LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 9875, 24 July 1923, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An address on “Naval Defence” was to be delivered to members ot 1 arliament by Commodore A. G. Hotl am, Naval Adviser to the New Zealand Government, to-day.

The Borough Council has accepted an invitation extended by the officers or St. Stephen’s Church to be present at a service on Sunday morning, August 4 when Archbishop Julius will dedicate the memorial window erected to commemorate those men of Ashburton who fell in the war.

Dr. Lasker won the Czecho-Slovakian chess tournament (says a London cablegram) with 10£ points out of 12 against the strongest young European players. It was a remarkable vindication ot Lasker’s skill aften ten years’ abstention from tournaments. Other players were: Ret-i 9* points, Grunfeld 8| points, Silesdieff points, Enwe ( points, and Tartakover 7 points.

The Prime Minister gavo notice last night to set up a committee to consider anv questions relating to amendments of "'the licensing law which may be submitted to it, with power to call for persons and papers. No doubt the recent petition favouring corporate control of the licensing industry will be referred to this committee, which comprises the Prime Minister, Alossi s Bitehener, Glenn, Harris, Hockly, Horn, Isitt, Lysnar, Savage, witty, Wright, and Sir John Luke.

Many residents of Ashburton East are wondering, perhaps, how long it will be before the council proceeds with the installation of the high-pressure water supply, for which a loan has been sanctioned. The position at date is that the council is making every endeavour to obtain money at as cheap a rate as possible, and in the meantime it ife calling tenders for the supply of material, so that there shall, be no undue delay when the money is available. It would be unwise to wait till the money was in sight before calling tenders, as much material has to be got from overseas; thus the period meanwhile can he usefully employed.

The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board now has an agent in South America, from whom it will receive regular information. This will enable the board to publish fortnightly communiques showing the quantity of meat shipped by South America to the United Kingdom and the Continent or elsewhere. Shipments from South America to the United Kingdom for the fortnight ended the 14th instant were: 192,252 quarters of chilled beef, 32,821 quarters of frozon beef, 40,630 carcases of mutton, 82,439 carcases of lamb, whilst the quantity shipped to the Continent of Europe during the same period totalled 70,532 quarters of frozen beef and 13,389 carcases of mutton. The killings for tho last six months represent an increase compared with the previous season of 52 per cent, as to cattle, and a decrease of 11 per cent, as to shoep. The extent of recent shipments as to the Continent of Europe is said to .be encouraging.

Recent statements regarding the potato market are described as only partially correct by Auckland merchants. “ There is certainly a shortage, and it is admitted that there has been some short selling,” said one merchant, “ but it is not so acute as the southern people are trying to make out. Several merchants there have large holdings bought at fairly high prices, consequently they desire that prices shall go still higher, and it apparently is for this reason that they are anxious to make it appear that supplies are scarcer than they really are.” It was added that the present stocks in Auckland amounted to about 7000 sacks, which was equal to about ten days’ consumption. Tho Wingatui, the next steamer to bring potatoes from the south, was carrying only about 2000 sacks, but larger quantities would be brought by two steamers that were to follow. .It is stated that no more Tasmanian potatoes are to be imporetd. The price of these has advancod, and the quality of the consignment brought by the Kaitangata was not equal to anticipations.

The neatest and sweetest car . you ever saw. Such is the general opinion of the English Vulcan 12. The first of these post-war cars to find an owner in this district has arrived. Tt is painted a light fawn colour, and upholstered in real Morocco leather to match. The especial features of the Vulcan are wide track 4ft. Bin., long wheel base 9ft., large wheels 30 x 3), with Dunlop Magnum Cord tyres. The hood folds down neatly when not in use, and the door opening curtains are a valuable adjunct. Wonderfully easy to drive and a marvel of power and reliability, the Vulcan is sure to win many admirers in this territory. G. IT. Carson invites all interested in the latest English production to call and inspect the Vulcan 12.—Advt.

Some folks have an ideasithat framed enlargements are expensive things. But the Bunz Studio can give you a really haudsome enlargement, solidlv 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 having their favourite photograph enlarged to proportions suitable for hanging. Bunz Studio address is: Burn 'tt Street (opposite Guardian). Call in and talk it over.—Advt.

The hours fixed in the new carpenters’ and joiners’ award are 44 hours per week, not 55 hours as reported yesterday.

The Allenton School Committee held a special meeting on Monday evening to consider the appointment of a new caretaker. After lengthy consideration of the applications, Mrs F. Peterson was appointed to fill the position, duties to commence on August 1.

The West Coast team of boxers to take part in the South Island ohampionships to-morrow night and on Thursday, arrived this morning by the express. Southern boxers arrive by the express to-night, and the Athletic .Club will entertain them at the local picture show.

