LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 103, 14 February 1950, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Toe H Meeting “Beefsteaks from Wood,” by Mr W. Lynn, and “Current Affairs,” by Mr E. Wood, were the topics of talks given last evening at the weekly meeting of Ashburton Toe H. There was a good attendance, and Mr Wood presided. Maintenance Arrears Having allowed arrears of £4 15s to under a maintenance order, Gordon Stanley Watts was charged with this breach in the Magistrate’s Court at Ashburton before Mr E. A. Lee, S.M., yesterday. He was fined £3 and sentenced to five days’ imprisonment, with an order made for his release on payment of the sum owing. Echo of Christmas The Matron’s report for December, submitted to yesterday’s meeting of the Ashburton Hospital Board, acknowledged with gratitude donations to Christmas cheer from the board, and also from the Methodist Choir, Miss Cameron, the Women’s Section of the R.S.A., the Ashburton Club and M.S.A. and Mr M. D. McDowell. School Sports At a meeting of the sports committee of the Primary Schools’ Sports Association held yesterday afternoon it was decided to hold the, annual county swimming meeting on March 1 and the athletic sports on March 23. The annual meeting of the association was fixed for Monday next (February 20). National Party Caucus A caucus of the National Party has been called for March 2. It will be the first working caucus held by the National Party since its return as the Government. A brief caucus was held the day the National Party Government took office, but it was mainly to tell party members the names of Ministers and their portfolios before this was announced to the public.—P.A. Teachers Confer Teachers from 10 country schools round about Ashburton gathered at the Tinwald School yesterday at the instance of the inspectorate for a discussion on various aspects of the coming year’s work. There were some 20 men and women present and Mr S. Gibb, representing ' the inspectors, guided discussion on syllabus requirements, methods of teaching and problems of organisation. Bowling Mania > Among the stories told at the Ashburton Bowling Club’s jubilee banquet on Saturday evening last was one of a small girl, who, watching a bowls afternoon in company of an aunt turned to her and said, “They all seem to be all right.” “Yes,” said auntie, “but what do you mean?” “They all have their legs and arms and eyes.” “Yes, of course, whaf made you think they wouldn’t have.” “Oh, Mum said they had something the matter with them,” was the reply.

Foresters’ Juvenile Lodge

Holding the first meeting of 1950, Court Pride of Ashburton Juvenile Foresters last evening was presided over by C.R. Bro. M. Bloomfield. Thanks and appreciation were expressed to the retiring secretary, Bro. J. Weeks, who will be leaving Ashburton shortly. A social committee, comprising all sitting officers, was formed, and the organised games competition was begun at the close of other business. Bro. G. Davidson was, successful in the first round, with Bros. A. Johnston and T. Johnston second and third.

Tasman Class Flying-Boats The four Tasman class flying-boats, which “were replaced by the new Solents at the end of last year, are parked at the Hobsonville air base, Auckland, out of the water, says a Press Association message. , Nothing has been heard of the intentions of Civil Aviation, from which they were hired, concerning their future use. Tasman Airways is doing maintenance work to keep the flying-boats from deteriorating. Before Christmas negotiations for their purchase were going on between the British Ministry and Qantas Airways, but no news has been received of the result.

High School Examination Successes Congratulations to the Headmaster (Mr W. L. Jolly) on examination successes were extended by the Ashburton High School Board at yesterday’s pupils in Form GA, three were awarder Higher School Certificates and one secured a pass in French for the B.A. degree. Of 1G pupils in Form 68, 13 secured University Entrance by accrediting and one by'examination. In the same form, the 15 pupils eligible had their School Certificates endorsed by the Education Department. For School Certificate, 30 secured passes and one passed in book-keeping for the Institute of Secretaries examination.

The Old Sporting Days Reminiscences at the Ashburton Bowling Club’s jubilee banquet on Saturday evening included the recalling by Mr W. B. Thomas of the days when his father..(Mr David Thomas) and Mr Hugo Friedlander were rivals in horseflesh. One would race the other in his gig to the sale and whoever lost would look round for a speedier steed so that the race would be his next time. . The speaker also recalled that Mr Thomas was wont to challenge anyone at a sale or other gathering to race him 50 yards, and as he had taken the precaution of removing his boots first he usually won easily.

Drivers' licences . Although the total number of drivers’ licences issued at the Ashburton County Coucil in the present licensing year which expires on June 30 next, is almost as great as for the whole of the previous year, there are nevertheless over 500 persons who held licences for the year ended June 30, 1949, who have as yet not renewed for the present year. Many of these will be accounted for by people who have since left the district, or who for some reason are not now driving. It would be wise, however, for all drivers to check their licences to ensure that they do hold a current licence and have hot overlooked obtaining a renewal. A point that should not be overlooked is that a licence not renewed during the whole of a licensing year is regarded as having lapsed, and l? a new licence cannot be issued until the applicant undergoes and passes a further driving test.