LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 50, 8 December 1948, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Sunday School Concert Good talent was revealed at the annual concert given by the St. Stephen’s Sunday School in the ball last evening. The building was packed and a splendidly-varied programme extended over 2i hours. Export Lamb Competition Entries tor the Mid-Canterbury section of the New Zealand Meat Board’s export fat lamb competition total 163, nine below last year, and 24 beloAV the record total of 187 in 1946. Preliminary judging and killing will take place at the Fairfield works to-mor-row. Man Kicked by Horse / Severe abdominal injuries were suffered by Raymond Cecil Muckle, of Dorie, yesterday, when he was kicked by a horse. He was admitted to Ashburton Public Hospital and, this morning, his condition was reported to be satisfactory. Savage Club Christmas Party A most successful Christmas party was held in the Radiant Hall last night by the Ashburton Savage Club, which entertained upwards of 150 children of members. Following a period of games and the screening of a film, the children enjoyed supper and were then privileged to meet Father Christmas, who distributed gifts to every child present. No Distilling Allowed It is not proposed to make provision for the production in New Zealand, whether for experimental or commercial purposes, of potable spirit. This reply has been given by the Minister of Customs (the Rt. Hon. W. Nash) to Charles John Bax, of Kaiwarra, who twice petitioned Parliament unsuccessfully for a licence to distil a limited quantity of spirits for experiment and test. The figure mentioned was up to 50 gallon®. Mr Nash replied that it was regretted that a licence, under the Distillation Act, 1908, under which the application had been made, could not be granted to distil for any purpose whatever that quantity of spirit.—P.A.

Praise From Professor “New Zealand’s dairy production an acre is the highest in the world and her methods of using grasslands, the herd improvement section of the Dairy Board and the research stations throughout the country are unique,” said Professor W. E. Peterson, Professor of Dairy Husbandry at the University of Minnesota who left Auckland for Sydney yesterday after two months in the Dominion. “I think I have seen more of New Zealand in the last two months than the average New Zealander sees in a lifetime,” said Professor Peterson. “I have visited your large research stations and have been impressed with the progress. The extensive use of identical twins for research is new and very effective.” —P.A. Domain Wickets Praised High praise for the wickets at the Domain cricket grounds was expressed yesterday by Mr I. M. Hamilton. The special soil used on the Oval had made an excellent surface, he said, and, had there been one more day. of sunshine, the wicket for the representative game there on Saturday would have been perfect. Dr. K. Uttley, a coselector with Mr Hamilton for the New Zealand trial matches, termed the wicket “a wonderful effort.” The captain of the South Canterbury team which played on the Tekau wicket, where the same soil was used, had voiced his congratulations to those who prepared that wicket. “These comments are especially pleasing,” said Mr Hamilton, “considering the amount of -voluntary labour used in getting the soil to the Domain.”

Protecting the Takahe The contention of the Southland Progress League that the area of 438,000 acres for the protection of the Takahe was too big was questioned by. the secretary of the Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand (Mr R. H. Carter) yesterday. It was necessary, he said, that the birds should he protected not only from those with ulterior motives hut also from a disturbance by those inspired by curiosity, and as large an area as possible should be reserved. The area of the Fiordland National Park was approximately 2,750,000 acres, of which 2,300,000 acres was left after the Takahe 'sanctuajy had been deducted. Much was' accessible to the public including Milford track. The opinion of one of the executive of the Southland Progress League that penalties should be of deterrent severity is supported by the Forest and Bird Protection Society, concluded Mr Carter. —P.A.