Local and General.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxi, Issue 5055, 5 March 1900, Page 2

Local and General.

* # * On the first page feo-day will be found War Items.

Police Court —At the Court this morning, before 1). Thomas and J. Scaly, Ef^a., Ja P., two first offenders for drunkenness were convioted and discharged, with a caution

It Will be Wklcomb—News of the relief of Mafekiog is expected to renoh New Zealand about Wednesday,

Promotion.—Mr A H-Snury is in receipt, of news to the effact that Trooper Upton, of the Rough Riders, has been promoted to the rank of corporal.

Meterological—Mr K. Herring reports ihe rainfall al Alford Forest for the month of February, 1900, as 6.50 inches, at the Alford Station, 2,55.

The Reservists Corps—Mr Charles Hay Walker, farrier, Ashburton, who volunteered as farrier for the third contingent, but failed to secure the position, has offered hia services bo the reservists corps.

THB AITEMPrKD MURDEB AT GOVERNOR'S Bay—The Christchureh Press says:—Mrs Popo was brought in from Governor's Biy on (Saturday and placed in the Lyttelton casual tvard. On Sunday Dr Pairman rcj orted that her condition was improving.

Trap Accident —A young man named Edward Trice, from Methven, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday with an injured knee, the result of being thrown out of a trap when the horse bolted.

Retbibution.—General Cronjs his lost three sons in the battles against the English. The young man killed at Mafeking wus bis last surviving eon. Retribution has coma at lust-— after twenty years!

Cycle Cokps for AsusaßT n—A movement is on foot to form in Ashburton a cycle corps of 25 strong. Judging by the names already mentioned a really first class corps .if txperb riders will be obtained without difficulty.

Palmbkston North—& telegram states th*t a great demonstration waa held tit .Palmers', on North on Saturday to celebrate the relief of Ladysmith, Speeches were made by Mr P<*ra,ni, M.H.R., Captain Greece and others.

An Interesting Corner—The metporological instruments presented to the Domain Bc»*rd by Mr X Herring of Alford Forest, h ivo been planed in position in the Dam un, near the orcquet lawn. Visitors can now read the indications.

An Ashbubton Rksbbvist.—Mr WmEefford, for Borne years in the Ashburton Branch of New Zealand Clothing Factory, and lately in oue of the firm's branches at the gold fields in the North Island, has j >ined Uio Keserve Force for South Afric*. vVhen in Ashburton, he was a member of the rifles.

The Mounted Corps -Mr Gj Marriot Watson has been appointed secretary of the Ashburi on Mounted Corps, and ib arxious to receive, ut the earliest possible moment, the »*mes of those who wish to join the corps. No time should be loet as already tha offar of the corps eervicoß to the Government is drafted*

A Thoughtful Act.—The Cape News atateß that Mr Charles Arnold, the wellknown actor, brought up all the grapes that were to be obtained in the Capetown market on Saturday, January 20, ab 10 o'clock (20001b), and sent them by train as a present to the Australian and New Zealand troops at the front.

Painiol Acoidbjnt—Mr A. Curtis, junr , met with a painful accident on Saturday. He was leading a restive horse in a trap past a traction engine, and when nearly past the obstruction, the animal made a boib forward, knocking Mr Curtis down and inflicting an ur'y gash just above the left eye. The wound, though disfiguring and painful, is not of ft serious nature.

Methodist Conference—At the Methodist Conference, which opened at Auokiand on Friday last, the Rev J. 8. Smaliey was elected President, In the first draft of stations the name ol the Rev 0. Griffin is down for Ashburton and Rev J, Thomas for WiUowby. Rev R. Taylor, of Aahburton, is down for Hastings, and Rev J J Mather, of VVillowby, for Manakau. The first Hat is aiwuys greatly revised, and the final draft may completely alter these arrangements

Personal—The Ashburton Presbyterian Churoti are to lose the services of tho pastor, the Key G. B. Inglis, for a short time. At the recent session of the Presbytery the 'reverend gentleman was offered the position of visiting representative to tho New Hebrides, where the Presbytery have a number of missionaries stationed. Before accepting Mr Ing ia consulted bis congregation, and arrangements have been made for ministerial visitors during his absence, which will extend for ab least three months. Id accepting the duties which the visit will involve, Mr Inglis has made & sacrifice, and we trust he will benefio by the change, and that the hands of the evangelists \ n those islands will be spiritually strengthened.

The Daughter Bigger Than Tun Mother—The success of the Canterbury Freezing Company's works at Fairfield ia phenomenal. They have not long been opened, but already they are proving altogether too email for the business to be done, if, for a short time longer, business continues to grow as at present new engines and machinery will be required and the works will need to be greatly ealarged. In a very few years the parent works at Belfield will have to rank second to those at Ashburton. The quantity of stock for freezing coming forward is beyond the present capacity of the works to handle, and another ten butchers could be employed. List week the sum of £823 18a was paid for labor outside of the sum paid the regular staff

Lord Robkrts's Reply to the School Childbbk of New Zealand—The following telegram has been forwarded by the Premier :—Chairmen of all School Committees a&d head masters of all public schools,— Having aa requested forwarded, on behalf of the school children of New Zealand, a congratulatory message, oo the recent successes of the British arms in South Afrio*, particularly on the surrender of General Cronjo, I have now received the following reply, sent from Osfontejo at 4-5 p.m on th.t 2nd instant. •• Please convey to the school children of New Zealand my best thanks for their congratulations and good w she?.— Roberts " It uff >rda me much pleasure to send you the message, which I hope you wiH be po good as to have read so the ahil&wi of your poboob—R, J, 8»ofiON.