COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 126, 9 March 1935, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.) METHVEN. The annual meeting of the Methven Mothers' Union took place .on Thursday afternoon, when a large attendance of members was presided over by the Eev. E. A. Osmers. The hdn. secretary in the report stated that work was steadily progressing under Mrs Osmers as controlling member. There had been a big increase in membership. The annual district festival of members from Mid-Canterbury branches had been an outstanding success. Addresses by visiting clergy and members from Ohristchurch headquarters had been a feature ofi the year. A garden party at Mrs S. Smith's was a most successful function. Limited finances had curtailed somewhat the making up of garments for orphanages, but with an improvement in finances extra sewing would be done during the coming year. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Enrolling member, Mrs E. A. Osmers; vice-president. Mrs Kate Dickie; hon. secretary, Mrs David Chambers; committee, Mesdames Stanley Smith, K. Dickie, J. Robertson, W. C. Battson, G. Cleeve, E. M. Watson, A. ■Cookson, E. A. Bland, T. W. Cleeve, W. Cook and A. C. Gadd. The sewing committee was re-elected. A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers. At the close of business the Eev. N. Watkins (vicar of Hororata) gave an interesting address on missionary work in Hong Kong, and he was accorded a vote of thanks. Afternoon tea was served. WAKANUI. The second annual meeting of the Wakanui "Women's Institute Avas held in the Early Settlers' Hall on Wednesday afternoon, when Mrs T. S. Taylor presided. Three new members were elected. The Hampstead Group Convener wrote inviting the members to the group picnic to be held in the Domain on April 4. Arrangements were made for the birthday party to be held on April 11. It was decided to purchase curtains for the hall. A comprehensive report of the year's activities was given by the president. This disclosed an increase in membership, and the fact that the meetings were well attended. The treasurer presented the balance-sheet, which proved to be very satisfactory. The officers for the ensuing year were elected! as follows:—President, Mrs D. Butterick; vice-presi-dents, Mesdames T. S. Taylor and J. C. Sinclair; "secretary, Mrs J. M. Moore; press correspondent. Miss G. Butterick; treasurer, Mrs G. W. Leadley; committee, officers and Mesdames H. Watson, C. Brand, C. 0. Frampton, }, West, Hyland, G. Brand, and Miss G. Butterick. A social committee was formed by the younger members as follows:—Misses Page, Brand, Eden, Wilson, Crockett, and Protheroe. The results of the competitioins were: —■ Sponge, Mrs Sinclair 1, Mrs H. Watson 2, Mrs Hyland 3. Apricot jam, Mrs Hyland 1, Mrs H. Watson 2, Mrs J. M. Moore 3. Gooseberry jelly, Mrs C. G. Frampton 1, Mrs Hyland 2, Mrs H. Watson 3. COLDSTREAM.

The Coldstream Road Board met on Thursday. Members present were: Messrs G. Tait (chairman), W. McKeage, J. W. Dell, J. C. Guinness and D. S. Studholme. The Valuation Department advised the following alterations in the valuation roll: From McPherson to D. M. Lamb; the Crown to Archibald McDonald; John Brown to H. Abbott; Annie Adams (deceased) per Alexander Adams. A letter was received from the Ashburton County Council stating that in order to spread more equitably the cost of maintenance of roads on which there is heavy traffic in the County, 13J miles of the Coldstream Road from Hinds to Rangitata River mouth might be declared a main road. The council asked if the board would approve of this road being controlled by the council. It was decided to reply that the board had no objection. LISMORE. A meeting of the school committee was held in the school on Monday evening, with Mr T. Mulligan presiding. It was decided to cut out some trees an. the east side of the school for firewood. It was decided to deepen the swimming pond, and that a working bee be formed to da the work some time during the winter. MOUNT SOMERS.

