LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 93, 30 January 1934, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Press Association message from WangaS states that at the Turakina Sffinian Society's annua sports on Saturday, Piper^MurdochMcKenzie^ot Masterton, won tne North Islana championship for pibrochs. A. trUiia, cf Blenheim, won the other open piping events.

The use of the French language* by both German and Japanese radio announcers as' the most convenient ?ongue intelligible to both parties was an unusual feature of i» «P»nrf transmission between Berlin and lokio which was picked up !>7 «» IUIl Ul ± lan n enthusiast with a short-wave set on on Thursday evening. The conversation bv radio-telephone could be heard clearly, while music from Berlin was received without distortion.

The Allenton Women's Institute met on Saturday afternoon, the president KMrs E. O. Bathurst) occupying the chair. Members were reminded oi the meeting of the South Canterbury Federation 5> be h-eki "V His m^te S Theatre to-morrow, afternoon. Alesdames Bray and Glenie gave interestin" demonstrations on the making of amp shades and both were accorded vote? of thanks. Competitions resulted a, 3 follow --(Sausage rolls: Mrs E.. b. Chambers I, Mrs E. Vincent 2, Mis H. Greaves 3; butter scotch : Miss Gobs i 1 Mrs Vincent 2, Mesdames BoothJoy d, Gourley and Weeks were the hostesses. '■■'.'

Jit h generally understood that Signor Mussolini has bestowed his benediction on Rugby football. It cannot be said that he is a regular patron of «the game, for, as a^ matter ot fact he 'has seen only one Rugby contest'in his life, but that one war, sufficient to convince him that it is a fighter's game, and therefore one worthy Ot being encouraged for the training of young Fascists. Directly it was known that the Duce had given his approval there was an immediate response; and very soon about 60 Rugby clubs were formed m Italy. In Rome itself excellent progress is reported, for there a former Oxford University captain has undertaken to coach the capital city's first fifteen.

(Vuckland's anniversary dsij was celebrated in nerfect weather yesterday, savs n Press Association message. Radiant sunshine was tempered by a mild north-easterly which was just strong enough to suit .the hundreds of craft which participated in the traditional Anniversary iDay Regatta. There was a continuous steam of people this morning to the wharves whore they embarked on large and .small craft for'trips on the harbour or in Hauraki Gulf The cruiser Dio'mede was anchored in mid-harbo.ur, acting as flagship for the regatta. All the overseas ships in port were dressed forjihe occasion, and the German barque, Magdalene Vinnen, looked especially picturesque. There were Parge attendances at the Takapuna races and the Auckland tennis finals, and many went to Waiheke for the New Zealand tourist trophy motor-cycle contest.

Members of the Baring Square Christian Endeavour held a picnic in the Ash burton riverbed to-day where the children spent an enjoyable day although weather conditions were not very favourable.

Bids for,cattle at the stock markets held in the Ashburton County are regulated by the quality of the lines offered, said a member of an Ashburton stock firm when tJie decision come to by the South Canterbury Stock Auctioneers' Association was referred to him by a representative oil the "Guardian." With the object of speeding up .sales, the South Canterbury Association lias decided to increase bids for fat stock from 2s 6d ; to ss, the last bid to count at 2s 6d. It was his opinion that this system would not be adhered to for long.

Strong criticism of the methods of the Post and Telegraph Department in the matter of mail contracts was made by IVlr W. Jones, chairman of No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority, during a recent sitting at Whangarei. "I wish," said the chairnian, "to ex-' press the view that business methods of the Post and Telegraph Department do not meet with the approval of the authority. The department is trying to make of the authority to hammer down the mail contract prices to a very minimum, and the successful tenderers must have goods or passen-' ger service licenses to make the proposition pay. We do not think it fair, as we consider.there is an honest price for the carrying of mails. Somebody is going to lose in the end, and it is not going to be the [Postal Department."

The Star of Ashburton Lodge, U.A'.O.D., met last evening, Bro. 11. Latimer, A.D., presiding over a large attendance. The Bards reported on visits to sick members and sick pay was passed to those on the funds. An invitation to attend the installation of D.P. Sister R. Oram ..next Monday night was received from the Success of Ashburton Lodge, and accepted. A maternity claim was recommended for payment and two candidates were initiated. At the close of the lodge a debate was held on the question, "That Pictures are Detrimental to Young People," Bro. A. Black was leader for the affirmative and Bro. G. V, Furby replied in the negative. After the principal speakers had opened the debate the subject was thrown open for general discussion, and several' members voiced their opinions. Upon a vote being taken, it was declared a draw. A vote of thanks-to the leaders, followed by .supper, concluded a very entertaining evening.

There are more profitable hobbies than one (writes the Winton representative of the "Southland Times") and a local resident has found that breeding canaries is a very profitable as well as interesting pastime. With, two birds, a male and a female, he did not consider the idea of breeding these yellow species until, a neat nest was made in the cage and five small eggs comprised! the first-setting. The youngsters duly made their appearance in a fornight, the majority surviving; but this was not the extent of the hen bird's activities and another five eggs were successfully hatched; and them a third setting of five ( brought out. Again the prolific little producer has commenced" to lay in view of another hatching, this being the fourth occasion so far this season. The majority of the young ones have lived, and with cock birds in kteen demand, it has proved quite a profitable hobby.

