COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 296, 27 September 1935, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.)

METHVEN The appeal day of the Methven sub-branch of the Plunket Society •was held yesterday. Being sale day, there was a large number of country visitors to the township, and good business was done by the members of the committee under the president (Mrs J. Wootton).

WILLOW B Y. At a special meeting of the Methodist Women’s Missionary Union held on Wednesday afternoon, Sister Lina Jones gave an address dealing with the work and people of the Solomon Islands mission stations. There she has laboured for many years. Photographs illustrative of. the subject were on view and needlework done by native women and girls was exhibited. A posy of flowers was presented to the speaker on behalf of the members or the meeting. Mrs Jackson gave a recitation, and afternoon tea was dispensed. Mrs G. H. B. Ljll was thanked for opening her home for the meeting.

MAYFIELD. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Mayfield Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F was held in the band hall on Wednesday evening, the N.G. (Bro. John Edmond) presiding. It was decided to hold “old-timers’ night” at the next fortnightly meeting. Sick pay amounting to £1 10s was passed for payment.

SEAFIELD. The monthly meeting of the Seaficld branch of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held in the rifle club rooms, Mrs 11. J. Martin presiding. Mesdames Baynes and McDonald gave a demonstration on crystalising flowers for decoration. It was decided to hold a debate next meeting on “Is too much money spent on sport nowadays?” Mesdames Lambie, Baynes and Waller will take the affirmative, and Mesdames Johnson, Driscoll and A. P. Bruce the negative. Winners of competitions were: Bunch of violets: Mrs Driscoll 1, Mrs A. P. Bruce 2, Miss J. Mitchell 3. Champion bloom of narcissi: Mrs Baynes 1, Mrs Johnson 2, Miss J. Bruce 3. Three vases spring flowers: Mrs Baynes 1, Mrs CDriseoll 2, Mrs A. P. Bruce 3. Bowl of narcissi: Mrs A. P. Bruce 1, Mrs J. Bruce 2, Mrs Baynes 3. Vase of three kinds of narcissi: Mrs A. P. Bruce 1, Mrs Baynes 2, Miss N. Rennison 3. Flowering shrubs: Miss J. Bruce 1, Mrs J. Bruce 2. Marmalade: Mrs Baynes 1, Miss H. Johnson 2, Mrs Mitchell and Mrs Johnson (equal) 3. Juniors’ fancy work: Miss Joyce Bruce 1, Miss F. Taylor and Miss Nancy Bennison (equal) 2. The hostesses were Mrs J. Gregory and Mrs Cartel*.

LOWULIFFE. The Lowcliffe Women’s Institute meeting was presided over by Mrs Hawke. There was a good attendance. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mr R. Campbell and relatives. A number of baskets and other articles were sold for the Institute for the Blind. The winners of the competitions were: —Best arranged jar of spring flowers: Mrs Hartley 1, Mrs W. Campbell 2, Mrs Smith 3. Plate of pikelets: JVlrs Hansen 1, Miss F. Tait 2, Mrs Smith 3. The roll call, “Springcleaning Hints,” proved helpful and amusing. An instructive demonstration on pastry-making was given by Mrs Oakley, who was accorded a vote of thanks. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mrs Murdoch, Mrs Smith, and Miss McKeage. Mrs G. Hansen gave a talk on the Institute for the Blind, which she had visited while she was in Auckland! as a delegate to the annual conference. Mrs Hartley and Mrs R.. E. Cross were elected delegates to the meeting of the Mid-Canterbury Federation to be held in Ashburton in October.

RAKAIA. Women members of the Methodist Church held a successful sale of work in the Scout Hall on Wednesday evening. Many interesting competitions were held, and the various stalls were well patronised, the takings amounting to more than £22. The stallholders were: Fruit salad and soft drinks, Miss H. McGeorge; cakes, Miss E. Saunders ; fancy goods, Mesdames Hopwood and England produce, Mrs Allan ; sweets, Miss R. Hopwood ; curio exhibition, Mrs Coatsworth; refreshments, Mesdames Saunders and McGeorge. A cookery competition which was held in the afternoon resulted :—Sponge sandwich : Miss It. Hopwood 1, Mrs L. Hopwood 2. Nut loaf: Mrs England 1, Mrs Coatsworth 2. Sultana cake: Mrs Johns 1. The judges were Mesdames McAnulty and F. Behrnes.

