LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 262, 19 August 1930, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

No 'tifoce lias been found of Timothy Edward Cosgroye, the prisoner who escaped from 'Paparua on Friday, August 8. The police are continuing the search. Numerous reports of the man having been seen have reached the police, but on investigation thej have alwavs proved groundless.

Economv in the Railway Department is being carried out to the lettei, apparently, so far as the signalling flags used are concerned. Those seen in use lately are in a very dilapidated condition, and this morning a porter was seen waving a greasy red flag that was literally hanging in ribbons from the stick.

The Canterbury Automobile Association in a remit to the South Island Motor Union, is seeking information on policy matters of the Main Highways Board. A return of expenditure on bridges is to be asked for. as well as for a definition of a backblock road. Tliis decision was arrived at by the Council of the Association last evening.

"That the .selector be recommended to eliminate any player from the team who fails to attend the representative practice on Thursday evening, without a satisfactory reason," was the decision of the Management Committee of the Ashburton Rugby Union last evening. Messrs H. J. Chanman and D. Heenan commented on the poolattendance at the representative practice last week, stating that five country players travelled over 20 miles to attend the practice at the Showgrounds, while, town players were conspicuous by their absence.

It may seen extraordinary,, (says an Exchange), but is nevertheless a fact, that quimiat salmon can be sent all the way from Canada and sold to fish retailers in New Zealand at Is 9d per lb without the head, whereas New Zealand quinnat costs 2s 3d per lb, plus the head.

While fishing near the New River Heads the other day (says the "Southland News"), Messrs Rask Brothers found stranded a seal unlike any they had previously seen. It was dead when found. They' brought it to the Invercargill jetty' in their boat. When insured, the seal was found to be 6ft. 7in. in length, 4-lin. in girth, and over 4cwt. in weight. Those who have examined the seal state that it differs from any species they have hitherto seen.

With the object of increasing their membership rolls, several branches or the Returned Soldiers' Association have challenged each other m the matter of a membership- campaign. Christchurch and Dunedin are at present working strenuously to. bring in new members in a fulfillment of a challenge issued recently, and it >s likely that the next challenge will be issued to the Rangiora branch by the Ashburton branch, the membership of the former being only two above that of Ashburton.

The Ealing branch of the Women's Institute met in the Library Hall, Mrs Davis presiding over a good attendance. The meeting was opened with the National Anthem. Mrs J. McKenzie gave an interesting and instructive talk on "Poultry Raising." Mrs J. Withell proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs McKenzie. Four new members were elected. The sugar-bag competition was won by Mrs Davis. After an enjoyable cup of tea the meeting dispersed.

Twenty-six cases of infectious and other notifiable diseases were reported in the Canterbury and West Coast health districts during the week ended at noon yesterday, compared with 19 in the previous week. One death from tuberculosis occurred in Canterbury. Details are as follow, the previous week's figures being in parentheses: — West Coast: Scarlet fever 20 s diphtheria 2 (2), puerperal sepsis 1 (0). Canterbury: Scarlet fever 6 (6), diphtheria 3 (4), tuberculosis 6 (2), pneumonia 4 (2), orysinalas 1 (1), ophthalmia neonatorum 1 (0).

Even in the early ages, b3fore the advent of civilisation to the Pacific, New Guinea was known for its mineral wealth, or, more correctly, for its potential mineral wealth. On a chart of one of the early Venetian sailors in the fifteenth century, before ever Englishmen had thought about sea travel, New Guinea was marked " Islet of Gold." It was queerly shaped on the map, but its existence was known. The story is that the captain of the old Venetian ship touched at the northern shores of New Guinea and in the sand at the mouth of a river he come upon distinct traces of gold. The name followed as a matter of course.

A. Wellington telegram says: At the quarterly meeting of the Public Service Superannuation Board 29 contributors, retired by reason of age or length of service, were granted allowances of a total of £6llO per annum. Eleven contributors retired as medically unfit were granted allowances totalling £9lO per annum. Sixteen widows and 20 children were granted statutory allowances amounting to £lOl6 per annum. In consequence of retirements under Section 26 of the Act accrued compensation to the amount of £1039 became a liability of the Superannuation Fund and a corresponding relief to the Consolidated Fund.

"It was a great surprise to me on visiting the old world last year to find how enormously wealthy the countries were," said the Rev. E. T. Cox in an address to the Wanganui Rotary Club. In the Champ Elysees in France he had seen cars in the garages marked at the price of £ISOO and £3OOO, and the price did not appear to the people as being exorbitant. But in proportion to the higher prices of those countries so was the proportion of the wealth and saving. This wealth was invested in land, industry, buildings, shipping, trade and so so. It was the wealth of the common people s s'avings which was utilised to this end.

There was a good attendance at the meeting of Court Ashburton, No. 6729, A.0.F., last evening, when the C.R.' (Bro. A. Jackman) presided. Sick pay amounting to £1 10s in favour of three brothers was passed for payment. One brother was granted a clearance. An invitation to attend the annual ball of Court Star of South Rakaia, on August 28, was accepted. Two members were initiated by the C.R. It was defided that the Friendly Societies' Association be asked to consider the question of printing the doctors' agreement for circulation among the various lodges. Bros. W. H. Robinson, R. W. Crowther and W. H. Amos were appointed a sub-com-mittee to revise certain rules relating to medical officers. Bio. E. A. Brown reported that the membership of the Juvenile Court was now 43.

