LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9543, 23 June 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Carterton telegram says that George Cobb, county clerk to the Featherston County Council for many years, was yesterday arrested at ' Martinborough. Ifc is alleged that he embezzled county funds, the sum involved being £700. Bail was allowed m two sureties of £250 and self m £250.

A novel expedition is m prospect for the members of the Timaru Borough Council. An invitation has been received by the Mayor from Mr J. S. Rutherford, of Opawa Station, Albury, for all the members of the council to visit his station some day and take part m an emu hunt, the fyirds caught to be kept m the Timaru Domain. Mr Rutherford made it a condition bf his offer that the birds should be caught by councillors The council decided to consider the invitation when the days got longer.

The Arcade will receive a mixed population to-night, and for the next two days Ashburton' s central business block will resound with the barking of dogs, the cries of the poultry yard, and of the whole menageries of pets. The Winter Show this year promises to be a record-breaking success, the entries m all classes being "* very strong. Poultry, cats, and dogs all show increases, and the women's sections are exceptionally strongly filled. In spite of a dry autumn, roots and seeds alsq show increases, and the display m the aggregate should be very fine.

Though it was intended under the Arms Act of last session that all firearms should be iegistered by the end of last January, the Government apparently had no conception of the number of arms requiring registration m thet Dominion, for great delays have been caused from time to time on account of the lack of registration forms. Supplies of these m Ashburton were constantly running out during the height' of the rush for the registration of arms, and much inconvenience was caused to those owners of arms anxious to comply with the law. Even_ now firearms are being presented daily at the police station for registration, ,and Senior-Sergeant Ryan states that since the Act was passed there have been about 2000 applications at the local police station for registration. He has already issued about 1000 certificates, and has a similar number yet to issue.

The license for the place of amusement m Karangahape jß^ad, Auckland, known as ' Joyland,", h&s .been cancelled by the City Council 1' ' The matter has been under censideration for some time, and a deputation had been received by the Works Committee fron. business people m the locality. This deputation presented a petition asking for the cancellation of the license. The committee reported that m addition it had obtained a report from the chief detective. This expressed the opinion that the place named was. doing a deal of harm to the young attending there by developing the gambling spirit m them, and encouraging them to keep Inte hours. Both factors must inevitably interfere, he Considered, with the good government of the home. .. The committee, therefore, recommended the cancellation of the license, and its recommendation was adopted.

To ascertain tbe time actually required for transportation of letters by present means for comparison with air transport, four letters are being sent round the world. Two are going eastward north and south of the Equator, and two westward. The letters are being sent out by. and . are to be returned to, ( Major Charles J. Glidden, U.S. Army (Reserve), F.R.G.S., president of the World's Board of Aero--nautical Commissioners, 7 New York. The routes followed are:— (l) Eastward north: New York-Halifax (England)-Colombo-Tokio-New York ; (2) westward north : the reverse of (1) ; (3) eastward south: New York-Halifax (England)-Wellington-New York ; (4) westward south : the reverse of (3). The last-named letter was received by Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, New Zealand Commissioner to the World's Board, on June 16, having come, by the Marama, which arrived the previous day. It was sent on again by the* same vessel, which left for Sydney on June 16.

Further evidence of the increasing favour of the air as a means of transport is given .by a request recently received by Mr Leo A. Walsh, of the New Zealand Flying School, Auckland, from the Fiji Government, asking him to carry out certain experiments among the isla-nds of the Fiji group m connection with the estahlisnment of aerial mail services. Mr Walsh will leave by the Tofua on Saturday morning m company with Captain Upham, an officer m the employ of the New Zealand Flying School. They will take with them a Channel type flying boat, which is the only one of its class m the Dominion. The machine is fitted with engines capable of developing 160 h ; p., which will send it through the air at the rate of 70 miles per hour, and it can fly continuously for three and a-half (hours at a stretch, carrying three passengers and a pilot. Captain Upham will pilot the flying boat on the tentative tests that have been arranged, and when Mr Walsh has become fully convinced of the possibilities of the services suggested he will report to the Fiji Government.

Pastor E. Nicholls has notified his intention of relinquishing his pastorate of the Timaru Baptist Church at an early date.

The following weather forecast was issued to-day: — The indications are for southerly winds. Weather probably cold and changeable. There will probably be a vjiard frost to-night. ' The barometer has a rising tendency.

To-day is the 27th birthday of the Prince of Wales, who was born on June 23, 1894. Fldigs were flown locally m honour of the anniversary, which has a special significance m the hearts of all New Zealanders owing to the Prince's recent visit to these shores.

An Invercargill message states that William Henry Grant was charged at the Court to-day with violently assaulting a Chniman and stealing £62 and a watch. He was remanded for a week. The Chinaman, who was attacked m the street at nightj is still m hospital, but his condition is improving. The accused was also charged with escaping from the Point Halswell prison and stealing property valued at £20 at Lower Hutt.

