LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10385, 2 May 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Rakaia Gorge Road is closed for traffic at "Black Bridge" boundary creek during the construction of a new bridge. For several years past, Australian magpies have been seen in many country districts on this coast (says the "Manawatu Times"). For some reason, possibly the poisoning of rabbits, they have now rapidly diminished in number. A Whangarei telegram states that the dispute: at Wilson's Portland Cement Company's mine at Hikurangi has been settled, the directors having acceded to the men's demand that truckers must not be employed to hew coal.

It was announced at the League of Nations Union meeting in London says a cable message, that Colonel David Davies, a member of the of Commons, has promised kboW, spread over six and a-half years, to be devoted mainly to the work of the Union in the Dominions.

A little girl carrying a tame opossum, which clung to her neck with all the independence of a pet cat. created much interest in the streets of Palmerston North on Thursday (says the "Manawatu Times"). The fine fur and long bushy tail of the animal were stroked by many who passed by.

"How old am I?" asked a female witness in the Auckland Arbitration Court, recently, echoing, as she thought, a question put by the President (says the "Herald"). "Oh, no," returned Mr Justice Frazer w lth a smile, "I would not think of asking anything so rude. What I wanted to know ia how many workers there are under you."

The "through" booking from island to island, and between stations on different lines, of passengers on the New Zealand railways will commence on May 11. An officer of the Railway Department informed a "Post" reporter that live enquiry is being made from all parts of the Dominion in regard to this new departure, and lie remarked that it was apparent the facility supplied a long-felt want, which he was sure would be largely availed of by the travelling public.

With the Church Assembly's approval, says a London cablegram, an Overseas Settlement Council has beer, formed in order that all the moral and material forces of the Church of England at Home and abroad may be placed at the disposal of the official and other organisations engaged in migration. The Council will, if needed, help migrant,' financially, provide for their reception and after care, and supply letters of introduction. The Bishops of London and Salisbury and 15 leading churchmen comprise the first Governing Board. The churches in the Dominions will be asked to co-operate.

The similarity of suit cases and carelessness in attention to luggage proved a rather costly matter to one Cambridge lady during the Easter holidays (says an exchange). This lady travelled by one of the expresses from Auckland to Frankton, and when she left the crowded train at the latter station, in her haste took away a suit case exactly similar to her own. On reaching home, and opening the case, however, to her consternation and surprise she found a few odd articles not at all useful or valuable, and a huge packet of hot cross buns. The lady is still searching for her own travelling bag, which contained a considerable amount of money, jewellery, and valuable personal property. Ths mention of "buns" to this unfortunate young lady is like the proverbial red rag to a bull.

The bond of comradeship and friendship which exists between the men of His Majesty's Navy and the men who fought for the Empire on French and Belgian soils were exemplified on Wednesday (says the "Ota go Daily Times"). Commodore Beal, several officers and a number of men from H.M.S. Dunedin paid a Visit to the Montecillo Red Gross Home. It was mentioned in the course of conversation with some of the .soldier patients that the wireless plant at the home was out of action, the aerial having become damaged by strong winds, while the outfit generally was in bad shape. Commodore Beal showed his sympathy and interest by stating that he would send the Dunedin's wireless expert to the home to repair the damage arid put the plant in working order. The expert was quickly on the scene. He found on examination that a portion of the equipment was not of good quality, and when this was reported tj the commodore the deficiencies were supplied from the ship. The soldiers' plant is now in good working order.

New Model Chevrolet. —The Chevrolet Motor Co. has put on the market ;t new model in which the design has been materially altered. The now C'iovrolc f has enclosed valves, Zenith cai-burcttc with short induction, pipe, enclosed dip clutch, longer wheel base, semi-ell iptk rear springs, semi-floating rear axlcf with banjo housing, grained upholstery black hood l , with glass rear light, nieko' plated radiator, Duco enamel finish, an•' straight sido tyres. The price remain; at the.very low figure of £233. G. H Carson, the District Agent, will lr pleased to show you one of the new Chevrolet Cars by appointment. Bins 'Phone No. 129 to-day.—Advt

For Influenza Golds take Woods' Great Peppermint Cur©.

At the annual meeting of householders at La-uriston the following committee was appointed:—Messrs F. E. Vinos, A. T. Maidens, W. W. Goodwin, W. Dalzell, and Guy Letham. Mr Amos was subsequently elected chairn. an.

The following application for transfer of Crown lease was approved at a special meeting of the Canterbury Land Board:—Section 82, Chertsey township, 6 acres 3 roods 10 perches, William Gibson to John Blair.

The Christchurch hounds were to have met at the Tinwald saleyards to hunt in the adjoining paddocks, but the meet was cancelled on account of tlie wet weather. A meet will take place at noon at Fairfield on Monday.

The first of the wooden crosses from [ war graves in France to reach Christ i church came to hand a day or two ago, and has been forwarded by the mother of the dead soldier to the Cathedral authorities, who will provide a suitable place for its safe-keeping. Th<* cros= is from the grave of Lieut. T. M Watkins, of the 4th Battery, N.Z.F.A., and bears the date " 1/9/18." As showing the extreme: mildness of the season an Irish Peach apple tree in a local garden has borne a second crop of fruit (writes our Rakaia correspondent). The apples, though still small and hard, are perfectly formed. Fresh shoots are appearing in asparagus beds, and currant hushes have budded. This unseasonable growth will probably have a bad effect on trees and bushes in the spring.

The fortnightlv meeting of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., was held in the lodge room on Thursday, Bro. Ede presiding over a good attendance. Sick pay amounting to £8 6s 8d was paassed, and one candidate was proposed for membership. The following reports were received: Visit to Wakanui, District Conference, Social Committee, and Visit to the Napier Txxlge. Nominations for officers for the ensuing term were opened. After the !odo;e closed, an hour was spent in son cial intercourse.

Outdoor sports in progress thisafterloon include the first matches in > the Ashburton Football Sub-Association's eomnetitions. The following games are in prog-ess:—Senior grade: Ashburton v. Methven, at Ashburton ; Wakanui v. Baring Square, at Wakanui. Junior, V'bburt'm v. Methven, at Ashburton. The Golf Club's match against Hororata and the final bowling rinks matches for the Gala Cup, between Methvcnl Ashburton, and Rakaia, have been postponed on account of the rain this morning.

The Tinwald Town Board's ranger was busy on Tuesday taking a tally of the traffic on the Main South Road. \ number of motorists, upon espying the note-taker, glanced hurriedly at their speedometers and slackened their pace. The figures, as follow, were placed before the last meeting of the Tinwald Town Board: —Motor cars 613, motor cycles 22, motor lorries 17, bfcyckxs'346, horses and carts 231, and 9 horses ridden. The ranger was instructed* to take a tally on one more day The tender of Messrs Crum Bros, for the construction of a further length of concrete footpath was accepted. There were present at the meeting:— Messrs H. Millichamp (chairman), H. Bell, J. Gudsell, and B. Wills.