LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 310, 11 October 1943, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

As the Ashburton River is still bank-to-bank no fishing was done in it over the week-end. The Rakaia and Rangitata are also very muddy.

A casualty list issued on Saturday reported nine members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force missing on air operations and one confirmed as prisoner of war. None of the men were from Canterbury.

The Ashburton Welcome Club will be closed on Tuesday and Thursday evenings until further notice. As there are very few servicemen in Ashburton now the club is not patronised enough to warrant its being open every night.

Spring flower services were held in the Baptist Church yesterday, the Rev. J. Browning officiating. The church was tastefully decorated with spring flowers. At the close of the evening service some of the flowers were sent to side rflembers and the remainder were sent to the Public Hospital.

Plans for extension to the Salvation Army Citadel to cope with increasing youth activities were discussed by Brigadier S. Bridge, of Christchurch, with local Salvation Army officers on Saturday. Brigadier Bridge conducted the services yesterday, at one of which he enrolled a soldier. A child dedication ceremony was performed by Adjutant Eliot.

Two chips of the first of the new season’s strawberries were offered at Auckland on Friday, and realised 6s each. Supplies will he spasmodic until the beginning of November. It is expected that the crop will not' be heavy this year as a much smaller area was planted and the shortage of labour has also had au effect on their production, states the “New Zealand Herald.’’ Although the plants were favoured with good weather in the beginning of the season rain throughout the winter and September has retarded their growth. When offered for the first time last year strawberries were selling at 3s 2d a chip. '■

“It is not the purpose of tlfe regulations nor i-he wish of this committee to thwart, the spirit which impels youths to better themselves and to make careers for themselves,” said the chairman of the Auckland Manpower (Industrial) Committee, Mr .T. O. Liddell, when hearing some recent appeals. “Any youths between 16 and IS years of age who come before the committee for that reason will receive more consideration than older people would. At the same time, every case must be treated on its merits.” Mr Liddell said that in England, where the effects of the war were more deeply felt that in New Zealand, it had been recognised that consideration must be given to the wishes of youth 3 who sought to embark on careers. It was the desire, as far as possible, to help youths out of “blind alley” occupations and to provide skilled workers for the future.

A musical programme wan given by Uni Ashburton County NcolHhli noddy's Pipe Hand in (bo hospital grounds you!onlay ui'tormum,

Although ii did not unnmnl to a "rush.*' there avuh a fairly steady stream of applicants for the new ration books at the Ashburton Post Ofllee to-day. Up till 2 p.iu. about 100 books were issued.

A very successful bottle and waste rubber drive for patriotic funds was bold by the Tlnwald Boy Scouts on Saturday. About 2500 bottles, as well us a lair quantity of rubber, were collected. These will be sold by the Tlnwald Patriotic Committee in due course.

A sprained Avrisl was received by Julie Mace, aged 111, daughter of Miami Mrs L. B. Maco, of Tailored Street, Ashburton, when she fell off a swing while playing yesterday. She was admitted to the Ashburton Public Hospital for observation and her condition. this moruiug Avas reported to he quite satisfactory.

In a report of a piping, drumming and dancing contest by the Ashburton County Scottish Society’s Pipe Baud, published in the “Guardian'’ last Monday, it was stated that Pam Helm Avas placed third in the Highland fling for children under 12. Actually it Avas Pat Helm who won that place.

“One of the finest exercises in the world to cure the overeating habit is to grasp the edge of the table firmly with both hands and push yourself vigorously backwards when you’re asked to have a second helping. Three times a day of this will work wonders, according to reputable authorities,” says a bulletin issued by the Health Department.

Washing day for Methven housewives this week will have to be postponed and even a Avash may leave one not so clean as before. Owing to floods in the Ashburton River the water supply has something of the consistency of mud and as rain Avater tanks have in most cases been done away with there is nothing to take its place.

There was a good attendance at the annual end-of-season mock banquet of the Ashburton High School Debating Club, held at the school on Saturday evening. G. Smith presided. Toasts to the school (R. Taylor) and the staff (G. Smith) were replied to by J. Kelly and Mr E. J. Wood respectively.

A special service Avas held at; Seafield yesterday afternoon in connection AVith the Methodist Church, when the new Methodjst hymnbooks, a present from local residents, Avere dedicated and used for the first time in connection with the Seafield services. A number of the members of the Baring Square choir sang several hymns from the book. Solos were given by Mrs Keith Macfarlaue and Aircraftman lan Gosnell, R.N.Z.A.F. On behalf of the congregation Mr F. Johnson thanked the choir for their help. Afternoon tea was provided.

Concern at the proposed calling-up of teachers and student teachers for essential war work during the Christmas vacation was expressed by Mr F. A. Snell at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board. There jvould be hardship, he said, if, for instance, married women students and teachers were expected to work for even twothirds of their hard-earned vacation. Many of them were teaching not for the money they received, but because they considered it a duty at present. The secretary, Mr A. Nixon said that no definite information concerning the conditions of the holiday work had yet been received from the National Service Department. He understood, however, that such work would not be compulsory for all. There would he a number, especially men students, who would volunteer for work during their vacation.