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Newspaper
Ashburton Guardian
Location
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date
May 01, 1908
Page
2
The page lists May ephemeris data including rising times for bats and moon phases. Details cover New Moon on May 1 33 a.m. First Quarter May 8 83 pan. Full Moon May 16 42 pa. Last Quarter May 23 11 47 am with perigee noted.
A Canterbury wool broker told the Guardian reporter prices remain near six years ago levels. He warned the market’s slump stems partly from farmers keeping inferior sheep through inbreeding, risking future wool and frozen meat exports.
Reports say a line of four thousand bushels of prime milling wheat sold a day or two ago in Timaru at sixpence a bushel. Captain Edwin telegraphs gale warnings after sixteen hours as the barometer falls. Local bank official I F D B Hardie transfers to Timaru to begin duties Tuesday. Buxton re-elected Sager of Ren Nees with 249 to 110 for Ashwell. Duck shooting season opens quietly in Ashburton with few birds. Empire Day temperance meeting planned with speeches by J T Taylor and A R Atkinson. Orchestral Society practice draws crowds with Rossini William Tell and other works. Methven train service meeting confirms extra trains to continue until countermanded.
In Qreymouth on April 30 the Fox case against Blackball Coal Co over wrongful dismissal was tried. The jury found Fox was dismissed without notice, no prior notice agreement, no custom requiring notice, and awarded no damages. Costs totaling £32 6s 6d were awarded against Fox.
At Wanganui a nine o clock train drew in and Albert Benefield a 30 year old fruiterers shop owner was dragged seventeen yards after being struck between carriages. His left arm was severed and left leg mangled and he died shortly after midnight. A second report notes T L Joll of Yeardnaki grave after a tram fall and later death at hospital.
A correspondence piece reflects on workmen who depart, honoring their service and friendship. The tribute emphasizes shared labor, collective effort, and lasting bonds formed in the shop.
The Observer notes the district will lose long time residents Mr Alcorn and his wife and Mr and Mrs Thomas. It praises Mr Alcorn for his twenty years of fair dealings and his wife for helping those in need while acknowledging differences on the drink question. The piece urges fitting public recognition of their good services to the people.
The Methven stock sale drew a large crowd with yarding of over 8000 sheep across varied classes. Prices edged up slightly with forward ewes at 10s 9d and lambs 12s to 14s 3d, wethers around 1 guinea, and draught horses selling for 11 to 29 pounds. Trotting horses sold for 25 to 38 pounds, while London cables note a dull wool market and uncertain but improving year-end stock levels. tallow spot values quoted as fine mutton 6d per cwt and beef 30s to 28s 8d.
Paris telegrams report the Franco British Exhibition in London set to be opened May 14 by the Prince of Wales. Other items note the secret Lemoine manufacture formula surrender to French authorities, a Brisbane bound mail service tender, riots in Annam, Mt Etna eruption, and cargo losses via Matsushima.
John Sutherland was fined 20s and costs after police found him on John Johnston’s premises seeking to deal drink. Edward Hanrahan was fined 5s and costs for chimney neglect. Michael Dempsey was fined 20s or 48 hours for drunkenness at Ashburton railway station. Default judgments entered against Andrew Orr and Co vy H W Wilson for £4 14s 8d and against Andrew Orr and Co for 1s 8d.
Christchurch May 1 The Hon R McNab Minister of Lands said the Government accepted the offer of Kanroo estate proprietors near Oamaru for 19 000 acres at seven pounds per acre. The Preas Association reported the land for settlement.
Two women were convicted of shoplifting from several businesses in Wellington and fined £8 each with seven days in default. The chief detective noted a recent rise in shoplifting, with thefts occurring both outside and inside shops.
The Ashburton Hospital Committee met with Mayor Hy. Davis presiding. Reports show March 81 patients, April admissions 17, discharges 15, deaths 3, leaving 16 in hospital. One scarlet fever case admitted. four operations under anaesthetics. H. E. East appointed wardsman. Gates and Dickie named visiting committee. accounts totaling £108 passed.
After full argument in the Court of Appeal, judgment was reserved on the New Zealand Exhibition case. The ruling awaited completion of legal considerations and the court’s final determination.
Pet Press Association reports the shooting season begins on Lake Allesmere with many sportsmen active. Other sports see strong patronage as game is plentiful and bags are expected to be good. New gaming laws aim to reduce pot hunting and limit sportmen activities.
The Pollards stage The Isle of Bong Bong at Oddfellows Hall for one night only. The Wellington Times praises the scenic effects and performances by Bert Nicholson and Minnie Topping, with the box plan open at the Dresden.
Wellington report says Jamies Mowbray, a restaurant helper, was fined £10 for selling liquor on unlicensed premises. His wife was convicted and ordered to appear for sentence when called.
A report from CALCUETA dated April 30 notes a great force at Peshawar aimed at confirming the Afri dis stance of abstention. Ameer and officials are inert, with no active response recorded.
Advices from Noumea report the Norwegian barque Bjarne wrecked on Surprise Island. The crew of thirteen is being brought to Nomea. Also noted is the Braybrook accident with a rising injured list reaching four hundred three. A Melbourne telegraph reports parliamentary press criticism and a government reply denying unusual press bias.
May 1 reports list 30 pearling vessels wrecked with several returning crippled or sheltering. Wreckage found a hundred miles from the disaster scene. Estimated Broome fleet loss ranges from £15,000 to £20,000. Condén telegram notes three drowned in the Cleopatra wreck. Gasgin, a New Zealander, among the drowned.
Ashburton County Council debated a grant for the Borough of Ashburton Domain with supporters urging £100 and opponents pushing £75 or lower. The meeting also covered dog registrations, traffic bridge maintenance, and inspector reports on traction engines, licenses, and cemetery reserves.
Pretoria April 30 General Francois Pivar a former Boer leader admits he planned an armed invasion of Angola to expel the Portuguese and annex the country for Britain but abandoned the project after Britain refused its sanction.
London April 30 Mgr Henniker Heaton argues in the Financial Review of Reviews for a penny a word rate for all telegrams across the Empire and eventually the world. He proposes that Home and Colonial Governments buy land lines and inter imperial cables at fair value to operate for the public benefit.
In London on April 30 Labour tensions rose as the Licensing Bill faced another second reading adjournment. Mr Long argued the time limit clashes with a concurrent levy for insurance while Socialists floated expropriation of other property after fourteen years. Liberal members urged Mr Asquith at Reform Club to push the bill forward.
FIRES. Dunedin May 1 A fire broke out in the drapery department of the D SC at 8 15 this morning. Sweepers quickly used the hose and suppressed the outbreak. Loss estimated in the hundreds of pounds with damage to the crass glove and hosiery sections. Cause unknown but suspected a dropped match. Superintendent Smith notes a narrow theatre royal fire escape and proposes hose and gas jet protections.
In a bustling sequence a man seeks remedies from a butcher grocer cabinet maker distiller and brewer and learns that for head colds the Wis Pace Great Peppermint Cure is best, praised across shops for its effectiveness.
In a May 1 speech at Kirby in Ashfield Sir Edward Grey outlined that the Board of Trade would strive to avert a shipbuilding lockout. He noted that Sir Antony Macdonnell would soon retire with four peerages.
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