LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 76, 10 January 1928, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Steady progress is being made with the initial work incidental to the electrification of the Lyttelton-Chnst-cliurch section of the railway. The poles for the carriage of the overhead lines have been erected from Heathcote to the vicinity of the YV oolston station.

The question of the secondary roads in the highways district No. 14 upon which the Highways Board is to be recommended to expend the extra revenue available from the petrol tax is to he discussed at a meeting of the District Council this week. No. 14 district covers Mid-Canterbury, Including the environs of the city of Christchurch.

Gooseberries weighing an ounce have been grown by Mr T. Norgan, of Belt Road, AUenton, who brought 16 of this size to the “Guardian” office yesterday afternoon. He states that he has picked several berries even larger than this. Such large growth is apparently accounted for bv the large amount of rain that has fallen this summer, aided by irregularly placed days of considerable heat.

An abundance of rain land many dull days have tended to hold 1 back the harvesting of oat crops In the Caunty, and so far only a few have been cut and stocked. Further north, notably in the district between the Selwyn River and Christchurch, a large number of oat crops have been cut. but so far no threshing has been, carried out. Many crops in the County are still green, but if a week of wann weather ensues, they should soon be brought to maturity.

During the past two seasons a peculiar blight, or rot, has assailed walnut trees, and last season the loss to growers was fairly heavy. This year gives little better promise, the nut being more or less tainted by black spots. The growing of walnuts in Ashburton is undertaken on a large scale, and one working* man’s .wife, from the sale of nuts has been enabled to take a really good holiday, and to fill her children's wardrobes. ’ In all the fruit realised over £l2.

A Dunedin telegram states that at a meeting of bodies interested, Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., presiding, entered a protest against the omission of Otago and Southland from the itinerary of Dr. Hill (director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew). Mr I>. Jannock stated that botanical work.' was negligible elsewhere than in Dunedin. The Hon. G. M. Thompson, M.L.C., said that the Otago and Southland provinces constituted the most important botanical region in New Zealand. A resolution was carried urging leconsideration of the itinerary.

At a brief meeting of the Ashburton High School Board of Governors this morning, when there were present Messrs J. W. Bowden (chairman), M. Bruce, W. T. Lill, J. Brown, F. Frampton, R. Galbraith, and A. Lane, the chairman reported that the debit balance on the loan account was £2550, and the credit balance on the general account was £284 3s 7d. Miss R. N. B. Marshall (home seienep mistress) and Mr E. J. /Vood (history and geography master) at the school, who had been re-graded toward the end of last year, were re-appointed to their respective positions.

Burglars who visited the home of Mrs H. C. Henderson, Slater Street, Richmond, Christchurch, on Friday evening decamped with about £SO worth of jewellery. Mrs Henderson was away staying at the seaside. , Entrance was gained l by bursting the lock on the back door. After lowering the blinds in every room, the thieyes proceeded to search the rooms. Two drawers containing jewellery, watches and trinkets were emptied. The thieves departed leaving the house in an orderly state. It was fortunate that Mrs Henderson wore one of her most valuable rings and watches. This is the second occasion that thieves have entered Mrs Henderson's home.

Abnormal growth of feed in the Ashburton County has been taken advantage of by the lambs, but the rank, discoloured undergrowth is apparent in both sheep and lambs. _ Leicesters and other clear-wool led 1 flocks appear as dark in the necks and mouths as Shropshire.?, as the result of mucous stains from feeding well down. It is understood that though lambs appear well grown and fat, when slaughtered there is almost an entire absence of kidney fat. Farmers, especially in the hills district are yearning for a dry spell to harden up the feed.

