GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 14 April 1926, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

AU tlve new motor plates for the North Island having been completed, it is expected that the South Jsi"in' supply "'ill bo completed by the end ol the week.

Evidently the lot of an Auckland Rugby League referee is not always a happy one. “We get hooted, .sworn at and cursed, not only by men, but by women,” said one of the referees at the annual meeting of the Auckland Rugb.v League.

At the Christchurch competitions, the following Timaru competitors were successful Sword dance, under 18 years (N.C. championship), Mavis Bureovne Ist: Highland reel, Mavis Burgovne Ist: Highland reel, Valnuu Skilling Ist, Lilian Richardson 2nd; Highlapel lling, Hazel McKay Ist.

Speaking at Kingsland (Auckland) last night, tire Minister of Railways (Hon. J. G. Coates) stated that it was anticipated that, after paying all expenses, providing adequate reserves, anU ineet'”g intere-t charges, the radways would show a small surplus on the year’s working.

At Monday’s, meeting of the Geralidino County Council. Comirvuider llennistoun, Geraldine County Council representative on the Timaru High School Board, who has recently left qn an extended trip to England, was granted seven month’s leave of absence.

A Timaru miller informed a “Herald” reporter yesterday, that wheat is now being sold freely at the fixed prices of 6s Bd, 6s lOd, and is f.0.b., and that lie was getting all he wanted on this basis. -The miller added that Australian flour is still coming into the Dominion at the rate of 450 tons per week.

A meeting of the committee of the Timaru Operatic Society was held on Monday evening, the president (Mr J. Moycsj presiding over a full attendance. Arrangements having been completed for the hire of scenery and costumes. it was decided that “Floradora” he the Society’s next production, and that arrangements be put in hand forthwith for commencing rehearsals.

Mr W. Gibb, hon. secretary to the School Committees’ Association, lias received official intimation that a dental clinic will be opened in the Timaru Main School buildings on, Monday, April 19th. The nurses in charge wi 1 he Nurses M. Fisher and P. Smith. The equipment has been shipped to Timaru, and the south-west rocm of the Main School is being fitted up by the School Committees’ Association, who hope to have everything in readiness by the appointed date.

The now community system of lighting, bv means of powerful flood lights, placed' under the verandahs and focussed directly to the shop windows, was in operation for the first time last evening. The innovation is undoubtedly a big improvement over the old method, the main thoroughfare last evening, with its brightly illuminated shopfronts, presenting a bright and very attractive appearance. It is expected that the syr.tcm will be fully completed by next week.

In addition to the 200 seats which the Timaru Borough Council lias decided to buy from the Dunedin Exhibition authorities, for use on Caroline Bay aiid in the Timaru Parks, Councillor T. W. Satterthwaitc is endeavouring to get 100 from, residents of Timaru and district. Besides those whoso names were published yesterday, the following have agreed to give seats: Mr and Mrs E. G. Kerr, 10 seats; Mr and Mrs AV. H. AValton (Park Lane), 5; Mr and Airs AValter Raymond, 5; Mr and Mrs \V. D. Campbell, 5; Mr and Mrs J. E. P. Cameron, 5.

mendation:—That a permanent committee bo established to take stops, through the. secretary of the Labour Party, to get into touch with farmers or their organisations to ascertain what points of contact could be agreed upon; and for the committee to frame a working constitution, based on tlio information collected, for submission to t|ie next conference. The recommendation, which means that a permanent organisation will be established, was endorsed by the conference.

The committee set up to consider the relationship between the working farm ers of New Zealand and the Labour movement, submitted its report to the Labour Partv Conference at Wanganui last week. The members of the committee were iMr W. E. Parry, M.P. (chairman), and farmer delegates comprising Messrs LI. Roberts (Wairarapa), J. S. Montgomerie (Mangorei), and J. C. JJarelaiy (Dargaville) ; also Messrs J. Roberts (secretary of the Alliance of Labour), W. Bromilev (Wellington), and F. R. Cooke (Christchurch). The committee made the following recom-

In introducing His “Worship the Mayor at the welcome to- the Rt. Rev. Dr. West-Watson, in the Bay Hall on Monday evening, the Ven. Archdeacon J. A. Julius said that lie had an apology to make, in as much that ho had failed to take His Lordship to see the begonias at Timaru Park.' He also referred to the great sacrifice the Mayor had made in tearing liimse’f away from the Council table that evening, as it would be hard to sav what the Councillors would be up to without the Mayor’s guidance. (Laughter).

A unique exhibit which will shortly appear among the curios of the Wanganui Museum is an enormous eel, which was recently eautured _up the Wanganui River by n. Maori. The tuna is oft Sin in length. When taken from the river the fish weighed just-on 221bs. To capture it the Maoris enticed the monster.with a pioee of meat and drove a crowbar home when near the bank. Although eels of greater length have been captured in New Zealand, this latent local product- is outstanding on account of its unusual type and meauromonts.

