COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 164, 23 April 1928, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.) METHVEN. The monthly meeting of the Citizens’ Committee of All Saints’ Boy Scouts was held 1 in the Anglican Hall, Mr b. Buckett presiding over a full attendance. A long discussion took place on the question of way 6 and means ot raising funds to provide every boy in the troop with a uniform. Various ideas were advanced, but none seemed to possess all the desired virtues. The matter is a pressing one, as a number of boys have been sworn in and the stock "of uniforms is exhausted. In the meantime, a local club has agreed to consider the matter of giving assistance. A lioarty vote of thanks and appreciation was passed to Mr Long for the gift of milk on the occasion ot the Scout picnic. The committee has been trying out a scheme of having one of its members present at each parade of the troop, a list of visiting dates being supplied to each member. So far the innovation has proved most beneficial. A pleasant afternoon was spent at the residence of Mrs S. G. Holmes, Mount Harding, when about 20 members cf the Ladies’ Golf Club bade , farewell to Miss Ruby Richards, who is leaving the district. After a delicious afternoon *tea had been dispensed. Mrs E. fl>. Thomas (captain of the club) expressed regret at losing ®uch a popular and valuable member. On behalf of the members she presented Miss Richards with a handsome bedroom clock. Miss Richards, who was greeted with musical honours, thanked' them for their kind remarks and present, which would remind, her of the happy associations on the links. Two putting competitions were played on the lawn, and were won by Mrs H. Fryer and Miss Winsome Elliott. The Richards Cup donated to the club ,by Miss Richards for competition, was on view and created much interest. The Ladies’ Hockey Club played its first match of the season on Saturday at Lauriston, where a friendly game resulted in a win for Methven by four goals;to.one. Mr H. Glasson was referee. At the conclusion of the game the yisitors were hospitably entertained by the members of the Lauriston Club. , The’weather at Methven during tlie week-end was beautifully fine. Winter sports have not yet commenced, and the Domain was practically deserted. A rather larger number of residents than usual journeyed to the Ashburton Trotting 'Club’s meeting. The win ot the local horse King Abdullah was well anticipated by local sports, and the rider (H. Scoon) received many congratulations on his first winning ride. Vesuvius, winner of _ the principal event, was also bred in the Methven district.

MOUNT SOMERS. Although the weather during the last fortnight has been changeable and squally, seldom have such warm mud conditions been experienced at this period of tlie year. Conditions over the week-end were especially mild and warm. Even though there is no snow on the ranges, several light frosts have been experienced. The children are holding trequent rehearsals in preparation for their concert which is being organised by the Elocutionary Competitions Society and Miss L. Wood. . Arrangements have been made to hold a combined memorial service on the steps of the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall on Anzac Day. The service will be conducted by the Rev. J. W. P. Dyer and Air G. Wood. A collection will be taken up on behalf of the . Returned Soldiers’ Association. EALING. . The Rev. W. Grigg, the newlv-ap-pointed minister of the Vv illowby Methodist Circuit preached yesterday for the first time at Ealing. There was a representative congregation. He took for his text Rev. 21 chapter, part of verse 5i **Beliol<l I muke &11 things new.” "At the conclusion of the service, Mr Grigg, on behalf of the united congiegations, presented Miss Philippa Good, who is to be married next week, with a sum of money, and on behalf or tlie Sunday School with a beautiful iLyiiin Book. Miss Good has been, organist to both congregations. Miss Good feelingly replied. . • Turnips in the Rangitata district aie in most cases a fine crop this year in addition to the farmers’ own stock ot sheep, large numbers of sheep from Mackenzie Country and Ashburton Gor-e stations will be wintered on the plains. In this way, back country sheep avoid the risk of winter snow, hoggets do well after wintering on the plains, and the gain in wool is very considerable. Already some sales of turnips have been made at very satisfactory prices. STAVELEY. The Springburn Football Club held a ■dance in the Staveley Hall on Friday evening. Though the early part of the evening was rough, there was a good attendance. The hall was effectively decorated with streamers in the club’s colours, blue and black. Dance music was supplied by Chapman’s Orchestra (of Ashburton), and Messrs C. Sloper and M. Monk were M.O.’s. A set supper was attended to by the club members, the tables being‘ tastefully; decorated with blue and black crepe paper and vases of sweet peas. Mr D. E. Sawers, on behalf of the club thanked all who had worked for the success of the gathering. „ ™ u At a meeting of the Football Club the president (Mr B. Flynn) presided over a fair attendance. .At the annual meeting an appointment of secretary without consent was made and it was reported that the club w*s still mneed of a secretary, i mally Mr C. Sloper was appointed. It was decided to alter the original plan of entering a junior and a third grade team for the County competitions and to enter only a junior connection with the Poppy Day appeal Air T. Green is m charge of the sale of poppies in the Ahburton Forks district, Airs D. A. Syme in the Springburn and Staveley districts, and Mr H. Saunders in the Alford Forest district. ... , ~ An electric wire came down near tlie dairy factory last week, and was re>-

