LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 267, 23 August 1946, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Second Term Ends Primary and secondary schools in Ashburton closed to-day for term holidays. Secondary schools will re-open on Monday, September 16, while primary school children will have a fortnight’s holiday. ■

Gaming Commission Another extension of the period within which the commission appointed to inquire into and report upon gaming and racing matters in New Zealand, is to report, was gazetted last night. A previous extension was given to August. 31. This date has now been extended io March 31, 1947.—P.A. Alterations to Constitution A meeting of the Ashburton Kindergarten Association was held yesterday afternoon when the president (Mrs E. C. Bathurst) presided. Business was to confirm a resolution of the council to delete one clause of the constitution and make an addition to another clause. The alterations were made at the request of the New Zealand Free Kindergarten Union. Timber From U.S. It is unlikely that any. more than half of New Zealand’s order for timber from North America will be available in the near future. This was made clear to the Dpminion Federated Sawmillers’ Association by the Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon. C. Skinner) in his address to the annual conference of the association in Wellington yesterday, says a Press Association message. End-of-Term Social About 70 couples attended the end-of-term social at the Ashburton High School last evening, when a most enjoyable and successful function was held. Novelty dances were won by Miss J. Service and I. Gibson and Miss A. Penrose and P. Millichamp. Music was supplied by Mrs Gordon, with extras by Miss J. Eaden and J. O’Grady. R. O. McDowell (head prefect) was master of ceremonies.

Pockets in Trousers

During a discussion on deportment by the Nelson College Council of Governors it was indicated that the principal, Mr H. V. Searle, was anxious to have side pockets of hoys’ trousers eliminated in the interests of deportment. The chairman, Mr C. R. Fell, said that inquiries showed that manufacturers could not make an alteration yet, so nothing could be done in the meantime.

25,000 Cigarettes Stolen Emptied of its content of 25,000 cigarettes, a rifled case intended for transhipment for Suva, was discovered when cargo from London was beingunloaded from the New Zealand Shipping Company’s liner Rimutaka at Auckland yesterday, says a Press Association message. The evidence pointed to the possibility that the theft ocurred before the liner left London, and even possibly before the case was loaded into the bold.

Shearing In Ashburton County Following out the practice of past years, shearing on larger sheep runs in Ashburton County this season will be carried out on contract, at a flat rate per 100, by a. gang of Marlborough experts. Eight shearers will comprise the gang, with the usual accompaniment of pickers, rollers, pressers and a cook. A wool classer, whose services- are to be secured under a separate arrangement, will accompany the party. The work will begin in October and, given fine weather, about 60,000 head are expected to he completed before Christmas.

Sleeping Cars Return Sleeping cars were reinstated recently on the Sunday night Christ-church-Dunedin and InvercargillChristchurch expresses, one carriage, with 16 berths, being attached to each. To date, surprisingly few bookings have been made for this convenience, possibly because the public had not realised that the service had been restored. If the demand warrants the step, however, a second sleeping car may be used. This introduction of the cars in the South 'lsland contrasts interestingly with the position in the North Island, where even ordinary facilities have had to be curtailed owing to coal shortages.

Settlement Application Subject to an affidavit being obtained from a solicitor to the effect that they were directing , the money correctly, Mr Justice Ongley, in the Compensation Court in Christchurch, made an order for the payment of £350 10s 3d to James Weir and Mary Ann Rattray in the capacity of trustees for John Weir, a labourer, of Ashburton, (Mr A. C. Perry). John Weir had applied for approval of settlement and direction of payment of this sum, which had been awarded as the result of an accident in which he fell off a lorry belonging to the Works Department at Palmer Head, Wellington, on December 9, 1943, and was totally incapacitated.

Petrels Washed Ashore Large numbers of petrels are reported to have been washed up in the last few weeks on North Island west coast beaches, between Paekakariki and Muriwai. It. is surmised that the birds met their fate in severe weather off the coast. This is the first time in 14 years that this has occurred, the last occasion when large numbers were washed ashore being in 1932. The director of the Dominion Museum, Dr. W. R. B. Oliver, requests visitors to the beaches to notify the museum should they see any sign of petrels having been washed ashore. The museum would welcome further information regarding the reported occurrence. —P.A.

World Health Problems The removal of New Zealand’s isolalion through the development of long-distance air travel meant that, the health problems of all the world had become a community problem, said Dr. T. R. Ritchie, Deputy-Direc-tor-General of Health, on his return to Auckland from the United Nations world health conference in New York. Realisation of the short-time factor involved in world travel must make New Zealanders internationally minded in health matters, said Dr. Ritchie. The conference, which was attended by United Nations’ delegates and observers from other countries and organisations, considered a draft constitution of the proposed world Health assembly. On behalf of New Zealand, Dr. Ritchie signed the draft, which has to be ratified by 26 member States of the United Nations. Its duties will include the preparation of international conventions for limiting the spread of disease, and the standardisation of drugs and other products. —P.A.