LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 167, 29 April 1935, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Men on the unemployment register whoi will be employed under No. o scheme this week total 193, while sustenance payments will he made to 139 men.

Large congregations at the Ashburton Salvation Army Citadel yesterday heard addresses by General Evangeline Booth broadcast from Wellington. Her remarks were followed very closely, and these novel meetings were thoroughly enjoyed. •

After having been in recess since Good Friday, primary and secondary schools in the Ashburton County resumed to-day. The schools will break up for the first term holidays on Friday, May 10, and will have a. whole holiday next Monday for the King’s jubilee.

The attention recently given to the rabbit menace in the Wairarapa and the appointment of additional inspectors had already produced good results, said a member of the Masterton Branch of the meeting last week. It was reported that during the week after the meeting at which the rabbit problem was discussed some four tons of poisoned pollard were sold in Masterton.

“It is an imposition that a community service like the Fire Brigade should have to pay heavy traffic fees for the fire engines,” observed Mr W. A. Parton at the last meeting of the Masterton Fire Board. Objection was also taken by members to the Post and Telegraph Department's classification of the board as a business concern when assessing telephone rental charges. It was resolved to ask the Wellington Fire Board' to call a conference of those interested at which these and other matters could be discussed.

The diamond jubilee of the Lakeside public school was celebrated on Saturday. Among the first decade pupils who attended the jubilee were two Ashburton County residents, Messrs J. W. Watson ami; James Lambic. lieplying to the toast “The Parliament of New Zealand,” Mr J. Connolly, M.P., congratulated the school on attaining its diamond jubilee. Parliament was modelled on the sound lines of . the British Parliament, and only recently Lord Bledisloe had said that the New Zealand Parliament compared very favourably with that of any other country in the world. The best inen in the country were needed to guide its affairs, and at a time like the present they shoplcl come forward to help.

Charged with having obtained the sum of £7 by false pretence in Ashburton, Albert Black appeared in the Hokitika Magistrate’s Court on Friday, before Mr T. W. Huff, J.P., and Mr A. E. Benjamin, J.P.’ He was remanded to appear at Ashburton next Friday.

Players on the Ashburton golf links yesterday afternoon were somewhat alarmed when bullets, apparently fired from a rifle in the Ashburton riverbed, flew close by them. This is not the first occasion on which' players have been “under fire.”

During the absence of the occupants thieves entered the home' of Mr F. T. Shannon, Nelson Street, on Saturday evening and took £ll in notes and a sum in silver from - a bedroom. One of the doors was left unlocked while Mr and Mrs Shannon were absent, and the theft was discovered on their return about 11.30 o’clock. The police have been investigating the affair.

That representations should be made to have the breakfast radio session extended to 9.30 a.m. was the content of a remit received at a meeting of the Amalgamated F'armers’ and Hairy Farmers’ Unions from the Linton branch. It was explained that dairy farmers with large herds did not finish their morning milking in time to enjoy music at breakfast time. The remit was carried.

At a special meeting of the Ashburton branch of the Labour Party yesterday afternoon, Mr A. S. Richards, M.P. for Roskill, gave an address on Labour in power. There was a good attendance. Mr Richards, accompanied by members of the Ashburton executive, will go to Southbridge this evening to give an address, and he will speak at several places in Ashburton County during this week.

A hot-box developed on the mail van of 'the early slow train for Dunedin this morning, and the van was taken off at Ashburton. The mail was transferred to the south-bound express train, and as it comprised a large quantity of North Island letters which crossed on the steamer express on Saturday evening, the Ashburton postal authorities were kept busy during the stay of the express.

Twenty-nine members of the Ashburton Tramping Club held a very enjoyable and interesting outing at the Homebush Estate, Coalgate, near Hororata, yesterday, where they were the guests of Mr J. Deans. Upon arrival they were met by Messrs J. and D. Deans and taken for an eight-mile walk over the estate, where they saw what is stated to he one of the finest collections of trees in the South Island. The weather was good and the excursion most successful.

Anzac services at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church yesterday were attended by large congregations. The Rev. R. S. 'Watson spoke to the children en the life of Earl Haig in the morning, and preached an appropriate sermon. “What are these that are arrayed in white?” was the anthem rendered by the choir, under Mr L. J. Watt. There was a parade of returned men at the evening service, the executive and members of the Ashburton branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association and of the Ashburton Soldioi s Club having been invited. Colonel J. Findlay and Mr E H. On* and a. large number of ex-servicemen attended. “He died, but by his faith he is speaking to us still,” was the subject of Mr Watson’s address. Suitable music was rendered, and the service was a most impressive one.

The arrival of the steamer of Kimberley at Auckland from New York recalls the accident to the vessel nearly four years ago, when she lost, her propeller in the Pacific and was towed over 1300 miles to Auckland by the New Zealand Shipping Connpany’s motor ship Ooawa, which was on iher maiden voyage* The accident to the City of Kimberley occurred (says the New Zealand “Herald”) on June 21, 1931, when she was en route from Naw Yrok to Auckland. The Opawa was bound from England to Auckland and was 218 miles from the disabled steamer when she was sent to her assistance. The two vessels reached Auckland on July 22. The City of Kimberley unloaded all her cargo at Auckland before she was docked for repairs. The work was one of the largest undertakings of its kind carried out at Auckland and it was completed in the fast time of 10 days.

