LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9838, 8 June 1923, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Amongst those present at the gathering this afternoon to hear Air VV. J. Poison, Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union, speak on agricultural banks were several local bank managers, who took considerable interest in what was said.

An X-ray apparatus is being donated by the Whakatane Returned Soldiers’ Association to the new Whakatane Hospital, which is now nearing completion. At the final meeting of the association this week the meeting empowered Dr. Wadmore to proceed with the erection of the X-ray plant at once at a cost not to exceed £4OO.

“ Allow me to introduce this creditor to you, Mr Assignee; he has not had to attend a meeting of ci*editors for over 40 years,” stated a gentleman at the initial meeting in the bankrupt estate- of George Morris, the missing builder, at Auckland. “ Well, ho is a lucky man,” replied Mr W. S. Fisher. “ But he has let himself in on a nice case this time,” he added.

“Advance Ashburton” Day was held to-day, and a band of willing lady sellers paraded the streets with badges, a great number of which they disposed of with very satisfactory results. The proceeds will go to subsidise the Poppy Day funds (£100) already handed to the Advance Ashburton Association by the local R.S.A. to find employment for out-of-work ex-service men in the work of beautifying the town.

Judging by the steady flow of entries, the Winter Show should bo one of the best on record, and it is anticipated that when the entries close on Saturday night big increases will bo disclosed in all classes. On present indications the sections devoted to the display of needlework and cats promise to be features of the show. Intending exhibitors would greatly facilitato the work of the secretary if they • would make their entries without delay.

After outlining the success of agricultural banks in various parts of the world, particularly in Denmark, claiming that they had given rise to na lional prosperity, Mr W. J. Poison stated in Ashburton to-day that New Zealand was about tlie only country that had not given any. practical consideration to the tjuestßh of establishing such banks. New Zealanders were usually a most progressive-people, but in this question we were certainly lagging behind. ..i/.iX:

The three paramount principles, of agricultural banks were stated by Mr W. J. Poison to-day to be: (1) Cheaper money, with long-dated loans instead of short-dated loans, with the right to pay them off when funds are available; (2) management by the producers themselves, for no one was in a better position for that task than they were. Wherever agricultural banks had been successful the producers were the managers. (3) As the productivity or wealth of the countgv depends entirely upon the farmers they were entitled to expect a measure of Government assistance—that measure of assistance which had been given to farmers’ banks in other countries.

The Otago Council of the Farmers’ Union at Dunedin carried tlie following remit: —“It having recently been brought under notice that soldier settlers . are being gradually ousted from farms after serious personal loss owing to having acquired the land at inflated values, this conference urges the Government to materially reduce the capital value to such a point that these men will be able to stay on the land and make a living.” It was decided to approach the Minister of Railways with a request that a general reduction in freight on all primary produce should be granted. The conference supported the establishment of a Dairy Producers’ Board.

Rather serious allegations were made in the Palmerston North Police Court on Thursday by three boys charged with breaking and entering. The boys were escapees from Wefaroa Training Farm, and they were asked why they fan away. One of them replied that the food was awful. .Detective-Sergeant Quirke suggested that the Bench should not take the-.statement too seriously; the boys in Werarqa, the said, were very . well treated. ■ “ They would say anything in ;justification of their liberty,” he remarked., Mr, A., ,T. Graham, J.P., presiding justjpe, “ said. he thought there was something more in it. .He questioned the youths further, remarking would seem that an inquiry into'the ’ conditions at the Weraroa Farm would be a desirable measure.”

The usually placid life of a Chinaman was rudely disturbed at Seatoun, Wellington, the other afternoon. He was meandering along the main road with an unusually big load of vegetables, musing on distant days, when the sudden impact of a tramcar sent everything sky high. Carrots and cauliflower, potatoes and pumpkins, rained like a miniature barrage, while the horse' and cart turned a complete somersault, the horse being held down on its back by the shafts. Chinese oaths fell unnoticed on foreign ears, while “ John,” unmindful of the discomfiture of his steed and the amused passers-by, calmly collected the scattered harvest. After the last potato had been retrieved he attended to the horse, which had an impromptu rest for quite ten minutes.

Some folks have an idea that framed enlargements are expensive things. But the Bunz Studio can give you a really handsome enlargement, solidly framed, from 455. The work is of the high order usually associated with the Bunz Studio, and at such a moderate price no one need forego the pleasure of haring their favourite photograph enlarged to proportions suitable for hanging. Bunz Studio address is: Burnett Street (opposite Guardian). Call in and ti'k it oven.—Adrt.

Chevrolet Cars.—The New Model Chevrolet is without a doubt wonderfully good value com pared with other high-grade cars. The Chevrolet combines roominess with smart design. It has vacuum feed fuel system. Forced feed oiling system. Forced water circulation. Magneto ignition. Homy electric starting and lighting. Door opening curtains. Detachable rims with welded clips, etc. Specially strong and flexible springs and better designed rear axle than many makes. _ Catalogues are obtainable free with pleasure, from G. H. Carson, of Tailored Street.-—Ad vt.

For Influenza, take Woods’ Great Peppermint Core.

A land agent’s license was granted to Mr W. F. Halliburton, of Ashburton, in the Magistrate’s Court this morning.

An accident occurred at Calder’s Quarry, near Dunedin, in which Arthur Pobar, a married man, sustained injuries to his head and a leg. He lies in a critical condition at the hospital.

The State elections in Queensland, held on May 12, have now been announced, after an interval of three weeks, to have resulted in a majority of 14 for Mr Theodore, the Labour Premier. Tffis is the fourth successive election which Labour has won.

