LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxxii, Issue 8375, 23 May 1911, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Mount Somors train was over a quarter of an hour late ih- arriving at Ashburton this morning, on account oi a heavy freight. Tho train included over thirty loaded trucks, the majority of which contained fat sheep ami lambs.

Six of the non-commissioned officers selected in Great Britain to fill posts in the new "defence organisations in New Zealand, left England by the Athenic on the 27th ult. Their names are:—Corporal Norris (Royal Horse Guards), Sergeants Beer (2nd Dragoon Guards), Wood (3rd Dragoon- Guards). Nicholls (sth Lancers), Partridge (3rd Battalion Worcester Regiment), »n? Shortal (4th Battalion Leinster Regiment). . '■'

The secretaries of the Ashburton A. and P. Association and of the Poultry Society are now receiving entries for the coming Winter Show. Members of both societies are aiming at making the 1911 show one of the most successful held in Ashburton; but, to accomplish this, much is dependent upon the farmers, who, it is- hoped, will heartily co-operate with the executive in the "direction of making the entries large and comprehensive. Entries are [now coming to hand.

Mr Charles E. Fowke, who has filled the position of stationmaster ■ at Tinwald for a period of five and a-half years, has received notice of his promotion to a similar position at Edendale, on the Wyndham branch, Southland. During his residence at Tinwald Mr Fowke carried out his duties in a very obliging and thorough manner, and his many friends in Tinwald and Ashburton and the surrounding districts will, no doubt, be pleased to hear of his merited promotion. ' Mr Fowke, who will leave Tinwald on Friday next, will be succeeded at Tinwald by Mr Brittenden, of Christchurch.

The following is the : complete itinerary of the Home Rule 'envoys' meetings in Canterbury, arranged by the local secretary,-Mr, E. O'Connor : Christchurch, Thursday 1; May 25; Lincoln, Friday, May 26; Rangiora, Friday, June 16; Ashburton, Saturday, Juno 17; Temuka, Monday, June .19; Timaru, Tuesday, June, 20; Aibury, Wednesday, June 21; Leeston,'Thursday, June 22; Cheviot, Friday, June 23; Hawarden, Saturday, June 24 ; Geraldine, Monday, June 26; Wai/mate, Tuesday, June 27 ;■.'.Pleasant. Point. Wednesday, June .2&:>> ■>■!■.-

A most successful" tea arid con£ eF* was recently held in the Seafield Schoolroom in aid of the churchiunds. The provisions were provided and served by the ladies and bachelors of

the district. The concert . was: presided over by the Rev. G. B. Inglis of Ashburton, and the Rey. Mr Wolloxall and Mr Fraser, Home Missionary, gave addresses. The following contributed items to ' the ' programme:—Songs, Misses Davidson, Whiteside, M. Wilson, and M. Rattray, Messrs Andrews, Meredith, Trevur'za, and Taylor, and-recitations by Messrs Johnstone, Taylor, and Thomas. Misses Watt and Walker and Mrs Butterick acted as accompanists. Mr Moore thanked all. those who had so willingly helped ,to make the*gathering a success. ■.')"-

"These Boards are failures," declared Mr D. Robertson at the last meeting of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in. criticising the constitution and working ". of. the Board under the new Act; "They ar%'^ he added, "not;''.httlf {as good as the .old Boards. Thte whole of these Boards in the Dominion are hot very well managed at present. There is a great deal of cross-action going on. Members- of the Board do things of which I, as a member, know nothing until they are decided. The 'Board wants remodelling in many respects regarding the working of the two institutions." : I .'.

The Douglas settlement, of 3536 j acres 2 BpercheSj situated m Waimate! County, has been opened for selection j on renewable lease, in thirty-four sec-) tions ranging in area from five to 418! acres, and in rental from £2 9s 6d to £210 2s 9d half-yearly. Applica- 1 tions for sections will be received atr the District Lands Office, Christchurch, and the Local Lands , Office, Timaru, up to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Juno 13. Applicants must appear personally before the Land Board at the District Lands Office, Christchurch, at 10.30 a.m. on June 15, or at the Court-. house, Waimate, at 2 p.m. on June 16. The ballot will be held at Wai- j mate at the close of the examination of applicants. , i

A concert and dance was given at Peel Forest, on May 19 by Mrs Turton, in aid of funds to provide a shelter shed for the Miniature Rifle Club. The local talent was ably-assisted-'by Messrs Ramsay, R. Frizzelie,,.and Russell, Mrs R. Frizzelle and Miss Manning. Considering the inclement weather, there was a large attendance.and..a most enjoyable evening was "spent! The Chairman (Mr Dennistpun) thanked Mrs- Turton for the great trouble she had taken to help the club. The net proceeds amounted to a substantial sum, says'a correspondent.;

The Loyal Hinds Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity; .held, its usual fortnightly meeting.,on' Saturt day evening last, in the Hinds, hall, when Bro. James Patterson, N.CL, presided over a good attendance, of members. A balance-sheet in connection with the recent concert and dance was presented, and showed that - the net proceeds would pay the cost of the new regalia which the lodge had purchased. This was considered very satisfactory, and a vote of thanks was passed to all who had assisted in. making the. function so successful. Four new members were proposed, and after routine business had been transacted, the lodge was closed in the usual manner. A Degree meeting was held afterwards, at which the Gold Degree was conferred. on Brothers G. Tilson, D. Patersolv, W., W. Edis, F^Harris, and o..Rerinie. „„■ .: ■ ,m.-..■.-.'...•*■ r- -

