LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10298, 6 January 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A camp at Longbeach is being pitched to-day by the Fendalton troop of Girl Guides, about 12 in number, who* will camp there for ten days. The campers arrived in Ashburton by the express this morning.

Ashburton has sent its congratulations to the All Black footballers. The Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) has forwarded the following cablegram to London:—" Ashburton sends heartiest congratulations on record success of tour."

The steamer Dorset arrived at Auckland on Sunday with 340 immigrants. There was no sickness on the voyage, the health of the party being excellent. The 74 children showed evidence of this by their cheerv faces. The majority of them appeared to be robust and keen. Trades and professions are well represented. Most of the adults have work to go to.. The immigrants include 34 domeetics.

An eminent engineer, acting under the instructions of the Minister of Transport, has for some time past been studying the problem of constructing a road under the Thames between Kent and Essex at Tilbury, states "The Roadmaker" in a recent issue. As soon as his investigations are completed the Minister will consider the carrying out of the scheme.

The Christchurch Tramway Board will commence an experiment in the running of motor-'bus services this afternoon. The new 'bus service will be started on the Papanui and Cashmere lines as a supplement to the existing tram trips, running between the tramcar trips. There will also be trips up Harewood Road, and others to the Cashmere Sanatorium. If the experiment proves successful other routes will be tried out later.

A picnic party left on Rangitoto Island, Auckland, after the last feny Steamer had departed on Saturday were observed from a launch in which the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) and his party were cruising. Sir Charles noticed seven peoole, women and children, standing on the wharf, and from inquiry ascertained their plight. At his Excellency's expressed wish they were taken aboard and conveyed back to town.

A novel use has been suggested in respect to broadcasting by radio in New York. There are times when supplies of produce are so heavy that the market is glutted. The Commissioner of Markets has suggested that the municipal authorities should, on such occasions, broadcast for the benefit of housewives, such messages as "Buy your potatoes to-day," or "Apples are cheap."

The water-races in the Methven, Highbank, Rakaia, Chertsey, Dorie, and coastal districts have now an adequate flow. A temporary barrier has been erected in the Pudding Hill dam, the bursting of which during the recent flood, and the changing of the Ashburton north branch's course, cut off these districts from a regular supply. The temporary arrangement has raised the level of the dam above that of the intake, for the main race. The auxiliary race lower down the stream has been replenished by returning the river to its former course.

Asked how Danish farmers could keep themselves and families on such small holdings, Mr Sorensen, agricultural adviser to the Danish Government, now visiting New Zealand, stated that dairying was supplemented by the production of bacon and eggs, while many of the intensive agriculturists sold large quantities of grass-seed. In his own case, his father and mother had reared a large family, sent several sons to college, and enjoyed comparative prosperity on a 50-acre farm. The turnover of a 50-acre holding, in Denmark would be equal to that of a 150-aere farm in New Zealand.

Court Ashburton, No. 6729, A.0.F., met in the Orange Hall last night, Mr R. Gourdie, C.R., presiding. The visitors of the evening included Mr Pepperell, P.C.R. of Court Canterbury (Christchurch). The Woodwards' reported three members on sick pay. The proposed United Friendly Societies' dispensary business was subjected to a lengthy discussion. No decision w r as arrived at. The newly-elected officers were installed by P.C.R. Mr Pepperell and P.C.R. Mr W. Hastie, as follow:—Mr F. Lewis, C.R.; Mr C Box, S.C.R.; Mr J. Burton, S.W.; Mr P. Choat, J.W.; Mr F. Summers, 5.8.; Mr R. Breach, J.B. The new C.R., Mr Lewis, then closed the Court.

A Rugby League official in Christchurch states that recent cable messages in declaring that members of the All Black team have been interviewed by officials of the League clubs in England to return and join various clubs are misleading. Apart from the fact that the players signed an agreement before their departure from the Dominion, there is in addition a clause that colonial players jnust have the two years' residential qualification and possess a transfer signed by the New Zealand Football League. As these agreements have been endorsed by the English Rugby League, the Australian Board of Control, and the New Zealand Rugby League, the news cabled was evidently inspired by someone who was not conversant with the position.

The travelling public evidently took | full advantage of the facilities provided iby the Wellington Central. Booking Office over the recent holiday period, and a consequent increase in revenue has been recorded. In previous years it was possible to book accommodation for only four days ahead, but this year a new scheme making provision for 14-day reservations was introduced, and the result has been the more equitable distribution of traffic, with congestion conspicuous by its absence'.' Booking commenced three days later this year, but, despite that circumstance, a substantial increase has followed. From December 14, 1923, to January 3, 1924, the returns showed 8293 bookings From December 17 last to Saturdav (a shorter period) the figure reached 9827, an increase of 1534. The corresponding increase in revenue is estimated at £1666.

