LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9392, 14 December 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

, The Ashburton office of the National Mortgage and Agency Company has received advice that Sir Thomas Mackenzie, late High .Commissioner for New Zealand, has joined the London Board of Directors. His knowledge of both Dominion and London conditions should prove of great value to the company...

Permission to show a programme of pictures on Christmas Day was granted to the management of His Majesty's Theatre by the' Borough Council last evening. The privilege was granted on the same condition as last year — that the entertainment should not commence before 7.30 j).m. Good Friday and Sundays are practically the^ only days in the year when the council puts its veto on picture entertainments.

Anglers fishing at the mouth of the Rangitata River' during the week-end report taking some good specimens, ranging up to 81b. The river at present has several mouths-, but the first fresh should make fishing operations easier. Considerable improvements are being effected at the mouth of the 'Ashburton River—fences and outbuildings receiving attention under the supervision of the grounds committee of the Acclimatisation Society. During the weekend fish were not very plentiful, only small specimens being caught. Owing to the river traversing for some distance along the coast before entering the sea, and .the small quantity of water at present .available, the rivermouth will in all probability close. Last week-end the water was running through the shingle in several places. The "arrangements for the annual ■sports at "the Ashburton river-mouth to be held on New Year's Day are well in hand. .

An estimate of the cost, of sanitary inspection to the Ashburton Borough under the Health Act, 1920, if the council .delegates its powers to the Public Health Department, was contained in a . letter from the District Health Officer, Dr.,T. F. Telford, which was before the council meeting last evening. When all sanitary work was required to be carried out by the Health . Department, the amount required to be paid into the New Zealand"Consolidated Fund would be £52 16s Ad, based on a population basis;'and if for-the control and investigation of infectious * diseasfes and ' disinfections, then-"half this' amount only. Thus sdhitary, "'plumbing-; ''and ._ drainage inspections* -are included' in the' full duties for which' the! whole 'of 1' the above-mentioned* sum is' payable.- In localities where new: drainage s'dh'eme__ i are- under way, this, work is not included in the ordinary r duties of the inspector, but special ° arrangements can be made with- the Health Department for the inspection and checking 'of's'ame. Dr. Telford emphasised in his letter to the Borough Council, thr.t, as the Health Act became operative on January 1, it became incumbent on every local authority to make arrangements for the control "and investigation of infectious diseases and disinfections, and stated that the Department was anxious that the**smaller local authorities should delegate these powers to the Department. The council decided to refer the matter to the Sanitary Committee for a report.

The December number of the, " Ashburtonian," the 'magazine of the Ashburton; High School, is only half the* size'of past but -the high standard of contributed articles by- masters and pupils which always characterises the " Ashburtonian " is still a feature, and it is to be hoped that the editorial threat of permanent curtailment for financial reasons will not be carried into effect. This .month's number is somewhat.poor in the number of its special contributions for the reason stated, but those which remain are well constructed and attractively written. Tlie Stanley Berryman Memorial Prize Essay for 1920, which is published, is' a spirited piece of writing, bright and lucid, even though the essayist betrays a regrettable tendency to' overlook tie barrier separating £he genius' of Wordsworth from that of Ella Wheeler Wilcox., There, is one strenuous attempt-a*t,lyricy f verse which lias.in it a certain charm .of ingenuous-ness,--if mot exactly. _a touph of genius, nnduthroughout the pagej__- devoted .fp FormNojte.. —the impregnable obscurity of which is'more restrained than of yore—thej -.Muse ,is ■ by , no means neglected.. -The . usual, reports of the sports' * successes of '„-ittie.j o school, ' ;the doings of the various clubs, and school and old puoils' hews all .make^in^er- . eating-Treading. A purposeful article on the - reference i library goes to' show that, while the Victorians and others fare'- not neglected, the library shelves are hospitable to such' -moderns' as Noyes, Rupert Brooke, 1-* Kenneth Graham, and the writer who gives the I_\sbburton County its nearest approach to literary fame,' Samuel Butler. The ■letterpress of .he " Ashburtonian'' was executed by the Ashburton Mail and Guardian . Company, .Ltd. I

A Christchurch telegram says that Nathaniel Copeland, known as "Argus, the Prophet," aged 11 years, appeared at the Magistrate's Court today charged that he had undertaken to tell fortunes. Charles Louis Copeland, the father, was similarly charged. The informations were laid by the police in respect of performances just concluded at the Grand Theatre, ," Argus" purporting, .- among" other things; to tell the whereabouts of inissmg property. Counsel for the defendants said if the case ife'd' to stand over and the defendants remain in Christchurch to make a test case, it would mean a serious loss, to their employers and great expense to Copeland. He suggested that, the boy. be not asked to plead guilty, asMie had acted under the influence of his father, and. that the case against him be dismissed with- i out prejudice. In that case, to avoid an adjournment, the father would plead.guilty to the charge, and undertake on his arrival at Auckland to give I the police an opportunity to -bring another case, which could become a test case. The Magistrate asked what the' police proposed. The police said they wanted an adjournment if the case was to be defended. An adjournment ,was necessary to get witnesses. Counsel said Copeland would supply all the facts in Auckland for a test case. The Magistrate said he did not want' to hamper Copeland in his engagements. Both cases would be adjourned sine die. *

- After a glorious day of unclouded 1 sunshine yesterday, to-day dawned dull and threatening, a fine drizzle setting in during the morning. Heary rain, is reported to have fallen at Winchmore early" this morning.

