LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 110, 20 February 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

For the 24 hours ended at noon yesterday five cases of scarlet fever were reported in the Canterbury health district (one each in Christchurch City, Rangiora Borough, and Waimate Borough, and two in Levels County).

A poll of ratepayers of the City of Dunedin, on a proposal to raise a special loan of £15,000 for extensions to the library, was held yesterday, resulting in the heavy defeat of the protect The voting was as follows:—* or the 'proposal 794, against 2255. The approximate number of eligible voters was 20,000.

An instance of longevity and tragic devotion among the feathered tribe is reported by an Ashburton resident. For 16 years he was the possessor of a nair of 'bantams, given to his daughter as a present. Three weeks ago the cock died, since when the hen moped and drooped, being found dead last Sunday.

Several anglers visited the Rangitata and Rakaia rivers yesterday, but few salmon were caught. There was a small run at the Rangitata, but only one or two were landed; they were well-conditioned, however. One angler hooked three at the Rakaia, weighing up to 301 b. Only a few were seen at this river, however.

Excellent crops of cocksfoot have been cut in the County, and threshing to date augurs well lor the contractors for the areas under the jurisdiction of the different road boards. The cocksfoot harvest last year was only a moderate one, and rainy weather while the crops were in stook stained and mildewed much of the seed.

The season for quinnat salmon in the Rangitata River above the creek known as Raule's Creek, in the mouth of the Rangitata Gorge, will terminate on Sunday, March 31. The current issue of the "New Zealand Gazette contains notification to the effect that any person cominitting a. breach or this regulation shall be liable to a fine of £2O.

The sale of Waitangi station, owned by the trustees of the late Mr J. A. Sutton, is reported to have taken place, the sum involved being about £IOO,OOO. This is the biggest deal in high-country stations which has been transacted in North Otago or South Canterbury for some years. It is understood that Dr. Mathiesoir, of Kurow, is the purchaser.

The uneven surface of different parts of East Street has, for a long time, been the cause for complaint by motorists and cyclists. A start w-as made this morning, however, by the staff of the Works Committee of the Borough Council to level and top-dress that part of the thoroughfare between Tancred and Burnett streets. The stretch between Burnett and Hayelock streets will also be attended to, and the work should be completed Avithin a week. A start will subsequently be made on the part opposite the railway station.

Members of the Ashburton Women's Physical Culture Club held their first social evening of this year at* the High School last \oning, when there was a large attendance. Mesdames Hill and Ewing and Misses Anderton and Cambridge were the hostesses, _ and Miss Armstrong presided at the piano. The first part of the evening was devoted to exercises under the instruction of Mrs Valentine. Games and competitions were subsoquentlv held. A "health" supper was provided by the members, and a pleasant evening terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the hostesses.

At the annual Conference of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers, which opened at Christchurch yesterday, it was decided: (1) That it be a recommendation to the incoming council to consider the advisability of holding sectional meetings at the annual conference • (2) that the constitution of the society be amended so that electrical and mechanical engineers shall l)e more eligible for membership. The following officers were elected:—President, Mr J. G. Alexander (Dunedin); vice-presidents, Messrs D. K. Blair (Wellington), G. T. Murray (Auckland); treasurer, Mr J. S. Murchbank (Wellington • council, Messrs D. Holderness (Auckland), D. Baker F. W. Maclean (Wellington).

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Branch of the Empire Press Union was held at Rotorua to-day, some 35 members being present, anil tho chairman (Sir George Fenwick) presiding. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £BB. Sir George Fenwick, who received a great ovation, was re-elected chairman, and the committee was rc-electedi as follows : _Messrs H. Horton, W. Cecil Leys, L. P. BluiuLdl, P. Selig, W. B. Weston, C. W. Earle, J. Coombe, A. MeNicol, P. J. Gilmour, C. S. Smith, with Mr L. W. Dow as secretary and Mr W. Easton auditor. The president stated that invitations had been sent for 12 delegates from New Zealand for the next Imperial Conference (says a Press Association telegram).

Sheep have been known to exist under the most adverse circumstances for quite a long time, but the hardiness of five Romney wethers, which arrived in Tfmaru from the Chatham Islands on Sunday, February 10, was exemplified on Monday by a chance discovery made, by a member of the Timaru Borough Council's staff. The fact that nine sheep were missing was not made known until a workman in the vicinity of one of the storm water sumps in Grassmerc Street had his attention attracted by a strong odour emanating from the drain. Three of tho animals did not appear to have suffered in any decree from their long imprisonment, despite the fact that they had had no food for about eight days. The other two which wore recovered alive were unable to walk, but it was not long before they regained their strength.

Farmers having combined Grain Drills of any make with unsatisfactory Turnip, Rape, Mangold or Lucerne Sowers, should write to us. We can fit our plate or Bristow Pattern to almost any of these, when perfect sowing of the above will be obtained without the labour of mixing the seed. P. and D. Duncan, Limited, Ashburton and 196, Tuam Street, Christchurch.—Advt.