COUNTY CENTRES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10704, 30 March 1926, Page 7

COUNTY CENTRES.

(From Our Own Correspondents.)

methven. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Met liven Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., No. 7620, was held in the A. and P. Association’s rooms on Wednesday evening. The N.G., Bro. E. J. Bladder, presided over a good attendance. Medical certificates were received, declaring three brethren on the funds of the lodge, and accounts amounting to £8 6s 8d were passed for payment.. The following members were appointed to act on a social committee: —Sisters Thompson, Davidson, and D. Beaton, Bros. F. A. Anderson, E. A. Mangin, A. L. Mangin, and It. Manger. The next meeting as set down on the syllabus for the year is a “ Sisters’ ” evening, which will probably take the form of a social function. On the Methven Croquet Club’s green on Saturday afternoon an interesting competition was played for a trophy presented by Mrs' W. J. Owen. This was won by Mrs Sam Smith, who is now playing very consistently. No competition games were played on the Methven Bowling Club’s green on Saturday. The rain of Friday had made the green heavy, but this did not affect the enjoyment of members, who kept the green occupied until dusk. The final game in the champion singles competition will probably be played this week between E. J. R. Beattie and T. Sim, who have each lost one game. The players on Saturday were entertained to afternoon tea by Mr and Mrs W. Morgan. The Methven Football Club opened the new season on Saturday afternoon with a practice game on the Domain. There was a very large muster of players, who showed great keenness. The prospects for a successful season look particularly bright. The club is entering three teams in the Ashburton County competitions, and, judging by the players who l turned out on Saturday afternoon, there will be no difficulty in filling the teams. The siren fire alarm has been fitted up, and a trial was held yesterday. The siren can be heard clearly at any pevt of the township, and! the members i of the Fire Brigade will now receive prompt warning when their services : are required. A meeting of the committee of the i Methven Ladies’ Croquet Club was held on Saturday, when Mrs G. Nicholls i presided over a full attendance. The '

resignation of Mrs H. A. Nickolls, owing to leaving the district, was received and accepted with regret. It was decided to place on record appreciation of Mrs Nickoll’s services to the club, and to arrange for a farewell afternoon in her honour. May 20 was 1 suggested as the date for the annual ball, and details were left to a future meeting. The secretary reported that arrangements had been made, for a team from the Ashburton Club to play at Methven on Tuesday, play to commence at 10 a.m., also that all arrangements for the entertainment of the visiting players had been made. The following will represent Methven: Mesdames G. Nicholls, J. F. Newman, H. A. Nickolls, J. Duff, H. Fryer, and J. Allen.

RUAPUNA. There was a large attendance at the end of the season dance held by the Swimming CTub on Friday. Mr G. W. Ross, in the absence of the patron, presented the trophies won during the season. The aggregate cup, presented by Mr Tr Bennett, was won by J. Stevenson. who gained 23 .points during the season, while J. Sewell received! Morrison Bros, trophy for runner-up. Miss McSweney, who is leaving the district at Easter, was the recipient of a handsome leather suticase. In making the presentation Mr Ross spoke of Miss McSweney’s keenness and sportsmanship ini all clubs and societies, and wished her ’success in her. new sphere of life. J The Tennis Club’s tourney was play-' ed on Saturday afternoon, when there : was a fair attendance. In the finals I. Moore (minus 8) defeated R. Moore (plus 3), 31-30; and Miss Eden (plus 8) won from Miss Eaden ("minus 8), 31-21. The. return match with Mayfield is to he played at Mayfield on Saturday, April 10.

FAIRFIELD. Mr J. R. McKay presided over a full • attendance of the Fairfield Freezin Works Committee at a meeting to receive the report and balance-sheet in respect to the recent picnic. The secretary (Mr R. Houston*) read correspondence from the Hospital 1 Board thanking the_ committee for its generosity in sending tickets for the picnic for the use of members of the staff, and Messrs Nicoll Bros., J. Connelly, W. G. Hillier, J. .Grigg, and others for'warded contributions toward the picnic fund. The chairman read a report showing that in spite of the unfavourable weather, the picnic had been a great success, and one of the most enjoyable outings the Fail-field employees bad ever had. It was also a financial success, and after all expenses had been paid there was a balance to carry forward to the substantial sum that had been accumulated in order to provide a srood guarantee fund for future picnics. The usual vote of £1 Is each toward the Fairfield, Hr o more, and Newlands schools prize funds was made. Mention wac made of the valuable services Mr R. Houston bad rendered as honorary secretary continuously for a period of over 14 years, and the committee unanimously voted him a. substantial sum in recognition. The hope was expressed that he would lorm; continue to act as secretary. Mr Houston thanked the committee, and remarked that what he had done had a 1 wavs afforded him pleasure, and that he should continue to do mil he could to make the future annual outings of the Fairfield Works employees a success.