LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10673, 18 February 1926, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A strike occurred on Monday afternoon at the Hikurangi mine, following the dismissal of two wheelers. Advice received in Auckland last night stated that the strike had been settled, and that the men would return to work itmdby.

During the week ended last Sunday the maximum load recorded at the Lake Coleridge power station was 18,610 k.w. (between 11 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. on February 9), compared with 1.3,760 k.w. the previous week. The lake level was at 1670.46 ft; 16^0.5ft the previous week. The average inflow from the Harper River was 186 ousecs; 36 cusecs the previous week.

An unusual situation .arose m an appeal case which came before Mr Justice Herdman in tins Supreme Court, the Magistrate, Mr Poynton, whose decision was appealed against, having lost his notes of the <M'idence taken at tlie hearing. After argument. his Honor referred the case back to the Magistrate for evidence. Mr Meredith (for the Crown) • ft If he still cannot find it I suppose he will have to recall the Tfh Manor: “J suppose ho Trill.”

The following were the only sales made on behalf of County vendors at the Addington stock sale yesterday: Fat Cattle —Account L. White (Rakaia), 4 steers at £8 2s 6d, 1 cow at £6 12s Gd. Fat Ewes— Account C. Sargent (ltakaia), 59 at 16s 4d to 20s 7d. Fat Lambs—Account W. Hood (Chertsey), 70 at 28s Id to 80s.

An impression is abroad among the people of the County that, as canvassers are calling upon them lor subscriptions to the Page Memorial bund, the subscription lists are no longer open at the Borough and County offices and at the “ Guardian. the lists, however, are still open to any wiio wish to contribute.

When a motor lorry caught fire in Christchurch yesterday afternoon the driver, James Edward Rcnnell, a fad of 17 years, received painful injuries to his right arm and shoulder, the sleeve of his coat being burnt through. The lad cranked up the truck and got into the cabin. The flames shot out before he could emerge, and he was burned about the right arm. The hire Brigade turned, out, but the truck was badly damaged.

With no ticket and no money, a boy about 13 years of age was discovered by a ticket collector on the first express between Christchurch and Ashburton this morning, occupying a portion of a carriage not usually occupied for more than a few minutes. Ho was put off at Ashburton, and passed into the care of Constable' O’Grady, who got into touch with the hoy’s father in Dunedin and had the necessarv money telegraphed. The boy resumed his journey to Dunedin by the afternoon express.

The second express for the south this morning was a long one, consisting of 17 cars. Five of these were filled with bandsmen en route for the contest at Dunedin, the bands being Gisborne City, Dannevirke Municipal, New Plvmouth Regimental, Auckland Watersiders, and Port Nicholson (Wellington) Silver. The l'Stham Pipe ‘Band was also on board. While at the Ashburton station the Port Nicholson Band played the contest test quickstep, “ London Pride,” and another march tune, both of which were heartily applauded by the large crowd gathered on the station.

The new Mothers’ Cottage at the Cashmere Karitane Hospital was officially opened yesterday afternoon. The cottage, which has been paid for by the women of Canterbury through the Plunket societies, has accommodation for five mothers and is beautifully furnished. The function was attended by members of the various Plunket societies of Canterbury, Ashburton being represented by Mesdanies J. S. Laing, E. B. Newton, John Grigg, A. _ Fleming, and W r . Bifnie, and Miss J. Coward. The visitors were entertained at afternoon tea by Mrs Cracroft W ilson, president of the Christchurch branch of the Society.

Representatives of the Ashburton Boxing Association, Miniature Rifle Club, and Defence Rifle Club met last evening to discuss the proposal to hold a combined carnival in aid of the funds of the three bodies. Mr H. R. C. AlcElrea (president of the Boxing Association) presided, and there was an attendance of about 20. After some discussion it was decided to hold a fancy fair and indoor carnival about the third week in May. Those present were appointed a general committee to go into details, and a number of subcommittees were also appointed. The. question of holding a Queen Carnival in conjunction with the fail* was held over till next meeting. * It was decided to hold a guessing competition for £25 and other prizes, and that 2500 tickets be printed for it.

