LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 33, 18 November 1942, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Public Service Entrance examinations started yesterday. There are 25 candidates in Ashburton, Mrs H. bedcole being supervisor.

Men who were called in the recent ballot for military service should note that notice of appeal must bo lodged with the Armed Forces Appeal Board by Saturday. Forms may be obtained at Post Offices.

The Fail-ton Junior Sub-branch of the Bed Cross Society is a very active body. A bazaar held in the school realised t'he sum of £5. Members are busy filling and making ditty bags, and doing sewing and knitting for the local sub-branch.

The Armed Forces Appeal Board, sitting at Fairlio yesterday, dealt with two appeals from Ashburton. The decisions were: Thomas Charles Harris, coal miner, 'Ashburton (Burnett’s Motors), indefinite release from camp recommended, to join Lines of Communication Company; James Maxwell, tractor driver, Ashburton, indefinite extension of leave granted.

It was anticipated that the supply of water to between 25,000 and 30,000 acres supplied by tho Klondyko stock water-race would bo resumed immediately, said the County Engineer (Mr H. A. Vezey) to-day. The race 'had been cut off because of damage by seepage last Thursday, hut half the normal flow of water had been turned on again last Sunday, and the full flow had been restored yesterday afternoon.

The schools’ musical festival last week yielded a profit of £7l 6s, which will be donated to patriotic funds. The committee which organised the festival hopes to make it an annual event, the proceeds in war years to lie for patriotic purposes. After the war, when it is hoped that the country schools will bo able to take part, the festival will be to benefit music in the County. At a meeting of the committee yesterday appreciation of the work of the orchestra, the Ashburton Power Board, and all others who assisted was expressed.

A soldier serving in the Middle East, writing to a friend in Ashburton, tells the following story: A Jew arranged for an Arab to deliver him a number of loads of animal manure, at a shilling a load. When the third load had been delivered, the Arab informed the Jew that he would not be bringing any more and requested a financial settlement. Asked the reason for the cessation cf his activities, he said that three shillings was all he wanted—a shilling for food for himself, a shilling for food for his camel, end a shilling to put aside for a rainy day.

Prominent on the table at the Communion service of the Assembly of the Presbyterian Church last week, were silver communion' vessels of historic interest. The Moderator (the Right Rev. J. G. Laughton) explained that these vessels had been sent out as an act of faith 100 years ago by the Reformed Church of Scotland with the Rov. James Duncan, the first Presbyterian missionary to the Maoris. Lhe presence of Maori elders and other representatives of the race taking pai - in that service showed how that simpkfnitli had been vindicated.

The Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) announced last night that the Food and Rationing .Committee had made arrangements for the nioining and afternoon tea ration as toi office workers to he extended to an farmers and farm workers. Most or the dairy companies, lie sard, were cooperating in the issue of permits to suppliers. Quarterly permits for -A© of sugar and Jib of tea to each worker would' he issued, ami . would apply to farmer, wife, and children over 14 engaged full time on the farm, and also to permanent employees. I armors not supplying dairy factories would get the same ration by applying to the local rationing officer.. Permits tor special allowances for casual workers would continue to be issued by rationing officers.—P.A.