The proposal to run another special train from Tiniaru to the Dunedin Exhibition has met with general approval. It is proposed that the train should bo run on Saturday. April 24. and the suggestion is made that a whole holiday should ho observed that dav in order to enable all who desire to do so to visit the Exhibition. If more people than can ho accommodated jn one trqiii expi-ess a desire to go, it is probab’e that two trains will ho rim. and that one of them will start from Washdyke to save people from that part of tiic district from coming to Timaru to catch the train. Mr P. J. Kelly has applied for the train wliirh it is proposed to start from Wslidykc, on behalf of the Freezing "Works employees and others, and Mr W. S. Young, as representing the Timaru Scottish Society. lias applied for the train which will start from Timaru. Mr Young received 250 applications for seats yesterday. Details in connection with the running of the trains will probab'y he arranged to-day.

The virtue of punctuality requires the assistance of a reliable timepiece, and the nominal prieo at which watches and clocks are now produced, brings “correct time” within, the reach of all. England, Mcßae. Ltd., specialise in good watches and dependable clocks. The “Pocket Ben’’ watch is a great proposition at 9s. while in alarm clocks “The Thrift” at 8s 6d. “America” at 9s (Id, “Sleepnioter” at 13s (id. and “Big Bon” at 21s, will meet all requirements in plain dial clocks. In tnc “luminous” clocks we recommend the “Blackbird” at lux. The Progressive Hardware Store for clacks and watches.

At the AYorkcrs' Educational Association Hall, George Street, last evening, a commencement was made with-tins season’s lectures. _ “Ne\y Zealand History” was the subject of a very interesting address delivered by the tutor, Mr 11. G. Miller, to an appreciative audience. Enrolments' mr tile ensuing season were aso i .. .1, tho numbers indicating an iutctvxc m the proceedings of the Association that ensure a very successful season.

“ft is very good to know that money is coming in freely for the Levels light reticulation loan,” was a statement , made at yesterday's meeting of the , South Canterbury Power Board. “It is .also good to know that money is so plentiful; 1 thought it was scarce,” said a" member. The reply to this was that money is only scarce when it is wanted for farms. “Well, you see,” said Mi- Gcorgo Saunders, “this is giltedged security, and the light shines on it.”

AYaiinariuo has been the name of the , Railway station at tho top of the Spiral ever since the Alain Trunk line lms been in existence, states the Auckland “Star.” It is the getting off place for visitors to the Tongariro National Park, as well as for tourists who wish to go to Taupo, AVairakei, and Napier by that route. Some time ago an agitation was set up to have the name altered to National Park, and this has been the subject of much discussion and \ correspondence between those concerned and tho Government. On making inquiries a, reporter was informed at the Auckland head office of the Railway Department that it had been decided to change the name of the station from AVaimarino to National Park on Ist, May.

To obtain an idea of tho need for a. Publicity Department to advertise this country at Homo one lias only to talk with people who have toured Great Britain and spoken to the people there about New Zealand, says a. writer in a Taranaki paper. The lack of knowledge ‘ with regard to this country is amazing. AA’iieu I. went Home I was asked by people whom one would have expected to know better such questions as these: Have they found any gold in New Zealand? Do you live on damper? Do you carry a revolver with you >1 ways?; The All Blacks and the boys who went'from New Zealand to the front have advertised the country well, but much remains to ho clone if the country is to he made known to the outside world as it should he.

The annual meeting of the Orari Miniature Rifle Club was held in the Coronation Hall on Tuesday evening. Tivre was a good attendance of members. Air T. Bates (hon. secretary) presented the annual report and balance sheet. The credit balance for the year was shown as £l7 16s 6d, which was considered very satisfactory. Tire report stated that the club had a most successful season. The annual ball and presentation of, trophies and medals was a great success. Thanks were due to the donors of the trophies, and to all those who had assisted the club during, the past year. The following officers' were elected for the ensuing year :—Patron, Air T. D. Burnett, AI.P.; president, Air J. Kennedy; vicepresidents, Alessrs E.- P. Chambers, J. Biggins, A. T. Langford, J. L. Bennett, AV.« J. Aloore, AV. Payne, J. Gresham, A. Stewart, J. Anderson, G.' 0. Coombs, AV. Quirke, H. Killoh, Jno Henderson, and AV. Henderson; captain, Air A. AV. Murphy; vice-captain, Air Markham; hon. secretary, Air Tom Bates (re-elected); committee, Messrs A. Earl, AV. H. Cook, J. AVeir, H. J. Smith, AA r . Smith, O. J. P. Quirke, G. Bray, and J. j'jf Henderson; rifle caretaker, Mr A. AV. Alurphy; target tester, Mr T. Bates; assistant, Mr Alurphy; liandicapper, Air T. Bates.