MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20412, 5 December 1931, Page 3

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. DANGER OF GRASS FIRES. 'I lie danger which exists from grass (ires, owing to the exceptionally dry weather, was emphasised at the County Council meeting yesterday. The chairman (Mr Withell) said the small rainfall experienced in the district during the season would cause very great danger of fire, and it was necessary that every endeavour be made to check outbreaks. Firebreaks had been graded along the railway line between Ashburton and Chertsey, and in addition the Council was co-operating with the Kailway Department in burning off dry grass near the railway lines. The public should be warned of the danger of lighting fires, as an outbreak might cause extensive damage. Mr YV. G. Gallagher said there was 110 doubt that th'e trains were responsible for the fires, four of which had occurred on the plains at Ealing and Rangitata during the past week. Tht Itailway Department should be urged to send a ganger to patrol the whole line after trains passed through. Ha moved that representations be made to the Department along these lines. Mr J. Carr seconded the motion, which was carried.-

Unemployment Work. hj) liis report,to the County Council's meeting yesterday, the chairman (Mr Jl. C. B. Withelf) suggested that consideration should be given to the advisability of suspending the No. f> Scheme during the period of harvest operations to enable the unemployed men to take advantage of the work offering. Mr W. T. tall S aid he thought the unemployed would be with thom during the whole of the harvest. Owing to the dry conditions there would not be as much harvesting this year as last. In reply to Mr R. Houston, the clerk (Mr Kelly) stated that apy unemployed men who refused harvesting or any other work when it was offered to them Here being struck off the unemployed register and would not bo given relief work. Members wore of the opinion that it would not be wise to suspend the No. - r ) Scheme. The clerk reported that 25 applications from farmers for work to be done on farms under the Xo. 5 Unemployment Scheme had been received and approved and. it was hoped to allocate men for this work, beginning on Monday. The work consisted mostly of gorse grubbing and hedge-cutting, b*ut there were four applications for the cutting and deepening of drains. The Unemployment Board had consented to the Council approving of applications immediately. wjjs agreed that the system of placing unemployed in a camp on County Council water-race work or . river protection be tried at some suitable opportunity.

Plunket Society. There was a good attendance at the mi 011 i ol the A&hburton Ilunkec Society yesterday. This was the last meeting of the year. The president (Mrs F. W Seldon) presided. A letter was received from Sirs J. S. La fog, now of .Wellington, who thanked the members for their farewell party and for their gift. She also wished the branch success. . The president made a progress report concerning the new rooms, which she _ hoped would he ready ,for the official opening in February. The following were appointed a furnishings subcommittee:—Mesdames W. Birnie, K. S. Billcliffe, J. Connor, R. Kennedy, and F. W. Seldon. Mrs Seldon also made a report in connexion with, the mothers' day. lietd by the Methren. Mnyfield. «ud Timvnld branches, and Mrs C. 11. Inftes reported satisfactory Bales of the new cookery book, which she suggested would make a ; good Christmas gift. AshMrton Technical School. The following students of tho Ashburton Technical School have been successful in gaining their Wenior free Places (subject to regular attendance till the end of the year):— Girls—Berta: Barnes, Harriette Basher, Beatrice Bell, Agnes Clark, Beatrice l>onn ; Hazel Holland, Margaret AlcKenzie, Olive Maboney. Florence Opie, Mona Protheroe, Ruby Spedding, Anita Good, Clarice Stevenson, Kathleen Stoddart, Ina Stringet. Flora Sutherland, Phyllis Watson, Marjorie Bishop. Leonie Cain, Phyllis Coldicott. Jean Copland, Marjorie Cretney, Melva Dalgetv, Betty Frisby. Anne Gardiner, I>ois Giles, Jean Gilmour, Zillah Hawke, Duloie Hood May Kermeen, Mary McLay, Margaret McLay, Grace Manson, Venla Penney, Eunice Read, Linda Robertson, Ellen Shearer, Oinah Smith, Phyllis Smith. Jessie Tumbull, Aileen Wells, Alma Watts, and Violet Ashbolt. Boys —Gordon Bagrie, Laurence Broom. Murray Dikhy. Douglas Henflerson. Arthur Scott. Ernest Beauvais, Fjric Church. Henry Collins. Bruce Craichead, Kenneth Finlayson, Hector TTarner. Lisle Hood, Gavin Loudon, Alex. McCall. William Metcalf Eric. Moore, Geoffrev Palmer, Wilfred Smvth. Vivian Stills. IJedley Watson, and-Clifford Wells.

Old Traffic Bridge. The question of the disposal of the old traffic bridge over the Ashburton river was discussed at the County Council meeting yesterday, when in accordance with notice Mr Carr moved that in view of the fact that the Main Highways Board would not accept any responsibility in connexion with the old traffic bridge the resolution retaining the old bridge for stock purposes be rescinded. Mr D. J. Morrow seconded the motion. Mr W. G. Gallagher said it was an unjustifiable waste to destroy a bridge which would be of benefit to the ratepayers. He had a great deal of respect for those who had built the old bridge and although it woiild not carry heavy traffic it would be safe for stock for many years ..yet. He suggested an inspection of the bridge by the Council,l°Mi' J. Moore said that if the bridge was on the lower side of the new structure he would be in favour of leaving it but in its present position it was a menace and the advice of the engineers should be followed. Certain hours should be set aside for stock to cross the new The chairman (Mr H. C. B. Withell) said the bridge was useful for stock, btit he thought it should not .be left for more than twelve unontlis or so. The Council made an inspection of the bridge and then resumed the debate. Mr Frampton said he would like to see the bridge retained but he wished to know how they were g6ing to jeply to the Main Highways Board. There was not much danger of the bridge being washed away. He would move as an amendment that the Council reply to the Board saying that they were prepared to demolish the bridge. Ttey could Bet a time, perhaps Jmonths ahead. This was seconded by Cr. Gallagner. The amendment was carried by six . votes to five.