LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9052, 24 July 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Yesterday the men who left yvith Ashburton's quota . for the Thirtysecond Reinforcements were given a parcel of sandwiches, a pair of socks, and a large tin of cigarettes, provided by the business men in Hefford's block.

The lied Cross sheep-drive 1 in Waimate County was practically concluded yesterday (says the Timaru "Herald"), when the mob driven through Waimate was found to aggregate 856; but it is known that this number will be increased -to 900 to-day. A large number of sheep could have been obtained, .but some farmers offered cash instead of sheep, and this was gladly accepted, £500 being given in this way. In order to show the fruits of the novel venture, the sheep were driven through the main street of Waimato yesterday. They will be sold j at the Studholme saleyards to-morrow.

A genial appellant who was before the. First Auckland Military Appeal .Board stated that he was in the Second Division. He had been married eight years. -The-board was very surprised, an^ the appellant - went on to-.add I'that he had two children ofv his first; marriage. He had re-married in September, 1915,; and had one child. "You were a. widower in August, 1915?" asked Major Conlan. ''Yes," replied the appellant. The chairman: "Then you have not been really married eight years?" "Well, not exactly," came the drawled-out ro.sponse, "I had a Spell."' The court- ; room resounded with one of the heart- ! iest i>eals of laughter that have occurred there. The appellant said he 'could-produce both his- marriage certificates, so his appeal was allowed.

The position regarding the butterfat levy is rather complicated and uncertain, and the Prime Minister's announcement that the maximum price of butter has been removed has further confused the matter. The object of the levy was to keep down the local price of butter by providing a fund that would recoup factories selling in New Zealand to the extent of the difference between the export price and the maximum local price fixed by the Government. The removal of the maximum price seems to have made the whole, scheme unworkable. The problem is receiving the attention of the' Government. A final decision has not been reached, but it is practically certain that the levy will eventually be abolished. The delay in making an official announcement to this offect is probably duo to the fact that the Government has not yet made up its mind as to the best way out of the difficulty. ..

What class of'horse is required for artillery, and remount purposes? This question was asked at the conference of the New Zealand Council of Agriculture in Wellington.'"'; It . was suggested that, -as■■'the,.war had .been in progress so long, a. definite standard must have been arrived at. Colonel C. J. Reakos, who has been in charge of the Remount Department, asserted that romount purposes weightcarrying capacity was essential. The ideal horse was a weight-carrying hack, capable of being burdened with 15 stone and from 15 to 15.2 hands high. As to the artillery horses, in France they were using anything from, a half-draught to a full-draught, according to the work to bo undertaken. Colonel Reakes added that New Zealand horses had dona excellently, and had been almost praised; in Egypt and elsewhere. ■

Tn view of, the increasing scarcity of shipping tonnage with which to carry the Australian exportable surplus of primary products to the markets of the Allies, merchants and shipping officials have lately taken counsel together in order to devise ways and means of utilising the space available in ovei-sea steamers to ite utmost capacity in dead-woight and measurement (says the "Australasian"). Experiments have been attended with marked success in so far as ■ the compression of wool and the . scientific packing of frozen mutton and lamb are concerned. The representatives of the overseas shipping companies in Melbourne and wodlbrokers throughout Victoria have been directing their attention towards the "double-dump-ing" of wool bales in the .hydraulic press, and the result is th&t two bales are now being compressed into about 25 cubic feet, as compared wih ( 17 cubic feet formerly occupied by a single bale. This represents a saving on the wool shipment alone of 30 per cent, of space. ' r .•"■

The following''question ■wna put to the Minister of Defence by Mr Payne, member for Grey Lynn, in the House of ' Representatives on .-"Friday:— " Whether he has heard' of the rumour which says that one of Maoriland's heroes has been done to death by British rifles for desertion, and if the rumour is true, does he approve of this arbitrary shooting of our men ?" In a note, Mr Payne states: " The circumstances of the case are said to be'that the victim, a member of the last All-Black team, became enamoured of a French lady, and used to take the opportunity of visiting her. On the last occasion it is stated that his company was ordered out *of the firing-line for a three days' rest, that .the company was ordered back into the liring-line after only two days' respite, and in consequence the victim is said not to have returned by the time his company was ordered back into the firing-line, his absence was noticed, and he was tried for desertion, court-martiallod, and shot. . The man was no common deserter. Doubtless he committed a grave dereliction of duty, and suitable, punishment should have been given him without resorting to the extreme measure of militarism of shooting a man who was only absent from his company during a time when he knew that they wore resting from the arduous and trying life in the firing-live." Sir James Allen stated that no information was available, and-until the full facts were ..ascertained no opinion could bo expressed. ■'*■

Ford Service Depot.—The Ashburton Ford Service Depot N is serving its purpose well. The special equipment installed by the proprietor, Mr. G. H. Carson, has enabled him to effect a considorablo saving in time in Overhauling Ford Cars. Ford Owners who entrust their repair work to G. H. Carson enjoy the benefit of specialist, workmanship, and modem methods. Mr Carson submits estimates freo for Overhauling and Renovating, and for Special Equipment, such as SelfStarters, Detachable Wheel Conversions, Upholstery, Covers, etc.

A case of diphtheria in the Ashburtqn. Borough was notified to the Hospital Board yesterday.

A nine-hole golf match was played on the golf links on Saturday, for a prize presented by Mrs H. C. Orbell. The best scores handed in were: — Mrs Flower 58—25—33, Miss Stewart 62—21—41, Miss G. Denshire 68— 24—44. ' ' /

Mr Hill, the instructor at the Canterbury Aviation School, had a trial flight on Saturday in the new.machine built by the pupils under the superintendence of Mr McKay. This is of the Ciiudroii type, a single-seater biplane with the 40-45 h.p. Anzani engine which was once in Lieutenant Scotland's old machine. Mr Hill took the new 'plane straight off the ground— an unusual thing to be able to do with a new machine —and he states that he is much pleased with the waj it acted. It has an excellent gliding angle and a wide range of speed. It is fairly fast, but can be slowed down considerably, making landing an easier and safer job. It also steers well, and is handy all round. This machine will bo used 'by ' the pupils to qualify for their tickets. • ..*•■■.■