MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18631, 4 March 1926, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON, PERSONAL. Mr C. «T. McEachen, stationmaster at! Ashburton, has resumed liis duties after 'lis holiday. Mr I?. Galbraith (deputy-chairman of the Lyttclton Harbour Board) is at present in Dunedin, vrliere he is representing the Lvttelton Harbour Board at the annual conference. Athletic Championships. Several entries from Ashburton have been received for the Canterbury -Athletic championships which are to be held at English Park, C'hristchure.il, on They .are: —.100 ya.nJjS, P. >S. David; £2O yards, F. S. David: SSO yards E. ,T. MeTCacheu; li'O yards hurdles, K. J?. .Johnstone. An Ashburton team will also contest the relay race. Upper Ashburton Road Board. The following wrc present at the monthly meeting of the Upper Ashburton Jioad Board: Messrs A. Horsey (chairman), U. Morris, It. J. Mulligan, S. H. Lill, li. Houston, T. J. Lennon. On belialf of the members of the Board, Mr H. Morris extended a hearty welcome back to Mr Horsey.

Correspondence was received from the Ashburton County Council, advising that they would grant timber for the erectiou of a. motor biit Ige over Kennedy's ford at the Forks. The Council also advised that they would grant a subsidy on the cost, of the erectiou of a. concrete bridge over liemington's creek.

It was resolved I li./t <hr Ash burton County Council be written to asking if they would remove broom growing oil the Hinds river road. The matter ef al lending i<> t lie ford at the junction of the Hnckthorn and Yaletta roads, v.as left to the clerk. 'lt was resolved that tenders be called for (lie formation of L'ruser's road, rind that the Winslow-Westerfiold road be patched on. the portion above Vesterfield.

The following transfers were notified: Transfers ol' property—From A. Stanton Lot I, Tie.-. 1781, now unoccupied; from Mabel Hampton to Mrs M. Holston, Lots 1 and II 1.1.1'. 182*'; from Canterbury College to John Brown res. 2259, pt. res. 'J£3B; from Mrs,. M. Tliimilton to J. A. Addis pt. Lot 45 D.P 070, pt. res. S7U7, 2 roods .18 perches; from John Price to A. MeCorkindalc, Lot 2 D.P 583, 5 acres 0 roods 20 perches; froin Frederick Smitheram to David W. Wilson pt. Lot .118, D.P. 230, pt. E.S. 7922, 2 acres.

Asliburton W.C.T.U. The ordinary monthly meeting of tho Asliburton branch of tlie W.C.T.U. was held in Baring square schoolroom on Tuesday afternoon. Mrs W. H. Robinson presided over a faa - attendance of members. Mrs A. Eight conducted the devotional services, taking as her subject "Prayer." A letter of sympathy was directed to bo sent to Miss Kennedy and relatives in their recent bereavement, also to members in siekne33. The notices of motion to be brought before the Convention ?icxt week were considered, and tho delegates instructed how to vote. A reportwas received in connexion with, the presentation made to Mrs W. E. Mackesy on February 25th, in recognition of the good work done by her during the recent campaign. - The gift of a purse containing a sum of money was presented by Mrs J. Moore. Mrs Macicesy briefly responded. A report of the street: stall, held on February 20th, was received, but as all the donations promised were not yet in. the total receipts we're not available. A very heartv vote of thanks was passed to all members and friends who so liberally responded to the appeal made, and also to those who had worked to make the effort, a success. It vras decided to send £7 10s to the .New Zealand Organising Fund, and :£2 to the funds of the. South Canterbury Union. Mrs W. J. Gallagher gave a graphic description of the Exhibition creche which is run by the Dunedin ■W.C.T.U. for the benefit of mothers with children. Mrs Ensign Pratt was present and delivered a very helpful aita interesting address on "God's Eagles" (Duet 32-11 and 12), receiving a'very hearty vote of thanks. The President warmly congratulated the local Salvation Army Corps, in gaining tho prize for tho best; report and quarters in the South Island Division, and also on the noble spirit displayed in purchasing a chair with the money for the free use of those in need.

