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Newspaper
Ashburton Guardian
Location
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date
Sep 23, 1908
Page
2
The text lists lunar phase dates including First Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter, and New Moon. It also mentions perigee and apogee timings with times like 8 21 a.m., 153 p.m., and 8 32pm, plus measurements such as LL 80 p.m. and 2 99 a.m. 7 30 am.
Dominion Day Saturday September 26 will be observed as a Post and Telegraph Office holiday. Post Offices will be open 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday September 25 for delivery only. All mails close at 7 a.m. Saturday. Telegraph Offices operate 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to unspecified. telephone exchanges open 8 a.m. to midnight.
The piece notes farmers and merchants overlook a weed threat, California thistle, spreading from Southland to Otago. It highlights failures of burning and mowing with kerosene, and cites J O N Grigg’s skim ploughings as a successful method to curb infestations while restoring soil fertility. It laments local apathy toward proven control.
The Public Works Statement reports New Zealand coal output reaching 1,831,009 tons, up 101,473 from 1906. Ashburton Borough Council contemplates delaying the fire brigade station bath due to overdraft, urging reallocation of funds. The Crown tenant figures as of March 31, 1908 are listed, and council mentions asphalting and channelling requests held in abeyance amid tight finances. Fishing reports note plentiful trout. local merchants promote fishing gear and remedies for coughs and colds.
Comparative accounts show July 1998 credit of £7 1s 8d, July 1907 overdraft £803 9s 11d, July 1908 debit £1464 1s 7d, latest meeting overdraft £1938 18s 10d. Items include Canterbury Council payments to board members, quarter-year court convictions for drunkenness, hospital bequest, price cuts on factory butter, property subdivision plans, and hospital funding. Also reports on Lady Plunket travel, Justice Denniston leave rumor, a burglary, lambing prospects, orchestra rehearsal, military resignations, registrar office move, social events, and friendly societies chess.
A morning blaze at Zetland Lodge stables in Ashburton was fanned by wind and quickly extinguished by the fire brigade. Mrs J E Tomlinson, owner, estimates the loss at about £200. The Gisborne report notes the lease held by Mr Grieg for long term. Other notes include electoral rolls access, NZ Journalists Institute appointments, a missing man located, JP availability for Police Court, and a review of Taylor-Carrington films showing strong color, music, and stage effects.
In Parliament the Attorney-General urged third reading of the Second Ballot Bill noting seamen were not disenfranchised at the second ballot. An amendment to recommit was opposed as an attempt to kill the bill. The third reading passed 16 to 15. Other bills advanced include the Manawatu Railway Purchase Bill and amendments to the Inspection of Machinery Act, the grant of leases by certain bodies, and the Impounding Act and Fire Brigades acts gaining second readings. The Council adjourned at 9.35 pm.
The Wellington House of Representatives met for formal business and continued Labour Bill clauses. Discussion covered appeals from Magistrate's Court to the Court of Arbitration, with amendments on rights of appeal and finality of decisions, plus wage deduction provisions and conciliation commission appointments. The session adjourned after a long day, with progress reported at 9 a.m.
A Pall Mall Gazette report notes a special squadron of modern British ships is expected to visit Australia next year. Other items include Lancashire spinning trade tensions, an unemployed demonstration planned for Trafalgar Square on October 10, and engineers in the North East accepting provisional settlement terms after seven months of strike activity.
Report from Rio Janeiro notes Michael Trades, a Syrian passenger, arrested after attempting to discard a trunk containing the victim’s body from the Cordillera liner. He admits complicity with his employer’s wife in murdering the man aboard, the details dated September 22.
Berne reports Wilbur Wright’s aeroplane covered 66 kilometres and 600 metres in 91 minutes 26 seconds at Take Leman setting distance and time records. The motor ran smoothly and the craft rose high before a cheering crowd. The American Ambassador in France praised Wright, saying America may be proud.
The Franco-Spanish note regarding Morocco is acknowledged by Holland in a September dispatch. The exchange references Morocco and signals diplomatic engagement between France and Spain on the issue.
The Times St Petersburg correspondent notes a lamentable contrast between squalid sanitary conditions and the city’s well equipped hospital. He also mentions a strike by grave-diggers, highlighting public health and labor tensions in the era.
A fire at the Paris telephone exchange destroyed the recently installed American central battery system due to an insulation short causing wires to ignite. With only about 200 women operators on duty on Sunday, the blaze spread rapidly but all escaped.
The Daily Mail reports Alberti embezzled £605000 from the Peasants Savings Bank and forgeries on the Butter Association total £225000. Willer’s losses are minor and potentially recoverable from the Association, which may recoup from the farmer. The Butter Trade Journal notes 52 dairies liable for £500 each, risking ruin for small farmers unaware of post payment liability.
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