LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 247, 1 August 1935, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

While the annual meeting of the Levin Dairy Co. was in progress on Monday, a' telegram from an anonymous sender arrived. The text of the message, the reading of which caused considerable amusement, was as follows: —Congratulations on your successful year. Please note number of English cars outside hall. Who buys your butter?

A fine display of the Aurora Australis was witnessed from Ashburton between 3.30 o’clock and 4 o’clock this morning, the faintly-glimmering shafts of light forming an almost perfect arch in the southern sky. The stars were of extreme brilliance during the display, which is seen only at rare intervals.

Many of the gates to premises on Alford Forest Road were removed late last night and deposited far from their rightful places. Wooden gates and heavy iron gates were lifted from their hinges and thrown into* the open drain cii the side of the read. At least one of those responsible must have shown signs of his participation as among the articles along the street was one that had just been painted a bright green.

A meeting of the social committee of the Ashburton branch of the Labour Party was held lqst evening, when the secretary (Mr J. Turner) reported that the entries for events at the* tug-of-war and woodchopping carnival to be held to-morrow evening had been very satisfactory. A number of entries for the wheelbarrow derby were received at the meeting. It was decided that this event should commence at the Fire Station at 7.30 o’clock, and that the route should be direct to the Drillshed, with two circuits of the Defence Department’s grounds as a finish.

A remarkable moving picture of an unusual accident was taken by an Ashburton County resident recently. He lives near the coast and a heavy sea was beating against the cliffs, so 1 he decided to take some shots of the waves as they broke against the shore. While he was taking the picture a young man on horseback hove in sight, travelling at the edge of the surf. The .cameraman paused to allow the horseman to approach and be included in some of the film. Right in front of the camera, a huge comber struck the horse, which was bowled over, leaving the rider floundering in the dangerous water. The horse quickly regained its footing and bolted along the beach, while the man, burdened by an overcoat and heavy hoots, scrambled as best he could to dry land. The whole incident was recorded by the camera and the film is said to be one of unusual interest. A suggestion has .been made that it should be forwarded to one of the news reel companies for enlargement and inclusion in a Gazette.

The host production of any one cow of the 105,484 animals tested by the New Zealand Co-operative Herd-test-ing Association lor the 1934-35 season, was yielded by a registered pedigree Jersey, Greencroft Golden Grace, owned by Air L. Bones, of Kaipaki, a three-year-old cow, which gave 851 b butter-fat in 364 days. Mr Bones previously won a similar distinction with another cow.

From time to time some dishonest person attempts to profit by manufacturing coins, and someone has succeeded in putting at least one counterfeit half-crown into circulation (says the “Evening Post,” Wellington). This coin, which is dull: in colour and blurred in outline, was paid into a city bank along with a roll of genuine coins, but was immediately detected by the teller. c However, it had been a good enough imitation to deceive the person paying it in, and it is possible that others like it are in circulation.

Collections of “bobby” beef were commenced in the Wairarapa this week. The prospects are much brighter this year than last, when an embargo against the exportation of boneless veal operated. Moreover, on account of the low prices offering last year,' a number of farmers did not kill their calves. This year 4s is being paid at the outset for first-class up to 201 b, twice th£ amount paid last season. It is expected that a considerable quantity will be exported this year, as there is said to be a. good demand for boneless veal in England.

An interesting general debate among members of the St. Stephen’s Literary and Social Club and the Court Ashburton, A.0.F., on the subject “That the time is opportune for a dictatorship in New Zealand,” took place at the club’s meeting last evening, when the president (Mr S. M.- Cassidy) presided. The motion was moved by Bra. R. W. Crowther, and was seconded by Bro. G. D. H. Hefford. After a long discussion and the rejection of a series of amendments, the motion was carried. At the conclusion of the evening Bro. Crowther thanked the club for the enjoyable evening that had been provided. Supper was served.

It is unlikely that any New Zealand family was more prominently represented on the field of sport on Saturday last than was the Mataira family of Wairoa. An elder member of the athletic generation of this household represented the New Zealand Natives in the Alaori match with Queensland in Brisbane. Another played for the Wairoa senior representatives in Wairoa, and assisted materially to defeat Poverty Bay’s challenge for the senior Barry Cup, while two others were junior representatives of the Wairoa sub-union district, and played against Poverty Bay in Gisborne..

“I have heard many interesting accounts of the Auckland Zoo and I am exceedingly keen to visit it,” said Air David H. Fleay (curator of the Australian section of the Alelbourne Zoological Gardens), who arrived at Auckland by the Alonterey on a brief holiday visit (states the “New Zealand Herald”). Air Fleay is of the opinion that much can be done in the exchange of exhibits between zoos in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Fltay said the section of the Melbourne Zoo over which he had control was a comparatively recent development, as it had been thought that more specialised attention should be paid to animals and birds which were .natives of Australia. A very fine collection had already been formed. Among the Australian exhibits was a duck-billed platypus. This species, although still fairly common in various parts of Australia, was difficult to keep alive in captivity. It required about 800 worms a day and, in order to. cater for the diet of the platypus at the Alelbourne Zoo, a special “wormery” had been established. It consisted of a large pit, filled with earth and decaying vegetation, into which worms were placed alter being bought from chib dren, who were given a shilling for a 21b treacle tin full of wriggling captives. In addition to payment for the worms the children were also admitted free to the zoo. Mr Fleay said he was very keen to obtain a kiwi for the Melbourne Zoo. There were specimens, lie understood, in other Australian zoos and, during his present trip, he hoped to obtain permission from the Government and obtain a kiwi to take back to Melbourne with him.