The fifth annual meeting of the Mt. Somers Women's Institute was held in the library on Wednesday afternoon. The President (Mrs G. L. Hood) presided over a large attendance. Proceedings opened with the Institute Song. The report stated that the Institute had enjoyed a successful year, both socially and financially. Many interesting demonstrations had been given, and the competitions had been keenly contested. A piano fund had been raised and a piano purchased. A School Day given by the Ashburton Institute, at which the Stavelcy and ! May field Institutes atteded, was much appreciated. Mrs C. J. Johnstone and Miss H. Wightman attended the Federation meeting at Geraldine, Mesdames L. M. Goodrich and E. W. Roberts the meeting at Temuka, and Mrs G. L. Hood the annual meeting at Wellington. The treasurer (MJss M. Morgan) presented the balance-sheet, and members expressed delight at the sound position-disclosed. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs Hoed for the able manner in which she carried out her duties of President during the last two years. Votes of sympathy were passed to Mesdames J. Gibb and W. Box in their illness and Mrs W. A. Sharpe in her husband's illness. On account of the Federation meeting at Geraldine being the first Wednesday in April, the next meeting was altered to the second Wednesday. Mrs J. Quantock and Mrs G. L. Hood were appointed delegates to the Federation meeting and Mrs F. Peter was appointed delegate to the Mid-Canterbury Federation meeting at Ashburton on April o. Suggestions for the year's

competitions and demonstrations are to be made at the next meeting. A competition for the best pot of apple jelly was won by Mrs F. Peter, Mrs D. W. Herron being 2nd; for a seagrass chair Mrs R. Young was first and Miss G. Hood second. A musical parcel was \yon by Mrs G. J. Foreman. Arrangements were made to hold a dance on April 3, during the military camp at Surrey Hills. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mrs J. Quantoek; vice-president, Mrs F. Peter; committee, Mesdames F. W. Gifkins, W. J. Comyns, L. M. Goodrich, R. Edgar, R. Young, A. R". Beck-ley, W. A. Sharpe, L. Ruddock, and Misses M. Morgan and T. Morgan; hon. secretary, Mrs Comyns; assistant secretary, Miss T. Morgan; hon. treasurer, Miss M. Morgan ; hon. auditor, Mr W. A. Sharpe. Miss T. Morgan was in charge of the sales table.

LAURISTON. Mrs W. Gimson presided over a good attendance at the monthly meeting of the Lauriston branch of the Women's Institute. The competition for the best sponge roll resulted: Mrs R. Rebbington 1, Miss E. Lemon 2, Miss E. Maidens 3. An embroidery competition resulted: Miss E. Lemon 1, Miss A. Mrs' F. E. Ames and Miss M. Hampton (equal) 3. The "wordibuilding" competition resulted: Miss E. Lemon 1, Miss D. Maidens 2, Miss E. Maidens 3. At the next meeting, which is the annual meeting, an aster display will be held, also a display of the last year's prize-winning work. A competition will be held for the best thrift article. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mrs V. Boag and Miss L. Letham. The meteorological observations for February, recorded by the headmaster (Mr J. A. Mackie) and the senior pupils of the Lauriston School, are: Mean pressure, 66 degrees; highest maximum, 90 degrees, on February 5; lowest minimum, 46 degrees, on February 24; total rainfall, 2.18 inches, which fell on eight days, the highest fall being 62 points, on February 24.

RAKAIA. Mr H. A. Harrison presided at the monthly meeting of the South Rakaia Road Board. Others present were Messrs J. Lambie, W. W. Carruthers and A. Doig. The Public Works Department advised that the plans and specifications for Thompson's road had been approved and forwarded authority to proceed. It was decided to call tenders for the work. Correspondence was received from the Commissioner of Unemployment and Mr J. Connolly, M.P., about relief work in Rakaia, and it was decided to go further into the matter when it was better known how many registrations there would be during the winter. Notification was received from the Valuation Department of the revaluation of two properties. It was decided to call tenders for the purchase of two pine plantations. A grant of £2O was made- to the Cemetery Board. The report stated that grading had been carried out on various roads in the district, and that metalling had been continued in the township. Relief work recommenced on February 11, there being now 29 men registered. Since the commencement of relief work in Rakaia £7967 had been paid out in wages and £1904 spent by the board en hire of teams and transport. Rates outstanding for the current year amounted to £IOO 14s Bd, 94 per cent, of the amount struck being paid. Receipts for the month amounted to £412 12s Bd, and the credit balance at the Bank of New Zealand was £1359 10s 9d. It was decided to place all outstanding rates in the hands of the collectors. i