LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2733, 31 July 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the conference of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows at Manchester it was stated that 80,000 of its" members had volunteered for active service, and the Grand Master stated that the Order would cheerfully make -further sacrifices to meet the:.heavy sickness liabilities caused by the war.

A proposal to raise a loan of £40,000 for various works was rejected at a poll in Wanganui yesterday by 792 to 1336. The rejection of the loan (states a Press Association telegram from Wanganui) was largely due to the fact that some items included in the schedule were considered unnecessary, the ratepayers not being given an opportunity to discriminate.

One feature of commercial life in Wanganui at the present time (says the " Chronicle") is the extraordinary number of worn silver coins in circulation, particularly shillings and sixpences. Many of the coins are so badly defaced that on both sides a perfectly smooth surface is presented without the slightest signs of the usual minting ornamentations. Money in this dilapidated state is not legal" tender, and the public would be quite within their rights to refuse to take ic.

. In the slander case of George Frederick Robinson v. James Corbett, which was concluded at the Supreme Court on Thursday, the jury unanimously agreed to award the plaintiff, £472 10s damages. Mr Alpcrs, for the plaintiff, moved that judgment should be entered accordingly. Mr Bsswiok, for the defendant, asked for a stay of judgment m order that he might move Inter for a nonsuit. After hearing legal argument, his Honour granted a stay of judgment, and said, that he would allow Mr- Beswick to move for a nonsuit at a later date.

A Press Association telegram from Christchurch states that the task of the committee representing meat producers, exporters and freezing companies, which met three months ago and ; fixed the prices Until July 31, needs no continuing to further fix prices. Mutton and lamb have been selling at higher rates lately than the price fixed by the committee, and with the opening up of space at the freezing works- free trade- has again assort-: ed itself. Consequently, '. unless unexpected circumstances happen to cause a congestion, which is hardly likely, as the freezing season is about finished, and the flow of stock ia small, the work of the committee, will be at an end for some time.

There will he a great scarcity of good quality fjust-'dyed .tweeds, as,well as a considerable rise in price, -but we are glad to sec that the- Firm: of Swanson's, Burnett Street, is making provision for this. They have been opening up now importations of Tweeds the last few days that were bought on very advantageous terms. Men in need of a good suit would be well advised to pay this enterprising firm an early visit. 6 ob

Mr John Striugf allow, of ChertEcy, has been notified that his exhibits of Corriedalo fleceo wool at the Panama Exposition have been awarded a, medal of honour and a silver medal.

An Adelaide cable message states that , Mrs Power, one of the recentlyappointed women Justices, sat on the Bench for the first time yesterday. This is stated to be the first occasion in the history of the Empire upon which a woman has occupied a seat on the Bench.

Mr Batcs's forecast to-day was as follows: —The indications are for variable and strong breezes, but' northerly prevailing and freshening. Expect dull weather, with much mist and fog in parts, with rain probably following. The barometer has a falling tendency.

At.tho Farmers' Conference yesterday (says a Wellington Press Association telegram), it was r&solved that the Conference is prepared to support the Government in keeping down the prices of oats, wheat, butter, and other commodities during thtv war, but emphasises the opinion that these must be regarded a.s purely emergency measures, justified only by the country being at war. It was also decided that the. Government should, be asked to find some employment for alien subjects not interned but who have been thrown out of employment.

Able-bodied men in need of work can obtain it in the country,, according to a. statement made by the provincial secretary of the Farmers' Union on returning to Auckland on Friday from a rural tour (states tho Auckland " Star"). "Labour," he snid, "is required in the country, and there is no doubt in my mind that when planting and milking commence thero will be a shortage of farm workers. In fact, it is proposed to set up vigilance committees for dealing with this problem, as well as assisting in the matter of national registration for military service."

Owing to the frequent changes in text books in use in State schools, stationers in the district have a quantity of discarded hooks in stock (says the Wangamri "Herald"). A list has been prepared by the-.Education Hoard, and this shows that the value of those books heM by the stationers was set down at £577 Bs. One firm estimated the value, of unused books on its shelves nt £259 10s Hd. The Alexander renders, which have been discarded for the Pacific readers, seemed plentiful, and. with a view of using them up, it was suggested at the. board meeting on Wednesday that the Alexander readers be placed on the list of books authorised by the board, and that .teachers may exercise their choice between it and the Pacific reader. The suggestion was adopted.

About 2.30 o'clock this morning man}" residents of Ashburton living in the vicinity of the railway line were rudely awakened out of their more or loss peaceful slumbers by a weird, shrill, cacophonous blast of train whistles. The noise commenced, suddenly; as if all the demons in Hades were crying out in wrath and agony, and continued i'or some minutes, probably, vninly calling for some official to signal the train through. The din was deafening, and was enough to shatter the nerves of those most richly endowed with physical strength. It was not the first time a. similar thing has happened in the dead of night, and residents are beginning to ask themselves if they .should not be protected against further repetitions. Residents of .Allenton— over one mile away—wei-e awakened with the noise.

Four accident casas wero admitted to tlie Ashburton County Hospital between last evening and to-day. The first case was that of William Pearson, aged about 30 years, employed \as an engine-driver. He was sharpening some knives, when he fell over them and badly injured three lingers on his right hand. Two have been partially amputated. Bertram Healey, of Dromore, was walking over the railway line near the Dromore station, when he tripped up, fracturing the fibula — a small bone on the lower left leg. William Brady, aged 36 years, was ploughing at Maronan. He* was standing on the plough, which gave a jolt, and he was pitched backwards on to a. spike. His back has been hurt, but his exact injuries arc not yot aseertainable. This morning. Mrs Bell, of Lynn ford (Hinds), was. with the assistance of her little girl; unharnessing a horse in a trap in the Co-op, yards. When one trace only had been loosed, the horse worked forward find the iig knocked Mrs Bell down, the vehicle passing over her. Her precise injuries nro not yet ascertainablo.