LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10704, 30 March 1926, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Since the meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council a fortnight ago, only on a building permit has been issued by the Inspector. This was tor _ a dwelling, the est'mated cost being £978.

A 'Wellington angler caught a twofoot quinnat salmon in a stream running into the Mutt River, nearly 20 miles from the mouth. So far as is known, it is the first caught in the North Island. It weighed about 81b.

Fire at two o’clock yesterday destroyed the storeroom and stock of the Club Hotel at Mar ton, the estimated value of which is over £/00. Ihe cause is not known. The store and its contents were covered by insurance.

The near approach of a new Government financial year is reflected in the drivers’ licenses issued by the Borough authorities. In the past fortnight 86 have been issued, and of these 73 were renewals for the new financial year, which begins on April 1.

Infectious and other notifiable diseases reported in the Canterbury and West Coast health districts for the week ended noon yesterd’ay totalled 28, as follow : —Canterbury: Scarlet fever 3, diphtheria 8, tuberculosis 7, pneumonia 2, septic abortion 1, hydatids 1, infantile paralysis 1, actinomysosis 1. West Coast: Scarlet fever 1, diphtheria 1, tuberculosis 1. There were no deaths.

An engine on a train which reached Wanganui from the North the other day flew a freshly-caught schnapper from the corner of the cab. _ Passengers on the train surmised that its presence was the result of a deal between the driver and a successful Patea fisherman, but a flippant motorist who passed the train said that probably it had waited long enough for the driver to sally forth and catch the fish himself.

Edward Goodman, a dairy farmer, was fined £IQ at Wanganui yesterday for failing to observe the ordinary rules of cleanliness while milking. When an inspector visited his premises he noticed that defendant’s hands were in a filthy state and that he did not wash the udders of the cows before commencing to extract milk. This milk was sold to a retailer for town supply. The Magistrate, Mr Barton, said it was a disgraceful 6tate of affairs.

Fishing parties on Lake Tanpo often have the excitement and satisfaction of more than one fish being taken simultaneously on as many rods, but two experienced anglers, trolling from a launch in the Western Bay this week, had a novel experience. / Each struck a fish, almost simultaneously (states the “New 1 Zealand Herald”)- It was, in fact, one fish which had taken both flies, and was fairly hooked in the jaws by both.

The steam yacht Surprise, which arrived at Wellington on Saturday, was built for an American millionaire, and afterwards belonged to King Leopold of Belgium. Her furniture and fittings are most elaborate, and are said to be worth £200,000. There are valuable paintings on board, and a table centrepiece which at one time was the property of Napoleon. This alone is valued at £IOOO. Each stateroom has a bath attached', and is more like a bedroom in a mansion than a ship’s cabin. The vessel, which is 27 years- old, can steam 14 knots. Her owner, Mr G. H. Williams, of South Wales, intends to stay some time in New Zealand fishing and deer-stalking.

Conditions governing the control of the military camps operating in the Dominion during the Great War were criticised at a meeting of the Soldiers’ Mothers’ League at Auckland. It was decided to compile a list of recommendations for presentation to the Minister of Defence touching the many social and military, details incidental to the camps of the 1914-1918 period, which it was considered admitted of much improvemjbnt (states the “New Zealand Herald”). It was stated that these measures were rendered necessary by the important experience gained ~ and the possibility of war again threatening the Dominion in the near future.

An. incident on the Central 1 Wharf, Auckland, as the Ulimaroa was about to leave for Sydney the other day, suddenly developed a humorous aspect when it seemed to give promise of unusual importance (states the “New Zealand Herald”). The crew were waiting to release the gangway when an official was seen clearing a lane through the waiting crowd to allow of the passage of a closed motor-car. The crowd drew back and stood silent as the car pulled up at the gangway, and necks were strained to catch a glimpse of the late arrival or arrivals who were important enough to keep the vessel waiting. A great outburst of laughter greeted three firemen as they emerged and made their way up the gangway.

Several young people of the Methven district made the ascent of Mount Hutt on Sunday. The party consisted of Misses Olive and Rene Dalton, Messrs R. G. M. Dart, D. Smith, G. Dalton, and C. L. Ridgen. Leaving Methven by car at 7.30 a.m., the party motored to a point about a mile above Blackford Station. The climb was commenced at 9 o’clock, and a halt for luncheon was made just after noon, when well up the mountain-side. Going on half an hour later, the top was reached at 2.30, and photographs were taken. The names of Mr and Mrs Wisley and party were noticed, they having made the ascent a few weeks ago. After spending about three-quarters of an hour on the summit the party commenced the homeward journey. For some thousands of feet the way led along a long shingle slip, which made for fast travelling, the journey down taking only two hours and a half. Home was reached about six o’clock. Rene Dalton, who is only 14 years of age, is probably the youngest person to make the ascent, and it is much to her credit that she roqired no assistance from the older members of the party. Her sister also was in no way distressed. Mr Ridgen loft home at the last minute without suitable footwear, but so long as the tussock lasted he proceeded in bare feet. When the rock was reached he proceeded in plain solid walking shoes.

