MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18634, 8 March 1926, Page 4

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. v PersonaL Mr B. A. Beach, of the Ashburton Railway staff, is at present in the County hospital, recovering from an operation. Mr E. Bengcrs, of Rakaia, is relieving in his stead. Close Holiday. A whole holiday was observed in Ashburton on Saturday, the occasion being the combined trades picnic to Timaru. Electric Light Pails. Owing to a fault the transmission line near Springburn, the electric light failed in Ashburton for two short periods about 8.45 p.m. on Friday. Methven was in darkness from 8.30 p.m. until midnight. Trades Picnic. The Ashburton Railway station presented an animated appearance shortly before 7.30 on Saturday morning, when just on 2000 pleasure seekers were lined up, eight and ten deep, the full length of the platform, waiting the departure of two special trans, which were to tako its combined trades picnic party for an outing at Timaru. The members of the First Canterbury Mounted Rifles Band, were amongst the party. Owing to the line being blocked with the shunting of a couple of long rakes of trucks of sheep, both excursion trains were a little late in getting away. The weather was delightfully fine and remained so-throughout the day. Dunedin Exhibition 1 ; One hundred holiday makers .joined the mid-night train at Ashburton en route to the Dunedin Exhibition. - Catholic Basaar. There was a large attendance at the Catholic Bazaar, on Friday night. A feature was the first pull in the tug-of-war competition, in which ten teams have entered. The contestants were Brickyards and Tinwald B. The Brickyards team won fairly easily. The competition will extend over each evening till March 13th, and will be contested by Tinwald A and B, Vestey Brothers; tho Power Board, Winchmore, Eiffelton, Crum Brothers, Brickyards, Fire Brigade, and Celtic teams. Bowling. There was a fairly good attendance on tho bowling green on Saturday afternoon, when several rink matches were played. Croquet. The croquet lawns were well patronised on Saturday and the usual monthly tournament was played. Mrs Dunn won the senior, and W. J. Oakley tho junior match. There will bo playod on tho Ashburton lawns this week, matches against the Temuka, Dunsaudcl, and Geraldine clubs, respectively., METHVEN. The entries so far received for the forthcoming annual A. and P. Show arc very satisfactory. The quality represented will bo better than in previous years, while from a numerical point of view they are well up to the average. At tho present time a number of the leading exhibitors are attending the Exhibition at Dunedin, and for. this reason it has been decided to extend tlio closing c}ato for entries for a few days. During the past few days there has been an entire absence of wind in this district, and this, coupled with the effects of tho recent Tain, has caused a stoppago of harvest operations. What is badly needed is a good-nor'-wester to dry the sheaves, especially as signs of sprouting are. reported from various parts of the district. Membors of the local golf club . arc showing keenness in regard to the club's affairs. In viow of tho official opening, which, takes place shortly, membors are very busy mowing tho greons and fairways, and early morning and late evening members take their turn in pushing the lawnmowcrs. They anticipate a very successful season. Tho local cycle club is arranging a series of road races to take place during the next fortnight. A race for boys has attracted a very satisfactory number of entries, and it is anticipated that about sixteen boys will face the starter. On tho same day a race open to Methven district, and also to members of tho Springburn Cycle Club will be held. The idea of holding a championship road raco later in the season has been abandoned owing to the inability to secure a suitable date. The aowly-formed dressmaking class in connexion .with the Mcthven District High School is being well attended, students attending from Mcthven and. surrounding districts. Tho class is not confined to present pupils of tho school, and this has enabled many of the old pupils and residents of Mcthven to take advantage of tho instruction provided. For a : considerable time after the revised time-table on the Methven-Ra-kaia railway came into operation the train arrived fairly punctual to time. Howver, lately the train is invariably late, and at odd times exceptionally late. This, no doubt, is owing to delays to the trains on tho main lines. * While this' is probably unavoidable at present, it is playing into the hands of the motor-bus, which leaves Christchurch half an hour later and arrives considerably ahead of the train. The Railway Department would confer a great boon to passengers arriving at Methven at night if they would put down a footpath from the station to the railway gates on the Ashburton road. At present the pedestrians must use the road, and with so many motor-cars using this rtfad, a nervous person has an unenviable experience. A very successful "kitchen evening" was given by. Mrs W. H. McKce at her residence, Methven, in honour of Miss Marion Reid, who is to be married shortly. The time was spent most pleasantly in games, competitions, and music. A very dainty supper was served. The prize for the most useful kitchen article was won by Miss Mabel Pawson, and. a competition was won by Mrs Stanley Smith and Miss Bundle. A splendid assortment of kitchen articles was received, and the whole evening was a tribute to the popularity of the guest of honour, the host, and hostess. A large crowd of parents and friends gathered at the Methven School on Friday afternoon, when the school children returned from their visit to the Exhibition at Dunedin. Arrangements had been made to convey the children from Ashburton to Methven by motors, and thus avoid the long trip via Rakaia by .train. Thus, instead of reaching Methven at about 8 p.m., they arrived at 4 ]i.m. They were all- in the best of health and spirits, and all reported having had a splendid time. A meeting of those interested in the classes being organised by the Home Nursing Division of the Red Cross Society was held in tho Mount Hutt Road Board office, Methven, Mr James Carr presiding. Mrs* Tooley reported that she had spoken in connexion with the formation of the classes on several occasions, and had obtained a list' of names of those desiring to undergo a course of instruction. Mrs Stanley Smith also handed in a list, and the number offering is sufficient* to justify j