COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 248, 2 August 1932, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents). METHVEN. The following are the meteorological observations for July, recorded by Mr James Oarr, "Rudstone," Methven:— Bain fell on seven days, the maximum fall being 58 points on the 526th. The total for the month was 1.23 inches as against 2.59 inches for July last year. Tne average rainfall for July for the last 24 years is 3.46 inches. The wettest July during that time was in 1912, when 11.15 incines were recorded, and the dryest July was in 1914 and 1928, when only 78 points fell. The total for the year to date is 16.22 inches, while for tne same period of 1931 the total was 19.6 y inches. The highest value of the barometer for the month was 30.28 on the 4th and 18th,, ahd the lowest value was 29.54 on tne 14th. The highest reading of the maximum thermometer was 60 on the sth and the lowest minimum 27 on the 22nd. The lowest reading on the grass was 14 on the 12th, 16th, 17 and 18th. ANAMA. There were about 30 people present at tne euchre party at the residence of Mr A. G. Candy. Tne winners were Mrs J. Hose and Mr !D. Edrnond, and consolation prizes went to Miss Edrnond and Mr C. Griffith. The ladies provided supper and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr and Mrs Candy. Splendid weather prevailed on Saturday afternoon when a good number assembled at the sports ground to witness a friendly football match. Mr Ron. Brown led one team and Mr George King the other. The ladies played basketball, and after an enjoyable afternoon, tea was handed round and Mr Rushton. on behalf of the Sports Club, thanked the residents tor their' attendance and the ladies for the refreshments. July has been another dry month, and a number of settlers who depend on rain tanks for the supply of water have been short and in some cases have had to resort to carting water. The rainfall recorded at "Laggau, Anama, for July was 1.48 inches, against 1.73 inches for July last year The total to date this year is 19.36 inches, while for the same period last year the total was 15.90 inches The Anama Road Board held its monthly meeting on Monday at the Board xoom, Hekeao. There were present : Messrs D. J. Morrow (chairman), J. Moore, S. Miller, H. Lamb, and J. Murdoch. The Overseer reported that the teams had completed work on Watts Road. There would be about two weeks' work of light shingling and repairing. Moorhouse Road and the team would then proceed to the Valetti* side of the district, as several roads in that part required attention. Two relief workers had been clearing and tidying up the local cemetery. A number of tenders were received for the cutting at Black's Ford on the South Hinds River, and that of J. Nicholson was accepted, the work to be completed by September 1. It was decided to advertise a meeting of ratepayers to be held in the Mayfield Hall next Saturday evening to discuss the abolition or the Anama Road District and merging into the Asbburton County Council. LISMORE. The return euchre tournament between Maronan and Lismore was held in the Lismore schoolroom on i< riday evening, when Maronan won by 1U» games to 91. A dainty supper was served by the Maronan ladies.. The room was then cleared for dancine to music supplied by Addis's band extras beinci played bv Messrs Corbett, hitincr and S. Wilcocks. A lucky spot waltz was won bv Mr and Miss; Chambers and a Monte Carlo by Miss &. and Mr F. Mabley. Mr H Aiken was M.C. Visitors were present from surrounding districts. Ihe sing ingof Auld Lamr Syne brought a very successful and pleasant evening to a Cl The rain of last week was welcomed bv most of the farmers. The weather of the past few days has been bright and sunny. _______ RAKAIA. There was a good attendance at a social held in St.. Mary's Schoolroom Cn+ni-rlnv evening, under tlie aus p ?ces of iie Ladies' cfuild. Competitions we won bv Miss Olive Smith and Mr H IS- Music for the dancing was Applied by Miss Cornelius and extras S plave y d by Miss Margaret Lawler and Mr S. Shellock. A lucky spot waltz Ss won bv Miss (Daisy Sherlock and Mr rTo'Reilly. Mr E. Weaver was M The rainfall registered at Rakaiafor the month of Ju y was 71 ponts compared with 1.64 inches for July, 15M1. Win fell on 10 days, the heaviest fall occurring on the 26th, when 30 points were registered. The total rainfall for Ihe first seven months of the year is 10.65 inches, compared with Id.oi inches for the similar period ot liWl. The South Rakaia Road Board's general ra?e for the current year amounts to £2163 4s 84. and of this sum £lloß 6s 8d has teen received. , The Rakaia troop of Boy Scouts under Scoutmaster L. Homvood, held a church pa?ade to St. Andrew's P«g£"£ Church on Sunday evening, Theie vas a good attendance. The service was conducted by the .Rev. A. S. Morrison. CHERTSEY. Mr T Ward, who died at the Ashburton Public Hosnital last week after t short illness, aged 79, has lived in and around the Chertsey district foi over 40 years. Ho leaves a son and daughter, his wile haying died U.o "ears ago. The burial took place at the Cliertsey Cemetery, the Rev A. H. Barnett, of Rakaia, conducting the seivice. RUAPUNA, The weekly meeting of the Ruanuna WE A. Class was held at the residence of Mr and Mrs F. Tasker on Saturday £e*Xz The subject of the lecture was "The Necessitv of Pcetiy. A number of poems from "A Treasury of Verse" were read and discussed. _ The fortnightly meeting of the Ruapuna Sub-Centre of the Red C ess Society was held in the hall. The president (Mrs J. D. Kins) occupied the

