LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 48, 6 December 1946, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Infectious Diseases in County Three cases of scarlet fever and one of erysipelas were reported in Ashburton County during the past month.

John Bell Scholarships • The following boys have been granted John Bell scholarsliips, tenable at the Ashburton High School:—Norman B. Page (Borough), Donald Collins (Borough), Alan J. McDougall (Lismore), and Albert Harvey (Willowby). Studio Recital by Mrs O’Keefe Mrs Kathleen O’Keefe, of Tinwald, will sing a group of negro spirituals from 3YA on Sunday evening at 8.10 p.m. The numbers are: —“Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” ‘I Got a Robe,” “Steal Away,” “’Tis Me, 0 Lord,” “Deep River.” Prospects for Angling Although they have been dirty during the week, there is every prospect that the rivers in the county will be clear enough for fishing at their mouths by the week-end. This report applies to the Hinds, Rangitata, Ashburton, and Rakaia rivers. i Late Night Over Christmas The Ashburton Drapers’, Clothiers’ and Boot Retailers’ Association, at a meeting this week recommended that shops should remain open till 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and till 5.30 p.m. on December 27 and New Year’s Eve, and to revert to 9 p.m. closing on the first Friday of the New Year. The proposals are to be submitted to local grocery firms for approval before they are finally adopted. Vocal Study Group The Ashburton Vocal Study Group, trained by Mrs A. T. Smith, will take part to-morrow evening “in the last subscription concert of the Royal Musical Society in Christchurch. Included in the programme to be presented is the choral number, “Hear My Prayer” (Mendelssohn), in which the soloist will be Paul Robinson, son of Mr and Mrs A. C. Robinson, of Ashburton. He is_a pupil of Cathedral .Grammar School. Civil Judgments by Default Judgment for plaintiff by default was given by Mr G. G. Chisholm, S.M., in the. Magistrate’s Court at Ashburton this morning in the following undefended civil action: Dalgety and Co. v. L. Cox, £2 Is Sd and costs £1 6s 6d. On a judgment summons application, Jesse Reynolds Bryce was ordered to pay the Ashburton Gas, Coal and Coke Company £4 9s 7d, in default five days’ imprisonment. . Quitting Moving Train “These two men were in the refreshment room with their money on the counter before the express came to a stop,” explained Constable J. Scott, when giving evidence before Mr G. G. Chisholm, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Ashburton this morning, on charges of quitting a train, at the Ashburton station, whilst it was still in motion. The incident occurred on November 16 and the defendants, who did not appear, were John Dutton Maurice, motor-driver, of Oamaru, and Edwin Clarke Templeton, driver, of Wellington. Each defendant was fined £1 with costs 10s.

County Affairs Discussed Ashburton County affairs were dealt with at the monthly meeting of the council this morning when Mr M. S. Turton presided over the following: Crs. H. C. B. Withell, W. G. Gallagher, J. Carr, D. L. Richards, S. P. Taylor, M. D. McDowell, A. G. Holmes, J. Bland, and J. T. Morgan. For reporters the morning session of the council was most unproductive. Scheduled to commence at 11 o’clock, the normal monthly meeting did not get under way until noon, when the finance committee concluded. Until the adjournment at 12.30 the main business was transacted in committee. Record Price for Grapes The highest price ever paid in New Zealand for grapes was obtained at the Auckland markets yesterday morning when four lib bunches, grown by Mrs D. Nichols, of Otahuhu, brought 17s a pound. This breaks the record set up in August of this year when three 121 b cases, grown at Mangere, brought 16s .a pound in the markets. Another bunch of grapes grown by Mr E. J. Knight, of Mangere, sold yesterday for 16s a pounds The city shop which bought Mrs Nichols’s grapes was selling'them at 19s a bunch. Only one bunch had been sold last evening. When grapes are in season 3s a pound is a good price.—P.A. Methodist Women’s Auxiliary . The Ashburton Auxiliary of the Methodist Women’s Missionary Union met yesterday at Baring Square, for the last occasion of this year. There , was a fair attendance. Mrs. W. T. Blight presided. The meeting took the form of a “Christmas Afternoon,” carols being enjoyed as a community sing. Mrs Blight read a letter from “Kurahuna” (the Maori Girls’ Training Home) and also gave two Christmas readings. An elocutionary item I was contributed by Miss J. Kerr and a competition was held. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mrs Chambers in the death of her mother, Mrs Shearer.

Supper for Board Members As is customary at the final meeting of the Ashburton Technical High School Board each year, members were last evening provided with a most enjoyable supper prepared by girls of the domestic science classes. Under the supervision of Miss E. Vesty, three girls served and waited on the members. At the conclusion the chairman (Mr H. Watts) thanked the girls and Miss Vesty and expressed best wishes for the holiday season. Prior to the supper the 'Principal (Mr W. Crawford) presented gifts to members who were not present to receive them from the Christmas tree at the Technical Old Pupils’ Association’s party on the previous evening. Unable to Attend Presentation Because she received advice the previous day that her son, who was reported missing in the Air Force three years ago, is now officially presumed dead, Mrs Ann Newlands, the Labour candidate for the Ashburton seat in the recent election, was unable to attend a ball last evening arranged by her supporters, at which a presentation was to have been made to her. The presentation will now be made at a later date. The ball was attended by 325 couples, music being provided by Mrs Gordon’s orchestra and the Regal Dance Band. The master of ceremonies was Mr George Turton. A novelty dance was won by Mr and Mrs W. Johnson. A card tournament was also held, about 60 taking part. In charge were ‘ Messrs G. Glassey, F. Nye and J. Bradley. The prize-win-ners were Mesdames J. Dailey, W, E. Box and Mr J. Phelps.