LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 56, 15 December 1948, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Butter Coupons The Rationing Controller (Mr A. J. Costelloe) has announced that butter coupons Nos. 9, 10, and 11 will each be available for the purchase of ?,lb of butter during the period from December 20 to January 1G. —P.A. Divorce Granted A decree nisi, to be made absolute in three months, was granted by Mr Justice Fleming in the Supreme Court in Christchurch yestei'day to Lilian Rachel Angus in a petition against William Thomas Angus, on the grounds of separation. What a Bite! Wartime American consignors of lease lend supplies must have heard of the great Australian Bight, because in sending thousands of artificial teeth, they addressed the uppers to Sydney and the lowers to Melbourne — a GOO-mile bite!

International Passenger List Passengers representing 10 nationalalities arrived at Auckland yesterday from Oslo aboard the Swedish motorship Parrakoola. They included Swedes, Norwegians, Danes, Britons, Australians, New Zealanders, Estlionians, a Finn, a Hungarian and a Swiss. Some of the passengers are for Auckland, but most will continue their voyage to Melbourne. —P.A.

Transport Hold-up Rumour It was rumoured in Ashburton today that a transport hold-up had occurred, but inquiries revealed that the rumour was without foundation. The Federation of Labour meets in Wellington to-day to discuss conciliation proceedings, and many people have read th.s suggestion of a strike into the report that the meeting was to be held. No hold-ups or strikes are reported today in the Dominion’s transport.

Expert Meat Schedule The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board announced yesterday that the minimum schedule prices offering for the highest grades of meat in each class during the week ending on December 18 are: —Lamb, North Island, 12d per lb; South Island, 12d per lb; wethers, North Island, 7gd per lb; South Island, 7|d per lb. Ewes: North Island, 5d per lb; South Island, 43d per lb.—P.A.

Planes Diverted from Paraparumu Paraparaumu aerodrome was closed for about an hour after 2.45 o’clock yesterday afternoon because of low cloud, says a Press Association message. Many aircraft were affected, and had to be diverted .:o Palmerston North. Passengers were taken to and from Paraparaumu by buses. The aerodrome was also closed for a short period at 7 o’clock yesterday morning, but this did not affect any aircraft services.

The British Spirit Two instances of the kind of conduct that we like to think stems from the “British spirit” are recorded in an English exchange received in Ashburton to-day. An engineer who work-\ ed out the ideas for the “Mulberry floating harbours did not patent his ideas saying: “Things were in a pretty foul state and the job seemed to suggest something useful rather than making a profit out of it”; and second, “the Navy’s most dangerous job, the new atom-age submarine service, has too many volunteers.”

Transferred to Hospital . Pansy Louise Frances Haskell, aged oO sentenced to life imprisonment ioi the murder of Mrs Gladys Ruth Rusden at One Tree Hill on June 5. 194/, was removed on Friday from the Auckland prison to the Auckland mental hospital. It is understood that this action was taken by the Justice Department because of Mrs Haskell’s peculiar conduct since she began her sentence and the fact that she had been a troublesome inmate. Whether she has been committed permanently to the hospital or only transferred for observation is not known.—P.A.

The King’s Thanks . His Majesty the King’s appreciation of a gift of llowers which was sent to him from Auckland after the announcement about bis. illness last month, was expressed in a letter received by the Mayor (Mr J. A. C. Allum) from his Majesty’s private secretary The flowers were sent by air on behalf of the Mayor, councillors and citizens of Auckland, and arrived at Buckingham Palace on December 3. “I am commanded by the King to convey to you and your councillors, and the citizens of the city of Auckland, his Majesty’s most sincere thanks for the splendid box of flowers which reached here to-day,’’ said the letter. “The King deeply appreciates your gift, but even more highly does he value the loyal good wishes which accompanied it.”—P.A.

Presbyterial Association. The Ashburton Presbyterial Association held a well attended meeting in the St. Andrew’© social hall yesterday afternoon. Out of 16 branches, nine answered the roll call. The president, Mrs L. Mcllroy presided and led devotions. It was decided to hold the annual luncheon in April, and a subcommittee was set up to make arrangements. Mrs W. Brash reported on the business section of the annual conference of P.W.M.U/s held in Wellington in November. Mrs D. M. Steedman gave firet impressions of the conference. Both ladies were thanked for their interesting talks. At the conclusion of the meeting, the president extended Christmas greetings to all members, and Mrs R. Brown extended good wishes and thanks of members to the president. The meeting closed with Benediction, and afternoon tea was served by Allenton members.

Catholic Club Social The Ashburton Catholic Club held a.very successful Christmas party on Monday evening. A report on the trip to Timaru and the combined picnic at Winchester between the Timaru and Ashburton Catholic Clubs was given. A very enjoyable time had been spent, members travelling from Winchester to Timaru on Sunday evening, where a social was field, and returning to Ashburton later that night. On Monday evening trophies were presented to the junior table tennis champion of the year, Mr J. O’Grady, also winner of the junior prepared speaking trophy; and to the winners of the senior prepared speaking trophy, Messsrs J. Bradley and T._ Cleary. Games, dancing, and competitions followed. A closing speech was made by the acting-president, Mr Bradley, who wished members the compliments of the season and best wishes for the coming year. Mr E. Cholerton, Managing Director, Procter’s (Opticians since 1577), Christchurch, arrived in Ashburton today on a professional visit. —(Advt.)