COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 212, 20 June 1933, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.)

WAKANUI. The Wakanui Good Templars held their fortnightly meeting in the hall. The C.T. (Bro. W. Begg) presided over a fair attendance. A vote of sympathy was passed to Bro. G. W. Xeadley in his illness. After the business wis gone through, harmony in the form of a question box was held, all members taking part. .Supper was handed round. At the next meeting there will be a Fromenty supper. MONTALTO. The fortnightly euchre and dance was held in the school on Friday night, when there was a good attendance and a very enjoyable time was spent. Prizes were won by Mrs McCormack and Mr Gallagher and consolation prizes went to Miss Harris an'd Mr F. McKeown. RAKAiA.

Mr W. G. Gallagher, chairman of the Ashburton Hospital Board, accompanied by Mrs Gallagher and Mr H. R. Wilkinson, a member of the board, visited Rakaia on Saturday. The party attended a meeting of the Rakaia Relief of Distress Committee, and. Mr Gallagher explained various matters about the County relief scheme. Afterwards Mr and Mrs Gallagher and' Mr Wilkinson visited the Rakaia Hospital.

A well-attended social was held in St. Mark's Schoolroom by the social club. Competitions were won by Mrs Black and Mr G. Wells. Music for the dancing was supplied by Mr A. Pluck and extras were plaved by Mrs O'Reilly and Miss O. Smith. The annual meeting of the committee of the Rakaia Public Library was held in the library. Mr C. Shannon presided over a good attendance. The secretary presented the annual report and balance-sheet, which showed a satisfactory year's work. The following committee was elected: Messrs C. Shannon (chairman and treasurer) and R. Breach (secretary, Mesdames Evison and Newman, Miss Clark, Messrs M. P. Cooke, J. Barnes and L. P. Botherway. Mr A. Allan was appointed auditor. The secretary, Mr R. Breach, was instructed' to obtain new books up to the value of £B.

RUAPUNA. There was a good attendance at an educational picture entertainment given in the local hall by Mr J. J. S. Cornes. The Ruapuna School will benefit to the extent of £1 2s 6d, and the Montalto School benefits at the same rate on the value of tickets sold to Montalto supporters. There was a good attendance at the fortnightly meeting of the Workers' Educational Association held on Saturday evening, when a paper on "Appreciation of Art" was read, illustrated by 24 coloured prints of paintings by famous artists. The weather during the week has been variable, cold, overcast days prevailing. LAURISTON. At the residence of Mrs 11, Letham, "Ranui," Lauriston, members of the Tennis Club to extend best wishes to Mr Forrest Letham, who will shortly lie married. The evening was spent in gameSi competitons, music, and community singing. Mr W.. T, Church, on behalf of the Lauriston Tennis Club, presented Mr Forrest Letham with a wedding gift of stainless knives. LISMORE. The first hare drive of the season was held under the auspices of the School Committee on Saturday. Twenty-one guns shot over the properties of Messrs T. and R. J. Mulligan, Tarbotton, and Low, and 110 hares were bagged, the largest, that of 19, being obtained by Mr J. Bland, of Methven. Mr A. Fleming (captain) accorded a. vote of thanks to the shooters from Ashburton, Methven and surrounding districts. The school funds will benefit to the extent of about £3. The Rev. 8.. Tayler conducted the service at Lismore on Sunday. Mrs Addis presided at the organ. The monthly meeting of the Hinds Mothers' Union was held at the residence of Mrs T. Mulligan, "Barford," on Wednesday afternoon, when Mrs Tayler presided. Miss Fountain., a missionary on leave from India, gave a most interesting talk on her work with the Zenana Mission and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, The hostesses, Mesdames T. Mulligan, Ashton and Addis, were accorded a vote of thanks bv Mrs Hockley. The school attendance has been affected by the prevalence of colds. At a meeting of the committee of the Women's Division of the Farmers Union, the secretary reported that arrangements for the birthday party to be held in July, were well in hand For the past week the days have been bright and sunny with severe frosts. Farmers are taking advantage of the fine spell to complete their autumn sowing. HINDS.

