SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18366, 27 April 1925, Page 4

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

*. TIMARU. Social and Personal. Mrs Melville Jameson ("Otumarama") returned from Chrislckurch on Friday. Mr and Mrs Arthur Elwortliv (Holme Station) returned from C'hristchurcli on Saturday.

Mrs R. L. Orbell (Park laao) came back on Thursday after a short visit to Aniberley.

Mrs Owen Blackler (Hazoibcrn) returned to riiri.-:tcl:*ir::h cn Friday. Mr and Mrs F. \V. AnUsrTrtn (Christchurch) and Mis:' TVufcsgion (Akaroa) arc visitor;' to Timor::. Mr and Mrs Ivor Evans (Melbourne) and Mr N. Falconer (Danediu) left Timaru on Thursday for the north. Mrs .Tames Hay and Mis Richardson, who were in Timaru for .1 motored back to Chrisiohunh on Friday.

Miss BfHy f'essins (Wni-iti road) left on Wednesday to spend a fortnight in Dunedin with Mrs Henry Williams and Mrs Batehclor.

The Misses Moorhouse (Hamilton), who have been spending some weeks with Mrs A. F. Roberts (Park lane), left 011 Friday for the north. Harbour Improvements. A difference of opinion was apparent amongst members of the Timarv. Harbour Board at its mooting on Friday as to the advisability of inviting tlic Members of the Royal Commission, which last year reported adversely upon its harbour improvement schemes, to visit Timaru for the purpose of recommending an alternative or cheaper scheme. Although the Board had asked these gentlemen, Messrs Gyrus J. R. Williams, 11. Vickerman, and J. D. Gillies, whether they would be prepared to act as advisory engineers, and they had replied in the affirmative, it is now probable that the services of an outside engineer will bo obtained, and should he put forward a scheme which will meet with the Board's approval, a fresh Royal Commission will be asked to report on his proposals. At Friday's meeting of the Board, a reply was received from Mr Cyru3 J. R, Williams (chairman of the., lato Royal Commission) to the Board's enquiry as to whether he and his colleagues (Messrs H. Vickerman and J. D. Gillies) would be prepared to visit Timaru in the capacity of advisory engineers. Mr Williams stated that they would be willing to act as if the Commission had been revived, and to give the Board the advice which- they would have given previously had it been in accordance with their order of reference; on the same terms as before, except that, as Mr Gillies was no longer in the Public Service, he should be paid on the sanio basis as Mr Vickerman.

The chairman (Mr W. Hayman) said that, as instructed, he had interviewed Mr Williams, but the conversation had got him little further. Mr Williams had expressed the opinion that only two or three days would be required for their visit, and they would have to take very little fresh evidence. He appeared to think that, tlie shoaling was .not such an important, factor as the range. The speaker had pointed out that it was the shoaling which chiefly concerned the ißoard, but Mr Williams had used figures to show that it would take about 50 years for the shoaling to reach half-way out to tlie entrance.

Mr F. E. Flatijian: What is tho use of having Mr Williams down if ho does not appreciate tho danger from the shoaling? '

The chairman said that Mr Williams understood that the' Board was concerned over tho shoaling, but did not think it would be any real danger for some time to come.

Mr D, C. Turnbull said that lie would like to seo the engineer who had designed the New Plymouth harbour extension asked to visit Timaru.

Mr A. F. Campbell said that the late Commissioners fully understood the requirements of Timaru harbour. The Board could consider any scheme they might submit, and if they did not think it was suitable, it would be an easy matter to get another engineer to report. He moved that the late Commissioners (Messrs Williams, Vickcrmaii, and Gillies) should bo asked to visit Timaru in ?in advisory capacity as engineers. The chairman seconded the motion, but it found no other supporters. Mr E. E. Isaac thought that the New Plymouth Harbour Board's engineer should be asked to visit Timaru to confer with Mr F. W. Clarke (the Timaru Board's engineer).

Mr Flatman said that he would be in New Plymouth in week's time, when he could personally interview the engineer.

lliis met with the unanimous approval of members, and it was decided that Mr Flatman should report to the next meeting of the Board.

TEMUKA. To mark the closing of the bowling season and incidentally io raise funds to help defray the cost of extending the pavilion, the Temuka Club held drawing, trailing and driving competitions on the towling green on Thursday afternoon, play commencing at 1.30 p.m. The success which attended this innovation was much greater than was anticipated, visitors being present from all parts of the district, and the green bore a very animated appearance all the afternoon. The. competition was won by Mr T. Edwards, whose score was 34, the runner-np Heing T. Currie (West End) with a total of 33. Mr Edwards also won the prize for the highest aggregate of the five top scores. The secretary (Mr D. White) had had the arrangements as perfect as they could he. Mesdames Shiels, Sinclair, and Miss Brown caiiCd out the afternoon tea airangements excellently.