Local and General News

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21836, 13 December 1940, Page 6

Local and General News

Man Overboard Not scuttled, just fouled. The bow man in a four oared crew was neatly tipped into the middle of the harbour last evening when his oar struck a dinghy obscured in the glare of the evening sun. Apart from a fright and a cold bath, the incident was attended only by much mirth from the other members of the crew. The Wartime Order A female clerk is now a member of the Magistrate’s Court staff at Palmerston North, this being understood to be the first such appointment in the history of the Court in this centre. Owing to the shortage of staff in the Civil Service throughout New Zealand, appointments of female clerks are being made as a wartime measure in various departments. High Shearing Tally A shearing gang of six men, under Mr Tau Wilson, recorded an excellent performance last week on the Papanui estate, Taihape. They shore 1840 sheep in one day—an average of 306 sheep per man. The men were the recipients of congratulations on their achievements by Mr H. H. Morris, the manager of the station. Payment of Pensions Because of the Christmas and New Year holidays pensions due toward the end of the month or on January 1 (in the case of the universal pension) will be payable from December 20. The pensions thus affected are the old age, widows’ and children’s, invalidity, New Zealand and Imperial war and other pensions and the universal pension. Higher Prices Wanted Meetings of fruitgrowers are being called throughout the Nelson district to consider the proposal made by the Government in respect of prices for the purchase of apples and pears in the approaching season. It is understood that the over-all price offered is slightly higher than last year, but not as high as growers had hoped in view of increased production costs. Further representations will probably result from the meetings. Competitions for Anglers There was a record entry, for the South Canterbury Anglers’ Club’s annual fly and bait casting competitions, which were held in the pond at the Timaru Park last evening. The events were keenly contested, and some splendid performances were witnessed. The fly casting, distance and accuracy, was won by R. Thomson, while in the bait casting, distance and accuracy, H. E. D. Willcox and S. Anderson tied for first place. Storks Beat Censor Migratory storks have beaten the German censorship in Holland, says the Johannesburg correspondent of the “London Times.” A dead bird found on a farm in North Transvaal had a message written on a tape sewn to its leg. The message read: “To our South African brothers. We, the people of Bergen op Zoom, tell you that living under the German accupatlon is just hell.” Another message declared: “The people are groaning under the injustices.” Technical School Picnic Approximately 125 pupils and teachers of the Timaru Technical College journeyed to Temuka yesterday for the annual picnic which was held at the Domain under ideal conditions. During the morning the boys visited the Public Works Department Workshops where they spent an interesting time Inspecting the machinery which was explained to them by Mr Todd and his staff. The facilities of the Domain were available to the pupils who indulged in swimming, tennis and cricket and other open air pastimes. Lodges and Benefits In a brief statement issued yesterday, the Dominion Council of the Friendly Societies' Association, referring to a recent statement made in the House by the Minister of Health on the medical benefits under the Social Security Act, said that this statement was apt to convey the impression that only the head of a friendly society member’s' family received medical benefits, but the Council desired to make it clear that not only the member himself but his wife and children received medical benefits, boys up to the age of 16 and girls up to the age of 18. Wiremen's Examination At the examinations held in September, by the Electrical Wiremen’s Registration Board, the prize for the written part was gained by W. R. Church, of New Plymouth, who secured 86 marks out of a possible 100. The prize for the practical part was gained by A. S. Phillips, of Duvauchelle, who secured 87 marks out of a possible 100. The highest marks in the servicemen’s examination were gained by: G. J. Duthle, of Gisborne, in the written part, who secured 71 marks, and V. B. Mountjoy, of Onehunga, in the practical part, who secured 92 marks. Gift of £l5OO The sum of £l5OO has been received by the Hon. W. Nash as a straight out gift towards the war expenses from the Dominion Federation of Women’s Institutes. “This welcome addition to the funds needed for war purposes has been made possible by the decision of the Federation to forego its annual conference and pay the money thus saved into the war expenses account,” said the Minister in thanking the donors for their generous action. “I think this is a particularly fine gesture. and one worthy of special commendation.” Wheat Production The Primary Production Council for the South Canterbury District Is calling a meeting on Friday, December 20, of the Farmers’ Union South Canterbury Executive, the three M.P.’s for the district and the Grain Merchants’ and Stock Merchants’ Associations to discuss the question of wheat production in South Canterbury for the coming season, also the question of conserving and increasing fodder crops. The meeting will be addressed by Mr W. W. Mulholland, Dominion president, New Zealand Farmers’ Union and a member of the War Council, and Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., at whose request the meeting has been called. A Coincidence Of the five Catholic priests, all of them students of St. Patrick's College, Wellington, who were ordained at Meanee in 1911, three have since died, and in each case death occurred in Australia. This was mentioned on Tuesday by one of the five, the Rev. Father J. J. Cullen, S.M., at present on the staff of St. Mary of the Angels, in Boulcott Street, who is about to leave for Atistralia (his first visit) to take up a teaching appointment at St. John’s College, Lismore, New South Wales. The five priests referred to were the Rev. Fathers T. B. Segrief, J. J. Herring, J. J. Fraher, J. J. Cullen and J. J. Monaghan, all members of the Society of Mary. The first three have passed away.