LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9828, 22 March 1923, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A cablegram received this morning reports the departure of the s.s. Kumara for Monte Video.

A Greymouth telegram to-day states that H. M. S. Laburnum has arrived there on a four days’ visit. She berthed safely at the wharf and was welcomed by leading citizens. A comprehensive programme of entertainments is arranged for the officers and crew.

Miniature rifle shooting in Ashburton and County is gaining in popularity and most clubs report .increased memberships. The presentation of a County Challenge Shield by the County Council has done much to increase interest in the sport, and matters velating to the shield will be discussed at to-night’s meeting of the Ashburton Miniature Rifle Culb. Another question to be discussed is that or forming an association to control the sport. This is an important matter, and one which has been in the minds of clubs for some months. The fact that the sport is growing so rapidly is responsible for a desire on the pqrt of many to come to an early decision on the matter.

A rather good school howler comes from Gisborne. During his recent visit to that town the Governor-General delivered an address to the Navy League, at which a large number of school children were of his address (states an exchange), Lord Jellicoe referred in highly appreciative terms to the mercantile marine. Next day at one of the schools two girl pupils were discussing the lecture, and one said: ‘ ‘ What did Lord Jellicoe mean by the mercantile marine, Marjorie ? He spoke a lot about it, but I don’t know what it means.” “Why, silly, mercantile marine was the stuff the troops had served out to them instead of butter during the war.” Marjorie has a new nick-name at school—it is “ mercantile marine.”

Exceptionally heavy weather prevailed throughout the whole of the voyage of the Union Company’s steamer Maunganui, which arrived at Wellington on Monday morning from Sydney. The vessel ran into a heavy beam sea soon after leaving the Australian port on the Thursday, and rolled considerably. One lady passenger, Mrs D. Forbes, sustained rather severe bruises as a result of a fall during the heavy rolling, and had to seek medical attention. On Sunday evqning, shortly after dinner, a distinct trerilor was experienced, and the vessel gave a lurch and then a dip, as if she had struck something. A number of the passengers attributed this to the earthquake experienced in Wellington on Sunday evening.

“ The day is fast approaching when tnen and women in good positions will be compelled to support their parents when they need help,” said the chairman of the Relief Committee of the Auckland Hospital Board on Thursday. Several cases were brought under the notice of members where young people were shirking their duties and responsibilities in regard to mothers who had fallen into ill-health and were not receiving a penny from those upon whom they had a just claim and who were able to contribute if they were more economical and did not spend so much upon themselves. “ The great tendency seems for young people to want to indulge in every sort of entertainment that is going, instead of showing a little affection to those who brought them up, and to whom they owe everything.”

A London cablegram relating to book sales, received to-day, states that Australia secured five lots relating to Cook at Sotheby’s sale from the Bolchow Library, Marton Hall, Yorkshire. They consist of a manuscript diary, including a description and naming of the .Botany Bay and the coast of New Zealand, which sold for £5000; a contemporary copy of Cook’s correspondence with the Admiralty during his first voyage, including secret instructions known only in this manuscripe, £500; the Endeavour’s log-book from the year 1768 to 1770, which sold for £300; the log-book of the Dolphin from August, 1766, to October, 1767, which sold for £260. Cook’s autograph manuscript, describing the coasts of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, dated 1762, while Cook’s “Master of Northumberland” sold for £720.

The McCleary-MeQuarrie boxing dispute between the Otago Association and the New Zealand Council was discussed at a meeting of the committee of the Ashburton Athletic Club on February 20 last, and the following decision was arrived at: —“That this club is of opinion that some immediate and definite steps should be taken by the New Zealand Boxing Council to end the dispute originated by the Otago Boxing Association with the council in connection with the Mc-Cleary-McQuarrie contest held at Dunedin in June last. This club is also of opinion that the Otago Boxing Association is wrong in the attitude it has adopted. Further, this club thinks that if the sport of boxing is to survive in this Dominion the rules of the governing body, namely, the New Zealand Boxing Council, must be respected, and it pledges its support to the council in any action that body sees fit to take to end the matter.” The action of the executive was unproved by the annual meeting held last night.

It is not uncommon for tram passengers to use their tickets for a little gamble, on the value of the number as a crib hand (says an exchange). Four Southlanders on a tram the other <3ay agreed that the holder of the poorest hand should ‘ 'shout for . the crowd." The first produced a ticket bearing the number 87,886, worth 21; the next man’s number was 87,887, and worth" 20; the third’s was 87,888, also worth 20, while the fourth ticket was 87,889, worth 21.

The Ashburton Catholic Club reopened for thß winter session last evening. There was a large attendance of members, over which Mr L. J. Ryan presided. Four nominations were received for membership. An attractive list of programmes was drawn up for future meetings. The programme for the evening took the form of a question box. Among the questions submitted were the following, which were keenly debated: —ls wealth essential to happiness? The political situation 1 Is speech an Art ? Work of a seasonal nature is being carried on in the Domain. The area to be sown down for new tennis courts has been well prepared, and the work of sowing was to have commenced today, hut owing to the probability of the wind not allowing of uniform scattering of the seed, the work has been postponed until a more favourable time. The grass on the hockey ground is being cut, and the mower has been put over the Oval. _ The top-dressing of the new cricket pitch on the terrace ground has not yet been commenced.

