GENERAL NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 4 March 1927, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

The provision of electric light at Titnani railway station has recently been made. It is now the intention of the authorities to go ahead with the electrification of the station yards.

The Mayor of Timaru (Mr G. J. Wallace) has received advice from the Department of Internal Affairs to tho effect tliat tho Duke of York will not read his reply to the address from South Canterbury, but will present a written one so as to save time.

A Press Association message from Wellington states: According to the Government Statistician’s Abstract of Statistics, it now takes 32/OJ on the average to purchase what 20 shillings would purchase in July, 1914.

At the meeting of the National Council of Women, in Christchurch, a Wellington remit that Parliament he asked to discontinue the death penalty on men serving in the forces was rejected by one vote.— (Press Assn.).

Two picnio parties, consisting of Lairlie Schools (400) and St. Joseph’s School, Temuka, arrived by special trains yesterday morning for an outing on Caroline Bay. Tho picni'cers experienced Timaru weather at its best, and were able to spend a very enjoyable time. The parties returned home at 5.35 and 5.45 respectively.

Prior to leaving for Christchurch by the first express yesterday, the members of the Melbourne Cricket Club wtfre taken for a drive round the district by the South Canterbury Cricket Association During the forenoon, a stop was made at the works of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company at Pareora, -where a very interesting hour was spent by the visitors.

A meeting was held in the Y.M.C..A. last evening to make arrangements for the coming season’s activities in the Y.M.C.A. gymnasium. It was agreed that classes be held for men, ladies, and boys. The men’s night was fixed for Monday, and on the opening night it was decided that all interested be invited to attend and take part. The boys will commence their season with a social.

That the begonia house at the Park is worthy of being classed as one of tho premier places m the district, was eyiclent from the very complimentary remarks passed by the Australian cricketers who -visited the display yesterday morning. Members of the team, including, some who have travelled very extensively during the past

• ears, had in: hesitation in docia-i----,ng that they had seen few better, and certainly none to equal it in Australia*.

Advantage was taken of the visit to Timaru of the Melbourne Cricket Club to enlist the services of members of the team to give a shcirt talk on cricket to the boys at tho Timaru High School. Messrs H. Trumble (manager), Y. Ransford (captain) and T. Wood, in addition to giving blackboard addresses on the subject, kindly consented to give the boys a practical - demonstration at the nets.

r\t yesterday’s meeting of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, Mr E. Hardeastle suggested the advisability of writing to Mr Z. Grey, and drawing his attention to the excellent fishing to he had in South Canterbury waters, particularly in the Rangitata, where at present there is every indication of a, record run of salmon taking place this season. It was agreed that the suggestion be adopted, and that the secretary be asked to get into communication with Mr Grey.

Discussing the width of the proposed new road at Brookland’s Hill, at the Levels County Council meeting on Wednesday, Mr C. E. Kerr said that recently a drover, while taking a mob of fat lambs from Talbot’s road to where the main road branched off to the freezing works, a distance of 3J miles, had to pass 65 cars. This was a good illustration of the amount of traffic the narrow cutting favoured by the Highways Board would be called upon to carry, and was a strong argument in favour of a 3 3ft. road.

An extraordinary meeting of shareholders in the Pioneer Terminating Building Society of Timaru was held last evening, when appropriations in the No. 3 and 4 Groups were held. In the No. 3 Group an appropriation of £3OO was balloted for, and share No. 355 (a double shareholder) was successful. In this group £3OO was sold by tender and realised £3O. In the No. 4 Group, the sum of £450 was balloted for, and share No. 507 (a shareholder having 3 shares) was successful. In all, the sum of £IOSO was disposed of.

The Royal train, which will convey the Duke and Duchess of York and staff throughout their southern tour, arrived at Timaru shortly after noon yesterday, on a trial run from Christchurch. Painted a dark red, the carriages, with their white-topped roofs, looked very smart and uniform. Special provision is made on the train for the police escort and the staff. Refreshment and sleeping cars, with bathrooms and lounges, are provided, and although no furnishings have yet been installed, it can be seen that the train will be the last word in railway comfort.

