LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 193, 29 May 1934, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The only building permit issued by the Ashburton Borough Inspector in the past fortnight was one tor additions estimated to cost £ls.

Footballs were granted to the following schools by the Management Committee of the Ashburton Rugby Union at its meeting last evening:— Ashburton East (2), Mayneld, Lismore and Ralalia.

Work on the new railway bridge at Rangitata is progressing steadily. JNot many men are engaged on the contraa at present, but the work of consohdatillg the foundations is proceeding well. Men engaged in the excavation report that layers of rock have been encountered and under these conditions much heavy work has to be undertaken in preparation, for the putting down ot the piles, of which there a number at the site.

Only ono case of infectious disease (tuberculosis)- was reported from the West Coast last week, but the Christchurch health authorities received notification of 10 cases in Canterbury, comprising three of erysipelas, three ot peptic abortion, one of scarlet fever, oiie of enteric fever, one of pneumonic influenza, and one of hydatids. One death from actinomycosis, the unusual "ray fungus," was reported.

The Ashburton Catholic Club met last evening, Mr J. Brown presiding over a large attendance. One new member was elected. "The committee presented a printed programme of the season's activities and this was approved. A lecture on Catholic action was given by Father F. Kelly, and it was greatly appreciated. The remainder of the evening was devoted to games, including a ping-pong tournament. Supper was serveu at the close of the evening. '

It was only after protracted negotiations had been carried out between the Ashburton Borough Council, the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, and after a fruitless search over the greater part of the Dominion, that the Ashburton Domain Board was able to procure a pair of white swans. These were installed in the .Domain a few weeks ago, but they have both died. One died on Sunday morning and the ether was found dead yesterday.

"It is very pleasing to note that moro and more farmers are willing to take boys and give them a chance," said Archbishop Averill at the annual meeting of the Papatoetoe Orphan Home, when it was .reported that less difficulty was being experienced in finding employment on farms for boys leaving the home. "Not many farmers take boys in the hope of getting labour at a low cost," said the Archbishop: "A large proportion act from altruistic motives and try to lend a helping hand to those who'need it." The Archbishop mentioned that the Boys' Employment Committee, with which he was associated, had placed 1000 hoys on fauns, and had never had any difficulty in finding farmers willing to take them.

On a recent Sunday evening a taxi driver, Mr J. McNally, of Pukekohe while proceeding along Great South Road near the southern end of Pokeno township, discovered Mrs T. J. Craney, an elderly resident of the township, on the roadside, apparently in a distressed condition. The driver conveyed Mrs Craney in his car to a nearby shoo of Mr G. Rodgers, where she explained that an assailant had come up behind her and thrown a quantity of pepper in her face. However, a pair of glasses which she was wearing acted as a shield, and very little of the pepper pot into her eyes. The assailant made off quickly, probably alarmed by the approach of Mr. McNally's car. The police are making investigations, but so far no arrest has been made.

A Press Association telegram states that the Palmerston Nortli City Council last night increased wages and salaries of £250 and under by 5 per cent.

Another counterfeit half-crown piece has been receiveu by one of the banks from its Auckland'branch. It is described as a fairly good imitation, but the milling round the edge is not good. It is also soft and of light weight, and its falsity can be detected easily by its

poor "ring."

"If the New Zealand farmer were to breed cattle suitable for the trade he would find a good market for his chilled beef at Home,' Captain G. E. Hopper, of the Avelona Star, stated m conversation with a "Southland Times'' reporter on board the liner at Bluff. "There is no reason why farmers in this Dominion should not exploit this most profitable branch of the agricultural industry," he added.

The pampas grass, recognised by the Maoris as a glorified toitoi, is at long last being planted as an ideal shelter against the* cold blasts of winter and the scorching sun of summer (states the "Manawatu Times")- On one farm in the . vicinity of Palmerston North over a mile of its white plumes may now bo seen. In its country of origin it is used most extensively as a shelter for stock on most bundary fences.