Court Ashburton, Ancient Order of Foresters, No. 6729, met last evening, the Chief Ranger (Bro. J. H. Ward) presiding over a fair attendance. The Woodwards-reported that there were six members on the sick list, and sick pay amounting to £6 was passed for payment. Receipts amounted to £SO. Officers were installed as follow by the Installing Officer (Bro. C. Dellow): — Bros. R. W. Crowther, Chief Ranger; J. McCormick, Sub-Chief....Ranger : J. Rol--1 in son, Senior Woodward ; W. R. Amos, Junior Woodward ; D.. Robbins, Senior Beadle. The committee appointed to arrange the Anniversary function reported that the District Executive had signified its intention of attending, and that invitations had been extended to other Courts in the district and to sister lodges. It was decided that the retiring Chief Ranger (Bro. J. H. Ward) be presented with his insignia of office as Past Chief Ranger and a framed certificate. Several members eulogised his work during his term of office. It was agreed to hold the next meeting at 7 o’clock.

During the early settlement of New Zealand, insofar as roads and telegraph routes were concerned, many short cuts were taken, and as regards telegraph poles, through private lands, in order to obtain the direct course from town to town. It- was found in a few years that cattle made use of the poles for “itching” purposes, which interfered with the transmission. About forty-five years ago the Government “straightened” up affairs, and transferred the lines to the main roadsides, enabling repairs to be effected more expeditiously. Regarding roads), many unnecessary twists were made; even on flat country,in order to tap as many holdings as possible. To-day the wrenches on the highways are- a menace to motor traffic, particularly where plantations are on the turns. Tt is noticeable that the authorities are eliminating some of these danger zones in the 1 TTinds-Cnrew district, and when open, will create less intense moments for drivers-, which will lie greatly appreciated. I

Though influenza is often present during summer months, it is a long time since there were so many cases as are to he found in the County at present. The unseasonable and very changeable weather conditions have probably been the cause. Fortunately most of the casce are of the mild type. . The new Selwyn traffic bridge has been a boon to travellers during the festive season, and has been highly commented upon by motorists. _ r lhe road approach from the south end is almost perfect, but many of those going north have been rudely shocked when “taking oxf” on the north end. An unlimited quantity of loose shingle, and mounds of clay created by the heavy rains, made'the passage for a few chains very dangerous, more particularly as those “in the know” coming from the north, invariably commandeered the most favourable passage. Had the head of any passenger on the first south-bound express train been protruding through a window as the train dvew into the Ashburton station this morning, it would probably have been severely struck by the arm of the tablet machine. For some reason the arm failed to swing clear of the train after the engine had taken up the tablet, tKe end being within a few inches of the sides of the cars. Before the express had travelled far, however, a railway official noticed the trouble and promptly swung it clear.

While motoring from Invercargill on Sunday, Mrs Rossburgh and_ her two brothers, who were on their way to Dromore, to attend the funeral of their mother (Mrs Anna Brown), met with an accident at Oamaru. One of the back wheels of the car broke, and the vehicle was overturned. Mrs Rossburgh sustained serious > bruises to per back and shoulders. A doctor wjas soon on the scene, and had her conveyed to hospital. The party came on from Oamaru by the first express yesterday. Mrs Rossburgh is progressing favourably.

Convinced that boys in his neighbourhood were bent on giving annoyance by throwing stones on the roof of his outbuildings, a local resident decided to set a watch for the young rascals, and if he failed to lay hands on them, at anyrate to give them the fright of their lives. So he stationed himself beneath a high walnut tree' that grew beside, and overhung, the building. He had not long to wait, for like the famous man of history who was struck on the head by a falling apple, he made a great discovery. An immature walnut came crack on his unprotected pate, and the mystery of the “stones” on the roof was explained.

The Ashburton Salvation Army Corps, last evening, tendered a farewell to Ensign O. E. Ransom and Mrs Ransom who will leave for Christchurch to-morrow. Corps Sergeant-Major A. Frew presided over a large attendance. Other speakers were Bandmaster G. Argyle, Mr W. Timms, the Rev. G. Verco (Pastor of the Ashburton Church of Christ) and Mrs Daley (Leader of the Life Saving Guards). Elocutionary and musical items were given by Mrs Penman, Alies-M. Ching and Airs Ransom. Supper was handed round, after which games were indulged in until 10 o’clock.