LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 192, 28 May 1945, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A list of civilians officially reported to have died in a civilian internment camp in Malaya may be seen on .iequest at the Guardian Office.

Bible character studies were the feature of the monthly meeting of the Baptist Young People’s Society yesterday afternoon, when Miss P. Tuckei presided over a. good attendance. Speakers were Miss V. Shaw and Mi M. Blackie. A solo was sung by Miss M. Thomas.

Wintry weather did not keep the crowd from the Radiant Hall on Saturday night, when dancing was enjoyed to music by Dabourn’s orchestra. Extras on two pianos were played by Mrs Gordon and Mr R. Dabourn. Mr W. Wright was Master of Ceremonies. Novelty dances were won by Miss Chambers and Mr Driver, and Miss A. Collins and Mr Sparrow.

Contributions last week to the County’s quota of patriotic funds for the current year totalled £152 4s, details being as follow: —Ashburton Forks Patriotic Committee, £39 16s; Ruapuna, £5; Lagmhor-Westerfield, £5 10s; Wakanui, £sl 18s. The original quota was £11,546, but the surplus of £2924 from last year reduced it to £8622.

In spite of the inclement weather, a large number of cadets of the Girls’ Life Brigade and Life Boys paraded at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church yesterday morning for the dedication of the 3rd Ashburton Company of the Boys’ Brigade Company. The company lias been revived under the leadership of Captain R. Lloyd and Lieutenants J. W. Wallace and D. M. Steedman. The Rev. J. S. Murray officiated, addressing the cadets on the aims of the movement.

Charleston coal mining parties had a better allocation of flat trucks during the week-end, but the weather Was very bad yesterday, with a cyclonic storm and heavy rain. Charleston mining parties were notified by the Coal Council of an increaes of wages to their men from 26s to 31s 6d daily, and in some cases from 26s to 30s. The parties state that the Coal Council claims to have no power to enable them to increase prices for coal. — P.A

The National Patriotic Fund Board has sent its secretary (Mr G. A. Hayden) overseas on board business. He will visit the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Middle East. Part of his mission is concerned with the realisation of the board’s assets in the three theatres of the war, and he will also discuss certain aspects of the administration of New Zealand forces’ clubs in those countries. In England he will meet those in charge of the reception of released New Zealand prisoners of war, Major S. C. Read, representative of the board there, and other patriotic workers, with whom he will confer on the welfare of released prisoners and New Zealanders still in the services. —P.A.

With plenty of clucks in the County, there was some good shooting during the week-end, many of the bags reported being limit ones.

Only one ease of scarlet fever was reported in the Ashburton district last week. The patient was a boy aged three, living in the Borough.

The flag was flown at half-mast at the Ashburton Post Office to-day as a mark of respect to Mr J. W. Munro, late Labour Member for Dunedin North.

“Family Worship” was the theme of the meetings at the Salvation Army yesterday. The Young People’s Sergeant Major, Mr A. Allan, was the speaker at the morning service, and Messrs N. Luxton and A. Daly and Adjutant P. Smith spoke at the evening service. Mr A. Bennison sang “My Father is Rich in Houses and Land.”

Suffering from a severe cut on his foot, Trevor Wolfrey, whose parents live at Eiffelton, was admitted to the Ashburton Public Hospital on Friday evening. Two footballers, Robin Bennett and Geoffrey Russell, were admitted on Saturday evening suffering from knee injuries. The condition of all three was reported to-day to he satisfactory.

Interesting lantern pictures were screened by the Rev. W. T. Blight at, the latest meeting of the Band of Hope, under the auspices of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Sisters Mildred and Mavis were the leaders. Community chorus singing was led by Mr Hayward, and musical and vocal items were given by some of the children.

A large congregation marked the anniversary. service of the 70th year of Methodism in Ashburton, held in the Baring Square Church last evening. The preacher was the Rev. W. T. Blight, who spoke on the history of the local church and its work. The anthems “God Sends the Night,” “And the Glory” were sung by the choir, and “Remember Me, O Mighty One” was sung by a group of male voices. “What a Friend” was sung by a double quartette.

“I frankly admit my surprise at the fact that approximately 4,750,000 prescriptions for free medicine were dispensed last year at the expense of the Social Security Fund,” stated Mr C. A. Barrell, Labour candidate in the Hamilton by-election. “It seems to be a tremendous dosage for a young nation to swallow each year. Perhaps some economy could be effected if the doctors prescribed nastier medicines, particularly for dyspeptic Tories and Democratic Labour candidates suffering acutely from anti-Labour Government spleen.”

There is continued support by residents of both Borough and County for the appeal by the Mayoress (Mrs E. C. Bathurst) and the wife of the County Chairman (Mrs H. C. B. Withell) for tinned food to send to the women of Britain. At both .the County and Municipal offices dozens of tins have accumulated, and many donations have been received for the purchase of more. The sum of £3 ss, and 27 tins from the Lismore Sub-Branch of the Red Cross Society, were left at the County Office on Friday.

Work on the new concrete arch bridge over the flood channel at the Ralcaia Gorge is going ahead slowly fiut steadily, said the County Engineer (Mr H. A. Vezey) to-day. The concrete in the main arch has been poured and preparations are being made to erect scaffolding for the superstructure. This job has been held up for some time owing to the diversion of men and material to the Rangitata irrigation race and urgent defence works. It is not known when the bridge will he completed, but when it is it should not be long before it is open for traffic as there are no extensive approaches to fill in.

An interesting letter received by ■the Hastings Borough Council from the schools meals organiser, Hastings, England, expressed great pleasure at the last gift of New Zealand honey sent from Hastings,. Hawke's Bay, states the “Daily Telegraph.” The letter stated that the gift was used in school canteens solely for . children, and previously these children had not been supplied with such a luxury. The letter went on: “Tf you could have witnessed the children partaking of their sweet course, you would have derived much pleasure; as one five-year-old declared, ‘I cannot eat any more pudding, but I’d like some more honey sauce.’ ”