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Newspaper
Ashburton Guardian
Location
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date
Dec 21, 1908
Page
2
The fragment lists December lunar phases and times with references to first quarter, last quarter, new moon, and specific dates. It reads like an almanac entry showing moonlit events and times for navigation or farming.
Reader notes two splendid sections for sale on the western borough side with frontages of 2 chains and 24 chains on two good advantages.
A newly erected house with regia and akia complete with modern conveniences is offered along with more than half an acre of land on the Alford Forest Road. Call for particulars at once.
The article argues against expanding the cabinet amid ongoing talks of Prime Ministerial re construction. It notes ministers already bear heavy workloads and shows they have managed public business with two fewer ministers. It warns that adding an extra minister would burden the country and provoke discontent among aspirants for office.
In Ashburton athletes discuss a proposed marathon to boost foot racing and related sports. The plan anticipates public funding support and publicity welcomes the idea. Handicaps will be sealed, ensuring most starters have a chance to finish rather than rely on finish time alone.
At the county council meeting Mr Hugo Friedlander urged forming a committee to probe receipts and expenditure to reduce costs for ratepayers. The chairman noted the council runs efficiently, citing Ashburton’s capable staff as a reason for large, beneficial schemes. The premier replied on grain sack weight regulations effective February 1, and local sales and estate reports described healthy livestock and rising grass after rains.
Early season reports note plentiful mush rooms in Ashburton and prices in Christchurch around Ts 11d perch. Local updates mention fishing yields at Rangitata and Rakaia tails, harvest prospects and a large boxing day sports entries, with a strong turnout and anticipated good weather for the county meet.
The piece mentions boarding-houses at Ohakune and Taumarunui profiting from Main Franks line trains. It notes three ladies charged 6d to sleep on a floor, and reports a busy Canterbury ladybird season attacking aphids on roses with up to forty beetles on a single tomato plant. It also covers J E Fitzgerald’s Wellington Suburbs contest, a fire at a storeroom beside the Rakaia Hotel, and Father Christmas greeting travelers at a railway station. A Ashburton January 1900 event features The Filtics with giants drums and Clan Johnstone Troupe from Dundee, Australia and New Zealand.
Willowby wins the return cricket match against Wakanui by 9 runs at Ashburton Domain on Saturday. Wakanui Ladies provided afternoon tea. Score details for both sides list players and dismissals, with Sinclair and Crossman among the bowlers carving the decisive edge for Willowby.
Adelaide reports the first innings of New South Wales closed for 718 with Hopkins 248 Noble 213 and Rev Waddy 64 among top scorers. O Connor took four wickets for 1738 and Whitty 2 for 142 to end the day.
The Board of Control will send Australia’s second eleven to New Zealand. The next tour opens with a first test at Birmingham on May 27 and five tests slated across London Lord’s Leeds and the Oval through August. Adelaide reports players object to terms while South Africa may visit Australia in 1910-11.
London report says Middleton the Australian footballer had suspension lifted after expressing regret to the Rugby Union for the Oxford incident.
London report says the Wallabies beat Newport by a goal to a try. Wakefield Trinity won over the Australian League team with four goals and four tries while the opponents managed two goals and three tries.
Sydney December 19 summary of the Vil liers Stakes Handicap at the A J C summer meeting. Virtu won by four lengths over Rose Ray and Lady Ruernalt with a time of 1 min 38 ¾ sec.
Avondale Jockey Club stewards order disqualifications following their spring meeting. G Lindsay owner and AL Boyan rider with Royal Soult receive two years suspension. A Whittaker rider of Lucio six months. G Pell prize months. A Julian six months. Tale Pitcher and Sovetoet owner South receive six months. N Cunningham trainer and Iuicio barred for life.
The Shipping Gazette notes Sunderland shipbuilding dropped from 91 vessels totaling 296 668 tons and £907 in value to 41 vessels totaling 87 456 tons in the present year. It also reports other global items including Morocan recognition talks, a new steam line proposal to Italy and Australia, and notes on King Edward's health and Lisbon political turmoil.
