MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18347, 2 April 1925, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON.

PERSONAL. On the eve of his departure for the. Old Country, the chairman of the Council of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society, Mr 0. H. Hefford. was wished a pleasant trip at Tuesday night's meeting. Mr W, T. Lill will represent the Ashburton Hospital Board at the official opening of the Waipiata Sanatorium by Sir Maui Pomare, Minister of Health, on "Wednesday next. General News. The vital statistics for the Ashburton registration district for the month of March (with those for the corresponding month of last year in parentheses) are as follows:—Births 28 (19;, deaths 14 (11), marriages 16 (6). Members of the Ashburton Borough and County Councils and Chamber of Commerce conferred with Messrs W. Machiu and G. T. Mulcock, of Cluistchureli, in the Borough Council Chambers on Tuesday, and discussed Ashburton's support and various phases of the forthcoming New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition. Two of the Canterbury Education Board's inspectors, Messrs Graham and McNeil, during the past few days have been paying a visit to the upper districts in the Ashburton County. The object of their visit has been to confer with the teachers, and receive, reports upon the system of instruction that is being carried out among the' children during the time the schools have been closed.

According to reports, very satisfaetory results are being obtained by the canvassers in connexion with the Ash burton A. and P. Association's stock drive. The president of the Association, Mr Andrew Brown, visited the Hinds and Ealing districts yesterday to solicit gifts.

Wakanui Lodge Social. Tlie fortnightly meeting of the Pride of Wakaiiui Lodge, J.0.G.T., which assumed the form of an open social, was held in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening. when the C.T., Bro. R. Leadley, presided over a fair number of members and friends. The ' function was considered to be the best held during the last three years. During the course of the evening the presentation of a medal was made to Bro. N. Corbett, when Bro. A. Wilson referred to the sterling qualities of the recipient, and stated that he had manifested a. gTeat deal of interest in the welfare of the Lodge during the past three years. Bro. Corbett suitably responded. The programme included a number of musical items, which were given by Mesdames H. Brown, A. Wilson, and Messrs J. Corbett and A. Doak, while competitions were won by Miss E. Brown, M. Anderson, Mrs A. Wilson, and Messrs E. Leadley, A. Wilson, and W. Begg. In proposing a vote of thanks to the performers, Mr W. Begg made special mention of Misses T. Wilson, J. Anderson, Mr A. Doak, and the C.T. for the trouble they had taken in staging .such a splendid programme. After supper was handed round the singing of '.'Auld Lang Syne" brought the evening to a close.

Acclimatisation Society, At a meeting of the Council of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society, held on Tuesday night, there were present: Messrs G. H. Hefford (chairman), M. P. Arnst, iyP. Cookson, JT, Crumb, W. H. Robinson, and A. Cates. ~: , : Reporting with regard to deer-stalking licenses, the chairman stated that on account of business, Mr C. Pawson was unable to stalk his block at Rangitata, and Mr E. Burgess had forfeited his block at Alford Forest, but that was being taken up by Mr Bell, of England. The chairman reported that a conference was held in Timaru on March 21st between the South Canterbury, North Otago, Waimate, and the Ashburton Associations, and as a result it was decided to pay 2s for shags' heads, Is for nestlings, and 6d each for eggs. Mr G. Allington was appointed auditor for tho ensuing year.

The chairman, who leaves shortly on a trip to England, was granted seven months' leave of absence. Mr W. H. Robinson, "was appointed chairman to act'until the annual meeting. Concerning the visit to Ashburton of the Inspector of Fisheries (Mr Avson), it was resolved to write to the Minister of Marine pointing out that a few members of the Association had not taken out a salmon selling license, although they had applied to the postmaster for them. Under the circumstances, it was hoped that no further action would be taken by the Department in connexion with the sales of salmon at Ashburton. The matter of providing specimens or trophies of fish and game to be exhibited at the Dunedin Exhibition was, in the meantime, left in the hands of the Game Committee.

