MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18668, 17 April 1926, Page 9

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. EXCLUSION TO EXHIBITION. A special meeting of the Ashburton Friendly Societies' Association was h*ld on Thursday night to consider the proposal of taking advantage of the concessions to friendly societies and other bodies for one-day excursions to the Dunedin Exhibition. Providing that trains aro available. It was agreed to arrange for an excursion on April 2tth, the return fares for which were fixed at 12s 6d for adults and 6s 6d for children under lo years of age. The tentative time of departure from Ashburton will be 6 am., arriving in Dunedin about noon, and leaving Dur.edin about 11 p.m. and arriving home at 0 a.m. on Sunday morning, April 2oth. -t was suggested that a similar excursion should bo arranged for those on the Mount Somers line. Further arrangements were left with the executive. Visit of Highland Band. That the visit of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Band to Ashburton will not eventuate was the subject of a telegram received by the Town Clerk (Mr W. Patterson) from Mr W. H. "Woods, who is at present in Dunedin. The telegram which was received yesterday read: —"Regret unable to arrange visit of band: definitely refused." This is most unfortunate, as a large number of band cnthuiasts were looking forward lo hearing this fine combination. I Magistrate's Court. Mr E. B. Mosley, S.M., presided over tho sitting oi the Magistrates Court yesterday morning. A charge of attempting to pass over the Havelock street rauway crossing with a motor-car when the lino was not clear was preferred against Alfred Augifstus Fooks, Ashburton. Mr V. W. Russell pleaded guilty on behalf of the defendant. Mr Russell/stated that the defendant was travelling along slowly, and when he got on to tho line ho heard a whistle, arid, seeing the express he backed off. His car was damaged to tho extent of about £3OO. The view was partly obscured by trees, and if a wind was blowing towards the south it was impossible to hear a train whistle. Tho Ashburton public needed more consideration from the Railway Department in the matter of signals. The Magistrate: The public own tho railways, and they are what the public make them. "Where there is a dangerous crossing, the publio Bhould use extreme precaution. It is a tremendous shock to an engine-driver to know that he has struck a car. Defendant is convicted and fined £3 and costs. William Constance was cpnvicted and fined 20s in default 7 days' imprisonment with hard labour for striking James Alexander McLintock, whom he alleged owed him some money. For . failing to clear ragwort, 4 noxious weed, Robert Wallace Wightman, of Mt. Hutt, was fined 20s and costs. An application for an adjournment for one week in the case of Archibald John Temploman, who appeared on three charges of selling liquor within tho no-license, district of Ashburton, »vns made by-Mr G. H. Buchanan, who stated, that he could not .ake the case, and the counsel whom he Had engaged from Christchurch could not visit Ashburton until next Friday. Senior "Sergeant Matnieson opposed the application, stating that defendant had practically. 16 days' notice in which to mak»s arrangements, but he ,did not .avail himself of the? time. • The application was granted and defendant was ordered to pay £2 7s witnesses' expenses. Judgment for the plaintiff by default with costs was granted in, each of the foll6wing cases :-r-T. A. Bryant v. Cecil Honniwell for £5 Os 6d"; Naylor Wilson v. T. Clements for £l6; the Union Electrical Company, Ltd., v. T. Douglas' and Co., Ltd., for £33 18s. Poultry Society. At a meeting of the Ashburton -Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Society, held on Thursday night, the chairman (Mr W. H. Robinson) presided. j Advice was received that the South llsland Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association had allotted the following championships to the Society:- Cats, best smoke blue, or black Persian, female over six' months; poultry, modern game, utility, Rhode Island Red <T.i>lo, black Pekin bantam. It was resolvf.l to present a cua_to the winner of the most points in the garden section. The following judges were appointed:—Open class, poultry, Mr J. Tindall (Christchurch); utility, Mr A. Gapes (Christchurch); cats and canaries, Mr T. Wilkinson; grain and seeds, Mr F. W. Seldon (Ashburton); butter. Mr E. Keig; fruit, Mr H. Millichamp"(Tinwald); bread, scones, and cakes, Mrs Lush; needlework, Mesdames J. Wisely and Clark; roots and garden produce, Mr A. Millichamp (Tinwald); woodwork, Mr W. Thomas; school competitions, Messrs J. Watson and J. W. Bowden; photography, .Mr C. A. Cooper (Ashburton); dogs, Major Stafford (Christchurch); sheep dogs, Mr W. Carney. Loyal Ashburton Lodge. