COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 280, 8 September 1936, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondent*.) WiLLOWBY. THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Willowby School Committee was held recently in the schoolroom. Mr H. H. Griffith presided, and Mrs R. Knox, Messrs R. J. Chapman, W. Harvey, and A. Whiting were also present. The report of the headmaster (Mr Hodges) was very satisfactory. Tire annual school concert will be held early in October, and the chairman and secretary were deputed to make the final arrangements.

Methodist Youth Rally. The quarterly youth rally of the Methodists Circuit was held in the church on Sunday. The 50 people who sat down to 5 o’clock tea included, Bible Class members from Anama, Lismore, Westerfield, Lagmhor, Waterton, Hinds, Eiffelton, Ealing, and Timaru and IDunedin. Messages were received from Christchurch, Lowcliffe, and Tinwald. Adrian Hayman and Allan Chapman were in charge of the community hymn-singing, held before the evening service and led by Mr Jack Avery, who presided at the organ. The evening service was conducted by the Rev. W. W. Avery, who preached, to a large congregation, taking as his text Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12, Verses 8 and 13. A duet was sung by Misses Margaret Palmer and Ethelwynne Hayman. Miss M. M. LiU was organist. The service concluded with Holy Communion. The large representative congregation carried in silence a motion of sympathy with the Rev. R. McGregor in the loss he lias sustained through the death of his mother.

FLEMINGTON. PRESBYTERIAN MISSION UNION. The Flemington Presbyterian Missionary Union held its monthly meeting in the Flemington Church, the president (Mrs D. D. MacLachlan) presiding over a. good attendance. The president mentioned the forthcoming Presbyterial visitation to take place in the Central Hall, the ladies of the charge being asked to provide supper. The Baring Square choir will provide the programme. Mrs Papworth read, an interesting paper-on the influence of Christianity on social reform. The president, in thanking Mrs Papworth, spoke of the information and inspiration of the paper. Mrs R. Gilmour also voiced the appreciation of members. Mrs C. W. Anderson read a letter on the work in Jagadhri, India, from Miss A. Anderson, of the staff.

The hostesses were Mesdames R. Gilmour, F. Blee and J. Papworth.

WAKANUI. GOOD TEMPLARS’ LODGE! The fortnightly meeting of the Wakanui Good Templars was held in the Memorial Hall when Bro. F. Bennington presided over a good attendance. A vote of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Mr S. Wilson. It was decided to hold the annual concert in October. Candidates were nominated for the Mock Mayoral Election. Harmony for the evening was Mail Bag Night, and supper was served.

HINDS. FORTNIGHTLY EUCHRE PARTY. There was a large attendance at the fortnightly euchre party held in the Hinds School on Saturday evening. Prizes were won by Mrs S. Hampton and Mr A. McDonald.

LAURISTON. SOCIAL AND' IDANCE. The Lauriston Social Club held a very successfid social and dance in the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall on Saturday evening. Competitions, in charge of Messrs C. McKenzie and H. Farquhar, were won by Miss M. Lemon 1, Miss A. Hampton 2, and Mr P. Clinton (Barrhill) 1, Mr H. Adams 2. Music for the dancing was played by Mr T. Lawler (Rakaia), with an extra by Mr B. Anderson (Rakaia). Mr C. McKenzie was Master of Ceremonies.

MOUNT SOMERS. ANNUAL PARISH FESTIVAL. The annual parish festival was again an outstanding success. The Rev. H. S. Hamilton (vicar of Methven), officiated. at e.vensong on Sunday and the children’s service and evensong yesterday were taken by Mr R. A. Carson. The annual parish ball w<as held m the Memorial Hall and was largely attended % parishioners from all parts of the district. Music was supplied by Cook s orchestra (Lyndhurst). Messrs G. L. Bufton and L. R. Harrison were joint M C.’c. Supper was dispensed in relays bv the ladies of the sub-districts.

Farewell Social. A large gathering met in the library on Saturday evening to hid farewell to Air and Airs G. Porteous, who are leaving the district to reside on the West Coast. Items were given Alisses T. Morgan, Eade, N. Norman, G. AlcDonnell and G. J. Foreman. t On behalf of" those present, Air W. J. Comyns presented the guests with a

sum of money, and expressed the regret felt at their impending departure. During their nine years’ residence at Mount Somers Mr and Mrs Porteous had been instrumental in advancing the social welfare of the district. Mr W. Morgan spoke on behalf of the young people, with whom Mr and Mrs Porteous had been closely associated. Mr G. L. Hood spoke on behalf of the Returned Soldiers’ Committee, and Mr G. J. Foreman on behalf of the Ashburton Gorge Ball Committee, of which Mrs Porteous had been an efficient secretary. Messrs E. Leash and N. Rogers also spoke. Music for the dancing was played by Mesdames L. M. Goodrich, G. Porteous, Miss T. Morgan and Messrs W. Morgan, G. L. Hood, and T. Morgan. Mr W. Morgan was M.C. Rainfall During August. The total rainfall in August was 243 points, compared with 94 points for the corresponding month last year. The year’s total to date is 32.26 inches, over 11 inches more than for the corresponding period last year. The fall at Buccleugh was 140 points.

STAVELEY. WOMEN’S INSTITUTE DANCE. There was a fair attendance at a dance in aid of the funds of the Staveley Women’s Institute in the hall on Friday. Music was supplied, by Cook’s orchestra. Miss Yvonne Wright sang items. Novelty dances were won by Miss Doris Goldsmith and Mr L. Tozer, Miss Urquhart and Mr Bruce Wallace, Miss A. Syrne and Mr J. Calloway, Miss E. Norman and Mr G. Chittam. A competition was won by Mr L. Tozer. Supper was provided by the institute members. Card Party. The prize-winners at the Springburn school committee’s fortnightly card evening on Saturday were Mrs E. A. Aldridge and Mr R. Green. Music for the dance which followed was supplied by Messrs L. H. Bansgrove and A. Fagan.