LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 255, 9 August 1934, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In connection with the election next Monday of three parents' representatives on the Ashburton Technical Hign School Beard, there has been some discussion regarding the election or the woman member. It is pointed out that while one woman must .be appointed, if three women top the poll they will be elected to the board.

The father of Captain Coxhead, who is stationed at Cambridge, SergeantMaior F. J- Coxhead, recently completed 64 years' service with tne Sanation Army. In presenting the ceiti flcate of retirement to the» officer the British commissioner said that one o the cardinal, qualities of the Christian life was endurance.

At the annual congregational meeting of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church last evening the Hey. JX. ©. Watson acknowledged a gift ot i which ho had received from 'Mr Anonymous" to help any m the church who were in need. '_'l would like to publicly thank tiie""aonor," said Ml Watson. "His action may create a precedent."

There was no quorum of creditors m the bankrupt estate of John McCann, deceased, formerly of Ashburton, a farmer, and late of Timaru, a salesman, which was summoned for yesterday at Timaru. The estate is being administered under the Bankruptcy Act by the Official Assignee (Mr YV. Harte). The schedule of finances showed that £4BB 10s 3d was owing to unsecured creditors, while liabilities to secured creditors totalled £4 10s, winch was covered by securities valued at £2O. Other'liabilities amount to £44 10s, making the total debt £533 0s 3d. The assets included shares valued at £lO, insurance £l5O, and £ls 10s surplus from securities in the hands ot creditors, making a total of £175 10s, leaving a deficiency in the estate ot £357 10s 3d. -

I St. Stephen's Literary and Social Club met last evening, the president (Mr S. M. Cassidy) presiding over _a good attendance. Arrangements in connection with the visit ot the club to Methven next Monday were left in the hands of the president to finalise. The president reported that the Foresters' Lodge had suggested that impromptu speeches be substituted for a debate on the occasion of the visit on the 20th inst. The team for the debate with the Methven Men's Club was selected, and consists of Messrs Cassidy, L. Armstrong and M. Lees, while the speakers against the Foresters will be Messrs Cassidy, A. Protheroe and JHamilton. The president extended a hearty welcome to the members of the Ashburton Catholic Club. A debate took place on the subject "That the expense involved in Royal tours fs justified," the speakers for St. Stephen's, who took the affirmative, being Messrs Cassidy, O. Bathurst and B. Hampton, and for the Catholic Club, Messrs J. Brown, E. Brophy and J. Brosnahan. Mr R. H. Biggar acted as adjudicator, and awarded the Catholic Club the victory by 14 points. A six-a-side table tennis tournament was held, St. Stephen's winning by 23 games (691 points) to 13 games (586 points). At the conclusion of the evening Mr Cassidy thanked the members Catholic Club for the enjoyable evening and also Mr Biggar for judging the debate and his helpful criticism of the speakers. Mr Brown replied on behalf of the Catholic Club, and suggested a return visit on September 10. This was accepted. Supper was passed round.

Hakatero Lodge, 1.0.0. F., met last evening, the N.G. (Bro. J. Arnst) presiding over a large attendance. One proposal for membership was received, a ballot on one candidate was l satisfactory, and there were two initiations. A welcome was extended to visiting brothers of the Rakaia and Wakunui lodges. Bros. Newman and Amos replied and extended fraternal greetings from their respective lodges.

A tribute to the helpfulness of the staffs with whom he came into contact in his work in hospitals in Ash burton was paid by the Rev. R. S. Watson at the annual congregational meeting of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church last evening. "My work has been made mere effective and very much more pleasant because of the helpfulness of the staffs of the five hospitals in this district," said Mr Watson. "I must express my appreciation of* this attention. My visits to hospitals have been the most cheering since I was attached to a hospital unit in the Army days."

The dense fog in Auckland on Sunday brought some unusual bird visitors to the city, states the "New Zealand Herald." A resident of Heme Bay reported seeing a native pigeon flying overhead] and either this or another pigeon was seen in Remuera during the morning. These birds are known to be rather stupid when away from the bush, and lose their way during bush fires. The birds seen in Auckland would probably have come from the Waitakeres. Two gannets were also seen flying over the city, wheeling about with their characteristic cries. It is rarely that this seabird is seen over the land in calm weather such as prevailed on Sunday.