Womm's Guild. The opening mooting of the season of St. Stephen's Women's Guild was held yesterday afternoon, when Mrs Ruddock presided over a fairly good attendance. The names of Mrs T. H. Hunter and Mrs B. Stephens were added to those of a deputation which has been "appointed to meet St. Stephen's vestry with a view to ascertaining what steps can be taken in regard to the section of land adjoining the vicarage, and on which it is proposed to build a new parish hall. W.E.A. The annual meeting of the Ashburuni branch of the "Workers' Educational Association was held in the Borough Schoolroom last, evenng, Mr 11. M. .Tones presiding over a good attendance. The secretary, Mr \V. Brva-it,. snl» mitted a. report,, which was to the effect, that in April last, after hearing addresses' by .Mr A. 11. Tocker and Mr G. Manning, of Chnstcluirch, it was decided to form a clans in Ashburton. Through the courtesy of the Borough School Committee, a clat-:s-room at (lie school was placed at the disposal of j the branch, and the class commenced i the study or economics under Mr A. j H. Tocker. Though the attendance during the, session was not. up to what was i anticipated, the enthusiasm of the members made the class an assurred success, and the branch felt confident that during the present year the attendance would be largely increased. Tho average nightly attendance for the past year had been about fourteen. During "the year an appeal was made to the various local bodies for financial assistance, with the result that the Ashburton County Council gave a donation of £5 ss, the Farmers' Union £2 2s, and the Ashburton Borough Council, the Advance Ashburton Association, the A. and P. Association, and the High School Board of £1 Is each. These donations were forwarded in due course to tho Canterbury Centre. At, the-con-clusion o£' the term the class held a social evening, and a presentation was made to Mr Tocker in appreciation, of his services during the term. The balance-sheet showed that, there were no liabilities, and that there was a balance in hand of £o 4s, The report arid balance-sheet were adopted. The chairman stated ifc was hoped to nave two classes this term. Mr Manning, the organising secretary, gave ais address on he aims and

objects of the Association; and outlined this year's programme. It'was hoped that 'Sir Miller, o? Tinia.ru, would take one class, a«d Mr Tocfeer, of C'hristchurcli, ft second class. It "was decided to invite Professor Shelley to visit Ashburton this month, and give an address and reading on modern dram?-

Mail Notices. Mails close to-day for northern ports at 2.4," p.m., late fee letters 3.10- p.m., guard's van 3.32 p.m.: and at-o .pm., late fee letters 5.23 p.m., guard's van 5.43 p.m. STAVELEY. . . J The Loyal Pioneer Lodge M.LM.0.0.F. met in the Stsveley Hail on Saturday last. The N.G. Bro. S. f. Goldsmith presided over a fair attendance. The lodge is to be represented at Ar-h----bnrton in connection with (lie visit of the Grand Master. A degree lecturo was held, and ;?ick pay parsed for payment. For the vear 1923, £BO 0s .10(1 was paid out in sickpay, £3B 4s 4d- in doctor's fees and medicine, £27 2s 6rl in -hospital' levies and £24. in maternity bonuses. Sixteen members were initiated,, and the present membership is 103. Members over 50 yearn of age, and those on attaining 50 are now exempt , from sick and funeral fund contributions, and i'or those members who joined previous to 1020 the funeral benefit has been increased from £3O to £45. A debate is to be held next lodge night after the business of the evening has been disposed of. MOUNT SOMERS. The Mount Somers Public School annual picnic and prize-giving took place on Friday. A good party of parents, frieuds, teachers and scholars were conveyed per motor lorries to Gundry's Bush, Stavoley, where an enjoyable time was spent, on the banks of Bowvet's stream, at the entrance to the bush. A sports programme was held, all the events being keenly-contested. The day's outing was completed with the prize-giving by Mr L. King (Chairman of school committee), when each scholar was the recipient of a book, pietsfre books being given to the "liny tots."

The following are the results of the sports: Hares—Boys, 11 and over, tialscy Hood, i'ennant, Smellie. Arnold Wood; Girls, 12 and over, Mildred Green, Katie Green. Inez Todd and Winifred Nell; Boys, 9 and 10, George /Smith, George Green, Jiussell Grieve: Girls, 10 and 11, Madge Smith, Xancv Edgar, Connie Beekley: Boys, 7 and S,

Jeffrey King, Allan McFarlanc, William Beck ley; Girls, S and !>, Dnlcie Hood, Chrissie Heod. Lorna Jones; Boys, 5 and 0, Verne Jones, Jack Hepburn, William Nell. Sank race's-—Big boys, George Smith, George Green, Jeffrey King and Halsey Hood;, small boys, Ales Thompson, William Beekley, Jack Hepburn: Girls, -Madge Smith, Joyce Smith, Katie Green,. Girls' Crab race —Connie Beekley. and Inez Todd, Myrtle Thompson and Nancy .Edgar, Lorua Jones and Duk-ie Hood. Boys' Wheelbarrow race—Arnold. Wood and George Smith, Tennanf, Smellie and Halsey Hood, Alex Thompson and. George MoCallum. Girls' Three Legged race—Winnie Nell. and Wiidrecl Green, Inez Todd and Connie Beekley, .Joyce Smith and Nancy 'Edgar. Boys' Three J/egged Race—Tennant Smellie and Halsey Hood, Arnold Wood and - Tom McCiimont, Alex Thompson and George McCallum. High (handicap). Halsey- Hood 4ft Sin and "in handicap, Arnold Wood 4ft lin and S inches, Teuuant Smellie 4ft lin (scr). Girls (handicap), Nancy Edgar Bft 10in and oiti, Mildred Green 3ft Sin and -in, Nancy Hepburn 3ft "in Cscr).: Egg and spoon race? -Girls', Mildred G're'en, Myrtle Thompson, Vnncy 'Bdga.r.;..Second heat. Winnie Xell, Iluh-ie'"' Hood, Joyce Smith. Boys, ' Vei'iio .tones, George MeCallum,' Harry M.cCiiriiont. Small Boys, Tom McClimoiit and Dcnys Williams, Bex Whelham, Nell. Girls hopping—Connie Beekley, Mildred Green, Madge Smith. Single ladies' race—Misses Bishop, and' N. Hepburn, Miss Bell. Single men's race—- ' Graham Smith, G. Patton, J. Bull. Married ladies' race—Mrs A. Beekley, Mrs P. Stevens. Married men's race—lE. Todd, G. Green, L. King. Nail Driving competition—Mrs. L. King, Mrs G. Green.

