LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 230, 9 July 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A notice in the Gazette states that Arbor Day trill be observed on August - 4. Members of the Ashburton Club and M.S.A. entertained members of the Ashburton Returned Services’ Association at the Soldiers’ Club last night. Snooker, billiards and card competitions were features of the evening. The time allowed for the Milk Supply Commission to inquire into and report upon tho supply of milk to the four metropolitan areas has been extended from June 30 to July 31, states a notice in the Gazette.—P.A. Unable to get food because of the layer of snow covering the ground, many birds died after the recent snow storm in Mid-Canterbury. This was particularly noticeable in country districts, where many dead magpies were seen. Even in the Ashburton Borough, where the ground was not so thickly covered, birds found it hard to get food and died of starvation'. Tho marriage allowance and allowances for children under 16 lor personnel of tho Royal New Zealand Navy, gazetted last night, replace the previous allowances as from November last year. The new marriage allowance is £1 a week, with os for each child, or, in the case of widowers, 15s for tho first child, and 5s for each subsequent child.—P.A. A large-scale engraving of “The Landing of the Anzacs,” has been presented to the Ashburton Technical High School by Mr S. Mitchell. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Mitchell was carried when the Board of Managers of the School met last evening. “Wait till he can present us with an engraving of the fall of Berlin,” remarked Mr W. S. Kerr, amid laughter, Passengers in the Now PlymouthiWellington rail-car had to he transferred to> a steam train at Hnwera yesterday afternoon when a breakdown occurred. Trouble was experd, euced before reaching Stratford; but the rail-car continued to Hawera at reduced speed. It was expected that another rail-car would be available at Palmerston North for completion of the journey to Wellington.—(P.A.)

Meetings with Ashburtonians serving overseas are described by StaffSergeant G. M. Chapman in a letter to a member of a printing firm in Ashburton. Sergeant Chapman is serving with a hospital unit in the Middle East. “Private N. W. Hopkins (a son of Mr and Mrs L. Hopkins, Aitken Street), has been a patient with us,” says the writer. “1 am pleased to say that he made a very quick recovery and is now in tho Convalescent Depot, Another Ashburton lad we had here was Lieutenant A. Kelly (a son of Mr and Mrs G. Kelly, Wills Street). T was fortunate in being able to give both of these lads a bundle of ‘Guardians’ to read.” In another passage Sergeant Chapman says: “The calendars yo i sent mo are very much commented upon in the hospital, believe me. I hope the 1914 ones will he the last you will have to send.” The writer also mentions meeting Private T. L. Anderson, late of Longbenoh. He was wounded and later rejoined his unit, with which ho has been serving since August. “Ho is now resting in an L. 0.8. camp (Loft out of Battle),” concludes Sergeant Chapman.

Tho task of refloating tho dredge Canterbury at Lyttelton litis been further delayed by the discovery that the vessel has settled on a rock which has pierced the hull. A metal patch will have to be placed over tho hole before tho hull can be pumped out.

Although tho Ashburton Borough Council’s rate demands do not go out till next week, a persistent ratepayer visited tho Municipal Office this morning and insisted on paying ms rates. “>Vo took the money,” said the Town Clerk (Mr R. C. Major). “Such keenness is most refrcsmng and our worries would bo greatly decreased it such an attitude was general.”

On view in the window of tho Patriotic wool L>epot in mirnott street is tim latest nuip issued by tne Joint Council of tho tied Cross and the Order ol ot. .John, 'this map, issued tree to too next-ot-liin ot prisoners ot war. shows the location of Hospitals, civilian internment camps and prisoner or vvai camps m Italy and uermany.

Passengers in the New PlymoutiiW dungeon ran-car had to bo transferred to a steam train at Jnawera ester day afternoon wnen a breakdown occurred. 'Jrouble was experienced before reaching Stratford j bin tho rail-car continued to Jriawera at reduced speed, it was expected that another rail-car would bo available at Palmerston North for completion ol the journey to Wellington.—P.A.

Swerving sharply to avoid riding over what he thought was a piece of glass on tho street, an Ashburton, resident. cycling to work this morning suffered a. nasty fall and several painful bruises. Going to remove the object ho discovered that it was a harmless piece of cellophane. Since tho inauguration of tyro rationing there have been many complaints about glass nn tho streets. It is possible that there is a little more glass about, but it is probable also that people are becoming more “tyre-conscious.”

Mooted legislation designed to limit profits on dealings in real estate won hi make it very difficult for people seeking homes to buy them, said (Mr F. G. Basket!, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, at a meeting of tho council of the chamber. The meeting approved the action of the executive in instituting representations that interested parties should first have the opportunity of putting forward their views. It was also decided to find out the provisions and working of Australian legislation.

A further 12 bales of waste paper were sent from the Ashburton waste paper depot on Wednesday, bringing the total number sent from tho depot to 320. The 12 bales weighed one ton 18 hundredweight. Another slack period is being experienced at the depot, and the workers attribute this to the recent snowstorm, which has prevented paper being taken in from the country districts. Large quantities of paper are waiting at Mayfield and Springburn to be taken to Ashburton for sorting. Tho depot cannot be maintained by the country districts alone, however, and Ashburton residents are asked to contribute further supplies of waste and keep the workers at tho depot occupied. A sorting table has been established at the depot, and is greatly facilitating the work and saving time.