LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 201, 11 June 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A hot-box caused delay to the southbound express train this morning. A carriage was taken off at Rakaia. and Ashburton was reached . about half an hour behind schedule time.

Ten cases of infectious diseases have been notified to the Borough and County Health Inspectors since Saturday. The cases were as follow:—Five scarlet fever in Allenton, one in Hinds, one in Ashburton Borough; one tuberculosis in Hinds; one acute primary pneumonia in the Borough, one lobar pneumonia (developed in Ashburton and notified from Christchurch).

The Medical Officer of Health received 52 notifications of infectious diseases in the Canterbury district during the past week. No case,s were reported from the West Coast. Following are the figures:—Scarlet fever 34, diphtheria 3, enteric fever 2, tuberculosis 8, pneumonia 3, puerperal sepsis 2. In the Canterbury district two deaths occurred from diphtheria. Of the 34 cases of scarlet fever, 13 were in the metropolitan area.

Registrations of motor-cars, motorcycles and traction engines have continued at the Ashburton Post Office since the beginning of the month. Up to noon to-day motor-car and traction engine registrations had totalled 1662 and motor-cycles 185.

There was an attendance of 20 at the weekly meeting of the Catholic Club last evening, when the Rev. Father O’Brien presided. The evening was occupied with cards and ping pong. A junior debate was arranged for next Monday.

An amusing incident is reported from the Miramar golf links (Wellington), where a cow picked up a ball and swallowed it. The player had already lost his game, and no emeiv gency ruling was required.

Many farmers in the County have taken every opportunity of the mild weather conditions lately, and large areas of wheat have been sown. The unusually dry conditions of May gave wheat-growers a clear month in wjiicli to sow.

The anual meeting of householders of the Fairton School was held last evening, the nj.eeting called for April 22 having lapsed, as there were only seven people present. Last evening Mr J. T. Willis was in the chair, and the following Committee was elected: — Messrs P. J. Mowatt (chairman), A. MoOall, T. Baird, J. Price and C. T. Perkins (secretary and treasurer). A Wellington telegram states that prior to the departure of the Maheno from Lyttelton last night a fire was discovered to have broken out in the fan trunk in the stokehold. The fire, which is thought to have been caused by spontaneous combustion, was suppressed within 20 minutes without any damage to the ship or danger of spreading.

At the annual meeting of the Baring Square Parsonage Guild, Mrs J. W. Baker, who has held the position of secretary for 25 years, was presented with a china supper set. Complimentary references were made regarding the recipient’s good work, and an anniversary cake was cut and handed round. Songs were given by Mrs H. J. Constable and Miss N. Bishop, and a pianoforte duet by Misses 0. Watt and W. Tinsley. The accompaniments were played l by Mrs T. Petbick.

A demand for work has set in earlier than usual this year. The County Council has on its books eleven names of men out o‘f work, and the Borough Council has eight. The County is now employing ten men on special work to cope with the demand, but the Council lias not yet decided on a definite works policy with regard to meeting unemployment this winter. The Borough Council has one extra man on at present, and is giving a week of work in turn to applicants.

Some of the Ashburton farmers who toured the North Island with the Canterbury and West Coast farmers’ excursion returned to Ashburton yesterday. Others arrived by the express train this morning, and the remainder are expected this evening. All who have returned speak highly of the hospitality of the northern farmers and of the arrangements made on their behalf. Good weather prevailed throughout the tour, which, it is considered, did much in cementing friendship between farmers in the two Islands.

At the fortnightly meeting of Star of Ashburton, U.A.0.D., No. 14, the A.D. (Bro. C. Jeffs) presided over a good attendance. The election of officers rosulted as follows:- —A.D., Bro. Perham ; V.A., Bro. Hawke; secretary, Bro. R. Coulter; treasurer, Bro. Christmas; A.D.B.’s, Bros. O’Connor and Miller; V.A.B.’s, Bros. Harrison and Lloyd; I.G._, Bro. Dolby; 0.G., Bro. Fletcher; minute secretary, Bro. R. Hunter; auditor, Bro. H. A. Vesty. A social evening was spent after lodge closed, the usual toasts being honoured. The evening was brought to a close by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”

The Ashburton Lodge, N.Z., No. 43, Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, held its first anniversary on Saturday evening in the Orange Hall, when the K.O.M. (Bro. A. Simpson) presided. K.O.M. Bro. W. Watt, Past Provincial Grand iPljmo of Otago, was welcomed by the W.M., and regalia ,risits were received from Riccarton, Sydenham, Lyttelton, Sumner, New Brighton, Ye-Petitor and Timaru. The Provincial Grand Lodge officers, under Bro. C. Jones, R.O.H. (P.G.P. of Canterbury),, were then introduced. Two brothers. were raised to the second degree. Many tSasts were honoured, and items of harmony contributed by several brothers. The hall was beautifully decorated 1 ,- and a yery pleasant evening was spent. The lodge was duly closed by the singing of the Buffaloes’ Chorus and the National Anthem.

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