LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 158, 16 April 1949, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Catchment Board Rate Rates collected in the Ashburton special district of the South Canterbury Catchment Board, up to March 31 last, according to a report to Thursday’s meeting, represented 91.3 per cent, of the amount due.

Rabbit Poison From Air “The newly-formed Rabbit Board in the Ashburton Gorge has employed aircraft to distribute phosphorised pollard and is meeting with marked success,” reported Mr C. J. Kerr, pastoral liaison officer, to Thursday’s meeting of the South Canterbury Catchment Board at Timaru.

Shallow Criticism A Dunedin suggestion for a war memorial involves the Leith stream in criticism in the shape of the verdict, “the Leith is not an Avon and is really an eye-sore.” Christchurch will surely be grateful for the compliment, to its meandering stream, which shares with the Leith the honour of being a namesake.

North-bound Traffic

The customary “sabbath” calm of Saturday morning in Ashburton Avas disturbed by north-bound traffic td-day. Many private cars streamed through, particularly between 8.30 and 10 a.m. and several well-filled buses sqt out from here to Christchurch. A fair assumption is that Addington trotting ground was the destination of most.

Maronan Reclassification

Stating that the benefits dbtained were out of all proportion to the fates paid, several Maronan residents, in a petition to the South Canterbury Catchment Board on Thursday, asked that the area be reclassified to “G,” which would absolve them from paying rates. It was decided to reply that the matter would be considered at a future meeting.

Died in a Cemetery

Running amok on the outskirts of Hastings, a bullock crashed its way through an orchard, showering fruit on the ground, hurdled a fence and landed in a cemetery. The bullock stood snorting, gazed around at the tombstones, then sank slowly to the ground and died. But its choice of a last resting place was not approved by the authorities. It was removed to boiling-down works.

35-Year-old Car

Probably the oldest motor-car m regular use on Auckland roads, a 1914 model T Ford, is driven daily to the Auckland University College by an engineering student, Mr John Roche, of Remuera, It was formerly owned by his grandfather, Mr H. Roche, of Cambridge, who died last week, aged 92. The late Mr Roche bought the vehicle in 1914 and drove it until he reached the age of 91.

Church Badminton Club The annual meeting of the Ashburton Presbyterian Church Badminton Club was held on Wednesday. The following officers were elected:—President, the Rev. D. M. Steedman; vicepresident, the Rev. S. Baird,* club captain, Mr K. Cookson; vice-captain, Mr A. Kelly: secretary, Miss M. Russell; committee, Mrs M. Jordan, Miss V. Bonnington, Messrs M. Jordan, I. Drummond, T. Rainey and D. Russell.

Maori Adzes Foiind Three Maori adzes have been found by the New Zealand fiordland expedition in the area behind Caswell Sound. The adzes were found by Mr J. Holloway. All are of greenstone, one being 10 inches long and the other two four and five inches. As far as members of the expedition know this is the first time Maori artifacts have been found in the Caswell Sound area.—P.A.

Extra Trains for Holiday Crowds To cope with the Easter holiday crowds travelling by train, six extra trains were run on Thursday and Friday. On the first day, 2090 passengers passed through Ashburton, and yesterday 1940, the majority, coming from the north, there being more trains running from that direction than from the south, though north-bound traffic, destined for Christchurch and the steamer express was also heavy. Daylight trips were run by the LytteltonWellington steamer express in both directions on Thursday.

Erewhon Club's Offer Members of the Erewhon branch of the Canterbury Mountaineering Club had offered to plant larch seeds at different points during their trips, Mr R. Buick told the South Canterbury Catchment Board at Thursday’s meeting. Mr Buick inquired whether a supply of seed could be provided by the board. Larch was the most suitable tree, for it could be left unfenced and would not be touched by rabbits. It was a good, chance for the board to have planting done at points not normally visited. The chairman (Dr. P. R. Woodhouse) replied that he would have inquiries made for a supply of the seed.

Beauty of “The Fall” This morning’s frost, the most severe of the season, completed the damage to gardens begun by Wednesday’s 7.5 degrees. A happier result of the recent frosty nights is to be seen in the profusion of autumn tints in and around Ashburton. An occasional rowan in full glory of red and gold, Virginia creeper on private and public buildings* and isolated trees of various species delight the eye. Chalmers Avenue presents a. vista of autumnal beauty, Walnut Avenue a study in contrasts, with evergreens on one side and changing tints on the other, but, as usual at this time of the year, the row of poplars fringing the domain “baths” takes the palm for sheer loveliness.

“Orgy of Crime” Leslie John Marcheselli, aged 19, who appeared before Mr Justice Callan in the Supreme: Court at Auckland yesterday for sentence, had admitted slashing 17 bolts of cloth and a number of suits with a cloth cutting knife, says a Press Association message. He did this on the night of September 28 after breaking into the premises of the Regent Clothing Company. He faced nine charges of breaking and entering and theft and one of mischief. His Honour said the wilful mischief was very shocking. Apparently the prisoner vented his annoyance at not finding money by ruining a very considerable quantity of stock. The total value of property stolen or damaged in the orgy of crime was £473, and salvage amounted to £276, leaving an unrecovered balance of £197. The prisoner was ordered to be detained in a Borstal institution for two years and seven months.