LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 137, 22 March 1948, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Favoured Family A member of a Palmerston North family whose ages over the last five generations have averaged exactly 100, Captain John Evans, of Palmerston North, entered his 98th year last week. Captain Evans, who is the city's oldest resident, is a retired sea captain, and visited every important port in the world during 35 years at sea.

Oyster Ten Million Years Old A fossilised oyster shell weighing approximately 101 b, four inches thick, a foot long, six inches wide, and estimated to be about 10,000,000 years old, has been found on the McDonald Doavus Station, in the middle Waipara branch of the Waipara River. The fossil was discovered and taken to Canterbury University College by a geology student.

Scottish Society’s Competitions'

Three Ashburton girls took part in the Scottish Society’s Highland dancing competitions at Christchurch on Saturday. They gained the following places: —Sailor’s Hornpipe (under 10): Beverly MacPherson, very highly commended. Highland Fling (novice section) : Lorna Payne, highly commended. Highland Fling (open class, under eight years): Pattie Arnst, third place.

Sugar for Porridge “T have found only one sign of decadence in New Zealand,” the Very Rev. Dr. John Baillie, representing the Church of Scotland, remarked humorously at the public welcome in honour of himself and other overseas visitors to Dunedin for the Presbyterian Synod celebrations. “I have eaten three breakfasts since arriving in New Zealand, and on two occasions I have been offered sugar for my porridge!”

R.A.0.8. Social

About 60 to 70 couples attended a social evening held ip the Hampstead Memorial Hall on Saturday evening by the R.A.0.8. Lodge. Novelty dances were won by Miss F. Glasson and Bro. R. Scott, and Bro. and Mrs W. White. A competition was won by Mrs J. Calder. Music for dancing was supplied by Bros. Les. Chapman and S. Wilson. Extras were played by Mr M. Chapman. The master of ceremonies was Bro. R. Glasson.

Gardening Circle There was a good attendance at the Gardening Circle held in the Domain on Saturday morning. Mr A. F. Morgan lectured on plant propagation—hormones, demonstrating the preparations or cuttings ol popular plants. The latter end of the meeting was used for questions on anything pertaining to garden problems. Mr A. D. Lowe consented to be vice-president and conveyed the thanks of the members to Mr Morgan, as they have derived much benefit from Ills lectures.

Tramping Club’s Outing Thirty-five members of the Ashburton Tramping Club visited the Long-beacli-Hinds district during the weekend. The members tramped from the Poplar Road bridge to the mouth of the Hinds River. There the billy was boiled and lunch enjoyed. From there the members tramped back to the Longbeach Homestead, the property of Mr J. IT. Grigg, and were kindly shown round the farm and homestead by the farm manager, Mr Cameron. The day’s outing was a most enjoyable one.

Splendid Gesture The Ashburton Amateur Athletic Club has been most unfortunate in striking wet weather for several of its fixtures, and as a result the club’s finances have suffered considerably. The Mayor (Mr E. C. Bathurst) stated this morning that the Ashburton Silver Band and the Scottish Society Pipe Band had expressed sympathy with the club in its misfortune, and both were prepared to assist by staging a special day in the Domain at some future date in order to help the Athletic Club build up its funds. ,

1.L.0. Conference

New Zealand is to be represented by employers’ and workers’ delegates, at. the thirty-first conference of the International Labour Organisation at San Francisco, beginning on June 17, 1948. The Government, which bears the cost of the visit to the conference, has announced that for this conference there will be one representative each of employers and workers and that probably each delegate will have an adviser. The New Zealand Federation of Labour has called upon its affiliations for nominations for the election of delegate and adviser. Nominations will close on April 7.—(P.A.)

New Seedling Apple ' Surprisingly good keeping qualities have been revealed by the Kempton seedling apple which was found at Havelock North‘two years ago. Wood from this tree has been used on odd grafted trees iff various parts of the district with the idea of trying the new variety out on a more extensive scale. For two seasons now samples have been placed in cool storage and these have kept extremely well. Last season the fruit was harvested during mid-May, 1947, and’ placed in cool storage, being finally taken out in mid-January this year. Subsequently samples were held out of cool storage until the end of February in sound condition. Tt is believed the seedling shows promise of providing a good-col-oured apple which may hold for the pre-Christmas trade, filling a gap during which apples in these days of no imports are not available.

Salvation Army Services

Services conducted in the Salvation Army Citadel yesterday by Dr. A. Rrannvell Cook, who was accompanied by Mrs Cook and Major E. H. Riseley, of Christchurch, were attended by large congregations. A children’s harvest thanksgiving service was held in the Young People’s Hall during the afternoon. The procession of primary children bringing their decorated baskets of harvest produce to the altar made a charming picture. Dr. Cook spoke to the children on “Harvest in India.” Following the evening service 2000 ft. of colour film entitled “With the Gospel and Scalpel” and depictingall branches of missionary work carried out by the Salvation Army in India, was watched with intense interest and appreciation. On behalf of the congregation, which taxed the accommodation of the Citadel, Mr A. W. Allan thanked the doctor and prayed for God’s blessing on his work. A retiring collection was taken for medical missionary work in India.

Mr E. Cholerton, Managing Director, Procter’s, Opticians since 1877, Christchurch, arrives in Ashburton on Tuesday, March 22, on a professional visit. — f Aclvt.)