Pleadings framed by Mr J. Meltzer, as counsel; on behalf of a schoolgirl who was plaintiff in a case arising out of an accident which was heard in the Supreme Court at Wellington, included a claim for damages for loss of six months' schooling. Reference to this part of the claim was made by Mr Justice Ostler in the course of his summing up to the jury. "It is quite novel to me," said his Honor, "I have never heard of it before, hut it seems to me a fair thing for a jury to take into consideration. I don't know quite how you will assess it. I don't know quite how 1 would assess it myself, but I should think it oughtn't to be very much."

"England is ; miles ahead of New Zealand in the care and planting of trees," said Mr Hone Gibbons, president of the Wanganui Beautifying Society, speaking at a public meeting last week. "We are usually inclined to think in this country that we are most up-to-date and far ahead of some of the older countries, but in treeplanting we have a lot to learn." Mr Gibbons said that in practically every English town there were open commons which belonged to the public, while in France, Germany, and England the roads and by-roads were planted with trees of all kinds, of which the public had the advantage.

A protest against any removal of duty on Australian tomato pulp was made to the Minister for Agriculture (the Hon. 0. E. Macmillan) yesterday by a deputation representing the New Zealand growers. It was stated that the manufacturers of sauces and soups had asked for a concession in the duty on'Australian pulp, as there was a shortage of the New Zealand product; hut a shortage was denied by the tomato growers. They also contended that if there was a shortage it was due to lack of foresight on the part of the manufacturers. "You can rest assured that I will assist you to the best of my ability in seeing that the duty is retained," said the Minister. "I don't know that it would not be wiser for you people to ask for a stiffer duty."

At the meeting of the Tinwald School Committee there were present: Messrs J. H. Harper ((chairman), P. Frew, F. Aldridge, J. Small, J. Stevenson J. Lowery and A. Wakehn. The headmaster (Mr M. P. Cooke) reported that the attendance had improved considerably. Repairs of a minor nature had been carried out recently at the school by the Education Board's workmen, but some were not completed. Medals had been received in place ot miniature cups from the Herbert Smith Trust. The chairman reported that he had interviewed the certifying officer, but no unemployed workers would be granted to the school for the scheme of improvements. On the suggestion of "Mr Small, it was decided to hold a hare drive in the Huntingdon district on August 18 at 9 a.m., the proceeds to be devoted to school purposes. The question was.left in the nands of Mr Small. Mr Wakehn offered to cart the hares.

Among the outstanding drafts of wethers at the Addington stock market yesterday was one of 10 from Cochrane Bros. (Elgin) which made from 32s lOd to 43s lOd, two at the top price. Three of 30 ewes from the same vendors made the top prce in the ewe section at 29s 7d, the others ranging down to 24s 4d. Sales on account of Ashburton County clients were as follow:—Prices for show bullocks : On account of J. Gardiner (Rakaia) 1 at £l7; G. T. Smith (Rakaia), 2 atl £l6 to £l7. Other fat cattle—On account of J. Gardiner (Rakaia), a cow at £8 7s 6d; G. T. Smith (Rakaia) 1 heifer at £7 12s 6d; W. A. Sheate (Ashburton), 5 steers at £7 7s 6d to £ll 12s 6d, 4 heifers at £7 12s 6d to £8 17s 6d ; 4 cows at £7 17s 6d to £8 7s 6d; P. Brown (Rakaia), 1 cow at £7 2s 6d. Fat ewes —On account of J. Connolly (Rakaia), 52 at 22s 4d to 26s 7d; F. Bebbmgton (Winchmore), 116 at 22s lOd to 24s 10d- T. H. McGirr (Methven), 86 at 22s 4d to to 23s 7d ; Kingsbury's Estate (Rakaia), 50 at 21s lOd to 23s 7d; Col. J Findlay (Eiffelton), 54 at 21s 4d to 23s 4d; J. B. Murdoch (Mayfield), 119 at 16s 7d to 21s 4d; R. E. Limbnck (Rakaia) 54 at 15s 7d to 20s 7d; L. 0. Oakley (Rakaia), 30 at 20s lOd to 21s 7d- 0. Chamberlain (Methven), 40 at 16s 4d to 17s lOd; A. E. Henderson (Methven) 1 at 28s 7d: Jas. Campbell (Methven) 54 at 21s Id to 22s Id; S. Robinson (Methven) 30 at 20s 7d to 21s lOd • McKendry's Estate (Lyndhurst) 46 at 21s Id to 21s ' lOd ; " Cochrane Bros. (Elgin) 30 at 24s 4d to 29s 7d; J. Connolly (Rakaia), 43 at 20s 7d to 24s 4d; D. McLeod (Carew), 62 at 18s Id' to 19s 4d. Fat wethers—On account of J. Connollv (Rakaia), 30 at 22s 7d to 23s lOd; Cochrane Bros. (Elgin), 10 at 32s lOd to 43s lOd; Jas. Campbell (Methven) 56 at 23s lOd to 27s Id; Mrs M. Reid ((Methven) 2 at 30s 4d; Jas. Campbell (Methven), 57 at 23s 4d to 24s lOd; McDonald Bros. (Methven) 10 at 22s 7d; C. Chamberlain (Methven) 24 at 22s 7d to 22s 10d; Master W. Greenslade (Mayfield), 1 at 40s: F. Bebbington (Winchmore) 54 at 24s 7d to 28s 4d; Kingsbury's Estate (Rakaia) 7 at 27s 4d; L. Prebble (Mount Somers) 63 at 18s 4d to 18s 7d. Spring Lambs—On. account of H. Suttie (Greenstrcet) 2 at 25s to 325. Fat hoggets —On account of Tizzard Bros. (Mount Hutt) 1 at 26s 7d; Mrs B. Davidson (Methven), 1 at 26s 4d: T. H. McGirr (Methven) 34 at 25s 4d to 26s 7d; Kingsbury's Estate (Rakaia) 3 at 25s 7d.

