Local and General News

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21818, 22 November 1940, Page 4

Local and General News

School Howler An examination paper in a primary school in Timaru recently contained the question: ‘‘What is corrugated iron?” One answer ran thus: “Iron with a permanent wave.” Salesman for Canada “I am supposed to be a salesman, at least that was my job before import restrictions more'or less removed the market for our Canadian products,” said Mr W. F. Bull, Canadian Trade Commissioner, in an address to the Auckland Rotary Club. “In addition to selling merchandise, I have always tried to sell Canada to the people with whoni I have had the good fortune to live,” he added. Cottages for Farms Up to October 31, 225 applications for Public Works cottages for temporary accommodation on farms were received by the Hamilton branch of the State Advances Corporation. To that date 120 cottages had been erected by the Public Works, 60 were in the course of erection and the remaining 45 applications were under consideration. This information was tabled at a meeting of the Waikato Primary Production Council on Monday. Rolled Oats and Candles A member of the First Echelon serving in Egypt writes to his father in Wellington as follows: “If you have anything to do with the Patriotic Board, here’s a suggestion if it wants to do anything for us. Porridge is not so easy to get here, and if rolled oats could be sent for the troops it would be greatly appreciated. Another thing made in New Zealand that we have to buy ourselves is candles, which we use every night in our tents and dugouts. Both these things could easily be sent and possibly are never considered.” Lorry Overloaded At the Timaru Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr H. Morgan, S.M., H. Gould and Co., Ltd., who were not represented, were charged with operating an overloaded lorry on the Pleasant Point highway on October 16, 1940, and with operating a lorry with incorrect classification plates. Inspector W. J. Tait of the Transport Department, gave evidence that the lorry was carrying nine pine logs. It was carrying the wrong classification plates and was one ton overloaded. On the charge of overloading a fine of £3 and costs 10/- was imposed, and on the second charge the penalty was £1 with costs 10/-. Propagation of Oysters Investigation by the Fisheries Department shows that, because of cold sea temperatures ruling at the time, the propagation of rock oysters last season was practically a complete failure. Rocks show none of the new spat, and 200 concrete slabs placed at Kawau, which is regarded as a nursery for the department, are clear of young oysters. It is intended in the coming season to place from 200 to 300 new concrete slabs at Kawau, but apart from this extension the activities of the department in rock oyster development are likely to be confined to clearing rocks of weeds and picking the borer pest from oysters. A Paradox A Dunedin resident has just received a letter from the East in which a remarkable paradox is described. The writer tells how a large number of American vessels were diverted to Shanghai to evacuate Americans and carry thdm back to the States, Manila, etc. The American shipping companies, however, were charging exorbitant prices for the transport of these Americans and the Japanese shipping companies seized the opportunity to under-cut the rates. The paradoxical position then arose of Japanese steamers transporting American people to enable them to escape from the Japanese menace! Marathon Sermons When the Presbyterian Assembly opened in Palmerston North last week, a marathon sermon was delivered by the Moderator, Rt. Rev. G. H. Jupp, of Dunedin, who spoke for an hour and eight minutes and from what was said at the Assembly on Tuesday, similar long addresses have not been infrequent. Apparently, however, delegates are getting a little tired of repeated verbosity for the unanimous verdict was that in future they shall not be longer than half-an-hour. The standing orders were amended accordingly. One minister said the long addresses flattened what all desired to be inspirational gatherings, a comment with which others agreed. British People’s Morale “The only time I saw anything approaching a panic in London was just before the start of the war,” said Mr M. Dennehy, former Assistant General Manager of Railways, speaking at a Wellington Travel Club reception about his experiences abroad. “It was due to the fact that the people did not quite realise what they were going to be faced with,” he said. “They could not realise what bombing would be like, but after a while things Settled down until something like normal conditions came about. I am definitely of the conclusion that, given fair warning, you can’t stampede free British people. They won’t be stampeded if you only give them a lead.” (Applause.) Economic Use of Machinery Giving evidence in the Court of Arbitration in support of an application by local bodies to have a shift-work provision included in the New Zealand Local Bodies’ Drivers’ Award, Mr R. Worley, borough engineer, Hamilton, said that if the expensive imported machinery bought by local bodies were used only 40 to 42 hours a week there would be a great economic loss. Great advances were being made in machinery for shifting dirt. If plant were not worked in shifts, it would probably be obsolete long before it was worn out. Another witness, Mr W. H. Hall, chairman of the works committee of the Timaru Borough Council, said that if shift work were permitted, neighbouring local bodies would probably be able to do their work with one set of machinery.