LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxix, Issue 7517, 20 June 1908, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the Domain weather station, four points of rain and 'teven degrees of frost, were registered this morning. Mr "W. S. Maslin intends giving a political address to the electors of the Ashburton electorate on '.' hursday next. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, it was Mr Purnell, not Mr Orbell, who appeared for the informant in the case or Christie v. Meaclam. At the Dunedin Farmers' and Kennel Club's annual show, on Thursday, Mr P. Cookson's imported white Pomeranian dog took first prize in the class for variety doga. Tho Hon. Robert McNab. Minister for Lands, will pass through Ashburton, on his return to Wellington, by the second express this evening.

A successful concert was held on Thursday at the Winslow school, in aid of the school funds. The programme consisted of solos by Misses Austin and 11. Austin, Giles, Lusk and Wilson, Messrs Dunsford, Hopwqd and Mabering; duets by Miss Wilson and Mr Millar, Mr and Mrs Hopwqd, Misses Lusk and Hogg, Misses Robinson and Wilson, and recitations by Messrs Dell, Elliott and Mabering. The ladies provided refreshments, and dancing was indulged in by the yo.mg people. At a meeting in Christchurch last night, it was decided to form a Baptist Sunday School Union for Canterbury. Mr Frank Curtis, F.P.O.C. Opt. D., has a change of advertisement in this issue, relating to eye service. "Weldarine.—For a considerable tinie scientists have been experimenting with eubetances for repairing caetiron satisfactorily, and, after testing various nreparations, the formula used in Weldarine, the new brazing outfit, has been accepted ac a thoroughly reliable article. In fact, samples have been tested and highly praised by John Anderson's, Ltd. ; Mason, Struthers, Ltd. ; and many others. The selling agents for Ashburton are The G. H. Carson Cycle and Moto'S Works, Tancred street. 6

At the Magistrates Court this morn-j ing, before Mr W. H. Bundle, Justice] cf the Peace, Charlotte Eliza Mora-i ghan was charged, on the information of the police, with having committed bigamy, in that she, being already the wife of James Stephen Moraghan, went through a marriage ceremony on April 18. 1908, with George Wonnaoott. Mr Buchanan appeared for the accused, and Sergeant Fouliy asked for a remand till next Friday, which was granted. Bail was allowed, the accused at £100, and two sureties in £50 each.

The annual meeting of tho Ashburton Horticultural Society—called tor last night—lapsed for want of a quorum, and was adjourned till Monday night. It is a pity that the interest in "so excellent an institution should be, apparently, so slight, and it is hoped that, on Monday night, members may attend in sufficient numbers to enable the business to be dealt with. As one of the objects of the society is the cultivation of a taste for the beautiful in nature, the institution is one in which any man may woll take pride.

Mr H. L. Burdekin, of the local branch of tho Bank of Australasia, has boon transferred, on promotion, to Wellington, and will leave Ashburton on Thursday next. Much regret will be felt on Mr Burdekin's departure. •Vs secretary, and latterly, captain ot the A.A.C., and A.C., he has done a great deal to promote a more healthy and' lively interest in amateur sport of all kinds in this district, while his work as secretary to the Operatic Society has also been much appreciated by all concerned.

Speaking to a Christchurch reportei yesterday, one of the Culverden estate applicants said: T'm satisfied with thirty-three years. If I want a renewal and the rent is raised, that will mean that the carrying capacity of the place has increased, They can't go on raising values unless the earning capacity does increase. That stands to reason."

Sheep are being sent to Southland from South Canterbury. A nice line of young ewes was trucked recently at Winchester to be sent to Waitahuna, in Otago, and at the Geraldine sale last Wednesday there were two Southland dealers buying sheep. The turnip crop is reported as being very good in the south.

At Waimate last evening Mr J. Manchester, ex-Mayor and for forty years, a prominent figure in the public life of the town and district, was presented with a handsome illuminated address and valuable picco of plate by the residents in recognition of his services in the borough and county.

Mr W. Wilson, who started this afternoon from Christchurch to travel round the world on foot, left without money. He is not allowed to ask for anything, but takes what is given him, and what he makes by lectures. He will arrive in Ashburton at 3.30 on Monday, or as near as possible. If it is possible, he will give his first lecture on the same night ; time and place will be advertised.

On Thursday evening the inmates of tho Tuarangi Home were visited by a concert party, who kindly rendered comic songs and ballads, which were much appreciated. At the conclusion a vote of thanks was proposed and carried with cheers, which was returned by the visitors.