HINDS A very successful spring flower show, and open meeting was held by the Hinds Women’s Institute, in the hall on Friday evening, when their was a large attendance of members atid visitors. Mrs McQuilkin welcomed these present, Mr McKaskill, of Christchurch, who gave a particularly interesting lantern lecture on “The Forests and Bird Life of New Zealand,” illustrating his address by many fine slides. He also showed the damage done to the forests by deer, etc., and urged everyone to preserve the native bush. On the motion of Mrs Rickard, Mr McKaskill was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Misses Ann Frampton and Lois Bellow' contributed a piapoforte duet, and a humourous one-act play, “The Scotch Granny,”- was enacted by Hinds members (Mesdames Joiner and Bellow, and Misses Lois and Elivira Bellow). Supper was served by the hostesses (Mesdames Bagrie, H. L. Chisnall, H. Bellow, B. Frampton and Rickard, and Miss

Frnmpton). Mrs A. Langdon and Miss Faith Pickard were elected delegates to attend the half-yearly meeting at Ashburton. Mr MeKaskill who judged the flowers, commented very favourably upon the quality of the blooms. Results were as follows: —Six different bxilbs, Mrs Tarbotton I; Mrs Graham Scales. (Maronan) 2. Collection of bulbs, Mrs Lonnie 1; Mrs Joiner 2. Premier bloom (bulb), Mrs Tarbotton 1. Collection flowering shrubs, Mrs Marshall 1; Mrs Scales '(Maronan) 2. Three primroses, Mrs Whiting (Maronan) 1. Three violas, Mrs Tarbotton 1 and 2. Vase violets, Mrs G. Whiting (Maronan) 1; Mrs Graham Scales (Maronan )2. Vase any other flower not mentioned, Mrs Tarbotton 1 and 2. Decorated bowl, Mrs Marshall 1. Floating bowl, Mrs Marshall 1; Mrs McQuilkin 2. Collection of flowers, other than bulbs, Mrs McQuilkin 1; Maronan School 2. Bulb in fibre, Miss Faith Rickard 1. Bulb in soil, Mrs Joiner 1. Premier bloom (any flower) Mrs Tarbotton 1.

The Hinds Basketball Club held its annual ball in the hall on Wednesday evening. The gathering was a great success, and an enjoyable time was spent bv all. Visitors were present from Ashburton and Tinwald basketball clubs and from the surrounding districts. The hall was prettily decorated with red and green streamers, with greenery tastefully arranged around the walls, and spring flowers, which made the scheme very effective. Music was supplied by Da bourn’s orchestra, and extras were played by Mr B. Claughton and Mr G. Vessey (Willowby). The franchise grand match was led by Miss L. Dellow and partner. Novelty dances were won as follow: Monte Carlo waltz, Miss E. Musson and partner; mystery hike, Miss N. Grayburn and partner ; Monte Carlo onestep, Miss C. Chisnall and Mr R. Armstrong. Mr D. Bush was master of ceremonies.

STAVELEY. At the first meeting of the local association for the Girl Guides there were present: Mesdames AY. Norman (president), D. Stevens (secretary), N. Watson, G. F. Bufton and A. G. Langridge. It was resolved to ask permission to change the name of the troop to the Stave ley Girl Guides. Arrangements were made for the second birthday party on November 2. Mrs Goldsmith, sen., was appointed to examine for the domestic service badge. Mrs AA’atson was hostess.

A meeting of the combined ladies’ guilds was held at the manse, when arrangements were made for the first annual spring show in connection with the Presbyterian Church on October 10 in the hall. The Rev. A. A. C. Lion was appointed organiser, and Mrs Lion secretary. Stewards were selected and names for judges were submitted. It was reported that the “Guardian” had given as a trophy three months’ subscription. It was decided to ask Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., to open the show. A schedule of over 200 classes, including flower, needlework, vegetable, farm produce, cooking and school sections, was adopted.

ANAMA The monthly meeting of the Anama branch of the AVomen’s Division of the Farmers’ Union held in the school, was largely attended. A letter cf cheer was directed to be sent to Mrs Rickard, of Ashburton, who has been indisposed, and votes of sympathy were passed to Mesdames E. Stevens and S. Bennett, who have suffered bereavements recently. It was decided to support the health campaign inaugurated in Ashburton. Misses L. Robertson and V. Alclver gave interesting reports of the educational course held at Christchurch recently, and were heartily thanked. Mrs H. Branch gave a demonstration of dressing table poultry, which was keenly followed, and a. vote of thanks was unanimously accorded her. The monthly competition resulted: Bloom, Mrs Candy 1; Mrs Quantock 2- Mrs A. Thatcher 3. A r egotable (leek), Mrs Candy 1; Miss Z. Robertson 2; Airs AA T . Robertson 3 ; howl of spring flowers, Airs J. Brown 1; ATrs R. Hewson 2, Aliss L. Robertson 3; Plain Scones, Airs |J. Brown 1, Mrs G. Candy 2, Airs J. Rose 3. The hostesses were Airs J. Mdver and Miss C. Ivev.