As winter progresses the consumption of chaff increases and practically all farmers are now feeding sheep and cattle in various forms, some depending on straw chaff and molasses, others on oaten sheaf chaff, while others again report gcod and clean feeding results from just carting out loads of oat sheaves daily. . Chaff-cntting contractors are in keen demand and business is more brisk than it has been for nearly 20 years. The local sawmill proprietors recently- completed cutting out their second County plantation and the County Ccuncil has granted them the cutting rights over an additional reserve, which they are beginning to mill. A recent sale of note was that of about 30 acres of heavy wheat land,

from Mr James Holland to Mr Alfred W. Ellis. The purchaser is erecting an up-to-date residence. A residence is in course of erection in the township, making the third in the last two months. At a meeting of' the Basketball Club, presided over by tho president, Mrs Hall, arrangements were made to hold a dance in the hall to-morrow.

BUSHSIDE The monthly meeting of the Bushside Mothers' Union was held at the home of Mrs L. Hicks last Thursday, the Rev. E. Osmers presiding. Members welcomed Mrs Osmers, who attended for the first time. A short address was given by Mr Osmers.and Mrs H. Goldsmith read a paper entitled "Beautiful Memories." EALING. There was a large • attendance of members and their friends and representatives from neighbouring institutes when the Ealing Women's Institute recently celebrated its third birthday. The president (Mrs J. W. Wither!) extended a welconio to the visitors. The following items were contributed during the social half-hour: Songs, Mesdames Brodie, and Shaw ; recitation, Mrs Watts; duet, Misses Good and Pollard; pianoforte solos, Misses Galletly and Withell. A dialogue, entitled "Aunt Jane's Emancipation," added a touch of humour, being well carried out bv the junior members, Misses Good, Withell, Pollard, Galletly, E. Simpson and 1. Simpson. Community singing, led by Mrs Brodie, with Mrs Shaw at the piano, concluded an enjoyable programme. Afternoon tea was then dispensed, the president explaining that the members had agreed to forego the customary birthday cake in order to contribute as many fruit cakes as possible for distressed families in Ashburton. Representatives conveyed greetings from the following institutes: Arundel, Rahgitata, Ashburton, Allenton, Lowcliffa, _ Hinds and Westerfield Women's Division. Greetings were conveyed by letter from t the Mayfield Institute, and from Mrs H. Mackenzie, of Geraldine. Three competitions were held, the results.being as follows: Pikelets, Mrs B. Withell 1, Mrs J. Withell 2. Sweets: Mrs Gidcfings 1, Mrs Cross SS, Mrs Stevens 3. Bedroom novelty: Miss E. Simpson 1, Mrs Cross 2, Mrs Davis 3. The competition, a' dressed turkey, was won by Mrs Watts, sen. Mesdames Brodte, Tate, Mcßae' and Pithie acted as judges. Mrs Curtis (Ashburton) on behalf' of the visitors, thanked the Ealing members for a very pleasajit afternoon. The president thanked the performers, the accompaniste (Mi's Shaw) and the judges of the competitions. A few community games and the singing of the National Anthem concluded a happy birthday celebration.

FLEMINGTON. The Flemington School was taxed to capacity on Tuesday evening to accommodate the great number of patrons who came from surrounding districts to attend the annual dance arranged by the School Committee to augment its funds. The Schoolroom was effectively decorated with cream and gold streamers and large bowls of greenery. Excellent music was supplied by the new Strollers' Orchestra, and extras were played by Miss Johnson and Mr R. Ford, of Eiffelton. After supper had been dispensed by the ladies, Mr W. B. Bryant (chairman of the School Committee), thanked all who had' contributed so willingly to make the evening the success it had proved to be. The Monte Carlo waltz was won by Mr and Mrs J. Whearty (Lauriston). Mr M. Whearty (Wheatstone) acted as M.C.