LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 168, 30 April 1935, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There are 902 licensed motor drivers in Ashburton Borough, four new licenses having been issued by ttie inspector in the last two weeks.

Lightning was in freakish mood, over Wangahui the other night, The firebell in Cook's Gardens commenced ringing incessantly and continued to do so It appears that the electric wire connected with the bell came into contact with another power line immediately following a- flash of lightning, resulting in a short circuit.

An enthusiastic audience greeted Mr A S. Richards, M.P. for Roskill, when he spoke at Southbrtdge last evening on the plans Labour has decided to follow in the'' fighting of. the coming election. These plans include the advocacy of State banking, guaranteed prices, and increased incomes for the people. The .speaker was accorded a hearty vote of appreciation and confidence" for his exposition of practical politics.

A Press Association telegram from iPalmerston North states that, with a large attendance from all parts of the North Island, the dairy factory managers' week, held annually under the direction of the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, op-ened at Massey Agricultural College. Arrangements have been made for lectures and discussions throughout the week, concluding on Friday with a meeting at which representatives of the Dairy Research Management Committee and the Dairy Board will be present.

In a letter received by the Ashburton Domain Board last evening from the Ashburton Sports Association, it was recommended that the Ashburton Rugbv Union should be granted four closed days on the Domain, the first dav to be" May 6, at an assessment of two guineas for the first day and one guinea for each of the other days (the dates of which will not be known till representative fixtures have been arranged), plus the usual expenses for advertising. Approval of the recommendation was given by the board.

That the position in Ethiopia was fairly acute and that tension was high between the Italian and Ethiopian forces is shown in a letter received in Invercargill from the scene of the disturbance. The writer states that the opposing troops wore prepared for conflict near the frontier and remarks (at time of writing, five weeks ago) that "one would not think there was an impending war as all is calm. Great rejoicing prevailed throughout the country when some British detachments took up a position 'between the two armies," heVontinued, and added that "the impending conflict may now he said to be averted,"

Building permits issued by the Ashburton Borough Inspector in the last fortnight have been for a motor shed (£2O) and a porch (£2O).

Portions of the drive at the main gate to the Ashburton Cemetery have been concreted, and the work has resulted in a considerable improvement at that spot. In wet weather .the ground has been somewhat muddy near the gates.

To raise money for the Ashburton East School and the Hampstead Hall Society, there is a proposal to hold weekly sessions of community singing in the hall during the winter. The matter is under consideration, and an •endeavour is being made to select a suitable evening'. Proceeds will be shared equally by these bodies.

The new issue of pictorial stamps for the Dominion will be placed on sale to-morrow, and after to-day none ot the present issue will be procurable at post offices. Supplies of the new stamps have arrived at the Ashburton Post Office, aind it is expected that sales to-morrow will be extensive, as many people will want to purchase sets on the first day of issue.

A short time ago a six-pointer stag came down from the hills on to Mr Tait's- paddock opposite the Tararua dairy factory (says the "Pahiatua Herald.") It approached close to the factory, looked over a pile of firewood, and gave a roar. Mr G. Harris's horse, which wa*s standing in the yard, dropped dead with fright. The stag was shot further down the valley the same day.

An invitation to attend a special evening service in St. Stephen's Anglican Church on Sunday, May 12, in celebration of the King's silver jubilee, was accepted by the Ashburton Borough Council last evening. The council also accepted an invitation to_ attend a special evening service at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church en May 19, the first Sunday after the new council has been sworn in.

The fund for the purchase of a w.ireless set for the inmates of the Tuarangi Old Men's Heme is growimg steadily as a result of, a number of very ful social functions. There was a large attendance at a euchre party held last evening, and the. financial result -was very satisfactory. Prizes were won by Mrs Betts, Miss E. Knight and Mr J. E. Patterson, and a vote of thanks was accorded the donors of the awards.

A Press Association, telegram states that a special day of prayer will be 'observed by all Anglican churches on Sunday, May 19, to ask for Divine guidance in solving the present economic ills of the world. The Primate (Archbishop Averill) refers in a circular to the apparent powerlessness of statesmen and economists to devise any remedy for bridging the gulf between production and distribution and for alleviating the distress caused by unemployment.

Seven deaths from tuberculosis were reported in the Canterbury and West Coast districts during the week ended at noon yesterday. Of these, five were in Canterbury. In the same period there were 12'notifications of infectious diseases. Two further cases of diphtheria were recorded, the other Canterbury cases being as follow:—Scarlet fever 3, tuberculosis 1, septic abortion 2, and erysipelas 2. On the West Coast there were two notifications of tuberculosis cases., two deaths from tuberculosis, and* one death from hydatids.

An example of what is being done to aid in the repatriation of returned soldiers was provided in the annual report of the Wellington Hostel for Returned Soldiers' and Sailors' Society. Daring the year an Imperial ex-ser-viceman was' repatriated to his home in Scotland. He was a spinal case, and had been a resident of the hostel for some two and a half years. With no home and a sick man when he came to the society, he was sent back well equipped and with a. small sum of money ■to receive when he reached London. This was made possible as the result of a raffle of brasswork, with other assistance. The man was very grateful for what had been done for him.

Plans for the construction of the deviation which has bo-en necessitated by the new railway bridge over the Ashburton River call for the lowering of the line for a considerable distance north of the bridge, and where the line crosses Kermode Street the level will be 13 incnes lower than the present line. One of the water mains goes under the line at that point, and the vibration sex, up by trains has caused seme damage to the pipes. It was suggested at the meeting of the Borough Council last evening" that the Wiain should b 6 protected by a concrete arch, a work that only the Railway Department could undertake. It was decided that the inspector should communicate with the railway engineers on the question.

