MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18626, 26 February 1926, Page 20

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. * . PERSONAL. ~

Mr E. P. V. Scaly, manager of the local branch of the National Bank of New Zealand, left Ashburton yesterday for the south on three -weeks' holiday. Touring Now Zealand and Australia. A tour of New Zealand and Australia on a bicycle is at present being undertaken by Mr R. D. Mackie, a fishing enthusiast of Gape Town, South Africa, and a native of Aberdeen, Scotland. Having traversed the whole of the North Island, visiting all the noted fishing resorts, during which he covered 1300 miles, Mr Mackie" proceeded south, and passed through* Ashburton yesterday, on his way to Mount Cook, the Southern Lakes, and Milford Sounds, Being acquainted with the potentialities of the mouth of the Rangitata river as trout and salmon fishing grounds, he decided to camp there last evening, and try his luck, before, travelling farther south. Before coming to New Zealand the traveller toured over almost the whole of Australia and Tasmania. His outfit includes a tent, blankets, fishing rod, and cooking utensils, and he purchases s. icient food to carry him from one town to another. After leaving New Zealand, Mr Mackie intends to return to South Africa, and thence to England.

Schools' Visit to Exhibition. Arrangements for the Ashburton County primary schools' excursion to the Dunedin Exhibition on Monday are almost completed. A special train from Christchurch will stop at Eakaia and Chertsey, -leaving there at 10.28 a.m. and 10.40 a.m. respectively, and it will arrive in Ashburton at 10.59 a.m., departing at 11,9 a.m. A stop will also be made at Hinds. Children from Methven will join the train at Rakaia, while those on the Mount Sotners line will come to Ashburton. Mr W. W. Carton, headmaster of the East Ashburton School, will act as supervisor of the trip, and it is estimated that the party will number about 450. Yesterday afternoon word was received from Dunedin that all the billeting accommodation was now taken up, so that no further applications for children-to be included in the party will bo entertained.

Proposed Taney Pair. A Meeting of the committee to promote the proposed Fancy Fair and Carnival to supplement the funds of the Ashburton Boxing Association and Miniature and Defence Riflo Clubs was held on Wednesday evening, when Mr H. R. C. McElrea presided. ' The chairman of the Side-shows, Designs, and Decoration Committee (Mr F. Clark) reported that Mr R. Braroley had been appointed secretary, and Mr M. Keeley foreman. His committee suggested that the lighting and decorations should bo installed immediately," as it waa intended to hold a series of entertainments.

The report was adopted, and it wan decided, that the committee be empowered to carry out its programme. The question of a guessing competition was held over.

It was agreed that a Queen Carnival be-held,, for which, there would be two candidates, in conjunction with the Fancy Fair. Miss Betty Millichanvp was selected as the queen to represent the Biile Clubs, and Miss Peggy McElrea as the Boxing Association's candidate. Messrs H. B.C. McElrea, F. Clark, and D. F. Kcir were appointed a Hall Committee.

It was agreed to hold a floral display with the following as a committee:— Messrs H. E. C. McF.lrea, F. Porter, F. Clark, A. Millichamp, F. P, Cookson, B. Bramley, W. Bramley A. J. Shepherd, and F. Crum.

Mothers' Union. I A special'meeting of the Ashburton branch of the Mothers' Union was held yesterday afternoon, when MrsE. Gal-, braith presided over a good attendance. Mrs Roberts, of Christchurch, was present by invitation, and, gave- an instructive and interesting address on a "Vision for Mothers' Union Workers." Mrs Boberts, who was accorded an at- > tentive hearing throughout, was cordially thanked for her attendance.

Tennis. The Ashburton County will be rop-, resented by the following players in a match against South Canterbury, to be p''<yed at Timaru on March 6th, when the Ashburton trades' ; picnic will be held in that centre:-—Men: S. Sullivan, L. J. Hood, J. BobilUard, G. Bonningtn, CO. Pratt, V. W. Eiissoll, C. M. Pinfold, C. H. Hardy; first emergency, E. Ei Easterbrook; second emergency, L. E. Clarke. Ladies: Misses E. Stewart, E. Percy, K. Eobiliiard, T. Cowan, M. Bell, D. Vesty, J. Dunlop, and Mrs Sullivan; first emergency, Mips M. Sparrow; second emergency, Miss C. Bowden.

