LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 124, 7 March 1935, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

“The monitor system and the road crossing supervision are working satisfactorily,” said the headmastei (Mi idColquhoun) in his report to the Ashburton Borough School Committee last evening.

An Auckland citizen was much surprised the other day to see a. weasel cross Shortland Street during the busy part of the afternoon. It made a dash in the face of motor traffic, and disappeared dowiTa grating. In the suburbs weasels are occasionally seen, but it is rare for cue to appear in the city.

Poplar and willow trees in the Ashburton Domain are beginning already to show touches of autumn colour. The foliage of several growing near the Wills Street entrance has been tipped with gold within the last week or two, and heralds the approach of autufnn weather.

“It is pleasing to note that several ex-pupils of the Ashburton Borough School have competed successfully in various swimming competitions during the present season and have lowered some of the existing records,” said the headmaster (Mr H. Colquhoun) m Ins report to the committee last evening. “This shows that the baths are a valuable asset to the school in the physical development of the children. A suggestion tl at motor associations throughout New Zealand should gather data, about places of historical interest to be published for the use of motorists was not altogether approved by flie executive of the* Automobile Association (Wellington) at a meeting on Monday evening. The was contained in a letter from the North Island (New Zealand) Motor Union. Members of the executive expressed the opinion that the historical information contained in their own guide book was quite sufficient, and that it would be difficult to obtain authentic historical data and reduce them to small enough dimensions to make them useful for guide-book purposes. 'Hie chairman of the roads committee (Mr E. Palliser) suggested replying that historical points in the association’s district were reasonably covered bv the association’s guide book, anti this course was agreed to by members.

When referring to the Borough School’s success in the Advance Ashburton Association’s school garden competition at the committee meeting last evening, AJ r H. Colquhoun (headmaster) extended congratulations •to the Allenton School, which was the runner-up in the contest.

The staff of the Ashburton Borough School was last evening granted permission by the committee to allow the children to hold penny concerts for the benefit of the committee. It was stated that the children would organise the concerts, and while the financial results might be small, they would be the means of cultivating the musical and dramatic side of school life. Mr H. Colquhoun (headmaster) said this would lie carried out after school hours. It would give the children an opportunity to do something for the school.

Hakatere Lodge, 1.0.0. F,, met last evening, the N.G. (Bro. V. Petersen) presiding over a good attendance. Jen members were reported sick, and two candidates were initiated. Bro. H. C. Preston reported on the annual meeting of, the United Friendly Societies’ Association, and the N.G. submitted a report on the visit to Ashburton last Saturday of members of Ridgley and Golden Link Lodges (Christchurch). An invitation to its anniversary dinner on March 19 was received from the Star of Opawa Lodge.

"The people of England knew and appreciate their Shakespeare,” commented Mr L. V. Bryant, of Matangi, in an address on a tour abroad, in Hamilton recently. "It i§ a shame that New Zealanders cannot share their enjoyment and appreciation.” Mr Bryant told how on one occasion he had attended a performance of "Hamlet,!’ which, although continuing for five hours, attracted a packed house. With Ernest Milton and Sybil: Thorndike in the principal roles of Hamlet and the Mother Queen respectively, the performance had aroused amazing enthusiasm and great applause. (

At a meeting of the executive of the Automobile Association (Wellington) advice was received from the North Island (New Zealand) Motor Union that a further request had been made to the Minister of Justice (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) for an increase in the penalty for the conversion of cars. The Minister bad replied that the pressure of work before the House had prevented him from bringing .down the necessary amendment, and as certain matters onlv were being considered by the House at the present time it was doubtful if anything could be done before next session. He proposed to bring the amending legislation down at the first opportunity.

The general conference of hospital boards at Napier yesterday passed a vote of gratitude to Lord Nuffield for his gift of £50,000 for the treatment and care of crippled children. The motion, which was moved by Mr W. G. Gallagher (Ashburton) was as follows: "That this conference of Hospital Boards assembled at Napier, and representative of the whole of the New Zealand public hospitals, desires to express to Lord Nuffield its grateful thanks for his gift of £50,000 on behalf of the crippled children of New Zealand.”

The monthly meeting of the Court Pride of Ashburton (Juvenile Foresters) was held last evening, the O.R* (Bro H. Baker) presiding over a fair attendance. One member was reported on the sick list, and sick pay amounting to £3 was passed for payment. It was decided to join. Court Ashburton in the church parade next Sunday. Two candidates were proposed and two initiated. The balance-sheet for the year ended December, 1934, was presented, and showed the funds of the Court to be in a healthy condition. Bro. D. Smith was appointed delegate to the annual district meeting.

“It is a widely held belief that certan types of oppressive weather precede earthquakes. Despite the fact that this belief has been current in literature for over 2000 years, no such claim has been verified,” This statement was made by Mr H. F. Baird, in his presidential address to the Canterbury Philosophical Institute at Christchurch last night. “Earthquakes have followed, all conceivable types ot weather,” he said. < 1 ‘The New Zealand earthquake of 1855 was accompanied by a northwest gale, while the Tokio disaster of 1923 was made much worse by the fact that it.was accompanied by winds of hurricane force.”

The opinion that young New Zealanders were * eating- too much sugar with an % effect detrimental to their health was expressed by Dr. Bernard Myers, of London, in an address in Auckland the other day. While the youth of New Zealand were iindoubtedly splendid stock, comparing more than favourably with the youth of other countries, Dr. Myers said it was a pity that the young people seemed to have acquired the habit of eating too much sugar, a habit evidently acquired from the United States. “It spoils the teeth, affects the digestion, and ruins the health,” Dr. Myers remarked, “and I hope something will be done about it.”

