LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10386, 4 May 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Probably the first lamb this season was born on the farm of Mr Alex. Struthers, Railway Road, Hastings, one day last week (says an exchange). The normal time is towards the end of May, and this early lamb must have put up something of a, record.

At the Timaru Police Court on Saturday, before Mr E. D. Mosley, SM., Ronald Luige Berretti, who is both deaf and dumb, and who appeared on remand, pleaded guilty to a charge of indecently assaulting a male at Timaru on April 29. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

The recent municipal election in Oamaru is likely to produce interesting developments. At one of the outlying booths a large number of electors could not gain admission when the booth was closed at 7 o'clock. The Mayor obtained authority from the Returning Officer to re-open the booth, and many voters obtained admission after the closing hour. A petition for a Magisterial inquiry will probably be lodged. In the meantime the Returning Officer has asked the Minister of Interna Affairs to issue an Order-in-touncil validating his action.

The problem of the drift to the towns has commanded many a tongue and pen (says the "Manawatu Times ). Mr J. Linklater, M.P., in the course of an address at the Palmerston North Lunch Club on farming in the Manawatu, had something to say on the matter. " I think that the drift to the towns will soon be stopped, ' he said. " The farmers are mostly very well-off now, as far as facilities are concerned. With good roads, electric light and power, and the many conveniences that are now available, the man in the country has a far better life than the town-dweller."

"I am old-fashioned enough to lay great stress on the fact that ' the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,' " said the Governor-General, bir Charles Fergusson, in speaking at the opening of St. Cuthbert's College recently (says the 'New Zealand Herald'"). "In these days of science and wonders, there is a danger of our becoming too materialistic, and we lose sight of the fact that if our boys and girls are to attain what is best in me, their training should be based on the strongest and surest of all foundations, the Christian faith. I hope the college will always endeavour to reach the highest standard of scholastic attainment, but at the same time I should like to think that all who leave the shelter of its walls will go out into the world not only thoroughly well educated, but firmly established m the faith of their fathers."

I Are there such things as spirit photographs ? Most people would be sceptical, but some explanation still awaits an incident that occurred in Wanganui (says the "Wanganui Herald")- Recently a visitor to the Wanganui Hospital took a snap with a small camera of one of the child inmates there. The film was developed by a well-known photographic firm in the city, and it was then found that in the background of the photograph was a well-defined woman's form, with the face clearly outlined. It was a puzzling matter, as there was no woman in the vicinity of the child when the photograph was taken, and further identity is a mystery. The strange photograph has naturally caused a great deal of interest. One lady who inspected it declared that the' woman's hair was done up in a fashion that was the vogue about 15 years ago. It wm an interesting observation, but it has thrown no further light on a matter that is more than passing strange.

Much amusement was caused after an Auckland election meeting in Devonport (says the Auckland "Star"). A ladies' meeting had been held during the afternoon to forward the interests of the candidate, and after the evening meeting was over and the candidate had spoken, several of the ladies expressed regret that he bad not been able to go to their meeting, and that probably to secure their votes he would have had to adopt the old-time method of gaining their favour, by giving each one a kiss. Despite the fact that he was tired after bis long- speech, he quickly replied: "It's never too late to mend; I had better commence now." and, bending forward, be quickly gave a resounding kiss to one of his "most youthful and charming lady supporters. * He meant business all light, and was out to emulate the Duchess of Gordon's celebrated effort, when many of the ladies looking round saw their husbands lurking porilouslv near, and then there was a general stampede, in which the candidate scored more than once, and let the laughing bystanders see that if that method was going to help to win the election he was keenly out for business.

New Model Chevrolet.—The Chevrolet Motor Co. has put on the market - new model in which the design has beematerially altered. The new Chevro'et has enclosed valves, Zenith carburetter' with short induction pipe, enclosed d> clutch, longer wheel base, senri-ellipti rear springs, semi-floating rear axlor with banjo housing, grained upholstery black hoed), with class rear lijrht. nick'' nlated radiator, Duco enamel finish, an straight side tyres. The price remain at the.very low fisrure of £233. G. H Carson', the District Agent, will h nleased to show you one of the nev Chevrolet Cars by appointment. Rin< r j 'Phone No. 129 to-day.—Advt i

No quinnat salmon, as far as is known, were caught at either the llakaia or Rangitata river moutbs during the week-end.

