LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 156, 13 April 1928, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Probate has been granted by Mr Justice Adams in the estates of the following deceased persons-Mary Turton, William Annett, and Allred Smith.

The opinion that it isi time Ashburton Farmers’ Union branches got to work and organised a women’s division of the Union, is held by the president of the Mid-Canterbury Executive (Mr H. O. B. Withell) who referred this afternoon to the good work done by these divisions in Southland.

A general meeting of the Allenton Football Club was held in the Allenton School last evening, when the president (Mr James Smith) presided over a good attendance. Five new membeis were nominated. It was decided to enter one senior, one junior and two third grade teams in the Ashburton County Rugby Union’s competition.

There was a good attendance at the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., last evening, the N.G. (Bro. C. M. Innes) presiding. 'Sick pay amounting to £l9 in favour of 17 members was passed. Three candidates were elected, four initiated and one proposed. It was reported that arrangements were well in hand for the first of the .fortnightly socials to be held next week.

Wool traffic over the railway middle district (which extends fr/.n Hinds to Milton) this season has been particularly heavy, no fewer than 69,941 bales having been transported by the Railways Department. The figures for the district for the . corresponding period of last year were 68,529 bales, so that, this year, an increase of 1412 bales is shown.

While returning to his home in Wakanui on Wednesday evening, Mr F. Frampton, driving a Hudson motor car, in which were two ladies, struck a telegraph pole at the junction of Beach and Wakanui Roads. The impact was sufficient to wrench off one. of the wheels and crumple the mudguard. None of the passengers sustained anything more serious than a severe jarring..

In spite of the great increase in the popularity of motor cars and motor cycles, the humble bicycle is now more generally used than ever before, according to a Dunedin dealer. “Whereas we once considered ourselves lucky if we sold 300 bicycles in a year, we now sell 800,” he told a “Daily Times” reporter, “and our firm is only one of a number which have had a similar expeirence.” One large Auckland firm, he added, now sold an average of over 2000 bicycles a year.

A combined Canterbury, Otago and Southland Bible Class Camp was held at St. Leonard’s, Dunedin, during the Easter week-end. The prepared and impromptu speeches were held on Friday evening, and Miss Mary McLeman, of Ashburton, was the winner of the Canterbury impromptu speech cup.

A Young Women’s Methodist Bible •Class Camp was held in the Rakaia School during the Easter week-end. The comfortable arrangements which had been made helped largely to make the camp a great success. The campers held a picnic on Saturday, and a church parade was held on Sttnday. A sports programme was carried out on Monday. Three other such camps were held in Canterbury and on© in Westland.

The Celestial is nothing if not a patron of horse-racing, and an equally keen patron of the “tote.” On Saturday 'a bland Chinese went up to the selling window at Ellerslie (says the “Auckland Star”) and asked, for two tickets on a certain number. The attendant issued the two little .pieces of card, but the purchaser, glancing at the number, refused to take them, declaring that he had requested tickets on another horse. Argument 'followed, but was ended by another Chinese in. the queue, who exclaimed, “All li\ missee; me takee ’em; might be lucky.” Whether these two men of the East foregathered after the race is not known, but the prohpecy of the second was borne out by tlie collection of nearly £BO for the two rejected tickets of his countryman.

In the vicinity of the various volcanic cones around l Auckland numerous underground passages have been discovered (says the “Star”), and investigations show thart these often extend for a considerable distance. In the wet season they frequently serve as watercourses, but in the summer it is possible to walk along them by the light of a candle or torch. They orginated during the volcanic upheavals of centuries ago, as air pockets and steam passages in the molten lava. On Thursday afternoon a system of such passages was discovered in the One Tree Hill Domain. A charge of explosives had been set olf in the bottom of a r well which was being sunk for a water supply for the distrcit, and, after the smoke had cleared away, workmen were surprised to find that tho bottom had disappeared. The charge had blown through the roof at the intersection of several passages, which had a height of about 4ft. The walls and floors were damp, and there were signs that water had recently been flowing along.

The monthlv meeting of the Tinwald Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held in the Methodist Schcplroom on Wednesday afternoon. In t o absence of the president (Mrs Robinson) through illness, Mrs Jennings presided ovej- a good attendance of members. A vote of sympathy was passed with Mrs Hitchens and family in, the loss of her father. It was decided to send a letter of welcome to the Rev. and Mrs Grigg, who were recently appointed to the Willowby district. It was suggested that Sailors’ Day be held in October, if possible. The next meeting in May will be White Ribbon iDay, when the annual pay-up social to that fund will be held, and, if possible, the report of the delegate to the recent conference at Napier will be presented. Mrs Jennings read a paper on “Temperance and Gambling*” drawing attention to the appalling increase in that grave evil, and also to whippet and tin-hare racing, which, is killing the essentials of true sport. It was a serious matter that such a sad practice be allowed in New Zealand. Mrs Jennings was heartily thanked for her paper. Afternoon tea was then served.

Noiv that the ploughing season is here, before buying others be sure you see bur latest pattern Tractor Plough, with improved Murray Lift. All the first prizes at the 1927 South Island ploughing matches were Avon by them and all the second prizes also at all but two matches. P. and D. Duncan. Ltd., Christchurch and Ashburton. -Advfr.

Both cases of infantile paralysis notified in Ashburton in the past week were pupils of the Ashburton Convent School, and this morning the premises were thoroughly disinfected by the Borough Inspector (Mr J. R. Richardson).

There was a large and enthusiastic attendance of ratepayers at Ruapuna last night, when Mr E. F. Nicoll explained the Power Board’s loan proposal. Mr J. Moore, junior, presided. Questions were later asked by • Messrs Moore, T. Bennett and and were satisfactorily answered by Mr Nicoll. A vote of thanks to the speaker was moved by Mr Moore and seconded by Mr Bennett, who expressed general satisfaction with the work of the Board and with the loan proposal.

A Christchurch telegram states that Mr John Thorn, of 182 Antigua Street, received burns on the forehead when his house caught fire a little before 6.30 o’clock last evening. He was reading in the kitchen when he smelled burning' wood, and soon after he had made his escape flames swept through the premises, a dwelling with a shop attached. Mr Thorn is the owner of the building, which is insured. . The fire originated in the rear part of the premises and followed through the house, doing considerable damage. Mr Thorn was admitted to the Public Hospital.

An induction service was held in the Willowby Methodist Church on Wednesday evening, the occasion being the induction of the .Rev. W. Grigg to the Willowby Methodist Circuit. The Rev. S. Lawry presided over a representative gathering, including friends from Ashburton, and was supported by the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt (connectional secretary) and the Rev. R. B. Tinsley. The service was a most impressive one, minister and people in turn pledging themselves to co-operate in service for the extension of the Kingdom of God in the Circuit. At the close of the sendee the congregation joined in a social hour in the schoolroom, where the circuit stewards, church officials, and friends gave a hearty welcome to Mr and Mrs Grigg. Among those who spoke words of welcome were Messrs G. W. Leadley and H. M. Jones, on behalf of Ashburton friends; Mr H. Beaumont for Mayfield Circuit. Colonel J. Findlay, as an old comrade in the Great War, spoke of the sterling qualities of Mr Grigg as a padre. In reply Mr Grigg thanked all who had spoken words of welcome to himself and Mrs Grigg, and expressed especial pleasure at having Colonel Findley as a neighbour. Supper brought a profitable and enjoyable evening to a close.