COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 79, 15 January 1936, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondent.) MAYFIELD The monthly meeting of _the committee of the Mayfield Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in the association's rooms. Mr A. N. Grigg presided over an attendance of 17. The executive was asked to consider the association's joining the .Draught Horse Society, and report to the next meeting. It was decided to affiliate with the Royal Agricultural Society. The secretary reported that Miss J. EdgarJones had asked that the Kerry challenge cup be won three times before becoming the property of an exhibitor, but only twice with the same horse. The committee agreed to the suggestion. The vice-president (Mr W. JEarly) reported that the executive had allocated special prizes to all sections of the show, and had included a LloydLindsay competition in the competitions section. The president congratulated Mr W. J. Early on his recent marriage, and on behalf of the committee presented Mr Early with a salad bowl as a token of esteem. The secretary reported that Mr and Mrs F. G. Greenslade had offered to replace the cup won by them in the poultry section last year.' The cup will be known as the Laggan challenge cup, and is to lie won three times in succession or four times at intervals. The donors will not be eligible. The offer was accepted, and a vote of thanks passed to Mr and Mrs Greenslade.

WATERTON. The united Bible classes of the Willowby Church conducted the afternoon service at Waterton on Sunday. Miss Marjorie Lill was organist, and the service was fully choral. The hymns were announced by Misses Ivan Lockwood, Hazel Lill and Ethelwynne Hayman. Miss Sadie Hayman sang "The Stranger of Galileo," and Miss Marjorie Beayen sang "Jesus is Tenderly Calling." Scripture readings were given by Misses Hazel Lill and E. Hayman. The 'service was under the leadership of Mr A. W. B. Hayman, who delivered the address. Some of the Bible class choruses were sung by the various Bible class members present. HfGHBANK. The monthly meeting of the Highbank Women's Institute was presided over by Mrs A. H. Sandrey, and there was a good attendance. A vote of sympathy was passed to Mrs E. A. Bland in her recent bereavement, and to Mrs Law in the illness of her husband. Delegates were'appointed to attend the annual meeting of the Mid-Canterbury Federation of Women's Institutes, and it was agreed to enter the competition for "flowers and foliage" at that meeting. A competition, "jumbled dogs," was won by Mrs J. W. Thomas. An interesting demonstration of papier macho worsLwas given by Mrs A. J. Penney. Articles in different stages were shown, and finished articles were much admired? Mrs Penney was accorded a vote of thanks. During the social half-hour Miss Cleeve played a pianoforte solo, which was much appreciated. Mrs Sandrey expressed thanks to the hostesses, who provided a dainty afternoon tea. Mrs C. Lammen (Christchurch) and Miss Ivory (St. Martin's) judged tig) monthly competitions, and their awards were as follow: —Prettiest "cake plate (19 entries): Seniors, Mrs" J. E. Harris 1, Mrs G. Currie 2, Mrs Mehrtens 3; juniors, Miss M. Paul 1, Miss L. Watson 2, Miss D. Rouse 3. Best slice of Christmas cake (13 entries): Seniors, Miss K. Middleton 1. Mrs W. K. Wilson 2, Mrs J. E. Harris 3; juniors, Miss Betty Findlay 1, Miss D. Rouse 2, Miss M. Paul 3. Roses: Seniors, Mrs A. H. Sandrey 1, Mrs Mehrtens 2, Mrs G. Callaghan 3j juniors, Miss Laura, Watson 1. The singing of "God Save The King" brought a pleasant afternoon to a close. MOUNT SOMERS

In the absence of the president (Mr A. N. Grigg), Mr S. M. A. Chaffey presided ever a meeting of the gala and sports gymkhana committee, who are organising an effort to raise funds for improvements to tho Mount Somers Memorial Hall. Owing to harvesting, it was decided to postpone the gala and sports gymkhana from Saturday January 18, to Saturday February 22, which date coincides with the annual infantry an dartillery camp at Mount Somers. A revised programme of sports, commencing at 10 a.ni., was drawn up, consisting of running and athletic events, novelty pony events, motorcycle and motor-car competitions, and many novelties and attractions, as well as numerous side-shows. A dance will be held in the evening. Arrangements were also made to hold a dance before the carnival. Up to Wednesday there have been only three days without rain since the New Year. On Monday steady rain fell, 48 points being recorded, the heaviest so far this year. The reaping of oats has commenced, and these, as as wheat crops, give promise of good yields. Haymaking and grass-seeding have been greatly interrupted by the broken spell, and shearing is still uncompleted. On some farms shearing, grass-seeding, haymaking and reaping are all in progress at once. A .complimentary social will be tendered by parishioners, on Friday evening to the Rev. Trevor Willams (vicar of Mount Somers), on the eve of his departure to visit England. Mr R. Carson (Ashburton), a student of College House, who has been appointed in charge cf Mount Somers under the guidance of the Rev. E. H. Hamilton (vicar of Methven) during Mr Williams' absence, is now in the parish.