LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 200, 10 June 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At a recent meeting of the Ashburton Chamber of Commerce, tbe matter of the grade fixed for Partridge peas was brought un, and a protest was placed before the authorities concerned. It is pleasing to state that the position has been considered and the Chamber has been informed that in the interests of the producers the grade for export has been reduced.

A total of 2200 motor vehicle and driver’s licenses have been renewed for the new year which commenced on June 1. Although applications are steadily being made at the Ashburton County Council offices, about 400 liaye yet to come in.

The sum of £Bl 19s Id was taken at St. Andrew’s Cnurch yesterday, when the annual appeal on behalf of the (Presbyterian Orphanages in Christchurch was made. The services were conducted by the Rev. F. A. Rule.

Two statutory first offenders for drunkenness who appeared before Mr R. Clark, J.P., in the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court this morning, were each fined 10s and one was fined 5s taxi-hire, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment. \

A “Gazette” notice announces approval of the following local body loans: —Ashburton Electric Power Board, special loan, £30,000, for 26 years, at £5 10s per cent. ; South Canterbury Power Board, Waihaorunga Special Area loan, £19,300, for 26 years, at £5 10s per cent.

Appreciation of the fact that Dr. H. S. Billcliff (Medical Superintendent of the Ashburton Public Hospital) now in England, had gained his F.It.C.S. (Ijondon) and F.R.C.S. (Edinburgh), was expressed by the Hospital Board this morning. It was decided to write to Dr. Billcliff congratulating him on his success.

The two fishermen, Messrs Constantine Mallioros and Charles Singer, of Auckland, who were reported missing, are now stated by the master of the tug AJfaroa to be safe at Tutukaka Harbour, north of Whangarei, where they were sheltering (says an Auckland telegram). Later advice states that the men haye left Tutukaka, apparently for Auckland, and they may arrive at any time.

A meeting of the Mid-Canterbury Choral Festival Association was held l this afternoon, when the Rev. A. J. Petrie presided over a full attendance of clergy and laymen. The Rev. E. Maldep, vicar of St. Chad’s, Christchurch, was present. The next festival was arranged to be held in, St. Stephen’s . Church_on Wednesday, November 20. The mustc was, selected and arrangements made for Mr’ J. G. Thompson to visit the country choirs to conduct the first practices.

In the Wellington Magistrate’s Court, John Edward Hill, as a result

of being injured by a bullock on the NgaJbauranga Gorge Road on August 23, claimed £179 18s from Wairarapa Butchers’ Ltd. and William A. McCallum, drover. In a judgment on Saturday Mr Page, S.M., held that there was a failure to take reasonable precautions, and that McCallum was liable. He further found that the company was not liable, McCallum being an independent contractor. Judgment was given; for £29 18s special damages and £4O general damages against McCallum. The Magistrate fixed security for appeal.

During the visit of the South Taranaki farmers to Ashburton last Friday, many complimentary remarks were passed about the flocks, soil, and grain areas and the number of beautiful homesteads that they had seen during their short visit to the County. One thing that Taranaki could boast of, however, was the crop of mangels, grown by Mr Betts * (father of the president of the South Taranaki Farmers’ Union). This crop hah yielded 188 tons to the acre, which was undoubtedly a record for New Zealand. The average crop throughout the Dominion yielded about 50 tons to the acre.

At the fortnightly meeting of Court Ashburton, A.0.F., No. 6729, the C.R. (Bro. J. A. Robinson) presided over a fair attendance. The woodwards reported that the number of brothe.rs , on the sick funds showed a slight decrease, and sick pay amounting to £7 was passed for payment. The annual report of the Canterbury United District was read. The Court’s delegate to the quarterly meeting of the United Friendly Society’s Association) (Bro. R. W. Crowther), submitted his report. He stated that new rules had been drawn up relative to admission to the hospital and stressed the necessity of members being thoroughly conversant with tho rules. A short discussion on social matters was held and it was decided to hold a card evening in the near future, for which one brother would donate a prize. One member was initiated into the Order.

New Pattern Tractor and Horso nonchokable grubber for twitch working and general purposes; all hard steel frames and tines. Any deptn 2 ins to Sins. Shoes, 3ins, 7ins and lOins wide; first class automatic lift with ample range, made in three widths, 5, 6£, and 8 feet. Before buying a grubber or cultivator, see this one—it beats them all. It deals effectively with any condition of soil, grass land, stubble, turnip or ploughed land. Photo on application.—P. and D. Duncan, Ltd. Ashburton. —(Advt.)