LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3575, 7 October 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

■ Thirty-eight of the 40 voluntarilyenlisted men called' tip at Ashburton under the Military Service Act have attested to date.

The Mothven branch of the Red Gross is making a special appeal to. all residents of the district for' contribtir tions to the " Our Day ?' Fund.-

\ "Guardian" reporter was informed to-day that there is a possibility that the retail price of butter will be further advanced in Ashburton within the next few weeks. '

Southern members of the Nineteenth Reinforcements on final leave passed through Ashburton by the second express this afternoon. A number of Ashburton soldiers also arrived by the same train.

At the National Mortgage and Agency Company's land sale iit the Arcado to-day the lease of the, High School Board's reserve No. 929, containing 400 acres, was passed in at auction at 'the upset rental of 15s per' acre.

The season is proving; exceptionally favourable to dairy farmers in the I Ashburton district. There has been a substantial increase in the supply of ' cream to the Ashburton Dairy Company, and everything points to a record season.

A. pigeon offered to-day at the Farmers* Co-operative- Association's poultry sale was purchased by Mr A. Muir, of Christchurch, for Is. Mr Muir had tho bird auctioned for the benefit of the Red Cross Fund. After being re-sold several times and realising 23s 6d. it came again into the hands of Mr Muir, who set it at liberty.

Mr J. Cow waited on the Wakanui Road Board to-day and asked for a donation towards providing a hutment; for tho soldiers at the front. The ; chairman (Mr J. Bruce) stated that • ho was entirely in sympathy, with, the movement, because he considered any sum voted to help to bring the war, to a finish was money well spent. The board unanimously decided to vote £20, being £10 from each ward in the board's district. Mr Cow's appeal tothe Upper Ashburton Road Board today was met with the generous, response of £50 to the fund.

The distribution of tho householders schedules in connection with the census which will bo taken on the night of October 15, is well under way in. this County, which extends from the Rakain to the Rangitata rivers. It is expected that tho delivery will be completed by tho 14th inst., and any householder not furnished with a form by that date is enjoined to communicate with the-Postmaster, Ashburton.. who will immediately, post a schdule, to any such applicants.

The criminal cases dealt with at the Ashburton Court during the quarter ended September 30 totalled 106, and the sum of £76 19s was recovered in fines find costs. On the civil' side, 104 summonses .were . issued and 65 ■ cases came before the Court. The amount sued for,was £1296 18s 9d, and £568 10s 10d was recovered through the. Court. Ninety-five .old men and six widows had their,pensions renewed. Five iu\w. -pensions weres granted to ;old men. ;.

There is' evidently no intention on the part of a section of the Hampste-ad ratepayers ro have the proposal for the Greater Aslibui ton scheme side-tracked. • A Uamnsiead ratepayer - informed a . "Guardian" reporter to-day that a petition in favour of tho proposal will be Drepared, and, when it is ready, a paid oigauiser wilt he engaged to seouro tho signatures of all supporters of the scheme. The petition will then be presented to thh board, and probably :» poll will be asked for.

The postal authorities would like the Christinas ami New Year Parcels for Soldiers sent. away. as..soon m possible now. H. G. Percy is ■ packing (very: securely) >ml addressing."- all descriptions of parcels at a very small charge. Please bri'rifc the soldier's address with you. to PercyV,. ; '.