LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 62, 22 December 1945, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Heather From Scotland A member of the “Guardian” staff has received a small box of heather from Scotland, and any Scotchman desirous of obtaining a sprig for the festive season can obtain one by calling at the office.

Expresses Late The first south-bound express through Ashburton this morning was delayed an hour and 20 minutes by the late arrival at Lyttelton of the ferry steamer. The rdlief express was correspondingly late. N.Z. Band Contest The test music for the New Zealand brass bands contest, to be held in Christchurch from March 17 to 23, was announced to-day. The test pieces are: A grade, “An Epic Symphony,” by Percy Fletcher, and “Jean of Arc,” by Denis Wright; B grade, “L’Arlesienne” suite, by Bizet.—P.A. Servicemen’s Cards * Placed competitors at the last card evening held by the Ashburton branch of the Homeservicemen’s Association were Mrs C. Stills (1). Mr J. Collett (2) and Mrs Turner (3). Mr Collett scored the most points in the second half. Prizes for the highest aggregates were won by Mrs E. Childs and Mr Collett, The branch has decided to continue these fixtures 'during the holidays. R.S.A. Christmas Party There was a large attendance at the Christmas party held by the Ashburton branch of the Returned Services’ Association in the West Street club rooms last evening. Men who returned by the Mooltan yesterday were entertained. A large Christmas cake was much appreciated.

Fire Danger With a view to lessening the risk of fires during the summer, the County Council yesterday decided to arrange with the Post Office staff to notify the Council’s staff when they became aware of fires in the County on holidays. The subject was introduced by Mr L. L. Richards, who mentioned an occasion when a fire occurred at Alford Forest about 2 p.m. and it was nearly 5 p.m. before , any responsible person could be contacted, Tlio Post Office staff had always been very helpful, said the County clerk (Mr G. Kelly). Water-race Crossings In terms of a decision \t made yesterday, the County Council will take up with the Works Department the matter of costs of fluming new waterraces across existing irrigation channels, Introducing the subject, the chairman (Mr H. C, B. Withell) said estimates of the cost of such crossings varied from £3O to £IOO. The Department had previously disclaimed responsibility, but it seemed unfair to make the crossings chargeable to the ratepayers or the Council. £IO,OOO Prize v Three residents of Wellington have just received advice that they have won £IO,OOO in an overseas lottery. The men are: Mr Jack Wilson and Mr Jack O’Brien, bartenders of the Foresters’ Arms Hotel, and Mr Jack Sheehy, a taxi-driver. Several years ago the men formed a syndicate under the nom-de-plume of “Four Jacks,” but the fourth Jack is no longer a member. Tickets have been purchased regularly, but this is the first time they have shared a major prize. This news closely follows the winning of £IO,OOO in an overseas' sweep by a young Wellington railway telephone operator. Drivers’ Licences

In terms of a direction issued by the Transport Department, local bodies will, commencing with the 194647 licensing year, have to forward to the Department at the end of each month a copy of each licence issued. The sex and age of licensees will be required. “This will mean a lot of additional work,” said the County Clerk (Mr G. Kelly) when the County Council received the direction yesterday. “Now it will be nceessary to ask women drivers their ages,” said the chairman (Mr H. C. B. Withell). “We shall be- more tactful —we shall ask the date of their birth,” said Mr Kelly amid laughter.

Seamen Demand Cigarettes The dissatisfaction of the crew of a Canadian wheat ship with the cigar-, ette supply aboard led to their refusal to sail from Auckland for Lyttelton yesterday morning, and although further trouble was avoided, the vessel will not leave until this morning. The ship, the Park Line steamer, Sunnyside Park, arrived at Auckland from Vancouver on December 14 and was to have sailed for Lyttelton to complete discharge yesterday morning. Members of the crew refused to work until they were issued with extra cigarettes. After negotiations with the agents of the company the men agreed to sail this morning.—P.A.

“Hump Buster” Club The formation of a “Hump Buster” Club is proposed by New Zealand airmen who flew with the 52nd Squadron of the R.A.F. from Dum Dum, Calcutta, to Kunming, China, across the Himalayas. The movers in the formation of the club are Flight Lieutenants Cliff Wrenall and John Stuart, D.F.C., both of Auckland- Among others who will be eligible for membership are Flying Officer Ron*McKenzie, Wellington, Flying Officer Bill Ferdandez, Auckland. Flying Officer Ron Thornton, Wellington, and Flight Lieutenant Jack Elliott. The plans are for a social evening once or twice a month in Auckland and once a year a reunion at which it is hoped all members will be present. With the departure of most of the New Zealand airmen from south-east Asia during December it is expected that it will be possible to arrange the first club social evening early in the New Year. -—P.A.

“I mind the time when I knocked off smoking,” the bus driver confided to the man sitting alongside. “Why did T? Well, the wife said I was fair chucking money away on baccy, so I cut it out. The craving for a smoke was awful at first. Then it stopped. But Lord, how miserable I was! The wife said I was that snappy ’twasn’t safe to come anigh me. At last I went to my lodge doctor. He told me to start smoking again right away, but said not to smoke baccy with a lot of nicotine in it. ‘Try the New Zealand,’ he says. ‘lt’s toasted.’ I’ll never knock off smoking again. I’d sooner knock off eating.” The lodge doctor knew. . “It’s toasted,” lie said, and in those two words explained the reason why New Zealand tobacco is the best in the world. There’s practically no nicotine in it. The toasting eliminates it. Here are the brands of toasted manufactured: Riverhead Gold, Desert Gold, Navy Cut No. 3, Pocket Edition and Cut Plug No. 10; also Riverhead and Desert Gold tailormades, lx