The ladies’ ear must be stylish and neat in appearance, and verv easily managed. Such a car is the Chevrolet Roadster. One of these smart little cars is now on view at G. H. Carson’s

arage in Tailored Street. It is fully equipped and is fitted with Balloon tyres and is listed at £229. Very easy terms can he arranged if necessary. A catalogue will be mailed free on request. Send for one to-day.—(Advt.)

Mr A. M. Keeley’s name was omitted from the list of vice-presidents and also as a member of the committee of the Hampstead Football Club formed on Saturday night.

A Taumarunui telegram states that John Johnson made his escape from Erua Prison Camp on Saturday afternoon. No trace of the prisoner has so far been found, and there is no indication of the direction in which he has gone.

The run of salmon at the Rangitata this season is very erratic. On Friday last the fish were coming m freely from the sea, but on Saturday and Sunday there were very few in evidence. Strange to say, the salmon come in from the sea and go up the river more readily when the river is dirty than when it is clear.

At the Timaru Police Court yesterday, before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., charges of having attempted to break and enter the premises of Souter and Co. and Alstons, Ltd., on March 21, were prefeiTed 1 against Charles Petei Clancy, a native of Scotland, aged 40, and Leonard Charles Hasheli, a native of England, aged 21. After evidence had been heal'd, both the accused pleaded guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

The nineteenth week of the Dunedin Exhibition closed last night, with a grand attendance of 2,327,441. As the Exhibition has been open on 110 days, excluding Christmas Day, when it was closed, mis is equal to the wonderful daily average of 20,597, says a Press Association message. Yesterday s attendance included this week s school party, which consists of 700 children and adults from the schools of Invercargill and Half-moon Bay, Stewart Iftland.

The Hinds School met last evening, when Mr A. McKenzie occupied the chair. The headmaster s report showed an increase in the roll number, that 14 pupils had visited the Exhibition, that Mr Raymond (Inspector of Schools) had paid a visit to the school, and that certain repairs had been done. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the headmaster for his care of children at the Exhibition, and to Miss Cook for helping during that time with the school work. Accounts amounting to £8 Is 9d were passed for payment.

The adjourned inquest into the death of the four victims of the fire at the Dominion boarding-house, Eltham, last week was resumed yesterday. A Press Association message states that evidence was given by Mrs Taylor, the proprietress, and William James Calder, the manager. Mrs Taylor was almost in a state of collapse. Her evidence was punctuated with sobs and signs of deep emotion. It was announced that the Fire Board would demand a Magisterial inquiry into the fire.

Traffic on the railways during Easter will be very heavy, especially m view of the large numbers that will visit Dunedin for the Exhibition. Four trains will be sent south from Christchurch on Thursday, and. three more will leave at night. Booking by the night trains is very heavy, and a fourth may he found necessary. Extra trains will also be put on on Friday and Saturday, as required. Many people are not waiting for the final rush to commence, but are travelling early, to-day’s trains for Dunedin being well patronised.

A feature of the municipal concert to be given at the Baring Square rotunda to-morrow evening by the Band of the First (Canterbury) Mounted Rifles will be the “ Festival March,” specially written for the Isew Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, which has not previously been played in public in Ashburton. Other items will be: Selection, “Sailors’ Songs”; march, “Palmerhouse” ; foxtrot, “Don’t Bring Lulu”; valse, “Pal of My Cradle Days”; triple-tongue cornet duet, “Friendly Rivals” (Osborne brothers); and' triple-tongue polka, “Titania,” euphonium soloist, Mr L. Hall#.

An unexpected position has arisen respecting the appointment of a member of the Board of Agriculture to represent the Agricultural and Pastoral Association of Canterbury. The usual steps were taken to invite nominations of persons suitable for recommendation for appointment, all the associations in the district being circularised. The name of Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., who was nominated by the Canterbury Association, was forwarded to the Director of Agriculture, who has drawn attention to the fact that Sub-section 6 of Section 2 of the Act provides that no member of the General Assembly is eligible for a seat on the, Board. The Act makes provision for the Board to fill any unusual vacancy.

Peel Forest as a summer holiday and week-end resort is well known io hundreds of people all over Canterbury, one of the most attractive features of this delightful spot being the waterfall and the pretty bush surrounding the walk leading to it. It now seems that part of the bush is in danger of being sold by the owners for the value of the timber, and with a view to preventing this the chairman of the Peel Forest Scenic Board has issued to the local authorities in whose districts live the people who in the main make use of the property, an appeal asking that the necessary sum to save this property for the public (about £300) should he raised by public contribution. This letter, which was published in the “ Guardian” last Thursday, was before the Ashburton Borough Council last evening, and was referred, without discussion, to the Finance Committee for report next financial year.