LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10134, 11 June 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A defendant in the Timaru Magistrate's Court (relates the local "Post") stated that when he ran into some people in the middle of a suburban road he told them that the road was for horses and bicycles, not for pedestrians. "That's where you were wrong," said Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M. " They had as much right on the road as you had."

"This is his wedding day. It's hard luck, isn't it ?" remarked Sergeant Fearnley at the Te Kuiti Police Court (relates' the "King Country Chronicle"), when a young Maori received a sentence of seven days' imprisonment. A smile thawed the gravity of the Bench, but the clerk of the court undertook to break the sad news to the bride.

The feeling is strongly held by Mr L. F. Ayson that poaching is on the increase in New Zealand (states the Feilding "Star"). It was rampant in its worst forms, such as dynamite, carbide, and other methods, which ha characterised as wicked, assisted to increase poaching. In California they were troubled with the same thing, and no measures adopted could check it. So a new plan was adopted of educating the children on the necessity of protecting birds and game and of the evils of poaching.

" We have all too easily formed the habit of disparaging our own institutions," says an American foreign missionary in the "Atlantic Monthly." "But have we'seriously considered the boarding-house as an emblem of our national culture ? I had never devoted much thought to that nrosaic convenience until 1 happened to mention it one day to a group of Chinese ladies. Immediately they were all attention, plying m© with question after question. 'Do you mean that in America a private family can rent furnished rooms to strangers ? Don't the boarders carry off the bedding and other fixtures ? Don't they steal th© goods from the other rooms ? Can you allow them to open the front door and come in late at night ? Do you say a widow with grown daughters can carry on such an enterprise without the family losing every vestige of reputation for decency ?' Very suggestive these questions, very indicative of the practical working out of a nonChristian society. It made me glad I came from a land where the humble boarding-house is an unquestioned daily miracle."

Replying to the criticisms of the New Zealand finance at the banquet in Auckland to the Hon. C. J. Parr, Mr Massey spoke of the success of the last loan, which showed how secure the credit of the country is, according to most competent judges. The Government had been criticised for ending the year with a stirplus. "Heaven only knows," he said, "what the critics would say if we had had a deficit." In the present position, with heavy expenditure to be faced, it was necessary to have a surplus. He hoped he would be able to induce Parliament to make a considerable reduction in taxation within the next few months. He maintained that the exemotion from tax of mortgages up to £4OOO was right, and showed that the Government' was concerned with the small settler struggling along. He believed the trade of New Zealand ner head of the population was higher than anv other country, yet people were going about saying the country was going to blue ruin. ,

The fortnightly meeting of the Loval Tinwald Lodge, M.U.,' 1.0.0. F., was held on Monday. There was a large attendance of members, and Mr A. J. Moodie presided. Messrs Donaldson and McCallum, of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, who have already done much towards the progress of this lodge, were again proeent, and assisted in the installation of the officers for the ensuing term.- Addressing the newlyinstalled N.G. and V.G., who are both young members, the visitors pointed out to them the very important position they were placed in, and urged them to do their best in furthering the interests and welfare of their lodge. Mr Culvorhouse gave an account of business done by the Friendly Societies' Association. The social committee has arranged to hold the next social on June 18. Throe candidates were proposed for initiation. Sick pay was passed for payment, and the 'lodge closed.

A familiar figure in Auckland, an old organ grinder named Joseph Newzil, died recently after an adventurous career in many parts of the world. Newzil was ai regular feature, with his old organ, at race meetings and openair shows. In 1 his quaint attire he certainly gave no indication of being a man of substance; yet only a few years ago ho bought a comfortable house in Newton, where he died after a short illness. It will occasion no surprise to those who knew him and were aware of [ his secretiveness in regard to his money affairs if it is found that he died worth a very considerable sum. Born in Bohemia 75 years ago, Newzil ran away at the age of 12, and later became an American citizen, serving as a sailor in the United States navy. He then went to South Africa, and worked in the diamond mines. At another period he was seeking gold in Australia, tramping into the desert, his belongings be ing carried on a camel. Finally ho went to Sydney, and there he started a picture theatre, which proved to l be an unlucky financial venture. After a severe' illness he came to New Zealand and visited many parts of the Dominion, following various occupations, including trading in greenstone, seeds, and pestage stamps. Then began his wanderings as an organ grinder. His will is understood to contain bequests to 25 people, most of whom, had shown him kindness. He also,left, small w sums to various charitable institutions in Auckland. Another small gift is to the workmen in a certain factory in Bohemia, where his nephew is employed. |

Chevrolet Cars.—Acting on instructions from the N.Z. Agents,, G. H. Carson, the local Agent, announces a reduction in price of Chevrolet Cars. The new price for the Chevrolet with standard equipment is £233. Although the output of Chevrolet Cars is oven 3000 per day and the factories are I working threo shifts daily the makers cannot keep pace with the demand. The Chevrolet is no doubt the leader for value in its price class. It has several features which are accepted by leading designers as being of the best. A full description of the specifications is contained in the makers catalogue, which will be posted to any address on application to G. H. Carson, District Agent, Tancred Street.—Advt. -i

The Tinwald Football Club's dance, held last night, was fairly largely attended. The iloor was in good condition, and the arrangements left nothing to be desired. Music was supplied by Mr H. Thompson, and Mr W. Reeves was M.C.

