MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18672, 22 April 1926, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. VISIT OF CHRISTCHURCH HOUNDS. The Christchurch hounds were to have met in the Ashburton County to-day, to-morrow, and Saturday, but owing to the dry weather the visit has been postponed until a later date. Friendly Societies' Pi«mc. So great has been the demand for tickets for the Friendly Societies' excursion to Dunedin on Saturday, that a number of local business people who were appointed agents, reported yesterday that they had completely sold out. There were 1000 tickets issued by the Railway Department for tho excursion, and judging by the demand for them by members of the various lodges, it is unlikely that there will be mainavailable for the outside public. Out 1 . local tobacconist had 250 tickets issued i to him yesterday morning for disposal, and in the afternoon he only had 20 left. A Stag at Valetta. The appearance of a nine-pointer stag in the Valetta district on Tuesday caused some excitement among sporting enthusiasts. The deer, which it is presumed came down from the bush «t Alford Forest, was first noticed at about 10.30 a.m., resting in a plantation about a mile above the Valetta railway station, on the Mayfield-ValeUa road, and after some careful stalking it was sliot by a farmer in the district at about 2.30 p.m. St. Stephen's Men's Club. At the weekly meeting of the St. Stephen's Men's Club held on Tuesday night, the. president'(Mr S. Culverhouse) presided. Messrs W. Maysou, 8. Hawkes, and H. Clayton were elected to the committee, and Mr I<Y Looms was appointed secretary. Three new members were elected. A cueb.ro tournament held during the evening was won by Mr O. Stills. Poppy Day. The annual Poppy Day appeal will be made in the streets of Ashburton to-morrow. Allcnton Sports Club. The Executive Committee of tho Allenton Sports Club met on Tuesday evening, when the president (Mr D. A. Morgan) presided. Tho financial statement showed a credit balanec of £BB 0s Hd, and accounts amounting to £-1 "s 9d were passed for payment. The question of holding a. carnival this year was discussed, and it was agreod to hold the matter over in the meantime. The Grounds Committee reported that the contractor had completed the sowing of the bowling green, and had almost finished the top-dressing of the tennis courts. The three-quarters oi an aero of land which was not in nso had been ploughed. The grounds were in exceptionally good order. Scottish Societies' Inglesidc. The Ashburton County Scottish Society beld its first Ingjesido ot the season on Tuesday evening, in the Orange Hall. There was a good attendance, and tho programme, which WJis well received, way as tollows: Pipe'selection, Piper Geo. Robertson; song, Mrs Craighead; step dance. Miss G. Bushell; song, Mrs M. McMillan; sketch, Mr A. Todd; violin solo, Mr Purdy; song. Mrs H. J. Chapman; step dance. Mr Currie; Irish reel, Edie Jary, Edna Bnstow llita Pushcll, Madge Tait; song, Mr V. Ciillcn; Irish jig. Miss Z. Chapman; humorous song, Mr Purdie. Mesdames H J. Chapman and E. G. Craighead acted as accompanists. After the programme dancing was indulged in, Mrs A Mitchell supplying tho music. Motor Insurance. Ashburton County members of tho Canterbury Automobile Association assembled yesterday afternoon, to hear tho views of Mr C. It. llobieson upon the co-operative insurance scheme which is .being floated by the South Island Motor Union. . Mr E. P. V. Sealey, who presided, saidthatMrHobieson had chosen the worst hour of the clay for the meeting. The small attendance did not indicate lack of interest. Mr P.obieson first stntcd that already 130 members had signed up. It was hoped to have the Association registered to-day and to issue the policies on Friday. He then outlined tho scheme, and said the premiums charged by private companies were far too high. Policies would be issued only to members of tho - motor associations. Mi- Robieson dealt fully with the financial aspect, and explain- I ed that with the big_ surplus which might reasonably be anticipated on each year's operations, members could expect reductions in premiums from time to time. About 150 members were needed before the Association could be registered, and. he was there to endeavour to enroll 10 members at Ashburton. Invereargill, Waimate, and Oamaru rosponded well to tha scheme, .but at Dunedin the' quota was not filled. He had that day enrolled three members of the Ashburton Committee. In reply to Mr W. G. Gallagher, the speaker said the Association when registered would belong to its policy

owners. The idea was to keep the management in the hands of tins motor unions. After the scheme had been launched there was no fear/of it being joined up with another insurance company. The scheme provided for a rate of 15 per cent, lower than tho present insurance cover. . RAKAIA. The membors of the Methodist Young Women's Bible Class and Girls' Club entertained Miss Hoddcr, "travelling secretary of the Methodist Y.W.B.C. movement, at tea, on Tuesday afternoon, in the Methodist Church. Miss Hodder discussed Bible ClaBS arrangements with th'e girls. Afterwards a social was held at which there was a large attendance. Miss Hodder explained the aims and objects of the. Bible Class movement, and gave an interesting account of her work in New Zealand. She congratulated the Eakaia Methodist Church on the formation of such a large class. Mr W. J. Henderson, on behalf of the students, thanked Miss Hodder for her address. METHVEN. • Mr and Mrs E. A. Bland and family ("Rosedale," Methven) are on a visit to the Exhibition. Miss Cora Street has returned to Methven after an extended holiday visit to Auckland. Mr H. L. Hadon, bacteriologist, District Hospital, Whangarei, and Mrs Haden, have been spending a few days in Methven, where they wero the guests of Mr and Mrs Walter A. Haden "Hampton Court." They left by car for Ashburton on Tuesday afternoon. Miss Myrtle Dalzell, of "Mcrrylea," Medbury, has been spending an extended holiday at Methven, where she was the guest of Mr and Mrs .Walter-A. Haden.