MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18676, 27 April 1926, Page 7

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. PERSONAL. Mr H. R. Wise, who has been assist-ant-encinccr for the Ashburton Electric Power Board for tho past two years, left yesterday for Oamaru, to take up a similar position or. the staff ot the \\aitaki I'ower Board. Hockey. A total of ten teams, representing five clubs, have entered in the Ashburton Ladies' lloekey Association competitions, which are to commence on •Saturday. r lhe Association is confident that it has a gonj season before it, and it is looking forward to more support from the public than i: received last year, i here is a likelihood of a further chio being represented. The entries received to dale are as follows:—Old •iirls 1, Al! 'iiton 1, Rakaia 3, Methven -J, High School 3. Lodge Social. I'nder the auspices of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, M.L., 1.0.0. F., a social an.l dance was 11• • 1 d in the Orange Hall on Saturday evening, and despite the fact that a number of lodge members .joined the Friendly Societies' picnic to I'unedin, there was a good attendance. Tho card prizes were won by Mrs Morrison and Mr 0. Stills. The music for the dancing was supplied by Dabourn's Orchestra, and extras were played by Miss Leslie and Mr J. Childs. St. John Ambulance Association. The necessity for more interest to be taken in ambulance work, and for business firms and local bodies employing a large number of hands to see that one or two of their employees were instructed in first aid, to assist in the event of accidents, was strongly urged by members of the Ashburton SubCer.tre of the St. John Ambulance Association, at the annual meeting on Saturday night. It was agreed to circularise local bodies and business firms who were likely to be interested in the movement. Rugby Football. In consequence of the withdrawal of tho Asliburton-Tinwald third grade team from tho Ashburton Rugby SubUnion's competitions, a re-draw was made as follows: First Saturday: High School v. Hampstead B, at Showgrounds; Old. Boys v. Allenton B,- at Showgrounds; Rakaia v. Allenton A, at Rakaia; Hampstead A v. Methven, at Methven. Second Saturday:—High School v. Allenton B, at Showgrounds; Hampstead A v. Hampstead B, at Showgrounds; Rakaia v. Old Boys, at. Eakaia; Allenton A v. Methven, at Methven. Tihrd Saturday: High School v. Old Boys, at Showgrounds; Allenton A v. Allenton B, at Showgrounds; Eakaia v. Hampstead A, at Rakaia; Methven v. Hampstead B, at Showgrounds. Fourth Saturday: High School v. Allenton A, at Showgrounds; Rakaia v. Methven, at Methven; Allenton B v. Hampstead B, at Showgrounds; Old Boys v. Hampstead A, at Showgrounds. The Weather. After the mild weather which has been experienced during all last week, and over the week-end, a north-west wind sprang up yesterday morning, and blew throughout the greater part of the day. Tho wind died down towards evening." A heavy bank of clouds, which was noticed on the southern horizon early in the afternoon, closed over during the evening, and there was every indication of a change in the conditions. LITTLE RAKAIA. A \ pleasant ceremony took place at tho Little Rakaia Schoolroom on Saturday afternoon, when. Mr D. Jones, M.P. for the district, unveiled two pictures, one the landing of the Anzacs on Gallipoli, in memory of the fallen soldiers of the district, and the other a portrait of the late Premier, the late Hon. W. F. Massey. The hymn, "0 God Our Help in Ages Past," was sung. The Rev. T. G. Butler offered up a prayer. Mr D. Jones, M.P., then unveiled the two pictures, and gave an interesting address touching on the lives of the fallen heroes, and the life of our late Premier. Mr F. Greenwood, chairman of the school committee, cordially welcomed all those who were present, and the Rev. H. G. Hawkins gave an interesting address. The singing of the National Anthem brought the ceremony to a close. The opportunity was taken to present the Dux medal to Edward McEvedy. Mr J.'Thompson, a past scholar and chairman, donor of the medal, made the presentation. The afternoon was brought to a close by the ladies of the district handing round afternoon tea. The Little Rakaia Social Committee held their first euchre party in aid of the piano fund last week. There was a good attendance, the winners of the ladies' prizes being Mrs J. P. McEvedy I, and Miss Audrey Byron 2; men's: Mr F. Greenwood 1, and Mr J. P. McEvedy, 2. Supper was provided by the ladies and a short dance followed. METHVEN. Special Anzac Day services were held at All Saints' Church, Methven, on Sunday, and at