LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 304, 1 October 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Because of the rain to-dav, the Ashburton' High School sports, originally set down for to-day and later postponed till to-morrow, have again been put back, this time till next Tuesday.

Till enrolment forms ai’fe received the Ashburton County Council is not able to take any further steps in organising the Home Guard in the County. When the forms do come to hand meetings will be called: in each riding to set the organisation in motion .

Amateur actors and actresses in Timaru have rallied round Mr F. Burton in tire production of the “Thumbs Up” Rievue. which is to be presented for several nights next week. Mr Burton, who formerly lived in Ashburton, was one of the producers of the. Radiant Revels Revue in. Ashburton last February, and was a. prominent member of the Little Theatre Society.

The senior classes of the Ashburton Keep Fit Club held a wind-up social and dance last evening. Misses Flora Collett and Thorn Freeman made presentations to Mr and Mrs A. Cal dor in appreciation of their services. There was an excellent attendance. Mr G. Jordan was master of ceremonies.

A heifer on a property near Whakatane has given birth to twin calves, and each of the offspring has the earmarks of the mother. Had there been a single calf, with a single earmark, the occurrence would have been peculiar enough, hut for twin calves to be marked on both ears, although it is understood to have been known before, is a freak of Nature. The mark consists of a “U” out of the tip of the ears.

Bowling and croquet lawns in the Ashburton Domain: are stated to have responded well to treatment given them during the ! winter months, and arte in good condition for the opening of these sports. The central cricket pitch on the Oval is stated by the Curator of the Domain (Mr D. H. Leigh) to: be in first-class order. As well as receiving careful attention, no football has been played on the Olval during the winter months.

A satisfactory response has so* far been received by the Health Department in Auckland to circulars sent to parents of young children at certain schools asking if they will consent to have their children inoculated against diphtheria. As a result it is hoped to inoculate children; at two schools ni?xt month. Eventually the Health 'Department proposes to approach parents of children at all schools throughout the Dominion for permission to carry out inoculations and thus immunise the children against the disease.

The following reply has been received by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) from the Lord Provost of Edinburgh in acknowledgement of Mr Fraser’s cablegram notifying the safe arrival of the Scottish children: —.“Thanks for your cable. Wo knew that Scottish cliildren would receive a warm welcome from their kinsfolk in New Zealand. Cordial greetings from Edinburgh to your great Dominion. Henry Steele, Lord Provost.” (Says a Press Association message).

With 12 add'fed in the past year, 37 schools in the Auckland Province are. now included in the road safety service of the Automobile Association (Auckland). There are 190 schoolboy patrols, and, according.to the annual report of the association, there has never been an accident outside a school where the patrol system is in force. Safety talks were given to 52,114 children during the year, while safety and educational films wore shown to 11,893 pupils at primary, secondary and convent schools.

“New Zealand is a remarkable place for tea-drinking, but I must say I prefer my cup of coffee,” remarked a maun from overseas to a “Guardian” reporter. He stated that on the trip from Christchurch south he had been greatly intrigued by the train guard’s announcement, “Ten minutes at Ashburton for refreshments!” He decided to try a drop of the cup that cheers, and pronounced it' excelldnt. Moreover, ho commented on the vastlyimproved architectural apperance of Ashburton since his last visit several years ago and added, “"When I retire from business, I think I’ll make mj’ homo here.” 1

Reference has recently been made to the action of two men in Salamaua. New Guinea, who sighted the planet Venus in the noon sky and. thinking it was an enemy balloon or something, went after it, armed with rifles, in Mr Ray Parer’s Boeing aeroplane. The story created some amusement both in Australia, where it originated, and in New Zealand. But a. report in the “R.abaul Times” puts a. different aspect upon the story. When the aviators returned, they insisted that the object they chased was a balloon, with a small basket floating below. They photographed it. before it disappeared behind clouds. Salamaua jeered, of course, comments the “Pacific Islands Monthly.” Two days later, however, the aviators got their own hack. Four more balloons are said to have been sceiii floating over S'alamaua district. One came very low. It is reported to have boon about 6ft in diameter, made of black rubber, with a small basket attached. The purpose of the balloons (or, as the doubters say “alleged balloons”) is a complete mystery. <> Some suggestions to people in this country who have undertaken to receive British children into their homes were given in an, address at. Wellington by J>r. C. E. Bcehy, Director of education. The main points made by Dr. Bcehy wore that the children should be treated as members of the family and be allowed to slip as quietly as possible into the family circle. He emphasised that nothing should be done that would tend to sooil them and lead later to unfortunate reactions, and that they should not be allowed to become the centre of interest to friends and ‘neighbours who might want to hear from them a recital of their experiences. At the same time, lie did not suggest repression: his suggestion! was that the children should bo allowed to talk or be silent cm the subject as they ‘-wished: without any prompting at all. Hi?: advised 1 also the keeping alive in the children of the faith that some day they would be going hack home. His general advice was to treat the children with understanding and tolerance and to provide for them the calm background of a normal happy family life.

