LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 74, 7 January 1928, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Wellington telegram states that a remand to appear at Chrietohnrch on January 11 was granted in th*> Magistrate's Court yesterday in a case in which Leslie Brewer Wilson, dentist s assistant, aged 34, was charged with having forged a form of declaration under the Dentists' Amendment • Act, 1921-22, by altering certain entries.

A new industry has sprung up in Taumarunui the "Auckland Star"). It is the building of rowboats and flatties for those enthusiastic young men who take the train to Taumarunui and travel by river down to Pipiiiki or Wanganui. Tbis # year there »vlll ne wany such camping parties, and the new trade should do well.

Mr D. Cooper, an Ashburton radio enthusiast, succeeded in listening-in to the Dutch short-wave station PCJJ, Eindhaven, yesterday morning. Mr Cooper heard a long speech in Dutch, which was followed by a musical programme. He also heard' station ANE of Batavia, Dutch East Indies, calling Eindhaven and endeavouring to establish communication. Mr Cooper's set i 6 a three-valve short-wave receiver, built by himself arid the volume of the items from Holland was up to loud speaker strength at twelve yards

An Auckland telegram states that Frederick Watkins, aged 60, was charged at the Police Court this morning that he did yesterday wilfully attempt t-) set fire to a dwelling house in Union Street, occupied by Maria Bottles. Sub-Inspectar McCarthy stated that the case presented some unusual features. There seemed to be li't.'e doubt that accused attempted lo set the house on fire, but his reason was not at present clear. The Inspector asked 'tor a remand till Tuesday, which was granted, to enable further inquiries to be made.

Among the visitors, to the races last week at Omoto was a pioneer who>, during the past fifty years, has missed but one meeting, and who intends to see the trots although 93 years of age (says yesterday's "Grey Biver Argus"). This resident is Mr Thos. Bundle, who came to Greyrnouth in 1866, and may fairly claim to be now the oldest resident, with the exception of one or two who were born in the town. Mr Bundle was for many years a storekeeper and miner at Notown in its palmy days, and the onjy race meeting missed by Mm was one taking place vheni floods prevented people in that locality from reaching Greyrnouth.

The secretary of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association announced yesterday that the Frenchmen are to play the match against New Zealand on the Wellington Association's grounds at Miramax, under Davis Cup conditions. Two singles are to be played on the first day, and two singles and the doubles on the second day. The New Zealand Association is endeavouring to arrange for an exhibition single to be played on the first (lay by the. third member of the French team. Sub-committees have been, set up to select the New Zealand team, and to make the necessary arrangements for the match (says a Press Association message).

"It's a regular 'Maori deed,' " was the comment of a Devonport councillor when the question of the ownership of a small right-of-way at Stanley Point was involved in a discussion on its repair (reports the "Auckland Star"). No fewer than 16 owners are registered as having proprietary privileges over 4tt. Sin. in frontage, seven of them owning one-eighth each, and the other nine one-seventy-second part of the area. The question arose out of a request from the adjacent residents that the council should effect some necessary repairs to the steps on the right-of-way. Search of the title revealed this communal ownership, and it was decided to reply that it was their joint responsibility, and not one for the municipal authorities

Arrangements have l>een made for holding a conference in Wellington on January 26, of representatives of Friendly Societies,. Hospital Boards, and the Department of Health, to consider the question of the treatment of Friendly Society patients in general hospitals, and if possible to formulate the terms of an agreement for adoption throughout the Dominion. At present the agreements in operation in the several districts vary considerably in their terms. A few Boards have arrangements with Friendly Societies for the receipt of an annual per capita sum per member ranging from 12s 6d to £l, entitling the member (or his wife or children) to free treatment in hospital up to a certain maximum. In the majority of cases, however, the Friendly Societies undertake payment of a proportion of the ordinary charge, in some cases half the fee throughout, in others half fees for adults with no reduction for children, in others upwards of 75 per cent, of the usual charges. In two cases a fixed annual rate per occupied bed is charged whether for an adult or child patient.

At a meeting of the executive of the Rangiora branch of the Farmers' Union held last night, it was decided to support the recommendations of the .recont Wheat Conference. Mr A. M. Carpenter was appointed the representative of the Rangiora Branch cu the Wheat Committee. Too many varieties of apples a<e grown in New Zealand, declared Mr T. W. Atwood (president of the Fruit Growf-rs' Federation), at the conference of New Zealand nurserymen. He understood that about 1250 varieties had been introduced, ibut he ventuered to say. that at least 1200 were of no use. If lie had his own way he would cut tne varieties down to eight. Charged at Hawera with fraudulently stating he had posted a "letter at Hawera containing* £ls, Rolfe Ronald Cooke pleaded guilty, and was committed for sentence. The postmaster said that accused', who owed rent to a third party, had signed an official form declaring he had posted a letter addressed to the householder, giving details of the alleged monetary contents. When interviewed by the police, accused confessed that the story was false'.