LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 236, 18 July 1947, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Early Shorn Sheep Early shorn sheep are making an appearance in Ashburton County, and favoured by the extraordinarily mild conditions, they are faring well without their warm fleeces. A flock of 70 dry sheep, hoggete, were recently shorn in one country district. Indoor Bowls A friendly indoor bowling match between the R.S.A. and the Ashburton Bowling Club was played on the R.S.A. rinks last night, and resulted in an easy win for R.S.A. The visitors were no match for the more experienced returned men, but the evening, nevertheless, was a most enjoyable one.

Arbor Day Wednesday, August .(!, will be observed throughout New Zealand as Arbor Day, according to a Gazette notice. The notice adds that where, because of local climatic conditions, August 6 is deemed unsuitable the local bodies affected are invited to observe some other suitable day in the month.

High Wind in Wellington With the wind reaching velocities of 55 miles an hour at times at the Rongotai airport yesterday morning. Dominie aircraft on the BlenheimNelson service were ‘grounded after 1.0.45 a.m. Lodestars and EJectras on the .main air routes were not affected and* their arrivals and departures .were all up to schedule.—P.A.

No Ice at Mount Harper According to advice received in Ashburton to-day, as the result of a week of nor’-westers, there is no ice at Mount Harper and skating will not be possible during the week-end.A working party from the Air Training Corps at Timaru will visit the rink during the week-end/ however, and it is expected that extensive cleaning-up operations, in the supply-race, etc., will be carried out.

Skymaster Crosses Tasman Although, the Skymaster’s flights had helped considerably they had not yet overcome the congestion of passengers arising from the recent strike at the Rose Bay base in Sydney, said a Tasman Empire Airway official at Auckland yesterday. The Skymaster -arrived at Whenuapai at 11.50 a.m. from Sydney with 44 passengers and left again at 2.30 p.m. with the same number. Two Tasmifin flying-boats went to Sydney to-day, the Aotearoa with nine passengers and the Australia with 23. Both carried a large quantity of mail and freight.—P.A.

More Support Needed Ex-Royal naval men in Ashburton and district have not been quick to rally round those of their number who are planning a trip to Christchurch, where the Ex-Royal Navalmen’s Association has issued a challenge to Ashburton to a sports evening. The number attending a meeting called for last evening was again very small, though it ie believed that in the whole district there are no fewer than about 40 men who have had naval service. It _is hoped to make the trip Christchurch early in August, but if it is to eventuate successfully much bettei support will be required. • <

Ploughing at Greendale The Courtenay-Paparua Ploughing Match Association, in conjunction with the Darfield Young Farmers’ Club held its annual ploughing match on Mr C. E. Ridgen’s property at Greendale yesterday. Five horse teams and 25 tractors entered, and the standard of the work was excellent. A noticeable feature of the day was the high competence of the large number of young competitors, who can have had little experience of match ploughing. In the open double furrow (teams), E. M. Duncan (Rakaia) was first and S. If. Shellock (Te Pirita) fourth. Duncan was first in the' finish in the same class. Shellock won a prize for the best finish on the ground.

Man Missing From Ship A man being returned to New Zealand from Panama in the vessel Kaipara was missing when the police boarded the ship'' on her arrival at Auckland yesterday. The identity of the man has not been established, although it is alleged that on one occasion he gave a name which is similar to the name of a man who disappeared from the hospital of a borstal institution in Southland before standing trial for attempting to escape. A member of the crew of the Kaipara said the man was transferred from the vessel Devon at Panama. The Devon left Bluff on June 4 for London.— P.A.