A short time ago the Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace) communicated with the Hon, E. J. Rolleston with a view to arranging in connection with tb« Royal visit, that the morning train from Oamaru and the special train from Waimnte should stop opposite the Caledonian Grounds to enable passengers to reach the tvvsting plane with the minimum of difficulty. The Mayor has now received a telegram from the Minister stating that lio had made the nonessury arrangements, and that the. trains named would stop at the place indicated. .

Big alterations are being made to the shop interior of the Progressive Hardware Store. Although . the work is now in full swing, England, McRae, Ltd., hasten to assure you that any resulting inconvenience is not being passed on to their clients, but that their usual expert service is being maintained throughout. Buy your hardware requirements at the Progressive Hardware Store’s special “Alteration Prices.” A special item of news for tennis enthusiasts—■ Ayres’ championship tennis balls are again in full supply. ..,

Timaru Territorials who had been attending the military camp at Burnham, returned to Timaru under the charge of Lieutenant Jacques by the first express yesterday.

Three Timaru fishermen had an unenviable experience during the southerly blow which sprang up on Sunday last. Leaving port at about 3 a.in., they proceeded to the usual grounds southward of the town. When the gale overtook them they ran for harbour, but were unable to make the mouth, and were blown towards the Ninety Mile Beach. After a severe buffeting they managed to effect a landing about two miles south of the Rangitata mouth. The party were provided with dry clothing and food by Mrs L. J. Grant, and after being accommodated for the night at the homestead they returned to town next morning. The launch is still on the beach, awaiting a suitable opportunity to bring it to Timaru.

An attractive and very enjoyable programme contributed by leadinglocal artists drew a large attendance at the West School last evening, when an entertainment organised in aid of the grounds improvement fund was warmly received by a mos appreciative audience. The programme, which was of a varied and very interesting nature was as follows: Pianoforte solo, Mr Roy Harris; song, Mr Ralph I-loldgate; recitation, Miss Jones; ’cello solo, Mr G. Berryman; song, Mr E. Budd; dance, Miss Bessie Baker; song, Miss Manchester; violin solo, Mr D. Davies; song, Miss Hooper; . comic songs, Mr R. Jenkins; sleight of hand, Mr G. Griffiths; song, Mr A. Wotherspoon. Mr R. Harris, provided the accompaniments. Mr W. Burns presided, and at the conclusion of the entertainment moved a hearty vote of thanks to the performers, which was carried by acclamation.

A report on tests conducted during the past three months vith_ a pt-Unt adhesive tape for road-marking purposes was made to the Auckland City Council by the chief traffic inspector. He said the strips had given ci.fire satisfaction on a tar macadam surfaced road, but it had been a difficult matter to keep the strips m position on nefcliate'-asplialt or concrete roads. On these roads, ironwheeled vehicles pulled the strips up. One cf the conditions of the tests y. r-s that no charge would he made if the strips proved unsatisfactory. In his opinion the results were sufficient to warrant the council paying a portion of the cost. The Finance Committee recommended the council should pay the total cost involved, £7 12s, the recommendation being adopted.

The light crops obtained from Auckland orcliurds this season have proved most disappointing to fruitgrowers. Incidentally, they have contributed in some degree to the unemployment problem, as little additional labour has been engaged in the orchards on account of the poor demand for the services of pickers and packers, of whom some 200 or 300 are usually employed during a season. The trouble lias its origin in the adverse weather conditions that have been abnormal features of tho current season. Late in November and early in December, which are critical times in the orchards, tropical storms played havoc with the trees, stripping them of young fruit, and in some cases completely denuding them. Frequent hailstorms wreaked extra damage, and even when the fruit was not torn from the trees, much of it was cut and marked by the hailstones.

Many people spend an evening or two catching eels during the season, using baited hook or “bob” of worms and hulius, as opportunity oilers, but this method was scorned by the old-time Maori, who' obtained large catches of I lie fresh-water eel by constructing weirs across streams, or eel-baskets (hinaki). made of supplejack vines split and plaited. It was related by MiCool; at the Auckland Acclimatisation Society meeting at Te Awamutu last week that recently he had known 57 eels to be caught in one eel-basket placed in the Upper Wanganui river in one night; next night a further 28, while on the third night 12 were secured —a total of 97 in three nights. The society is considering the question of procuring a number of eel-baskets for use under the society’s direction in streams and pools where eels are suspected of reducing the. trout population.