LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LVI, Issue 88, 19 November 1935, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There is to be a cribbage tournament at Doyleston Library next Saturday evening.

In the recent musical examinations Anne R. Downs gained a pass in Grade 111. She is a pupil of Miss Jessie C. Gilbert, of Southbridge.

This evening, in the primary school building at Southbridge, the second of a series of three euchre socials in aid of the school sports fund will be held.

Fifteen tenders were received by the Southbridge Town Board for the cleaning of the town district water races. At a special meeting of the board held last night, the tender of Mr W. Montgomery, at 101 d per chain, was accepted.

At the Sedgemere Hall this evening a euchre and dance social, under the joint auspices of the Lakeside and Sedgemere School Committees, will be held in aid of the Children's Health Camp campaign.

To cope with the shortage of skilled labour in the bricklaying trade in Auckland which exists at present and which threatens to become more acute, action is proposed early in 1936 to form trade schools in which youths will be trained to become efficient at their trade in about one-third of the usual apprenticeship period of five years.

Dairy farmers and pastoralists in the Auckland province are experiencing the worst spring for several years. Cold winds and squalls have delayed the growth of grass, and practically all stock has suffered loss of condition. This has been reflected in the reduced butterfat production, in serious delay in the shearing season, and in the dearth of fat lambs for export. It is reported that the unfavourable conditions are fairly general in the North Island.

This is the golden jubilee year of the Methodist Church at Taumutu, and it has been arranged to mark the occasion by a special afternoon service on Sunday, December 15. The church is also used fortnightly by the Presbyterians, and they have decided to co-operate in the celebrations. The matter was mentioned by the Rev. S. Bailey to officials of the Leeston Methodist Church on Sunday, when it was decided to do everything possible to assist in making the celebrations successful. It is probable that a week-night social function will be arranged, when a good concert programme will be given.

Messrs Thomas Borthwick and Sons (Aust.) Ltd. have an announcement on page one of to-day's Guardian of special interest to pig producers. Particulars of the train arrangements in connexion with the Banks Peninsula A. and P. Show at Little River on Tuesday, November 26, are advertised in this issue. Tickets at specially reduced fares are being issued and additional trains arranged.

At a meeting of the Lakeside Hall Committee, held last night, the chairman, Mr S. J. Graham, referred to the illness of Mr W. Mcllraith, a former chairman of the committee. A resolution of sympathy with Mr Mcllraith was carried, and the hope was expressed that his health would soon be restored.

The British lamb market for the week ended November 15, according to the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board's weekly report, was easier, the demand being affected by large supplies of cheaper meats, and the prices generally were lower. Wether and ewe mutton were weaker owing to less demand. Beef was quiet, with prices unchanged. Demand has improved for New Zealand porker pigs and prices have advanced; the market for baconers was quiet and unchanged.

Some interesting particulars regarding rainfall have been supplied by Mr A. J. Inwood. For the 18 days of this month up to Monday, the fall registered was 2.70 inches, and since the dry spell broke on October 19, the fall has been 5.12 inches. During those four weeks rain fell on 21 out of the 28 days. Last year only 1.95 inches fell during the months of October, November and December. The total fall for ,this year up to November 18 is 20.73 inches, as compared with 27.76 inches for the same period last year. During the last 20 years the average rainfall was about 25 inches, and on that basis there has still to fall approximately 4.25 inches between now and the end of the year to make up the average.

The necessity for exercising care when using an electric iron was brought home to a resident of Leeston on Friday. During Miss C. Snell's absence from her home in Selwyn street, a young man who stays in the house was using an electric iron to do some pressing. He was called out suddenly and unconsciously left the iron on the table with the switch turned on. About 20 minutes later members of the Tennis Club playing on the courts next door noticed smoke coming from a window. They immediately made an investigation and were just in time to prevent serious damage being done. The table was destroyed, together with some clothing left on it, part of the wallpaper had been burnt, and other portions of the room were severely scorched before the fire was extinguished with buckets of water.