To be overtaken by darkness and clouds over New Plymouth on a recent night was the unenviable experience of a Hamilton aviator. Mr J. Malcolm, who was accompanied by Miss M. Donnelly, of New Plymouth. Searchlights were brought into operation at the aerodrome and by means of flares the young pilot, who had had only one: lesson in night flying, landed successfully. Mr Malcolm left Wanganui in the afternoon, when the weather appeared to be fine along the route. The machine encountered heavy rain clouds in the vicinity of Stratford, and the pilot experienced difficulty in keeping on his course. He eventually sighted the lights of New Plymouth, and by watching cars travelling along the main road located the aerodrome. The drone of the aeroplane’s motor as it flew over the town in the clouds attracted the attention of residents, and the aerodrome was notified so that arrangements could be made for him to land.

“This is the first occasion .in , the history of the Society that we have had an election for directors,” said Mr W. Bryant (chairman of directors of the Ashburton Loan and Investment Society and Bank of Deposit) at the annual meeting of shareholders on Saturday eyening. “I do not know why there has not l>een an election before this,” he added, “but, it seems there has been a little extra enthusiasm this year.” He went on to say that the Society had been very prosperous, though it had to hoe a hard row to get going in the first place. It had to contend with strenuous opposition. Mr Bryant outlined something, of the Society’B history, and said that the old Industrial Society had accrued profits of £I6OO, an amount that was not sufficient- for its purpose, , so that , reorganisation had to take place to bring about the present Society. It had not always been a bed of roses. Then came the first big slump, and something of a panic* set in throughout the country. He, as chairman, had worked with Mr Robert Bell (then chairman of the Permanent Building and Investment Society) in the interests of both organisations. Then came the moratorium, which eased the position. It was because of that experience that the directors had built up the liquid assets of the Society, and there was no better concern in the country to-day, he declared. In, 26 years the Society had written off only one bad debt, and the amount of it was only £29. Mr Bryant paid a tribute to the work of the manager (Mr W. H. Amos).

An inquest into the circumstances of the death of Bruce Watkin Gunn, aged five months, son of Mr H. D. Gunn, 60 Walker Street, Ashburton, who was found dead in his cot on Friday night, was opened before the District Coroner (Mr R. Clark) yesterday, and was adjourned 1 sine die after evidence of iden-. tification had been given.

Some idea of the extent of roading improvements in rural districts during the last few years may be gained from figures submitted by the county! engineer, Mr L F. Faram, at a meeting of the Waitemata County Council. The report stated that while there were 420 miles of clay roads in the county four years ago to-day only 145 : miles were unmetalied.

Summer Time ended, officially, at 2 aim. yesterday,'when clocks in Government offices that were open at that hour were put back half an hour, but most of the clocks in the County were altered when householders retired on Saturday night. The clock on the Ashburton Post Office was put hack at 11 o’clock on Saturday. As far as can be ascertained; the alteration was effected smoothly and without inconvenience to residents.

Taking no notice of the bell and the whistle of the engine, four elderly passengers for Timaru were, still partaking of refreshments on the Ashburton station yesterday morning when the excursion train for the south began to move off. One woman standing-away from the other party managed to jump on to the step of an already swiftly-moving carriage, but the remaining three could but wave frantically to the guard and other officials. The train was brought to 1 a standstill to enable them to get aboard.

The Allenton Women’s Institute met on Saturday, Mrs E. S. Chambers presiding over a large attendance. Ten new members were elected and welcomed. 'lt was decided not to send a delegate to the Dominion Conference in Auckland in July. Members were reminded of the card party to be held on Wednesday. 'lt was decided to form circles for folk dancing and drama. Mrs E. S. Chambers gave a comprehensive report of the formation meeting of the Mid-Canterbury Federation, Mrs E. C. Bathurst passing a vote of thanks to her. A demonstration on eggshell mosaic was given by Mrs Vincent and much enjoyed by all. Mrs H.* Flatman and a party from the Hampstead Institute gave an exhibition of folk dancing, which was much appreciated. A vote of thanks was passed by Mrs ' Bathurst. The roll-call, “How I propose to spend my winter evenings,” was well responded to. A ■competition, for the best buttonhole worked in ten minutes, resulted-.—Mrs P. Noble 1, Mrs Eden 2, Mrs Orozier 3. The hostesses were Mesdames L. A. Walker, D. A. Morgan and G. Harris.

During recent years there has been a marked renaissance in the study and stage presentation of drama in New Zealand 1 , but until recently there has been no attempt to form a company to study and present grand opera. Plans which have been under consideration for some 12 months past have now matured (says the “Dominion”), and it is probable that in the near future New Zealand will have a permanent amateur grand opera oompany, giving stage performances of at least two grand operas each season. Messrs Charles Begg and Co., Ltd., are taking an active part in the, movement. It is proposed to commence rehearsals during the next few weeks, and for this purpose voice trials for intending performing members will be held in Wellington. It is believed that ample local talent exists for the formation of a fine operatic chorus and 1 orchestra, and it is hoped that soloists will be available who can assume principal roles.' If, however, it is found necessary to import soloists for the company’s productions, some of the leading operatic artists in Australia will be approached with a view to bringing them to the Dominion for the various operas which it is proposed to produce.