COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10163, 18 July 1924, Page 7

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.) METHVEN. The annual conversazione in connection with the Mthven Masonic Lodge was held in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, and was an exceptionally successful function. The hall was tastefully decorated with coloured streamers, the colours being representative of the Lodge degrees. The supper room was also decorated, the same scheme of colours being employed. The work was carried out under the supervision of Mr A. Bremer, who is to be congratulated on the effect produced. The music for the dance was supplied by Mr Day bourn's orchestra and the quality of this was no doubt responsible for much of the evening's enjoyment. Extras were played by Miss Mauger (piano) and Miss D. Pawson, Miss R. Halliday and Mr W. Halliday (piano, violin and cornet). The duties of M.C. were ably carried out by Mr Magifmess. During the evening songs were contributed by Miss Jessie Duff (Christchurch), Miss A. Buff and Mr T. Hall (Ashbuiton), and added greatly to the evening's enjoyment. The Rev. F. A. Tooley played the accompaniments. The Rev. G. K. Aitken, of Featherston, and late of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Methven, was a visitor to Methven yesterday. It is understood that a char-a-banc to carry 16 passengers is to run between Methven and Christchurch. The service is to be a daily one during National Week, and after that the 'bus will run three days a week. This will be a great convenience to Methven and , surrounding districts, especially if the service is run' on Mondays and Fridays, when there is no train running. The Methven Association Football Club-has arranged to play a match against the Ashburton A team to-morrow at Methven. The following have been selected to represent Methven:—F. Anderson, J. Temple, S. McGill, G. Dixon, F. X. McDonald, R. Bigard, 0. Kissel, G. MacDonald, E. Grieve, N. Mcintosh, Timms ; emergencies, Taylor, Berry, A. Allred. -The club have also arranged to hold a series of fortnightly euchre tournaments in aid of the accident fund, and the first of these will be held in the public hall on Tuesday next. Summer weather is being experienced here at present. Although unseasonable it is very welcome. Mild nor'-westers have shifted much of the snow, and the absence of hard frosts is rather remarkable for this period ot the year. The residence of the manager of the Bank of New Zealand, whicjh. is being erected adjoining the bank, is nearing completion. The structure is of brick, and in architectural design is quite in keeping with' the bank itself, which is one of the most imposing buildings in the town. Miss Guffie, who has been infant mistress at the State School here for the past seven years, has been appointed to a position in the Beckenham School, Christchurch, and leaves at the end of this month. Mr Bean, from the Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch, has succeeded Mr A. Gardiner at the Bank of New Zealand here. The latter has received transfer to Wellington. DORIE. At the Dorie Miniature Rifle Club's range a competition was fired for a trophv presented by Mr W. Glasse, of Rakaia. The" following tied with total scores of 35:—W. Banks 31-4; T. Alexander 30-7, E. Kingsbury 33-2, R. Shanks 31-4. On the first shoot-off T. Alexander won, E. Kingsbury being second. During the evening thirteen consecutive bulls were registered by L.. Kingsbury. The following are the leading scores for the highest aggregate in matches:—S. Hyland 198, M. Kingsbury 197, L. Kingsbury 197, D. McMillan 194, J. Beard 193.

ROKEBY. At the fourth euchre tournament of ] the season, held in the Ilokeby School, there was the usual very large gathering. A feature of the play was the i unusually large number of close finishes. The ladies' prize Avent to Miss Ivy F -d and the gentlemen's to Mr P.' Clinton, after playing off a tie with Mr E Owens. Consolation prizes were presented to Miss Gamble and Mr W. McDonald. The committee was again indebted to Mrs Donaldson and Mr Storey for providing music for the dance. Mr G. Hooper acted as M.O. The next function is to be held in a fortnight's time. Several notable improvements have recently been effected in connection with the school life. Besides the election of a spacious sheltershed, electric light is being installed in the school and in the residence, the cost being defrayed in third shares by the Department, the Board, and the School Committee. The work of shingling the school road is now m progress, and should be finished shortly. RAKAIA. This year the Rakaia ploughing match is to be held on the farm of Mr H. Wilkinson, who has kindly offered the use of his paddocks. The function, to be held on July 25th, comes between the Leeston match on the 18th and the Ashburton function on the 30th. An important alteration this year is the lowering of the age limit for youths from nineteen to eighteen. It is expected that a much larger entry will be received this year from the local ploughmen, after having had last year's contest as a guide. There are some very good young ploughmen in the district. This was exemplified last year when the secretary, looking for the youngest ploughman on the ground, found him not in the youths' class, but competing in an open class against all-comers. The Rakaia Football Club held a ; euchre tournament in the Library. Ihe ' ladies' prize was won by Mrs Tatterson, after a tie with Mrs McCoy. The * gentlemen's prize was won by Mr Hunt. The consolation prize for laides went to Mrs Watson, after a tie with Miss K. Stewart. PENDARVE3. On Monday a busy time was spent by members of the Hall Committee in

planting young pines to form sheltei belts on the sou'-west and nor -west sides of the hall section. In order that no encroachment should be made on the grounds themselves, Mr if. Doig the owner of the adjacent property, kindly allowed the trees to be planted on his side of the boundary and a fence was erected to keep an stock from the young trees. . At the present time considerable improvements are being made to the hall itself. A new dressing-room for ladies, with open fireplace, will add much to the comfort of those who have, long distances to travel. It is felt also that the cosy fireside will induce many non-dancers to "gather together for a sociable chat. The alterations made will o-ive more accommodation tor those who prefer a game of cards, and, perhaps, most important of all, will greatly facilitate supper arrangements. In order to raise funds for these improvements, the Hall Committee has been holding a series of euchre tournaments which have been well attended Generous subscriptions have also been given by members of the _ committee and residents of the district. A concert by a Cliristchurch party is now being arranged for August Ist, and as the various performers are considered exceptionally talented, it is hoped that a splendid attendance will greet their appearance at Pendarves Hall.