The system of allowing showmen to hold boxing exhibitions free from the control of legislation was the subject of adverse comment by Mr W. Page at the meeting of the Ashburton Athletic Club last night. It was stated that the club had to obtain a. police permit for an exhibition, and had to have the ring properly equipped and medical skill in attendance; whereas side-shows appeared to be exempt from this legislation. He moved that the committee protest Btrongly against this unfair system. Mr _H.R. C. McElrea seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Ashburton district returned soldiers’ banquet, to be given by Mi's Peache and her son, of Mount Somers, in the Club House, Burnett Street, tonight, will be attended by BrigadierGeneral Andrew, of Christchurch, and Colonel Young, officer commanding the Canterbury military district. The banquets tendered in the past have been keenly appreciated by the returned men of the town and district, and, doubtless, there will be a large attendance to-night. The annual meeting of the Returned Soldiers’ Club members is to he held at 7 o’clock, an hour before the banquet commences

The recovery of the lamb market from the unaccountable set-back it leceived the previous week was the most noticeable feature of yesterday’s Addington sale. Sales on behalf of Ashburton County vendors were: —Lambs. —H. Drummond (Methven), 57 at 29s Id to 33s Bd. Wethers —Mrs O’Grady (Lauriston), 3 at 38s; ewes: Mrs O’Grady (Lauriston) 58 at 23s 8d to 32s 9d; A. Richards (Rakaia) 68 at 23s lOd to 29s 6d; F. J. Harris (Ealing) 54 at 24s 2d to 28s 2d: Black Bros., (Tinwald), 55 at 25s 2d to 27s lOd; H. W. Dixon (Barr Hill). 53 at 25s 2d to 27s 4d; M. Cooper (Rakaia) 50 at 25s 8d to 275; A. M. Hart (Methven), 73 at 20s 7d to 25s lOd; E. Watson (Methven). 71 at 22s 6d to 24s 3d; E. Goss (Tinwald), 32 at 21s Id to 23s 9d; Jno. Sprott (Chertsey), 68 at 16s 3d to 17s sd.

The financial burden which sports clubs were called upon to carry in the form of the amusement tax was commented upon at the annual meeting of the Ashburton Athletic Club last night. The chairman (Mr H. R. C. McElrea stated that the Prime Minister had been reported as having said that the tax would be lifted as soon as possible. The country had made some financial recovery, and the Government might now be asked to consider the matter. Mr J. B Christian stated that if the burden were taken off boxing, all other sports bodies would petition for a like consideration. If the club wanted the tax lifted, it should be able to propose to the Government how the loss of revenue involved was to be: collected elsewhere. It was decided to enter a formal protest against the continuation of the tax, the date of its revocation to be left to the Government.

The usual calm which reigns when dusk spreads its shadowing wings over Ashburton —the period when pa stands guard on the front verandah with the evening pipe aglow—was ruffled yesterday by the rushing and shouting of a score of men of all ages and varying fleetness of foot. The commotion was occasioned by a month-old heifer calf, which had rebelled against captivity, and the manner in which it was being conveyed from Fairfield to town. When the Ford car pulled up opposite a West Street business house, the calf, which had cast the fetters from its legs, sprang wildly from the back of the car and set off for dear life toward the station. The young men in charge were promptly reinforced. First up West Street, and then up the railway line, the calf led its pursuers a merry dance. Those who did not feel equal to the task of calf-hunting stood on footpaths and guffawed and jeered in hearty style. This, of course, was intended to be encouraging to the exasperated crowd which panted behind the prancing animal. The farcical pursuit continued for nearly half-an-houv, at the end of which time the. scene had changed to the vicinity of the engine-sheds. Here the calf., in a distressing state of exhaustion, surrendered to greater numbers, but by no means to greater strength. With feublo hands the calf was bound and allowed to rest on the wayside until such time as its keepers’ pulse and respiration regained their normality. The captors left the scene for some time, and when they returned with the car the elusive calf had disappeared, and so far as is known has not ridden in a Ford since.

Particular people prefer to own a car which does not necessitate getting the hands and clothes smothered in oil and grease. The better class cars such as the English Vulcan, the Hudson Super Six, or the Oldsmobile, the Essex or Chevrolet, or the Renault, are clean cars to operate, dosed cars may now be purchased at from £425 for the Chevrolet Sedan, and £2BO •for the open touring car. G. H. Carson is the local agent for the above cars, and full information regarding any or all of them may be obtained from him without obligation. A full course of instruction is given free to all _ purchasers. Intending buyers are invited to call and make appointments for freo trials. Address next H.M. Theatre, Tancred Street Advt.