COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 130, 14 March 1935, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Corresgondeiiiß.J CHERTSEY. A dance conducted by the Rakaia Cricket Club and held in the Chertsey Hall was very well attended. Music was played by Mrs Mitchell's orchestra • (Ashburton) and an extra was played by Miss Joan Breach (Rakaia). Novelty dances were won by Mr J. Hanrahart and Miss Ella Flynn, and Mrs E. Bain and Miss N. McKimmie. Mr Alan Doig was master of ceremonies. A mixed doubles tournament was conducted by the Chertsey Tennis Club on Saturday, for a trophy given by Mr W. H. Wilkinson. About 30 flayers took pa|rt and the winners were A. Cameron and Miss M. Redman. The Chertsey Presbyterian Church was decorated for the annual harvest thanksgiving service conducted by the Rev. D. B. Ashford, of Rakaia. A large quantity of goods were received and dispatched to the orphanage in Christchurch.

/ PENDARVES. The Rev. D. B. Ashford conducted the annual harvest thanksgiving service at the Pendarves Presbyterian Church, which had been decorated with flowers, fruit, and vegetables. There was a large congregation. A solo was sung by Miss Mary Ashford. The goods were later sent to the Girls' Orphanage, Christchurch. RAKAIA. The annual meeting of the Rukaia Women's institute was held in St. Mark's Schoolroom Tuesday afternoon, when Mrs Newman presided over a good attendance. Four new members were enrolled. Correspondence was received from Mrs Chisnall (secretary of the South Canterbury executive) regarding the formation of a Mid-Can-terbury Federation, which is to meet at Ashburton on April o. The secretary presented the report, which showed a year of steady progress, the balancesheet showing" a credit balance. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Miss Ashford; secretary and treasurer, Miss M. Lee; vice-president Mesdames Newman and McAnulty; committee, Miss Ashford, Mesdames Coatsworth, S. Hardy, Newman, Nelson, McAnulty, Mead snr, Misses M. Lee, E. I. Newman and Stevenson ; social committee, Mesdames A. E. Mead, M. V. Brown, Misses B. Stewart, E. Newman, Ashford, Lee and E. Kidd. A competition, best article from a sugarbag, was won by Mrs Mead, snr., Mrs Benbow was second and Mrs Rapley third. The hostesses were Mesdames McAnulty, Nelson and Newman. WILLOWBY. Harvest festival services were conducted in the Willowby Methodist Church on Sunday. Both services were well attended, the congregation in the morning being exceptionally large. The church was tastefully decorated with fruit, grains and flowers. Special hymns and anthems were sung by the choir under the baton of Mr A. S. Hayman, the solo parts being taken by Misses Ethelwynne Hayman and Ruth Cone. The preacher at the morning service was the Rev. W. Grigg, of Christchurch, and the Rev. R. McGregor conducted the evening service. The harvest thanksgiving celebrations were continued during the Aveek when a combined social and sale of produce was held. The Rev. W. Grigg delivered an interesting and inspiring address. Anthems sung by the choir under the baton of Mr Hayman, the solo portions being sung by Miss E. Hayman and Miss R. Cone. A 'cello solo by Miss R. H. Lill and elocutionary items bv Mrs S. H. till delighted the audience" The Rev. R, McGregor eulogised the splendid work for the church achieved by Miss M. M. Lill and on behalf of the donors presented her with a token ofi their esteem and of their appreciation of her services ; as organist over a period of ten years. Tennis enthusiasts enjoyed a pleasant afternoon's sport when another of the club's handicap tournaments was played. The winners were Miss Joyce (Papworth and T. o'Grady. At the March meeting of the Willowby School Committee, Mr N. H. Griffith presided. Others present were Mr W. Harvey and Mr B. T. Clothier. It was reported that the tanks had been cleaned and re-filled. It was decided to hold the annual flower show on Saturday, May 4, and to arrange for a parents' evening. The head teachers' report showed that the attendance since the beginning of the year had been 97 per cent. Keen interest continued to be taken in the swimming classes. BerthaCone won the girls' breaststroke championship at the school swimming sports held in Ashburton.

I>r. Eleanor Baker McLaglan, M. 8., (School Medicall Officer) and Nurse Lorimer visited the local school on Wednesday.