It was mentioned by Mr R. Kerr at the Borough Council’s meeting last night that there were several parts of the suburbs, particularly in East Ashburton, which were very poorly lighted.. In other parts the street lights were unnecessarily duplicated. Seeing that the Power Board was carrying out some reticulation work, it would be a good opportunity to make much-needed alterations. He moved m this direction. Mr H. R. C. McElrea seconded. The motion was carried.

Mr A. F. Wright, of Christchurch, who is at present visiting the British Isles, has forwarded from London to Mr Frank Thompson, general manager of the Christchurch 'tramways, a postcard with the following expression or opinion:—“ After seeing London ’buses, and the way they handle traffic, I am convinced that for London’s purposes they are right ahead of electric trams; in fact, with cheap petrol, I think, even in most favourable conditions for trams, ’buses possess advantages.”

In reference to the recent sad end of Mr Henry Willingham Lockett, one of the old occupants of the riverside huts near the Ashburton Bridge, Mr and Mrs Broker, who were among his friends, desire to point out that his death could not have been long premeditated, because he had in the hut a large stock of provisions and many recently bought under-garments. They feel that these facts remove from his memory any suggestion that he nad long contemplated the sad act.

Infectious and other notifiable diseases reported in the Canterbury-\v est Coast Health District f° r fh e week ended noon yesterday totalled yo, as follow : —Westland: Pneumonic influenza, 2. Buller: Diphtheria, 1; pneumonic influenza, 1. Grey: Diphtheria, 3; pneumonic influenza, 1. North Canterbury : Scarlet fever, 5; diphtheria, 6; tuberculosis, 6; pneumonic influenza, 49; pneumonia, 4; puerperal septicemia, 1; ervsipelas, 3. Ashburton: Scarlet fever, 2; pneumonic influenza, 4; pneumonia, 1. South Canterbury : Diphtheria, 2; pneumonic influenza, 5.

The Associated Board R.A.M. and R.C.M., London, announces that the practical examinations throughout New Zealand will be conducted by Mr Algernon Lindo, of London, this year. Mr Lindo visited New Zealand as examiner in 1917, and he has carried out examinations for the Board in _ nearly every part of the Empire during the past ten years. He is an accomplished pianist, and his book on “The Art of Accompanying” is the standard work on that subject. The examinations will commence at Auckland at the end of August, and will finish at Invercargill about the' middle of December.

On Tuesday last a new school was opened a Alontalto, six miles from Alayfield. This will be a, great advantage to the children who, hitherto, had to travel long distances or board at Mayfield, Ruapuna. on Anama. The residents have been so energetic that they have fitted up a. cottage kindly lent bv Air Frank Morrow until flic Education Department builds the new school, for which a. grant lias been mado. The 1 new school is to be built on a central site at the junction of the roads adjoining Mr Greenslade’s. Air Frank Alorrow has given a site of three acres for the new school. Miss •Crooks, of Ashburton, is the teacher in charge.

The spinsters and bachelors of Ealing; recently held their annual ball. In spite of the inclemency of the weather the hall was crowded, many friends having come long distances from the surrounding districts. The hall was artistically decorated with red and white paper streamers, Chinese lanterns, and evergreens. The Grand March was led off by the secretaries, Miss M. Bennett and Mr Banks. Messrs Young and Beckley efficiently earned out the duties of M.C., a'nd Mr Manson supplied the music. A dainty supper was provided by the spinsters. The function was altogether one of the most successful of its kind held in the district.

The Christchurch City Council last evening resolved to dismiss 14 of its employees on the ground that they are old and infirm. Their ages range from 41 to 72, and their length of service two years to 23 years. They get a retiring allowance ranging from nil up to three months’ pay. "Their dismissal was carried by ten votes to six, the voting being: For dismissal —Williams, McKcllar, Beanland, Andrews. Agar, Anderson, Beaven, Leadley, Winsor, and the Mayor; for their retention, chiefly the Labour members—Archer, i Carr, Howard, McCombs, Cooke, and Armstrong. Cr. Armstrong said there was not another local body in New Zealand which would discharge, long-service men in such a callous fashion. The medical stores branch of the Defence Department has been closed down, and Mr Wilford asked the reason why in the House last night, remarking that it had successfully bought medical supplies for defence hospitals and other public institutions at an average saving of 25 per cent, on current prices. Its stock was valued at £40,000 a few days before orders came to close down, thus throwing out of employment 17 married men who were in the Expeditionary Force. The Mental Hospitals Department, he added, made a raid on the stores, and got one year’s supplies. Last year’s profits of the Department were £3OOO. The Minister of Dfeence replied that had the member been courteous enough to give notice of the question he could have provided a good deal of information. The Cabinet, after consideration, decided to close this store, as the Defence Department had no hospitals under its control.

The visiting boxers and officials in connection with the South Island Championships To be decided here tomorrow and Thursday will be tendered a Mayoral reception at the Borough Council Chambers at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.-r Advt,