"Ashburton East is the largest primary school in the County," said the chairman of the committee (Mr W. S. Kerr) at the meeting of householders held last evening, "and it is worthy of a suitable celebration of its jubilee which will fall early next year." The school had had wonderful teachers throughout, continued Mr Kerr, and to them was due most of the praise for the high position it held to-day. In connection with the jubilee, he said the committee could not organise the celebrations and a number of the old pupils were uot ..very enthusiastic. However, he hoped that something would be done in this connection. Householders supported the proposal to celebrate the jubilee and it was decided to recommend the School Committee to take steps to secure the election of a committee of ex-pupils who would be responsible for the arrangement of suitable functions.

Supplies of the motor registration plates for re-licensing cars and other vehicles this year have arrived in Ashburton, and they will be available at the Post Office as from to-morrow, so that the public will have a month's opportunity to avoid the last-minute rush of June 1. The figures are white on a green ground, and there is a reduction of sixpence in the price of the plates this year, the figure now being 2s a set. The temporary office in the Earing Square Schoolroom for the issue of the plates will not be opened by the postal authorities until about a week or 10 days before the end of May. The removal'of this class of business from the Post Office will be more than usually necessary this year, as with the payment of sustenance to unemployed men in the maki office the congestion at certain periods is considerable, and it would be impossible to deal with re-licensing applications there.

Seeking advice regarding the disposal of its application for permission to raise a loan to carry out the proposed drainage scheme in Hampstead, the Ashburton Borough Council telegraphed to the Local Government Loans Board, which has" replied that the date of the next meeting of the board had not been fixed, but it would be some time in next month.

With regard to the issue of registration plates for the 1935-36 motoring year, the Transport Department is seeking the co-operation of local authorities to ayoid the hasty prosecution of motorists who fail to use the new plates by June 1. They will be given some latitude if the plates have actually been purchased before the end of May.

In connection with the protection of native plants in the Dominion, it is interesting to note that those not protected by Act of Parliament are hutawai or pirip'iri (bidabid), tutu, tauhinu, •fireweed, water fern, kanuka, manuka, hard fern, tuhinu, bracken, nettle and also species of seaweeds and freshwater weeds, fungi, lichens, liverworts and mosses.

A happy reference by Lord Galway to his children and their fondness for their ponies brought a, smile to the faces of the gathering in the Auckland Town Hall last Wednesday evening. The members of their family, he said, were thrilled with excitement at their adventure in coming to a new part of the world. They were looking forward with the greatest keenness to visiting various parts of New Zealand and making themselves acquainted with the country. "They propose to do this largely on ponies," added his Excellency, with a smile.

Despite much publicity Southland still remains a "terra incognita" to northerners who apparently accept any derogatory statements concerning this much-maligned province (says the "Southland Daily News.") So widespread is the idea that We still live amidst swamp and bush that visiting referees expressed considerable surprise at seeing such splendid farmland on their trip to Riverton which they said seemed second to none in New Zealand. "But I suppose all this is well nnder snow all winter," was the naive comment of one visitor.

The Success of Ashburton Lodge, U.A.0.D., met last evening, the A.D. (Sister A. Kircher) presiding. Visitors included If.G.P. Bro. Ives and 1 brothers of the Star of Ashburton lodge. 'The bards' report was received and sick pay passed for payment. It was decided to open lodge at 7.30 p.m. at the next meeting on account of the social evening. At the close of the meeting a lecture was given by Dr. W. R. Ryburn, supper was served, and the remainder of the evening spent in community singing.

A young woman residing in Wellington recently discovered to her dismay that Reserve Bank notes are not washable. She made the mistake of washing a garment that had a pound note and a ten-shilling note # in its pocket, and when they were discovered the numbers on the pound note had completely vanished. The ten-shilling note, which was wrapped in the other, emerged undamaged. The note without the numbers was presented at a city bank, but as the most important part was missing it was not accepted.

A report that an oak tree planted in the playing ground at the Auckland Girls' Grammar School by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1869 was in a dangerous condition was received from the headmistress of the school i(Miss E. M. Johnston) at a meeting of the Auckland Grammar School Board. She suggested that the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) be asked to plant another tree. "vVe should really cut down the tree, but there is a tradition behind it," remarked the chairman (Professor A. P. W. Thomas), in whose hands the matter was left.

"That steps be taken to urge the authorities to tighten up existing regulations regarding reckless and indiscriminate "shooting on public as well as private properties." was a remit from the Nightcaps Branch carried by the Southland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union this morning. It was carried in place of a Hedgehope remit that trespassing on farm lands with a doo" or a gun be declared a criminal offence while the meeting also rejected, on the wish of the branches, a remit that 5s be charged for the registration of each rifle, 2s 6d to be used for revenue purposes and 2s 6d to be devoted to the compensation of farmers who had suffered stock, losses as a result of shooting. Concerning this remit, Mr G. Hamilton pointed out that provision for compensation v/as important since only recently Mr W. Couser had lost stock, including three daily cows and l a ram for which he paid 20 guineas, valued at £IOO in this way. Mr J. Lynch, who moved the Nightcaps remit said that it was aimed particularly against motorists who shot from cars and in manner obviously indiscriminate and certainly reckless.