LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 26, 10 November 1936, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

• A spurious half-crown was received by the Bank of New Zealand at lailiape on Friday. It was lighter in weight and duller in colour than the genuine coin, and not so sharp in design.

A Press Association telegram from Dunedin states: If the cutter of the price of petrol raises his head in Dunedin the Government will extend to this district the same protection it lias accorded the sellers in Wellington and North Canterbury, the Hon. I>. G. bullivan yesterday informed a deputation that asked for fixation of price.

More than 200 trucks of hobby calves have been railed from the Taneatua and Edgecumbe railway stations this spring (states a Whakatane correspondent). Each truck holds from 80 to 100 calves, so that about 20,000 calves have been sent away from the Rangitaiki and Opouria districts alone. The supply of calves is now dwindling and collectors are operating only once a week.

Eleven cases of notifiable diseases in Canterbury were reported to the Health Department in Christchurch during the week ended neon yesterday. In the previous week there were 16 cases. Nine cases of scarlet fever were reported in the previous week, but last week’s returns showed only one case of this disease. The other cases were: Diphtheria 1, tubeiculosis 4, erysipelas 4, hydatids 1. There was one death in Canterbury—from pulmonary tuberculosis. No cases were reported from .the W est Coast.

Advice that a waltz song, “Whisp’ring Valley Moon,” has been accepted for publication by a London firm has been received bv the writer of it, Mr H. J. Lawson, a 20-year-old resident of Spar Bush, Southland. The music was composed by Mr J. JStroud of Gore. “Whisp’ring Valley Moon” is Mr Lawson’s first attempt at song writing, but he has written some verse under the pen-name of “Steele Benton.” The song is also to be published over that name, but Mr Lawson intends to use his own name for future works.

During the week ended October 31 approximately £31,000 was distributed bv dairy factory companies in southern Hawke’s Bay for September, the payouts, with the exception of Norsewood, being at a rate of lid per lb for lmtter-fat supplied f states a Napier daily). In response to the motion recently passed by the Hawke’s Bay Dairy Companies Association, that there should be a uniform pay-out of Hd, the Norsewood factory directorate bad previously been committed to a pay-out of Is until September and the position of that concern is to be reviewed this month

A family residing at Mavnawahe, 20 miles from Whakatane, has had a fire burning continuously in a large open lireplace in the homestead for 26 yeai's. Coming to the district from the Homeland, the couple, when building their residence, had a fireplace constructed on the lines of those in the country homes of Scotland. The lire is fed large logs, some of which take a, day or two to burn away.

The unusual pet of a recent visitor to New Plymouth was a small Californian turtle one and three-quarter inches long. When shown to a friend it was just emerging from a four months’ sleep, spent for the greater part of the time in its owner’s pocket, its shell is almost a half-sphere and coloured green and yellow, and it has seal-like flippers with which it can move quite well on a dry surface and with great rapidity in the water., 1

“I am completely convinced that there is nothing wrong with the boy® and girls of to-day ; they may have a hard row to hoe, but they come through in every instance with honours,” said Mr Victor Macky (president of the Auckland Grammar School Old Boy’s Association) at a school function. He referred to the great influence a school exercised on one’s life,, so long as its traditions were respected and followed. “Never do anything your school would be ashamed of, and you will be proud of yourself,” Mr Macky added.

In view of the Borough School Committee’s intention to instal cinema apparatus at the school in the near future for visual education of tire children, Mr H. C. McDonald attended at the school last evening and gave a successful demonstration with a machine in the presence of most members of the committee, the headmaster, and a male member of the staff. When the committeo sat for its monthly meeting the matter was considered in committee, and it was left with the chairman (Dr. J. Connor) to obtain further information.

Considered by the Minister of Railways as a desirable work, valuable both as a railway and as providing employment, the duplication of the line from St. Loenards to Sawyers Bay on the Main North Line, is to be proceeded with soon says a Press Association telegram from Dunedin. Larger deviation scheme through the tunnel between Sawyers Bay and Waitaki is also under consideration, but will not be advanced till the dulpication scheme is finished. Mr Sullivan stated yesterday that the tunnel scheme would involve £560,000 and in the meantime the route would be surveyed.

Rail traffic from Ashburton to-day for the Christchurch races was heavy. By the ordinary train at 8.15 99 local residents made the trip, and a further 95 joined the special train at 9.42. This train, bringing passengers from Timaru and intermediate stations, was filled to capacity, and consisted of 17 cars. The south-bound express was delayed 20 minutes before reaching Ashburton in order to allow it to pass. The' trains will return at 7.10 and 8.7 this evening. Many offices in Ashburton were closed to-day on account of the races.

Fifty men commenced work yesterday morning on the construction of the duplicate railway from Papakura to Horotiu, a distance of 58 miles (says a Press Association telegram from Auckland), The line is already duplicated from Auckland to /Papakura, and from Hortiu to Frankton. When the new work is completed the line will be duplicated from Auckland to Frankton, a distance of 8:5 miles, and this will greatly facilitate traffic between Waikato and Auckland.

When replying at a farewell social to him at Papakura, the Rev. W. G. Wood said (reports the “Auckland Star”) that during the 27 years he had resided in Papakura, the people had honoured him with every possible public office in the town. He had been president of the Cricket Club, the Football Club, Ratepayers’ Association Progressive League, Great South Road Guild, chairman and member of the Town Board, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, member of Hospital Board, and prime minister of the mock parliament. “So you see,“ lie said laughingly, “I ‘pinched’ all the besl positions.”