The new traction engine and stone crusher for use by the County Council has arrived in Ashburton, and, weather permitting, will be assembled within the next day or two.

The secretary of the Ashburton Power Board has received a communication from the Prime Minister's secretary thanking the board for the vote of sympathy passed to Mrs Massey and her family at its last meeting.

The asphalt tennis court at the County Hospital was opened officially on Saturday by the chairman of the board (Mr C. Reid). Several other board members were present. Dr. H. S. Billeliff replied, on behalf of the nurses, and thanked the board for it 9 help in the construction of the court. Several games were played subsequently.

Harvest thanksgiving services were conducted at the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church yesterday by the Rev, A. G. Irvine. Despite the wintry weather the church was filled morning and evening. The choir sang special anthems. A plentiful supply of vegetables, fruit, and flowers decorated the building. These offerings will be forwarded to the Presbyterian orphanages in Christchureh.

Forty boys of a likely stamp attended the Boxing Association's class on Saturday evening, and were coached in the rudiments' of the art by the instructor, Mr D. Stock. The boys have been invited to the tournament in the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening. The institution of the class, in which two months' free tuition is given, is considered one of the most forward movements in boxing circles in New Zealand.

Few bags of wild ducks have been reported since the opening of the season on May 1. One sportsman obtained five on the opening day, and another brought down seven yesterday. A sportsman, commenting on the hours sot for shooting (half an hour before sunrise till half an hour after sunset), said the restrictions hampered the sport. If even only 15 minutes' extra time were allowed at each end, it amuld jive sportsman a much bcttei- chance.

One of finest stags seen in the Wanganui hinterland since deer were liberated was successfully stalked by Mr Storey a few days ago, and as a trophy he has secured a magnificent fallow deer skin (states the Wanganui "Herald"). It is of the fawny type, nicely marked with white spots and a black streak running down the back. Evidently the stag had! been previously hunted, as it appeared to be very sensitive. Mr Storey stalked it for fully three hours before he was able to- get it. and then he landed his great prize on the boundary of Mr Bourne's holding at Lismore. Mr Storey is naturally very proud of his win.

A suggestion as to the best way of smoothing over any little difficulties that might arise during proceedings in Court was made by Mr Justice Alpers at the Auckland Supreme Court in replying to the welcome, extended to him bv members of the Auckland law profession. In the heat of argument there were times when one thought the other was voilently wrong, and it had been His Honour's experience as barrister that it was wise to seek the Judge afterwards in his room and make peace. Ten minutes in chambers usually cleared the air, and one had the satisfaction of knowing that he had followed the Biblical precept, "Let not the sun go down upon thy wrath."—Auckland "Star."

A statement regarding the County Council's proposal to raise a loan ot £SOOO for bridge repairs, has been supplied bv the clerk (Mr G-. Kelly) as follows: —" The estimated expenditure includes construction on the mam highwavs £5330 (Government subsidy £5330) and bridge repairs £sOll. It is improbable that the council will be able to undertake and complete this work during the current year, so the rate was fixed at £SOOO less than the actual amount required to meet the estimated expenditure. If, however. the money is required, the council will hypothecate debentures to the amount required, not exceeding £SOOO, paying it off out of next year's revenue.

There was a large attendance at the Ashburton Salvation Army Barracks on Saturday evening, when a good concert programme was presented by the Band and several assisting performers. These were Messrs H. Silver wood, R. B. Barnett, and the Osborne Brothers. A trombone solo bv Mr H. Pidgeon, troimbone trios, double quartette by the cornet section of the Band, and a mandolin solo by Bandmaster Taylor, of Christchurch, were also given, and the Band played the selections "Napier" and "Comrades in Arms. ' audi the hymns "Simeon" and "Man of Sorrows." Yesterday the services were conducted by Bandmaster Taylor. In the morning' several ]>apers were riven bv Bandsmen relating; to band matters, and a financial appeal met with a satisfactory response. In the afternoon a musical programme was given by the Band, which also played "And The Glorv," from the "Messiah." Ram affected the attendance at night, when further items were.given by. the Band, and Mr H. Hayward gave two solo items.