COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 291, 21 September 1935, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.)

methven. The monthly meeting of the Methven Women’s Institute was held in the Anglican Hall on Thursday afternoon, with Mrs L. L. Richards presiding. Votes of sympathy were passed with Mesdames G. Ruddenklau, Vaughan and Miss Hampton in their illnesses. The president said she had attended a public meeting conyened to further the Health stamp campaign, and urged members to support it. A further meeting would he held later, and the Governor-General would give a radio talk on September 29 on the campaign. Mrs Richards was appointed delegate to the half-yearly meeting of the MidCanterbury* Federation. Mrs Nish’s offer to display a knitted garment tor entry in the Connolly Cup competition was accepted. It was also decided to forward a thrift article for the competition. A short play, “The Tranter,” was performed by Mesdames S. Smith, J. F. Stone, J. Temple, S. M. Jackman, F. Shearer, F. Guthrie, A. C. Watson, and Misses Shona Manger and Rona Waddington. Competitions were won by Mesdames W. K. Wilson and Watson. Mrs Glennie (Ashburton) gave a demonstration on floral work. The competitions were judged by Mrs Glennie, whose awards were : —Bowl of spring flowers: Mrs R. Ireland 1, Mrs E. M. Watson 2, Mrs A. O. Watson 3. Guest-room novelty: Mrs R. Ireland 1, Mrs E. A. Bland 2, Mrs F. E. Shearer 3. School lunch: Mrs S. M. Jackman 1, Mrs C. H. Watson 2, Mrs F. E. Shearer 3. The honorary treasurer advised that the balance for the half-year was £4 14s lid. The bring-and-buy table was in charge of Mesdames S. M. Jackman and A. E. Wilson, and did good business. The hostesses were Mesdames J. McDonald, M. Macale, L. R. Mangin, H. Fryer, N. Crooks, D. Mac Kay and W.C. Lowery.

WILLOWBY, There was a large attendance at the final meeting of the 1935 session of the Mutual Improvement Society, held on Wednesday evening. The evening took the form of a “back-to-childhoed” social, under the directorship of Mr and Mrs R. J. Chapman. Competitions and games were indulged in, interspersed with items contributed by Mr and Mrs S. H. Lill (humorous sketch), Mr Roberts (reading), Mr I. Taylor (mouth-organ selections), Mr A. S. Hayman (lullaby song), Mr Allan Chapman (song in character). Miss Marjorie Crossman, impersonating “Little Miss Tuffet,” took first prize m the ladies’ section of the fancy dress parade, and Mr R. J. Chapman (“Newsboy”) carried off the honours in the men’s section. Other characters, were: “Mrs R. J-. Chapman, “Schoolgirl”: Mrs F. Chapman, “Grandma”; » Mrs S. H. Lill, “Schoolgirl” ; Miss D. Roberts, “Little 80-peep” ; Miss E. Hayman, “Old Mother Hubbard” ; Miss H. Lill, “Where are You Going, My Pretty Maid”? Mrs A. S. Hayman, “Grandma” ; Mr E. Roberts, “Sandwich Man” ; Mr Allan, Chapman, “Sundowner” ; Master K. Roberts, “Mussolini.” Mrs Young and Miss Lill judged the costumes. Mrs Young and Miss Lill were successful in ether competitions. A novelty supper, consisting of school children’s lunches, in parcels, conveyed on a wheelbarrow, was served, with cups of tea. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought a pleasant evening and a most enjoyable session to, a close.

WINCHMORE. At a social evening held in the Winch more Hall the winners of the prizes were Mrs W. Withell, Miss E. Scott, Mr T. Kennedy and Mr W. J. Smith. The winners- of a novelty dance were Miss 13. Shearer and Mr ]>. Stewart. Music was played by Macdonald’s orchestra, and Mr G. Wright was master of ceremonies. A successful dance was held by the Winehmore Basketball Club to mark the dose of the season. Novelty dances were won by Miss K. Scott and Mr J. Donnelly, Miss J. Moodie and Mr It. Waddell, and Miss J. Moodie and partner. The music was played by Cook’s orchestra, with an extra by Mt R. Gudsell. Mr G. Wright was master of ceremonies.

MAYFIELU. The monthly meeting of the Mayfield branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance. Union was held in the Presbyterian Church vestry on Thursday afternoon. Mrs W. T. Elmslie presided in the absence of the president. Letters of sympathy were directed to' be sent to Mesdames IT. Edmond, R. McDowell and A. Murdoch in their illnesses. It was decided to continue to hold practices for the final Band of Hope in a month’s when the prizes for an essay on “Why do I go to the Band of Hope?’’ will be presented. Final arrangements were made for the spring show, to be held on October 17, and the following stewards were appointed: —Cookery, Mesdames C. (Sewell, I>. 11. Elms, J. W. Kingan and W. T. Elmslie; produce, Mesdames T. Barker, J. McCormick and E. Oakley ; needlework, Mesdames A. V. Barrett and A. Murdoch; flowers, Mrs L. M. Williams and Miss Corbett; afternoon tea, Mesdames D. R. Howden and G. A. Baxter; mystery parcels, Mrs L. C. Mcllrov and Miss M. Edmond.