LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 271, 29 August 1935, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Frost fish have been fairly plentiful at the Ohope Beach, near Whakatane, recently, and residents who- have been astir before the seagulls destroy the fish have obtained good hauls, feonie of the fish have measured over six feet in length.

To provide a parking area for motorcars, the boundary fence of the Ashburton saleyards in Smithfield Road, has been moved back about 18 feet. The stock entrance has been placed some yards to the east and general reconstruction of the races just inside the gate lias been carried out.

Although the strong north-westerly wind yesterday was felt in all parts of the County, "the Ashburton Electric Power Board’s system escaped damage altogether. The overhead \i ires often suffer during gales but no faults were reported yesterday.

The St. Stephen’s Literary and Social Club met last evening, when the president (Mr S. M. Cassidy) presided over a good attendance. A debate was held with the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., on the subject “That women working in men’s oositions should receive the same wages as men. Messrs L. Armstrong (leader), €. Patterson and H. Collins took the affirmative side for the club, and Messrs R. Rollinson (leader), R. W. Biggar and E. Perrin spoke for the lodge on the negative side. The judge (Mr E. J. Wood) gave his decision in favour of the club. Mr Rollinson thanked the dub for the contest, and the visitors were later entertained by the senior Young Women’s Bible Class.

All the great civilisations of the world have developed out of a grain of wheat and a stream of water, said Mr Gilbert Arcliey, director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, in an address on the tombs and temples of ancient Egypt to members of the Auckland Society of Arts. Mr Archev was explaining the basis on which the ancient Egyptian civilisation had been built, and added that there was no doubt- that the civilisation of the future would develop from the same sources. He referred to the decay of the old Egyptian civilisation and to the development of the country again in modern times through irrigation. “We are 'now watching events in Abyssinia to see what is going to happen to the country’s water supply,” he ’ "remarked.

“During the last few years the Department has gone through a crisis it has never gone through before,” said Mr G. H. Maekley (general manager New Zealand Railways) at the annual meeting of the Wanganui branch of the Railway Officers’ Institute. “I sincerely hope it will never have to face a similar period again.. I new believe that the railway service is coming into its own, and that the tunning of the tide will bring happier days than we have experienced during the past few years . The introduction of rail cars, and the fast, clean, and comfortable services that will follow this step, will, I’m sure, mean the commencement of a new day so far as the New Zealand Railways are concerned. No announcement previously made by the Department has been met with so much satisfaction by the travelling public, and no decision reached by the administrators has been so well received as that of the announcement that we intend intrdueing the rail car to New Zealand.”

As a memorial to the late Mr W. It. Tucker (formerly drum-major of the band), the Ashburton Silver Band has decided to place six seats in the Ashburton Domain band rotunda. So that an early start can be made with their erection, the fund which was opened for public subscriptions will be closed at the end of the month. So far about £2O has been contributed.

In a motor collision case in the Supreme Court, Hamilton, a few days ago, Mr H. T. Gillies, the Crown Solicitor, went to some pains to demonstrate to the jury', with the aid of small motor vehicle models, how the accident happened. However, the witness would not agree with Air Gillies’s interpretation of the position of the vehicles. “Let the witness step down and play the game himself,” suggested Mr Justice Callan with a smile. »

A complete skeleton, believed to be that of a Maori, was unearthed in the Whakatane Harbour Board quarry recently (says the “New Zealand Herald’s” correspondent). Fragments of bone have been discovered before, but not a complete skeleton. It was not in good condition, and crumbled when buried for many years. It had eviThe area under the cliffs has been the scene of a number of such discoveries, and when a drain was being dug down Commerce street many bones were unearthed.

Passengers on express trains frequently play cards to pass the time on a long jo.urney, but two wool-buy-prs travelling to Dunedin, yesterday were engrossed in a game of chess when the train reached Ashburton. With the board laid securely on the small table in a first class “bird-cage,” the players were able to concentrate on their moves without any thought of the journey. The speed and jolts of the train were not sufficient to upset the board or displace the chessmen.