A motor-car, driven by Mr H. Birdling, of 108 Hawke Street. New Brighton, hit a fence in an endeavour to avoid another car yesterday morning. The second - car, driven by Mr George Agar, was proceeding along Buckley's Road in the rear of a nost office truck, and when Mr Birdling reached the intersection of Kerr's Road he was confronted by the smaller machine. In endeavouring to avoid it he crashed into the fence of the council reserve. Mr Agar was coming along Kerr's Road toward the city,_ and was about to cross the intersection when the other car appeared. The machines came into collision, but Mr Agar's received only slight damage to one of the mudguards. Both the front mudguards of the other car were crushed as a result of the collision with the fence, the two fore wheels torn off, and the left footboard and front axle broken. No one was injured.

Good sales are the reflex of buying. For instance, a Motor Dealer with many years' experience of the requirements of his district, selects the most up-to-date and suitable car. The car turns out to be as good as it looks, and the dealer has no hesitation in backing the car with his own guarantee as to performance. The service he is able to render to owners soon makes many friends for him. These owners recommend the car to their friends and advise them to insist on seeing the same make as theirs before deciding. This is the experience of G. H. Carson, Local Agent far Chevrolet and Essex Cars, who has new models now in stock for immediate delivery.—Advt.

A farmer in the North Oamaru district told a "North Otago Times" representative that he had demonstrated that lucerne would completely exterminate the Californian thistle.

A Moryen settler has this season grown a large area of carrots for use by his stock (says the "North Otago Times"). He states that this vegetable is greedily devoured by horses, cows, and pigs, and may be fed with advantage also to fowls.

One of the Christmas lambs killed by a Winton butcher turned the scale at 711 b. when weighed (states the "Southland Times.")- The lamb was dropped in August, and its rapid growth and development bear testimony to the excellent season experienced locally. The butcher said he had never killed such a heavy lamb.

A strange seabird was a visitant to the farm of Mr John Copland at Stony Creek recently (says the Balclutha "Free Press"). It appeared to be half stunned and fell against the telephone wire in an exhausted condition. It is now being cared for and seems very tame. It is described as being of a blue colour, with a white breast and web feet.

An unpleasant surprise awaited a boy yesterday when a large window he was cleaning in West Street premises gave way, with the result that he fell into the manager's office. He was little the worse for his experience. The next object to appear on the. out-' side of the window was a number of boards, which blocked the aperture until a new window had been placed in position.

One of the six persons convicted of drunkenness at the Palmerston North Police Court was more lucky than wise, and less careful than generous. On his first arrest, after lying out in the ram all night, his "wad" consisted of 29 £1 notes almost in a state of pulp. These were carefully separated and dried by the police. A few days later when again arrested he had reduced the amount to £lO. Out of this he generouslv paid the fines of two of his fellow unfortunates besides his own.

One of the Presbyterian missionaries in the New Hebrides recently made a voyage from the islands to Auckland in a small steamer in eight days (states an exchange). In a letter to a friend he says: "If we had not struck three days of head wind and sea. we' would have been in a couple of days earlier. The New Hebrides are not so far away from New Zealand after all. It would be a great thing for the group if some shipping company would run a steamer direct from Auckland. It would go a long way toward solving the New Hebrides question."

The godwit, or snipe, which is best known for its long migratory flight to Siberia, and its return to the Dominion some time in December, has. not yet made its appearance in Southland this year to any great extent, but it is anticipated that by the time the season to shoot these birds comes round, they will be as plentiful as in former years. The local season, says the "Southland Times," will in all probability commence on February 1, the same as in former seasons, and will extend over a period of three months, after which the shooting of such birds is prohibited.

Having hit a telegraph pole, descended over a shallow but abrupt bank, and nose-dived through a fence, a stranded motor-car on the road to Waipawa on Tuesday last excited the interest of many racegoers (says the* Napier "Daily Telegraph"). Some perturbation was caused when it was seen that the body of a man, clad in a dark overcoat, was bundled in a huddled attitude beside the front wheel. But investigation revealed that the corpse was in reality nothing worse than an overcoat the thoughtful owner had placed over the wheel before deserting his car.

Signs calculated to induce tourist and motor traffic generally to pass through the town of Hawera instead of through the outskirts, as is at present often done, have been erected (the " Star" reports). The scheme includes the erection of notices "Welcome to Hawera" at suitable points, as well as the clearing of ground for parking cars beside the main entrance to King Ed» ward Park, and the installation of a penny-in-the-slot gas ring for the convenience of picnickers. The whole programme has been approved by the corporation, and in a short time it will probably be completed in detail.

The railway holiday passenger traffio from Christchurch during the period December 17 to January' 3 shows a decrease, of 4352 passengers and £5484 on the figures for the similar ~eriod twelve months ago. Including the business at the Central Booking Office, the totals were as follow, last year's figures being given in parentheses: Passengers, 47,355 (51,707); revenue, £17,841 (£23,325). The decrease in the revenue is thought to be due to the reduction in fares, and in respect of the number of passengers carried it is considered that this is due to the wet weather experienced on Boxing Day.