The big Australian plane was landing, in the Wairarapa district, and an old-timer was looking on. His memory got active and he declaimed to his cronies about the old days. He said: '"iV.iv first trip from Wellington to Masterton took twelve days. I was doing the carting with a dray and two horses, and when Ave got to the top of the range we took off the wheels, packed them on the dray, put on runners, .and made a sledge of the turnout to pull it down to the flats. Then it had to be jacked up and the wheels put on again, and so we got here with supplies. After some years the train came, and it was only a matter of six or seven hours to do the journey. Then a grandson got hold of me one morning, planked me in his-darned old car, and we got to, Wellington in a couple of hours. My, didn't he move, too! Now this thing comes up in almost as many minutes as it took me days. No, I won't go up in it; it's too much risk." Too much risk for the man who, with two horses, pulled a dray down the mountain side.

The tenth burglary within a fortnight in the Karangahape Road shopping area in Auckland occurred the other night, when a boot store near Pitt Street was broken into and entered. So far as can be ascertained (states the Auckland "Star") only a few pairs of shoes and a "not negotiable" cheque were stolen. The technique that had been employed- in. the previous burglaries was repeated. A jemmy about two inches wide'was inserted in the outer door at the back and the bolts were torn put. The inner door of the shop was secured with an iron bar, and this presented the first obstacle that the thief so far has not been able to break. But he Avas not to be beaten. He cut out a panel in the loAver part of the door and crawled through the hole, which' Avas only about 18 inches by 20 inches thus supporting the theory attached that .the man is of small stature. It,, as is believed, the same individual is responsible for the series of burglaries, he should be well fitted out now. The list of missing articles from the various shops entered includes a suit, a shirt, silk underwear and hose, a cap, and at least one pair of shoes and another for the lawn tennis court or the beach.

The Falkland Islands, with no uneninlovment problem, no crime, no financial, political or economic troubles, turns a deaf ear to the world's woes. Falkland Islanders are _ also determined to have no immigration problem 'Lately returned from the Jjalklands, which lie several hundred miles off the Argentine coast, young Jock Sterling MacGregor, of Glasgow;, Septland, said ho had pleaded m vain with the immigration officers to let him remain there. "The 3101 persons on the s.ands export £3 000,000 worth of wool and whale oil a year," Mr MncGrcWr said. "Much of that income goes" to the Falkland Islands Company, but the residents themselves a 1 earn „".] incomes The Falkland Islanders Kisehes fmport £300,000 worth of SX yearly. The working .hours ore from 8 o'clock in the morning until 1 30 in the afternoon, with 40 minutes out for breakfast and an hour for lunch. Most of the island residents are sheep herders, although some ot them work as whalers. The average whaler earns £2OO clear in three months." Living costs are lovy and taxation practically non-existent, Mr MacGregor declared. There are no gaols in the Falkland Islands. Island residents Avho drink too much of the strong beer in the Falklands, according to Mr MacGregor, are taken to their homes by their comrades and told to stay there until sober.

Regarding the application by Humphries Motors (Christchurch) for a route license from Christchurch to Timaru which came before, the No. 8 Transport Licensing Authority in Christchurch on Saturday, it was agreed that the applicant should not pick up or set down goods in the Ashburton County or Borough from either Christchurch or Timaru, except in Hinds, and for -such goods as Avere brought, by the connecting service from Timaru.

lAn application for a renewal of his passenger licence from Ashburton. to Methven was made to .the Transport Licensing Authority in Christchurch on Saturday by W. McKie, Ashburton. The application was granted, and l the time-table amended as requested. The fares are to remain the same as at present, .and esStra trips at holiday periods are to be applied for when required. A renewal of his passenger license from Ashburton to Longbeach with no amendments to the present arrangement was granted to E. W. Belcher. , .

Harvesting is now,fairly general in the Lowcliffe district but showery weather is holding the work up. Some early oats has been stacked and chaff cutting and threshing plants have already been operating, but the latter only in grass seed. Green feed is abundant in the district, and the milk yields, when cows are being kept, is being well maintained. Rain fell at Lowcliffe both on Saturday ,ancl Sunday night., and fine weather is required so that harvesting operations can be carried on without further delay. •

The strong north-westerly wind that; has prevailed of late has been detrimental to grass harvesting especially crops that have been dead ripe and easily shaken. In the Northern district the less has been big as there is a, considerable amount of grass ready for harvesting while during the last week the wind has been stronger there than in other localities. A "Southland News" reporter was informed 1 while visiting Mossburn this week that in one ease a district farmer had a fine paddock of fescue, the seed' of which. he estimated would bring him in about £I,OO. Before he could get the grass harvested the wind had left a trail of destruction. Hardly a seed was left the wind threshing practically every stalk.- The farmer was so disappointed and disgusted l with his loss that he promptly set fire to the whole paddock.

An Otago schoolmaster who taught an older generation was always ready to admonish his classes whero he thought his pupils were inclined, to laziness, and he used' to round off his talk with a humorous little story. He said a tramper oyer the hills one day asked a boy who was reclining on the grass; the way to a certain township. Tho boy simply lifted his leg, pointed with it, and said "over there." The indignant tramper remarked: "Well, if you can show me a lazier action than that I will give you half a crown." "Put it there," replied the boy as he half rolled oyer and held his pocket open for the money. However, it is just a question whether an ihcident which occurred on the Oval at (Dunedin the other night might not be considered to take the palm from the aforesaid boy. Five or six lads, were playing cricket, and the batsman hit a ball hard to leg. None of the fieldsmen made an attempt to retrieve it; and then the batsman walked a few yards to where a bicycle was lying on the ground, mounted it, rode off and secured the ball, and brought it back! _