COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 198, 7 June 1929, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents)

WILLOW BY

At the monthly meeting of the Willowby School Committee, there were present—]\lr H. Watts (chairman), and Messrs D. Mackay, J. Pratley and J Taylor. An apology for absence was received from Mr J. Campbell. The head teacher reported an average attendance of 60.6 for the last term. Correspondence from the Education Board stated that the committee s xepresentations regarding the urgency for improvements to the school 'bundling were receiving consideration. Preliminary arrangements were made for holding the school concert towards the end of the first week in July. . The weather report for May is as follows:—During the early part of 'the month dense fogs predominated, but later there was almost a continuous succession of hard frosts, followed by brilliant sunshine. Rain fell on five occasions, the latest fall, on the night of May 26, being the heaviest and the stormiest. The total precipitation for the month was 1.63 in., bringing this vear's registration up to 8.35 in. * At the fortnightly meeting of the Wfllowby Mutual Improvement Society, Mr Hubert Hayman presided over a large attendance of members. "An Evening with the Poets" proved both interesting and instructive. Selections from John Oxenham were given by Mi- G. H. B. Lill. The Rev. W. Grigg selected one of Hawker s choicest poems and also narrated the interesting parts of the history) of the poet. Mr Henry Wollnian rendered one of Cowper's better known poems. Mrs B Clothier dealt with Wordsworth, and Miss Myrtle Gibson recited "Daffodils." "Lord TTllin's Daughter," by Campbell, was recited by Mrs A. S. Hayman, while the task of unfolding the beauties of some of Oliver Goldsmith's works was in the capable hands of Mrs W. Grigg and Miss R. Stoddart. Other participants were Mr Lester Stoddart, Mrs Grigg, who dealt with some of the women poets, ' and Mrs Clothier, who gave a realistic rendering of one of Fay-Inehfawn's poems of the home.

MAYFIELD. The monthly meeting of the Anama Road Board was held in the Bandroom, Hekeao. There were present: Messrs D. J. Morrow, G. W. Ross, H. Lamb, G. Richardson, and R. Nosworthy. Mr Ross was unanimously elected chairman. Mr Ross thanked the members for the honour they had done him in electing him chairman, and proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring chairman <Mr D. J. Morrow). The overseer reported that the Duff's Road contract had been completed, Blair's Road and Wright's Lower Down's Road had been graded, and the teams were at present light shingling several roads. Gorse and broom had been cleared from Black's Ford' and and the ford put in order. The clerk was instructed to procure from the Council the annual quota of race pipes. Advice was received from the Upper Ashburton Road Board that the survery of Boundary Road had been completed and as soon as the necessary authority was received tenders would be called for its formation. Cameron's Road is to be light shingled when; the teams are in that vicinitv. \ The weather during the past few days has been very mild and warm, with north-west winds. No frosts have been experienced for the last three nights, a most rare occurrence for this time of the year.

PENDARVES. The weather during the past three davs has been so unusually warm as to "be suggestive of early spring rather than midwinter. Owing to the complete absence of frost, and a succession of north-westers the growth qf early sown crop is ver** noticeable. A meeting was held in the hall on. Wednesday to make arrangements for a, fareweli' social to Miss Alma Watson and Mi#R. C. Cameron. Mr A. P. Bruce occupied the chair and a strong committee was formed. The evening Tvill be h€ld at an early date.

SEAFIELD. Moderately strong north-westers were experienced on Tuesday and Wednesday, causing a break in the run of « frosts. Farmers with drilling to be done have been hurrying up in expectation of rain. The Tennis Club's concert and presentation of trophies, which it was hoped would be held during the week, had to be postponed on account of the concert party being booked ahead for some considerable time.