Sales made at the Addington yards on behalf of Ashburton County clients yesterday were as follow: —Fat Lambs —On account of C. T. J. O’Brien l(Methven), 8 at 18s lOd; R. F. Smith (Methven), 35 at 16s Id to 18s 7d; S. Cox (Lyndhurst), 30 at 18s 4d to 19s Id. Fat Sheep—"Wethers: On account of S. Cross (Newlands), 22 at 25s lOd to 27s 4d;-J. A. Callaghan (Mount Hutt), 13 at 26s Id; CD. McLeod (Methven), 37 at 27s 7d to 28s 7d ; J. Campbell (Methven), 61 at 24s Id to 28s 4d; J. H. Stone (Methven), 10 at 22s lOd 1 ; M. F. Kingsbury (Rakaia), 15 at 25s 7d to 26s lOd; J.. Mauger (Methven), 7 at 26s 4d; N. W. Orr (Lismore), 12 at 24s Id to 25s Id ; A. F. Marr (Methven),. 50 at 22s lOd to 30s Id; A. G. Holmes (Rakaia), 63 at 23s Id to 28s 7d; C. T. A. Ward (Chertsey), 29 at 24s 7d to •245, lOd; A. and J. Cooper (Charing Cross), 50 at 23s Id to 24s Id; Sam Cbx (Lyndhurst), 2 at 29s 7d. Ewes —-On account of W. W. Carruthers (Dorie), 63 at 17s Id to 24s lOd'; J. H. Patterson i(Ashburton), 28 at 18s 7d to 24s 4d; E. F. Nicoll (Ashburton), 60 at 16s 7d to 20s 7d; Donald Robertson (Lauriston), 60 at 17s Id to 19s lOd; R. D. Millar (Mount Hutt), 121 at 17s 7d to 19s lOd; C. J. Crooks (Methven), 29 at 16s lOd to 19s 7d; O. G. Prebble (Lyndhurst), 60 at 14s lOd to 16s lOd; J. Campbell (Methven), 39 at 19s 4d to' 25s lOd; G. Johnstone (Mayfield), 56 at 20s Id: to 25s 7d; T. McGuire (Methven), 59 at 19s 4d to 24s 4d; D. McLeod (Methven), 60 at 18s Id to 20s 7d; J. H. Stone (Methven), 25 at 20s Id- A. McLeod (Methven), 63 at 15s lOd to 18s 7d; B. R. Chambers (Winchmore), 27 at 17s Id to 17s lOd; Mrs S. 'Campbell' (Methven), 16 at 17s 7d; W. Copland (Mitcham), 52 at 18s Id to 21s 4d; C. Sewell (Mayfield), 35 at 19s Id to 27s 4d ; W. Johnson (Methven), 41 at 14s id to 19s 7d; R. F. Smith iCMethven), 30 at 16s 4d to 19s <d; J. Blair (Anama), 60 at 16s 7d to 18s lOd; A. M. Hart (Alford Forest).. 30 at 15s 4<i to 18s 4d; W. R. Munro (Mount Somers), 66 at 15s Id to l lßs Id : Hendry and Davidson (Methven), 93 at 15s 4d to 17s 7d; J. Mauger (Methven), 17 at 14s Id to 16s 7d; Mrs D. M. Watson (Methven), 64 at 13s Id to 16s 4d; J. Campbell (Methven), 62 at los 4di to 17s lOd; C. T. A. Ward (Chertsey), 17 at 25s 7d to 31s Id; Godfrey Harper (Hackthorne), 50 at 19s lOd to 22s lOd; Sam Cox (LyndJjurst), 11 at 22s Id to 25s 4d; V. B. Morrow (Montalto), 57 . at 17s 7d to 18s 10; J. Smee (Lismore), 19 at 15s 4d to 16s lOd. Fat cattle: Mrs I. M. Wightman (Methven), 22 heifers at £4 7s 6d< to £4 12s 6d; D. McKee (Dorie), 1 cow at £8 12s 6d.

The followers of Izaak Walton are nothing if not enthusiastic. A proposal was advanced at the last meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society that a perch fishing season be inaugurated during the months when the taking of trout is not permitted.

It is estimated that the 4500 passengers who visited New Zealand in “cruise” ships left £33,000 behind in the North Island. These figures have been supplied by an officer of the Government Tourist Department. Travel, accommodation, and sightseeing accounted for £15,000, miscellaneous •purchases' at approximately £3 a head for £13,000, and port dues and other shipping charges amounted to £SOOO.

A large area of an extremely rare variety of phormium tenax, known as ngaro, recently transferred from the Massey College grounds to the Aloutoa estate' at Foxton by Dr. Yeates, is reported to have made most satisfactory growth. The fibre is stated to be finer, whiter, stronger, softer, and longer than the ordinary variety, and it is also claimed that a ton of fibre is obtained from six and a-half tons of ngaro, as against nine tons of other varieties. »

A lad employed in a warehouse at Palmerston North; had the unenviable experience of being locked inadvertently in a refrigerating room. To. make matters worse, the switch operating the electric light which illuminates the: interior of the room was on the outside, so that he also found himself in inky darkness. Remembering that a tomahawk used for prising lids off cases lay nearby, he groped around for it and then commenced to hack his way out through one of the walls. After about an hour’s hard, work he was able 1 to emerge from his predicament, a muchfrightened lad. It is stated that his .plight would have been discovered, as the room is opened and closed many times a day, and that someone was about to go into the room again as the young man emerged from the hole he had made in the wall.