COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 81, 15 January 1932, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From. Our Own Correspondent.) MOUNT SOMERS. Those present at the monthly meeting of the Alount Somers Vestry, held on Wednesday evening, were the^ Rev. E. Osmers, Messrs J. H. Boalcr, or. L. Button, G. Frost. D. Duff, S. Baxter, F AV. Gifkins, E. G. AYood and J. T. Bull. A motion of sympathy with the Lilley family in their recent bereavement was carried in silence. It- was reported that the offertories for December. including Christmas' Day offertory for St. Saviour’s Orphanages, totalled £5 6s 2d, and that the debit balance of the parish at Decembei 31 was £ll4 5s Id. Air Osmers reported that the sub-committee appointed to draw up a schedule- in connection with the vegetable and flower show to be held in conjunction with a bazaar in April was making good progress, it was suggested that each district be allotted its own stalls, and that- meetings be held in the various centres to make arrangements. It was reported that a few replies had been received in response to the circular m regard to adopting the double envelope scheme ci freewill offerings, and these would be linked up as a nucleus of the scheme. The next meeting was fixed for luesday, February 8. , . , Mr Trevor Graham, who has been connected with the Alount Somers railway staff, has been transferred to the Ashburton staff, and prior to Ins departure was tlv& gu©st of <x iiuinboi Oi friends at a farewell gathering held in the library last week-end. Air Graham was the recipient of a presentation in recognition of the courteous niannei in which he had discharged his duties Mr J. Pratt, who lias been appointed to the local railway staff, has taken up his duties. , , Wbrk has been started at the local wool scour works, which has aosorbeu a. number of the local unemployed m Several of the back-country shearing sheds have cut out during the past week. The frequency of north-west-rains arc causing ciciay m the back country/ runs, but only a few remain to CU Cereal crops, especially oats, are fast ripening, and the reaper is at work m several paddocks. The crops give fair promise. One /of the first crops of Dun oats cut required an average of a ball of twine to the acre. I here is also a little hay-making, and grass-seed stripping being done. . 1 The effects of beneficial' rain last week have again, been checked by .the prevalence of windy, dry conditions during the present week. In a district that has formerly been noted for its honey production, even in dry seasons, it comes as a surprise to learn that only a lightcropot honey has been gathered by the bees this season. A beekeeper . who. has had nearly 20 years’ experience in tiie district reports that the yield is the lightest on record, only a few hundredweight being gathered where as mane tons were hitherto gathered. In som ® of his out-apiaries, he questioned if sufficient would be stored by the bees to carry over the winter.

/ MAYFIELD. »

The monthly meeting of the General Committee 'of the Agricultural an Pastoral Association was held in tfie Association’s rooms on Monday evenfnr the president (Air D. J. Morrow) presiding over a fair attendance. The president, vicfe-president and secretary were appointed to confer with the Methven Agricultural ami Pastoral Association regarding the proposal to run the side-shows by the associations. . ' Air E. C. D. Withell was appointed convener of the Competitions Committee. The suggested competitions were wood-chopping, cigarette and umbrella race, and a novelty car speed competition. ’ It was decided to bear half the cost of the lecture given by Air D. Sidey, on wool. Votes of sympathy were passed with Mrs AV. Cormick, in the loss of her husband, Air- J. Connolly, ALP., in the loss of bis wife, and Airs A. Lilley m the loss of her husband, and to Air Fisher in bis recent accident. It- was decided to call a working bee to paint cattle and liorse rails and carry out 6ther necessary work.

RAKAIA. The monthly meeting of the South Rakaia. Road Board was presided over by Mr H. A. Harrison. Other members • present were : Messrs J. Lambie, A. (Dbig, W. Letliam, and W. W. Carrutiiers. Advice was received from the Highways Board that £329 4s lid had been granted .to the board as its share of the special grant made lor the relief of country ratepayers. It was decided, in regard! to the rebate of 1-2. J pci cent, on rates, that only amounts of over 5s would be posted, any smaller amounts to be collected at the office. The ciedit balance at the bank was £B7O 8s Id, and accounts for payment totalled £448 17s 5d Durum the month rates .received amounted to £362 11s Id. leaving outsta nd in ct rat es of £531 3s Gd. Tlio Conimissioned of Crown Lands advised the board to impound any cattle found in the Rakaia riverbed on other than leased ground, and enclosed a tracing setting out the portion leased. Owing to the expense of hiring teams, etc., for work under the No. 5 scheme, it was decided to suspend operations until March. It was also decided to hold over the matter of kerbing the footpath to the school until the. next financial year.

HIGHBANK. The Htighbank Sunday School held its annual picnic and prize distribution last week, when the scholars spent an enjoyable afternoon. Later the parents and friends joined with the children at the school, where a dainty tea was provided by the ladies. After tea there was singing by the scholars and. a humoi - ous reading by Mrs Horsfield. The Rev. K. A. Osmers gnvo mi interesting «kidress on Sunday School work. He then presented each scholar with a piize. Ah apology was received for the absence of the Rev. R. Morgan, who was away on holiday. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Mcllraith for his valuable assistance during the day.