LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8406, 7 November 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Domain staff,has been engaged this week in planting the long border Work was interrupted to-day by the rain, but the whole of the border should he planted by the end of the ' week. Already the plants, some of which, hay© pretty foliage, are very agreeable to the eyes, and if all goes well there ghould bo an excellent show in the autumn.

The railway station presented quite an animated appearance this afternoon on the arrival of the trains for the north, and> the platform was thronged with people, the scene being such as is observed on, rare occasions only. A very large number of Ashburton people left, for Christchurch. The ordinary'3.lß p.m. express train did not arrive until about 3.45, a special train from Timaru taking its place to relieve the congested traffic.

Few people realise to what extent the American motor-car ':- is being imported into New Zealand. Figures were recently compiled in Wellington dealing with the export .of American goods to Australasia, and ■ amongst them was a detailed account of the motor-cars exported to these countries. Out of 2222 cars exported from the United States in March last, 364 came to Australasia, some" 120 being sent to New Zealand. These 364 cars had a total value of £66,875. The figures are all the more remarkable when it_ is taken into consideration that during the month of March, 1911, American cars to the value of only £16,779 were imported into Australasia, only £5445 worth coming on to New Zealand, while in March this year the 120 cars for this country were valued at £31,895.

A Christclmroh telegram states that John Picard, an able seaman on the steamer Surrey, was killed outright by falling down the hold of the steamer this afternoon. He was climbing a ladder when he missed his footing. He had no authority to be in the hold.

To-morrow (Friday) will Ik? observed as a Bank holiday in Ashburton. Kakaia, and Methven. and all branches of the various banks will be- closed. The office of the Ashburton Permanent Building Society in Ashburton will be closed, and also all the places of business.

A Tress Association telegram from Wellington states that the Miramar ratepayers at a poll yesterday authorised loans totalling £9000 for drainage and water supply purposes. The Lower Hutt ratepayers voted in favour of loans amounting to £3500 for similar purposes. At a meeting of the Westland branch of the. lie form League on Tuesday night, says a Press Association telegram from Hokitika, a. resolution was passed congratulating the Primo Minister and his colleagues upon passing the Public Service Reform Bill, Widows' Pensions Act Amendment Bill, Land Laws Amendment Bill, and other, progressive and democratic legislation, and also expressing its appreciation of .the determination of the Government to maintain law and order at Waihi.

A resident of Long Bay says that what must have been a cloudburst- took place about a fortnight ago between Long Bay and Stoney Bay on the east side of Banks Peninsula, /states the " Akaroa Mai)." He says the area over which the torrential rain extended was only about twenty chains from the coast. A piece of cultivated ground was absolutely washed bare with the downpour, and potatoes ' and other roots- washed right out. The trickling streams became roaring torrents, which shifted huge boulders, and on the flat country the water was over a foot deep. • ■

Tho consumption of tea is increasing throughout the world to such aaoxtoni; ■that.it is estimated that an additional 20,000 acres will be required annually for the cultivation .of the tea-plant. Some figures that have just been published disclose that Australia is > now taking less .'tea, from Ceylon, slightly rcore from India, and much more from Java. Inquiries made by the " Lansot" prove that the highest^prieed tea is the most economical, and that there is little demand for low-grade qualities.

Two people who were on the trestle bridge near Patea were surprised by a train and had to jump into the river beneath. The " Patea Press" ' states that the affair had more of tho element of. tragedy than of comedy in it, Mr G. Tinney, one of the actors, just leaping off the bridge in time. His conir panion, Miss O'Grady* who cannot swim, was almost-insensible when he reached her, and had he not been a I good swimmer she would assuredly have been drowned. As it ■■ was, it took, Tinney all his time to - swim with his' burden against' the strong tide that, was running out towards the sea.

At a conference called at the London Guidhall to discuss the question of tho health of the business man the consenl sus of medical .opinion was that _ the workacjay man eats too much animal food, hurries too much, and worries too much. The habit of 'rushing for the early morning train was condemned_ as deleterious, while the practice of eating a' heavy midday meal was' also deprecated. The doctors agreed that a mentally or bodily tired man ought not to further exert himself after he had I I finished his day's work". The' harmful--' | ness of drinking between, meals was also commented upon.

The first female jockey in Vienna made her appearance at a recent race meeting, but slio was not a success. She was well . enough mounted, her horse, in fact, being the favourite for the yace in which, she was riding, but notwithstanding this advantage she did not distinguish herself. At the outset of the race the young woman succeeded in beating ihe flag. She was, of course, promptly brought back, anJ when the next start took place she was left standing. She soon got going, however, but never got anywhere near the leading horses, and finished last.

The membership of the Ash burton Horticultural Society ' is gradually increasing, and the Committee is at tho present time making a canvass with the idea of still further increasing the number. Although the annual exhibition is not duo to be held .until January next, the Committee has already in hand the preliminary arrangements, and endeavours will be'made to'make the shoiv the most successful in the history of the society. A new featiire will be a, special,competition in'choice cut blooms, for which the English "Horticultural Society offer three medals. By alj accounts, sweat peas, a flowor that has lately come into very .prominen: favour among gardeners and the public generally, will bo exceptionally well represented, as, it is stated, a. number ofAshburton horticulturists have sent to England for some of the very best specimens of seed obtainable. Indeed one gentleman is reported to be devoting his time to the production of some sweet peas for exhibition only, and il is anticipated that his show will be an outstanding one.

We learn (says tho " Otago* Daily Times") that the taking of evidence in England by the Empire Trade Commission is to conclude about the 23rd instant. _ It is possible, however, that after evidence has been taken abroad, light may have been thrown on matters as to which further evidence could be taken with advantage after the return of the Commission to England. It has. we understand, been practically decided that after Australia and New Zealand have been finished—about June 23 next —members will retipnS to their businesses for the remainder of 1913, and in tho following year Canada, Newfoundland and South Africa will be visited. The now chairman, the Rt. -Jlotv. Arnold Morley, is' rapidly mastering the work of the position, and proving an able successor to Lord Jnchcape, who resigned owing to the'death of a partner, as that event prevented him from leaving England.