COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 19, 4 November 1935, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.) METHVEN. The patronal festival of All Saints’ Church, Methven, was held recently, when Holy Communion was celebrated at 7 a.m., the vicar (the Bev. H. S'. Hamilton) being the celebrant. At evensong the preacher was the Bev. H. J. Knights (vicar of Bakaia). The church was beautifully decorated with arum lilies, white spring flowers and native clematis." There were good attendances at both services. Miss Mary Battson played the organ. After the service an adjournment was made to the parish hall for a social evening. Items were given by Misses Nora Owers and H. Petrie, Messrs George Petrie and K. Cook, YV. B. Owers and W. Petrie.

STAVELEY. The second birthday party of the Staveley Girl Guides was held on Saturday, and it was very well attended by Guides, parents and small children. Badges won during the year were presented by Captain N. Noonan as follow: —Second class, Doreen Wright; laundress (examined by Mrs S. T. Goldsmith), Gladys Sullivan and Isobel Bufton; laundress and domestic (examined by Mrs Goldsmith, sen., and Mrs N. Olliver), Mabel Langrid’ge, Mae G undry, Enid McFarlane, Barbara Bufton, Molly, McGinn, Alma. Green and Nyhara Hicks; dairymaid (examined by Mr G. L. Bufton), Poreen Wright, Gladys Sullivan and Enid McFarlane; service stars, Mabel Langridge, Mae Gundry, Enid McFarlane, Doreen Wright, Gladys Sullivan and Isobel Bufton; child nurse, Molly The. -wood-pigeon patrol, under Isobel Bufton, received individual prices flrom the captain Ifor most marks during the year. A report on the year’s work was given by ,the captain. Members of the local association were hostesses at a sumptuous afternoon tea, a feature of which was the birthday cake made by Mrs G. L. Bufton. Games for the children and the adults and a minje by the Guides occupied the remainder of the afternoon. The rainfall in October was heavier than for many months, and the spell of dry weather was broken with copious rains spread over the latter part of the month. Bain was recorded on 13 days. The heaviest fall, 84 points, was on the 19th, and the total for the month was 511 points, compard with; 354 points in October, 1934. The total falls to date for this year ' and for last are 31.19 inches and 41.08 inches respectively. For the lambing in the early part of last month ideal weather was experienced, although green feed was a little slow in coming away. Storm losses; were nil, but some rather heavy deaths among big lambs have been experienced. In one case a loss of 15 was sustained after tailing one mob, and another farmer reports a loss of 35 from the so-called pulpy kidney. Percentages ranging from 115 to 120 are reported, and in one case • exceeded that, but though twins were mere numerous this year than usual most farmers’ percentages range round the 100. In fact, many fairmers believe that one ewe, one lamb is tne ideal. A forward sale of lambs is reported at 17s. The Springburn Tennis Club opened its season on Saturday in ideal weather. There was a fair. attendance of members and visitors, and friendly games were played. The “billy” was boiled and a picnic afternoon tea served. . The last of a series of card socials m aid jointly of the funds of the Staveley Women’s Institute and the Hall Society was held on Saturday evening. The prize-winners were Mrs N. Olliver, Mr J. Burgess and Mr G. M. Mcßae.

DORIE. At a meeting of the congregation cf St. Patrick’s Church, (Dorie, it was decided to hold a concert and dance in aid of the church funds early in December. A suggestion to hold a camp fire concert was deferred, and a social will be held in the Ardamine Hall. Duties we're allotted to various - members of the committee. A concert party from Ashburton will be invited.