ASHBURTON.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17863, 8 September 1923, Page 5

ASHBURTON.

PERSONAL. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, will leave Ashburton today to open the new bridge at Blowing Point. He will return to Christchurch by the evening express. At Thursday night's meeting of the Ashburton Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club reference was made to the late Dr. C. V. Baigent and the late Mr Thomas Bullock. Both had been good supporters of the club. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of the deceased wa s carried, members standing in silence. , On August 30th, there passed away, after a brief illness, another early and much-respected pioneer, in the person of Mr John Melver, of Vv'inslow. Born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1842, the deceased and his wife arrived in Lvttelton in 1876. After spending a sliort time at Southbridge they came to Lonjrbeneh and later to Winslow, the deceased working for a number of vears on the Longbeach and Winder- i mere Estates. On Saturday, September Ist, his remains were laid to rest in the Wiuslow Cemetery, the cortege being a large and impressive one. He leaves a widow, five sons, and three daughters. General News. A visitor to the back country stated yesterday that the feed was very backward; in fact, it had not been so far behind in growth for some years. The position was entirely different, however, in districts below Methven. It was plainly to be seen that the grass came away more quickly in districts lower than 1000 ft altitude. Lambing in these latter parts was now general, and the percentages were "-ood. The official opening of the newlyerected Blowing Point bridge at the back of Mount Somers is to take place to-day. The ceremony will be performed by the Minister of Public Works (the' Hon. J. G. Coates). The Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister of Agriculture, and probably Sir Heaton Rhodes, Minister of Defence, are to make the trip. Countv councillors and members of the county staff, the Mayor (Mr E. Galbraith) and town clerk and members of the Ashburton Power Board will bo among those present. The ceremony is timed to commence at 1 o'clock. The number of dogs registered to' date this year in the Ashburton County is 2752. It would appear from the report of Mr E. N. Johnson, inspector to the Ashburton County Council, at the Council meeting: yesterday that he considers the time is ripe - tor licensing drivers of all motor vehicles, as is done in the cities and big towns. A passage in his re- | port stated: "As two of the county i people have been before the Court in 1 Christchurch, I spoke to the chairman regarding putting the Motor Eegulations Act relating to the ability test into operation, with a result that I went to Christchurch and obtained a certificate and information which I have submitted to Mr C. W. Purnell, who is giving an opinion in the matter to the Council. A draft of the proposed by-laws was before the Council for consideration. Cattle Fair. The Ashburton Associated Auctioneers will hold a cattle fair at the Tinwald yards on September,24th. Mail Notices. , Mails close to-day for Northern Ports at 5.15 p.m.; late fee letters, 5.40 p.m.; guard's van, 6 p.m. Mails for the United Kingdom, Europe, and U.S.A., via Vancouver, per Niagara, will close at Ashburton to-day at 5 p.m. (Mail due London October 15th.)