sponsible for tlie power being off around Staveley for the better part of a day. The Staveley Branch of the Farmers Union met in tlie hall, the jiresident (Air A R. Andrews) presiding over a small attendance. Correspondence was received from the Canterbury Pig Fatteners’ Association explaining its plan of co-operative export of pork from Canterbury and Westland. It wanted consignments of 50 or morelight prime pigs from 60 to 90 lbs It was considered it was now too late m the season to do anything with the Association. The Postal Department wrote that the request for a reduction m tlie telephone charges from the bureau at Springburn could not be conceded to. A second letter dealt with the late fee charged on letters posted ™ the Ham at Springburn. It was pointed out tliat letters nested on the train before 7.30 a.m. had to bear the late fee stamp, aithough the mail at the Post Office did did not close until about three horns later, and thougli about two miles down tae line letters could he posted at tlie ordinary rates. The Department wrote stating that it could not abolish the late fee charge on letters posted on ti train. , It was decided that the president interview the district postmaster about Hie matter with the object ot obtaining removal of what was considered an impost. The business agent of the railways wrote stating that tlie traffic at Springburn did not warrant a weighing machine being placed there. Some discussion took place on the value of tora-dressing, and it was decided to try to get an expert to give a lecture on the matter at a date to be arranged. The president welcomed Air Armstrong, of the Bucoleugh district, a new resident and member. . “The position of this district did not warrant electric power being brought in,” said a member at the Farmeis Union meeting last week, when discussing the Power Board’s loan proposal. He/ continued: “Farmers are erving out poverty but they have themselves to blame. As soon as they make anything they spend it.” He compared the thrift of 40 or 50 years ago with the extravagance of to-day and said he thought people should go carefully, though he did not think a district should stick in the mud: Other members, however, expressed themselves differently, pointing out the advantages of electricity. / . , A religious sendee has-, been: arranged for Anzac Day. The Revs. J. VV. t - Dyer and G. Wood will hold a united service in the hall. . . u Evenings with the. nip of winter' nave been of late following rather unsettled days. Last week one' of the few northwesters of this year dried up some ot the moitsure that has been hanging on the rank grass but more, rain followed the wind. Yesterday was one of the brightest days experienced for some time. rakaia. A meeting of the Mothers’ Union was held on Thursday afternoon. The Rev. J. C, Hawksworth presided over'a large attendance. A motion of sympathy was passed, with Airs Blackley in the death of her daughter, members stanidiim in silence. Mrs Fraer, of Linwood, wrote asking the feeling of the meeting in respect of “Peace' by Arbitral tion” versus “Compulsory training. It was decided unanimously that the time was not yet ripe for peace by arbitration, but are in favour of compulsory training. Air Hawksworth then introduced the Rev. Nelson Wright, a former vicar of the Rakaia pansn. All Wri'dit gave an address on What is youi” life,” under the three headings of woman, wife and mother. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Air Wright. Afernoon tea was handed round. . _ 7 The monthly meeting of the Young People’s Christian Temperance Union was held recently. Aliss Hopwood oresided over a large attendance. Two new members were initiated. Mrs Boug gave an interesting talk on. “The ad\ance of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union movement in New Zealand.” Each member was asked toi bring a cutting dealing with the effects of alcohol in everyday life for the next meeting. A social committee was elected for'the May meeting. There was a large attendance at tlie usual meeting of the Presbyterian Women’s Alissionary Union on Friday afternoon Mrs Alorrison presided and conducted the devotional part. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mrs Blackley in the- death ot her daughter. Airs Morrison then introduced Aliss AlcKee, travelling secretary for the P.W.AI.U. in New Zealand. Aliss AlcKee gave an address on mission work in China and India, also on mission work amongst the Alaons m New Zealand, and appealed to the members to do all in their power to help the misionaries by prayer. There was a large attendance at tne Rakaia Town Hall on Thursday evenin'’", on the occasion of the annual ball of the Rakaia branch of tho Plunket Society. The hall was decorated with flags, toi-tois and evergreens Music was provided by Alacdonald s dance orchestra, extras being played by Mr R. Dabourn, Air T. Lawlor and Mr H. Macdonald. Mr T. Lightfoot acted as M.C.