LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 85, 20 January 1928, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There was an attendance of 60 at the first of a series of progressive euchre tournaments being held weekly in the Hakatere Hall. Mrs A. Gates, won the ladies' prize and Mr G. Cates the men s.

In the Cornwell Cup contest (junior yachting) Auckland won the seventh heat to-day, giving them three wins and possession of the cup (says an Auckland telegram).

There are at present 18 District Highway Councils in New Zealand. There are 6400 miles of mam highways, and it is the intention of the Main Highways Board to allocate a further 3000 miles of secondary highways.

The combined rally, of Canterbury Motor Cycle Clubs will be held at Seaview ©MI Sunday. Numbers of visitors are expected from Timaru and Gnnstchureh and the committee of the Ashburor.! blub has done its utmost to ensuiii a successful day.

A case of scarlet fever from the Borough and one from Allenton have been notified this week to the County, Health Inspector (Mr E. N. Johnson) who is acting for the Borough Inspector (Mr J. B. Richardson) while the latter is on holiday.

' A point discussed in the'Magistrate s Court this morning when a licensing case was bein«- heard, was the fact that there were many ways of describing liquor. The Magistrate (Mr C.. 8-. Orr Walker) said there were several ways of defining wines and spirits, and again there might be a liquor which was neither whisky nor brandy. This might be termed "lightning conductor. '

The deaths registered m New Zealand during 1927 totalled 6393, of which males contributed .3456 and females 2937. The total represents a proportion of 8.96 deaths per thousand of population. Seven hundred and fortyeight of the deaths were of children five years of age, and of these 589 were under one year of age. During the year live births totalled 13,053, a proportion of 18.29 per thousand of population.

A Wellington telegram states _ that the Government intends to appoint an officer to take .charge of the provision of meteorological information for aviators in New Zealand, in accordance with the recommend'ation of the Imperial Airways Mission,, which was here a few months ago. Before taking up this duty, he will have some training m London.

The largest picnic that has visited Ashburton this season; will be held in the Domain to-morrow. " The United Friendly Societies of Timaru have organised the outing, and the 2000 picnickers expected will arrive in Ashburtoia by two special trains at 10.32) and 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. The Timaru Municipal Band, under Lieutenant W. H. Osborne, will be in attendance. The trains will leave on the homeward journey at 5.20 and o.ob p.m.

When all is plain sailing in. the Magistrate's Court the idly curious and curiously i&Te people who fill the miblic portion of the Court manifest considerable pleasure as points are raised that they'can understand, but when an involved case crops up and counsel are exchanging legal terms with the Magistrate, a most bored look comes over the faces of the audience. Some find the argument so colourless that they leave the Court, but the "old hands " who are to be found draped over the barrier day after day, remain till the last, taking a reluctant departure only when the Magistrate has left the Bench and there is no further possibility of crumbs of legal wisdom to be had. 'Even then groups are formed outside the Court premises for discussion of the cases heard.

The Loyal Ashburton Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., 'held its fortnightly meeting last evening, the N.G. (Bro. C; M. Tnnes) presiding. Notification was received from the Friendly Societies' Dispensary Board that the dispensary levy per member had been reduced from 8s to 6s per annum. Sick pay amounting to £22 16s 8d was passed in favour 'of 17 members. Three candidates were initiated and five elected. The Social Committee was instructed to arrange for an old members' night, fixed for March 1, to which members of a standing of 25 years and over will be personally invited, the object being to demonstrate the appreciation with which the younger members regard the work of the older brethren. An invitation to the anniversary social of Court Ashburton, A.0.F., next Monday was received with pleasure..