Reuters Belgrade reports an Austrian captain with fifty men entered Servia at Monkratova using a field-glass to take notes. Another detachment crossed at Ljudovia. A Serb rifle fire alarmed customs guards. Austrians retreated. Servian government calls the incident provocative.
Wanganui reports V Brown nearly drowning rescued by J Spear at Castlecliff beach after foundering a third time. Napier notes Cecil Bentham aged twenty drowned at Hangaroa while sheep farming study. body later taken to Dunedin. Christchurch coroner H W Bishop leads inquest into Alice Gibson’s Montreal death from cardiac failure edema of lungs. verdict aligns with medical evidence. Mrs Jones, Prebbleton farmer, found dead from heart disease in paddock. William Mason of Orari injured when wheel broke throwing him from a tram car. right arm fracture near elbow.
Editorial manuscripts and printing machinery of a vernacular Revolutionary paper were seized in Lahore. Indians welcome the reform program with enthusiasm while officials see progress beyond expectations. Bengali leaders praise concessions though seek more, as Lord Morley pushes for a permanent official majority.
King Edward telegraphs sincere congratulations on the assembling of the Turkish Parliament and wishes for its happiness, prosperity, and cordial relations with other nations. Britain also sends a telegram offering good wishes for the new Parliament and strength of ties with Turkey.
The House Committee of the House of Commons proposes that gallery applicants sign a promise not to disturb. It also backs a Bill to punish offenders with imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Wilbur Wright completes a flight of 614 miles in 114 minutes near Le Mans with portions attained at about 400 feet high. The achievement showcases early aviation speed and endurance by the Wright brothers as reported by the Press Association.
Por Press Association. Frederick Cole of Maldon Essex shot at his father Councillor Cole and his brother in law Kitchen during a family feud and killed himself. Two brothers Edward and James Cole were arrested as accessories before the act.
Sydney dispatch reports a Callan Parks patient named Poppleton killed an attendant called Bunny with a shovel and then stabbed himself critically. The incident occurred December 20. Police and medical staff responded to the scene.
Mr. William Wallace of Tarramarra Roto via Hillston endorses Chamberlain's Cough Remedy as a reliable treatment for coughs and colds. The product is supplied by Ashburton Drug Company.
Passengers arriving from the south by railway report a nightmare at Ohakune on Saturday night with no available accommodation. About thirty carriages occupants refused to alight and slept on carriage seats. Reports claim stretchers and even bath rooms were used for rest from 11 pm to 4 am. Sir Joseph Ward questions railway staff conduct and vows the behavior would not be repeated if true.
The Charles Edward holds position but seems to be sinking in sand with water filling her hull and waves passing over. The Ururoa remains similarly stranded, with damaged gear. Rescue attempts by a local sailmaker and crew were repeatedly thwarted by heavy seas until nightfall when a determined effort finally reached the scow.
John Morra and George Daniels clashed in Lower Stuart street yesterday. Morra is accused of stabbing Daniels in the chest with a penknife during a dispute over a 33s cheque. Daniels, a carter, was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Morra was arrested on a wounding charge with intent to grievous harm.
At New Plymouth on December 19 the inquest into Mrs Kienner’s death from revolver wounds concluded. The jury found the cause of death was revolver wounds inflicted by Dr. Goode. A rider commended Constable Price for duty and Constable McIvor for arresting the accused.
An inquest in Wellington into the death of John Ferguson, a ship’s fireman aboard the Harbour Board hopper dredge, found he died from a fractured skull after a fall caused while intoxicated. Robert Collins faced a charge of manslaughter, bail set at £25 with surety. The case will continue in court.
Unclear notes indicate a ship named Ultimaroa will depart Wellington for Sydney by mail service. It mentions a date around the 31st of January previously announced, with details scattered in the fragment.
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