LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 62, 24 December 1935, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

“The Ashburton Guardian” acknowledges and reciprocates seasonal greetings from the chairman and members of the Hoard; of the United Press Association; Newspaper Proprietors Association: proprietors, “New Zealand Herald*’ ; Oamaru Mail Company ; “The Timaru Herald” ; editor and staff of “The Press” ; New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd.; the Government Railways’Board-; Union Steam Ship Company, Ltd., Christchurch; Carmichael and Co., Ltd., Auckland; Gordon and Gotch (Australasia), Ltd.; New Zealand Express'Company, Ltd.; Wiggins, Teape and Alex. Pirie, Ltd.; Alex. Cowan and Sons (N.Z.), Ltd.; McWhannell and Spanjer, Christchurch; the Goldberg Advertising Agency, Ltd., Wellington; P. F. Mann, Ltd., Christchurch; J. Inglis Wright, Ltd., Wellington; the chairman, members and staff of the Ashburton County Council; the president of the Advance Ashburton Association; the president of the Automobile Association (Ashburton Branch); W. H. Higgins and Co.; W. Osman and 'Co.; Albert Sutton; The Charles Haines Advertising Agency, Wellington. Building permits issued by the Ashburton Borough Inspector since December 9 are as follow: Dwelling £525, shed £2O, and shed £ls. Nine students from the St. Stephen’s senior girls’ Bible class will leave. on Boxing Day to attend the annual Bible class conference at Wanganui. They will be in charge of Mrs N. C. Jones. Permission to use tlje Oval, the pavilion and the baths on January 21, on the occasion of their annual picnic, was last evening granted to. the combined insurance companies in Christchurch by the Ashburton Borough Council. Many people travelled by rail for their Christmas holidays to-day,, and four expresses south and live north were necessary to deal with the traffic. All trains were well patronised. Two engines drew the first express south, consisting cf 14 carriages and three vans. Five cases of notifiable diseases in Canterbury were reported to the office of the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. T. Fletcher Telford) last week. These included one each ot tuberculosis, hydatids, undulant fever, erysipelas, and septic abortion. There was one death flroni tuberculosis. From the West Coast one case of tuberculosis was reported. The Methodist Church ehoii> gave a programme of carols and anthems at the. Ashburton Public Hospital and Tuarangi Home last evening. Soles were taken by Miss M. Brown and Mr W. Corbett, and recitations by Miss Daphne Bishop. A quartette was given by Mrs A. Black, Miss W. Bishop, Messrs W. H. Higgins and C. Bishop. Mr A. H. Humphreys was conductor. At the conclusion of the programmes the choir was entertained at • supper by Mr and Mrs J. P. McLeod. Mr Higgins thanked the host and hostess l’or° their hospitality, and Mr Humphreys thanked the choir.

Because of the early session; ct Parliament next-year, the tour of the South Island contemplated by the Main Highways Board has been cancelled. The Board was to have been in Ashburton on January .27,.;’ ,

Three tenders^for two sections of work at the Ashburton 'municipal abattoirs were received.' by the Borough Council last evening, and that of Mr C. O. Davidson was accepted in each section. His prices were £45 for new pens and £32 for a new verandah. ; >

A Press Association telegram from Wellington (states t'ljat the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) announces that the High Commissioner (Sir James Parr) advises that complete agreement has been made by the Imperial War Graves Commission for the care of German war cemeteries in British territories, and in British cemeteries in „Ffance, and of British war graves in Germany.

The committee of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society has decided, as there is a risk of heavy loss, to abandon the . summer show for this season, and to endeavour next season to have sii?nr|er show week made a enrnival week, with a full holiday on people’s day (says a Press Association telegram).

The Success of Ashburton Lodge, U.A.O.D. met last evening, when the A.D. (Sister F. E. Cbilett) presided. Seasonal greetings were received from the Royal Arch Chapter No 1, District President No 8 District and from Trafalgar The hards’ report was received, and sick pay passed for payment. . “ ' ; .

No doubt, in anticipation of some motoring during the holidays, there was a. mild rush for driver’s licenses at the- Ashburton Borough Council offices in the last two weeks, no fewer than 24 being issued, a number that is large when it is considered that the motoring year is more than six months advanced.'. The total for the Borough to date is 885. .

Many favourable comments have been passed by residents in the playing of junior members of the Ashburton Silver Band, who played carols in the western part cf the Borough on Sunday morning. The boys commenced training only 12 months ago. It is expected that 15 boys who commenced playing in November will be available for" next Christmas. >

Two modern de Havilland "Rapides, machines similar to the Tainui, which competed in the Centenary air race last year, are being assembled at the hangars at Hobsonyille. They were imported from England: for Cook Strait Airways, Ltd., and.it is expected that one of the machines will be ready for the air shortly. This is the ZK-AEDy the assembling of the second ? plane, ZK-AEE, is not so far advanced. It is anticipated the service between Wellington, Blenheim, and Nelson will be commenced etyly in the New Year.

