LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxii, Issue 6657, 25 August 1905, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Weathkb FoiiKuAar. —• itaptaiu Edwin wire-! as follows :~Moderate to strong southerly wiuds; glass rise j probably frost to-nigh*'.

Onn Aoe Pensions,—A large number of old age pension renewals were grantoi by Mr U. A. Wray, S.M., at the Magistrates' Court thi3 morning.

An Ashburton[te Abroad,-—The London correspondent of the " Otago Daily Times," writing on July 14, siys: — Mr John Lambie, of Kyle, Canterbury, a member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, also of the Ashburton County Counoil and other public bodies, is on a short visit to the Old Country. Since landing in England he has visited the Kpyal Sooiety's show at Park

Royal, near Wi'l^sden, also the Highland Society's show at Glasgow. After a visit to Ireland, tho Isle of Man, and a short Continental tour, Mr Lambie intends to return to New Zealand about the end of October next, travelling via Suez, Colombo, and Australia.

1 A Progressive Borough.—The annual report of tho Lyttelton Borough Council aho ivs that the Municipal Gasworks have made steady progress throughout the year. The consumption of gas increased by 8£ per cent., this being due chiefly to an increase in the amount used for cooking purposes. The price of gas was reduced ,ast year, but the receipts were very little short of the previous >ear's. For the two years and tout months of municipal ownership, the works have netted a profit of .£1,086 4s 3d, after writing off .£775 12s 7d as depreciation, over and above a very liberal amount charged to renowals nnd granting concessions to consumers to the extent of £250. The profit for the year amounted to J6907 17=?, of which- £775 12s 7d has been written off as depreciation and spent in works. To date the works have cost .£19,52-4 14.s 3d, of which £15,003 was raised by the issue of debentures.

" Life " for August. — Several specia*

articles make the August number of " Life ' a notable one. The foremost 13 a ningni-ficeutly-illustrated description of his trip through Canada, by the Editor, Dr Fitchett,

who, in his crisp, convincing style, tells of ihe beauties and resources of "Our Lady of tha Snows," and the methods boing udopted by the Government to advertise the country. This ia a first of a series of articles Dc Fitchett is to writo ; on his present trip, under the general title of " What an Australian Sees Abroad.'. Ano< her article of interest i» contributed by John Lavington Bonython, who gives a briof sketch of the adventurous career of Colonel Light, the founder of Adelaide to

I whom, he says, the capital of South Australia owes ik% eitiiafcion, its fine streets, and its symmetrical squares. There is a fine full page photo of President Koosevelt: the th e uiiin of hour. "Boif contributes J'is U3iiil stirring tale of early d*ys: and the various departments, covering almoet every phase 0? outdoor and indoor life, are very strong.

LscfT Behind. — Considerable diversion was caused to those on tho platform on the occasion of the passing through of the Strut so'ilhorn express the other afternoon by the predicament a gentleman traveller found himself in. He had when the train drew up proceeded to the telpgutph offije to j dtspatch a message, but; returned only in time to witness the train steaming out of the station. A hurried dash wns intercepted by a constable, aad the belated traveller, in a frenzy of excitement, explained that his worldly goods were on board the train, and that he had to catch tin Wellington steamer that evening. Could he ride or drive to Christchurch, or by what means could he achieve his desire to quickly r< sutne his journey 1 Suddenly he espied a train shunting back into the station. " Ha! They're coming back for ma," he joyfully shrieked, and ho hurriedly proceeded to meet it. When ha nf.ticod that it was undoubtedly the slow goods train, the disillusionment visibly unnerved him, and it was with uumUtaken discontent that he resigned himself to Fate and tha slower mode of procedure.

Magisterial. —At the Magistrates' Courf (his morning rhe adjourned eve of X

Elizabeth Ail wood v Prank All wood was called en. The 0 tea had been adjourned for the preparation of a police report at> the husband's sta<e of health. 'J his wa^ now presented, aud ?h>wetl tbnl tho defendant was t-. 0 i;l to do any we k, n.nd ilr I. A. Wruy, SM, s<ul that uuder'tl»e .-•iron r.stances ho could not iriakn nu ordrfr. Ia Iho civ.l case Mifc^in*ll and Turner v H. Tiylor, claim lfh Id, fc'na dufeudaat did not appear, and judgment was given for plaintiffs by default.

Chertsey Faleyards. — The Building Cotnmitteo of tho Chnrtsoj SVeyards Company wet in the Library 01 Thursday aPternoon. It was decided to call for tenders lor enlarging tho shearing shed. The matter of putting up accommodation for shearers waa left over for a future ddto.

Yankee Orators —MY Woolley, during

the course of his addre.s list otfeuing vr'aen referring to general politic, nail thera were many subject-? pertaining to this colony on which he allowed the New Zenlander to c'.iiim a bettor knowledge tlrxn himself "Not soseme Yaniea Orator*- 1/' ho continued ; " I know some who would arrive hero in tha afternoon and ut eight o'clock tho same evening would undertake to instruct you freely in everything and anything."

Legacies to Charities—The late Mr L. D. Nathan left to the Auckland Jewish Synagogue £500, the Auckland Jewish Benevolent Society M<)o, the Blind Institute £250, and the Benevolent Society .£250. The employees of the firm with services of over five years are also recognised, the amounts varying according to the length of service.

Lands for SETTr,!OiENT.--Mr Flatman has «gain been urging upon the Government to inske the purchase of Ruddenklau's Estate at Rangitata for closer settlement. The Land Purchase Board have again inspected the property, but there is still something over 30s per a n difference between the owner's value and the Government's price, and it is feared that the land will not be purchased unless the owners of the property are prepared to meet the Government in the matter.

The Small Bird's Nuisance.—Mr Millar asked tha Minister for Agriculture if he will make inquiries and ascertain whether the English '■ and American owlh are instrumental in keeping down small birds, and if so, will he take steps to import some to this colony ? The Minister replied that the introduction of these birds is deemed desirable, and the question of importing some will be considered favourably.

Chertsey Library.—The monthly meeting of the Chertsey Library Committee was held in the Library on Tuesday night, Mr White in the chair. The matter of getting up.a concert and ball was gone into. Mr Chapmaa reported having obtained the services of performers from Chrifatchurch and Ashburton. A sub-committee was appointed to make arrangements for a ball to be held on September Bth. The committee are leaving nothing undone to make the entertainment a thorough success, and hop« to obtain funds to provide more books for the library.

Road Race—A suggestion has been made in connection with the Dunlop road race to be run on September 2nd, that the Railway Department should ran a special train from Rakaia to Christchurch on that day. Ifc ig almost certain that such a train would be well patronised, a3 people travelling by train woul 1 see the greater pait of the race, and arrive in Christchurch in time to see the finish. It id suggested that the train should leave Rakaia shortly after the first man paseed ; a good many riders would then be seen, and the first mm would be overtaken by the train.

Qualifications of Platelayers.—Eeplymg to Mr Kirkbride in the House, Sir Joseph Ward stated that owing to the increasing importance of the railways, it has been found necessary to fix a standard hoight and lay down other conditions which have to be complied with hy candidates for employment in the railway service. Tho standard height has been fixed at 5 feet G inche3, owing to it having been found in actual experience that men of less height are not able readily to see shunting sigr.ali, *and are therefore not suitable for thu department. Platelayers are eligible for transfer to other branches of the railway service aftor they have served a certain poriod in the department, provided they are qua'ified in other respects, and it 13 therefore an essential to fix a, sbndaid height in their ca3e as in the case of engine-drivers, porters, or other members of the department.