COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 61, 23 December 1935, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondent.) MFTHVEN. A special Christmas service was held at the Methodist Church, Methven, on Sunday, the Rev. W. A. Mills'being the preacher. The children’s choir rendered two'items, and Mr E. A. Mangin sang the solo ‘‘o Come Unto Me.” The Rev. Mills and Mrs Mangin sang a duet, Mrs A. S'. Kennedy being the accompanist. A special retiring collection was taken in aid of the Methodist Orphanges of New Zealand. lowcliffe. A very successful concert was given by the pupils of the Lowcliffe School, assisted by the Drama Club, in the schoolroom on Wednesday evening. The items were: Opening recitation, ■Grace 0 wnswqrth • piano sok>, Eileen Cross; “Fairy Wedding Song,” some small children; recitations, small boys; Lullaby Song, some girls; play, “Little Boy Lost/,” four small boys; song in character' four small children; recitations, three children ; “Old Mother Hubbard” ; play, “The Old Armchair” four children; song, “John Peel, George McKenzie and chorus; 11 pussy cats’ recitation; Shopping Song, Standards 111. and IV.; song, “The (.Dream Man,” Joyce McKenzie and small children; tableau, “A New Year Greeting” ; Hunting Song, Hugh McTague, George McKenzie and two-part chorus; drill item, some boys; “Japanese Love Song,” senior girls; piano duet, Jean Harris and Jean Wocdham; musical play, “Jumble Sale,” senior room; mouth-organ solos, four children; play, “Mistaken Identities,” Drama Club; closing recitation, “Santa Claus”; song, Grace Ownsworth; National Anthem, school. Mr Tait proposed votes of thanks to the children for their good performance, Mr and Mrs Mcßae and Miss Fulton for training the children, and the Drama Club for presenting a play. A dainty supper was handed round. WILLOWBY. The Rev. R. and Mrs McGregor entertained the members of the dayschool morning Bible class at the Parsonage, WTllowiby, on Saturday afternoon. The children spent a delightful time playing games, partaking in a treasure hunt and nut and sweet hide-and-seek. Phyllis Lattimore, Nancy Armaud, Helen Hillyer and Bruce Knox were the fortunate treasure finders. A sumptuous tea was served on the verandah. George Hillyer called for three cheers for Mr and Mrs McGregor, and, on behalf of the children present, thanked them for the happy afternoon. A number of singers, comprising church members of the several denominations of the district, last evening visited the homes of many of the sick and aged friends to wish them Christmas greetings and sing carols and wellknown hymns. The districts of Longbeach, Waterton, Wheatstone and Willowby were traversed, and a happy time was experienced by the carollers RAKAIA. Miss Alice Keane and her pupils held their annual musical concert in the Lodge Hall recently, piano and violin solos were played by Miss Keane, saxophone solos by Mr L. Keane, an instrumental solo by Miss Keane (violin), Mr L. Keane (saxophone) and Peggy Sheehan (piano), and a piano solo ( by Miss B. Stewart. Miss N. Muckle, for the pupils, presented Miss Keane with a pink xylonite hair brush, comb and mirror as a token of esteem. Two bouquets were also presented by Daphne Stevens and by Joe Sheehan, the youngest pupil. The following pupils, who gained honours in the recent Trinity College of Music examinations, were presented with gifts from the teacher:—Freda Burrows, John Sheehan and Jean Hancock. The following items were given by the pupils:—Violin solos and duets, Nell Muckle and Ron Hamilton; piano; duets, Freda and Jim Burrows, Noreen and Kathleen Langley, Reeve and Arthur Wilkinson, John Sheehan and Joan Hancock; songs, Edna Kidd, Betty C'rossley, Joan Hancock and Peggy Sheehan; step dance, Noreen Langley; recitations,' Jim Burrows, Reeve and Arthur "Wilkinson, Noreen and Kathleen Langley; piano' trio, John and Peggy Sheehan and Joan Hancock; piano solos, Aner Doig, Doris Stevens, Gus Langley, Margaret Muckle, Clare Langley, Carlene Johnston, Daphne Stevens, Joe Sheehan, Freda Burrows, Noreen Langley, Jinx Burrows, Reeve Wilkinson, Kathleen Langley, Peggy Sheehan, Arthur Wilkinson, Ron Hamilton, Edna Kidd 1 , Nellie Muckle, Joan Hancock, John Sheehan, A. Doig, R.. Wilkinson and M. Muckle. Two of the pupils and Miss Keane were the accompanists. Music for the dance which followed was played by Mr and Miss Keane. WINCHMORE. A very enjoyable afternoon was spent at the Homestead, tho home of Mr and Mrs H. M. Verrall, where the Winchmore branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union held a children’s Christmas party. There was a large gathering of both parents and children, and the time was spent in games, races and a treasure hunt. MOUNT SOMERS. The Mount Somers Women’s Institute heldi its annual Christmas tree party by the invitation of the president '(Mrs W. J. Quantock) at her residence, Anama Homestead, Mount Somers. A large gathering of parents and children attended, a pleasant afternoon being in games and competitions. Mrs Quantock was presented with a bouquet of flowers. Father Christmas, who arrived in a gaily-decorated ’ car, presented each child with a gift from a well-laden

