "The Strong Go On” and "The Laughing Chorus.” Presented by two very young pupils, a comedy number "We Run Them In” was well received, and a brass quartette played "Berceuse de Jocelyn” and "Madrigal” from “The Mikado.” “Peter Coffin the Pirate," was acted by the Preparatory pupils, the pirates and the band of "savages" proving remarkably fierce, especially the smallest “savage,” who did a most effective war dance.