COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10132, 9 June 1924, Page 7

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.)

! RAKAIA. At a meeting of the Ploughing [Match Committee, held in the Road | Board office, Mr R. Oakley presided over a good attendance. The names of Messrs E. Fox, J. C. Irwin, I. Thompson, Archibald Stewart, and L. Oakley were added to the list of vicepresidents. A special committee of the association appointed to obtain a paddock for the forthcoming ploughing match reported that arrangements had been made with Mr H. Wilkinson for the use of his 50-acre paddock. It was decided that cups and prizes should be won on the points system. It was resolved to offer a cup for the best three or four-horse team and also for the best five or six-horse team, both district classes. The money prizes are to be allocated the same as last year. It was announced that Mr T. Blackley had promised a cup valued at £5 ss. The following judges were appointed: —Ploughing: Messrs A. J. Hulston (Halkett), P. Hunter (Studholme). J. Gilmour (Tai Tapu), J. Turnbull (Tinwald). Harness decorations and grooming: Messrs George Withers (Prebbleton), J. Kichards (Express Company, Christchurch). Horses: Messrs Peter Shearer, jun. (Ashburton) and E. E. Jenkins (Dunedin). Mr C. Featherstone, of the Rakaia branch of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, has been transferred to Darfield, and his place is being taken by Mr Victor McPhail, of the Christchurch office and formerly! of Rakaia. I

Mr M. Cunneen, of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, has received notice of his promotion to the Christchurch office. Mr Burns, of Methven, has been appointed to the Rakaia ag'eiic?, , At the Rakaia Domain the match between the Ashburton High School and Rakaia B ladies' hockey teams resulted in a win for High School by 8 goals to nil. Mr M. Baker was referee.

PENDARVES. Heavy sou'-west winds, with rain prevailed at the; end of last week and the beginning of the present week, and farm work was of necessity at a standstill. On Tuesday a change for the better set in, and frost has since been experienced, followed by bright sunshine. The rainfall for this ' district for the month of May was 4.37 in, while for the year 1924 to date, it has been 12.02 in. This, so far, is very satisfactory, as the months of July and August can generally be relied upon to increase the rainfall considerably.

On Tuesday the Pendarves and Chertsey school football teams held a match in Mr P. Doig's paddock. The result was a win for the Pendarves team by the narrow margin of 2pts. For Pendarves tries were obtained by Ronald Cameron (5), and H. Wason (2). For Chertsey, tries were obtained by 0. Cray (4), who also kicked a penalty goal. Two tries were converted by R. Fleet. Mr M. Bruce (Seafield) acted as referee. After the match the boys wero entertained at tea in the Hall by some of the ladies of the district. A euchre tournament will be held in the Hall on Friday evening, in aid of Hall funds. Mr H. Sprott intends to leave on a trip to the Old Country on June 19. Miss Bayliss is at present relieving teacher at Pendarves school, in place of Miss K. Penny, who has recently undergone an operation for appendicitis. Miss Penny's many friends will be pleased to know that ishe is progressing favourably.

HINDS. The Returned Soldiers of Hinds held their annual ball on Friday evening in Hinds Hall, when there was£ a good attendance. The hall wad nicely decorated with flags and greenery. Excellent music was supplied by Mi.tr chell's Orchestra. Supper was served in a large marquee erected close to the hall. The onerous duties of M.G. were carried out by Mr P. Buttenck. During an interval, Mr J. Cook, on I behalf of Hinds Football Club and Hinds Returned. Soldiers, presented Mr F J. Hampton with a travelling ( ni K 'He spoke of the valuable services rendered by the recipient, who was deservedly popular in the district Mr Hampton suitably responded 'Mr C. P. Reid, the energetic secretary, thanked all those who had helned to make the function a success and the Hinds Hall Committee for free use of the hall. A pleasant gathering broke up at 2 a.m.

MAYFIELD. A very pleasant social evening was held in the Mayfield Presbyterian Church on Friday evening, to bid rarewe3 to Mr and Mrs W. Elmsbe who are leaving the district, Mr J. Brown acted as chairman, and in his opening remarks stated that for many years both Mr and Mrs Elmslie had tak«n a

very active interest in the work of the church. Mrs Elmslie had been organist and had t .een secretary of the committee for a lengthy period. On behalf of the residents of the district, Mr R. Oakley had much pleasure in presenting Mi- and Mrs Elmslie with a travelling rug in recognition of their services to the church. He conveyed to them the best wishes of all for their future welfare and happiness. Mr and Mrs Elmslie suitably acknowledged the presentation. On behalf of the P.W.M.U., Mrs Withell asked Mrs Elmslie to accept a fountain pen from the members as a slight token of their esteem and regard. Mrs Elmslie had founded the P.W.M.U. in Mayfield and had ever been untiring in her efforts on its behalf. In replying, Mrs Elmslie said that she was never happier in church work than when working for the missions. She hoped the P.W.M.U. would continue its steady progress, and she thanked the members sincerely for their gift. The Rev. MacDonald and Mr H. J. Morrow also conveyed to the guests of the evening their very best wishes for their future welfare. The following items were contributed:— Songs: Mrs McDowell, Misses Johnston and J. Duff, Messrs R. Oakley and E. Withell; duet, Mrs McDowell and Miss Johnston: recitations. Mrs W. Miller and E. Withell. After the singing of the Doxology the ladies handed round supper. Arrangements are well in hand for the fancy-dress ball to be held here on Friday night. The proceeds will be given for the furtherance of the work of the Plunket Society. The children will have the floor from 7 to 9 p.m., and the march by the little ones in fancy costumes should be spectacular indeed. Prizes have been arranged for the most original costumes worn by the adults.

MOUNT SOWERS. The Mount Somers Road Board held its monthly meeting on Monday. Present: Messrs. M. C. Harper (chairman). Thos. Bright, Jno. Lockhard. and J. W. Comyns. Mr Lamb sent an apology for his absence. . Mr Harper was re-elected chairman of the board, and upon taking the chair welcomed the new member, Mr Comyns, to the board. . Mr J. H. Burgess wrote asking the board to clean out a drain on the roadside of Boyd's Road. It was decided that Mr Bright and the clerk inspect and report to the board at its ! next meeting. ] Mr Comyns stated that the Tramway Reserve Road required the ruts raking in where last shingled. The clerk was instructed to attend to it. The resolution regarding overdraft passed at the previous meeting . was confirmed. It was decided to sue for all rates unpaid by June 21 without further notice. . , ■ ~ The chairman gave notice tnat n was his intention at the next ordinary meeting of the board to move that a rate of Id on all rateable property in the district be struck and levied. The overseer's report was read and approved, and • accounts amounting to £7l 4s 4d were passed fo rpayment.