MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18682, 4 May 1926, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. PERSONAL. At the evening service in St. Stephen's Church on Sunday, the Rev. J. F. Wiseman made eulogistic reference to Mr L. H. Oppcnheim. who has been for a number of years on the staff of tho Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative, and who is being transferred on promotion to the C'hristchurch office. Mr Wiseman referred to Mr Oppenheim's personal integrity and worth as a citizen, and to the excellent and conscientious work he had done for a number of years as Superintendent of St. Stephen's Sunday School, and also t« the services he had rendered as a member of the choir. Mr Oppenheini will be entertained at a farewell social in the Parish flail this evening. Engineer W. E. Dolman, of the Ashburton Fire Brigade, will complete his New Zealand record of 50 years' continuous service as a member of the Ashbuxtou Brigade on Monday next, May 10th. He has tilled all the offices except that of captain, and this position also he would have filled but for the fact that when a vacancy in the captaincy of the Brigade occurred many years ago, he was filling the dual positions of superintendent of tho Brigade and caretaker as well. He has the proud distinction of holding the New Zealand record for u-nbroken service. The Ashburton Brigade intend celebrating Engineer Dolman's jubilee at an earlv date. The Weather. I»ain fell at Ashburton during the early hours of yesterday morning, and at i) a.m. tho Domain rain gauge registered O.lTin. Tho weather yesterday was fine, with frequent intervals of bright sunshine. County Council Nominations. Nominations for the Ashburtou County Council closed at noon yesterday, with the result that there will be a contest in three ridings, namely, Ashburton, Mount Somers, and Wakanui. The nominations received are:— Ashburton Riding (one member to be elected) —W. T. Li 11 (sitting member) and H. Watts. Mount Htitt Riding (two members) —A. T. Lilley (sitting member) and James Carr. T. S. Harrison did not seek re-election, and Mr Carr will be declared elected in his place. Mount Somers Biding (two members) —J. Moore, jun., D. J. Morrow, and R. B. Neill. -i Rangitata Riding (two members)— W. G. Gallagher and H. B. C. Withell. Upper Ashburton Riding (two members)—A. Horsey and R. Hewston. South Rakaia Riding (two members) —J. Lambie and H. J. Orothers. Wakanui Riding <one member)—F. Fraropton and J. Bruce.

Power Board. There are eight members to be elected, ancf tho following twelve nominar tions were received: —W. G. Gallagher, A. Horsev, S. Smith, W. T. Lilt, H. Morris, H. J. Crothers, J. Gngg (the present sitting members), J. W. M. 3>art. F. W. Watt, J. A. Fleming, and H. R. Wilkinson. Four members to make up the quota of twelve members of the Board will be elected by tho Ashburton Borough Council and the'; Tinwald Town Board (two representatives each). For the Ashburton Hospital Board the following were nominated: —(Six representatives)—-A.- Horsey, G. S. Hardv, W. G. Gallagher, A. T. Lilley, W. f. Lill,. and J. Bruce. For the Lyttolton Harbour Board (two representatives) the following were nominated: —R. Galbraith and "W. G. Gallagher. Draught Horse Prices, There has been a drop of at least £lO per head in the price of all draught horses in the Ashburton County recently, and tho reason is not very appa/rent. The fact that a number of farmers are replacing their teams with tractors is certainly a contributing factor, and another theory advanced by a local farmer is that the recent; spell of favourable weather has enabled a largo number of small holders to complete their autumn working [ and sowing, and consequently they are disposing of all their spare horses rather than keep them through the winter. The large number of horses entered at a recent local fair would indicate that there is a great deal of truth ill that statement. • Borough School Bazaar. The bazaar organised in aid of the Borough School funds was brought to a successful close on Saturday evening in the presence of a crowded gathering. Good business was done lx»ih in the afternoon and in the evening at the stalls and in the side-shows. Mrs Heseltine's orchestra played selertians in the supper room. The total takings amoupted to £270. and tho expenses are estimated at £9O, leaving the committee with a profit of £180." At the closing of the bazaar those present were entertained with the closing speeches at the Thinedin Exhibition, with "Auld Lang Syne" and God Save the Kins by wireless, tho set beirii; opera ted by Mr Buchanan, jun., Ashburton.

