LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 120, 6 March 1950, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

No Business . The statutory quarterly meeting of the Ashburton Licensing Committee was clue to lie held to-day. As there was no business to come before it, the committee did not meet. Pigeon Flying The United Ashburton Pigeon Flying Club continued its series of races on Saturday, when birds were liberated from ftangiora. The first three birds home wor e all owned by ,F. T. Miles, with B. Mathieson’s entry securing fourth place. Ashburton Earn Fair A total of 180 S entries, from 95 breeders, have been received for the Ashburton Ram Fair to be held on Wednesday at the showgrounds. They comprise 26 stud rams (Corriedales, Southdowns, Border Leicesters, Romneys and English Leicesters) and 1782 flock and first cross rams. Memorial Scholarship The terms of the award of the Robert Bell Memorial Scholarship were this morning. varied by the Ashburton High School Board. In the' past the annual value of the scholarship has been £2O, but the new proviso prescribes an amount “as the Board shall from time to time decide.”

Addition to Woodwork Room

It was reported at to-day’s meeting of the Ashburton High School Board that, on receipt of a report concerning the lighting and ventilation of the woodwork room at the school and suggestions from the instructor for additions to the room, application had been made to the Education Department for a grant of £lB5 to cover the work proopsed.

Cyclist Injured Severe lacerations of the face, hands and legs were suffered by Richard Hawke, an employee of the State Hydro-Electric Department at ITororata, when lie was knocked from his bicycle )w a car at Ealing on Saturday evening. Mr Hawke, whose homo address is 15 Retreat Road, Christchurch, was admitted to the Ashburton Hospital. His condition is satisfactory.

Bird Visitants

The garden of the Borough schoolhouse, Burnett street, was visited yesterday afternoon by a shirflng cuckoo, reports the headmaster. It was very quiet, and had apparently flown a long distance, but its visit seemed exploratory rather than in a search for food, in the morning a re-visit was paid by grey warblers. Mr' Campbell would be glad to hear of any others who were favoured with similar visits, Corner Fences The Ashburton High School Board decided at this morning’s meeting, in response to a notice from the Ashburton Borough Council requiring it to remove or lower the fence at the corner of Grey and William streets, to take steps through the board’s solicitor to protect in the meantime the board’s rights in thd matter. A sub-committee was set, up to make a further investigation, and to instruct the board’s solicitor accordingly.

Marching Team’s Success The annual competitions conducted by the Mackenzie Marching Association were held at Stratheonan Park, Fairlie, on Saturday. Ideal weather prevailed ,and there was a good attendance of the public. Star (Ashburton), with 8871 points, were third in the marching, third in the games, and second in the keep-fit exercises. In the aggregate Star were first with 30 points, Braemar second with 19L and Edinburgh third with 18.

Destination of Desks Two hundred new desks and chairs ordered by the Ashburton High School were in error sent to the Ashburton East school, stated the principal’s report to the Ashburton High School Board to-day. The furniture was left at East on the assurance of the Canterbury Education Board that it would supply the High School’s requirements promptly. A letter, added the principal, had been received from the East school committee expressing appreciation of the Iligh School authorities' action in’ the matter .

Successful Picnic

The annual Sunday School and congregational picnic of the Baring Square and Allenton Methodist churches was held in the Tinwald Domain on Saturday. Favoured .by ideal weather, some 200 children and adults spent a most enjoyable day. Swimming, running and novelty events, and a treasure hunt provided exciting fun for all. Special provision was made for the children in the way of chocolates, ice cream, sweets and apples. Boat trips round the lake proved most popular.

Sight Permanently Lost Mr Lionel Voice, the blind Aucklander, who arrived in Britain last July to undergo special treatment at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, has been told by the specialists in charge of his case, that there is no hope of restoring his sight. Accompanied by his blind wife, who joined him at East Grinstead soon after his arrival in Britain, he will leave, by air on Wednesday to return to New Zealand. Mr Voice underwent a series of delicate operations at East Grinstead, but though he made some progress in the early stages, hope had finally to be abandoned.

Technical Old Students’ Picnic

A party of over 40 members of the Ashburton Technical High School Old Students’ Association journeyed to the Waihi Gorge during the week-end for the annual picnic. During the day several members of the party took time off for bathing, while others spent considerable time tramping up the Gorge creek. The day brought the usual that,...occur at picnics, one of the menfolk falling in the creek, another losing his shoes, and one losing a pair of spectacles. However, these minor incidents did not dampen the enthusiasm, and all were sorry to leave after an enjoyable time in pleasant surroundings.

Beautiful Gardens Viewed At the invitation of Mr and Mrs Jos. D. Murdoch, of Mayfield, GO members of the Ashburton Horticultural society, journeyed to their residence by special bus and private cars to view their attractive gardens. These provided a wonderful display, and wore excellent examples of correct planning. A beautiful bed of dahlias contained giant, medium and cactus varieties, all of outstanding quality, while the beds of zinnias and gladiolus with the sweet peas were brilliant in colour. Some of the most admired flowers were, summer - flowering chrysanthemums round the borders. During the afternoon the president of the society (Mr A. .1. Millichamp) expressed thanks to Mr and Mrs Murdoch for the invitation, and also congratulated them on the magnificent display. Afternoon tea was provided by the hostess.