St. Saviour's, Highbank, there being large congregations at each service. At the morning service at All Saints,' two returned soldiers officiated, Mr E. J. Davis taking the prayers and address, and Mr W. A. Haden reading tho lessons. Many beautiful wreaths were laid at the altar rails. After the service the congregation was met by Rev. Francis A. Tooley, and a visit was made to the cemetery, where wreaths were placed on all soldiers' graves, and a short openair service held. At Highbank, a short memorial service was held in the Public School, and a laurel wreath placed on the Roll of Honour. A service of remembrance was held in St. Saviour's afterwards. An impressive memorial service was also held at Lyndhurst when a large laurel wreath was presented, and afterwards placed in the Methven cemetery, on a soldier's grave. At tho evening service in All Saints,' Methven, the Rev. Francis A. Tooley officiated, assisted by Mr W. A. Haden. The choir sang, "Lift up Your Heads," and the "Last Post" was played by Mr Harold Ellis. The church was beautifully decorated with red, white, and blue flowers, while the altar was draped with the Union Jack. At the close of the service, the National Anthem was sung. The weather continues fine at Methven and is much milder than is usually experienced at this time of the year, while there is a wonderful growth of feed. The Ashburton Trotting Club's meeting on Saturday attracted a large number of devotees of the sport from Methven. The win of the locally-owned horse, Locanda Child, was extremely popular in the district. The various sports grounds were as usual, the scene of great activity, the fine day inducing a larger number of players than usual to turn out. The Croquet Club played another of their series of competition games, for a trophy given by Mrs S. J. Carleton. Tin was won by Mrs G. Nicholls after a very interesting game. Mrs J. Cailaghan was runner-up. Several ladies from the Rakaia Club were present, and

i took part in the games. The green will be closed for the present season i on Saturday next, when the final comj petition will be played. ■ Four rinks of bowlers from the Kai kaia Club played a friendly match with Methven, on the local green on Saturday. The match was very even throughI out, and the visitors proved victors by |S6 to 76. With this match, the bowling j season at Methven concludes. On account of the trotting meeting at Ashburton, all competition football j matches in the County were postponed, ! but a number of enthusiasts enjoyed a J practice 011 the local ground. HINDS. There v.r.s a gnod attendance at the combined Anzac Day service held in the Hinds Hall. The Rev. J. Hay acted :;s chairman, announced the hymns, and led in prayer. The Rev. S. Prenter read the lessons, and delivered an appropriate address. The music was supplied by .Mrs Marshall (piano). Miss Hampton, Messrs A. Ellis, B. Frampton, D. T. Patcrson (violins). The oftVrtorv was in aid of Ashburton Relumed Soldiers' Association. A successful sale of produce, plain and fancy goods, books, etc., was held in the Hinds Hall on Saturday evening. For various reasons the attendance was not as good as usual, but over £3O was taken. A thief is still busy in this district. Some time ago he removed a large quantity of oats, etc., from a farm, and returned the other night and took more. RAKAIA. On Anzac Day memorial services were held in the various churches at Rakaia, Dorie, and Lauriston. Ln tho evening a combined service was held in the Town Hall. There was a very large attendance. The speakers were tho Rev. A. S. Morrison, of tho Presbyterian Church, Mr W. J. Henderson, of the Methodist Church, and the Rev. J. C. Hawksworth, of the Anglican Church. The hymns "0 God, Our Help in Ages Past. 1 ' "For All the Saints," "Praise to Our God, Whose Bounteous Hand," and Kipling's "Recessional" were sung, Miss Hardy presiding at the organ. A collection was taken tip for the Rannerdale Home for Disabled Soldiers. At the close the National Anthem was sung and the "Last Post" was sounded by Mr W. Colombia;' During the dav many beautiful wreaths were placecl on the steps of tho cenotaph. BARRHILL. To celebrate the wedding of their daughter Ethel to Mr H. Galletly, Mr and Mrs J. Bishop gave a very enjoyable dance on Thursday evening. Mr C. Dolierty, on behalf of Mr W. Morgan, a very old friend of the bride's parents, proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom. Songs were sung by Mrs W. Smith. Musio for tho dancing was supplied by Mrs Doherty, Miss N. Dickie, Messrs Maidens, Leaman, and A. Goodman. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought a happy evening to a close.