LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 44, 1 December 1945, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Earthquake’s Epicentre Dominion Observatory seismologists have analysed the records, provisionally, of tne 'lndian earthquake shock recorded at 9.56 a.m. on November '2B, New Zealand time, and, in conjunction with overseas information, place the epicentre in Pamir, near the Indian North-west Frontier. —P.A.

Auckland’s Dry November With less than a quarter of t»he average rainfall, last month was the driest November in the Auckland Province for many years. In Auckland, the month’s rainfall was 0.68 inches, conn pared with an average of 3.22 inches. Pastures in many areas are burned brown, and unless the weather breaks shortly there will be a shortage of hay next winter. Dairy production has shown a decline. —P.A. Patriotic Fluids Contributions to patriotic funds for the Ashburton Borough received by the Town Clerk (Mr R. C. Major) during the last two months total £1144. During October £lOOl was received. Contributions during November included £26 as the Borough’s share of a donation by the Lyttelton Harbour Board, £lO5 from the concerts by Gracie Fields and £l2 from miscellaneous sources. Woman Found Dead The body of an unknown middleaged woman was found lying at the base of a 200 feet cliff in a small cove beyond St. Heilier’s Bay, Auckland, last night. There were no personal belongings 1 by which she could be identified. It is later considered that the woman met her death through falling from, a cliff. A man living near the scene of the fatality said he saw a woman walking along the edge of the cliff alone during the evening, although there was no track down the cliff face. —P.A.

Harmonica Dance There was a large attendance at the dance conducted by the Ashburton Imperial Harmonica Band in the Orange Hall last evening. Music by Mr S. Gilligan’s Band was supplemented by supper extras by Miss Griffiths and Messrs I. Cague and L. Chapman. Monte Carlos were won by Miss Elwood and Mr Watkins and Mrs Caddington and Mr Cague. The holders of lucky tickets were Mr Harrison and Miss Hydes. Mr N. Reid was master of ceremonies.

Clothes Drive Appreciation of the efforts of members of various women’s organisations in Ashburton in packing clothes collected in the drive held lately for devastated Europe is expressed in a letter received by the Town Clerk (Mr R. C. Major) from the secretary of the Canterbury Education Board (Mr L. E. Rowley). The letter states that the results of the drive surpassed all expectations, and the Board felt deep gratitude to tlnse who packed the clothes collected by school children.

Sales of Health Stamps Health stamps to the value of £45 15s were sold in Ashburton last month, bringing the total amount raised since October 1 to £163. In the last week £l4 worth of stamps were sold. A Post Office official said this morning that the stamps were in such great demand throughout New Zealand that it was expected that supplies would be exhausted within a week or two. Dealers and collectors anticipate that the value of the stamps would increase considerably in future years. The sum raised by sales in Ashburton is double that for the same period last year. Inconsiderate It is a good thing that all who avail themselves of the facilities of the Municipal Library at Ashburton are not as inconsiderate of the librarian (Mrs B. E. Opie) and of other users of the library as a borrower who took out a book (only one copy of which was available) before the library was shifted to its new premises several months ago. He- promised to return it before all books were called in for the transfer, but failed to do so. A week or so ago he returned the book, and when taken to task by the librarian told her she wa3 lucky to get it back at all.

Land Sales Bill When the Servicemen’s Settlement and Land Sales Amendment Bill was before the. Legislative Council yesterday, the Leader (the Hon. A. MeLagan) moved an amendment providing that at the discretion of the Minister in charge of the Bill the period of 12 months during which urban land withdrawn from sale may he sold only to servicemen or discharged servicemen or their widows may be reduced or eliminated. Mr McLagan said that the purpose of the amendment was to give a greater degree of flexibility to the clause concerned. The amendment was incorporated and the Bill passed. —P.A.

War Shipping Administration operations of the New Zealand section of the United States War Shipping Administration ceased yesterday with the closing of the Auckland office. Since August, 1942, the War Shipping Administration has controlled all United States vessels, other than combatant ships and ''transports owned by the Army or Navy, in New Zealand waters. In that time 806 of the administration’s ships called at Auckland to load or discharge, 227 at Wellington, and a total of 150 at nine other Dominion ports. In addition, 153 vessels called at Wellington for orders, water, stores, fuel, or repairs. Most of these vessels were en route from the United States to the Persian Gulf with cargo for Russia. —P.A.

No tobacco! Can you picture what it would mean to millions of people if the world’s supply'of tobacco were suddenly and for ever cut off and no more could he had for love or money? Airily classed by this government and that as a mere “luxury,” tobacco has yet become almost as necessary as food to most people. Fortunately there is no danger of such a catastrophic state of things eventuating as a world without its weed. The huge output is constantly increasing; demand creates supply. Happily for Maorilanders, some of the choicest leaf is grown and manufactured right here in New Zealand. Visiting experts and connoisseurs who have sampled the five popular brands, Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Riverhead Gold, Desert Gold. Cavendish and Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead), have pronounced them equal, if not superior to, the finest tobacco produced in other lands, with the added advantage (an enormous one) that they are practically without nicotine —eliminated by toasting in thp process of manufacture—so that they are powerless to harm even the most inveterate smoker, lx