A small crowd was entertained in Queen Street, Auckland, the other evening (says the "Star") bv one who might have considered himself an amateur showman. He was standing on the kerb balancing a black rabbit on one shoulder and a white" rat on the other. By affectionate pushing and coaxing he would get one to exchange its place with the other. The rabbit he called "Bill," and "Fairy" was the rat. Neither appeared at any moment as comfortable as it would have been on the ground, but the rabbit seemed not very much perturbed by the crowd and the bright lights. Finally, when he had coaxed the white rat to sit in his waistcoat pocket, the man placed the rabbit and a sack he had with him on the ground, opened it. and then bade the pet enter. The rabbit obeved. and, swinging the sack to his shoulder, the man sauntered off, saving "Goodnight, gentlemen, the show's now over."

Several jurors applied for exemption from service on the common jury when the Supreme Court opened in Wanganui last week. One man said he was the head woolclasser of a big firm. and the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers), after asking a number of questions of counsel who appeared on the man's behalf, said that he wanted to make it perfectly plain that if it were merely a case of the employewhe would not grant exemption. Arrangements should be made in a big concern so that a man would be able to fulfil his duties to the community. Another man asked to be exempted as he might bo wanted to make repairs to a gravel crushing plant. There was nobody else that could effort these if certain breakages occurred. A bank manager applied for exemption, as his accountant vjns absent. "Well, I cannot help that," said his Honor, ;amid laughter. "There is no danger of breakage of machinery in your' department."

There were over 300 passengers by the south-bound express train tins morning. The train arrived at Ashburton about 20 minutes behind schedule time.

Members of the Ashburton County Council staff were employed at Methven to-day putting in "pimples lor the control of traffic at the Bank of New Zealand corner and also at the corner opposite the railway gates.

Lured from their hiding places by the warmth of the last two or three days, and the absence of frosts m the mornings, earwigs are already making their appearance in some Ashburton gardens.

It was stated at a meeting of returned soldiers in Ashburton last evening that the investigations of the Rehabilitation Commission had shown that there are over 20,000 Imperial soldiers in New Zealand at the present time.

The Hon. W. H. Mclntyre was yesterday elected chairman of the Nelson Education Board (says a Press Association message). In thanking members, Mr Mclntyre said he took it that the Board felt the chairman should represent the consensus of opinion of the Board in opposition to centralisation, and for the' oreservation of what little powers of democratic control parents now possessed.

To find a rat playing hide and seek between the upper folds of his overcoat was the unusual experience of an early morning milkman the other day. says the "Auckland Star." He hailed a newsvendor in Ponsonby Road, requesting him to sea if he could discover what he thought might be a mouse running round his neck, as he could not reach that part himself. Imagine the surprise of both when a fairly large rat was liberated. The milkman recalled that a little distance back he had seen a cat make a dive at his feet near the milk dandy, and he concluded that a rat had taken refuge in his trousers, afterwards finding its way up his back.

The Wakanui Lodge, No. 111, '1.0.0.F., held its fortnightly meeting in the hall last evening, when the P.G. (Bro. C. Crawford) presided over a fair attendance. A copy of the doctors' agreement with the Ashburton United Friendly Societies' Association was received, which was accepted, and which the trustees were* appointed to sign. The lodge's delegate to the_ United Friendly Societies' Association tendered his resignation owing to pressure of pther business, and the appointment of another delegate was held over. It was 4f;cided that the harmony for next meeting take the form of a spelling bee. a prize for the same being offered by one of the brethren. One maternity bonus was passed for payment.

The quarterly meeting of the Star of Ashburton Lodge, No. 14, U.A.0.D., was held in the Masonic Hall last evening, Bro. S. L. Hawke, A.D., presiding. The sick bards, Bros. Miller and O'Connor, reported on sick brethren, and pay was passed to those on the funds. One maternity claim was also passed for payment. In consequence of many members of the lodge and their friends being unable to attend the recent Druids bail owing to the inclemency of the weather, it was decided to hold another ball at an early date in conjunction' with the Ladies' liodge. The Ball Committee was authorised to hold a meeting and consider the proposal and make arrangements. It was decided to invite the Hakatere Lodge, 1.0.0. F., to a card evening on Monday Septemlier 1, and to arrange a mock court for September 15. One member was initiated, and two proposals were received.

- Three summonses have been issued as a result of the speed trap laid at Dunsandel by the Selwyn County Council on Saturday, June 7. There was heavy traffic on the main road on that occas'ion' owing to the Rugbv match between Britain and Canterbury at Christchurch, and a large number of motorists, including several Ashburton residents, were obliged to slow up owing to a rope being stretched across the road, and submit their names to the traffic authority. It is understood that these sunnnonses are to test whether similar steps will be taken against the remaining motorists who were involved. The three in question will be prosecuted under the Motor Vehicles. Act, for driving in a manner dangerous to the public. The Canterbury Automobile Association, at a recent meeting, decided to consider the matter if summonses were issued, and it is probable that should the other motorists be similarly charged it will engage counsel for their defence.

The organisation of a federal council of churches on a national scale would provide the best basis for work toward church union, states a resolution adopted by the Auckland Presbytery. Proposals for closer co-operation between the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches were made in a report on an experiment in co-operation ■ that has been organised in Wellington, but in view of the importance of the issues involved full discussion was deferred for a later meeting. The Rev. W. Lawson Marsh, convener of the Public Questions Committee, said that the proposals were: (1) To establish a joint committee of representatives of the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, four from each : (2) that in any case of church extension in areas worked by the two churches, the matter be referred to the joint committee for consideration and advice; (3) that in districts where only one of the churches could supply services, the other church recommend its members to link up with the existing church.