Local and General News

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21789, 19 October 1940, Page 6

Local and General News

Large Donation Received The largest donation so far received by the Mayor (Mr W. G. Tweedy) for the patriotic funds came to hand yesterday. The sum was of £lOO and it was forwarded by the South Canterbury Club, to be devoted to general purposes of the fund. Woman as Deputy-master Chiefly in view of the fact that young men would probably be required for war service, a woman, Miss J. H. Studholme, was elected deputy-master at the annual meeting of the Waimate District Hunt Club yesterday afternoon. Thorough Watcher Indications of thoroughness were given by a petitioner in the Supreme Court at Wellington. Detailing the observations he kept on a place his wife frequented, petitioner said he had a perfect pair of field glasses for day use and another pair for use at night. Girls’ War Hours A statement that a number of girls employed on war work in Auckland was working 54 hours a week was made by Dr. Hilda Northcroft at the Auckland Hospital Board meeting on Monday. She said the girls were working a nightly nine-hour shift. “They are not making a song about it either,” she added. Terms Awarded In addition to the list published yesterday, the following exempted students of Canterbury University College who sat the annual College examinations in South Canterbury have been awarded terms: Joan Frances Oxford, Sociology, Philosophy 1 (Psychology); Robert Wilmore Patrick, Philosophy 1 (Psychology). Fine Response Although many calls have been made on the public purse of recent months, there was a generous response in Timaru yesterday to the appeal made by the St. John Ambulance Association. Final figures were not available last night, but it was stated by the secretary (Mr T. H. Innes) that the total was slightly over £lOO, which was considered most gratifying. The Association greatly appreciated the assistance of V.A.D.’s and other helpers. Circular to Girl Workers Girl workers in a Dunedin clothing factory have received during the past week or so an anonymous circular urging them to refuse to accept their present conditions and to organise an attempt to secure higher wages. So far as is known, the circular has been distributed in only one factory, which, like most of the others, is engaged to a certain extent on military orders, but since the statements made in it are obviously false it is understood that little notice has been taken of it. Any suggestion of an organised attempt at sabotage of the war effort is discounted. Guarding Freezing Works In view of the fact that Mr T. D. Burnett, Member for Temuka, had made several appeals to the Prime Minister (Right Hon. P. Fraser) in response to representations by the South Canterbury executive of the Farmers’ Union urging that adequate provision should be made for the protection of freezing works during the war, and that Mr Fraser had agreed that the protective measures should be more rigorous, the provincial secretary (Mr A. B. Struthers), at the meeting yesterday, was instructed to write conveying the thanks of the Farmers’ Union to Mr Burnett. Good Farming Conditions “Weather conditions on the whole have been quite seasonable, and it is a long time since the country was looking better at the time of the year than it is to-day,” stated the president (Mr A. J. Davey) in his report to the South Canterbury executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday. “There has been abundant rain and warm weather is now required to harden feed and toughen crops. Farmers are busy with the preparation of the soil for crops of autumn and winter feed, and indications are that there will be a large area sown. Conditions now are favourable and good strikes should be obtained.” Fishing Rivers The recent north-west weather has discoloured the Opihi, stated the ranger (Mr F. W. Pellett) yesterday, and the river will not be good for fly fishing. The Ohapi, Te Ngawai and the Temuka are clear while the Pareora is in excellent condition, due to the mouth being wide open at the sea. So far the weather has been too cold for good fly fishing, but when summer conditions come' anglers can be assured of good sport as the streams are abounding in healthy trout. To-morrow lake fishing commences at Lake Alexandria and McGregor. These are well stocked, but the sport will be determined by climatic conditions. Shortage of Shearers “It is most unfortunate that at such a time as this regulations and awards regarding Union membership must be so rigidly adhered to,” stated Mr A. J. Davey, president, in addressing the South Canterbury Farmers’ Union executive yesterday. “If a sheep farmer who is able to shear undertakes to help a neighbouring sheep farmer who has failed to get unionist shearers, he is obliged to become a member of the Union, or both become liable to prosecution. It is apparent that there will be an acute shortage of shearers this season, and farmers on the lowcountry are urged to shear as early as possible to allow shearers to be available to those on the higher country when required. Many low-country farmers have learned from experience that it is too risky to shear ewes until a draft of lambs has been taken, and one hesitates to ask them to take that risk for the benefit of the general situation.”