Within the next few days a pillar box will be erected at the corner of Wills Street West and Oak Grove by the Ashburton Post Office staff. This will bo of great convenience to residents on the western extremity of the Borough, for other boxes on the west side are situated at the corner of Grigg and Havelock streets. Wills and Park streets, and at the entrance to the Ashburton Public Hospital.

Over 100 applications were received this week for the position of cleaner at the Northcote District High School (Auckland), these coming from Whangarei to New Plymouth. A feature was the general high standard of experienced people offering their services. Many had formerly been in the Government service, while some 12 • ex-naval men were among the applicants. The successful applicant was a Birkenhead resident who has five children to support. .

The sittings of the Company Promotion Commission began in Wellington yesterdav and will continue for the remainder of." the weeTc (says a Press Association message). The members of the Commission are Mr J. S. Barton, S.M. (chairman), Professor H. Belshaw and Mr E, E. Graham. The Commission is taking evidence in private. This week the Commission is concentrating on company promotion and administration, with particular reference to bond issuing companies and trust investment companies.

The annual meeting of the St. Andrew's Girls' Auxiliary was held last evening in St. Andrew's Hall. The Rev. R. S. Watson presided, and there was a good attendance. It was reported that as the result of the year's work the various missions connected with the church benefited to the extent of £22. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Honorary president, Mrs R. S. Watson; president, Miss *M. McDowell; secretary, Miss I." Sutherland ; treasurer. Miss E. Wilson. Mr Watson read an interesting extract on missionary work in Africa, after which supper was handed round.

It is anticipated that there will be a large following at the meets of the Ashburton branch of the Christchurch Hunt Club next Saturday and Monday. Tho season was opened some weeks ago, when two very successful meets were held. The hounds will meet at the Dromcre corner on Saturday and at Stringfellow's corner on Monday. Followers in cars will he given every opportunity of viewing the hunting, for the country selected is very' suitable. There has been more than the usual enthusiasm among the younger members this season, and this augurs, well for the future of the branch.

- Despite hare drives in the last two years in the Ashburton Gorge, apart from private shooting and trapping, hares are increasing in an astounding rate, giving cause for much concern by i-unhoklers. The hares chiefly remain on the sunny hillsides, but in the evenings are to be seen in scores along the nearby flats, feeding on turnips, newlysown pastures or other green crops. A visitor to the gorge one evening last week counted upwards of 200 hares in a small area. It is stated some runholders are' contemplating drastic action for the destruction of the animals.

The position of two young men pleading not guilty to having assaulted one another, but yet frankly admitting that they had fought, occured in the Magistrate's Court, at Wanganui recently. Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M., asked Senior Sergeant L. Capp whether, under the circumstances of the two agreeing to fight they could be charged with assault.' The senior sergeant understood that such a charge could be laid. "Supposing that they challenged each other to a prize fight, could thev afterwards he charged with assault?" asked Mr Salmon. Senior Sergeant Capo: I understand that the charge would be correct."

An interesting return showing the amount of work carried out in the last twelve months in the maintenance of streets and the putting down of kerbing and channelling was presented to the Ashburton Borough Council last evening'by the chairman of the Works Committee (Mr J. Thompson). It showed that 24,674 square yards of street were given a first coat of tar, and 23,778 square yards were treated a second time. ' New footpaths put clown consisted of 9 chains 47 feet of asphalt and 20 chains 9 feet of tarsealed paths, two coats being applied in the latter case. New kerbing and channelling amounted to 07 chains 20 feet, while 15 chains of renewal work was carried out and 25 chains of channelling renewed.

