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Newspaper
Ashburton Guardian
Location
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date
Mar 06, 1908
Page
2
Heavy rain reduced cattle attendance at Geraldine yards on Wednesday with about 2000 sheep entered. Quotations show fat lambs at 14s 6d per pair, ewes at 13s 6d, mouth ewes at 6d, lambs around 9s to 10s, fat wethers 14s 9d, and Q bred lambs 9s 10d, among other bids.
At Culverden the Amuri sheep fair saw 35346 sheep offered as Raine improved demand especially for young stock. Smallholders lacking feed could not buy much, bulk sold to larger graziers with Ashburton buyers purchasing several large lots. Prices ranged from 19s 6d to 28s for various classifications with Merino and crossbred to 8s ck, reflecting conditions and plentiful competition among buyers.
The fourth Dunedin wool sale saw 1763 offerings with fewer buyers than the prior sale. Medium and inferior crossbreds sold more keenly, while good and medium halfbreds did not keep earlier rates. Bellies and locks fetched last month’s prices. London cables note a fall in tallow and mutton tallow prices as buyers operate cautiously.
The item notes a shift in Canterbury and broader rugby circles toward allowing players to be reimbursed for match expenses and proposes establishing an accident fund on a provincial basis. It also reports on farm labour disputes, court actions, and local council efforts in Ashburton and Geraldine.
Nationwide entries list insurance companies such as Live Stock General Insurance Company of New Zealand and Yorkshire Wire Insurance. Real estate offerings include 4 room and 6 room houses on William Street Havelock Street Tancred Street and Villa Street with baths sculleries washhouses and water access. Villa Street listing notes furnished options and full conveniences.
Holiday shoppers are urged to find comfortable footwear for tennis bowls and cricket at Mellor’s Shoes. The ad promises light, durable shoes of high quality at economical prices during an alteration sale with prices not to be matched in the district.
The Ashburton Hospital Committee held its morning meeting with Mayor H. Davis presiding. Tender accepted for Sister Davis’s resignation. Agnes Simpson chosen for the nursing vacancy. February admissions totaled 17 with 18 discharges. typhoid cases rise, four remain under treatment. Head nurse appointment discussed. overworked staff noted. Clerk reports £330 in fees since April 1907.
Sergeant Fouhy returns to Ashburton after a West Coast visit comparing Hokitika and Greymouth. He notes Hokitika’s timber boom and dwindling prosperity, smaller housing, and frequent heavy rains. Greymouth enjoys recent harbour improvements with fewer wharf jams, while the Coast’s infamous Sludge Channel remains tied to Seddon’s political prominence.
This morning's telegraphed river report notes Ashburton and Rangitata as dirty, Rakaia status not provided. The data reflects the condition readings for both branches of Ashburton and the Rangitata, with limited detail for the Rakaia.
A Bengal Razor, strop, shaving soap and brush offered at a reduced price of sixpence at Percy’s. The ad highlights a compact grooming kit for quick personal care.
United States immigration commissioners consult police for cooperation to deport alien anarchists under the deportation law amid rising crime in major cities. Large bequests in London and a notable suicide in Australia are noted, along with Abyssinian chiefs punished and a rugby union squad for New Zealand named with leadership.
Earthquake shocks caused a fire at Hampstead Colliery in Birmingham after candles toppled and timber burned. Nine men escaped danger while 21 returned to work. a rescue went well with two men saved in a semi conscious state.
A devastating fire at the Lake View Common School in Cleveland districts killed hundreds of children and injured many more. The six story building burned from the basement, trapping students on upper floors as exits clogged and stairs filled. Firemen and bystanders watched in horror as bodies were recovered and the death toll rose to one hundred and seventy eight.
A March 5 report from New York states anarchists have threatened the death of Bishop Farley of New York and Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore.
In the Reichstag Herr Dernberg acknowledged abuses in the Cameroons rubber trade and pledged protection for villagers by arranging settlements and cultivation areas off the caravan routes. He promised to curb abuses and safeguard local communities.
Four suspects were arrested at Shah Abdul Azim shrine in Teheran amid an alleged bomb attack on the Shah. The shrine has long been tied to criminal immunity in local lore.
In the House of Commons Mr C Fenwick urged a Select Committee to examine whether the Merchant Shipping Act enabled the Board of Trade to curb abuses linked to Chinese labor in Britain s mercantile marine. Under-Secretary H L Kearley noted rising Chinese employment and potential legislation impacts, but the motion was withdrawn.
The Chronicle reports Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman says he will resign if unable to rejoin the House of Commons by Easter. Doctors give little hope of a quick return. King Edward visited him and stayed about an hour.
In London March 35 the House of Commons debated bread costs with Sir J F Leese arguing against wheat import duties and Mr Golding urging home grown wheat and empire duties. Lloyd-George warned the amendment could invite German competition. Golding's proposal was rejected 298 to 90 and the debate adjourned.
The Post reports a strike at Blackball arose from a Miners Union resolution. Proceedings under section 15 have begun against the Union for creating a strike. The Union faces a fine up to 100 pounds or £10 from each member, with potential individual penalties for ringleaders if proven. A special Greymouth Court sitting may be convened to hear the case.
Wellington Trades and Labour Council delegates express unanimous sympathy with the Blackball strikers and endorse the Miners Union action. They will telegraph to offer financial help if needed and call for government action against the Blackball Company. A Greymouth Arbitration Court session is set for the 11th, with Miners Union proceedings not disclosed.
March 5 Te Oranga Home inquiry in Christchurch continued with testimony from several girls and two ex inmates about punishments for absconding and rule breaches. Miss Harrison, a Home teacher, alleged matron hostility to the school and limited instruction under official inspection.
The Elgin schoolroom hosted a farewell social and presentation for Mr and Mrs Joseph Choak and family as they depart to Ashburton. The event featured songs and performances by local residents, a marble clock gift, and expressions of community appreciation for the couple’s service on the School Committee and in church work.
At South Rakaia a gathering at the Road Board office bid farewell to Mr. Thos Morland who departs for the Old Country. Mr Hardy noted the ratepayers’ goodwill and asked Mr Lambie to present a heavy balandi rag with inscription. Mr J Irwin and Mr Oxley spoke briefly. Morland thanked them and expressed hope to return soon.
At a Ashburton Trotting Club committee meeting chaired by Mr BH F Nicoll the club announced that its next meeting program had been approved by the Trotting Association and nominations would be held on Saturday March 21. Nicoll Knight and the secretary were authorized to coordinate with totalisator owners and arrange building extensions. The Ground Committee would position the luncheon booth band and stand and arrange other needs. Catering is assigned to J Rule and Anderson with authority to act. Training fees on the back are set at 5s 8d per quarter. The meeting adjourned.
The Nimrod, Shackleton’s ship of the Otago Heads, is back from the Antarctic. The Dunedin report dated March 6 notes the vessel’s return under Lieut. Shackleton’s command.
Methodist Conference in Auckland reviews Oxford station status linking it to Malvern Circuit if no Oxford agent appointed. Members back restoring ties, with conditions. Honours given to Rev H Bull and others. Laws named as delegate to English Irish and United Methodist Conferences. Committees plan publishing and seek £8000–£10000 for a theological hall endowment.
Brussels reports King Leopold and the Congo Government have abolished forced labour in the Congo Free State. The move, dated March 6, aims to end coercive labor practices in the territory.
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