LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10684, 30 December 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The wholesale price of flour has been increased in Sydney by 15s per ton, says a cable message.

“I have never before seen fish in such splendid condition as this year,” said a member of the Southland Acclimatisation Society, at a meeting of the Council last evening. “I have not seen a poor fish in the lot.”—“Southland Times.”

A Wanganui telegram states that a disastrous fire occurred at Matipo Park, a' city reserve, yesterday morning, as the result of which about 10,000 one to two-year-old pine trees were destroyed. The fire swept several acres.

“Control or no control/’ said an Oamaru farmer to a “North Otago Times” representative, “I intend putting down a larger area in wheat next year. Tlio liottom seems to have fallen out of the lamb market, and I see no better prospects than in wheat-growing.”

An old-age pensioner proceeded against her married' daughter, at the IV Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, the other day for arrears of maintenance, totalling £l9, in respect to an order for the payment of 10s weekly (states the “Waikato Times”). “You want a little money for Christmas, do you?” asked the Magistrate kindly of the old lady, in whose favour he made an order against the defendant for the payment oF £5, in default seven days’ imprisonment.

The Auckland City and Parnell Fire Brigades had a strenuous time on Monday night in fighting a fire in the sack store of J. Kennerly and Sons in Parnell. The fire was located on an upper portion of the building, an inaccessible gable, in which a considerable amount of sacking, twine, and jute was stored. A:i opening had to bo cut under the eaves in order to take a lead of hose to the seat of the outbreak. Late last night men were still working at the building removing the smouldering sacking. The building and contents are insured for £2OOO.

A noxious weed that has been the cause of much trouble to agriculturists in Australia. Bathurst burr, was discovered by Messrs Neill and Ward, of the Department of Agriculture,_ during their recent investigations in the wheat-growing districts of Canterbury and North Otago. It was on a farm in North Otago that they came across several isolated plants, and' the attention of the farmer to whom the land belonged was drawn to their presence, and to the danger of allowing them to propagate.

“This is a septic tank, which has been lost sight of, and a verandah has been built over it. The owner sleeps on the verandah right over the tank, and if he is satisfied I don’t see why wa should complain,” said Councillor R. Noble Acton, at a recent meeting of the Blenheim Borough Council, in explaining a reference in the _ By-laws Oommittee’6 report to a certain septic tank to which the committee’s attention had been directed. It was agreed (states the “Express”) to allow the tank to remain “during the pleasure of tho council.”

A large motor-’bus narrowly escaped a serious accident in Auckland on a recent evening (states the Auckland “Herald”). It was being driven up Cook Street toward the city, and' while the driver was attempting to change gear it commenced to run backward down the hill. Before it had gone far the back wheels went over a bank, but the chassis became caught, bringing the vehicle to a standstill. Had it gone a little further it would have fallen on to a house below. With the assistance of a lorry and about 50 bystanders, the ’bus was got back to the road two hours later, and was found to he little damaged.

A blight has made its appearance in the Wairoa distinct and is attacking both the blackberries and Californian thistles (says the Wairoa “Star”). A week or so ago Mr V. E‘. Winter discovered a blackberry vine on his farm and gave instructions to his son to dig it out. Two days later when he went to do so, it had completely withered np. Last week the blackberry had disappeared altogether, and on looking round his crop of rape, Mr Winter was astonished to find that patches of Californian thistle had been similarly attacked. The blight should be a. welcome visitor to the district which is badly infested with blackberry in many parts.

“An overwhelming majority voted against a strike. That is all I have to report,” said Mr E. Snow, secretary of the Christchurch Tramway Emoloyees’ Union, at the conclusion of a meeting of the committee of the union at which the ballot papers were opened and counted. Mr Snow stated yesterday morning that there was no justification for the statement that if the ballot resulted in favour of a strike, and if the Board refused to withdraw the regulations to which exception was taken by the men, the trams would cease running at midnight on Wednesday. Neither was there any justification for the statement that Christchurch would be without trams on New Year’s Day. No time had been fixed for the commencement of the strike in the event of the men deciding on direct action. The ballot paper merely asked whether the voter was in favour of direct action or not. Asked if he had any statement to make with regard to the grievances of the men, Mr Snow said he had nothing to say on that subject at present.

Why Chevrolet is better.—The new Chevrolet frame is 4) inches deep, providing an extra strong foundation. The ; long underslung springs give greater oomfort. The steering gear is an element of safety ensuring easier steering. The dry plate clutch requires no attention, and is fully enclosed. The gear change is wonderfully easy. The brakes are powerful and smooth in action. The banjo typo rear axle casing permits easy access to differential gears, and is much stronger than the old style. The long wheel base provides for a longer body, giving greater log room in both front and rear compartments. The seats are wide with high backs, and are luxuriously upholstered. The famous Chevrolet engine develops 25 r>er cent, more power than similar-sized engines of other makes, and lienee the petrol consumption is wonderfully light. The electrical system is the famous Remy make, ensuring quick starting and reliable operation. I'ha new Chevrolet vies with cars of double its price. G. H. Carson is waiting to demonstrate to you the ' sterling value in this world famous car. Insist on seeing tho new Chevrolet before you decide on your new car. — Advt.

Another 1260 people used the south expresses to-day, the figures for the three trains being 540, 420, and 300.

The surface of the Ashburton traffic bridge is' now in a very bad state with potholes. At the beginning. of the month it was stated that repairs were to be done by the County Council, and those who have to use the bridge are beginning to ask why nothing has been done.

At the Temuka Police Court yesterday, a first offender, from Ashburton, was convicted and’ fined 5s for drunkenness. Kenneth McLeod, another Ashburton resident, was charged with drunkenness, and also with travelling on the railway without paying his fare. He was convicted and fined 10s on each charge, and ordered to pay 4s 5d railway fare. The Bench also suggested to the police that they should see that the men left town, and this was done.

Scorning trains, lordly motor-cars and hotels, hundreds of people in the North Island take their annual vacation travelling in a motor caravan fitted up with bunks and a miniature kitchen outfit. They are then free to go when and where they please. South Islanders are now taking up the idea to some extent. Mr James Thompson, of Wakanui Road, to-day set off for Dunedin with a party of six in a caravan built on a light car chassis. The vehicle has sleeping accommodation for six persons. It attracted considerable attention in the streets of Ashburton this morning.

An interesting discovery was made a few days ago by men who were engaged in the construction of the railway bridge over the Turanganui River. Among the silt brought to the surface was a Royal Humane Society’s bronze medallion, which, on being cleaned, was found to have been awarded to G. Hawkins in 1922. Mr Hawkins was a member of the Gisborne Swimming Club and Life Saving Society prior to his removal from Gisborne some two or three years ago. The medallion has been handed to Mrs A. M. Beer, secretary of the Gisborne Swimming Club, who, on ascertaining the address of Mr Hawkins, will forward the trophy on to him.