LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 193, 29 May 1945, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The whole-hearted support of members in the appeal for tinned foods for the women of Britain was urged by the president of the Mid-Canteibuiy Federation of Women’s Institutes (Mrs J. McQuilkin) this morning. She asks that all members donate to this cause as soon as possible.

The Union Steam Ship Company, Ltd., advises that the steamer express Waliine is to withdraw from the service after the voyage leaving Lyttelton on the evening of Monday, June 4, for overhaul in Wellington. The Rangitira will maintain the service, sailing from Lyttelton to Wellington on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The vock oyster season in Auckland will open on Thursday tor the usual period of about three months. Oysters which will be offering are stated to be of a high quality, and stocks will be about the same as in the last few years. Owing to an excessive demand, however, orders will again be rationed. Retail prices at the Government oyster depot at Auckland will be the same as last year.

A former Ashburton citizen who is now resident in Oamaru, but who is paying a short visit to the town, had an unfortunate experience on the journey north. While the service bus was crossing a stream a suitcase fell off, landing in the water. The driver eventually recovered it, and there was speculation among the passengers as to the ownership of the saturated case. On arrival in Ashburton the former resident discovered that the case was his, and had in addition to beingsaturated, all his wearing apparel and other goods contained a liberal sprinkling of sand. 'lt was an unfortunate start to what promised to be a pleasant holiday.

The south-bound express was about 35 minutes late in arriving at Ashburton this morning, the delay being caused by the late arrival at Lyttelton of the steamer express.

Suffering from injuries to his hand received when he was operating a circular saw at his home, Mr S. Sewell, 'of Ruapuna, was admitted to the Ashburton Public Hospital. His condition to-day was reported to be satisfactory.

A survey of the amount of female labour available in Ashburton for possible direction to the clothing industry in the town is being made by the National Service Department, according to a statement by an official of the Department to-day.

An all-day festival of St. Stephen’s Mothers’ Union and sub-branches in the County was held in the Sunday School to-day. A service was conducted in the Church this morning by Archdeacon C. L. Mountfort. Proceedings included a luncheon and an address this afternoon.

Probably due to the effect of the weather on seasonal work, the demand for tyres and tubes in Ashburton has not been very strong, with the result that the local Rationing Committee’s quota this month has been more than sufficient to meet the demand. Applications for 94 tyres and 52 tubes were approved last evening.

A debating contest between the Ashburton Torchbearer Group and the Home League was held last evening, the latter winning by a small margin of points. The teams were: —Home League, Mesdames Hopv/ood and P. Frew and Miss N. Collins; Torclibearers, Misses J. and A. Finlayson and C. Kirkman. Adjutant P. L. Smith was the judge.

Junior Band Conductor Iv. Olliver was congratulated last evening by the committee of the Ashburton Silver Band on his work with the' members who took part in the solo contests at Wellington recently. The quartette, trained at short notice by Mr Olliver, came second in its section, the boys being awarded a silver medal each, while one boy gained a certificate in another section.

“To catch up with the housing shortage in America after the war, we will have to build 1,800,000 houses a year for the next four or five years,’’ said Mr Sydney Greenbie, special assistant to the American Minister in New Zealand (Mr K. S. Patton), in.an address to members of the Otago-Southland Manufacturers’ Association. That would mean buying materials abroad as well as at home if the houses were to be made livable.

An enjoyable evening was spent by those who attended the monthly social and dance of the Woollen Mills Social Club at the Orange Hall.' Items by Miss J. Campbell and Mrs H. Beaven were much appreciated. A lucky spot event was won by Miss A. Moriarty and Mr H. Beaven and a Monte Carlo by Miss N. Hawke and Mr Aitken. Music was played by Messrs Neville and Cooper. Mr Beaven was Master of Ceremonies.

A sea animal recently washed up on Shelly Beach, near the Thames aerodrome, has been identified by the Auckland War Memorial Museum authorities as a luth, or leather backed turtle. Few of these animals come as far south as New Zealand, only three having previously been recorded, at Cape Brett in 1892 and 1939, and between Mangonui and the Bay of Islands in 1894. Distinct from the green, or edible variety, sometimes encountered in Dominion waters, the turtle at Thames was 6ft long and Sft across, including the flippers.

All of 97 Grand Prior’s Cadet badges approved for the year 1944 by the Chapter-General of the Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Venerable Order of St. John, were awarded to cadets in New Zealand. Advice to this effect has been received by * Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, Knight Commander of the commandery in New Zealand of the Order of St. John. The communication said that at the meeting of Chapter-General, held in February, Lord Bledisloe (representative of the New Zealand commandery on the Chapter-General) pointed out that the whole of the cadet badges approved had been awarded to cadets in New Zealand. It was felt by Chapter-Gen-eral that this proof of keenness and energy manifested by the cadet movement in New Zealand called for a special letter from the Chapter-General of the Grand Priory to the officer commanding the cadets congratulating him, his subordinate officers, and cadets.

The dear old lady smilingly approached the tobacconist with: “I want some cigarette tobacco for my son.” “Certainly, madam,” said the tobacconist. “What kind would you like?” “Oh, I forget its name,” replied the old lady, “but it’s the tobacco my son says nearly everybody’s smoking now.” The tobacconist smiled. •‘Then this will be it,” he said, handing over a packet of Riverhead Gold. “That, madam,” he continued, “is the finest cigarette-tobacco money can buy. It’s quite harmless, too, because being toasted by a special process, it’s practically free from nicotine.” The old lady beamed. “I am sure that must be the tobacco my son wants,” she said. “I suppose you sell a lot of it?” “Any amount,” replied the tobacconist. “You see, it’s everybody’s favourite.” Well pleased, the old lady smilingly departed. Riverhead Gold, as all who “roll their own” know, is one of the five famous* toasted brands: Riverhead Gold, Desert Gold, Pocket Edition, Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog) and Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead); also Riverhead Gold and Desert Gold tailormades. All todsted, and no sore throat, no cough! lx