LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 132, 17 March 1931, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The secretary of the Ashburton Acclimatisation' Society lias received reports of the fishing rivers in the County as follow:—Rakaia, iishable; Rancitata, fisha.ble. A Blenheim telegram states that in connection with Miss Paulino Bennett's B air pilot ticket, she is the first woman pilot to gain that distinction, hut Mr T. R. JDix, of Blenheim, took his B ticket last October. One effect of the drastic reductions made by Hamilton butchers in the price of' meat lias been a large increase in the quantity of meat consumed. In some cases butchers' sales have increased threefold during the last few weeks. \ Dunedin telegram states that at the last stock sale £t Tarras, when 2000 sheep were penned, a line of fresh fail-ing-mouthed ewes brought 6d per head. Another pen changed hands at l\ 6s 8d per 100, while a run-holder made a gift of I'jO failing-mouthed ewes, the pick of 500, to a " neighbouring small farmer. Twenty-one cases of infectious diseases were reported in the Canterbury and West Coast health district last weeki, compared with 2-1 in the previous week. There Mere two deaths in Canterbury, one from, septic abortion and one from tuberculosis. Following are the details, the previous week's figures being given in parentheses: —West Const: Diphtheria l (5). tuherculosis L> (0). Canterbury: Scarlet fever 7(7). tuberculosis 5 (4). puerperal sepsis 1 (2), septic abortion iJ (0). An exciting and somewhat disconcerting experience was the lot of a number of school girls at To Kopuru, near Dargaville, one day last week. The girls, pupils of the local school, had been for their regular swim in the bathing enclosure on the river front as part of the school routine. They had left the water and were dressing in Iho shed provided for the purpose. Suddenly, the structure, slipped from its supports and canted partly into the water. The children, not a little frightened, scrambled hurriedly from the huilciino-, hut otherwise little the worse for their adventure.

A sketch model of the late Sir Joseph Ward has been completed by Mr W. H. Feldon, sculptor, Auckland. A full life-size figure in statuary marble will be carved from the model and completed before the end of the year. It will be erected in the .square in front of the post office in lnvercargill. "What is your objection to the valuation:-'" asked Mr-T. K. Mansell, S.M.. of an objector to the valuation of his property in the Assessment Court in Nelson last week. "1 consider the tales are too high," was the reply. "Yes, I think so too," said tbe Magistrate, "but we won't consider that." "Referring to the arrears of land tax amounting to Is 9di owing by you," says a letter posted, by the Land and Income Tax Department to a Hastings business man a, fortnight after ths earthquake, "I have now to advise you that a charge will be registered against t.ie title . . . unless an immediate settlement is made." Two very rare feathered visitors have been seen near Nelson lately. There' are tall birds with webbed feet and long curved bills, and have been identified, as Australian black or straw-necked ibises. Residents have been interested to watch them feeding as they are expert eel catchers, and catch quite large specimens. They were seen (list at Taln.ina, and later in a creek near Renwick. Tbe isolation which still characterises some parts of New Zealand is brought home by the following paragraph from the "Wanganui Chronicle" : "Great interest has been aroused among the Native settlers at Ranana, 44 miles up the Wanganui River, by the arrival of a motor-cycle. Many of the Maoris have never previously seen a vehicle of this description and regard it as the latest addition to tlfe progress of civilisation. A man who had just returned from the settlement stated that horses, dogs and cattle showed their interest in the new arrival by departing in all directions immediately the motor started."

The spirit of loyalty which manifested itself last year when the compulsory military training system was disorganised has again become evident in the case of the nayal reservists. The 60 original members of the Otago unit have served their term of three years, but a large number have decided to continue their training if possible, such a procedure being dependent on the approval of the Naval Board. There is also a waiting list, from which any vacancies will be filled. This year's training syllabus will be carried out by watches, instead of part watches, as has been the practice, and the instructional work will be done by officers qualified in navigation. Morse and semaphore signalling, mine-sweeping, and knotting and splicing. The division which is composed of two subdivisions of GO men each, has been divided into four watches.

A Hastings business man who found his safe had been broached after the earthquake and £250 removed, has had everything returned by a man who subsequently found that he iiad emptied the wrong safe. The safe contained jewellery belonging to the owner of the safe and cash deposited for a friend. About a fortnight ago a man approached the foreman in charge ot the demolition work and waying a folded document, said he had authority to open the safe and remove the contents to a more secure place. Ten minutes latt?r the owner of the safe arrived with the keys to remove the contents. At first it appeared as if a smart bluff had succeeded. Later it was explained that the "thief" had acted in all good faith and had applied his instructions to the wrong safe.