Sales on account of Ashburton County clients at the Addington stock market yesterday were not as numerous as has been the case within recent weeks. The sales were: Fat Ewes —On account of Mrs.Kermode (Lyndhurst), 35 at 12s 4d to 18s 7d; W. Boag (Rakaia), 60 at 15s 4d to 24s 7d; S. Crossan (Lagmhor), 46 at 14s 4d to 19s 7d; J. C. Lochhead (Rakaia), 118 at 11s lOd to 18s 7d; W. H. Mulligan (Lismore), 46 at 13s lOd to 17s 4d; P. Shearer ((Wheatstone), 31 at 13s lOd to 16s Id. Fat Wethers—On account of A. G. Holmes (Rakaia), 13 at 25s 7d to 31s 4d; W. H. Mulligan (Lismore), 11 at 24s 7d to 26s 4d. Fat JL,ambs—On account of W. H. Mulligan (Lismore), 14 at 22s lOd; A. G. Holmes (Rakaia), 108 at 16s Id to 20s Id.

Some indication of the methods taken in other lands to' ensure that messages broadcast on particular subjects shall reach the ears of those interested was given in Palmerston North recently when Mr A. Stewart, who is secretary of the Palmerston North Chess Club, was surprised to receive the following cablegram: ‘Sunday third, two o’clock Moscow time, chess champions broadcast 25 metres radio Moscow.” Mr Stewart has been secretary of the local club for two years, and the cable was addressed to him from Moscow as “Stewart, Chess Club, Palmerston North,” so that the sender of the message evidently had some means oil making himself conversant with officials of chess clubs in this section of the world. The Russians, it is stated, are very fond of chess.

The Hampstead Memorial Society has decided to hold its annual chrysanthemum show in May. Preliminary arrangements are being made for the exhibition, which: will be in aid of the society’s, funds,

A large number of trucks of sheep have been carried south by trains passing through’Ashburton within the last week or two. Stock from the Addington market filled a long train this morning, and store sheep disposed of at the Amberley 'ewe fair have also been transported to South Canterbury.

A Dunedin telegram states that advice has been received that the New South Wales Chess Association has decided in favour of Wellington in the dispute with Otago regarding the recent telegraphic match. Wellington is therefore the New Zealand champion club, and takes the Bledisloe trophy.

In reply to the request for labour in connection with the restoration of fences destroyed by fire at Maronan about six weeks ago, the. Unemployment Board has advised Mr S'. H. Lill (chairman of the committee of farmers) that it will grant a subsidy of 50 per cent, on wages for the work. Mr Lill stated to-day that further, representations would be made to the board, as it was considered that a greater measure of relief should he given.

To discuss matters of common interest, ministers of all denominations in the Ashburton County will meet in conference on Monday, March 25. The Ashburton Ministers’ Association is arranging the function, and it is hoped to hold such a meeting three times a year in the future. The president of the association (the Rev. G. B. Hinton) will speak on the difficulties of Sunday observance. Ministers from the country districts will be entertained at luncheon by those resident in Ashburton.

A special meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last evening for the purpose of passing resolutions in connection with the proposed Hampstead drainage scheme. The Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods) presided. It was resolved to apply for the consent of the Local Government Loans Board to raise a loan of £12,000 for underground drainage in the Hampstead portion of the borough, and also a further loan of £4500 for drainage advances. If consent to raise the loan is obtained the proposal will be submitted to ratepayers on a date to be decided.

At Easter this year primary school children will have a longer holiday than usual. The Canterbury Education Board has fallen in with the suggestion of the Minister of Education that, as AnzaciDay falls on the Thursday after Good Friday this year, the schools should close on the Thursday before Good Friday and not reopen until the following Monday week. Were they to resume on the following Wednesday as usual, they would be back for only one day, as the Thursday would be a holiday, with school again on Friday, and then Saturday and Sunday free as usual.

The fortnightly meeting of members of the Hibernian Benefit Society was held in the lodge-room last evening, when the president (Bro. R. G. Ross) presided over a good attendance. Sick pay amounting to £l2 was passed for payment to fi.ve members. Delegates to the provincial council reported on the business transacted at the recent quarterly meeting. Congratulations were extended to Bro. T. W. Purcell, P.P., on his election as vice-president of that body. The balance-sheet of the United Friendly Societies’ Dispensary was presented and considered satisfactory.

“I think the amount of foreign butter bought in England to-day is a disgrace to the Old Country,” said Lord Nuffield in the course of an address at a complimentary dinner given to him at Wellington. “I cannot understand why we should still be buying butter in the Old Country from foreigners; and when I see Danish butter marked at Is 3d and New Zealand butter marked lOd —well, I think, to start with, that is a perfect insult. I may say that in the whole of the canteens in our motor works, where there are 30,000 people employed, there is nothing but Dominions butter used; and that has been the case for a long time.” . .

To coincide with the visit to Ashburton of the Rev. E. jP. Blamires (young people’s organiser of the Methodist Church of New Zealand), the annual teachers’ and parents’ social of the Baring Square Sunday School was held last evening and was well attended. Mr Blamires gave a very fine address on the religious education of young children and his remarks were followed with great interest by those present. Mr S. G. Macfarlane welcomed Mr Blamires and the Rev. C. B. Hinton thanked, him for his address. A report on the activities of the school was presented by the secretary i(Mr C. S. Hawkey)) and items were contributed as follows: —Solo's, Miss N. Bishop and Mr K. Macfarlane: recitation, Miss J. Lill; clarinet duet, Messrs R. Watts and T. Pethick; instrumental duet, Messrs R. Watts and H. M. Denton. Miss O. Watts played the accompaniments. Games and coiiimunity singing occupied the remainder of the evening.