LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 219, 28 June 1947, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

National Savings Total £1519 Once, again Ashburton has with ease filled its national savings quota. This week investments totalled £1519, being more than double the weekly quota of £705. Sale of bonds during the week amounted to £2OOO. Children at G'lenelg On Monday three Ashburton boys will return to- tlieir homes from Glenelg Health Camp after a stay of 71 „ weeks. They will he replaced on Thursday by three girls, one from the Borough and two from Tinwald. Visit of Mr Mulholland Sought The agricultural section of Mid-Can-terbury Federated Farmers yesterday decided, on the motion of Mr W. B. Scott, to ask Mr W. W. Mulholland (Dominion president of Federated Farmers) to address a meeting of farmers in Ashburton on the small seeds position when he returns to New Zealand from overseas. Transport Matters Transport matters effecting the farming community were tlie subject of a talk to the Agricultural Section of Federated Farmers yesterday afternoon by Mr C. D. Pedersen, district officer of the Transport Department. Mr Pedersen’s information was of a confidential nature. Wide Cancellation of Sports The unfavourable weather was responsible for a widespread postponement of sports in the Ashburton County to-day. All of the Ashburton Rugby Unions matches, with the exception of the senior grade, were cancelled. Matches under the auspices of the Ashburton Basketball Association were put off and also men’s and women’s hockey fixtures. . Results Awaited The outcome of representations to the Stabilisation Commission for an increase in the price of potatoes was awaited, Mr A. Amos (chairman) told the Agricultural Section of Federated Farmers yesterday afternoon. The following remit from the Lauriston branch was received:—“That the potato growers be granted a greater price for their produce to compensate for their increased costs (bags etc.).’’

Nearly 4000 Coupons Saved Coupons surrendered to the Ashburton Post Office this week in the campaign to save food for Britain totalled 3954. Of these, 3221 were meat coupons, 713 butter, 16 tea and four sugar. Main contributors this week were the Ashburton Technical High School and Fairton Primary School. The Technical School contributed 2135 meat coupons and 641 butter, while Fairton handed in 765 meat and 44 butter..

Importation of Humble Bees . When this remit, “That the Flemington branch of Federated Farmers favours applying to the proper quarter for the importation of humble bees,” was dealt with by the Agricultural Section of Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers yesterday it was stated that the, Department of Agriculture now had an expert _in the United Kingdom on the subject. For the branch concerned it was stated that a considerable acreage of clover in the area had had no seed. “Has anybody heard of the Russian bee?” asked Mr W. B. Scott. “Bright red they he,” remarked Mr C. Hilgendorf.

Screening of “Once Upon a She e p” Mr J. Lane reported to the Chamber of Commerce on Thursday evening that tlie screening of the film “Once Upon a Sheep,” under the auspices of the Chamber, had been well received. The film was made available by Mr Lane. Some people had been surprised that practically all of the methods shown in the film were in operation in Ashburton, it was stated. Mr Lane was thanked for the film and it was decided to write thanking Mr J. Cocks for his services. Mr Cocks gave a lecture in conjunction with the screening. >

Engine Whistle Stuck It is not unusual for the horn of a motor-vehicle to become stuck and so create a considerable amount of unnecessary noise, but in Ashburton yesterday it was the turn of a railway engine. While still outside the town area, at about 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon, the engine of a goods train approaching Ashburton started to whistle, and that whistle went on shrilly for about half an hour, resounding over the town with great intensity as the train passed through the main area. Needless to say, the incident caused something of a commotion among shoppers. Valuable Rebate Forfeited As Ashburton district had not made the grade in electricity saving by a margin of 4000 or 5000 units it had forfeited a very valuable rebate indeed, Mr H. G. Kemp said at the meeting of the Ashburton Chamber of Commerce this week, referring to the disappointment felt in Ashburton that some relief had not been obtained when the announcement was made of relaxation of restrictions elsewhere. Mr Kemp reported to the meeting on the conference on power restrictions convened by the Chamber and held .n Ashburton some weeks ago. Corn-Sack Position “I have been informed that there will be plenty of sacks available,” said Mr A. Amos (chairman) at the meeting of Agricultural Section of Federated Farmers yesterday, when a member asf'ed about the corn-sack position for next season. Mr Amos said that there had been some alteration in the way of procuring sacks. He pointed out, however, that his information was not official. A speaker said that there was a big scare going around the country about sacks and some official information should he sought. It was decided to write to the Department of Agriculture on the subject.

Dog-Poisoning Outbreak An analysis of samples taken from the stomach of one of many dogs killed through the activities of an unknown person who is indiscriminately scattering poisoned pieces of meat in Blenheim, shows that more than enough strychnine was used to cause the death of a human being. Police investigations are proceeding, but because of the large quantities of strychnine available for rabbit poisoning the task of tracing the person responsible is difficult. It was emphasisted by the policy that strychnine is so deadly a poison that traces of it left on the hands after touching baits could easily have serious consequences. The latest development suggests a “war of nerves,” in that pieces of meat found on verandas have proved by analysis to be harmless.-—(P.A.)