LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10163, 18 July 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The results of the recent St. John Ambulance first aid examination for men have been received by the secretary- Of Dr. G. J- S. Fisher's class of 23, 14 entered for the test, which was conducted by Dr. J. Russell Wells. All qualified. Mr C. S. Hawkey secured the medallion award for passing three examinations, and Mr H. M. Jones a voucher for two. The other 12 obtained certificates. The following qualified: —Messrs C. S. Hawkey (medallion), H. M. Jones (voucher), G. Alington, W. Bruce, C. Corbett, B. Ford, H. B. Hefford, E. Loach, C. Millar, G. McKenzie, T. Peters, J. R. Richardson, E. Smith, and E. Tarbotton (certificates).

A somewhat heated argument took place outside a certain garage in Napier the other day, when the owner of a car asked for a re-fill of his petrol tank. Having given the order (recounts the " Telegraph"), he walked away, and, returning shortly after, drove off, only to find that his (as he thought) newly-filled tank had again been very mysteriously depleted of benzine. Returning to the garage he remonstrated, but was assured that the tank had been filled. Subsequent inquiries elicited the fact that the man detailed off for the job had obligingly filled the tank of another car that was standing near. The owner of the latter vehicle is now (it is rumoured) going about singing the praise of his car, which, he declares, runs on practically no benzine at all.

"Care of the Police Station, Wanganui." This is the queer address that one man has —queer for the reason that the addressee is not a member of the police force (says the "Chronicle"). He comes into Wanganui at periodic intervals, a holiday that invariably terminates with temporary accommodation at the police station, and a charge of insobriety to follow. The delinquent's people are in Australia, but they regularly send him letters and papers, and they have evidently hit upon the unique address as the most reliable point for delivery. Of late quite a large number of letters and papers have accumulated, but no doubt in due course they will be duly collected, and the addressee will retire to the backblocks with enough reading matter to keep him going for some time.

A complicated conundrum propounded by the Wellington Automobile Club was answered by the Hutt Road Board. The club sought information on the following points:" (a) If a man who had paid his fee, sold his car, and purchased another car had to pay for another license ? (b) If a car was sold outside the district, and a new car purchased, must the owner pay another fee ? (c) If a man boueht and registered a new car, would any rebate be allowed for that portion of the year which had expired before the issue of the license ? (In regard to questions (a) and (b) the board decided that another fee would have to be paid, as it was the vehicle that was licensed, and the seller should recover the value of the unexpired period from the purchaser. In answer to question (c) it was decided, on the motion of Mr Strand (Mayor of Lower Hutt), that the regulations be amended so that the fee for the broken period would be at the rate of 2s 6d per month«.or part thereof. •*

That steps aro being taken, or will be taken, to have the League code of football established in the Ashburton County next winter has.been rumoured during the last few months. Statements have been made in certain quarters that there is dissatisfaction

with the Ashburton Rugby Union, and that at least two county clubs have desired to enter into negotiations with the League authorities in Christchurch for the founding of- the League code among their members. The intentions of the Christchurch League authorities with regard to the county have not been publicly stated. It would appear to be a singular thing, however, that, the League code being fairly popular in Christchurch, the authorities should have arranged that a League match

be played in Ashburton during each of ! the last two seasons. In view of the fact that public support would not be so great here as in Christchurch, the question of gate receipts can hardly have been the reason for staging the matches here. When discussing any matter which has a bearing on the League game, the Ashburton Rugby Union has promptly gone into committee.

An amusing experience of the enterprise of American newspapers was related to a "Poverty Bay Herald" reporter by a gentleman, who stated that while he was in San Diego a memorial service was to be given as a tribute to the late President Hard-

ing. The service was to take place at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, but at 11.30 in the morning he was walking through the park in which the service was to be held. He purchased a newspaper, and much to his surprise found a full and detailed

report of the function which was to; take place three hours later. . The report commenced by stating that the weather was wonderful, and went on to describe the crowd, stating that there were many who shed tears dur ing the impressive ceremony, and even went to the extent of intimating that the police had had trouble in controlling the crowds at certain corners. The most remarkable thing about the report was that it was correct in practically every detail, the one exception being that Madame Schumann, a famous singer, appeared in a different part of the programme to that indicated by the newspaper. It really ap-1 peared as if the whole function had I been staged on lines laid down by the I enterprising journal.

