TEMUKA MORE FIRES LAST YEAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22474, 8 January 1943, Page 3

TEMUKA MORE FIRES LAST YEAR

Eleven Calls Received

Two In Shopping Area

The Temuka Volunteer Fire Brigade

experienced a comparatively busy year in 1942. Eleven calls were received by the brigade in comparison with five calls ih 1941 and six calls in 1940. Fires attended by the brigade during the year included two at the New Zealand Insulators, Ltd. works and one

scrub fire in the adjoining grounds. Two fires occurred in the shopping area, one being tlie shop occupied by Mr R. Trigance and the other an outbreak in Messrs Gapper and Sheen’s store. One small dwelling in Shaw Street was completely burned out. Other calls included a cow-shed at the Bramwell Booth Boys’ Home, one chimney on fire, two straw stacks and the fence at the rear of the St. Joseph's Convent grounds. No false alarms were received during the year. "When one takes into consideration the trouble which has been caused in many other centres by the giving of both unintentional and malicious false alarms," said the Superintendent <Mr F. J. Chapman) yesterday, “the Temuka Brigade has been fortunate in its record during the past year. Most of the calls were received in good time, and the prompt arrival of the brigade enabled most of the outbreaks to be extinguished before any great damage was caused. This was the case particularly at the New Zealand Insulators, Ltd., where the vigilance of tne night-watchmen on fire duty discovered the outbreaks almost immediately they occurred.” EARLY POTATOES PLENTIFUL A good supply of early potatoes is available for consumption in the Temuka district, said a local merchant yesterday. Potatoes for shipment should begin to come in during the later part of March and there is every prospect of a good yield, although some crops are showing signs of blight, and rain is badly needed. It is not yet known what definite arrangements have been made by the Government for handling this season's crop. The previous arrangement made by the Government for shipping locally grown potatoes to the North Island through a Timaru firm was most satisfactory, but so tar no notification has been received locally as to whether this arrangement will continue. While the maximum price of potatoes has been fixdd for next season, no minimum price has been arranged, which has the effect of giving no stability to the market. Both growers and merchants would be glad to have the position clarified as soon as possible. MAGISTRATE'S COURT BUSINESS Although there were fewer civil claims made at the Temuka Magis-, trate’s Court last year, the amount' sued for Was £9l greater than in the previous year. The number of criminal cases dealt with by the Court show a slight decrease in comparison with 1941. Business recorded during the year was as follows (figures for the previous yeai- in parentheses):—Plaints 79 (85), amount sued for £789/7/3 (£698/979), amount recovered £437/8/7 (£4lO/6/5), civil fees collected £56/4/0 (£62/9/-). Criminal fees for 1942 amounted to £22/15/-, compared With £26/16/- in 1941, and fines collected to £146/14/2, compared with £237/9/6. MILFORD SCHOOL CONCERT A varied and enjoyable programme of items was presented at the annual concert and prize-giving of the Milford School. The children had a real Christmas treat when Mr Hartley Hope gave a finished exhibition of magic and lightning sketches. Assisting artists were the Misses Cuthbert (2), Caithness and Boocock, and Messrs Bolderston and Woodhead. The senior pupils contributed groups of songs. Mrs J. Brown acted as accompanist and Mr Donehue played for the dance. Prizes for the year’s work were presented, the dux medal going to J. Forrest. PERSONAL Mrs A. Grundy and Mrs J. Irvine, of Christchurch, are spending a holiday in Temuka. The Rev. W. H. Nichol, of the Temuka Presbyterian Church, left on Wednesday to spend his annual holiday in Gore, Mr and Mrs F. J. Smith, Oamaru, have been spending a holiday in Temuka.