LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 46, 5 December 1949, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Salvation Army Band ' The Ashburton Salvation Army Band yesterday morning gave l a programme at the Ashburton public hospital, thus continuing a practice which has obtained for some 50 years. Next Sunday the band will begin in country districts its annual Christmas carolling.

Pocket Watch Awaits Claimant Found in the doorway of an Ashburton shop a week ago, a man’s pocket watch is now at the Police Station awaiting a claimant. There are no ownership marks on the timepiece, which is classed as quite a valuable one.

R.A.0.8. Social and Dance Those who attended the R.A.0.8. social and dance held in the Hampstead Hall on Saturday evening, spent an enjoyable time • dancing to music supplied by Bro. L. Chapman. Novelty dances were won by Mrs and Miss Honeyman , and Mrs Johnston and partner. Bros. J. Bushell and E. Fergusson were master of ceremonies.

Election at Ashburton Official scrutiny of the rolls used at the recent election for the Ashburton seat was begun this morning by the Returning Officer (Mr W. Haymes) and his staff. The official count will follow this, and it is hoped to complete that task by the end of the week.

Fine Performance

C. Burke scored 121 and took nine wickets for 47 foi’ Grafton against Middlemore in a match at Victoria Park, Auckland, on Saturday. This remarkable performance is probably without parallel in Auckland senior cricket. Burke, who has developed into a fine batsman during his English tour this year, took his score from 88 to 121 when the second day’s play began. Burke’s spinners completely nonplussed the other batsmen. —P.A.

“Messiah’* at Geraldine

The Temuka Choral Society last night presented the “Messiah” at Geraldine. The full work "was not attempted, but the portions chosen were splendidly handled. The four soloists, Mrs E. C. Roberts (Pleasant Point) soprano, Mrs Stanley (Temuka) contralto, Mr W. T. Corbett (Ashburton) tenor and Mr A. Dale (Temuka) bass, gave very finished performances, and added considerably to the success of the presentation.

University Registrar’s Tour “Considering the, dearth of equipment and the modest finances of New Zealand colleges, the student product is seen in a favourable light overseas,” said Mr I. F. McKenzie, registrar of the University of New Zealand, who returned by air yesterday from a rapid tour in which he visited .58 colleges, says a Press Association message. Mr McKenzie studied university government, finances, and administration in the British Empire, the United States, and Hawaii. Mr McKenzie was accompanied for part of his tour by his wife. While in Europe, Mrs McKenzie represented New Zealand at the world conference of the University Women’s Graduate League in Copenhagen.

New Settlers Welcomed

The Young Wives’ Group were hostesses at a social hour held after church last evening, to welcome the new settlers belonging to the Church of England and allied churches. The church wardens, Mothers’ Union Committee and Church of England Men’s Society were invited, and the .overseas visitors were briefly welcomed by the Victar, the Rev. J. Evans. Songs were sung by Mrs Collins and Mrs Hynam, accompanied by Mr Miller Hope, and Dr. Fulton played violin solos, and Mr and Mrs Miller Hope piano duets. After an amusing “puzzle picture’’ competition, supper was served, and new friends and acquaintances were made. Mr K. Genner expressed the deep appreciation of the guests,'-and returned thanks on their behalf.

Britain’s Food Storage

The cause of the accumulation of food stocks in British storehouses is believed, by the Mayor of Auckland (Mr J. A. C. Allum), to have been last summer’s drought in the United Kingdom. Weeks 'ago, when he was in London, it was widely known that stocks of meat were accumulating so rapidly that available storage space was filled and refrigerated steamers were being used as temporary storehouses, Mr Allum said. “I was told that during the drought farmers were compelled to kill off a good number of cattle which, in normal circumstances, would have been killed later in the year. 1 However, it is certain that the people of Britain to-day are not getting any additional rationed food and still need all we can send them, so that their meagre rations can be maintained,” he added. —P.A.

Tariff Commission Favoured The appointment of a tariff commission on New Zealand’s import trade is favoured by the Auckland Bureau of Importers. It also favours 1 the immediate revocation of import control on goods from the United Kingdom. These recommendations are contained, in a statement compiled by Mr Gainer Jackson, the past-president, and released on Saturday. The proposal for an independent tariff commission is that it should have representatives of manufacturers, importers, ' primary producers, and consumers, with a chairman appointed by the Crown, and sit in the four main centres taking evidence on oath. The commission would be invested with advisory power only to investigate and report to Parliament. The bureau does not favour the suggestion to establish a board of- trade. —P.A.

Coiumba Old Girls

A pleasant function rvas held recently in the Community Centre when the Coiumba Old Girls’ Association celebrated their fourth reunion dinner and picture party. The guests were welcomed by the president, Mrs Harold Morris, who was presented with sprays made by Mrs H. R. Tasker in the college colours of blue and gold. The cake was also presented by Mrs Tasker. The candles were lit by the president, blown out by Miss Hillyer representing the Techilical High School Old Girls’ Association, and the cake was cut by Mrs C. Anderson (High School Old Students). After dinner the guests were entertained by Miss S. Murdoch (song) and Mrs H. Tasker (elocutionary items). Supper was served after the pictures before the visitors returned to Christchurch. Thanks rvere expressed to the local members and an invitation to the Christchurch branch dinner on December 7 was extended by Mrs Webley president of. the Christchurch association.