“Speaking generally; I think that far too much time is devoted in schools to writing and arithmetic, and far too little to spoken English,” said the headmaster (Mr W. H. Stevens), m his annual report at the distribution of prizes of Wellesley College, Wellington. “The ability to express one s self clearly, correctly, and fluently is, surely, one of the most important elements in the cultural equipment of the educated person,” Mr Stevens added. “I intend next year to have definite lessons on . speech training given throughout the school.”

The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Tinwald Ledge, M.U.1.0.0.F., was held last eA'ening, when the N.G. (Bro. M. 0. Hampton) presided. It Avas reported tliat two members Avere still on the sick list, Avliilc two had been taken off. Sick, pay amounting to £3 6s 8d ; Avas passed'in their favour. A maternity bonus of £6 Avas also passed. A letter of recommendation was granted to a brother aa-lio has received notice of transfer. P.G. Bro. C. A. Houston reported having represented the Lodge at the anniversary ball of the Loyal Hinds Lodge. The N. reported on the visit of the Grand Master and the Grand Secretary to the Ashburton District. Bro. T. Dalton Avas. appointed Guardian. One candidate Avas elected.

“Cur cities and towns throughout the country are defaced by slum areas, and these have got to be done away with. The problem is so great that I realise that local bodies will be unable to deal satisfactorily with it, and I believe it is one of the immediate questions which will have to be considered by the Government,” said the Minister in charge of Tourist and Health Resorts (Mr F. Langstone). -when replying to a request of the Mayor of Rotorua (Mr T. - Jackson), that the Government should seriously consider the reconstruction of the two Native villages at Whakarewarewa and Ohinernutu in order to provide improved living conditions for Natives, and at the same time make the outward appearance of the house in the pa more in keeping with traditional Maori architecture; The Minister said the question of more suitable housing for the Maoris was one which concerned many parts of the Dominion, and he considered they had a very sacred duty, to perform to the Maoris, who, in some cases, were living under intolerable conditions which were not a credit to the pakeha. It was a very big question, and probably it would be considered in conjunction with the national housing scheme which, he felt, would require to be dealt with by the Government at an early date.

“Don’t speak ill of the dead,” remarked a member of the executive of the Auckland provincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at a meeting last week (says the “Auckland Star”;, when other members referred to certain Ministers in the late Government. The replies to questions concerning agriculture and other matters were being read by the secretary, when the chairman and other members suggested that they should “just be - received.” little later a letter was being read from the ex-Minister of Industries and Commerce, whose reply to a question apparently was not acceptable to the executive. This caused a member to remark: “These letters should not be considered at all. Wo should deal with the new Government and submit these matters again to the new Ministers. They have asked for eo-operaticn and help, and we will give it to them all right.” Subsequently it was decided to congratulate the Prime Minister and Mr W. bee Martin (Minister of Agriculture) ou being elevated to Cabinet rank, and also Mr A. C. A. Sexton and Captain Rushworth on their election to Parliament. The last three members, it was stated, acre active members of the Farmers’ Union.

The Ashburton Borough Council last evening decided to purchase £2 10s worth of Health stamps, following a request for support of the local Health Camp made by the organiser (Mr W. J. Mijiogue). . - ! The annual Christinas party for children of members of the. Foresters;' Lodge was held in the Orange Hall last evening. About 150 children attended hud were given gifts from a gailydecorated tree by Father Christmas. It is reported that the keys of Mr M. J. Burgess’s shop in East Street, taken from the door of the shop oil Saturday afternoon, Avere found by boys in East Street, and have been returned to the owner. ■ ■ ■ The secretary of the Ashburton Soldiers’ Club Committee (Mr W. H. Amos), has received from the Misses Cameron, of.TinwMd, a sum of money Avhich. is to.- be devoted to supplying supper for the members this evening.' | Some concern Avas felt by officials at the Ashburton railway station this morning Avlien a valuable blood-hound arrived on the south-bound express without any particulars cf its senders or its destination. The dog was sent on in the train; and it was found that the way-bill concerning it ivas sent by a later train. The dog’s destination ivas Dunedin. • One hundred years ago to-morroAv the celebrated scientist and author, Charles Danvin, Avas eating a Christmas dinner in New Zealand. His companion at the time AA r as the Rev. William Colenso, avlio Avas responsible for printing the first translations . into Maori of a part of The New Testament, and who Avas inspired by Darwin to make a careful and valuable classification of Ncav. Zealand ferns. With the exception of the missionary station at Waimate, Darwin was not impressed with NeAV Zealand. He came to. the country in H.M.S. Beagle, 'the commander. of Avhich was Captain Robert Fitzroy, Avho was appointed Governor of the colony in 1843. Three copies of the diary of the Rev. John Whiteley, the Methodist minister whp Avas killed by Maoris at White Cliffs, will probably be made shortly. One will be held by Whiteley Memorial Church, NeAV Plymouth, and one will go to Trinity Theological College and one to the Carnegie Institute. The diary has for manv years been kept at NeAV Plymouth, but it belongs to Mr Whiteley King, Sydney, Avho has written for it. The NeAV Plymouth circuit is anxious not to let such an historic document leave the town. Consequently at a congregational 1 tea in Whiteley Hall, the Rev. F. Copeland made an appeal for funds to provide three copies of the diary before it is sent to Sydney.