A brother and sister in Christchurch are sharing a double misfortune. Each is separated from his and her spouse, the wife of the brother living with the husband of the sister. These facts were mentioned during the hearing of a divorce case in tlie Supreme Court at Christchurch yesterday, when the brother obtained a decree nisi. Misconduct was admitted by the respondent and the co-respondent. Mr F. D. Sargent said that respondent and co-respondent admitted that they had been living together as man and wife for the last twelve months. He intimated that the parties had agreed to £2OO damages and, in addition, £SO costs. His Honor made a decree nisi, to be made absolute in three months. Damages as agreed upon were entered. William George Chegwin, hairdresser, formerly of Ruskin Street, Christchurch, and now of Timaru, was petitioner, Emmeline Ivy Chegwin was respondent, and Robert Le Compte, Christchurch, agent, was co-respondent. The sum of £SOO damages was claimed against the co-respondent.

One of the most magnificent sunsets ever witnessed in Mount Somers was seen a few evenings ago (says a correspondent). Usually this spectacle is confined to the western quarter of the heavens, but on this occasion every part was included in the glorious kaleidoscope of colour. Prevailing north-west conditions brought masses of cirro-cumulus cloud, tinged with silver edges, near the setting sun. From there, faint streaks of lightradiated fanwise. A ragged north-west arch curved above a background of soft celestial blue. Eastward the sky was shaded from blue to purple through three distinct shades of saxe-blne. Across these shone distinctly the red and orange of the lower part of a rainbow. Toward the sea, in the south, the sky was of a rich saxe-blue, and directly overhead against a violet sky floated streamers of fleecy clouds of pale orange, changing later to tongues of flame. Toward the Rakaia Gorge, in the north-cast, an army of fantastically-shaped storm clouds gathered in the fading light. The hills seemed curiously foreshortened, Mount Somers showing russet by the reflected light. A snow-pateh on Mount Alford was shaded from violet to pink. Surrey Hills* in the south-west, behind rows of dark pines, changed continuously from orange to pink and the colour of ripe corn.

The Chevrolet Coach is a new model two-door five-seater closed car. It appeals very strongly to ladies and to professional men. The Fisher-built body-work of this car is well known to ho of the highest class. The engine in this car is the famous valve-in-head motor which has proved its power and economy for many years. It is very responsive and easily started even in cold weather. The new safety steering gear relieves the driver of any strain in driving, and the brakes arc wonderfully powerful. For £312 there is no e#,r which can compare with Chevrolet, l?s.My terms may be arranged with G. H Osigson, the District .Agent,—(Aowt) j

The annual swimming sports of the Borough School are being held in the sehool baths this afternoon under average conditions.

The New Zealand letter mail on board the Matakana, which was damaged when leaving Liverpool for Wellington, and was docked, has been transferred to the Narkunda. The parcels mail will be sent by the Corinthic (says a London message).

A loud clanking from one of the bogeys of a second class car as the second express from Christchurch drew in to Ashburton this morning attracted the attention of those on the station. Investigation showed that one of tire lar°*e nuts had worked off, and the train was delayed several minutes while a new one was fitted.

Heavy loading again delayed the train from Timaru this morning, and it arrived in Ashburton at noon, ono hour 40 minutes late. In consequence the train scheduled to leave Ashburton, for Christchurch at 11 o’clock did not ,r e t away until 12.25, and the train for Timaru'left at 12.45 instead of 11 o’clock.

A stiff north-west wind- sprang up overnight and continued this morning, but beyond making conditions unpleasant for those who had to be m the open, did no damage to crops standing or in stook. The greatei portion of the wheat is now cut, ana a large percentage has been threshed, the machines being busy all over the County.

The sports meeting conducted by the Ashburton Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club in tlie Domain yesterday was a financial success, the net procoeds from the gate money being £ob. When it is considered that the club usually loses about £lO at the annual sports, this is all the more satisfactory. The attendance, including children, who were admitted free, is estimated at nearly 2000.

The Japanese training ship Iwate arrived at Wellington from Svdney shortly before eight o’clock this mornin<r. A salute of welcome was fired from Point Jerningham. The Iwate remains at Wellington until Tuesday, and then < y oes to Auckland, remaining there until March 3. There are 95 cadets on hoard, being instructed m navigation and engineering, also . ~ voung doctors. A number of official visits were paid to-day (says a Press Association telegram).