MID CANTERBURY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20014, 23 January 1935, Page 4

MID CANTERBURY

LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS ASHBURTON, January 22. Building Activity: Two building permits, for residences valued at £BSO and- at £540, have been granted in the Ashburton Borough during the past two weeks. Old Schedule Reinstated: The meeting of residents of the Methven district called to protest against the curtailment of the mail service has been cancelled, as the mail was resumed as from to-day, the Post and Telegraph Department evidently having made satisfactory arrangements with the contractor. Injured Man’s Condition: The condition of Mr Percy Henry Read, of Eiffelton, who suffered severe injuries to his left leg yesterday, necessitating its amputation at the knee, was reported by the Ashburton Public Hospital authorities to-day to be very satisfactory. New Bell Tower: The old wooden structure having been dismantled, the new steel belltower at the Ashburton Fire Station was erected to-day. Designed, constructed and erected by the staff of the Ashburton Power Board, the tower was lifted into position by a road roller, and the operation was watched oy a number of passers-by. It will be tested out to-morrow evening when the brigade intends to ring the bell at 7 o’clock to ascertain how clearly it can be heard in various parts of the town from the greater height of the new tower.

Mayoral Dignity: To lend dignity and prestige to the office at such functions as the reception to his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, it was suggested at a Borough Council meeting that the Mayor of Ashburton should wear robes on formal occasions.

Mr A. L. Jones raised the question, and said he considered a town the size of Ashburton should have a Mayoral gown and chain. At many receptions and civic functions, the absence of robes was very noticeable and the public expected them to be worn. “I think they are essential when Royalty or Governors-General visit the town.” added Mr Jones. The Town Clerk (Mr W. Patterson) said he had often noticed the absence of any such insignia when Mayors were installed into office. However, Mayoral chains were very costly, in one case a town having to pay £250 for a chain. In other towns, prominent citizens had presented chains to the municipality. It was agreed that nothing could be done in the meantime. Angling Report: As the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers had been unfishable for a number cf days, a good number of anglers visited the mouth of the Ashburton River during the week-end. Although the river was higher than it had been for some time, fishing proved very disappointing, nearly all the anglers meeting with no success. Fishing up the river a party of fishermen caught 10 trout, the heaviest being about one pound. War Memorial Damaged: “A scandalous act” was the manner in which Mr E. H. Orr described the moving of a large stone slab at the base of the Great War Memorial in Baring Square West when he reported the matter to the Ashburton Borough Council. He stated that one of the big pieces of stone which form the steps at the bottom of the cenotaph had been moved by some irresponsible person or persons. As the slabs weighed between two and three hundredweight, a steel instrument such as a crowbar must have been used to prise it away from its foundation. “It must have been a strange individual, apparently suffering from imbecility, who did a thing like that.” added Mr Orr. “It is scandalous, especially as the structure damaged was the war memorial.” The stone has since been placed in position again and cemented. “It is incredible that anyone should go to all that trouble to commit such an offence,” said the Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods), who also expressed regret that it was the war memorial of all public constructions that had been disfigured. He said it passed comprehension.

Harvest Well Forward: Harvest operations are well forward in the Methven district, and there will be little grain standing by the end of the present week. Last week there was a shortage of labour for the harvest fields, but with the completion of harvest down country, there has been an influx of men to Methven, and jobs are now hard to find. Heavy Hail: The thunderstorm which swept over coastal districts of the Ashburton County yesterday afternoon just skirted the Borough, but there was a sharp fall of hail in the town, followed by heavy showers of rain, which continued until the evening. The sky then cleared and a frosty night was experienced, with the minimum temperature 40.6 degrees, only 8.6 degrees above freezing point. This is the lowest since November 13, when 35 degrees were recorded. Had there been a frost, considerable damage would no doubt have resulted in gardens. As it was the cold night contrasted sharply with the recent hot days.

Conditions to-day were milder, with the sun shining in a cloudy sky. Twenty-five points of rain fell in Ashburton, making a total of 1.26 inches for the month. There were 50 points at Tinwald and 45 points for the 24 hours up to Saturday morning.

Over a restricted area between Willowby and Winslow yesterday afternoon the ground was white as a result of the heavy hail.