COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 84, 21 January 1936, Page 10

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.) - METHVEN. The Methven Novice Cycling Club mold a “mystery hike hike” on Sunday, the destination proving to he at Lock’s intake on the Ashburton River. There was a fair attendance, and those present took part in an interesting sports programme. The annual meeting of the Methven Gun Club was held in the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s rooms on Friday evening, Mr A. E. Wilson (president) occupying the chair. The! annual report stated that the club hadg experienced another successful season.l The usual schedule of shoots was put! on, in addition to a pigeon match and! the annual competition for the C.A.C.I Company’s trophy for Canterbury affiliated clubs. This match was held at Methven for the first time, ,and had drawn an entry of eight teams, and the trophy was won by Christchurch Club No. 1 team, with Methven No. 1 as runners-up. In club shoots Mr S. W. Anderson won the president’s trophy. The season’s aggregate trophy was won by Mr T. S. Harrison, who also won the club championship. The inter-club match for the D.C.L. Challenge Shield had also taken place, and the shield was now held by the Miniature Rifle Club. The annual ladies’ day had been held, and had proved very enjoyable. At the New Zealand Gun Club’s Association annual meeting at Auckland. Mr Wilson was the delegate for the club, while Messrs T. S. Harrison .and S. W. Anderson were again re-appoint-S ed as South Island vice-president and! executive member respectively of the| association. Extensive improvements! had been carried out to the club’s pro-1 perty during the season, and favourable! comments were made concerning these by outside shooters. The president, in moving the adoption of the report, expressed thanks to the handicapper, referee, club captain and committee for their valuable assistance during the* year, and also congratulated members! on the sound financial state of thoi club, the balance-sheet showing a! credit balance of £29 7s at the bank,! with, assets exceeding liabilities byl £129 18s. The report and balance-! sheet were accepted. The election of| officers resulted as follows: —Patron! Mr W. Fairelough; president, Mr J. T. Corbitt; vice-presidents, Messrs A. McLeod, S. G. Holmes and E. J. Watson; lion, secretary, Mr A. W. Bremer; committee, Messrs A. E. Wilson, T. S. j Harrison, G. A. Franks, E. F. Ward, S. H. Anderson, W. Anderson, H. J. Freeman and R. B. Hart; handicapper and referee, Mr W. A. Anderson; lion, auditor, Mr R. F. Renai; trappers, Messrs D. Kilworth and T. Harrison; teams’ selection committee, president and-captain; delegates to Christchurch conference of Canterbury flubs, president and Messrs Harrison and McLeod. It was decided to open the now season on Saturday, May 9, and the balance Jof the usual programme to he left in stlie delegates’ hands to arrange at the [conference. A vote of thanks was (passed to all outgoing officials. LOWCLIFFE. ] At tlio January meeting of the LowJcliffe Women’s institute, Mrs Hawke [presided. The meeting opened with the ■singing of the Institute Ode. It was [decided to visit the Ashburton Woollen (Mills next month instead of holding the [usual monthly meeting. The roll-call, (“Sing, say, whistle or pay,” was both! [amusing and profitable. The competi-5 Itions resulted as follow:—Slice of! J Christmas cake: Miss McKie 1, Miss F.j Tait 2, Mrs Price 3. One-egg cake: Miss F. Tait 1, Mrs Smith 2, Miss McKie 3. Best arranged jar of flowers: Mrs W. Campbell 1, Miss P. Hawke 2, Miss J. Hawke 3. Collection of buttons: Mrs Pearce 1, Miss McKie 2, Miss F. Tait 3. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mesdamcs Price, Ownsworth and Miss Ownsworth. The social half-hour was spent with a puzzle game and a humorous reading by Miss Ownsworth. The singing of the National Anthem brought a very happy [meeting to a close. 1 The recent rain has been a great [benefit to the farmers. Green crops, especially, are looking well. LAURiSTON. : In the absence of the Rev. D. B 7 Ashford, who: is on annual leave, Mr James Oliver conducted the service at the Lauristcn Presbyterian Church, and on Sunday morning Miss Ray Letliam was the organist. Mr Oliver referred to the great loss the church and the district had suffered in the recent death of Mr Walter Letham, and asked all present to stand in silence as a mark of respect and sympathy. Harvest is progressing, and now the reaping of the wheat crops has begun. Many good crops are to he seen in the district. The north-west gale on Thursday caused considerable damage to ripe oats and also to grass-seed which had been cut and was awaiting the header. The oats were shaken and bent over, and much grass-seed was blown a distance and threshed on route. LISMORE * The monthly meeting of the f.ismore branch of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at the Mnronan homestead, with the president (Mrs Jacob) presiding. Among the correspondence was a lettei acknowledging a gift sent as a Christ-' i mas present to the lepers at Makoga; |lsland. Mrs J. A. Fleming, as a memJber of the Mid-Canterbury executive, ■spoke of the business transacted’at the jjlast meeting, and said the Lismorc ibrnticli had been congratulated on liavjing sent £4 to the funds for the health Scamp at Stavcley. The meeting voted |os to enable a delegate to become r ■member of the Crippled Children’s I Committee. It was decided net to hold a meeting next month because ol the [harvest. The interprcvincial eonfer- > ence was discussed, and it was decided that as many members as possible should attend it. The competition for |the best bloom resulted : Mrs Sparrow! Hi . Miss Clucas 2, Airs Addis 3. A vote

of thanks was passed to Mrs Addis, who was the hostess for the afternoon.

MOUNT SOMERS.

The Rev. Trevor Williams conducted his final service at St. Aulcn s Church on Sunday evening, prior to 'caving on a visit to England. I here was a » attendance. Special prayers were rendered oil behalf of the King m ms ness Mr Williams introduced Mr UCarson, who is being left m charge o, the parish, with a lay-reader s iKensr from the Bishop. Mr Williams leit the district yesterday, and will be spending a few clavs in Christchurch prior to sailing for England at the week-em. Over 2) inches of rain has been recorded during the past week, while there have been only tour days without rain since the New Year. During the earlv hours of Friday morning, a strong north-west gale did considerable damage to cereal and grass seed crops, as well aKv.in gardens and orchards, hollowing the good rains of last week, there has,been a marked growth of pastures and root crops. Mushrooms have made their appearance,, and are eagerly sought alter. Shearing is still uncompleted.

MAYFIELD

A very enjoyable afternoon was spent at the Mayfield tennis courts, when members of the club assembled to honour two members, Miss M. Riley and Mr D. AY. Dellow, who are .shortly to he married. Friendly games of tennis were played, and afternoon tea was served in the pavilion. On behalf of the members of the club, Mr R._Oakley, in presenting Air Dellow and Miss Riley | with all oak dinner waggon, referred to their loyalty to the club, and stated that t’goy were two of the most reliable members. They had assisted at all working bees held to improve the courts, and he wished them much happiness in the future, and hopes their interest in the club would he maintained. Mr G. Meikle also spoke, and wished the couple prosperity and happiness in their married life, and hoped to see them often on the courts. Air D. Dellow suitably responded on- behalf of Miss Rilev and himself, and stated that they had enjoyed their association with the club and would continue to join in its activities.