Swimming. The annual swimming carnival of the East Ashburton School was held yester-. day afternoon, under fine weather conditions. .The programme of eleven included the 50yds boys', championship and the 25yds girls' championship. The results were as follows: 25yds Boys' Learners'' Handicap (7) —E. Keeley (3sec) 1, N. Kerr (2sec) 2, I. Shaw (scr) 3. 25yds Girls' Learners' Handicap (3) —F. Thompson (6scc) 1, M. Purdie (scr) 2. 50yds Boys' Championship (3): P. Betteridge 1, D. McKay 2. Betteridge was about a yard m the lead at 25 yards, and won by two' yards. Time 41 3-ssec. 25yds Girls' Championship (s)—lda Anderson 1, K. • Chapman 2, Bona Vincent 3. Time 25see. The race was. very''exciting, and. was won on the touch. Width of Bath, Boys' Race (SV—R. Withell (3sec) 1, T. Lee (Isec) 2, V, Betteridge (4sec) 3. • Width of Bath, Girls' Race (7)— M. , Shearer. (2see) 1,8. Coldieutt (lscc) 2, B. Johnston (lsee) 3. 50yds Boys' heat: D. McKay (scr) 1, J.' Gibson (4sec) 2. Second heat: P. Betteridge (scr) 1, G. Broker (osec) 2. Final: G. Broker 1, D. McKay 2, P. Betteridge 3. Time 46.2-ssec

2oyds Girls' Handicap (6) —M. Purdie (Cscc) 1, K. Chapman (3sec) 2, E. Vincent ("see) 3. Time 31 l-ssee. 25yds Boys' Handicap heat: G. Broker (2sec) l v W. Shierlaw (3sec) 2. Time 20. 4-ssec. Second heat: F. Husband (4sec) 1, D. Clayton (3sec) 2. Time 21 3-osec. Third heat: P. Betteridge (Isec) 1, E. Keeley (7sec) 2. Time IS 3-osec. Final: E. Keeley 1, P. Betteridge 2, G. Broker 3. Time 25.3-osec. Girls' Dive (3)— K. Chapman 1, I 3& Anderton 2. ■ Boys' Dive (11) D. Clayton 1, W. Shierlaw 2, J. Gibson 3. ;. 100 yds Relay Race (4)— No. 1 Team (Margaret Purdie, P. Betteridge, D. Clayton, P. Thompson) 2sec 1, No. 3 Team (scr) '>.. Time lmin* 42sec.

Oroqu.et. A friendly match between teams. representing the Ashburton and Geraldine Croquet Clubs, waa played oa the local green yesterday afternoon, and resulted - in a win for Ashburton by 8 games to-4.. The weather was fine but chilly, and the visitors were enter*

tained to morning and afternoon tea, and' luncheon. Details of the play are as follows, Ashburton names being mentioned first:—

Singles—Mrs Dunn ' 26, Mrs Hayes 12; Mrs Clark 26, Mrs Lauriuson 23; Mrs Hunter 19, Mrs Eule 26; Mrs Carter 26, Mrs Wallace 13; Mrs Euddock 21, Mrs Broad 26; Mrs Brodie 26, Mrs McDonald .22; Mrs Laing 2Q, Mrs Neutze 16; Mr 3 Buchanan 24, - Mrs Stock 26.

Doubles —Mesdames Dunn and Hunter 13, Mesdames Hayes and Laurinson 26; Mesdames Clark and Carter 26, Mesdames Eule and McDonald 14; Mesdames Brodie and Laing. 26, Mesdames Wallace and Neutze 24; Mesdames Euddock and Buchanan 26, Mesdames Broad and Hock 19. Hail Notices.

Mails close to-day for northern ports at 2.45 p.m., late fee letters 3.10 p.m., guard's van 3.32 p.m.; and at 5 p.m., late fee letters 5.25 p.m v guard's van 5.43 p.m. Mails for Great Britain, Ireland, Continent of Europe, U.S.A., Canada, South America, Mexico West Indies Cook Island (Earotonga Aitutaki, Manke, Atin, Manahiki, Mangaia, and Penrhyn), also Tahiti, close on Monday, March Ist. RAKAIA. Mr Donald Banks, of Bushy Park, Eakaia, is at present on a holiday visit to Waimate and Dunedin. A meeting of St. Andrew's Ladies' Guild was held in the schoolroom on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Morrison presiding. It was decided to hold a bazaar, in. aid of the church funds on April Bth, and stallholders were _ appointed to take charge of the various stalls. It was reported that a stall would be arranged by. the Busy Bees, and one by the ladies of Eokeby. i Welcome rain - set in at Eakaia on Wednesday evening, and a few showers, fell, but during tho night the weather cleared, and Thursday was fine; The rainfall, registered was 13 points, and it has freshened up-the pasture and gardens, but a soaking rain would do a great deal of good. A party of thirteen children, eight boya and fivo girls, from the Eakaia school will join the school excursion to the Dunedin Exhibition on, Monday. The School Committee has made arrangements fo» the boys to go in charge of Mr Doubleday, of the Chertsey school, and the girls in charge of Miss Mabel Breach.

HINDS. • Harvest operations are proceeding in various stages' from reaping to threshing. Some have finished some weeks ago, and others are waiting for the grain to ripen. The late afternoon showers have tendered to hinder progress. a large quantity of grain is being sent away from Hinds railway station. Preparations arc well in hand for the trip to the Exhibition by Hinds school children. Already 14 have expressed a desire to go, and considerable excitement prevails. It- is hoped that arrangements will be made for the train to stop at Hinds, as about 40 pupils would board it there.