The half-yearly meeting of the Success of Ashburton Lodge, U.A.0.D., was held last evening, the A.D. (Sis. B. Wallis) presiding. The hards reported on sick members and sick pay passed for payment. - Invitations were accepted from the Lily of Temuka and Star of Ashburton Lodges to attend their installation of officers on June 11 and 18, respectively. The electicu of officers resulted as follows:—A.D., Sis. B. Wallis; V.A. Sis. I. Ward: Sis. R, Crum: Treas., Sis. S. Phelps; A.D.'s Bards, Sisters Sutton and Rountree; 1.G., Sis. P. Collett; 0.G., Sis.' P. Glossop; V.A. Bafds, Sisters A. Hawkes and A. Moriarty; M.S.. Sis. E. Rountree; Auditor, Sis. E. Rountree. Owing to members visit to Temuka on June .11, it was decided that no meeting should be held on that date. The A.D. reported thata ritual competition cf the .Arch Druid charge would be held on June 25. Five candidates were initiated and' two members were proposed. At the close of the meeting supper was served. !

It was reported to the Ashburton Borough Council last evening that 100 motor driver's licenses for the new motoring year had been issued in the past two weeks

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the Dairy Commission continued its sittings yesterday. Evidence was given by Mr W. H: Kent, New Zealand manager oi Andrew, Clement and Sons, Ltd., and by representatives of the Wellington Creameries, Cheese and Butter Factories' Industrial Union of Workers.

There was a record placement of 120 boys during April by the Wellington Boy's Unemployment Committee, according to a report presented by the committee to the directors of the Wellington Y.M.C.A. Positions were found in the city for 103 boys, and 17 were placed on farms. At the end of the month 358 boys were on the roll awaiting employment.

the Ashburton Borough Council recently paid a visit to the municipal abattoirs, and at the meeting last evening it was agreed to sena to the manager and the caretaker a letter congratulating them upon the general cleanliness of the buildings rind on the way in wnicn the work is being conducted.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. S. Cobbe) said to-day that a further batch of recruits for the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy would be considered for enrolment about August. The boys would be selected on medical and educational tests, irrespective of the districts jn which they resided.

Advice has been received in Ashburton that the test pieces for the Canterbury Provincial Brass Bands' Association's annual contest to be held in Geraldine in October are "Carmen No. 1" for the B grade and "Carmen No. 2"~for the C grade. It is a coincidence that the Ashburton Choral Society is preparing the same work for presentation at its next concert.

The Rakaia Football Club is celebrating its jubilee on August 18y 19, and 20. At last evening's meeting of the Management Committee of th§ Ashburton Rugby Union, a letter was received from, the club asking if it could borrow' any of the Union's old registers, to assist, in the compilation of an accurate list of old members, and also records of results of competitions in the early days. It was decided that any information the Union had should be'placed at the disposal of the Rakaia Club, although it was stated that the Union had not been in existence a great many years and records did not go back very far.

The survey of a stretch of the Mam South Road between Rolleston and Rakaia will be started this week in preparation for the calling of tenders for the paving of it. This section of road, which is 19 miles long, has for some time been the subject of much discussion among motorists. Its completion will give an unbroken stretch of more than 50 miles of treated highway betweon Christchurch and Ashburton. The contract will be let in two sections,'with the Selwyn River as the dividing pointy and the proposed paving is mixed-in-place upon which Will be superimposed plant mix.

The quarterly summoned meeting of the Loyal Tinwald Lodge, M.U.1.0.0. F., was held the N.G. (Bro. L..J& Millar) presiding. Eight members were reported sick, and £6 13s 4d was passed in their favour. Advice was : received that the official visit of the District Officers would take place on September 3. ; The election of officers resulted as' follows:—N.G., Sister S. McDowell; V.G., Bro. A. E. Tate; E.S., Bro. A. J. Wilkinson. The installation will take place next lodge night, on the occasion of the official visit of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge. Bro. S. Culverhouse reported on the last meeting of the U.F.S. Association.

The view that it would be some time before, the true effects of the new scale of telegraph charges could be gauged was expressed by the Post-master-General "(the Hon. A. Hamilton) in a letter received at a meeting of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The Minister said that when the public, had properly settled down to the new charges he proposed to review the position for public information. In reply to a letter from the chamber regarding the difficulties of lodging telegrams for transmission ,in. special boxes at railway stations and elsewhere, the Minister said arrangements were being made to have, the new scale of charges adequately displayed on or near each box.