LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 122, 5 March 1936, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

\ depreciation item of £o on a gold cup was questioned at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Brass Bans Association at New Plymouth the other morning. The questioner could not see how gold could depreciate, but was satisfied when the president (Mr JL. Pallisert explained that the item was on the case of the cup and not actually on the gold.

The decrease in lamb production throughout the Waikato, this season is indicated by the reduced number of fat lambs sent away from the Runkura Farm during the current export season. A total of 12,000 lambs (says the "Waikato Times") tins been sent away this season, but there are still another 70 to bo sent to the works. This number represents a decrease on last year's total of 400.

"I am convinced that the battleship will always be essential," said Commander J. B. Hall, of the sloop Wellington, in an address at Dunedin. "About 1895 the torpedo boat came into being, and the opinion was expressed that the battleship in warfare was doomed; but that has not been proved. In 1912-13 it was said the battleship v/as finished, beeauso of the menace of the submarine, but in the Grand Fleet roper there was not one single capital ship sunk by a submarine. Hence, rim of the opimV" that aircraft in spite of their reported strength, will not render the battleship useless."

Three boys of an inventive turn of mind, gave a practical demonstration with a home-made diving outfit at the Napier Municipal Bath during a lunchhour this week. Their equipment consisted of a diver's helmet fitted with a breathing tub.), a communication cord, two insulated wires for an underwater telephone, and a bicycle pump to maintain a supply of air. Sufficient weights were attached to the helmet to enable the wearer to remain under water, and one lad walked about at the deep end of the baths, without any apparent discomfort, while the bicycle pump was kept going to supply air to him. Several bathers who became interested tried out the helmet and found it quite efficient.

Thirty applications have been received for the position of principal at the Ash burton Technical High School, made vacant by the resignation of Mr R. J. Thompson, Twenty-eight have been received for the position of science instructor.

Possibly inspired by the receipt of a recent demand for payment of income tax, an unknown person lias forwarded, £lO to the Land and Income Tax Department as "conscience money," according to the Gazette. Other amounts received include 2s forwarded to the Customs Department, £1 to the Health Department, and 4s 4d, 5s 10s, and £4 to the Treasury.

An alarm of fire was sounded on the bell at the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade Station at 12.15 p.m. to-day, but, although the brigade assembled, the engine was not turned out. The alarm was given as the result of a fire in a heap of shavings in the workshop of Messrs Baker Brothers and Shaw's undertakers' premises in Cass Street. The fire, which was noticed in its early stages, was put out by a garden hose.

The Hakatere Lodge, 1.0.0. F., held its fortnightly meeting in the Tailored Street Ha,ll last evening, when the N.G. (Bro. J. Wilkinson) presided over a good attendance. Six members were reported sick. There were two proposals for membership. Bro. H. C Preston reported on the annual meeting of the Friendly Societies' Council and also spoke on the annual balancesheet or the United Friendly Societies' Dispensary. Final arrangements were made for the visit to Washington Lodge (Christchurch) on Saturday.

Corrosion in cast-iion water-pipes is the work of an organism, canothrix about whose, life-story there is _ much to be learned. What is known is that it thrives on iron, and from the day it establishes itself it never ceases its patient work of destruction. At is cannot thrive unless it gets at the iron of the pipe, the Wellington city authorities are now experimenting in the preservation of its mains by taking them in sections, cleaning them out thoroughly, and then subjecting the interior to a scientifically-applied coating of concrete. Experiments in that direction are being made in Wellington South,

Court Pride of Ashburton, Juvenile Foresters, met last evening, the C.R. (Bro. T. Hi. Plunkett) presiding over a large attendance. One member was reported on the sick list, and sick pay amounting to £2 8s was passed for payment. Eight candidates were initiated. I'iie vice-president (Bro. C. Patterson) installed Bro. C. M. Eollinson tc the C.R.'s chair, the remaining offices being held over until next Court night. Bro. T. Rattray was elected delogateto represent the Court at the annual district meeting. It was decided to hold a games tournament next Court night. After the close of the Court supper was provided by the management committee.

The new Maori church at Poho-o-Rawiri will contain historic associations with the district in one of the two first bells brought into Poverty Bay over 70 years ago, states a Gisborno correspondent. The bell, known as "Whenuanui" was cast in London in 1863 by G. Mears and Company, and was brought to the mission station at Waerenga-a-Hika. It had been established there only a little more than a year when, as a result of the Hauhau trouble, the station was abandoned. Later the bell was taken to the pa at Kaiti. It will now be used at the new church, which has been named "Tokotoru Tapu," or the Church of the Holy Trinity.

