COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 36, 22 November 1937, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondent*.) STAVELEY. THE ODDFELLOWS LODGE. The half-yearly election of officers of the Loyal Pioneer Lodge M.U.1.0.0.F. on Saturday evening coincided with visits by the district officers, the Ashburton and Methven Lodges. There was a large attendance, presided over by the N.G. (Bro. R. G. Burgess). Invitations to special functions were accepted from the Loyal Hinds Lodge and the Loyal Coleridge Lodge. One candidate was initiated. Sick pay for £5 10s was passed for payment. The election of officers resulted as follows:—N.G., Bro. George Burgess; V.G., Bro. J. Syme; E.S., Bro. C. Smith. SPRINGBURN. VALEDICTORY SOCIAL. There was a large attendance at a farewell social held in the Springburn school on Friday evening to Mr and Mrs G. Randall and Mr and Mrs O. Hall, Ashburton Forks. Mr .F. G. Evans, who presided, presented the guests with wallets of notes. Dance music was supplied by Mrs A. B. Lochhead, Miss M. Sclater, Mr T. Green and Mr L. H. Bansgrove. BUSHSIDE. CHURCH SPRING FAIR. A spring fair in aid of the Anglican Church building fund at Bushsid© was held in the Bushside school grounds on Saturday. Somewhat marred by uncertain weather the effort raised approximately £4O. The fair was opened by Mr Arthur Grigg. Tlie following were stallholders:— Sewing, Mesdames E. Grigg, A. Wright, L. Hicks; cake, Mesdames E. M. Olliver, A. W. Russell, R. A. Hobbs; fancy, Mesdames E. Pawsey and W. Hannan; white elephant, Mesdames G. L. Bufton, W. Gundry, J. R. Grigg-; butchers shop, Messrs G. L. Bufton and L. Hicks; produce, Mrs AGrigg, Misses H. Grigg and M. Bufton; sweets, Bible Class Girls; afternoon tea, Mr and Mrs G. Fittock and Mrs W. Norman; games, Mr R. Hobbs and Mr E. Pawsey. In the evening a dance was held, Mr E. Wolfrey and Mr N. J. Hadler supplying the music. . FLEMINGTON. THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The Flemington School Committee met in the school on Thursday, Mr W. B. Bryant presided over a full attendance of members. Arrangements were made to hold the school picnic at Timaru with December 10, as the tentative date'. An afternoon break-up party was decided on for December 16. It was stated that the water supply for both school and residence was inadequate, and the secretary was instructed to request the Education Board to provide more adequate facilities. It was reported'that the grading of the school drive had been satisfactorily carried out by the County grader and that further shingling would be undertaken when the local pits could he worked. / The headmaster reported that six admissions had brought the roll to 30, the highest for seyeral years. Farm Operations. Shearing is now well advanced, most farmers having taken advantage - the dry spell to get their shearing over earlier than last year, ' The welcome rains of last week have given farmers a brighter outlook. Grass is now more plentiful and there is a better prospect for wheat, some of which, on the lighter land wms coming prematurely into ear. Some farmers who had postponed their sowings of rape owing to the drought, are drilling, while those who sowed before the rain have hopes of a better germination. WAKANUI. GIRLS’ AUXILIARY. The Wakanui Girls’ Auxiliary entertained the Ladies’ Guild, at a social afternoon held recently in the Manse. The meeting was opened with praise and prayer led by the Rev. S. J. Webb. The President (Mrs W. Webb) extended a welcome to the large number of visitors. Pianoforte solos were given by Misses Bruce and Mitchell, after which a reading entitled “The Saviour Comes,” was given by the auxiliary. This was interspersed with Christmas hymns. Mrs Sinclair conducted an interesting competition which was won by Mrs Mcllraith. The meeting closed with the Doxology and the benediction. Afternoon tea was served, by members.