''Olivet to Calvary." An event that is being looked forward to with great interest in Ashburton musical circles is the production of Mauader's splendid work, "Olivet to Calvary," as one of tlio Holy Week, celebrations. The soloists will be Mr T.« Hall, an English baritone, who has recently come to New Zealand, Mr Gregory Russell, of Christchnreh, and Mrs H. Naylor, a wellknown contralto.' There will be a largely-augmented choir under the able control of Miss B. Claridge. Mail Notices. Maila close to-day for northern ports at 2.15 p.m.; late fee lett-ecs 3.10 p.m.; guard's van 3.30 pjn. For northern ports a.t 5.15 p.m.; late iee letters 5.40 p.m.; guard's -van 6 pjn. CHERTSEY. Mr "W. Kemp has returned from his holiday, and resumed duty on Thursday. Mr L. J. Gostim, who has been relieving on the station staff, returns to Christchurch. Mr IL Cole has received notice of transfer, and is leaving for Christchurch immediately. Miss Mabel Garland, who has been visiting friends at Racecourse Hill, has returned ,home. Trueks are now more easily obtainable, and consequently large lines of chaff have be«u leaving Chertsev station lately. RAKAIA. A motor accident occurred near Mr George Cromie's residence on "Wednesday afternoon. The car, which was being driven by Mr William Coffey, of Hinds, from Christchurch to Hinds, by some .means overturned while rounding the eorner. All the occupants, three men and a woman, were badly bruised, and one of the men had his leg badly cut. necessitating six stitehes. Messrs Cromie'Bros. righted the car, aud, after receiving medical attention, the party proceedM to Hinds. A of bowlers from the NewBrighton Club journeyed to Rakaia yesterday, and played a friendly match with a- Rakaia team. New Brighton defeated Rakaia by 19 points. The following arc the scores, New Brighton

(s~) anil Muirson 20 v. Hardy (s> and Henderson 14: C. Stokes (s) and Bishop 30 v. Newman (s) and Weaver 20; Besiey (s) and R. Stokes "24 r. Fox (s) and Milne 21. Totals: New Brighton. 74. Bakaia •>".

The rainfall registered at Tt&kaia during March wis 1 inch 13 points. Of thi*. amount 34 points fell on the 28th. After a few clays of fine sunny weather, ■with cold night--. :l nor'-wester sprang up yesterday, and this, if is continues, will very soon have a drying effect on farm lands and gardens.

METHVEN. The following meteorological observations have heen recorded by Mr Jas. Carr. '' Rudstone," Methven. for the month ending March 31st: —Rain fell on nine days, the maximum fall being on the 2Sth, when 98 points were recorded. The total rainfall for the month was 224 points, as against 314 for March. 1924. The total rainfall for 102.1 to date was 724 points, as against 719 for the corresponding period in 1924. Builders in Methven are being kept fully occupied, several new residences being in course of erection, while plans are out for at least two others. Although quite a number of new houses have been built during the past twelve months, the shortage of houses is as keenly felt as ever. There is not a vacant house in the town.

The new trucking yards at the Methven railway station are now completed, and were in use for the first time on Tuesday last. Workmen ;ire now removing the old yards. The new yards are a great improvement on the old ones, and those using them find them much more convenient to work.

Although yesterday was the last day for motorists to get the new number plates on their cars, there are still a number of plates awaiting their owners at the Methven post office. The following vital statistics are recorded for the Methven district for March (the figures for the corresponding period last year being in parentheses;: Births 2 (3), deaths nil (nil), marriages nil (nil).

DORIE

The annual meeting of the Dorio Miniature Rifle C'lith "was held in the Ardnmine Hall on iSaturday (-veiling. Mr H. Harrison presiding over a large, attendance. The report, which was presented by the secretary. Mr I). G. McKie, showed that the season had !ieen a very suor-e.s.sl til one. I lie baiaii'"fj-.she<'t showed receipts :-niounti.ng. to £llO os od. and f-xhondituro tot:illed ;£loo os Old. leaving a credit balance of to Os lid. It was ck-etded to open tho season on April 4th. '1 he secretary reported that the range had lieen greatly improved by the installation of electric light. The tollovring office in were elected: T'acron. iSir 11. Heaton Rhodes. M.P.: president, M>' H. T. Whiting: vice-president!; for 1 9-4 were re-elected, with the addition of Messrs W. Carrathers and T. Skevimrton; .secretary, Mr D, G. MeKic; auditor. Mr H. A. Harrison ; captain, Mr J. Beard: deputy captain, Mr i). Hanks; range keepers. Messrs M. Kingsbury and F. Alexander; gun. tester, Mr 35. Harrison: checker, Mr B. Kingsbury: .stewards, Messrs U-. Harrison, {R. Shanks and D. McMillan ; handicappers, Messrs J. Beard, M. •Kingsbury, and IS. Gardiner; match committee, Messrs J. Beard, J). Banks, and D. G. McKiedisputes committee, Messrs J. Beard and I). Banks: 'general committee Messrs IX Banks (chairman), J. Beurd, I>. G. McKie. M. Kingsbury, D. Harrison. B. Kingsburv, R. Harrison R. Shanks. I>. McMillan. E. Hyland, E. Turnbull and S. Gardiner.