ASHWICK FLAT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18200, 26 February 1929, Page 4

ASHWICK FLAT.

(By a Correspondent.) OCCASIONAL NOTES. THE SCHOOL. On the Ashwick Flat School assembling after the holidays, it was found that there were still sumo vacant seats. Tho school is largo and airy, and commands a wonderful view of mountains, streams and excellent takeoff lor that higher education that shall fit tho country child to breast the tape with those town children tv ho rejoice in closer educational facilities. We know that while Miss Oopplestonc could cover her self with graphite and grease as a protection against the monsters of Cook Strait, the average 1 aimer would find this of very little protection against the sharks of the commercial world when he goes to market tho year’s work of his hands and brain. And so the mistress is there all the time to enrol new pupils at any moment. At tho break-up of the school in December, an enjoyable picnic was held. The children enjoyed games and races, and tho following prizes were distributed:—First in Standard IV and Dux of School, Ashley Whatman; second, Eileen Fawdray. Standard lII.—R. Allan 1, P. Carter 2. Standard I. —Lindsay Allan 1, Doris Fawdray 2. Lower Standard I. —Evelyn Carter. Primer (Upper).—Mark Hutt 1, Bruce Fawdray 2. Brian Fawdray 3. Primer (Lower). —Grace G. Allan 1, Bernard Whyte 2. Gabriel Allan 3. Attendance.—Ronald Allan. Sewing.—Eileen Fawdray. Arithmetic. —Ronald Allan 3. THE WEATHER AND THE CROP. We have now experienced many weeks of hot drying winds which have given a severe check to all growth, and if it should hold out much longer without rain the outlook for winter turnips will nfc be very rosy. No doubt those engaged in harvest work have rejoiced in the prevailing conditions, but as most farmers have tlieir eggs in several baskets, they like to see them all get a fair show to hatch out. Just now the ben has left the basket with the fat lamb eggs, for rape in some places has developed blight. There is still time to save some of these eggs if the hen does not idle about too long, or in other words, if we get rain.

LOSS OF LAMBS. Some farmers are losing a considerable lot of lambs probably on account of tho unusual climatic conditions and in one case the flock owner is dosing all his lambs with a pill and a drink of water—no mean job where there are 1000 lambs to handle. A large amount of hay has been gathered and will no doubt be a fine stand-by for winter in case the turnip crop should fail. THE FLAT RATE. Our farmers will no doubt watch with interest the movement to abolish the flat late for shipping charges with its consignment centralisation of shipping, and the district will be behind any endedeavour to keep our port open as it is our highway to the world’s markets, and it is unthinkable that our goods should have to be railed to Lyttelton. THE PORT. Probably we will have to realise that sooner or later our port will have to be brought into line with the larger ports in the matter of expeditious handling of cargo. Competition is the life of trade, and it would appear that we must either pay an increased rate to develop our port, or pay an increased rate to the railway to carry our goods to the larger ports. £50,000 to repair the damage by the late storm, £190.000 to carry out the proposed improvements to the harbour and also large receiving shields whore ships can dump their cargo and off again without the delay of sorting into trucks. But of a truth this total sounds a goodly sum, but it is the price wo must pay if we are to retain our place on tho water front.

GHOSTS. One would think in these days of keen commercial competition that every avenue of commercial activity likely to lead to revenue would have been exploited But the writer heard the other day of an enterprise which was quite out of the ordinary. A resident of the Flat, on being interviewed, stated that he considered that our New Zealand ghosts were a poor lot, and that it was high time that the science of “ghosting” was taught in our schools. Why, how many of us, it we saw a ghost would ever pause to consider to what particular age it belonged. No, we would probably seeno reason to stay there any longer. And yet we know with unemployment so rampant at Home and many of the best ghosting grounds having to be sold on account of nigh taxation there must be manv a good ghost scarcely making a decent living out of its walking. The idea is to go Home to some old ghostridden castle and being armed with a petrol tin and a Vacua n cleaner, to set these up in the known line of march of the ghost. Also two fire screens could be placed like the wings of a crush pin to guide the frail creature aright. Some one should be stationed behind to give a loud sho to the ghost and a flop with a sack like you do when a lamb refuses to go op the race. All that is now required is a man of nerve to turn tho handle of the Vacuum cleaner at an even nace when doubtless the ghost could be drawn into the receptacle provided. If one petrol tin should be too small, several could be provided. On nrrivrt. in New Zealand this could be used to train the local article, or to walk at garden parties, etc. Anyone wishing to take up shares in a comanny to develop this industry, may do so. Further information supplied on inquiry.