Tho usual fortnightly meeting of tho Willowby Literary and Debating Society was held in the Schoolroom on Wednesday evening last. The "president (Mr T. Wakelin) occupied the chair and presided over a large attendance of members. The programme for the evening was a debate on "Is compulsory military training in New Zealand in the best interests'of "'the community." Messrs J. T. MacKay and F. W. Grossman and Miss J. -LiU'cle* bated for the affirmative aud Messrs, W. T. Lill, junr., Ay. A. Lill and J. Watson for t]w. negative. A spirited discussion followed, and on a vote being taken the negatives won by a small majority. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close.

The Harward-Binney mission services were continued at the Church of Christ on Sunday. At the evening service there was a large congregation, and Mr Hanvard took for his subject: "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," and preached a powerful sermon. Miss Coker and Mr J. Binney's sacred solos were excellently rendered. The after-meeting at the Theatre Royal was largely.;'"attended, Mr Harward taking for Jija ..theme: "Is Christ Divided." Tho mission concludes on Sunday evening next.

While Major-General Godley was in Palmerston a day or --two a.g<v he visited the Palmerston Show Grounds with I4euf.-Colonel Pringle, with a view to ascertaining if the halls . and grounds would be suitable for training purposes. After inspecting the halls, Lieut.'-Colonel Pringle was authorised to obtain from the A. and P. Association a price for the use of the buildings for military purposes.■';; Failing Satisfactory arrangements being ■ epnipleted with the association, it is quite likely that the Defence Department will build drill sheds and base stores at Palmerston. The latter, it is "stated, will be provided in any case, •• '•

Mr W. Noßworthy, U.V., W*s /« Ashburtou to»(Jtt,v. iJe hfl ¥W® •veninff train for GwuMilM,

The Ilorr, J. A. Millar will be i)vt representative of t>(r< 'MiwJstry fii W& Conifiation c^M>r»lU»^ Ui i)m*<Mt),

Mr JmnoH AJl«jm, M.l',. will /«#/«.«» a visit to the Soul!/ Bva kUmiU v tm end of next wtek.

DuririK tlw !ft»t two m^% o^^t has sustained a Urn» of ww fcy,w>y,W4> worth of property by fires.

There h un autiuiritniivQ statement that th« Hhulo oil industry will shortly be re-established at Orcpuki.

Mr Donovan, one of th« Imh Home Rule «nvoy», «pe»ks gratefully oi the support accorded them throughout.New Zealand, and B ay« ho and his colleagues have completely beaten the record oi Mr Devlin (£5000).

Mr F. Potcr, of Anama, informed' one of our reporters to-day thatttw grass grub had not done much damage in his district. Stock feed, he said, while not being plentiful, was by no means scarce.

The Auckland Winter Exhibition was opened on Monday, afternoon by the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie, Minister of Agriculture. The exhibition, _ which will last over the whole week, is the biggest of the kind yet held in Auckland the catalogue showing over 780 entries in the competitive classes, while over one hundred industrial exhibits are made in the non-competitive I section. '

Advice has .been received in Wellington of the death of Mr J. F. La no. for many years manager of the Uitizens' Life Assurance Company in Wellington. Since the amalgamation of the Mutual Life-and Citizens' Life Companies, Mr Lane had been in charge of the West Australian business, with headquarters at Perth, where he died after a short illness, aged fortytwo. He leaves a widow and three children.

The employees at the Addington Workshops yesterday received a cram from the secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway ? erv?£ t! to the effect that it was probable that an improved system of paying out would be adopted at Addington at next pay day. Under the circumstances, the meeting which the men proposed to hold during the lunch hour yesterday was postponed till alter next pay day.

According to the "Journal of the Department of Labour," the conditions of employment and trade in Christchurch during last month were quite up to normal. "The building trade still continues busy" (adds the report), "especially in the carpentering and painting branches. Bricklaying work is slackening off; some, contracts are nearing completion, which will mean a dearth of employment m that branch. In the engineering and agricultural implement trades a fair volume of work is being done, but a number of the tradesmen usually employed at these trades are still on the unemployment-book. The clothing i trades (factories) are still busy, especiI ally in the clothing, costumes, hat and cap and shirt-making departments, and additional hands are still requir!ed." ■ ■;. :

| Two cases of scarlatina were re- ( '■ ported in the Borough of Ashburton to-day. Mr A. Clarke, secretary of the 'Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, telegraphed to the Health Dejpartment, Christehurch, and Inspector !M. Kershaw came down immediately, iOn his way to Ashburton he visited i ' Rakaia, _ and attended to a case recently reported from there, and also fumigated the premises where patients have passed the dangerous period. The two cases reported in Ashburton to-day were also attended to by Inspector Kershaw, and he then went on to visit Timaru. There are no fresh cases ,of ! scarlatina reported from Tinwald, but jit is understood that the school has | been closed for two weeks. A branch of the Independent Order !of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, will j'be opened at Rakaia on Thursday ' evening next, May 25th, by the Ash- : burton District officers. Members of the Order are cordially invited to the • opening ceremony, and it is expected i that there will be a large attendance ■of visiting brethren. i '