LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 128, 15 March 1950, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Lauriston Y.F.C. , The annual meeting of the Lauriston Young Farmers’ Club was held recently, seven members being present. The district chairman and the secretary (Mr R. Comer) also attended, to make arrangements for the billeting of the Waikato young farmers during their forthcoming visit. The election of officers resulted: —Chairman, Mr F. Middlemiss; secretary, Mr F. Clemens; treasurer, Mr F. Bebbington.

Export of Apples The largest shipment of the new season’s apples to leave New Zealand for London markets this year will he carried in the Dominion Monarch when she sails from Wellington on Friday. The shipment of 55,000 cases is the third this season from New Zealand. The two previous apple cargoes of this season were 30,000 cases in the Brisbane Star from Wellington and 9500 cases in the Port Fremantle from Napier. Both ships sailed early this month. —P.A.

Hakatere Lodge Meeting The fortnightly meeting of Hakatere Lodge, 1.0.0. F., was held last evening. Bro. G. E. Mitchell, P.G., presided over a good attendance. Sick pay amounting to £25 was passed in favour of 13 members. Bro. G. A. Fowke, P.G., presented veteran’s jewels to Bro. J. W. Wilkinson, 29 years, Bro. H. C. Preston, 27 years, and Bro. W. Barrett, 27 years. Bro. Fowke, in presenting the jewels, referred to the long and faithful services these brothers had rendered to the Order. At the conclusion of the lodge, members participated in a games evening and supper Avas served.

Ashburton Labour Party The Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Labour Party met last evening. Mr G. Turton presided over an attendance of 35. For the Ashburton women’s branch Mrs M. E. Cullen reported on preliminary arrangements made for the garden party to he held on April 1. A good response was being made, Mrs Cullen’s report stated, and well-filled stalls for the party Avere expected. Conveners for stalls, games and other attractions Avere appointed, and it decided to ask the national secretary of the party, Mr A. J. MacDonald, to open-the function, and also to invite Miss M. HoAvard and Mr T. H. McCombs, Members of Parliament, to be present. Free Transport to School

The Education Department commenced to bear the expense of transporting secondary school children travelling on buses from Coldstream, Longbeach and Hinds to Ashburton schools, as from Monday, according to information released by the Canterbury Education Board in Ashburton. Previously the only services Avhere secondary pupils did not pay the Aveekly fare Avere tjiose from Mount Somers and Rakaia. A Vemit asking for the free service Avas with-. draAvn at the inter provincial conference of the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers at Ashburton yesterday Avlien the news of the innovation was made known. Approximately 120 secondary school children Avill be affected by the change.

New Waiting Room Wanted New Plymouth watersiders did no work yesterday afternoon as a protest at ffie delay in providing a new waiting room near the wharves. They will resume Avork this morning if the weather is fine, says a Press Association message. About 200 Avatersiders Avorked in the morning and went home in the afternoon when heavy rain fell. Uusually the Avorkers stay in the Avaiting room Avhen rain falls, and resume work Avhen it stops. Yesterday’s departure from the normal procedure resulted from a decision last Aveek by the annual meeting of the New Plymouth branch of the NeAV Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union. The branch considers the present Avaiting room inadequate. Union numbers have greatly increased since the room was built in 1929.

Surveys at Pukaki With the intention of installing a hydro-electric power plant at Lake Pukaki, surveys are now being made. Should the Government decide to go ahead Avith the scheme a canal about 11 miles long and 152 ft. AVide~will be constructed across the Mackenzie Plain from Lake Tekapo to Maryburn Valley. Maryburn Valley is situated betAveen the two lakes and Avould form a natural reservoir with sufficient Avater to produce about 250,000 k.w. If the proposal is adopted, the intake of the canal at Lake Tekapo will be at a point of the river about jive miles below the lake near the junction of the Forks Stream. The construction of the dam would take about 2,000,000 cubic yards of material compared with 750,000 cubic yards for the Pukaki dam. If the project is feasible _it may take precedence over similar projects in the South Island.

Nurses’ Graduation Ceremony The graduation ceremony for nurses of the Ashburton Public Hospital who passed the State examination recently, Avas held at the nurses’ home on Monday. The matron (Miss V. E. Dearsley) spoke on the importance. of loyalty to the training centre which had equipped them for their life work. Congratulating the candidates on their success, the chairman of the Ashburton Hospital Board (Mr C. A. Campion) said that the calling of nursing Avas very important and the medal which they received opened the door of service for them in any part of the Avorld. Mr R. Oakley (deputy chairman), Mi’ E. T. Grigg (board member) and Mr A. J. Mason (medical superintendent) also spoke. The medals and diplomas Avere presented by Mrs Campion to Misses B. Jeffrey, E. Corbett, and M. Whitford. The nurses made a presentation to Mr and Mrs Campion, Avith best Avishes for their trip to Great Britain.

Auckland’s Ferry Service An authority “of high standing” is to be appointed by the Minister of Transport (Mr W. S. Goosman) to inquire into the aaJiolc position of the Devonport steam ferry, Auckland, and make recommendations to the Minister as to Avha't course should be followed when Auckland’s harbour bridge becomes a fact. This was announced by the Minister yesterday afternoon after he had met a deputation which djscussed Avith him the question as to whether any compensation should bo paid to the company on the completion of the bridge.—P.A.

Mr W. Moore, F.S.M.C., England, representing Procter’s (Opticians since 1877), Christchurch, arrived in Ashburton to-day on a professional visit.— (Advt.)