ASHBURTON.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18266, 27 December 1924, Page 15

ASHBURTON.

PERSONAL. The Iter. A. G. Irvino, of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, left Ashburton for Enfield yesterday, where lio intends to conduct services to-morrow. Mr Irvine will then proceed to Milton, where he intends to spend a mouth. During his nbscnce the services in A&hIvurtrm will bo conducted by the Rev. Dr. Erwin, of Christchurch. The Hospital. At the County Hospital on Christmas Dav each ward and corridor was nfiUl© bright with flowers and coloured electric globes. Tlie Rev. J. F. Wiseman conducted a service between 9 and 10 a.m. and at midday a special Christmas' dinner was served to all the pjiticuts -vvho could partake of it. Man)' ol tlie patients at a later period were wheeled into one of the two large compartments which now constitute tho Ch.llnKl'h Ward where Misp Oakley and a number of tho hospital staff, with Mr >J(J.iklev at the piano, gay© several pleasing nnusicn] items. After tho concert tho inn Iron, assisted by members.' of tho staff, entertained the gathering to iifternoon tea. The Clmrch«s. Special services tvero conducted by tho Rev. J. F. Wiseman at. St. Stephen's Anglican Church on Christmas Pay. There were celebrations of Holy Communion at 7 a.m., 8.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. (Special- hymns and Psalms were sung at the midday servieo, and tho Vicar delivered a short address appropriate to tho season. Christ maatide. Not even before tho Srcat War did Ashburton present a. busier appearance than on Christmas Eve. Between 7 and 10 p.m. progress along East street for vehicular traffic was extremely diffi-cult,-and traffic at frequent intervals became very congested, necessitating the assisting of the police in keeping pedestrians on the move. Shopkeepers arc exceedingly pleased with business transacted, many reporting a record Christmas. Christmas Day broke very dull, with rain threatening. A number of parties journeyed to the various picnic resorts, while others of a. more pessimistic nature elected to spend tho day at home. During the Christmas season Ashburton carol parties collected over £2OO. The First Canterbury Mounted Rifles Band's four parties (collected £IOO, while the Salvation Army collected the remainder. On Christmas Day rain commenced to fall at 4..'!0 p.m. and fell throughout the night, with the result that half an inch was recorded at 9 a-m. yesterday. A downpour was experienced yesterday, and the stewards of the Ashburton Trotting Club unanimously decided to postpone their Summer Meeting until to-dav.