Ashburton men who leave for Papnkura. Military Camp .are to report at the railway station at 5.30’ o’eloek tomorrow afternoon, those bound for Burnham at 3’ p.m. on Thursday, and those for Trentham. at 4.45 p.m. on the: same day. Nine County men are scheduled to go to Papakura and 15 to Trent ham.

Although occupiers of/ the premises in Havelock Street where the new theatre is to be built were advised last April that they would be expected to quit, no definite date for their removal or for commencement of the building work lias yet been fixed, Mr J. Davidson Baxter (manager of the St. James Theatre) told the “Guardian” to-day. Advice, however, is expected at any time.

Representatives of the. Mnsterton County Council afro expected to visit the'Ashburton County toward the end of this month or the beginning of the npxt to inspect afforestation. The Council has been left a. considerable legacy with which it intends to institute an; afforestation scheme. To gain first hand .knowledge on the subject representatives ana visitinc various counties.

Newcomen's to Ashburton see far more beauty in. the County than the residents who have become,, naturally, all too familiar until its scenic attractions. For instance, at pnesent the fine lino of flowering trees in West Street presents a. remarkable sample of colouring, ranging from pure white, to green, pink and dull conper. A visitor told this “Guardian” this morning that although it was geographically flat, the town, was onia of the prettiest he had seen during a tour of the South Island. Those responsible were to be congratulated, he said.

Many thousands of the-graceful seabirds popularly known as ‘‘black caps” are at present mating .oin Paraki, the most seaward of the'three islets under Paritutu, New Plymouth. Every spring they crowd on to its precipitous southern side, not flying much, but sitting so closely packed that they completely cover the ground. “It was a wonderful sight, just a living mass of white,” said a New Plymouth man who visited the locality last Friday. “It will be a great attraction, for visitors to Paritutu Centennial Park, but it should be emphasised-that these pretty birds are. protected asd that their chosen grounds are a sanctuary.” The birds customarily stay on the islet about six weeks, after which they move to Lion Rock, westward of the breakwater, to lay their eggs.

To complete the link between Sydney and New Plymouth:, and to pay tribute to two aviation' pioneers who first connected the cities by air, a composite photograph in memory of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Mr O. T. P. Ulm is to be sent to tine New Zealand Club ini Sydney. It is a collection of photographs with. “Smithy” and his co-pilot, Charles Ulm, photographed at Beil Block Airport, in the centre. .Another picture shows their famous plane, the Southern Cross, passing Mount Egmont on her historic arrival from Australia. The .other pictures arc-a series of views showing the great demonstration at the Bell Block airport on the landing of the Southern Cross. The inscription on the picture is “New Plymouth Never Forgets.”

Stopping a visiter to Ashburton in the street last evening a small boy inquired, “Got'any cigarette cairds, Mister?” The visitor informed the boy that cigarette manufacturers had dispensed with the card system some months ago. “Yes, I know,” said the boy, “but have you got any at home?” That lad showed a true business sense, for the cards, which not long ago were thrioHvJn away as likely as loot-, have now become valuable. *ln Christchurch lives a man with a collection of 20,000, which he has garnered from; all Darts of the world through fi'iendrpensbips during the last 16 years. With him it lias been merely a hobby, but as things are at present lie might well be able to turn his cards into substantial cash.. There are dealers in England; who make card exchanging a whole-time business. Apparently the Ashburton! youth has heard of them.