The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1909. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7734, 2 March 1909, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1909. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The other day Mr T. Hutchison, Stipendiary Magistrate at Oamaru, gave a decision m which lie dwelt on points of very special interest to persons who are interested m the interpretation of the dominion's licensing laws. The judgment, as published by the North Otago Times, is. reproduced on the fourth page of this issue. Many people are asking why, m view of the comparative low rates ruling at the markets for fat sheep and cattle, there has not been a corresponding reduction m the price of butcher's mutton and beef. It is urged that many of the fat she.-p sold at Addington and elsewhere recently have changed hands on a basis of less than 2d per lb, while the average price charged by butchers has represented quite 100 per cent on this price. The average price of beef, it is staid by those m a position to know, is less than 3d per lb, but the retail price is approximately twice this amount. Rev F. W. Isitt, secretary of the New Zealand Alliance, met a number of No-license workers m the Baring Square schoolroom la.st evening. Matters of general interest connecied with the movement were spoken of by Mr isitt, who is most optimistic regarding the future of temperance reform, His visit to the South island electorates has given him ground for the utmost encouragement. Mr isitt answered a number of questions, and decisions upon matters of more or less importance were deferred to a future meeting. Mr Isitt left for Christchurch by the late expres.s. The Rev. F. W. Itlit, secretary of the New Zealand' Alliance, is at present making a tour of New Zealand consulting the various No-licenp.e Leagues on matters bearing on the conduct of future campaigns. A numner ot questions arc under consideration, bearing on finance and legislative proposals/ and as these are of colonial importance the Alliance is consulting the leagues belore adopting them. The fortnightly meeting of the Ashbnrton Court of Foresters was held last evening, when there was a tanattendance of brethren present, with Brother J. Olson, C.R., m the chair. A small list of sick dues was passed for payment, and it was decided to hold a progressive euchre match at an early date. Other routine business was* transacted, and the meeting adjourned. . A number of Ashburton residents are putting m applications for sections on tlie Kauroo estate, Oamaru. Speaking of Cooper's Operascope Company's performance, which is to be given m the Oddfellows' Hall, Ash-, burton, Wednesday evening, a southern contemporary says: "Many improvements have been made m form of cinematographs, bioscope, biographs, and other similar instruments'; but lor absolute perfection of finish and clearness m displaying the pictures, the Operascope is far ahead of its predecessors. The series of scenes from Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, "Mikado, some of which were beautifully coloured, the illusion picture of " Living Flowers," and many others were wonderful and beautiful exhibitions of the pantomime producer's art. Miss Brightie Carlisle appears m picture melody, and generally speaking, the combination is a strong one. A special matinee will be given on Thursday afternoon, and there will be a complete change of programme m the evening. On Friday last a farewell social was tendered to* Mr D. G. Wilson, on the occasion of his leaving the Methyen School- to take' up work at the Normal School, Christchurch. M. D. Stoba, chairman of the Methyen School Committee, presented ' Mr' Wilson with n travelling bag on behalf of the committee, and made special reference to the good work lie had done m Methven, and the regret of the headmaster and committee at losing his services. Miss Irene Cawsey then presented a writing desk from the girls, and Master Arthur Stone a Morocco pocket-book from the boys of the school. Mr Tl. Fj. A. Lock presented Mr Wilson with a Kaiapoi rug from the young people attending the Presbyterian Church. After Mr Wilson had replied, refreshments were 'served, and musical and oilier items were contributed tq the evening's entertainment, A first offender for drunkenenss, who was arrested m Cameron street last evening, was fined os by Mr W. H. Rule, Justice of the Pence, at the Police Court this morning, Mr H. Davis has been asked to allow himself to be nominated again for the Mayoral chair. It is understood that Mr Davis will assent to the wishes of his friends. A suggestion was made at the time of the wreck of thp Vviiirarapa that shipping authorities should be compelled by law to leave behind m every port of departure