LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVIII, Issue 10945, 17 June 1927, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The staff of the Bank of New Zealand has increased during the last 13 years from 1001 to 1495. The actingchairman stated at the annual meeting to-day that the pay sheet, by way of salary and bonus, has increased from £207',000 to £470,000. “Oh! the Pareora Bridge is only of minor consideration when compared with the Ashburtoni Traffic Bridge,” was a remark passed by Mr W. T. Bill ( Ashburton), at the Highways District Council meeting in Timaru yesterday. “By the way, where is this famous Ashburton bridge”? was the quick, innocent rejoinder by Mr H. B. S. Johnstone which was the signal for a hearty laugh.

In the month of May the total births ] registered for urban areas throughout the Dominion amounted to 1074, as against 1022 in April, an increase of 52 J Deaths in May were 533, an increase of 69 as compared with the previous month. Of the total deaths, males contributed 284 and females 249. Forty-nine of the deaths were of children under five years of age, being 9.19 per. cent, of the whole number. Forty of these were under one year or age. The Ashburton Catholic Men’s Club met last evening, when there was a large attendance. The programme took the form of impromptu speeches, tollowed by a table tennis tournament, which was won by the Rev. 1 atner O’Brien. Mr H. Lennon was appointed captain and selector of games team to meet St. Stephen’s Club in a series of monthly tournaments. Next Thursday evening the members will entertain their lady friends at a social function.

The annual meeting of proprietors of the Bank of New Zealand was held at Wellington to-day (says a. Press Association message). The actingchairman of directors (Mr it. YV. Gibbs) presided. The report and bal-ance-sheet were adopted. A vote of thanks was passed to the staff, on tlie motion of Mr T. S. Weston, seconded by Mr S. Kirkcaldie. This was responded to by the General Manager (Mr H. Bucldeton). j

Details in connection with the visit of the West Coast farmera to Ashburton on June 27 were discussed at a meeting of the Ashburton branch of the Fanners’ Union this afternoon, presided over by the president (Mr H. Wills). The secretary (Mr H. Christian) reported that it was expected that slightly over 200 farmers, would make the trip. A number of motorcars had been offered to drive the farmers round the County on Tuesday, June 28, but there were still a good number required. Messrs Wills and J. Moore were appointed to arrange further details in connection with the billeting of the visitofi. The funeral of Mr Thompson Mitchell took place at Methven yesterday at the Methven Cemetery. There was a very large attendance, including many from various parts of the County and from Christchurch, among them being brethren of Lodge Methven, N.Z.C. The service at All Saints’ Church and at the graveside was con dueled, by the Revs. F. A, Tooley, of Methven, and J. C. Hawkswortli, of Rakaia. Mr M.; P. W, Blathwayt officiated as organist at the church. At the graveside a Masonic service wfis conducted by W. Bro. S. Robinson, Master of Lodge Methven, assisted by W. Bro. W. J. Blackler and Bro. F. A. Tooley. A large number of floral tributes were placed on the grave. The senior grade Rugby football matches to be played to-morrow will be between Hinds and Hampstead, at Ashburton, and Old Boys and Methven, at Methven, and not as stated in another column. Prompt Motor Repair Service saves money for the owner in two ways. Laying up the car or truck for a long period causes inconvenience and loss to the owner. It also adds to the cost of the repairs. G. H. Carson’s Motor Repair Station specialises in prompt servoce. Owners,thereby make a doublesaving by patronising Carson’s Service Station in Tancred Street, next H.M. Theatre. All makes of Motor Vehicles are serviced by experienced workmen. Have your next repair job done at Carson’s, and you will be pleased with the result. ’Phone No. 129.—Advt.