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal > Ashburton Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., was held on Thursday evening, when the X.Gr., Bro. A. Husband, presided over a large attendance. One candidate was elected by ballot and sick pay amounting to £8 18s 6d was passed in fnvour of 13 brethren. A report was received from the delegate to the Friendly Societies' Association, covering the business of the special meeting to consider the proposal. t» run a special excursion to the Duuedin Exhibition. Fanners' Union. A meeting of the Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive of the Xew Zealand Farmers' Union was held yesterday, when the president (Mr J. Brown) presided. The chairman stated that he had a communication from Mr Bruce Gillies, of Timaru, the South Island organiser of the Union, asking if he were required to work the Mid-Canterbury district. It was agreed to request Mr Gillies to visit several districts. Members of the following districts intimated that the acreage sown and quantity of oats threshed this year were fully fifty per cent, less than in previous years: Hinds, Methven, Lowcliffe, Longbeach, Ashburton Forks, and Seafield. The Director-General of Agriculture (Dr. C. J. Reakes) wrote stating that the ' Union's suggested scheme that eopies of registered earmarks and brands of sheep be forwarded to the various branches of the Farmers' Union, waS impracticable. It was agreed to forward a eopy of the letter to the Ealing branch, and request Dr. Reakes to forward a copy of the brands of earmarks to the. local Stock Inspector. The Minister of Agriculture wrote with reference to the Union complaint about the high price of superphosphates that had to be paid by Canterbury

farmers, and stated that a reduction would take place in the near;*««««• It was agreed to write to the Minis ter stating that as autumn sowing was in progress, a reduction immediately would be much appreciated. _ It was agreed to support the farm school in every way possible. The fixing of a date for the annual meeting was leftjvith the chairman. METHVEN. General dissatisfaction has been expressed, more particularly by lady exhibitors, at the Methven A. and l. Association Committee's decision to present trophies and cups won at the recent Show, at a smoke concert, instead of at a general social function. K is pointed out that the Home I"f <*»«* section of the Show is one ot the ofst supported, and that the lady prize wm- ; ner should receive as much consideration as other exhibitors. .It is anticipated that steps will be taken to have the motion rescinded, and a function arranged at which lady exhibitors and their friends can be present. Poppv Dav was held in Methven on Thursdav when good business was done thrown'the efforts of a small band of ladies. Mrs Hency, who was in charge of the poppies, was assisted by Mcsdames Barwick, White, and Toon, Misses B. Anderson, K. Tooley. -VL. Cranfield, M. McDonald, W. Limbrn'k, S. Held, M. Dart, W. Elliott, K. and A. Bouse, K. Dickie, and Rev. Francis \. Toolcv. Messrs Cookson Bros., M. A. Stone," W. 0. Battson, W. A. Shcmeld, Kav Ireland. .T. Owen, and M. A. Haden also assisted in the sale of poppies, the latter also acting as honorary treasurer. , For the time being the supply of housing accommodation in Methven has overtaken the demand, several houses at the present time being without tenants. . . Misses Enid and Doris Breach, ot Lyndhurst, havo returned home after a visit to the Exhibition. Miss Eva Miles and Miss "Vera Burrows, of Mitcham, who have been spending a holiday in Dnnedin, returned lioine vesterdav. The' weather during the past few davs has been veTv warm, the prevailing wind being from the nor'-west. There is plenty of green feed in the district, and the country is looking extremely well for this period of the year. HINDS. The annual meeting of the Hinds branch of the Plunket Society was held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday afternoon, and was presided over by Mrs Laing (president of the Ashburton Branch). The report showed that the year had been a very satisfactory