ASHBURTON

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12825, 8 June 1907, Page 12

ASHBURTON

Light rains fell in the Ashburton district yesterday. Much more, however, is badly needed. A3 the land is still very dry and hard for working, and tho general water supply for household purposes is getting very low. 'I he entries for tho Ashburton Winter Show are as follows:—Foals, 13; cattle, 7; sheep, 44 (in pons of three); pet lambs, 13; dogs, -18: butter. 11; bacon, etc., 5; fruit and honey, 14; bread, scones, and cukes, 207; dressed poultry nnd eggs, 12; mrriu an _ se eds, 17; roots, 1-17; garden produce, 27. The entries show an increase of over 100 on those obtained for last y.ear's show. ". he poultry clisses have yet to como in. Tbe fifth annual general meeting of the Ashburton County Brass Band wa3 held on Wednesd.lv evening. Thero was practically n full muster present. Captain (}. H TlefToid (of the Ashburton Rifles) presiding. While congratulating members on the success attained during the year, the report referred pointedly to the irregular attendance of a number of bandsmen, md urged a reform in this direction in view of tbe forthcoming contest. The "lection of officers resulted as follows: — Patron. Mr T. Bullock; president. Cap■■••in HeffeTd; vi.*e-r»rrsidents. Major Dolman. Captains Percy and Stnd"olmc. the Borough Councillors, and Messrs C. Reid and John McLachlan. M.H.R.; bnndmnst-*-. Mr H. A. Humphreys: isecretirv. Mr C. Thomri«- treasurer. Mr M. Irehnd; auditor. Mr H. Tl. Fnoks. Tr w\% resolred tbnt cor n -little d-i-ild be n t the net": "erif-ral of the An rion""ri™ of _•". ~« vras voted to Mr C. Tbo-ncs .trid one of £2 to Mr R. M.prr : < tV'ir-to'.isn'l. A •public meeting. eon-er.e,t by his Worship th* Mayor (Mr H. Divi-sl waa be.l i at A/sbbit-tort Thurrd'iy «vening to consider a nrormal to exchange the present Borough School .--ite for a more contra] <?i*o of four nnd a ha*, acres, situated irs Wills ftreot, and at present vestal in the Bor-'.ugh Council aa one of tlio to - n rwervcr*. I>tie .Mayor pr-wied, and ijave details of the position, that the Council had exprcssoti itseir" as agreeable to t_o

exchange of sites on a valuation basis. Th© estimated value of the Borough reserve was L3GW, and; th© estimate©, value of tho school land was about £1000. Mr Inoinas iiayes, chairman of th© School Committee, said that tno matter had been Laid before the Education Board arid the tion. G. FowiCs, who wore of opinion that the Borougu Council should bo a;_d to agree to t.-e exchange of sites without regaid to any question of valuation. It was not proposed to build iniinoulately, but Air nayes strongiv urgwl that tlio mc should be secured, and if tho exchange of sites wae brought about, an up-to-oat© school in e\ery lespcct woii.il eventually be fret-tea. The question of ejaoiu*nge on a valuation basis shouidnot be brought into uio matter at an, as th© exciuuigo would; be made celery in tho interest of the luture education of tlie children of tlio town. Mr U Dixon, Mr \\Y 11. Collins, and .Tit tfillier each spoke in' favour of tbe exchange of sit-w. Mr M. M. Jones, .Mr Surint, and Mr Fergus-son were op. osed to tne exchange on tho lines proposed by tho Sdiool Committee. A _uou was carried in favour of the exchange, and a further motion was carried r-.k----ing tint Borough Council to take a vote ot the ratepayers em the question.