LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 130, 14 March 1930, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"From now on, T will make all the fines larger for riding on the footpath." said Mr C. R. On- Walker, 5.. M., in the Magistrate's Court this morning. "To ride a cycle on the footpath is a dangerous practice." Eight stalks of lily aratun) carrying hundreds of blooms are growing in the garden of .Airs G. Hoatten, of Elgin. The smallest stalk holds .100 blooms, and several of the others hold 250 each. They make a magnificent display, the multi-bloomed heads standing over seven feet above the ground. "The average American worker .s something of a student," said Dr. E. C. Martin, of Washington, in an address at the Auckland University College. "He knows a great deal more about economic theory, political science and world politics than the teller behind the' grille in the bank." The Palmerstora North Hospital Board recentlv wrote to the Hospital Board's' Association suggesting that the Government should be urged to tighten up the medical examination oi" persons arriving in New Zealand from overseas. This subject was considered at a meeting of the association held in Wellington a few days ago, and it was agreed to request the Government to "tighten up the examination."

A social evening was held at the residence of Mr and Mrs H. Branch, Mayfield, last evening when Mr H. Cle'mo, who is shortly leaving for England, was entertained by friends in the Mayfield and Ruapuna districts. Items were given, by Mr Clemo's pupils, while others who contributed to the entertainment were Mrs Kirkland, Misses Smeo, Hancock, E. Sewell, MTasker, Z. Robertson, L. Robertson, G Ross. N. Whiting, T. Toner, L. Toner, Mary Branch, Margaret McLay, Marv McLay, D. McLay, and Messrs G. Robertson. J. Branch. G. Branch and R- Branch. A presentation was made to Mr Clemo by Miss Elsie Powell. Mr Branch also spoke of the esteem in which their guest was held. Mr Clomo suitably replied.

The British and Canadian farmers, who arc on a tour of the Dominion, passed through Ashburton by the first southbound express train to-day. 1 hey occupied lour special cars at the rear of the train.

One hundred and fifty scholars, parents and teachers of the Dunsandel Sunday School visited the Ashburton Domain to-dav on the occasion of the annual picnic'of the school. Pleasant conditions prevailed, and an enjoyable day was spent.

In the Napier Magistrate's during the hearing of a judgment summons, the representative of a Napier landlord stated that the debtor concerned, one of his tenants, not only had failed to pay rent over a considerable period 1 , but had pulled a number of the rules from under the house and burnt them as firewood. Unscheduled stops were made at Chertsev and Fairton this morning by the south-bound express tram. I assengers were hurriedly picked up a * both places. These passengers would ordinarily have boarded the morning slow train to Ashburton, but that tram had been delayed north of these stations. The express was 10 minutes late in arriving at Ashburton. A Culverden sheepfarmer. Mr G. Loffhagen, suffered a severe loss last week through a pack of dogs getting among a mob of sheep. The sheep to the number of 120 consisted of breeding ewes which he had purchased at the Hawarden sheep fair. The ewes were placed in a paddock adjoining the Culverden saleyafds and in the early hours of Friday morning the dogs got to work and what they did not kill or worry were smothered. The carcases of the sheep had to be burned to get rid of them. 'Oregon' is the name of a State, not a tree, said Mr J. Or. Robson, of the Canadian timber delegation, at a conference with Auckland importers. "Douglas fir was named after the British botanist David Douglas, who first described it in the year 1825. Why should you wipe out a British name and use the name of an American State?" Mr Robson added that in Australia the delegation had found timber described in the Commonwealth tariff schedule as "oregon" without a capital letter. The authorities, however, had said that the error would be rectified.

An invitation; was extended recently to the children attending the Papatoetoe Public School by the Papatoetce Town Board to suggest a suitable name for a portion of Station Road, extending from the overhead railway bridge to the school (says the "Auckland Sun"). Over 250 names were considered by the Town Board at the meeting last Tuesday evening, when St. George's Road was chosen as the new name. The suggested name was forwarded by N. Thomas, who wins half a guinea. At present most householders are troubled by swarms of earwigs, states the Ohai correspondent* of the "Southland News." These loathsome pests, making their way into larders, pantries, beds, etc., cause' great discomfort in the township. Last summer was the first time they were seen here, and then onlv in small numbers. This year, however* they have appeared in tremendous numbers and householders are at their wit's end to adopt measures to exterminate them. It is no strange sight to see citizens at night going round the houses by torchlight armed with buckets of boiling water. During' the hearing of an action nt the Hamilton Supreme Court, in which two brothers were the plaintiffs counsel, with a view to saving the time of the court, asked the second brother on stepping into the witness box, j-f hts agreed with the evidence of his brother (says the "Waikato Times"). Witness pondered a moment, as though ia thought and slowly replied: "I don't think I can improve on it sir."—Laugh, ter. Counsel: There is nothing I suppose you would like to add? Witness: Nc sir.'His Honor: Then you have no improvements to make? Witness: No, your Honor. —(Renewed laughter). In all probability Association football instead of Rugby will be the house game at Mount Fden Prison during the coming winter months (says the "Auckland Star"). Last winter Rugby football on Saturday afternoons was introduced with great success as far as interest and enthusiasm went, and in one match which was facetiously dubbed the "ins" and "outs" the form shown was surprisingly good, despite hobnailed boots and regulation clothing instead of football uniforms. .Hard tackling, however, was very destructive on shirts and other garments, and for that reason the "round ball" came is likely to have preference in future.

