TIMARU NEWS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20102, 4 December 1930, Page 9

TIMARU NEWS.

FREEZING WORKS SEASON. At the meeting of the South Canterbury Executive of the Farmers' Union yesterday Mr A. Ward said lie understood that the local freezing works would not be opening before Christmas. There -was only one company operating at present between Timaru and Christchurch. Some farmers with early fat lambs were consequently sending stock north. Others were reluctant to do this as the lambs lost condition on the way north, and were sometimes not killed till five days after they had left their home paddocks. If the lambs were not killed locally it meant a loss to the district. The manager of one of the local works had expressed regret that the works were not yet opened, but he had to act according to the instructions from headquarters. However, the Union did not want to open the works if there were not enough lambs coming forward to warrant it. Mr Ward was of the opinion that there was quite a number of fat lambs available. The chairman (Mr J. Bitehcner, M.P.) said that although he did not think there were many fat lambs in the Waimate district it waa a serious matter for farmers who had latnbs ready. Mr P. E. Talbot remarked that the local works were losing money by not opening earlier in the season. He moved: "That the local works bo approached; that it bo pointed out that Christchurch buyers were operating in tho district, and that lambs wero being sent north to be killed, to the detriment of South Canterbury. Further, that the local works be asked to reconsider the question of opening for the killing season." Mr J. C. Hay seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Farmers' Union Picnic. At a combined meeting of the limaru branch of the Farmers' Union, and the Women's Division, it was decided to hold a picnic in the Timaru Gardens early in January. Mr P. R. Talbot occupied the chair. A programme of sports is to be held in the afternoon. Mr E. McGillivray, Fields Superintendent for Canterbury, and others will be invited to deliver short addresses of interest to the farming community. Cottage Gardens. The Timaru Horticultural Society received record entries for this year's cpmpetition. The judges (Mrs R. H. Rhodes, and Messrs G. Knowles, and Ty. J. Hogg), after examination of tjie gardens, expressed pleasure upon the standard attained.

Mr George Bowker's Challenge Cup competition was open to all householders who did not employ outside labour on more than two half-days in any month. The cup was for the most attractive garden of not more than a quarter acre. Points were awarded as follows 1 ; Good arrangement and general effect 50, order and neatness 20, lawn and street hedges and fences 10, quality of flowers and shrubs 20. The cup was won by Mrs H. C. Lyall, Bidwell street (80 points), Mr T. P. Crowe, Arthur street, second (77 points); Mr A. E. Lewis, Selwyn street, third (75 points). The points for Mr A. S. Jones's cup, to be won outright, for the most attractive garden, were: —Vegetables 40, flowers 10, fruit 10, cultivation 20. This cup was won by Mr J. Stewart, Maltby avenue (86 points), Mr A. J. Leslie North street, second (75 and Mr J. Budd, Church street, third (69 points). Christmas Holidays. As the two statutory holidays at Christmas and New Year fall on Thursday and Friday, a special meeting of the retail section of the South Canterbury Employers' Association was held yesterday for the purpose of _ deciding what action should be taken m regard to Saturday, on which day the weekly half-holiday is usually held in Timaru. After some discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Mr J. W. Souter, seconded by Mr H. Marriott, to open until 5.30 p.m. on Saturday in Christmas week and to close all day on the following Saturday. This means that three full holidays will be observed at New Tear. An amendment that the shops should-close at 12.30 p.m. on both Saturdays was defeated by 11 rotes to 10, and the above motion was earried unanimously.