COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 172, 4 May 1936, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Oar Own Correspondents.)

METHVEN LEAP YEAR BALL ARRANGED. The annual meeting of the benedicts and spinsters of Methven was held on Friday evening, Mr W. J. Dolan presiding over a good attendance. _ The balance-sheet showed a very satisfactory position. A strong committee was formed to carry out the arrangements for the annual ball, which will be held on June 11 and will take the form of a “leap year” ball. Mr W. J. Dolan was appointed chairman, of the committee and Miss Beryl Reid honorary secretary. Personal. The Rt. Rev. H. H. Barton, M.A., Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, preached in St. John’s Presbyterian ■Church, Methven, on Sunday morning. There was a large congregation. Harvest Festival Services. Harvest festival services were held at St. 'Saviour’s, Highbank, on Sunday. The Rev. H. S. Hamilton conducted the service and Miss Cloeve presided at the organ. Hymns appropriate to the occasion were sung. The church was beautifully decorated with autumn flowers and foliage, while there was also a fine display of gifts of produce, etc. This will he later forwarded to St. Saviour’s Orphanage. RAKAIA. APRIL RAIN RECORD. Rain fell on 10 days in Rakaia during April for a total of 2.15 inches, compared with 1.40 inches for the corresponding month of last year, and 8.39 inches for March of this year. The heaviest fall during April was on April 24, wnen 1.21 inches were recorded. The total fall to date this year is 20.98 inches, compared with 7.47 inches for the same period last year.

DORIE. THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE. The monthly meeting of the B>orie Women’s Institute was held in the Ardainine Hall, Mrs W. L. Harrison presiding. A demonstration on a dressmaker’s model was given by Mrs A. P. Bruce. The competition was for a bowl of flowers, Mrs Alexander getting first prize, with Mrs Richards and Miss Gallagher (equal) second. The roll call was impromptu speeches and tonguetwisters. Mrs Greig gave an interesting description of the Federation meeting at Ashburton. A vote of sympathy was extended to Mrs Sargent and Miss Kingsbury in their illness. It was decided to hold a plain and fancy dress ball on May 29. The hostesses were Mrs Greig, Miss Edna Gardiner, and Miss Nellie Muokle.

HINDS. EUCHRE TOURNAMENT. The Hinds School Committee held, its opening euchre tournament in the school on Saturday evening. The prize-winners were Mr H. Dock and Miss Dalton and Mrs S. Hampton tied, and in the play-off Mrs S. Hampton was the winner. Hinds Lodge. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Hinds Lodge, M.U.0.F., was held in the lodge-roem on Saturday evening. The N.GL (Sister Lois Dellow) presided. The Blue Degree was conferred on one member, and n : ck pay amounting to £5 10s was passed in favour of six members. Personal. Mr W. Robertson, of Middlemarch, who attended the dairy conference last week at Wellington, is at present staying with his daughter, Mrs S. W. Tie. Mr and Mrs W. Keast and daughter, of Middlemarch, are also the guests of Mrs Tie. Mr J. R. Elms, who has been the County w r ater ranger for the Hinds district for the last 20 years, has retired on superannuation His son, Mr Allan Elms, has been appointed in his place. The Weather. Conditions on Saturday were very cold and wintry, with a strong southerly gale blowing. Slight showers of rain fell. On Sunday morning was a frost, followed by a sunny day. MAYFIELD. THE GOLF CLUB. The annual meeting of the Mayfield Golf Club was held in the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s rooms on Saturday evening.

Trophies won last season were presented as follow:—Ladies’ champion cup, Miss B. Morrow; men’s champion cup, Mr J. Murdoch; president’s trophy, Mr J. Murdoch ; men’s stableford, bogey, Mr F. R. Morrow; ladies’ stablefcrd bogey, Miss M. Tasker; Mrs Jacobs’ trophy, Miss M. Corbett and Mr J. Murdoch; mixed foursome, Miss M. Tasker and Mr J. Murdoch : one club match, Miss B. Murdoch and Mr J. Murdoch. The balance-sheet showed a satisfactory credit balance.

The election of officers resulted President, Mr F. Tasker; vice-presi-dent, Mr L. R. ITar rison; secretary, Mr B. Howden ; committee, president, vice-president, secretary (ex officio), Miss B. Morrow, Mrs G. 13. Murdoch,

Mr J. J. Mulligan and Mr J.. Murdoch; captain, Mr J. Murdoch; handicapping committee. president, vice-president, ground committee and the captain. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring secretary, Mrs J. J. Mulligan. Mr J. Murdoch reported on the grounds and suggested that a working bee be formed to put them in order. The opening day was arranged for Saturday, May 9, a mixed foursome to be played. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr R. Oakley for the use of his golf links at the beginning of last season.

It was decided that new members may enrol with the secretary up to May 30. Miss M. Howden, who is leaving the district, was presented with, a small gift from members of the Golf Club. Band of Hopei Social. A Band of Hope social was held in the Band Hall, when there was a good attendance, and, an enjoyable time was spent by the children in games and competitions'. The Rev. A. D. Kirkland addressed the children and urged them to attend the Bands of Hope and help those who were endeavouring to keep up the meetings. Supper was served by -he members of the "Women’s Christian Temperance Union. ANAMA. ANNUAL MEETING OF W.C.T.U. The annual meeting of the Anama branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held, with Mrs W. J Robertson presiding. Posies .made by Mrs Hewson were presented to Mrs W. J. Robertson and Mrs S. Bennett. A vote of sympathy was passed with Mrs F. Johnson (president of the Mid-Canterbury Executive) in the loss of her mother.

The president gave a resume of the year’s work. The treasurer’s report was read, and disclosed a satisfactory credit balance.

It was decided to start a. circulating library among the members. A competition for the best syllabus for the coming year was won by Mrs G. Candy, with Mrs J. Rose second and Miss L- Robertson third. The prize given by Mrs J. Rose and Miss Zelma Robertson for mc'st points in flowers was won by Mrs Hewson, and for vegetables by Miss Zelma Robertson.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mrs W. J. Robertson; vice-presidents, Mesdames S. Bennett and R. Hewson ; committee, Mesdames J. Rose and W. Quantock and Misses Z. Robertson and Farrell; advisory members, Mesdames Hewson and Rose; secretary, Mrs E. Stevens; treasurer, Mrs G. Candy.

Hostsses for the meeting were Mesdames G. Candy and Dwyer.

RUAPUNA. RAINFALL FOR APRIL. The weather conditions during April varied. The early half of the month was warm and pleasant for the most part, but latterly the conditions were wet, cold, and boisterous. On April 22 a. north-west gale blew. The sun shone on 24 days during the month, nine of which were sunny all day. A total 0f_276 points of rain, which fell on eight days, was recorded, the heaviest fall occurring on April 23, when 82 points were registered. The average rainfall lor April is 2.57 inches. The total rainfall recorded for the present year is 19.85 inches, compared with 10.17 inches for the corresponding period last year. Tire average over the period in previous years is 12.65 inches. Farming Season. With the abundant rainfall, stock is in good condition, and should begin the winter well. Lambs, however, are the one exception, the season (being too cold and wet. Although rape crops were exceptionally good the lambs did not fatten well, and it is anticipated that a large number will be carried through tiie winter or sold as stores. Turnip crops vary considerably. Early crops are generally good, but crops sown later, due to the excessive wet and cold conditions, are not promising, and an acute shortage during the coming winter is anticipated. The majority of farmers are leaving their grain to season well in the stacks before threshing. The abundance of strong growth lias been favourable to the production of a good, supply of cream from dairy herds during the autumn.