COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 108, 16 February 1935, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.) METHVEN. A meeting of the vestry of the Methven parochial district was held l on Thursday evening. Present were the Rev. E. A. Osmers (chairman), Messrs H. E. A. Richards, A. W. Bremer, J. Temple, R. 'Dart, A. C. Gadd, G. Dalton, A. A. Leonard and W. R. Owers. The Ashburton Power Board wrote advising that it coxxld aiot reduce the lighting charges 'at St. Saviour’s Church. The matter was referred back to the Highbanlc vestrymen. In connection with the harvest sale it was decided to ask country parishioners ■when carting wheat to deliver any donations to the depots at Lyndhurst and Methven. Owing to the early harvest all harvest thanksgiving sex> vices would be advanced, and the service at A'll Saints’ would bp held on March 3. With reference to the luncheon booth at the Methven ram and ewe fair on Mai’ch 15, the hon. secretary reported that the Agricultural and iPastoral Association had granted the use of.its produce pavilion for the day. The vicar reported that a. successful meeting of the women of the parish had been held that afternoon, and l /arrangements for catering were gone into, and those in charge of the breakfast, morning and afternoon tea and luncheon had been appointed. A quantity of meat and other necessary articles were promised, and he also made a further appeal for help in this direction. Offers of crockery, etc., had ibeen accepted with thanks.

RAKAIA. The Rakaia Town Hall was filled to capacity on Thursday evening when the residents of Rakaia and 1 surrounding districts assembled to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Evison and family, who Have taken up business in Darfield, after a residence of 18 years in Rakaia. On 'arrival Mr and Mrs Evison were welcomed by Mrs Newman and Mr Coatsworth, and on behalf of the Women’s Institute were presented with a buttonhole and bouquet respectively.Mr D. Newman presided. The following items were given: Pianoforte solo, Miss J. Breach; pianoforte, and violin duet, Dr- Dagley apd Mr G. McLachlan; recitation, Miss Ashford 1 ; duet, Misses E. Kidd and B. Crossley; sqlos, Mr A. Oakley, Mrs A. Oakley, Miss Gwen Lee, Miss B. Coatsworth and Mrs Bryant; recitation, Miss Ashford. The accompanists were,Miss J. Breach, Mrs A. Oakley, Dr. Bagley and Mr T.^Lawler. The following expressed regret at the departure of Mr and Mr.s Evison: Rot. D. Ashford (Presbyterian Church), Rev. A. H. Barnett (Anglican Church), Mr’ B. McNamara (Relief of Distress Committee, Bowling Club and Croquet Club); Mr G. S. Hardy (Horticultural Society ah# Plunket Society), Mr M. P.-Cooke (School Committee), Mr W. Shellock (Rakaia Athletic and Cycling Club), Mr A. Doig (Rakaia Football Club). On behalf of the Rakaia Cricket Club, Mr P. Brown made a presentation to Mr E,, Evison, Master Barney Cromie, on behalf of his schoolmates, made a presentation to John Evison, and Mr Russell Kenward, ”.on behalf of -the Rakaia Boy, Scouts, made a presentation to Master John- Eyison. On behalf of the public, Mr Newman made a presentation" to Mr and Mi’s Evison. - ' The monthly meeting of the Rakaia Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held in St. Andrew’s Schoolroom on Thursday afternoon. Mrs Boag presided over a good attendance. It was decided to hold the annual W.C.T.TJ. church parade in the Presbytei’ian Church in April.. The speaker for the afternoon was Mrs Ashford, who gave an. interesting address on “Purity.” Afternoon tea was served.

LYNDHURST. '" The monthly meeting of the Lyndhurst Women’s Institute Avas held in the Lyndhurst Hall. Mrs A. C. Gadd presided Over a fair attendance of members and visitors. A motion of sympathy was passed with Miss Rudd in a Mrs Cairns, Mrs Gilmour, and Mrs Smith judged the competition for making a jar of! raspberry jam. The following was the result: Mrs Rule I,'Mrs Symes.2, Mrs Cook 3. During the social half-hour two amusing competitions Avere held, the winners being:—Drawing competition:, Mrs Rule 1, Mrs Gadd 2, Mrs Cook and Miss Evans l(equal) 3. Occupation com'jpetition: Mrs Rule 1, Mrs Cook 2, Mrs Scott and Miss Collett (equal) 3. Afternoon tea Avas served by the hostesses, Mesdames Rule, Scott, C. Prebble and Mif|i Evans.

MOUNT SOMERS. A meeting;of the Mount Somers Amateur Swimming Club Avas held in the library on Tuesday evening, Avhen there Avere present: Messrs F. W. Cifkins (chairman), W. R. Glasson, J. A. Mears, S. Eder, W. A. Sharpe, A. Shaw, C. Syme, and Misses N. Edgar and E. T. Scott. Arrangements were completed for the annual inter-club carnival in the Domain baths to-day and the dance to follow. The folloAving officials were appointed Starter, Mr J. C. C. McLachlan; timekeeper, Mr W. R. Glasson; judges, Messrs W. Glasson, M. Knox and S. Hood; diring judges, Messrs S’. Hood, H. Milsom, M. Knox; ladies’ steward, Miss N. Edgar; men’s steward, Mr S. Eder. Preliminary arrangements for the parish produce show' and sale of work were made at a largely-attended meeting of ladies, including representatives from the Mayfield, Staveley and Bushside districts, held at Mount Somers on Thursday afternoon. Mrs F. Porter presided. It was decided to hold the following stalls: Sweets, produce, sewing, cakes, jumble, books, bran tub, butcher’s shop, refreshments, and a district stall run by Ruapuna church people. Various stallholders Avere appointed, Avith provision to add further names. The slioav schedule Avas deferred for further consideration.

Eight points of rain fell on Monday, and further. shoAvers on Thursday brought another 46 points, Avhich Aviit prove very beneficial to turnips and rape. Heavy misty rain' was still falling yesterday morning.