COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 119, 4 March 1950, Page 3

COUNTY CENTRES

WEATHER AT METHYEN

OBSERVATIONS AT “RUDSTONE”

. The following are the meteorological observations bV Mr James Carr, “Rudstone,” Methven. Rain fell oil 11 days, the maximum fall on any one' day being 163 points on the 17tli. The total for the month was 4.47 inches as against 1.81 inches for February of last year. The average rainfall for February for the past 41 years is 3.71 inches. The wettest February duj’ing that time was in 1936, when 12.32 inches fell, and the driest was in 1929, with only 0.21 inches.

The total for this year to date is 8.72 inches compared with 7.26 inches for the same period last year. The highest value of the barometer was 1023.7 millibars on the Ist (1026.8 last year) and 'the lowest value 1001.4 millibars on the Bth (1001.0.). The highest reading of the maximum thermometer was 86.3 on the 27th (57.2) and the) lowest reading of the minimum thermometer was 33 on the 18th (38.8). The lowest reading on the grass was 19.2 on the sth (22.9). The range of temperature was 20.5 (21.3) and tlie average mean temperature 59.3 (63.5). Frosts Avere recorded on the grass on 9 occasions (7 last February). Hours of bright sunshine totalled 196.1 (241.6); miles of wind ran 3998 (4948) and evaporation 6.130 inches (7.173).

Citizens’ Committee

At the usual meeting of the Methven Citizens’ Committee Mr H. G. Ayers presided. In reply to the committee’s request to the Ashburton County Council that trees be planted in the old Road Board pit on the south belt, that trees be replanted and maintained on the road-side and also that repairs be made to asphalt footpaths, the committee was advised that these matters were receiving consideration. In connection with street lighting, it was reported that the Power Board had rectified some long-standing troubles. The matter of the reinstatejment of the town clock and several other old standing requests were referred to the Riding members of the County County Council, Messrs Jas. Carr and G. Cailaglian. A motion of sympathy was passed to Mr W. J. Owen and family in their recent bereavement. It was reported that the County Council had agreed to re-assemble the children’s playing area at the domain. The matter of continuous telephone service for Methven was also discussed, but no action was taken. Swimming Club The Methven Amateur Swimming Club held the weekly evening carnival on Tuesday. The entries were numerous, especially in the junior and children’s events, which augurs well for the future of the club. The results were:

Boys’ Width—A. Paulin 1, T. Cunningham 2, F. O’Reilly 3. Girls: N. Scott 1, F. Wendelburn 2, J. Vaughan 3. Schoolgirls’ 25 Yards Handicap— Final: A. Scoon 1, Gay Waterreus 2, L. Ellis,3. Schoolboys: Final: R. Allred 1, B. May 2, Gary Waterreus 3. Girls’ 25 Yards Backstroke —J. Stephens 1, L. Chapman-Cohen 2, Gay Waterreus 3. Boys: K. Waterreus 1, M. Cunningham 2, A. Leask 3. Junior Girls’ 25 Yards Handicap^—S. Houston 1, L. Chapman-Cohen and D. May (dead heat) 2. Boys: Iv. Waterreus 1, I. McFarlane 2, M. Kirk and M. Cunningham (Dead heat) 3. Women’s Open Breaststroke, 25 Yds. —G. Cook 1, A. Holmes 2. Open Dive —Shirley Owen 1, D. Harrison 2, G. Cook 3. Junior Boys’ Dive —I. McFarlane 1, M. Cunningham and M. Kirk (equal) 2. Schoolboys’ Dive: Gary Waterreus 1, R. Allred 2, P. Owen 3. Schoolgirls’ Dive: W. Chapman-Cohen 1, S. Houston 2, N. Owers 3. Dual Relay—F. Ellis and M. Cunningham 1, I. McFarlane and A. Leask 2, G. Cook and D. Harrison and D. May and S. Watson (dead heat) 3. Men’s 25 Yards Handicap—D. Harrison 1, S. Watson 2, T. Harrison 3. Women’s 25 Yards Handicap—D. May 1, G. Cook 2, A. Holmes 3. , Girl Guides’ Association The Methven Girl Guides’ Association meeting was presided over by Mrs Sumpter. There was a full attendance. The resignation of Miss Thelma Watson, Guide 'Captain, owing to her departure from the district, was received with regret. Reports on the Guides and Brownies were read and were very satisfactory. Mrs Douglas offered transport for Guides to collect firewood for the winter, and this was accepted with thanks. It was decided to hold a shop day on Friday, March 10, and many offers of assistance were received.

EIFFELTON GIRLS’ CLUB

The annual meeting of the Eiffelton Country Girls’ Club was held in the Eiffelton Hall. There was a good attendance. Two new members were welcomed. After Miss Crossman had read her annual report, which showed the club had had a busy year, Mrs R. Catherwood took the chair for the election of officers, which lesulted: —Advisory members, Mrs R. Quinn, Miss J. Bratley and Mrs S. I-I. Dili; president, Miss Eileen Lovett; secretary, Rfiss Naomi Latimer; treasurer, Miss Mary McClintock. Miss Lovett then presided over the meeting. It was decided to have the social and dance for members of the C.G.C. and Y.F.C. to entertain the visiting Waikato Young Farmers on March 20. Afternoon tea brought a successful meeting to a close. The hostesses were Mesdames R. Quinn and R. Catherwood.