LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 5, 18 October 1935, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The platform at the Ashburton railway station is being given a coat ot tar and sand.

Recently a flood light was erected opposite the Town Hall in Westport, but the effect achieved apparently has not been altogether pleasing to the eye. The Westport “Times” comments that the floodlight certainly shows the building np well, more so, however, to disadvantage than to advantage, and it states that the appearance at night emphasises the need for a more p!esentable structure.

One avenue of employment on the Web Coast has recently been partially closed, a number of skilled and unskilled labourers on boring plants throughout the district having had their services dispensed with. The “Grey River Argus” reports that one of the largest mining companies on the West Coast has practically completed all the boring it has in view, and accordingly has put off several gangs of men. In another case, it is reported that the overseas capital behind the venture lias been withdrawn on account of the tension felt over the Abyssinian situation.

The monthly meeting of the Tinwald Town Board was held last evening, when the chairman (Mr H. 13. Millicliamp) presided. It was reported that stock was straying about the roads in the district, and it was resolved to request the poundkeeper to pay more attention to the reads in the future. Members stated that the street lighting had not been satisfactory for some considerable time, as the lights were frequently going out. It was decided to write to the Electric Power Board asking it to rectify the position. The matter of outstanding rates was discussed, and it was resolved to sue for recovery of outstanding rates for the rears 1933-34 and 1934-35.

An ingenious method of practising economy in stationery finds its expression in an envelope' which was brought to the “Hawke’s Bav Herald” office last week'. Apparently the American aero guide company which sent the letter and folder under the one cover had gone very carefully into the question. On the front of a stout envelope, Hi inches by 81 inches, and halfway down, was a small sac for the insertion of a letter, with the words, “A letter for you here.” On the other side ivas a large compartment for a brochure. The sac in the front was sealed, but the main flap of the envelope was turned in towards the brochure. So that careless recipients should not overlook the letter, the words, “See letter on other side” was printed on the back of the envelope.

In the House of Representatives yesterday Mr E. F. Healy (C., Wairau) asked the Minister of Internal Affairs whether, as the levies made by hospital hoards are always on the capital value, the Minister ..would amend the Rating Act, 1925, so as to empower the collection of hospital rates in any district on the capital value, notwithstanding that the rating system in that district is on the unimproved value. Sir Alexander Young, in reply, said it was regretted that a provision along the lines suggested could not he favourably considered. Such a provision would affect the basis of the Rating Act, 1925, which now aimed at having all rates in any local authority’s district levied on the same system whether that system be capital value, annual value or unimproved value.

' A father at the Wanganui Court was asked the Christian name of .one of his sons. “We call him ‘Bob,’ but he has another name. I can’t just think what it is at present.” Counsel remarked: “You don’t seem to know much about your family.” The mother of “Bob” later entered the box, and when asked his age, promptly appealed to her husband and said, “How old is Bob?”/

The district officers paid an official visit to the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., last evening, the N.G. (Bro. R. W. Biggar) presiding. The D.G.M. (Bro. J. H. D. Donaldson) was accompanied by D.D.G.M. Bio. H. C. Patterson, I.P.D.G.M. Bro. J. A. England arid D.S. Bro. A. C. Hardy and several mernbers of the District Management Committee. Three candidates were elected. It was announced that the Rakaia Lodge had won the ritual competition, with Ashburton second and Methven third. It was decided to write and congratulate the Rakaia Lodge on its meritorious win

A Press Association telegram from Taumarunui states that Mr John Bishara (manager of the Otouku Timber Company, Ltd., Takaanu district), after counting the men’s wages last evening locked his office and went to tea. Returning' later he found the door of the office forced and more than £l5O stolen. A man who called at the office saw the manager counting the money. The manager suspected . the man arid went after him in a motorcar. On nearing the suspect, the latter made into the bush.

When a solicitor was giving evidence in the Supreme Court at Auckland ns to the value of a farm pro.; pertv, Mr Justice Callan commented that doubtless many properties luid been mortgaged for more than the value witness would care to put upon them. The witness, who had estimated the value of a farm at Turua at £2O an acre, said that a few years ago the same farm had been sold through his office for £137 an acre. It came, back to the vendor shortly afterwards. “Those are the times tfcat were described as time of prosperity; so they were for the conveyancer,” said his Honor.

“In order to prevent congestion at the various pension, paying offices,” the Minister of Pensions (the Hen. J. G. Cobbe) stated yesterday: “It has been decided that all classes of pensions normally payable on and from the 23rd of the month shall be available to pensioners on and after the 22nd in those months in which the 23rd falls on a Saturday. The first occasion on which the new arrangement will operate is next month, in which the 23rd is a Saturday.” The Minister stated that arrangements had also been completed for pensions and family allowances normally payable, on and from December 23 and 25 next respectively to be available at all paying offices from and including Friday, December 20.