There passed through Auckland by the Mariposa Father Patrick O’Reilly, S.M.—an Irishman who can speak no more than a few words of English. He has been making anthropological researches in the Pacific Islands, but was unable to tell an “Auckland Star” reporter anything of his discoveries. However, he called to mind something of the romantic history of his parentage and the reason why, .apart from his name, he is wholly French. The O’Reillys left Ireland 'during the troubles at the time of the French Revolution,’and for three generations their home has been in France. Father O’Reilly is a distinguished scholar of the Paris University. He is at present studying for his doctorate in anthropology. He has spent a month in the Solomon Islands studying native ritual, and he will stay; a further month in ■Samoa before returning to Paris.

The people of Havelock (Marlborough) were alarmed yesterday to see a sedan car pass along the street with flames leaping up at the back and the driver unaware of the fire which was raging over the rear petrol tank. The motorist, Mr G. D. Hollyman, was returning to Nelson from Blenheim with a sack of green peas and some native shrubs on the carrier. How these caught fire he does not know, although it was probably from the exhaust. He estimates that he travelled 10 miles with flames roaring over tire back of the car. Two spare tyres caught alight and added to the blaze. When Mr Hollyman, entirely ignorant of what had taken place, reached Havelock, he heard many cries of “Stop!” but, seeing no reason for stopping, he took no notice. Fortunately lie accepted a further warning in time, and a fire extinguisher which he was carrying soon put. out the blaze.

A quarter interest in an exceedingly promising gold strike, for the option on which an offer of 4 £800t) had already been received, is what optimism and energy have won for a youth in a prospectors’ camp in the Northern Territory. Australia. Directly opposite the camp was a small blow of stone which defied classification. Every day! for months miners walked past it when going to their claims, but none of them thought it worth while inspecting. One prospector tried the mound, and he was on the point of leaving it when a youth, whose name is Dodd, approached him and asked if he knew of any likely spots. The prospector suggested that if Dodd cared to work the mound on a quarter share he could have it. Several days later gold was found in considerable quantities. Within a few minutes of a mining engineer coming on to the ground he had signed an option of £BOOO. Experienced miners who have been on the field for 18 months are to-day not in a position to buy a bag of flour.

Among the outstanding drafts of fat wethers at the Addington stock market yesterday was one of 29 from Mr A. F. Marr (Methven). Most of them were straight Romneys, and as a line of size was probably the best seen in the yards for a long time. The top pen of five made 38s 4d, and the line of 29 averaged the high figure of 33s lOd. The same vendor also topped the ewe market with an exceptionally good line of 20 at 25s lOd to 29s 7d, the top price for a pen of seven. Mr Marr received best price for fat hoggets, three at 36s Id. Ashburton County sales were as follow: —Fat hoggets—On account of A. F. Marr (Methven), 3 at 36s Id; S. Robinson (Methven), 42 at 22s 7d to 23s 7d; Miss Amberger (Methen), 1 at 27s lOd; L. Bain (Coldstream), 2 at 255; F. Wood (Winehmore), 11 at 24s Id; F. E. Amos uLauriston), 20 at 19s lOd to 23s lOd; J. Mauger (Methven), 13 at 18s 4d to 21s lOd. Fat wethers— On account of A. F. Marr (Methven), 29 at 28s Id to 38s 4d; E. F, Nicoll ('Ashburton), 56 at 25s lOd to. 31s 4d; J. H. Good (Ealing), 18 at 26s 7d to 27s 7d; C. Whiting (Hinds), 60 at 23s 7d to 26s 4d ; F. Woods (Winehmore), 58 at 23s to 25s lOd 1 ; J. G. McLachlan (Rakaia), 65 at 23s 4d to 25s 7d; J. It. Hewson (Anama), 48 at 19s Id to 20s lOd; R. Jamieson (Dromore), 12 at 26s 7d to 27s 4d; J. Mauger (Methven), 4 at 23s Id; client, 31 at 21sld; J. Campbell (Methven), 60 at 22s Id to 26s Id; S. Campbell (Methven), 5 at 29|s 7d; L. H. Ruddock (Mount Somers), 60 at 21s 7d to 23s Id; Mrs D. 1. Harrison (Methven), 61 at 22s 4d; Moore Bros. (Seaview), 60 at 28s lOd to 32s lOd; J. G. Lilley (Lyndhurst), 36 at 23s 4d to 23s 10. Fat ewes—On account of A. F. Marr (Methven), 20 at 25s lOd to 29s 7d; Jas. Carr (Methven), 110 at 21s 7d to 26s 4; J. H. 'Good (Ealing), 15 at 23s Id to 23s 10d; E. F'. Nicoll (Ashburton), 60 at 19s lOd to 24s Id; O. Whiting (Hinds), 6at 22s 4d; H. C. B. Withell (Ealing), 26 at 16s lOd to 19s 4d; J. Campbell (Methven), 60 at 18s Id to 27s 4d; D. McLeod (Methven), 60 at 21s lOd to 23s lOd; S. Campbell (Methven), 16 at 22s Id; J. G. Lilley (Lvndhurst), 25 at 16s 7d to 21s Id; 11. Jamieson (Dromore), 50 at 22s 4d to 26s lOd; F. E. Amos (Lauriston), 36 at 14s lOd to 17s lOd ; J. Mauger (Methven), 27 at 13s lOd to 15s lOd.