While yarding, sheep on Saturdayevening Mr R. McElhinney had the misfortune to sustain a broken bone in the ankle. The injury was caused _w, a gate falling on his leg. JfA j4T*

An Auckland telegram states that the Governor-General's yacht Iron Duke was launched yesterday, and' Lord Jellicoe took her a trial spin. The vessel is in the 14-foot class, and will compete in local races with Lord Jellicoe at the helm:

/The following weather report was issued to-day: —The indications are for variable and strong breezes, but modew* 6*!.* 0 f ro?g' winds prevailing. Weather cloudy, to overcast. Misty ram nto.be expected. Barometer unsteady.

A start will be made with aerial mail services early in January. The first ,_will be between Christchurch and Timaru, and a round trip f rom Auckland to Dargaville and Whangarei and back. A seaplane will be used for the latter The charge will be about 6d per letter. The services will be ex , penmental. and continuation will depend on the support given.' '

A Wellington telegram says that the Mineowners' Association has informed the Miners' Federation that it cannot ' consider the demand .for an immediate increase of 2o per .cent, in wages, on the ground that *the national agreement stipulates that neither rates of pay nor bonus shall ,be altered durine the term of the agreement, which has " not yet expired.

A striking revelation of the rapid growth of the Ashburton Co-operative .Dairy Company is provided by a. comparison of figures disclosed to a "Guar dian ' reporter to-day. For the whble. year ending July 31, 1917, the pay! £ Gnii «m# & tee.compvij amounted to £15 041 2s Bd. For the month of December, 1920, the payments will amount to £17,989 2s 6d. This is an increase, for the month of December only, over the year 1917 of £2947 19s 10d.' i '

-The-entry of fat sheep at the weekly stock sale held at"i_,shburton yards to,day totalled 468, '„ which 194 we?e passed at auction. *;The market was on a par with late rates* for wethers, but ewe mutton although- equal in quality to last week's offering, showed a distinct easing. Prime Aethers cleared at ■dss 3d lo 325; others, 31s 6d io 25s 6d ' 97 S1 «§ c o*vV.- a-? e others realising 27a 6d, 26 S 6d down 1 to 18s. Bidding tor .the lambs penned touched 29s and ifVbut were passed. Little keenness was shown for beef/ of which the entry was small. Fat cow* made £15 ,and £o 10s; heifers, £12<>10s; vealer, 40s. me store market- was lifeless , Springers made £15 10s and £14 5q heifers £7 2s 6d and £6 12? 6d and young cattle £3 12s 6d. *

Tho rapidly approaching date of the Borough School Carnival finds the various committees, well prepared, and all those connected with the different stalls have left, no stone unturned in order tp make every feature of,, the bazaar .a great success. Those who are worrying about their Christmas shopping are strongly advised to 4 postpone making their final purchases until they have seen the goods to be sold at the carnival next ' Friday aAd Saturday. ■ Gifts' for the Christßfils stockings and provisions for Christmas d. m.l? 6rs' are said to be features of the stalls, and people whose expenditure f t 55 r 1 .m 1 ore monetary satisfaction -will be delighted with the side shows, fortune teller, bran tubs, and concerts which are to prove so attractive to young and old next Friday and Saturday.

The pilgrimage of Maoris to Eatana, the miracle man," still continues. Kecently according to the Taranaki Herald, about 40 Natives arrived ixom Whakatane and other places in the Auckland Province. Their sicknesses and troubles are many and various, but Ratana is confident that after two or three da^s they go away rejoicing with a stronger faith in the true God. He. admits, £ that some of his previous cases have had relapses, hut says ,that it was 'dye- to lack of faith. FV^.&y?.*.a "fcorerp-fY with the un- . believing, pakeha,.,,and,began to" doubt the power.of God/ Tkey doubted and went back to the .old Maori beliefs in tohungai_m and .'.m'akutu. When Maoris^ did that there 4 was no hope. I am trying," "lie said, "to make ■ni?^.,V Jk cv?. n iß »s<& "and the Holy brhost."" •'The 'new' church which is being b-ftilt will be tfeady for opening at Christmas time.' It is to be an undenominational-, church, "open," said Tahu, "to every church which believes in the true God." '

The holidays are drawing near, and several" local tnotorist_3 are promising s themselves a tour to visit friends. A holiday spent in this way. benefits the whole family. The pleasure derived from such a trip depends largely on,. the reliablty of the car. G. H. Carson/ "has some very nice "cars in stock, conS^ prising Oakland Sensible Six, Briscoe Light Four, new cars. Also some - bargains in Second-hand Cars*. Intend-, ing Purchasers are invited to caJtt and inspect these cars or send for particulars. Mi- Carson's address is 66-70 Tancred Street, next H.M. Theatre.