STEADY PROGRESS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 64, 27 December 1935, Page 6

STEADY PROGRESS

THE YEAR AT METHVEN. BUILDERS KEPT EMPLOYED. RECORD HARVEST PROMISED. The year just closing has been a good one for the Methven district, with steady progress. Builders have been fully employed erecting new houses in the town and country, and a block of four shops in reinforced concrete has been erected in the township. Recently the Railway Department had a gang of men repairing and painting the railway premises and cottages. The mam roads through the township have been tar-sealed. A portion of the Railway reserve has been taken over by the County Council, and has ffieen cleared and planted with shrubs, giving the entrance to the railway a much improved appearance. Plans for the future include the erection of several dwellings, while _ a leading mercantile firm has plans in hand for the erection at an early date of a large grain store, with office accommodation and merchandise store. At present all available labour is employed hay-making or shearing. The harvest promises to be an exceptionally heavy one, present appearances pointing to a record. Crops for winter feed are looking well and stock in the district are in good condition. All sports bodies in the district report a successful year, with increased membership, and a better financial position. The trotting club continues to progress and is putting in hand further improvements to the stand and other buildings on the racecourse. The tennis club has a record membership and plans to have two additional courts laid down in the near future. The golf club has experienced a very successful year, with largely increased membership. The club is negotiating for a new course handy to the township- ’ „ , As usual before the close of the year, the road board men have given the township a general clean-up, the grass on the road frontages being cut and all weeds removed. During the year a portion of the water-race running through the township has been piped and a further improvement in this direction is contemplated for the coming year.