COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 127, 11 March 1935, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.) HINDS The children and teachers of St. Luke’s Sunday School held their annual picnic on Saturday. Mr Wilson Lowe and some of the parents conveyed the children to the Ruapuna Domain, where a very enjoyable time was spent in swimming and tennis. Prizes were presented by Mrs Taylor to tlie following:— Kindergarten: Arthur Grayburn 1, Shirley Barrett 2; attendance: Natalie Rickard, Judith McDonald, Joan Bowes, Francis Tilson, Sheila Tinkler, Frank Tinkler, Billie Davidson, Linten Chisnall. Miss McDowell’s class: Ann Barrett 1, Sheila Rickard 2; attendance: Ann Barrett. Miss Watson’s class: Olive McDowell I, Nancy McDonald 2 ; attendance: Olive McDowell; good work: Nancy McDonald. Miss Grayburn’s class:' Mona Barrett 1, Myra Barrett 2; attendance: Mona Barrett apd Myra Barrett (equal). Miss Taylor’s class: Nellie Grayburn 1, Jean McDowell 2; attendance: Jean Me Dowell. Miss Rickard’s class: Rodger Watson i; Jeffrey Watson 2; attendance: Rodger Watson. An enjoyable afternoon tea, followed by a lollio scramble brought a pleasant picnic to a close.

FLEMINGTON. The Flemington School was well filled when a farewell social was tendered to Mrs Marshall by past and present pupils ofi the Sunday school. Mr Gilof the evening was presented with a mour occupied the chair. The guest beautiful bouquet of roses by Beverley Taylor. Mr Gilmour spoke of the many good qualities of Mrs Marshall and her untiring interest and labour among the children. Miss Ellie Knox (a past pupil) thanked Mrs Marshall for the kindly interest she had always taken in the pupils and presenting her with a travelling rug and crystal salad howl as a small token of the esteem in which she is held. On behalf of the correspondence Bible Class, Miss M. Taylor presented the Rev. W. Marshall with a fountain pen and wished him bon voyage. Mr Gilmour then called attention to Mr J. Stevenson, who was present, and spoke of his great generosity to all deserving causes. Church, district temperance and many institutions benefited by his liberality and as Mr Stevenson was retiring from farming and leaving the district he (the chairman had much pleasure in handing him a travelling rug and suitcase on behalf of Flemington friends and Eiffelton neighbours. All the guests were given musical honours in turn. The singing of “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” followed a sumptuous supper, brought a pleasant evening to a close. STAVELEY.

The Stayeley Women’s Institute held a most enjoyable ball on Friday evening. Tlie hall was decorated with a mass of streamers, flowers and greenery. The dance music was supplied by Cook’s orchestra and Mr L. Hicks was M.G. Cards were played by nondancers. A lucky spot waltz was won by Miss Morey (Methven) and partner, and Mr H. Job won a. competition. Supper was supplied by 7 the institute members. Sixteen members of the StaveleyMount Somers Girl Guide troop made the trip to Christchurch on Saturday to attend the Baden-Powell rally 7. On Sunday afternoon they attended a church parade at Staveley. The Rev. Trevor Williams was preacher and Miss 11. Gundry.was organist. The wonderful growth of feed since the rains has caused the supply from dairy farms to come back a Jittle but already the chief cream lorry is collecting on only three days a week. How serious was the drop in cream is shown l>y the position on one farm. In the December flush, seventy pounds of cream were obtained at each milking; it fell to thirty pounds in February. Although lucerne has hitherto always been a failure in this locality some farmers intend sowing an area next year to try 7 to' guard against dry conditions in future.