LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 241, 25 July 1935, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

At the Timant granted^an application for dis< from bankruptcy cl Lestei « < Right and Frederick Digb\ Hig , trading as Higlit Brothers, of Tinvald.

A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that five interruptions in the electricity supply to an area uincluding the eastern side of Queen Street from the waterfront to Welles Icy Street, and also part ot Parnell, occurred at irregular intervals ovej a period of about two hours early last, evening. On each occasion the power was off for approximately two minutes. Water is thought to have caused the fault.

Means of providng assistance for Mr and Mrs Cowdrey and their family, who were injured in the gelignite explosion at their home at Halcombe on July 12, are being considered by settleis oi Halcombe and Stanwav: At a gathering held recently at Stan may it was agreed to hold a dance and card evening, and it was also agreed to accept voluntary subscriptions. A meeting is to lie held at Halcombe to formulate a programme through which funds can be raised to assist those who suffered in the explosion.

'Arbor Day, which this year the Government has fixed for August i , was celebrated at the Allenton School yesterday when the pupils of the uppei standards planted 70' shrubs and trees in the school grounds. The planting was carried out under the supervision of Mr W. Hunter (first assistant teacher). The chairman of the School Committee (Mr E. O. Bathurst) briefly addressed the children on the significance of Arbor Day and stressed the importance of afforestation in New Zealand.

An early announcement regarding the introduction by thefßailways Board of rail-motor cars for use in particular districts is to be made by the General Manager of Railways (Mr G. H. Mackley) (says a Press Association telegram from Auckland). The question was discussed by the board when it held its monthly meeting in Auckland. The deputy-chairman (Sir James Gunson) presided. The General Manager was authorised to say on behalf of the board that an announcement would be made in a few days concerning its policy in regard to rail-motors which will apply to passenger business in particular areas.

' Speaking to a Westport “Post” ■ reporter on his return from the East, Major J. R, Kirk, M.8.E., said that in the maze of political and economic theories of to-day one was apt to get Tost. There was a practical Japanese experiment, the value of which each one must judge for himself, although, no doubt, all would wish that New Zealand legislators would try it immediately. The story was that Nintoku Tenno, sixteenth Emperor, a Mikado of great tenderness of heart and wonderful practical statesmanship, observing the conditions of poverty among his people—few chimneys smoking—declared a tax holiday for three years, and did 1 not allow his officers to reimpose the taxes for this period!. At the end of the three years, going to the roof of his palace one morning, and seeing the smoke rising from every house, he declared: “I have become rich ; the wealth of the people is the wealth of their sovereign.”

Because of the very unsettled! weather conditions that prevailed in the back country of Ashburton County during June a number of licensed opposum trappers were unable to carry out their operations in the time remaining in the open season (June and July). They sought assistance from the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society, which v'rote to the 'Department of Internal Affairs asking that the season should be extended for one month. Advice has been received by the secretary (Mr J. B. Nicoll) that the extension has been granted.

When the engine drawing the mixed train from Christchurch this morning broke down between Chertsey and Kakaia, the south-bound express train was delayed at Kakaia for an hour and a half. The mishap occurred to the train which usually arrives in Ashburton at 9.30 a.m., and a relief engine from Kakaia had to take it back to Kakaia before the express could get ahead. The express arrived in Ashburton 1 hour 29 minutes behind schedule, and an engine from Ashburton was dispatched to bring the train on from Kakaia.

The following resolution was passed at a -meeting of the council of the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Kepresentatiyes’ Association (Inc.), held in Wellington last week: —“That this association desires to express its warm appreciation of the action of the British Pottery Manufacturers’ Federation in sponsoring the special campaign for stimulating the consumption ®of New Zealand produce in Staffordshire and in inviting the Prime Minister of New Zealand to> inaugurate a display week. Such action on the part of manufacturing and industrial organisations undoubtedly helps to increase the sale of British goods in this Dominion.”

Two fine head of thar were shot on the Sealy Range, near Mount Cook, by a party of Ashburton men who spent the week-end at the Hermitage. Conditions were particularly good for stalking, though the very rugged nature of the country made it most difficult to reach the high levels where the animals are to be found. They were fairly plentiful, according to reports made by the party, but at the first sound of firing they scurried to the tips of the range, 8000 feet high. Comparatively few that have been shot in that locality and the Ashburton men are very pleased with- the results of their expedition into the high country.