Houses to rent are evidently eagerly sought after in Ashburton, for an advertisement in last night’s “Guardian” regarding a seven-roomed house to let (or for sale) brought a score of enquirers to the agent’s office this morning, and they were still arriving.

Mr W. "Williamson, a- Christchurch builder, has secured the- contract for erecting the new hospital at Nelson, in ferro concrete, at £69,719. Mr Williamson is at present engaged in building the Marist Brothers’ School, Greymouth; the Nelson power-house; the Deluxe Theatre, Courtenay Place, Wellington; and the Municipal Buildings, Christchurch.

This week has been one of noted anniversaries, as follow :—Sunday King George V. born, 1865; Monday— Grusiloff’s great offensive began, 1916; Tuesday—Lord Kitchener lost in H.M.S. Hampshire, 1916; Wednesday —Germans reached nearest point to Paris, 1918; Thursday—Battle of Messines, 1917; Friday—Tarawera eruption, 1886; Saturday—Rt. Hon. Richard J. Seddon died at sea, 1906.

In spite of the fact that the temporary shortage of coal and coke in Timaru was relieved about a fortnight, ago, there is still a scarcity there. The wintry weather has caused an extra demand for coal and coke, and this has been a big factor in bringing about the shortage. The manager of the Gas Company believes that, with proper conservation of stocks, the essential industries and coke-fed heating apparatus of; buildings will. be supplied in quantities .sufficient to .be kept going. ;

The following will represent the Ashburton Lgdies r Hockey Club, .sigainst Tihwafd B, at Tinwal4;>i^°- mo^ C. Bootbrbyd, C. J .Teal ; e, L. Brbmner, V. Smitli, .'H. Chambers, J. .Mclntosh,, M. Lysaglit, I. E. Amos, and I. Hosken. APatersqh', V. Thompson, and A- Dur The fpfloMng will the JTmds' ladies*' against High School to-niorrow: M. Fulton, S. Hampton, P. Daly, K. Dwyer, F.~~ Elms, I. Hampton, L. Paterson, K. Moore, A. Frampton, M. Mclnness/ and C. Dell. Emergency: A. Hampton.

There was very little civil business at the Magistrate’s Court this morning. Most of the cases set down fori hearing were struck out. In one case an adjournment was agreed to by the plaintiff, so that the defendant might be given an opportunity to file in bankruptcy. The plaintiff said he had issued the summons with the object of forcing the defendant to file. Judgment summons cases werte dealt, with as follows:—S. Beaven, Ashburton, was ordered to pay Trist and Small, Christchurch, £7. 10s 6d forthwith, in default eight days’ imprisonment. J. E. Newitt has to pay J. Wellman a debt of £lB 2s 6d, at the rate of £1 per calender month, in default 19 days’ imprisonment.

Some concern, amusing to the disinterested, was shown by a police official in Court this morning. Five juveniles were due to appear on summons. At the appointed hour one was missing. The Sergpant despatched one of the waiting four to see if the missing accused was anywhere about the buildings or immediate locality. As he failed to return in a reasonable time with a report or the missing boy, constables, certain Court officials, and a parent of one of the other , boys, joined in the search. Meanwhile the cause of the search stopped,into Court and took 1 his; seat. Itrifas decided ‘‘pit proceed," withr the case-bnßefore it was disposed qf the otheob lad out om theMiurit, ckme panting in to report no success. [He, had apparently gone right to his mate’s. house. „ „.. 1 ”.->f . JA&.-JvSa-i j “I should like briefly to refer j .to the political situation,’? said Mr W. W. Mulholland, retiring president) of the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union,., yesterday-,- “ From.*, a farmer’s point of view if is most unsatisfactory. .As they stand at present, no party has a sufficiently strong position to be able to legislate satisfactorily, and we are not likely to obtain anything hut compromise legislation. The Administration is also likely to suffer, and Ministers will be unable to take up a firm attitude on public questions. There seems to me to be only two ways by which the present Parliament can become workable: either a fusion of the Liberal and Reform Parties must take place, or some of the Liberals must join the Reform Party. There i_s very little difference in their policies, in any case, and while it might wrench their feeling to abandon the old party, I do not think it would be hard on their consciences. Failing these alternatives, a general election should be held as early as possible, and the electors asked to cut the knot they have tied.’*

“This claim is for rent ?” asked counsel of a judgment debtor in the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court this morning. “ I thought it was for damages—what the rats did,” was the reply. “ Anyhow, I know it’s connected with the house,” amid broad smiles. Talking of his earnings he said he made £4 4s 8d a week, which had to keep himself, w r ife. and four of a family. Two boys, when out of "work, lived on him. He lost a day’s pay this week because of the King’s Birthday. Fifteen shilling odd was docketed for the holiday. Debtor proclaimed his honesty, and said he would pay up provided the amount was reduced to within reason. He had done his best — ho bought poison to destroy the rate. Counsel reminded him that he had previously agreed to pay 10s a week. Debtor: “My wife did that. I was not present. I have never been in one of these places before.” The Magistrate : “ You don’t believe in your wife and yourself as one ?” The debtor replied that he himself had not sanctioned any undertaking. He had merely heard that his wife had pledged herself to pay up. The Court made a “ light” order.

A "Reverend Father was recently tinder treatment in a Wellington dental surgery, and was greatly impressed with the soothing effect _ of Q-tol, which the dentist rubbed into his inflamed gubs.—A”*vt.