LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 4, 16 October 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Ashburton' Acclimatisation Society’s hatchery at Tinwald! is completely empty. About 386,000 brown trout fry have been distributed in tbe Ashburton, Rakaia, Rangitata. and Hinds rivers, as well as in the lakes during the last few weeks. The hatchery is being renovated by the rangercurator (Mr AT. Orton). The niain work is the- deepening of the drains.

Mr H. W. Milner, general secretary of the New Zealand Alliance, addressed a meeting in the Ashburton Mothodist Schoolroom yesterday afternoon. The Rev. A. Mcßean presided. Air Milner gave an explanation of the work of his organisation and referred specially to the petition new circulating regarding liquor regulations during the war period.

The: success la st ye ay of thie scheme under which! numbers of secondary school boys ‘from the city spent part of their summer holiday on farms has resulted in a decision to continue with it this year, and the Government Youth Ctentre in Auckland is seeking to get iiv touch with interested farmers. The lads who went on farms last year were all over 15 and were chosen foy their fitness and willingness. They -wiere given ordinary rates of pay. It is hoped by the authorities that the scheme will result in a real contribution to the war effort.

“We regret the fact that we cannot b'e of additional, service to you, but we are sure of the cause for which you are fighting and we know the time will come whpn a. decisive victory will ensure a continuance of previous conditions.” These words terminate a business letter received recently by a Petone firm, fjroni a large San Francisco organisation. The letter gives notice of the American! firm’s acceptance of am order. Such expressions of sympathy and co-operation from United States firms are becoming common to business men throughout the Empire. British residents of Burma will be sending their children to school in Australia and New Zealand, in all probability, according to Sir Ernest Roberts. Chief Justice of Burma, who was in Wellington. In peace-time these children spent their school years in England, for the climate in Burma was not good for growing children, he said. Now many had come out from England to- join their parents because of existing conditions at Home, and he thought they would almost certainly be sent to carry on their education in Australia or New Zealand. Sir Ernest said he had learnt during his present trip that there were many excellent schools available in both Dominions.

Grey warblers are very plentiful in the Wanganui district at present. It is reported that the nests of these birds ana used by the shining cuckoo in. which to lay its eggs, the warbler becoming the foster-mother for the young cuckoos. No' evidence has been found in Wanganui within recent years of this practice by the cuckoo", though there are many of these birds in the regions round the city every year. They seem to multiply fast enough, but'whether the grey warbler plays a part in the multiplication is a matter on which students of birds differ. The first- nest found with young cuckoos in it would indeed be useful to settle arguments.

Good progress is being made with the alterations and renovations to the Hostess House at Papakura., which, is to be operated under the direction of the Auckland (Provincial Patriotic Council for the accommodation of next-of-kin and fiancees of soldiers in camp. It is expected that the modernising of the house to ■ make it suitable for its new purposes will be completed before, the end of this month, and arrangements are being made for the opening ceremony. Working bees of volunteers have ali-eady done much to improve the' surroundings by cleaning ur> the; garden and spraying the orchard trees, and one party is putting in new' concrete, paths. Preparations are now well in 'hand for the furnishing of the house.

Great-grandson of Fletcher Christiaan, leader of the Bounty mutineers in 1789, and himself one of the migrants from Pitcairn Island to Norfolk Island in 1856, Captain George Parkin Christian lias died at Norfolk Island at the age of 86. His mother was a descendant of John Adams, one of the leaders of the colony of mutineers.- Captain Christian went to sea at the age of 17, when lie joined an American whaler sailing to Massachusetts. He rose- rapidly to officer’s rank, and for 25 years' his calling took him to places as far distant as the Antarctic and Behring Straits. For five years Captain: Christian was engaged as marine diver for the Auckland Harbour Board, and he also undertook pearl diving in Torres Straits. In the seventies he served on several sailing ships on the New Zealand coast. The last time Captain Christian went to sea- was in 1926, when, at the age of 72, Ins commanded the 70-ton schooner Resolution, which carried fruit- from Norfolk Island to Auckland'.

The humour of training to use as little water as possible is discussed by an Auckland soldier serving in Egypt with the Expeditionary Force. He writes in a letter that the men were being accustomed to doing with the minimum amount, and the chief topic of conversation was how to make the water go thiSi longest way. “There are several systems in, operation,” he states. “For example, if you feel you would like to .remain deliciously dirty for a day and can do without the customary shave and 1 avoid the :eagle eyes of all lance-jacks, sergeants, and officers, you fill your water bottle and then drink the rest of the liquid. Personally, I don’t agree with this method, and, so I fill my water bottle, take a. small tobacco tin full, for cleaning teeth, and afterwards shave. I fill up the radiator of my truck. Soapy water of course, is no- good, as when the engine gets hot, bubbles issue forth from the radiator cap, and besides, the major doesn’t like it. What is left of the water, approximately a quart, is used for washing. Then., if there is time, I proceed to, wash some clothes.” The soldier also says he has met many English troops. Their definition of a New Zealander is one who wears a. Boy Scout hat, a wristlet watch, and calls everyone an uncomplimentary name. However, he says, the Boy Scout hat has now given way to a topee.

A Representative of Messrs J. R. Procter, Limited, Christchurch is at present in Ashburton; and may bo consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Somerset Hotel to-morrow and Friday. —(Advt.)