A meeting of old girls of the Ashburton High School last evening decided to hold a reunion dinner on Saturday, August 17. There was an attendance of 21, presided over by Miss V. Townsend, who was elected chairwoman of the committee set up to make arrangements. Miss W. L. Porter was appointed secretary, and Miss I. Easterbrook treasurer. Other members of the committee are Misses M. Watt, M. Raven, A. Wilson (representing the .basketball club), .M. Graham (hockey club), M. Morrison (W.E.A. circle), D. Campbell and W. Bowden, Mesdames W. B. W. Bell and C. Malthus.

Hakatere Lodge, 1.0.0. F., held its fortnightly meeting in the Tancred Street Hall last evening, when N.G. Bro. T. Thomsen presided over a good attendance. Eight members of, the Lodge were reported to be on the sick list. One candidate was balloted for successfully. The Lodge accepted an invitation to attend the diamond Jubilee celebrations of Victoria Lodge, Temuka, on August 12, and one to attend a social evening conducted by the Druid’s Lodge next Monday. After the Lodge business had been dealt with an enjoyable evening was spent in the playing of a card match with the Druid’s Lodge. Hakatere Lodge won by the small margin of two points.

On a recent afternoon a motor-car ran away at Ellerslie, and, mounting the pavement, smashed the plateglass window of a shop. The car had been parked by the owner near a fruit shop, it suddenly decided to move, and, travelling zig-zag across the street, cleverly swerving round a bus, bounded over the footpath and crashed through the window. The window happened to be that of a barber, Mr L. Pil-kington, who was shaving a customer, and the customer was not to being shaved while things smashed In at the window. He leaped out of the chair, and the barber lost trace of him. Not so the delighted crowd, for that customer was later seen in the throng inspecting the car. One-half of his face uas lathered, while he grasped firmly a barber’s towel.

Top price for fat lambs at the Addington stock market yesterday was 27s lOd for the best of seven soldi on account of ,W. J. Stockdill (Methven). Sales on account of Ashburton County clients at the market were:—Fat Lambs —On account of W. J. Hush ton (Methven), 17 at 16s lOd to 18s lOd; A. Wilson (Methven), 8 at 18s 4d to 20s 4d; W. J. Stockdill (Methven), 7 at 22s 4d to 27s lOd; A. G. Holmes (Rakaia), 10’ at 22s 7d to; 23s 4d. Fat Wethers—'On account of H. A. Harrison (Rakaia), 5 at 31s Id to 33s lOd; Harrison’s Estate (Rakaia), 3 at 30s Id - T. H. Hooper (Mitcham), 64 at 22s 7d to 27s 7d; F. Butterick (Wakanui),’ 7 at 33s Id; J. F. H. and E. Langley (Ashburton), 28 at 16s lei to 25s Id; E. Cairns (Wakanui), 28 at 30s 4d toi 34s Id : J. S. Wilson (Mount Hutt), 2 at 30s lOd to 32s lOd; T. Mulligan (Lisin ere), 6 at 31s lOd; J. H. Stone (Methven) 10 at 25s Id to 28s lOd ; Ashburton client, 31 at 22s 4d to 345. Fat Ewes— On account of E. E. Oakley (Rakaia), 30 at 17s 7d to 23s 4d; Harrisons’.- Estate (Rakaia), 42 at 16s 7d to 22s lOd; W. J. Stockdill (Methven), 26 at 16s 7d to 17s 7d; Maginness’s Estate (Methven), 59 at 16s Id to 17s 4d ; E. F. Nicoll (Ashburton), 60 at 18s Id to 20s 7d • A. R. Thomas (Eiffelton), 60 at 17s 7d to 20s 4d; H. C. B. Withell (Ealing), 60 at 16s lOd to 20s Id; J. A. Callaghan (Mount Hutt), 60 at 16s 7d to 19s Id ; James Campbell (Aletliveu), 116 <it 18s 7cl to 27s Id; T. Mulligan (Lismore), 54 at 19s 7d to 25s IGd • A. IVilson (Methven), 50 at 22s Id to 25s 7d; J. IT. Stone (Methven), 51 at 18s 7d to 25s Id; O. Amberger (Methven), 34 at 14s lOd to 16s 7d; Jas Prendergast (Rakaia), 7 at 2os Id to 29s Id: 1). Cairns (Wakanui), 25 at 22s 7d to 25s l()d ; R. J. Wilson (Mount Mrs H. Poff (Mount Hutt), 44 at 15s 7d to 22s lOd; F. Tasker (Ruapuna), 16 at ISs 4d to 22s 4d ; H. Lamb (Ashburton), 61 at 16s 4d to 20s 7d; Hendrie and Davidson (Methven), 124 at 16s Id to 17s 10c!; W. H.. Mulligan (Maronan), 61 at 16s 7d to 20s Id; J. Oakley (Ruapuna), 45 at 15s lOd to 18s 7(1. Fat Cattle—On account of Ashburton client, 8 steers at £8 17s 8d to £l3 2s 6d, 5 heifers at £8 7s Gd to £9 17s 6d, 1 cow at £8 17s 6d; Estate A. B. Richards (Mitcham), 5 steers at £5 2s 6d to £9 17s 6d, 3 cows at £7 7s 6d to £8 12s 6d.