At Lyttelton this morning Captain Kettlewell, of the Dorset, made, a presentation of a sum of money to his crew on behalf of the father of .Clermont Staden, 21, of New York, who was picked up at sea by the Dorset on April 23 near Panama. The money has been forwarded through the American Consul.

At Invercargill to-day Joseph Kilkelly, for driving a motor-car while drunk, was released on twelve months' probation on condition that he never drives a car and takes out a prohibition order. The accused collided with a post, and counsel said the damage would cost £loo'. His Worship remarked that northern magistrates were sending offenders to prison, and next time probably he would.

The various games and competitions instituted by the St. Stephen's Men's Club were continued last night, when several rounds were played off among the members present. Reports were received from the social and executive committees dealing with l business transacted on behalf of the club. Two new members were elected. It was decided to extend an invitation to members of the Catholic Club to attend a lecture by Mr J. B. Christian on "North Polar Exploration" next week. The gift of a prize by all of the members for improvement in debating amongst the junior members was received with appreciation.

At Christchurch to-day Lionel Lancelot Hichings,,' 34, a solicitor, pleaded guilty to charges of failing to account for moneys amounting to £ls received on behalf of a firm of solicitors by whom he was employed. He,said he had been in financial difficulties, and was pressed by his creditors. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. The Magistrate, on fixing bail, said he must make it substantial, as the offence was much more serious than if committed by a layman, and Hichings was a solicitor of the Supreme Court and had betrayed his trust. Bail was allowed in one sum of £SOO and two sureties of £250 each.

The bi-monthly meeting of the Ashburton Presbyterial Association was held yesterday in Miss McKee's schoolroom. Mrs Shemeld took the chair. There were six branches represented. After the business had been transacted the members of the Presbytery joined the meeting, and the Rev. H. W. Barton gave an excellent address on the Foreign Missions of the Church in China, India, and the New Hebrides, stressing the needs of each. Afternoon tea was provided by the Ashburton ladies, and a resolution of appreciation was placed on record of the valuable services rendered to the Presbyterial Association by the late president, Mrs Miller, while she was resident in Ashburton; also of her kindly interest and generous assistance in the work of the Presbyterial Association and missionaries generally.

The monthly meeting of the Baring Square Methodist Band of Hope Society was held on Tuesday evening in the schoolroom. There was a large attendance of parents and children, who thoroughly appreciated the' programme. Miss Dorothy Knox was voted to the chair, Mr W. K. Waters being the speaker. He gave an interesting address on "The Evils of,lntemperance." The programme rendered was as follows: —Pianoforte solo, Lilian Rooko; cornet solo, Ray Amos; songs, Sylvia Griffiths • and Ruby Lamb; duets, Hilda Wills and Winnie Porter, Merle Amos and Kenneth Fowke; recitation, Nancy Bishop; dialogue, Flossie Ford, Isabel Dalley, Lome Robinson, Merle Amos, Cathie Young, and Vivian Money; dialogue, Florrie Ford, Cathie Young, Isabel Dalley, Roland Hopwood, Cecil Young, j Kenneth Fowke, and Douglas Osborne.

Tho Prime Minister has, among other notable gifts, a splendid memory. When speaking at the second annual reunion of the South African War Veterans' Association in Dnnedin, Mr Massey astonished the large gathering by quoting poetry and prose which lie had learned at school fifty years ago (says the "Star.") He also showed a thorough knowledge of Kipling's and Shakespeare's works, as he frequently quoted appropriate lines to make his points. In referring to his last visit to England. Mr Massey said he was dining with Mr Lloyd George under the shading branches *of English elm trees one day, when he asked the great English statesman what kind of trees they were sitting under. Mr Lloyd George replied that they were elms. It was from such trees that the bows of the early English fighting warriors were made. Mr Massey intimated to Mr Lloyd George that he would like to bring a branch of an elm tree back to New Zealand. "The British Minister," said Mr Massey, "went one better. He had a beautiful walking stick made from an elm branch and presented it to me before I left England. That walking stick is one of my most valued possessions." |

Children soon grow up; those happy and quaint little ways of theirs are soon J forgotten. What would we not give to have on record' a photograph of ourselves in our days of childhood. One of those "red letters" days is the "Fancy Dress Ball." Have a lasting memory of this in a photograph of your children in fancy costume.—Bunz Studio, Burnett St.—Advt.