GENERAL NEWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 138, 23 March 1948, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS

Toe H Meeting The weekly meeting of the Ashburton branch of Toe H was held last evening. After businieiss discussions, Mr B. J. Wood (chairman), spoke on amateur pilotography. AilentOn Rates All Paid

The following Borough Council rates for the current, year are outstanding: Borough, £7B 13s lid ; Netherby, £lO 14 s fid; Hampstead, £173 7s 2d; Allen toil, nil. The Town Clerk (Mr R C. Major) in presenting the above figures at the Borough Council meeting last, night, said it was very pleasing to see a 100 per cent, payment in the Allenton area.

Sheep Drowned One hundred sheep from a flock being driven from Putaruru to Cambridge were drowned recently in the Karapiro Lake. The sheep were thirsty, and when they approached the lake a number of the 1000 sheep in the flock made for the water. On the slope to the lake level the leaders were pushed forward by those behind. It is estimated that 35.0 fell into the lake. Many animals were rescued by .the crew of a Public Works Department launch and passing truck drivers.

Silver Band Congratulated Cr. F. Maynard, reporting to last night’s meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council on the Ashburton Silver Band’s visit to Dunedin to take part in the recent contest, said the band had enjoyed a most successful trip. Their behaviour had been exemplary. A most competent bandsman in Dunedin had thought the band unlucky in not winning one of the selections. The council decided to send a letter of congratulation to the band, and the Mayor JMr E. C. Bathurst) expressed the hope that the Pipe Band would have an equally successful visit.

Electric Prod for Abattoir

Mr A. S. Gray, manager at the Ashburton abattoir, requested the Ashburton Council at its meeting last night to instal an electric prod for taking cattle up the race for slaughter. He stated that the present method was to use a heavy stick,'which bruised the cattle. An .electric prod, using about 15 volts, AvaS used in most freezing works. He also requested a humane gun for the slaughter of cattle. The present method of slaughter with hammer and pith was out of date, and the S.P.C.A. was advocating the compulsory use of humane appliances. The requests were referred to the abattoir committee, with power to act. Better Hotel Service

A scheme to improve the service at hotels, particularly in cities and at holiday resorts, will be started in Auckland soon by the Government and the licensed trade. A Hotel Staff Training Society has been formed to give ■special training to staffs in all branches of hotel service and management. The council will meet in Auckland this week. It includes Mr L. Schmitt, general-manager of the Tourish Department, as chairman; Mr P. Coyle, general secretary of the National Council of the Licensed Trade of New Zealand; and Mr F. G. Young, M.L.C., secretary of the New Zealand Federated Hotel, Restaurant and'Related Trades Industrial Association of Workers.

Girl Guide Camps Recently two week-end camps for Girl Guides have been held in MidCanterbury. A fortnight ago 11 members of tile 2nd Ashburton Company camped at Winchmore, where they enjoyed outdoor scouting activities and swimming. Last week-end 16 Guides from the Hinds and 2nd Ashburton companies joined in a camp at Hinds. Saturday provided useful experience in wet weather camping. Tent-pitcli-ing, colours ceremonial, rope-splicing, and scouting games were features of the programme, and several of the Ashburton Guides have now qualified for the pioneer’s badge. As an outcome of these camps, parcels of. cake, biscuits and jam will be sent to guide companies in London.

Tower Chimes Dedicated Tower Chimes and a large and beautiful copy of Sallman’s Head of Christ, given to the church by Dr.'and Mrs .John A. Tyrrell-Baxtev and family as a memorial to their mothers Mrs M. Tyrrell-Baxter (who resided in Ashburton for many years) and Mrs M. Davidson, were dedicated at a service in (he Moorhouse Avenue Church of Christ by the Rev. C. C. Flood on Bunday morning. The Tower Chimes, which are the first of their kind to be introduced into Zealand, play all of the old hymns. The chimes can be heard clearly within a large radius of the church, reports having come of tlieir being heard at a distance of a. mile away. The memorial constitutes a great acquisition to the church, and already has been greatly appreciated in the community where the church is located.