one," and that the attendances had increased. Nurse Nelson had done excellent work in the district. Last winter a Paddy's Market was held and realised £SB 2s 9d, of which £8 was voted to Daffodil Day, £ls to the ear fuud, leaving a balance of £37 in the bank, and £1 16s on hand. Mrs B. McCully, the secretary, had left- the district, and Mrs H. McDowell had acted in her stead. Mrs Laing gave; an address on the aims and objects of the Society throughout New Zealand. The following officers were elected: —President, | Mrs C. W. Cottam; vice-presidents: Mrs J. Hay (who will act as president for three months, during the illness of the president), and Mesdames J. Farrell, C. D. Chisnall, J. M. Hampton, G. E. Tarbotton, J. McKenzie, A. Moore, D. T. Paterson, W. T. Lowe, W, Nosworthy; secretary and treasurer, Mrs H. McDowell; committee: The foregoing and Mesdames F. Hill, C. D. and W. G. Chisnall, W. Musson, K. C. Maidens, H. Johnston, J. McDowell, with power to add. STAVELEY. Some local farmers who have had difficulty in selling surplus draughthorses at a payable price in Canterbury are at present engaged in taking them. to the West Coast, where' the sawmills still require the horse, which on the Canterbury plains is being replaced by the tractor. The horse* are not being railed,, but are being led and driven, and it is intended to go through by Lake Coleridge, and from there to the j West Coast road. After exceptionally hot weather at the beginning of the week, rafn began to fall on Tuesday evening, and by midday on Wednesday a: fair amount had fallen. Thursday saw a return to tine autumn weather. On Thursday night there was a brilliant display of the Aurora Australis. On Thursday a meeting of the ladies of .Staveley, Bushside, and Springburn [was held for the purpose of making arrangements for the sale of poppies in connexion with Poppy Day. The meeting was convened by Mr G. L. Bufton, district representative of the -U.S.A., but the attendance was rather poor. Mrs D. A. Syme was again this year' elected president and Miss Green secretary, and satisfactory arrangements for the sale of the 150 poppies which are aHo ted to the districts were made. This year Poppy Day is being extended to the Ashburton Forks district, where Mr T. Green has undertaken to arrange for the sale of a number of poppies which are being sent to him. MOUNT SOMERS. The monthly meeting of the Mount Somers Eoad Board was attended by Messrs J. R. Lochhead (chairman), T. Bright, J. W". Comyns, E. J. Waugh,' and G. A; Bland. The chairman welcomed Mr Bland upon taking his seat upon the Board. It was decided to call tenders for shingling G/een's road, Staveley, about 25 chains 300 cubic yards, more or less; and also about 500 cubic yards for Pattoidfs road, Mt. Somers," the tenders to be in for next meeting. It was decided to take the present decking off the motor bridge over the Old Mill Race, Staveley, and put on new decking, eight feet wide, and also repair the approaches. A discussion took plac in reference to making a road into Mesopotamia station from the Forest Creek boundary, about four miles, in order that all the station traffic could go down that side of the Rangitata. The matter was held over, awaiting more definite information from Mr Nosworthy. The following alteration of the rate roll were authorised:. Roll No. 441 from John McClimont to Henry Alexander. The clerk (Mr W. T. Webster) reported that there was outstanding £95 of the year's rates on March 31st, and he was instructed to take steps to collect the amount. Accounts amounting to £'7o 14s were passed for payment. EALING. Prior to his departure from the district, in which he has resided for the past sixteen years, Mr Henry Ellery was entertained by the residents of Ealing in the Ealing Hall. The chairman, Mr Wallace, spoke of the high esteem in which Mr Ellery was held by his neighbours. In presenting Mr Ellery with a solid leather suitcase, and a roil of notes, Mr B. Withell said that with them, went the good wishes of the people. Mr Ellery had been a very active pan in the district during his stay with them. He had been captain of the Rifle Club, and it was through his good management and tactfulness that the Ealing Club owed its-success, He was also secretary of the Hall Committee, in which office he did much to help on the work of the hall. Mr Banks, Mr Mackenzie, Mr Good, and Mr Goodwin also spoke in high terms of Mr Ellery's good qua r tics. The evening was spent in.songs and dancing.