COUNTY CENTRES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10384, 1 May 1925, Page 7

COUNTY CENTRES.

(From Our Own Correspondents.) METHVEN. A very successful social evening was spent in the Methodist Mission Hall on Wednesday evening to welcome the Rev. Mr Henderson, who has been appointed to the Methven-Rakaia circuit. The evening was spent in games, interspersed with musical and elocutionary items. Each guest arrived wearing the representation of a title of a song, and a competition was held, Mrs Sam. Smith, who guessed 25 correctly out of a total of 33, heing declared the winner, the Rev. Francis A. Tooley being runner-up. ■ Other guessing competitions were held, the most amusing of which was the guessing of various advertisements with a portion deleted therefrom, Mrs Doira being the winner of this competition. Mr H. G. Ayres, circuit steward, in welcoming Mr Henderson to Methven, expressed the goodwill of the congregation, and said he trusted that his ministry would be a successful one. The Rev. Geo. Hercus (Presbyterian) also added words of welcome in humorous vein, and assured Mr Henderson of continuance of good feeling already existing. The Rev. F. A. Tooley expressed his thahks for the

invitation to be present. Mr Hendersin, in reply, thanked the speakers most heartily for their kindly expressions of goodwill. He felt the responsibilities of the charge, but felt sure of the hearty support of the people and brother clergy, and was beginning to i feel quite at home already, and was looking forward to a pleasant sojourn among them. Mr G. H. Nicholls, on behalf of the visitors present, also spoke a few words of welcome to Mr

Henderson. Those contributing items were: Mesdames H. G. Ayres and Tooley, Revs. F. A. Tooley and Henderson. An extra competition was won by Mrs K. Aitkeh"and Mr Tooley.

WAKANUi. A large number of friends met at the residence of Mr and Mrs Bonnington, Riverside, to bid farewell to Miss Cairns, who is shortly to be married, and to the general regret will leave the district. Mr Kirk presided and the following contributed musical items: Mrs A. Wilson, Misses Wilson, Kermeen, Bonnington, and Messrs A. Wilson, B. Cairns, N. Corbett and A. Doak. These, combined with games and social chat passed a. very pleasant evening. Miss T. Wilson, Messrs Page, A. Doak and Kirk mad© appreciative reference to the good work performed by Miss Cairns as a Sunday School teacher, member of the G.A. and Bible Class worker. All expressed regret at the loss of such an active worker. Miss T. Wilson, 1 on behalf of the G.A., presented Miss Cairns with a piece of Doulton ware; Mr Page, on behalf of the S.S. teachers and class, presented her with a Bible, and Mr A. Doak, on behalf of the Bible Class, with a case of stainless cutlery. A

hearty vote of thanks was accorded the host and hostess, and the meeting rlosed with Uio singing of "Auld Lang Syne."

ALFORD FOREST. There was a large attendance at the annual meeting of householders at Alford Forest school. The following were elected a committee: Messrs A. McHarg t R. A. Grigg, S. Campbell, M. P. Blathwayt (chairman), and E. T. Grigg. . A very pleasant social evening was given by Mr and Mrs Jas Cook, Methven, at their residence, in honour of Miss E. King, Oamaru. The evening was devoted to dancing, parlour games and competitions. The winners of the competitions were: Miss Scoon, Messrs H. Clark and A. J. Wilson. Songs were contributed by Misses L. Mahood, Cook and Mr Ostler, pianoforte solo by Miss E. King. Misses Mauger, King and Avis Scow, supplied the music for the dances.

MAYFIELD. On Wednesday afternoon a rally and social was held in the Mayfield Hall, under the auspices of the Mayfield branch of the W.C.T.U., when * good number of ladies assembled to meet the president of the Ashburton branch, Mrs Lill, of Willowby. Mrs Williams, of Anama, presided, and, in introducing Mrs Lilt, said the object in meeting together, was twofold: to hear the president and to augment the funds and membership of the Union. Mrs Lill outlined the important social reforms brought about by the W.0.1.U. since its inception. The Union, said the speaker, received m&mbers of all creeds and was represented in very many nations by half a million members. She welcomed Mrs Belshaw to the Mayfield branch. A stall well failed with a variety of articles found a ready sale, increasing the funds by £6.

RAKAIA. The Rakaia Ladies' Hockey Club will play a friendly match against the Darfield ladies at Darfield to-morrow. The following is the Rakaia team:— Misses D. Brown, D. Stubbs,A. Thompson, D. Kennett. 0. Stewart, M. Tatterson, M. Evison, H. Shannon, c. Shannon, F. Cornelius, M. Kennett; emergencies: M. Newman, T. Gardiner,, M. Collard and G. Haslett. The competition for the Gala Oup, which was postponed on account 01 the weather, will be played to-morrow on the Rakaia Bowling Club's green Ihe competing rinks are from the Ashburton, Methven, and Rakaia clubs. The following players will represent Rakaia:—Milne, Weaver, Newman, Holmes (s). The Rakaia Club's champion doubles and the coltß' competition will also be completed. At the householders' meeting it was decided to write to the Education Board approving the plans laid down for remodelling the school. Since thou the chairman has received a telegram from the Board's secretary, that the building improvements would b© gone on with without delay. ' The monthly meeting of the Methodist Todies' Guild was held in the 'iurch on Thursday afternoon, when

tiiere was a good attendance. Sister Mildred, of Ashburton, gave an interesting address on mothers and; children The occasion was also a gift afternoon for the Methodist Orphanage at Papanui. A number of gifts were handed in. It was agreed that a garden party be held in the spring. It was decided to hold the May meeting at the school house, and to ask members and friends to bring gifts of material. Afternoon-tea was sei'ved.