The Christmas number of the “New’ Zealand Tablet,” the Dominion’s national Catholic weekly, is w r ell up to the high standard set by previous similar issues. It is a highly attractive publication, its illustrations and letterpress alike covering a wide range of topics of general interest, besides laying the customary stress on the sacred and denominational aspect of _ the Christmas season. Many of the articles are of considerable educational value. One tells ‘the history of the. armed forces of the Papal State, one of the smallest military forces in the world to-day. The numerous photographs add to the attractiveness of the magazine. There are character studies, landscapes, and reproductions of famous paintings. Several good short stories and some suggestions for the Christmas dinner menu are also included in the magazine.

The other day an 'lnvercargill tram, conductor noticed a watch lying on the road near the tram-track. He got out, picked up the watch, discovered it was a really good one and on opening it found a name and address inscribed inside the cover. In the lunchhour he went to the address inscribed and asked the householder if he had lost his watch, “No, here’s mine,” was the reply. The tramwayman then explained why he had made the inquiry and produced the watch he had found. “That’s my son’s,”, lie was informed; and was given his business address, with the suggestion that a telephone inquiry could be made. So the conductor went to a public telephone and, rang up the number given. He learned that the man to whom he was speaking had lost his watch, and was asked to o-o to his residence that evening and give it to its owner. Alter tea ho duly went round to restore the property. “Yes, that’s mine all right. Thanks, was his reward. He is wondering whether he would he entitled to send the owner an account for the penny expended on the telephone ring.

Under international law, countries which trade in arms and, munitions during a war do so at their own risk, said Professor R, M. Algie (professor of law at Auckland University College), discussing the raising of the arms embargo in respect to Abyssinia. “The removal of the embargo upon the importation of arms and munitions into Abyssinia comes rather late in the day to be of much real use to Abyssinia,” he said. “Such articles as these would be contraband and therefore the Italian Government, as one of the belligerents, would be quite entitled to take its own measures for checking the importation of such articles into Abyssinia.. The Italian warships would have the right to search any vessels belonging to any country if they had reasonable ground to suspect that they wore carrying arms or munitions for Abyssinia. If such articles were discovered they could obo condemned without liability for compensation. The point, therefore, is that people who engage in trade in arms* and munitions during a war do so at tlreir own risk.,”

Something new in election tactics has been sprung by a. Democrat candidate (says a Wellington newspaper). He utterly baffles interjectors by having loud speakers on a lorry, leading a long flex to a hot paint in the innermost recesses: of the domicile of n friend, and leaning back in a comfortable chair with the “mike” tilted at a convenient angle, speaks with the necessary fervour and conviction to a street audience which cannot deflect his eloquence any more than an irate radio fan can alter the character of the programmes he suffers. The whereabouts o ft-he speaker is often a mystery, because he moves to another locality unnoticed, and is speaking there before his assistant electrician has dismantled the first installation. This is truly electioneering in comfort, and there will also be platform appearances so that the ladies who often vote on aspect as well as intonation of a’ candidate, may have their opportunity, and hecklers may get some of their own hack.

Are men reverting to the days when it Was they and not women who Wore the gayest plumage (asks the “Southland Times”). According to a Southlander who has returned from England the most fashionably dressed men now wear a small feather in the band of their soft hats. It may be that the day is not far distant when a dashing feather such as Robin Hood w’ore will adorn men’s hats. Possibly an ostrich feather would accompany a howler.

The Tramway Appeal Board’s judgment in the appeals against their dismissal by three tramwaymen was delivered yesterday afternoon (says a Press Association message from Wellington). Mr H. A. Young, S.M., who presided, said that the board had decided by a majority that the appeals should be allowed, but that the Jhree appellants should be suspended without pay from the time of their dismissal, and again placed on the roster -when the first vacancies occur.

A new fire engine made by the Ford Motor Company for the Dunedin Metropolitan Fire Board attracted considerable attention in Ashburton this morning when it passed through the town on its journey south. A demonstration of its capabilities was given in front of the Fire Station this morning, members of the Borough Council and of the Volunteer Fire Brigade being present. The engine is not of the kind which carries overhead gear, but is equipped with the latest jumping devices. It gave an impressive display of delivering water at 1251!> pressure, and it was stated that it could pump up to 600 gallons a minute at 1001 b pressure. The engine carries 15 men A and can travel at over 65 miles per hour when fully loaded. It left later for the south. Further demonstrations will probably 1m given at Temuka, Timaru and Oamaru.

The harrier hawk is a cowardly bird; .not so the smaller sparrow hawk, as two Southland pig shooters learned" recently. They were in a gully containing a patch of burnt bush when their attention was attracted by the angry cries of a pair of sparrow hawks. Realising that they must be near the nest of the birds, they stayed still to see what happened. They had not long to wait. Like a plummet one of the birds fell straight for the head of one of the men. “Look out!” called his companion, and just in time he raised his rifle and caused the hawk to swerve aside, inches from his head. It was the other man’s turn to dodge a second later as the female bird- made its headlong dive. The hawks shewed no intention of discontinuing hostile ties, so rather than resort to shooting them, the men heat a dignified retreat, waving their rifles to ward off further attacks.