. methven. A pleasant evening was spent last Moucla.v at the residence of tho stationmaster, Mr MeAloon. when members of the local railway staff gathered to bid farewell to one of their number, Mr David Angus, who transfers on promotion tu Dunedin. Id proposing the toast of the guest, Mr MeAloon referred to the capable and obliging manner in which Mr Angus ha" carried out his duties. He remarked that men such as the guest were the type desired by the Department 1 . He called upon Mr'Arigus to accept a handsome oak'click as a token cd the esteem m which lie ' was held by his fellow workers Messrs Adan"Gtith if spoke on befialf of the locomotive branch, Mr •). Osborne no hjc

maintenance division, arid Messrs Bcary and Whalley for the traffic department-. Mr Angus, .in replying, thanked the donors and referred tci the go'xl fellow ship 'which existed ahiongst the sfa/f at the Methven station.

The usual monthly meeting of the j vestry of .the Methven Parochial Ui.v ! trict Mas held in the Parish Hall oo 1 Tuesday. Present: Rev. .Francis A- 1 Tooley. Wardens W.. A. fladen ana 1 Hv. M.aginiiess, : i\lessrs h. D'alton. and j E. J. Davis. A motion of sympathy was passed to IVIr and Mrs H. i',Ridiards, .both of whom have suffered bereavements. The churchwarden re-' Parted that subscriptions were eomiuj* in very slowly, but that there was tea- I son to expect a substautinl amount be- j ing paid during this month. Th.' outstanding subscriptions amount-to over £IOO. It was decided to call a further meetiiur of the vestry in a fortnight s time, -n-licn Til! b® uiad.e for a personal canvass by the vestry for all outstanding subscriptions. Mr .E. J. Davis a further donation towards the New Organ Fund, and a voto of thanks was accorded to him. There is still £"11 required to.complete the purchase of the new organ, and ; t was decided to hold th© list open uiilTT the end of the financial year. The Diocesan Office wrote advising; amount of Diocesan Assessment, Mr Len. Allred, caretaker of the church buildings, wrote tendering his resignation of the position. The resignation was accepted with regret, and.it was decided to call for applications for the position. Tlie initial arrangements for tho. forthcoming harvest aal© wer© discussed, and a tentative date. April 29th, was sot down for the fixture. A circular letter was read-civing-details of the Diocesan arrangements made for the installation of the Right Reverend Campbell WestWatson, on March 24th nest. Since the heavy rain during the week-, j end, the weather has been dull and the sky overcast at Methven, and prospects are cot bright as far as harvesting operations are concerned. Threshing mills and hauling plants are now busy, and a lot of graii?. is being sent away, A fair amount of threshing has bsc« completed, and an estimate of the crops can now .be made, These promise to tun} out much below the usual average, tho general run being under 30 bushels.

Mr A. J. Bean, of th® staff of the Bank of New Zealand, left tls® local branch yesterday, H© is goi»g to

Rakaia-on relieving dutis3 for a few weeks. • _ Mi' Adams, of-, the Bank of New Zealand. Punedtu, arrived in-Methven on Friday last, and has taken up his duties as teller of the local branch. Mr £>. L*. Jenkins, of Feilding, has taken up his duties as telegraphist at the Methven Post Office. Mr b. C. Wright, of the local post office staff, is stii! away on sick leave, hat is reported to be making good'progress towards recovery. Members of the Methodist- Church, Methven, entertained Mr and Mrs H. H. Shearer at . the latter'» residence prior to their departure from the district to reside at Lower Hutt. The evening took the form of a conversazione. during which opportunity wa3 taken to present Mr Shearer with a gold-mounted fountain pen as & mark of esteem from the congregation. Mr_H. G. Aycrs, circuit steward, in -making the'presentation, referred to tha a good work accomplished by Mr Shearer, who lias been junior circuit steward for a number of He wished Mr and ?<lrs Shearer a very happy and pros- ; pefous future in . their new_ sphere, of activities. Mr G. H. _ Nieholls also | spoke of the good qualities of the de- ' parting guests, and voiced the regret of the-community at losing them.