chair. It was reported that a number of new members had joined. Garments made up by members were handed in, fresh sewing distributed, and material to be made up was given in. It was decided to hold a dance in aid of funds on a date to be arranged at the next meeting. Afternoon tea was handed round. DORIE, At the monthly meeting of the Doric branch of the Women's Institute, Mrs A. Richards presided over a good attendance. A" demonstration of raffia sprays was given by Miss Kennedy. A competition for a plate of scones was won by Miss G. Harrison and Miss Lucas (equal) 1, and Miss Carruthers was awarded first prize with Miss Whiting second. The roll-call was "The Uses of Lemons." Motions of sympathy were passed with Mrs McKie in her illness, and with Mrs Alexander in her bereavement. The opportunity was taken to say goodbye to Miss McKimmie, who is leaving next week for Scotland. An amusing guessing competition was held. Hostesses were Misses G. and L. Harrison, and Miss Kathleen McKie. COLDSTREAM. Decorated with streamers and greenery, the Whare presented a gay appearance on Friday night, when the Plunket Society's masked ball was held. There was a large attendance, and Chapman's Band played their usual spirited music. The lucky cake was drawn by Mrs Chapman. Novelty dances were won by the following:— Balloon dance, Mrs W. Scott and Mr Hogg; lucky number, Miss M. McKeague and Mr Lloyd; Monte Carlo, L. Woodham and D. McKay; floral dance, Mrs McKav and Mr G. Hawke. Mr M. Tilson was M. 0.LONGBEACH, A meeting of the Waterton Library Committee was held in the hail last evening, when there were present Messrs C. Patterson (chairman), G. Pearson, W. Moffat*, A. Soal, W. Thompson and S. Pratley. The Waterton Women's Institute was granted permission to hold its meetings in the hall. It was decided to have a list ot the hall charges printed and displayed in the hall. A challenge to a euchre tournament is to be issued to Fiffelton, ' a date to be arranged later. In the event of a dance clashing with the fortnightly social, the latter is to be cancelled. After the final rehearsal on Saturday, the Methodist Sunday School concert party was entertained at afternoon tea by ladv members of the church. Mr W. Miller, of Ashton, supplied lolly scrambles. Warm, sunny days are being experienced after frosty nights. HINDS. A special meeting of the Hinds School Committee was held on Monday evening to make final arrangements tor the concert to be held in the hall on Friday. A concert party from Ashburton has kindly ottered to help with the programme. A welcome will be given to Mr D. McDonald (schoolmaster) and his wife and family, who have recently come to the district. The' concert will be held as a concbision of the euchre parties which have been in progress since May 14, and the aggregate prizes will be presented. Warm, sunny weather, with frosty mornings, has been experienced since Saturday. MOUNT SOMERS. Deer are reported to be very numerous in parts of the Ashburton Gorge, and continue to be a great menace to some runholders especially along the lower fringes of the Gorge, where considerable turnip cropping is carried out. It is stated that the deer have been particularly active since last week's snowfall, having been among the turnip crops in herds varying from five to nine in number.

In July the weather, until the end of the month, was very dry and frosty, the frosts being considerably more severe the week prior t° the snowfall than those since. The rainfall totalled 148 points, compared with 262 points in July last year. Rain fell on only five days, with a maximum of 80 joints on the' 26th. The fall for the year to date totals 18.34 inches, as against 18.21 inches for the corresponding period last year. Frosts were registered on 30 mornings, making the year's total 103 compared with 139 last year. The maximum was 20 degrees on the 18th. Snow fell on three days, the heaviest fail being three inches. Mr H. A. McCoubrey, who has been connected with the lceal railway staff for a number of years and has been transferred to Southland, left the district at the week-end. He was accompanied by Mrs McConbrey. -