Court Ashtrorton., No. 0729, A.0.F., met last evening, when the C.R. (Bro. J. Lockhead) presided.. Five brethren were reported on tbe sick list and sick pay amounting to .19 13s 4d was passed for payment. The balance-sheet of the Ashburton United Friendly _ Societies Dispensary was received and considered very satisfactory. It was resolved that the Dispensary Board be congratulated on the sound'financial position shown. The C.R. presented Bro. Jackman with a P.C.R. ribbon and certificate in recognition of his services during his term as C.R. It was decided to give the Management Committee an extension of time in which to bring forward its report on a. proposed scheme to he submitted to the Hospital Board in regard to treatment of members at Waipiata. Bro. Crowther appealed to members present to show a keener interest in tbe .Juvenile Court.

Considerable interest has been aroused bv the Mangatoki Dairy Company in connection with a circular forwarded recently to all dairy companies in the Dominion, advocating the amalgamation of the dairy, meat, honey, and fruit producers' boards, and pointing out that such a course would be of great benefit to the industries and would result in the saving of a huge amount of expenditure. The New Zealand Dairy Producers' Board forwarded the company a long and detailed reply disapproving of the amalgamation ol the boards. The secretary of the company (Mr R. D. Douglass) has now received manv replies, states the Litham Argus," and it is shown that 80 factories representative of 15,632 suppliers producing 38,091 tons of butter and 28,618 tons of cheese are in favour of the company's suggestion, f'lityone factories have replied stating that they could not support amalgamation. Some of these were in favour of abolishing the Dairy Control Board others indicated that they thought the costs in excess of the services rendered. Some few affirmed confidence in the board as at present constituted.

The Star of Ashburton Lodge, No. 14 U.A.0.D., met last evening, the A.I). (Bro. C. Solway) presiding. Invitations were received from the Success of Ashburton Lodge to a hard-up social to be held next lodge night, and from the Temuka Lodge to the opening of its new lodge-room at Temuka on -Vpril 1. Both' invitations were accepted The Grand Lodge forwarded an appeal from the Grand Lodge of the North Island in connection wit'i members made destitute by tbe enrthnuake. It was decided to reply pointing out that the lodgo has subscribed to the "Guardian" fund before the circular was sent out, arid that its contribution had gone into the general fund. Two maternity claims were passed for payment. The Bards reported on sick members, for whom sick pay was passed. P.A. Bro. S. L. Hawke and P.D.P. Bro. H. A. Vesty reported on the Grand Lodge meeting. Bro. M. O'Donoghue, I.iP.C.P., was present in the Lodge, having been transferred to Ashburton, and was welcomed by the Arch Druid. At the request of the meeting he addressed members on questions brought up at the.. Grand Lodge meeting. The balance-sheet of the Ashburton United Friendly Societies' Dispensary was discussed. A Social Committee to control the running of card socials during the winter was set ups Bros. T. Pcnnall, A. Garrioek, P. C. Perham, S. L. Hawke and T, A. Miller being appointed. One candidate was initiated.

The flags.at the Post Office and Borough Council Chambers were iiown toda/.<j in recognition oi' St. Patrick's Day.

"It is an exceeding danger to the public when people start these gymnastics on the back of a motor-cycle," said the senior-sergeant in the Wellington Police Court the other day, when a man was lined £2 for allowing a pillion rider to face the wrong direction. Defendant said he was aware that his passenger had turned round. The latest advice from the lightkeeper at Cape -Maria Van Diemen says that the yachts competing in the Tasman race have not yet passed the Cape (pays an Auckland message). The weather is clear and the sea calm. There is very little wind, and the yachts evidently are making slow progress. Diving into the water a Japanese seaman went to 'the aid of a small launch which was drifting down the Wanganui River toward the entrance one day this week. The launch had experienced engine trouble and was drifting past a steamer in the harbour when the occupants made signals for help. Without hesitation the signal was answered by the seaman who swam to the small craft with a line. Four and twenty woodcock were baked in a pie and sent to King George as a Christmas present from Mr James McNeill, Governor-General of the Irish Free States. This follows a custom begun in 1813, when Lord Talbot, then Viceroy of Ireland, presented George 111. with a pie of 24 woodcock and associated with it the old: nursery rhyme. Every Viceroy since then has made a similar gift. Mr Tim Healy, the first Governor-General of the Irish Free State, continued! the practice at the special request of the outgoing Viceroy, Lord Fitz Alan. Mr Healy made one change in the century-old custom. The pie has always been made in the viceregal kitchen,, but-Mr Healy sent the woodcock to a famous firm in (Piccadilly to be made into the historic pie. Mr James McNeill has followed that example.