The boring operations for a new source of mineral water supply in the Te Aroha Domain met with success on Thursday when water gushed to a height of 15 feet and had a temperature of 172 degrees, with, the flow denoting an ample supply (states a local correspondent). On Wednesday gushes rose to 6ft, the main flow apparently being partially tapped. It is considered that the main source of the springs is now being reached, and that the persistent applications to the Government for boring work have been justified. For a Considerable time Government officials refused to take any action, but this attitude was changed a. few months ago. Earlier there was a fear that boring might jeopardise the supply to the existing mineral water springs.

An offer to undertake the construction of the proposed Auckland harbour bridge from Fanshawe Street to Stokes Point at Northcote lias been submitted by Mr M. R. Hornibrook (managingdirector of M. R. Hornibrook Proprietary, Ltd., of Brisbane,. Queensland). This offer is under the consideration of the Government. The cost of the bridge is estimated by Mr Hornibrook at £1,400,600, and with causeways and other incidentals the total Will reach approximately £1,800,000. Last week Mr Hornibrook, accompanied, by Mr Julius Hogben (representing the Auckland Harbour Bridge Company, Ltd.) had an interview with the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage). They were introduced by Mr W. J. Lyon, M.P. for Waitemata, and the Rt.' Hon. J. G. Coates. The Hon. H. G. R. Mason was also present.

A strange bird, which lias been identified as a kookaburra, was seen on Tuesday in the vicinity of the Maunu Cemetery, üb«ut tinge miles from Wliangarei (states a Whangarei correspondent). The bird, which resembled a large kingfisher, was very tamo, and it was possible to approach within a few feet of it. “It is likely that the kookaburra came from Kawau Island,” said Mr R. A. Falla, ornithologist at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, commenting on the report. “The bird was liberated on the island many years ago by Sir George Grey, and occasionally it is reported on the mainland in the vicinity of Kawau. About twelve years ago a kookaburra arrived in Devonport, but it was. thought that this bird travelled down the coast on a scow. Although it is unlikely,” continued Mr Falla, “it would not be impossible for the bird to have been blown across the Tasman Sea from Australia by strong winds. A kookaburra was once reported on the coast near Cape Maria Van Diemen, after a north-west gale.”

It was decided at a meeting of the Dunedin City Council last night to call for applications for the position of Town Clerk at a commencing salary of £IOOO a year (says a (Press Association telegram). Mr Lewin, who has occupied the position for 26 years, will retire on superannuation on March 31.

“Because of my service on local bodies I have been subjected to a good deal of criticism at times,” said the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, the Rev. AY. C. AVood, at the farewell tendered to him at Papakufa on his resignation as vicar of the parish (reports the “New Zealand Herald”). “People seem to think a clergyman should be a cross between a woman and a doormat.”

A walk of 15 miles, from Leamington to Hamilton, to see the twin baby relatives of one of them was the exploit of two nine-year-old Leamington girls (states the “New Zealand Herald”). The journey was completed in about six hours. Unknown to. the parents of either, the girls set off on their long tramp, and it was some time before they were missed. News of their arrival at Hamilton allayed any fears for their safety.

A young sparrow that fell from its nest a week ago was rescued by a kind-hearted resident of A\ 7 ellington and has been adopted by a fosterfather. The baby sparrow, which could not feed itself, was placed, in a canary’s cage, and although a male bird occupied the cage lie straightway set to work to “mother” the stranger. He has been busy all week preparing seed for it and has succeeded so well as a parent that the sparrow now feeds itself and appears to be quite at home in the cage.

A visitor to Ashburton who has been in many parts of the world, expressed the opinion when conversing with a member of the Domain staff, that the Domnin is one of the prettiest she has yet seen. The staff at the Domain is engaged this week on planting out the ribbon bdrder. A new design is being adopted for the border and it is expected that it will make one of the finest displays yet seen in the Domain.

A correspondent of the United Press Association, writing from Rarotonga on November 2, said: “The Maunganui, which is sailing for AVellington, carries 13,650 cases of fruit. There- are 3650 cases of bananas and 10,000 boxes of tomatoes. Prices paid to growers are 2s a box on the wharf for tomatoes, and Is 6d in the sheds, 7s a case for bananas, and 6s 6d in the sheds. It is understood that the major portion of the fruit is being sold locally and some is being sent on consignment.”

A Press Association telegram from AA 7 ellington states that a warning is issued by the Department of Labour to those employers who have failed to comply with the provisions of the Finance Act, 1936, and. have not restored the 1931 rates of wages to their employees, that further leniency cannot be extended by the ■ Department. Proceedings have already been commenced in a number of case§ against employers who have failed to comply with the law in fairness to the large majority of employers who have already adjusted the rates of remuneration to those operating in 1931. It is considered only proper that employers who have delayed making the adjustment should be compelled to do so.

The Tinwald Presbyterian Busy Bees celebrated their third birthday at an enjoyable party in the Central Hall. : The Rev. D. D. MacLachlan presided. The following gave items:— Mary Watson, Merle Hampton, Peggy Robertson, Audrey Watson, Monica Skilling, Gwen Breakwell, Iris Hampton, Betty MacLachlan, Nceline Skilling, Florence Watson, June MacLachlan, Audrey Wright,. Daphne Harris, David Watson, and Miss Agnes Ross. Miss Elsie Lowery was accompaniste. Airs Coates, of Ashburton gave an interesting missionary address. Christmas gifts made by the Bees during the year were displayed and will be sent to the Maoris. After afternoon tea, a beautiful birthday cake, made and iced by Miss Eileen Millar, was cut. The candles were lit by Mary Watson and Audrey Watson (Queen Bee) blew them out.