LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVIII, Issue 10943, 15 June 1927, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Stratford telegram states that, following a meeting of protest on Monday, a deputation from the West Riding of the Stratford County waited on the Progress League last night. The League decided to support the objection to the riding being included in the Egmont electorate instead of Stratford, as at present, on the ground that community of interest is with the Stratford electorate. It must have been a chilling experience for many South Canterbury farmers when they rose in the early hours of this morning in order to catch the special train for Lincoln College. There were 120 passengers on the train when it left Timaru about 7.30 o'clock, and many of them hailed from as far south as Makikiki and from Fairlie, which is a good two hours' journey from Timaru. Fortunately the carriages were steam-heated, but when Ash burton was reached the passengers burst from the carriages- on to the platform and made for the welcome warmth of the refreshment room with a vigour that can be likened only to the enthusiasm of troops released from a troop train after a tedious journey. Less than a score remained on the station platform, and as the train was completely emptied in the exodus the young ladies in tho refreshment room had a. busy ten minutes. Thirstv and cold farmers fought their way to the counter, obtained their rations, and had to fight their way back again. i,

An example of the speed with which news travels was afforded by the broadcasting; of the disqualification, of Mr Mervyni Wells for 12 months as the result of an incident at the Ellerslie racecourse (says the Auckland Herald). The news was relayed by wireless in the evening. On Sunday Mr Wells received a. radiogram from a friend in Java expressing his sympathy.

A Maori flax beater and a carved stretcher for weaving were unearthed 20ft below the level of the street when workmen were recently engaged in excavations in New [Plymouth (states the Taranaki "Daily News")- Both were well preserved, though they have probably been, buried well over a century. The new building is on the site of the Pukearika pa, which was vacated by the Maoris about 1830.

"The mountain scenery of New Zealand is not excelled by any country in the world," said Professor R. M. Algie in an address on "Mountaineering" which wap given at Auckland. He added that, although the Dominion had more charms to the square mile than any other country, New Zealanders generally wore not appreciative of the fact. Professor Algie said that a point of interest was that all the highest peaks of the Southern Alps had been conquered in the first place by IXlew Zealanders.

A little story illustrating the value of some knowledge of what to do and what not to do in cases of emergency was told at a recent Red Cross meeting by Captain Galloway, M.C. (reports the "Evening Post"). It concerned two little girls living near Wellington, who had had some Red Cross training, although they were only 10 and 12 years old. One day their father came home with influenza, and decided to take some' aspirin and brandy. Instead he took aspirin and iodine. The child of 12 gave him and emetic and the younger one ran for the doctor.

A meeting of representatives of all local bodies in the Te Awamutu district is being convened for the purpose of considering what steps, if any, should be taken, to secure an amendment of the Electoral Boundaries Commission's demarcation of the boundaries of the Raglan and Waitomo electorates (reports the Waikato Times). The proposal places Te Awamutu, Kihikihi, Kawhia, and the Kakepuku and Oraku Ridings of the Waipa County in Waitomo. The feeling is that if Te Awamutu is to be-taken out of Waikato it should be transferred to Raglan, and not to Waitomo.

A meeting of the Entertainment Committee of the St. Stephen's Church was held last evening, Mr R. B. Coward presiding in the absence of the vicar (Rev. J. F. Wiseman). Owing to the delegates from the various organisations of the Church not having had sufficient instructions, it was decided to adjourn the meeting until next Tuesday evening, when a number of suggestions will be considered with a view to holding yarions social evenings during the coming months. It was decided that a spring flower show be held, it being reported, if sufficient support was forthcoming, to hold a gala in conjunction with it.

About farmers from all parts of South Canterbury passed through Ash-' burton by special train this morning on their way to Lincoln College, where they spent the day under the guidance of "officials of the College, inspecting various phases of pastoral pursuits. The passengers were accompanied by two officials of the Department of Agriculture, who carried out demonstrations in the special car attached to the train. Mr P. J. Talbot (president of the South Canterbury Executive of the Fanners' Union) was also on the train, which is due back in Ashburton at 5.53 o'clock this evening, continuing the journey south at 6.4 o'clock.

I wonder (writes "The Watcher" to The Wellington Post) how many persons in Australia or New Zealand know just where the magic letters "Anzac" were first used to indicate a band of soldiers bearing British arms? Millions will say at Gallipoli. but they are wrong, for 15 years before then the letters were used in] South Africa. The writer was the man that branded the first kit bag about 20 miles from the town of Mafeking, when Major Anderson took charge of the Australian and New Zealand Army Contingents, near Ottoshoop, in the Transvaal. The words wore abbreviated as follows: "Anzac" on our kit bags. We were under Lord Methuen at the time. Our next colonel was Colonel Von Donnop, and strange to say, with such a name, he was a Scotchman. He is now major-general."

At the half-yearly meeting of the Star of Ashburton Lodge, U.A.0.D., A.D. Bro. Terris presided over a very large attendance, including visitors from the Timaru and Temuka lodges. Tho balance-sheet and auditor's report revealed a very satisfactory financial state, tho sick and funeral fund having increased by over £IOO during the term, largely due to a more favourable sick record than last period, and to the safo investment of funds, not one penny of interest being outstanding. The election, of officers resulted: — J.P.A., Bro. Forbes; A.D., Bro. Terris; V.A., Bro. Hunter; secretary, Bro. Coulter: treasurer, Bro. Christmas ; A.D.B.'s, Bros. O'Connor and Healey; V.A.B.'s, Bros. Lloyd and Smythe; 1.G., Bro. Harrison: 0.G., Bro. Phelp; M. Sec., Bro. McClymont; auditor, Bro. Bowman. The installation of officers was conducted by D.P. Bro. Cassells. of Timaru, assisted by P.D.P. Bro. Alfrey, of Temuka, to whom a hearty vote of thanks was passed for the very able manner in which the ceremony was conducted. Two candidates were initiated and several were proposed. J.P.A. Bro. Forbes was the recipient of a P.A. diploma, and in presenting it the D.P. congratulated Bro. Forbes on his consistent work during his term of office. Receipts amounted to £260. After the lodge business had closed, a social ffatherinfr was held in honour of tho D.P. and visiting brethren. The usual loyal toasts were honoured and several speeches were given, being interspersed with songs and. recitations.

English Cars are coming into popularity in the Dominions overseas. Coventry is one of the main mp nufacturing centres, and the Singer Company, of Coventry, is the second largest maker of cai-s in England. The latest model Singer "Junior" bids fair to be the most popular light car in the Dominions as well as in'England. One Dominion agent has contracted for 40 a month of these economical and powerful small cars. Owners of large cars are buying Singer 8-18 h.p. "Juniors" to cut down their running expenses and also depreciation on tho big car. A catalogue of the Single Cars will be posted to you free of charge, on application to G. H. Carson, Local Ap-o"t. Toncred Street, Ashbnrton. 'Phono 129.—(Advt.)