The annual report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies shows that the net interest credited to. the sick and general funds was £160,816, equal to a rate of £4 7s 6d oer cent., compared with £4 lis lOd per cent, in 1932. The average contributions and interest per member' increased by tenpence to £3 7s sd, and the cost of sickness and funeral benefits by. Is 4d to £1 18s. The total net gain in those funds was 13s 9d per member. The number of members who died was 852, equal to 8.39 per cent, per 1000 members at risk, compared with 834 and 8 per cent, respectively in 1932.

Describing the movement as one which appealed to her deeply, and which she felt to be of inestimable national benefit, Lady Bledislce yesterday opened the conference of the New Zealand Free Kindergarten Union, and offered her sincere congratulations to all those who were so ably carrying it on in spite of many difficulties (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington). They were really doing great patriotic work. "Also," Lady Bledisloe remarked, "one cannot praise too highly the ncible efforts of splendid co-operation and help of the mothers. This in itself shows how greatly the kindergarten movement is appreciated and its value proved,"

"Your executive begs to again bring this very important phase of our work under your notice," states the annual report of the New Zealand Red Cross Society in dealing with first-aid on highways. "At the .last council meeting it was reported from both North and South Taranaki that a certain amount of work in this connection had already been done, and a recommendation was brought forward to centres to arrange for Red Cross posts on the main highways where possible, and to notify their nearest motor union of the locality of such posts. This is the work which should be kept very steadily in view, and your executive cannot stress too much the necessity 'of all centres and sub-centres carrying on as requested, as it is a work Avhich needs very small expense to commence and can be easily added to from time to time as finance and circumstances permit." t

Of the 200 motor-cars tested for brake and headlight faults by the Ashburton Borough Inspector in the last week, about one-third have been refused certificates till adjustments have been made. As Ashburton is so flat it has been found that motorists have permitted their brakes to get out of order to a large extent, but the tests carried out have effected a great improvement. The Inspector told a "Guardian" reporter to-day that the main beam or car headlights must be not higher than 3ft 6in at a distance of 75 feet, and that the beam must light up the road 150 feet ahead of the car. The limits permitted on the brake tests, which are carried out at a speed of 20 miles an hour, are as follow •—Footbrake only, pull up in 40 feet; handbrake only pull upjn 75 feet; motor-cycles, one /brake, puR up in 50 feet.* There is still a large fleet of cars to be tested and given certificates of fitness, and the Inspector will be in attendance at the municipal offices finally to-morrow night. It is the intention to take further steps at an early date to ensure the equipping of cars with efficient brakes and lights, and, the regulations will be enforced.