An invitation to send A football tram to the gymkhana at Timaru tomorrow was accented by the committee of the Ashburton Motor-Cycle Club at its meeting last evening when there were present Messrs G. T. Clarke (chairman), C. Piekford, D. Brigans, W. Preddy, S. Preddy, T. Farley and (J. Hefi'ord. .It was decided that the Club hold a run to the mouth of the Hinds River on March 23, instead of to the Rangitata River as previously arranged. The Snorts Committee was instructed to make arrangements for the annual hill climb on April 6. A satisfactory decision was arrived at concerning the question of a private owner and a trade rider for the Preddv Cup.

A pleasant cereminy took place at the Allenton School yesterday afternoon, when a presentation was made to Miss E. Knox, formerly infant mistress at the school, and now mistress ar, the Borough School, by the pupils, staff and members of the committee. Mr Houston (chairman of the committee) presenting Miss Knox with an oak clonic, referred to the satisfactory manner in which she carried out her duties during the six years she was connected with "the school. His remarks were endorsed by Messrs C. S. McC'urdy. E. C. Bathurst, and the Rev A. J." Petrie. Replying, Miss Knox said it had been her ambition to be infant mistress at the school where she received her primary education, and where sire had spent two years as a .pupil teacher. When the Allenton School broke up last year she had no idea she would receive the appointment to the Borough School Come and see tho Beatty Electric Washing Machine demonstrated this evening at 7.30 in the Farmers' Co-op. upstairs.—Advt. When ordering a grain and seed drill, be sure you get the best; drilling being the vital operation in p'anting any crop. The Agricultural Department, after trying all other makes, both local and imported, found our "Star" Drill the only make competent to fulfil all their requirements, and to give the necessary accuracy in drilling test plots. During the last ten years the Department has purchased six seven-coulter Drills from us for that purpose. Thev know the best.—P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., Tuam Street, Christchurch, and Aahburto^.— -dvt.

On and after April 4 the sittings of the Magistrate's Court in Ashburton will commence sjjt 10 a.m. instead of at 10.30 a.m. The change of the hour lias been, welcomed by those whose business takes them to the Court. The practice of unauthorised persons using the swimming baths at the Ashburton Technical School was brought before the notice of the School Board of Managers yesterday. It was decided to erect a trespass notice, and to place barbed-wire round the top of the fence. "This is one of those who bring all motor-cyclists into disrepute," said the Magistrate (Mr C. R. Orr Walker, 5.. M.) in the Ashburton Magistrate's Court this morning, when dealing with a motor-cyclist who had broken three by-laws. "Mot all motor-cyclists are a nuisance. Rome are, and the remainder have to suffer." The urgent necessity for players to attend practices was stressed by Mr I). C. Br.own at the annual meeting of the Hampstead football Club last evening. Team work, he said, was essential, and was the object to be aimed at. This could be obtained only by conscientious attention to training on the part of all players by attending practice. His remarks were endorsed by Messrs H. J. Chapman, G. Day and A. R. Gourley.

/During February the total live births registered for urban areas throughout the Dominion amounted to £B7 as against 1109 in January, a decrease of 122 (says a Wellington Press Association message). Deaths in February were 457, a decrease of 50 as compared with the previous month. Of the total deaths males contributed 250 and females 207. Thirty-nine of the deaths were of children under five years of age, being 8.53 per cent, of the whole number. Twenty-seven of these were under one year of age. Conversing with a Timaru reporter after his return from a visit to the Chatham Islands, the Bishop of Ao-tea-roa (Rt. Rev. A. F. Bennett) stated that he had been presented by one of tlie native women with a lump of ambergris. From her he learned the interesting fact that one of the Islanders had trained his dog to find ambergris for him in the sea-weed. The piece in the possession of the Bishop, which was valued at £lO, was found by the dog, which had so—far recovered about £SO worth for his master.

While the Empire farmers in Canterbury have been somewhat reluctant to discuss economic questions such astrade or tariff matters, that did not imply any lack of interest in these matters, said one member of the party in an interview. The knowledge and experience they had gained would undoubtedly have an important effect whom thev reported to their various unions and districts. It had been, he added, a great pleasure to meet New ZealandersT, on account of their modest bearing, absence of bounce and swank, and because of their quiet attitude and preference to be judged absolutely on their merits.

A pageant entitled "The Light Bearers," was presented in the Baring Square Methodist Hall on Wednesday evening, ill connection with the Ashlmrton branch 'cf the Methodist Women's Missionary Union. The stage was decorated with palms and ferns. The characters were represented by Misses M. Money ("The Church"), D. Knox ("Faith"), H. Brown ("Hope"), N. Bishop ("Love"), and D. Fowke ("Prayer.") Seven Sisters and five Nurses in uniform represented • the Missionaries, supported by the Methodist Women's Missionary Union, at work on the home and mission field, and six little girls, with their Matron (Mrs R. Featherston), the orphanages. Five bovs in character, also, represented the Solomon Islanders, and four little girls the Maoris. Each representative carried a candle, which was in turn lit from the "Church's" candle, and also gave appropriate items. The solo, -'Lead Kindly Light," was sung by Mr H. Clemo. The second part of tho programme consisted of items by the choir (under the conductorship of Mr H. Clemo), also Mesdamcs Lawson and Black, and the Misses R. Lamb, P Moses, N. Bishop, R. Porter, and A. Mckenzie. The Rev. R. B. Tinsley, on behalf of the Women's Missionary Auxiliary, moved a hearty vote of thanks to all who had taken part in the entertainment.