One of the best informed and keenest business men connected with the dairying industry in Taranaki has informed the Hawera "Star" that he has been experimenting for some time past with the use of salt as a weed killer, and had found that none of the weeds upon which he had used the salt had been able to resist it, not even blackberry. Fine salt was not _ effective, but the very coarse kind, in appearance like rice, was proving very, satisfactory. The application of about a tablespoonful was sufficient. The salt did not disappear with the first shower of rain, but dissolved slowly for about three weeks, during which time it destroyed the weeds effectively, A man could do about an acre a day, and the cost would not be very heavy.

The claim that Mr G. H. Shute, of Kaupuni Street, Mastertbn, was the oldest New Zealand-born white man in the Dominion, having celebrated his 82nd birthday on Christinas Day, was recently made. This claim, however, can be improved upon by Mr G. Hollard, of Fillis Street, New Plymouth, who celebrated his 82nd birthday on November 26, and so is nearly a month older than Mr Shute (says the "Taranaki Daily News"). Mr Hollard. who is still hale and hearty, knew Mr Shute and his father many years ago during the troublesome days of the Maori War and the years following. Mrs Hollard, who s was also born in New Zealand; is still alive* and well. She celebrated her 83rd birthday on June 23 last and would appear to justify the claim to be the oldest New Zealand-born white woman in the Dominion.

An Ashburton cricketer, J. B. Nicolly. . has received an invitation? to play fox? the N.Z. Nomads team in its match t against Otaga on Saturday. TbeJ Nomads played a match against Ashburton County on December 31 audi January 1. It is understood thatNicoll will accept the invitation provided other duties allow of his absence from Ashburton.

The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Tinwald Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., was held in the Town Hall last night. The N.G., Mr R. W. Thompson, presided over a good attendance. Three members were reported to be on the funds of the lodge. Sick pay and other accounts amounting to £lO were passed for payment. One new candidate waas proposed for initiation at next lodge meeting. After the lodge closed a social hour was spent. '

In the old house at the North Egmont hostelry 177 persons, sat down at dinner on New Year's Day, and another 100 dined outside. • It was estimated that between 330 and 340 people visited the mountain on that day at the North Egmont house. A motorist who made the trip states (says the " Taranaki News") that the road from the radius line to the house is chopping xm badly. The body, and summit of the mountain were not visible from the hostelry throughout the day.

•Though seriously ill, Mr Edward Wilton, who was run into by a motor- > car in Ashburton on Saturday evening and sustained a broken leg and internal injuries, is reported to be progressing favourably. He is 67 years or age, which fact stands Jn the way of his speedy recovery from his injuries and shock.:. It is understood that the car which collided with him was coming: round the corner, of Baring Square from the direction of the nost office toward the County Council's; offices. The car is further stated to have been on its right side of the street. Threemen, of whom Mr Wilton was one, were crossing the corner on Cameron Street at the time. Two appeared to hesitate when they saw the car's approach, but Mr Wilton continued on, and was caught by the mudguard._ The - car, it is stated, was immediately swerved to the left, but not before Mr Wilton had been thrown heavily.

The vital statistics for Ckristchurch for December show the • following figures, those for the' corresponding month of 1923 being in parentheses: Births, 215 (196); deaths, 98 (97) J marriage certificates, 124 (124); marriages in office, 27 (18). The totals for the year are as follow, with the 1923 figures; in parentheses:—Births, 2538 (2454); marriage certificates issued, 1151 (1172); marriages by registrar, 209 (243); deaths, 1195 (1318). Marriage • certificates include "Marriages by registrar." The figures for the Timaru district for December are as follow, the previous figures for the same period being a»go given : —Births, males 13, females 17 (males, 12, females 15); deaths, males 7, females 4 (males 7, females 6); marriage licenses issued, 15 (19).

A bottle thrown into the sea by the United States Fishery Bureau off Chatham, Mass., has just been picked up at Brixham, having accomplished its voyage' across the Atlantic in just two years, says the "Manchester Guardian." Similar experiments over a! considerable number of years by Captain Simpson, F.R.S., yielded some interesting results. Of several thousand bottles which he committed to the waves about 10 per cent, were nicked up in various parts of the world, and the particulars asked for on the letter enclosed In each bottle were by the finders. Many of these bbttles drifted 10,000 miles before coining ashore, the average rate of travel working out, at about half a mile an hour. One of Captain Simpson's bottles took; four and a half years on its sea trip, in which time it travelled from Capetown to Shetland Islands. - In less wellauthenticated instances a bottle is said to have been thrown into the sea off the Dorset coast and picked up off Lyttelton 11 months later, while another committed to the Atlantic 1250 miles N.N.W. of Capetown reached Port. Philip, Australia, in five months.