Christmas tree. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr and Mrs Quantock for their hospitality. Thirty-three points of rain were recorded last week, which was most beneficial to pastures and crops, although causing delay with shearing, which is now in full swing. There is an abundance of feed, and some good hay crops should he obtained. Oats and wheat show exceptional promise, but a good rain is needed to fill out the grain. HIGHBANK A children’s fancy dress ball was held in the school room to augment the funds for the school picnic. A most enjoyable evening was spent, and fimeh work must have been put in/by the parents in designing and making the many beautiful dresses worn by the children. The judges, Mr and Airs A. Adams (Methven) awarded the Brizes a,'s "follows: —Best girl’s dress, Dorothy Gflpiln (Flower Girl); most original girl’s dress, Mary Penney (nurse); best boy’s, Chris. Stewart (Red Indian); most original boy’s, Laurie Gilpin (Swagger). Dancing was carried on until midnight, interspersed with items by Messrs C. J. Stewart and A. Adams. Music was supplied by Mesdames Thomson and Adams, ami Miss L. Clceve. An enjoyable suppler was provided by the ladies. Owing to the inclement weather on Friday the sbliool picnic had to be postponed, but parents and children gathered at the school for the presentation of prizes. Each child received a book and also a toy from a bran tub, while a plentiful supply of ice cream was a delight. A beautiful tea was dispensed by the' parents. After the prizes had been presented a pleasing ceremony was performed when Bernie (Paul, a pupil, presented to the teacher, Air C. J. Stewart, a pocket book from the pupils of Form 1 and 2, as a mark of respect and appreciation of his work for them during the school year. STAVELEY The December meeting of the Staveley Women’s Institute took the form of a Christmas party for children. Father Christmas arrived on horseback with two bags of toys, which were dissweets scramble was held and a bountiful afternoon tea was served. Airs Alan Russell presided over the business meeting, when it was decided to join in the scheme of giving 2d per member for the purpose of sending a Representative to the conference in America. The librarian reported that fourteen new books had been added to the library. A competition for an iced Christmas cake was won by Aliss E. Christiansen. The Spriijgburn Tennis Club held a ball in the Staveley Hall on Friday evening. The hall was decorated with streamers and greenery, and a coloured spot light was Worked from the stage. Alusic was supplied by the Evans-Campbell orchestra (Christdhurch), were played by Mi-s A. B. Lockhead and Aliss Gladys Healey. Air R. Syme was M.C. A banquet supper was served on tables decorated with Iceland poppies and roses and light refreshments were served throughout the evening from a canteen. The grand march was led by Air and Airs K. I. Robertson (Christchurch). A lucky spot waltz was Avon by Air and Airs W. Dolan (Aletbven), and a Alonto Carlo Avaltz by Air D. Grieve and Miss E. Johnstone. Air J. AI. Bruce (president), and Air K. I. Robertson (past-president), congratulated the club on its progress and thanked specially Aliss E. Christiansen (secretary) for the success of the /ball. The hours of the Springburn exchange have been extended to include an hour’s attendance in the morning and another in the afternoon on Sundays and holidays. WATERTON. Hie Sunday School anniversary service of the Waterton Alethodist Church was held yesterday afternoon. The Rev. R. AlcGregcr pdeached to a good congregation on “Life, Love and Laughter.” He gave the children a special address, which was listened to attentively. Special hymns Avere sung by the children, Avho bad been trained by Air J. Kermode. Airs A. S. Hayman presided at the organ. Air AlcGregor presented .the prizes as folloAV: —Mr Kermode’s class: Phyllis Read, Alaud Kermode, Elsie Read, Iris Pearson, Nora Thompson, Christine Thompson, Dorothy Sampson, Irene Page, Alaurice Soal, Irani Read, George Soal, Kenneth Aluir, Leslie Read, EdAvard Sampson and John Thompson. Aliss Lillian Read’s class: Rae Pearson, Allan Pearson, Eric Soal, Noeline Soal, Alildred Read, Trevor Read, Geoffrey Read, Allan Barr, Nancy Thompson, Noeline Barr, William Roache and Russell Barr. The picnic in connection with the school is to be held in the TinAvald Domain on New Year’s Day.