The weekly meeting of the Catholic Literary Society was held last evening, the president (Mr H. Lennon) presiding over a large attendance of members. The programme for the evening was a debate with the Celtic Club members, the subject of debate being: " Should compulsory military training be abolished ?" The affirmative side was supported by the Literary Society, while 1 the "Celtics" upheld the negative part. After a very evenly-con-tested debate the judges gave the verdict to the "'affirmative supporters.

There being no criminal cases at the sittings of the Supreme Court at Greymouth, Mr Justice Herdman was the recipient of a pair of white gloves, which were handed to him by Mr W. H. Bundle, S.M. His Honor thanked Mr Bundle for the gift, and said it was a matter for satisfaction that there were no criminal cases. " I doubt if it is pleasing to members of the Bar," added Mr Justice Herdman, amidst laughter.

A branch of the Self-determination for Ireland League of New Zealand was formed here recently, the Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell presiding over a very large attendance of sympathisers. Delegates from the Christchurch branch were present, and briefly exf)lained the aims and objects of the eague. The following officers were elected: — Patrons, Very Rev. Daan O'Donnell ; president, Mr John Farrell; secretary, Mr P. Lennon; eXecutive, Messrs L. Hanrahan, P. Devane, J. Hanrahan, P. Hanrahan, sen., H. P. Madden, T. Lloyd, J. McQuilkin, M. Rooney, R. Nea'lon, A. Fitzgerald, and M. Charles.

The number of dances held m Ashburton and district weekly during recent years haa made this form of amusement quite the most popular of evening pastimes. Among the winter programme of dances a few stand out especially m popular favour, and npne more so than that under the auspices of the Ashburton Returned Soldiers 1 Association. This function has come to be looked upon as one of the leading social events of the year, and its success m the past has led to eager inquiry for invitations, to the ball to be held on July 7. , All arrangements have again been made m the best style, and a brilliant reunion on the floor of the Theatre Royal may be expected on the above date.

The arrival of hardwood poles at Methven for the extension of J_.vke Coleridge transmission lines to the Ashburton County has stimulated interest m the formation of the proposed Power Board. The necessary preliminary is to obtain a sufficient number of signatures to the petition now m circulation, but this work is not proceeding as expeditiously as might be expected. Certainly m the Borough, Tinwald, Mount Hutt, and South Rakaia districts a goodly number of signatures nave been collected, due to the respective activities of Messrs F. W. Watt, A. A. Fooks, S. Smith, and A. J. Magson. But the bulk of the County remains untouched m spite of the almost unanimous decision of the County Council to assist m the matter. The indisposition of the County Inspector (Mr A. Christie) has certainly been a hindrance, but an inquiry at the County offices to-day showed that ratepayers calling there were not signing the petition, which, as a matter of fact, was not available m the outer office. This omission seems neglect of the most obvious method of obtaining signatures from ratepayers attending the offices from all parts of the County.

The following sales were made on behalf of Ashburton County vendors at Addington stock sale yesterday: — Fat Sheep — Wethers : For G. Farquhar (Lauriston), 26 at 24s 6d to 29s 3d; W. Lochhead (Buccleueh), 62 at 20s 4d to 25s 9d; F. Sargent (Lismore), 65 at 21s lOd to 23s Id ; P. Callaghan (Mitcham), 18 at 20s 6d to 22s 8d ; W. H. Mulligan (Maronan), 74 at 17s 7d to 225; D. McKendry (Lyndhurst), 64 at 20s lOd to 22s 2d; W. M. Bruce (Lowcliffe), 58 at 19s to 225 ; J. W. Watson (Pendarves), 65 at 17s to 19s 4d ; S. Campbell, jun. (Alford Forest), 60 at 16s 4d to 18s ; H. Parkin (Rakaia), 70 at 15s. Ewes : For W. Lochhead (Buccleueh), 58 at 16s 7d to 225; Horsey Bros. (Spreadeagle), 239 at 13s 6d to 20s 8d; J. Dowling (Methven), 60 at 16s 6d to 17s 10d'; Mulligan Bros. (Lismore), 60 at 15s 2d to 17s; E. R. Turton (Ealing), 66 at 13s 6d to 16s 9d; G. Farquhar (Lauriston), 34 at 12s 4d to 16s 7d; J. Watson (Methven), 141 at lis lld to 16s 4d> J. Oakley (Ruapuna), 22 merinoes at 16s 3d; W. M. Bruce (Lowcliffe), 28 at los 3d; P. Callaghan (Mitcham), 35 at 12s lOd ; W. S. Greenslade (Mayfield), 32 at 12s 6d ; P. McCarthy (Kyle), 19 at 10s 9d. Lambs : For H. and F. McGuigan (Chertsey), 56 at 20s 5d to 25s lOd ; W. S. Greenslade (Mayfield), 30 at 20s to 23s lOd; F. G. Greenslade (Anama), 74 at 18s lld to 225: W. M. Bruce (Lowcliffe), 26 at 19s 6d; W. H. Wilkinson (Chertsey), 200 at 16s 7d to 18s 6d; J. Oakley (Ruapuna), 17 at 17s 7d; P. McCarthy (Kyle), 212 at 16s 2d to 17s.