The quarterly summoned meeting of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, 1.0.0. F., Manchester Unity, was held last evening, when there was a good muster of the brethren, and the N.G. (Bro. F. Hancox) presided. A small list of sick pay and various other accounts were passed for payment. Two candidates were duly initiated into the Order, and proposals for two new members were entered on the books. The election for the various elective offices for the ensuiuc term resulted as follows : Noble Grand, Bro. 11, H. Davis ; Vice-Grand, Bro A. Childs ; elective secretary, P.G. Bro. J. H. Mushet. The installation of the officers was postponed till next lodge night, when the minor offices will also' be filled. The report and balancesheet in connection with the recent anniversary social, which showed a small credit balance, were received and adopted. The receipts for the evening ! amounted to £87. A large amount of routine business was transacted, and the lodge was closed iii due form.

A somewhat startling episode occurred during a performance at the Christclmrch Theatre Royal. Towards the end of the second act the electric wires which carried the current to the cluster of lights above the centre ot the staco suddenly fused. For a second or two a brilliant blue flame sputtered downwards, much to the consternation of tho audience and Miss Ola Humphrey, who was acting at the timo. However, tho current was soon switched off, and the performance proceeded after the unexpectd diversion.

Tho peculiar condition of the potato market' (says the Dunedin Star) is the talk of produce buyers. For many years the position has never been more difficult as regards forecasting what prices are likely to be. A panic seems to prevail in the North Island, where heavy orders for forward delivery up to_ September have taken place at £5 10s per ton, f.o.b. Already some shuffling has made its appearance. Advices from the North state that Tasmania has been offering Derwents as low as 50s 1.-er ton, f.o.b. With the addition of duty, freight, and other charges, the price for that line is nearly £5 per ton. In some quarters it is considered that potatoes are good buying at the present rates, although from the North potatoes are being offered as low as 7os per ton, f.o.b. Altogether, the market is extremely difficult to follow. .

Farmers is many portions of Tapanui district —especially at the north end of Moa Flat —will (says the Couries) coin money out of their grain and grass seen this season. Whilst many landowners in the North have suffered from the- dry season, the seasonl9o7-8 will long be remembered in Soutn Otago as a bounteous period. Farmers selling wheat at 4s 6d, potatoes £3 10s a ton, grass seen at from 3s to 3s 6d, and oats at 2s upwards are fortunate beings; and although the price of wool has handicapped some of the owners of broad acres, the high price of grain will restore the balance of income to nt least the normal. In some instances landowners in this district will fatten their banking accounts considerably, and provide capital for still further developing their properties.

Dr Henry, late house surgeon at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, has described a surgical marvel in that institution. The cast- is that of Richard Cook, aged 17, a restaurant porter, whose shoulders and neck below the sixth cervical vertebrae were crushed between a lift and the landing-stage on October 25th last. The accident was instantly followed by complete paralysis below the site of the injury, and loss of sensation of every kind below tho level of the second rib. Seventeen days after the accident an operation was performed, the spinal cord in the neck being laid bare by cutting away the posterior parts of three of the vertebrae at the site of the injury. No apparent injury to the cord was discovered, and the wound was partially closed and packed with gauze. The wound healed in about four weeks, and recovery of sensation down to the fingers took place in both arni3. Seen in the ward the patient was bright and cheerful. The fact that so serious an accident as a broken neck has been kept from a fatal termination for so long has raised strong hopes that a complete cure may result.

Entries for the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music's practical examinations close on July 1. The eighth anniversary of the Loyal 1 Methven Lodge will be celebrated by a dance in the Methven schoolroom on the 26th inst. Motor Cycles.—lt seldom falls to the lot of any article to. stand head and shoulders above its rivals, but this is the position of F. N. motor cycles. The recent Christchurch reliability trial is only another instance of their superiority, when these machines secured first, second and fourth placea in the seation for amateur riders. R. D. Johnston is the local agent for these 'motors. 5 00 For Children's Hacking Cough at night Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, l'e 6d rind 2s M

Owing to the receipt of a number of requisitions from different centres mi his constituency, and the expressed wishes of many other electors, Mr C. A C. Hardy, M.P., has, in deference to the desire of the Leader of the Op : position, decided to again contest the Sehvyn seat, at the coming genera, elections. The Ashbnrton Operatic Society has decided to alter the night for its rehearsals from Tuesday to Monday. Members, and intending members arc notified that the next rehearsal Will bo held in the Templar Hall -in Monday next, when a full attendance is requested.

On Friday evening tlva bachelors of Lyndhurst held their annual dance in the hall. There was a large attendance, fully 200 being present. The musia for the" dancing was supplied by Sutherland's band, and Mr H. MeConuel wa? Master of Ceremonies. Songs were given by Messrs Johnston anJ D. Sutherland. The function was one of the most enjoyable that has ever been held in the Si all and its accommodation was taxed to the utmost, says our correspondent.