Several laymen who accompanied, the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P .€. Webb) on his inspection of the McDonald Mine at Glen Afton, states the "Waikato Times," had their enthusiasm for going underground a trifle dampened by a series of incidents which occurred before the sunshine was left. Walking along the track to the mine one narrowly escaped being caught between two moving lines of skips, and apprehension was accentuated when, with safety lamps primed, the party was about to enter the mine, a stretcher party emerged bringing out an injured miner for medical treatment. There were more than a few qualms among the members of the Ministerial party when they plunged into the darkness of the colliery.

As often happens when a building is pulled down, the demolition of the old Wellington Technical College workshops has revealed a sign which must revive memories for the older generation. After being bricked up for many years there has been exposed on the wall of the adjoining building a large advertisement ■ for Beeston Humber cycles. Thirty-five of forty years ago, at the height of the bicycle craze, the Beeston Humber was the Rolls Royce of cycles. The name has not the significance to the cjclist of 1936 that it had in former times."~The Beeston Humber cost £3O, more than three times -the price of a good standard machine today. The old advertisement names as the agents, Inglis Brothers,. Willis Street, a firm which later became prominent in the motcr-car trade of Wellington.

Despite the unsettled state of international relations, there is a record programme of what may be termed world events during the present year. The Olympic Games will be held in Berlin, and the German authorities who are now pushing the business very vigorously, have set out to make the gatheringan aid to stimulating travel in Germany. Half of their train fares, will be refunded to visitors who step seven days or more, and foreign money will be changed at the old parity. ' There will be no special attraction in England, Scotland or Wales, owing to court mourning, but the Tailten nn Games, held every fourth, year in Ireland, will bo held in August. The Germans are also promoting a Wagner festival at Bayreuth, while the animal fair at Leipsic is being organised on a huge scale. Vancouver is to celebrate the golden jubilee of its foundation, the inaugural celebration to commence on May 24, while in August the annual Vancouver Exhibition will be held. The city of Toronto will also hold an exhibition. Then there is the Empire Exhibition at Johannesburg, with a projected £IO,OOO handicap of the best racehorses in the world as an added attraction and South Australia announces its Centenary Exhibition at Adelaide, commencing next month. New Zealand comes into the picture as the venue of the meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of Great Britain, the elate of the gathering being October 7. Over 100 delegates will attend, and they are to stay in the Dominion for a month, thoroughly covering both islands in their scenic explorations.

A Press Association telegram states that at least nine babies were born in Wellington on February 29, and another was born at Masterton. As births need not be registered for €0 days, it is possible there were several more Leap Year babies in the province.

A South Island visitor to the Ruakura Farm last week stated that the thing that impressed him most at the farm was the wonderful shelter that was provided at the farm by the many belts of trees. He had, never been' on a. farm where such advantage was taken of* shelter, nor had he seen better shelter belts anywhere else in the Dominion.

The following, sales were made on behalf of Ashburton County clients at the Addington stcck market yesterday:—Fat Lambs —On account of R. J. McCoy (Rakaia), 12 at 26s Id to 26s 7d ; J. A. Kelso (Rakaia), 28 at 23s Id to 25s 7d. Fat Wethers—-On account of J. Billings (Eiffelton), 40 at 26s lOd; S. Cross (Newland), 15 at 22s 7d. Fat Ewes—On account of A. Stewart (Lvndhurst), 66 at 17s Id to 24s 4d; Ashburton client, 131 at 12s lOd to 21s 4d; G. Morris (Rakaia), 70 at 18s lOd to 27s Id,.

"Much has been heard of 'how referees are killing the game,' and though wo know that in reality this statement is not correct, we must admit thai; there is a tendency to stick too much to the book and forget that Rugby football is just a game," said Mr A. C. Kitto (president of the Wellington Rugby Referees' Association) in a report read at the annual meeting of the association "The rule book is just a guide covering breaches in every phase of the game and literally it should only be used when one side gets an unfair advance over the other."

The retention of the best of the Maori mode's of living and the adoption of the best of European methods, particularly concerning health matters, is the object of.an association formed recently at Taipcrohenui pa at a meeting of many of the younger Maoris of South Taranaki. The convener, Mr R. M. Jones presided. Outlining the objects of the association, Mr Jones said similar organisations had been formed, in Hawke's Bay and elsewhere. The destiny of mankind depended on health he said. It was unanimously agreed to form an association, and Mr Jones was appointed chairman and Mr W. Wakarua secretary.