the names of all on board. The diificulties experienced m getting a correct list of the passengers who were on the ill-fated" Penguin should (says, the Wanganui Herald) again direct attention to the necessity for such an idea being put into effect. A lluupuna farmer, who was m town. yesterday, stated that thp oat crops m the district had been practically all reaped and stacked; ana, taken as a whole, the crops were much above the average m quality and quantity, Owing to the heavy dows that bad occurred of lute, and to the occasional showers that had fallen, the root crops (he says) are still looking healthy and fresh, and, so far, they have not been attacked by any species of blight or disease. Two cases of alleged sly grog-selling will come before the Magistrate for hearing on Friday next. The entries of all classes of stock at the Tinwald yards to-day were the largest recorded for some considerable time past. No doxibt farmers are being led to sell their surplus stock, m view of the feed supply 'hfiying been considerably afVected by the repent dry weather, ' Light drizzling rain fell throughout last night, and farmers are looking forward to a heavy downpour, which would do a large amount of good. Last night's rain was very light, and only five points were registered at the -Domain weather station, but nevertheless the moisture will have assisted to revive the root crops. Reports to hand show that most of the rain wat;;v to ilk,? m the borough and suburbs are' Ho- empty. The drapery firm of Messrs G-. Hefford and Co, which has been occupying temporary premises for several months past, as a result of the disastrous fire m East and Tailored streets last year, has had a fine up-to-date two-storied brick building erected on the site of the firm's original premises commonly known as "The Corner." The new premises—which are not yet quite out of the hands of the builders —have been fitted up on the most approved lines, so that Messrs Hefford i and Co will have every facility for 1 showing off their stock to the very best advantage. The building has fine, large plate glass show windows, and the interior has been fitted up m such a way that the comfort and convenience'of customers have been amply provided for. When the iron verandah has been erected, the building will prove an ornament to the town. Messrs TTefl'ord and Co. took possession of their new premises on Monday, and the place is now open to the public for business purposes. The now railway time-table for the Hurunni —Bluff liiic. consequent on the completion of the North Island man) trunk railway, will come into force on April Ist. It is understood that the speed of the mail train between the Bluff and Lyttelton will be increased by an hour and a half..

Fireman John Hefford, who accompanied the Ashburton Fire Brigade's '•Mjinpotition team to Auckland, will, .virile m Auckland, he presented with -i wold bar, to which his continuous twenty-five years' service m the Ashburton Brigade entitles him. Important Business Changes.—We ■.niderstand that Mr Swanson, who has been so well known m connection with the firm cl' Andrew Orr and. Co., Ltd., has sold his interests m that company, •md intends starting on his own account as a hi?b-class gentleman's tailor, costumier "and mercer, m the premises next Oates and Co., Jubilee Buildings, Burnett Street. li Messrs Jnrman Bros., Greendale have threshed a fine paddock ot IS acres of Tuscan wheat, averaging o2 bushels, and 30 acres Algerian oats 78 bushels. Mr W. Gibbs threshed .50 acres Tuscan wheat, averaging oo bushels, and about 100 acres Danish oats 80 bushels. Mr J. A.-Holmes, Bangor station, threshed 20 acres Juscan wheat averaging 54 bushels, and \\Q acres Algerian oats 75 bushels. Captain Edwin's weather forecast as telegraphed to-day is as follows: Easterly moderate to strong winds; the glass will rise slowly. A misconception is current with reforenco to the alleged impending retirement of the Stipendiary Magistrate for the Timaru district, Mr O. .A. Wrav A reporter of the Timaru Herald, m the course of a short chat with Mr Wray on Monday, learned that a statement to the effect that^Mr Wray was to retire at the end of the month, is contrary to fact. No such course ii contemplated by the Government, so far as Mr Wray knows, and this is borne out by the fact that he has. received no notice of any kind about the matter. Mr Wray's retirement is governed by a totally different set ot rWulations from those that will aftect nlf but one of the 'officials mentioned as likely to be retired at the end ot this mouth, and h« points out that it is possible if the totally wrong impression given by the published statements concerning him were allowed to go un--1 ronrtadicted, it might prejudically •iffect his position.