A large boar gave pig hunters in the back country of Whakamara, Taranaki, thrilling sport recently. The chase lasted four hours, and the sportsmen at times had to seek refuge in trees. When the pig was measured it was found to be Btt. Gin. from snout to tail. The animal had a particularly fine pair of tusks.

Pleasure at the standard of musical attainment, the discipline and deportment of the Ashburton Salvation Army Band and Songster Brigade was expressed by Major H. C. Goffin (national secretary of bands) when lie conducted practices last evening. He paid a short visit to Ashburton to give instruction to these two organisations.

Many telephone-users in Greymouth received a surprise on a recent afternoon when they heard through their phones a broadcast description of the races from 3YA Christchurch (says the “Grey Star.”) The trouble was caused by an induction from radio receiving sets near the phones. The induction was caused by the humid atmosphere affecting the boxes carrying the cables on top of the poles. Post and telegraph mechanicians soon corrected the trouble, whiefr was not serious.

In view of the recent series of floods, particularly in the Auckland Province, the council of the Auckland Institute and Mij/seum. has dlecieded to direct the attention of the Government again to the necessity for the preservation of bush. It was resolved to suggest that settlers should be warned against native growth on steep slopes; that the existing areas of steep Crown lands should be fenced and indigenous growth carefully preserved; and that the Government should encourage and assist in the destruction of willow's, poplars, wattle and other exotics <on creek banks.

A question which has been exercising the minds of farmers whose property adjoins the railways is who shall repair the dividing fences. When a argued with him, and he stated that the general policy of the department was to throw' the onus of repairing the fences on the occupiers of adjoining land, but the department would supply the material. The Auckland Farmers Union has passed a motion to the effect that the department should be asked if it would guarantee to keep its portion of the land free from 1 any bracken and fern and thus prevent fire as much as possible.

Judged by the experience of Dr. G. Walker, of New Plymouth, on his arrival at Sydney by the Mamari from England last week, there is very little chance of even the most casual caller at the New._South Wales capital escaping the notice of the tax collector. Dr. Walker at once sought out a beat steps to book a passage by the Wanganella. He was much surprised to meet with some official objection to such a course, and two hours elapsed before he was permitted to book a berth, the Income Tax Department requiring a clearance as to the income received in New ; South Wales lie fore the berth could be assigned to him. It w'ould require something of financial wizardry to have earned any income during the short time the doctor was in Sydney.