Fire broke out in an unoccupied three-roomed wooden house at 148 Peter Street just after 8.30 last evening, and the flames had a good hold at the rear of the dwelling when the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade arrived. The outbreak was extinguished, however, before much damage was done. The house is owned by Mr W. Ward, Addington, and was recently occupied by Mr G. Broomfield.

The asserticJh frequently heard that land values will recede to a level proportionate with the pripe of butter-fat is given support by. the recent sale of two dairying properties in this district (writes the “Jlanawatu Evening Standard’s” Rongotea correspondent). Thirty-five pounds an acre is stated to be the figure at which they hqve changed hands. One of these farms, situated within half a mile of the square at Rongotea, was sold in the boom period for £l2O per acre.

At least one resident of Westland did his good deed the other day. He was out motoring south of Hokitika with his wife, when they saw a lad trudging along the road (says the “Grey Star”). The car was stopped, and the lad gratefully accepted a. lift. Conversation showed that fie hailed from Christchurch, was 16 years of age, had been working in the Nelson district, and was in search of work. Later, while the lad enjoyed tea, provided by another good Samaritan, tlie telephone was used by the motorist, the upshot being that he succeeded in finding employment for the lad and took him to the employer that evening.

The St. Stephen’s Literary and Social Club met last evening, the president (Mr S. M. Cassidy) presiding over a fair attendance. The challenge of the Druids’ Lodge to a debate on August 12 was accepted, Messrs R. Rollinson (leader), A' Attwood and C. Childs being appointed the club’s team. The following programme was drawn up:—August 7, question box; August 14, lecture by Mr A. Prentice; August 21, address by Mr S. M. Cassidy; August 28, address by Mr R. H. Biggar. Messrs E. C. Wood and R. Hopwood gave an interesting lantern lecture on the tung oil industry, and were accorded a vote of thanks. Supper was served at the conclusion.

A somewhat elaborate method of obtaining data, after an Indian earthquake was described by Dr. J. Alexander Dunn, F.G.S., of the Geological Survey of India., when he addressed members of the Wellington Philosophical Society. There was a standard form, he said, kept by headmasters, stationmasters, postmasters, police and others, and after a shock the forms were filled in and forwarded to the authorities. There were many thousands of those forms to be examined and compared, and as there might he several from the same district it could be judged which were reliable and which were not. In this way it was found which region had suffered the most.

Unable to return into the building or to summon assistance, a tenant of the A.M.P. Building in Queen Street, Auckland, Mr Stanley Ash, was forced to spend nearly an hour on Friday night on a narrow ledge five storeys above the ground. When finally he was able to attract attention, a large crowd gathered until a police constable was able to rescue him. “I had been working late at the office, and shortly after 8 o’clock thought I would clean the outside of one of my windows,” Mr Ash said. “I had net been out on the ledge for long when the wind blew the window shut, and a patent catch locked it. Thei'e was no one in any of the other offices on my floor, unfortunately, but I made my way along the ledge until I found an office in which the fanlight was open. For about half an hour I angled with the blind cord until at last I got a loop around the catch on the main window,” Mr Ash added, “but just as I thought everything was right, the cord snapped.” Mr Ash tried to attract attention .from the street, but could not make himself heard above the noise of the traffic. It was not until shortly after 9 o’clock that his whistles and shouts were heard and a crowd collected. Filially a constable was summoned. He made his way to Mr Ash’s room, the door of which had fortunately not been locked, and within a few' minutes the crowd, which had wondered what kind of a drama was being enacted, saw the window opened and the mysterious figure assisted inside.