COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 249, 4 August 1930, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.) STAVELEY. The annual top-dressing of the experimental plots was done by Mr &. M. Bates (Instructor in Agriculture) last week. The plots are to be under observation for four years, they have now entered their third season The petition that was circulated by Messrs A. R. Andrews Staveley), b . u. Geddes (Alford Forest), and W. bockhead (Mount Somers), asking for the abolition of the Mount Somers Road Board (the Ashburton County Council to take over control) was completed on Saturday and will come before the Road Board and County Council in oue °°Th»' first part of July was fine and the latter stormy but the whole ot the month was very cold. Last Monday was the coldest day experienced for a very long time. Though neither snow nor rain fell, a strong south-wester blew all day and the maximum temperature was only 37 degrees, which was not reached until well on in the afternoon. The heaviest frost for the month was 18* degrees. Snow lay on four occasions and accounted tor xo/ points of the total month's rainfall oi 241 points, which brought the total tor the year to 2498 points. July, 1929, was a very wet month, 793 points bemg recorded, while the total for the fiist seven months was 2597 points. Though last month was cold, stock seem to De in excellent condition in most cat-es, the cold and snow being less severe than the rains and winds which we.re being experienced at this time iast year. FLEMINGTON. A verv successful plain and fancydress ball was held at Flemington on Thursdav evening in aid of the school funds. The school, which was taxed' to its utmost capacity, had been transformed for the occasion and was gay with decorations of Chinese lanterns and' cream and gold streamers. Ihe children were entertained with games fdr an hour from 7 o'clock, this also proving an attraction to the adults, who very soon filled all the seating accommodation provided. At the end of the hour the children and adults in fancy-dress took part in the Grand March. Mrs W. Oakley and Mrs K. Taylor, who acted as judges, had a dimcult task before them, as the tancydresses seemed almost of uniform excellence. The 1 final decision was as follows :-vJunior Girl: Joy Bryant (Queen of Hearts); junior boy, Toniniy Read (Dutch Boy); senior girl, Noelme Bratley (Rooster); senior boy, Terence Whearty (Dancing Jack). At the conclusion of the judging, dancing began in earnest to excellent music by Miss McDonald, of Ashburton. Extras were played by Mrs K. Taylor and Mr H. Brown, of Ashton. A sumptuous supper was provided by the parents ot the school-children and adequately catered for the unprecedented attendance. Mr Martin Whearty very ably acted as M.C. Those present in fancydress were: Mabel Croy (Lady Lavender), Rose Hansen (Gipsy), Gwen Hansen (Red Riding Hood), Zena Bratley (Parcel Post), lan Mary Baker (Jack and Jill), Dorothy McLachlan (Witch),, Joy Bryant (Queen of Hearts), Mary Whearty (Christmas Tree), Noelme Bratley (Rooster), Maud prmode, Eric Bryant (Little Boy Blue), Walter Small (Father Christmas), Louis Small (Mustard 1 Club), Ron Small (Jack-in-the-Box), Alan McLaren (Clown), Louis Hansen, Verdun Hansen (Indian), Clifford Bratley (Hospital Patient), George Dawson, Bobby Read (Ship s Officer), Tommy Read (Dutch Boy), Neil' Read (Dutch Girl), Leslie Read (Petrol Tin), Douglas Read (Newspaper), Terence Whearty (Dancing Jack), Wilber Taylor (All Black), Messrs. H. Brown (Milkmaid), J. Cobden (Scotchman).