Every man wants a motor car, and especially those who live at a distance from a market. The price of motor car? is now low enough to permit of their universal use. "We have reduced the price of Chevrolet Cars to £233 with equipment. The Chevrolet is painted in the fashionable brown colour, which withstands the effects of sunshine and rain. The Chevrolet is a roomy fiveseater, wtih door opening curtains. The petrol tank is at the rear and is handv for filling. The electric lighting, starting and ignition system is of the famous Remy make. For £ls extra a Bosch magneto can be fitted if desired. 3000 New Chevrolet Cars leave the factories everv working day, for owners in all parts of the world. Chevrolet catalogues are free for the asking. Send to G. H. Carson for your free copy today.—Advt.

THE " ALL BLACKS." When leaving for Sydney, the N.Z. Team took good supplies of Q-toI (tor embrocation) and Fluenzol as a means of warding of sore throats and mtiu©nea.

Robert Light, a recent arrival from China, was fined at the Auckland Police Court to-day £IOO for smuggling dutiable goods into New Zealand, and a further £IOO for presenting a false document with intent to defraud the Customs.

Members of the Christchurch Savage Club passed through Ashburton by the express this afternoon for the south. They were met at the station by members of the Ashburton Savage Club. The Christchurch Club raids the Timaru hapu this evening, and will journey on to Dunedin to-morrow.

Counsel was explaining to the Magistrate in the Ashburton Court this morning that his client, had avoided the main road coming into Ashburton from the north for the reason that it was full of holes and in a bad condition generally. The Magistrate: Are there any roads about here that have not got holes in them ? (Laughter.) I notice the taxi-men I employ take that road you speak of. Counsel: Well, I trust your Worship will examine it carefully when you pass over it next time.

At Auckland to-day Mr Justice Stringer gave his decision on a motion by the Auckland Taxi-owners' Association for an order quashing the bylaw increasing the annual license fee from £1 to £7 10s and £lO according to the weight of the vehicle. His Honor said the levy in such case, upon a comparatively email section of persons, under the guise of license fees on vehicles plying for hire, was oppressive and unequal in its operation. He reduced the amount to £2.

There were several Ashburton County competitors at the Lincoln ploughing match yesterday. Mr W. T. Stevens (Eiffelton) secured third place in the double-furrow champion class, coulter cut, cast shares, and the prize for the best finish in that class, and also on the ground. His was the best-handled team of three horses. Mr W. Begg (Wakanui) was third in the doublefurrow, coulter cut, cast shares event. Mr Jas. Merrin (Tinwald) added to his numerous previous successes by having the best-handled team of five or six horses, and securing fourth place and best finish in the three-furrow onen class.

At the Hamilton Magistrate's Court, Joseph Balle, taxi-driver, was charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a boy named Maurice Ansell on May 6. Evidence was given that the boy was riding a bicycle, and suddenly, without warning, swerved, with a result that accused's car, which was following, crashed into the bicycle, the boy being thrown and killed. There was a conflict of opinion as to whether accused, who accelerated and swerved to the right when he saw the possibility of an accident, should not have gone to the left and slowed down; also a wide difference of opinion regarding the speed of the car. Accused was committed for trial.

A diversified programme of sports fixtures has been arranged for tomorrow afternoon. The chief attraction will no doubt be the Southbridge Shield match between Ashburton County and Hurunui, to be played on the Ashburton Showgrounds. A junior representative football match between Ashburton and South Canterbury will also be played here, while one game in each of the third and fourth grades will take place. The Association code will be played between teams from Ashburton and Methven. and Ashburton and Wakanui, at Methven and Wakanui respectively. A basket ball tournament will be held on the Domain ground. The ladies' hockey competitions will be continued. A bogey match will take place on the golf links.

In the course of the hearing of a railway regulations case at the Ashburton Court this morning, the Magistrate, Mr E. D. Mosley, said it was simply marvellous to him _ how any enginedriver of long service should not at some time or other suffer from a nervous breakdown, not so much on account of the actual nature of his work as carelessness on the part of public in regard to the use of crossings. The i engine-driver's task was a trying one in any case; he had constantly to be on the look-out in order to run a safe course. It was up to the public not to increase his load of anxiety any further. The public could help the drivers by exercising greater care when using crosshigs.

A conference between Mr F. A. Grant, commercial agent for the Railway Department, and the Ashburton lessees of the several railway sidings, in connection with the Department's proposal to increase the rent by 100 per cent., concluded in Ashburton yesterday afternoon. Mr Grant had the position outlined to him .by Messrs F. W. Seldon (president) and Mr P. L. Porter (vice-president) of the Chamber of Commerce; Mr A. A. McDonald, re- [ presenting the West Street firms; and ■ Mr D. W. Buchanan, representing the millers. After the business was disposed of, the result of which will be known later, Mr Grant congratulated the business men of the town on having formed a Chamber of Commerce, a body which, he said, was to the business life of the town.