LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 126, 13 March 1950, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dahlia Show Cancelled . t Until the week-end the prospects of an outstanding dahlia show, to be conducted by the Horticultural Society, were high, but the hail yesterday and a heavy frost this morning caused such extensive damage that the fixture has had to be cancelled.

International S.P.C.A. An international conference of all Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be held at The I-lague in August of this year. Mrs E. M. Boyes, of Auckland, will represent New Zealand. The New Zealand general secretary, Mr S. B. Clarke, also hopes to be present.

Hospital Patients i Outpatients treated at the Ashburton hospital last month totalled SIS. Massage treatments for outpatients numbered 416 and inpatients 365. Patients remaining in hospital at the end of January totalled 121. Admissions during the month were 121 and discharges 110, leaving 126 inhospital at the beginning of the present month.

Pigeon Flying Inclement weather resulted in slow progress in flight of birds liberated at Waipara on, Saturday for the United (Ashburton) Pigeon-Flying Club’s weekly race. The winning pigeon was a four-months-old bird owned by Mr F. T. Miles, while a pigeon owned by Mr B. Mathieson was second. Other birds did not arrive until some time later, and plaeings were not cheeked.

Forgot His Trousers It was not the heat of the flames that brought a ruddy glow into the face of one Wellington fireman on Saturday morning, says a Press Association message. He got to Smith and Smith’s fire helmeted and jacketed, only to find that in his rush to save seconds he had forgotten something—his trousers.

Few Salmon in Waitaki

Salmon, taken from the Waitaki River this season have been smaller than in previous years, with an average weight of between 121 b and 141 b. There have been no large runs, and most of the anglers who spent . last week at the river were disappointed by poor catches. Only a few fish have been taken, although the river is clear and in good order. Trout fishing has been almost as disappointing.

Old Tree Crashes A landmark of over 50 years, in the form of a weeping willow at the corner of Cameron, and William Streets was demolished at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon. The south-west gale took it off at ground level, and a gang of men worked hard to cut it back so as not to obstruct the roadway. A car, which is frequently parked on the William Street frontage of Mr T. Pile’s property, on the corner of which the tree stood, was fortunately missing at the time of the occurrence.

Beginners’ Luck An lowa State Senator, Mr Charles Evan Eaton, and his wife, of Sioux City, had beginners’ luck when big game fishing in the Bay of Islands area last week. Although swordfish had been extremely scarce around Cape Brett, they got two fish on Thursday. Mrs Eaton landed a 4091 b black marlin while Mr Eaton brought in a 2021 b striped marlin. They had never been' gamefishing before, and it was only at the last moment that a launch could be obtained for them.—P.A.

Not as Intended At the opening ceremony of the Ashburton East School on Saturday afternoon, the chairman, Mr A. M, Sutherland, at the close of the official proceedings announced that afternoon tea would he served in the infant room block, adding “The second part of the afternoon will be more interesting than the first,” which well-meant announcement was immediately responded to by one of tlie official party with, “All the speakers thank you.”

Visitors at School Opening

Among those who attended the opening of the Ashburton East new school on Saturday afternoon last were Mr G. Edgar, local member of the Canterbury Education Board, Messrs W. W. Garton, headmaster from 1924 to 1927, and S. G. Macfarlane, 1933 to 1945, Mr G. V. Furby, for a long period secretary of the school committee, Mr W. L.. Jolly, principal of the Ashburton High School, Mr W. Crawford, principal of the Ashburton Technical High School, and Mr G. A. Bain, headmaster of the Allenton School. Apologies were received from the Minister of Education, Mr R. Jd. Algie, the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr E. Andrews, Dr. and Mrs Boroman, Mr W. C. Colee and Mrs P. Dawson.