MOUNT SOMERS. On Friday afternoon a pleasant little ceremony took place before the school broke up for the week. Miss M. E. Gunn, who is leaving for TVillowby, was made the recipient of a fountain pen from the scholars, including pupils she has taught for tho last two and a-half years. The headmaster called upon Master Arnold Wood to make the presentation, after which all sang, "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow," and gave three hearty cheers. Miss Gunn suitably responded. In the evening, at the Memonal Hall, a public farewell was tendered. There was a good attendance, especially of local people. Music was kindly supplied by Mrs Wood and Miss Lorna Wood, helped by Master D. Wood and three members of Chapman's orchestra. M.C.'s were, Messrs Hunter and Goodrich. Mr King, chairman of the school committee, referred to Miss Gunn's work in the school which he said had, at all times, given the greatest satisfaction. Mr P. H Jones, headmaster, said he had often been congratulated upon having such a capable assistant, and said she had made it difficult to be replaced by one as good. Mr Lockhard spoke on behalf of the Presbyterian Church, for which Miss Gunn was Sunday School teacher and some times organist. Miss Leila' Todd, on behalf of the residents, presented Miss. Gunn with a silver-mounted ebony toilet set, and Miss Katie Green, on behalf of the Sundny school, tendered a Sunshine purse. After the singing of "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow," and three cheers, Miss Gunn returned thanks. Miss Saunders takes up relieving work at the school this morning. The first miniature rifle competition was held on Saturday night. For a prize over two nights, for five shillings for tho best target, using the ring sight, the following scores were made:—G. Bland 32, E. Hix 31, Hugh Morgan 3 Sniellie 30, J. Gome 29.

MAYFIELD. The monthly meeting of the "May field branch of the Tlunket Society was held recently, there being present: Mesdames Austin (in the chair). Wardell, Cresswell, Mcllraith, Oakley, White. Llovd, Murdoch, and Miss Corbett. The new president (Mrs R. Austin) gave an address on the work of the Society. The secretary was instructed to approach Rev. J. Kirklaud with a view to holding future meetings of the branch in the vestry of the Presbvtoriaii Church. It was decided to hold a children's fancy dress party on the afternoon of Thursday. May 20th. The Society arranged to give 16 prizes to the different- sections. A special r.rize was offered by Mrs Murdoch for the mother with most children in fancy dress. The nurse's report- for the month of March was as follows: —Visits to rooms 11, adults 6, babies o. visits to homes -i.

METHVEN. The weather was fine at Methven on Saturday afternoon, and the various soorts were held under good conditions. The rain of the previous day had made the croquet and bowling greens unfit for play, and consequently there were no games played. Two football matches were played locallv. when the Methvon senior team defeated Hampstead by 8 points to 5 after a very interesting game. The scores were evon until a few minutes of call of time, when Methven scored a try. For Methven, McDonald and G. Dalton scored tries, and McDonald also converted one. while for Hampstead, Kennedy scored a try and Reid converted. Methven tliird grade played Hampstead A also on the local ground, and suffered defeat by '23 points to nil The Methven Ladies' Hockey Club's A team met Aslvlnirton' High School A team in tho junior competition ;it Methven. The local team were victorious by 7 goals to one. For Methven. Miss Irene Dalton scored 5 goals and Misses Doris Ireland and Mary Crooks 1 each. SPRINGBURN. The local farmers, who. as a venture, took their draught horses to the Coast to try to dispose of them, were very successful, cbtaijiing good prices for them all. In Canterbury the usual test is to yolk a horse in a dray and lock the wheel, out on the West Coast the horse is taken on to the beach and yolked to a dray containing a yard of sand which is a much more sever© test. The ladies of the Presbyterian congregation have decided that on Thursday, May 27th they will hold their sale of work in aid of the stipend fund. After beautiful autumn weather for weeks past, rain set in on Thursday night. Friday and Saturday were dull, but the beautiful weather returned on Sunday. There is still good growth in the grass, arid the gardens are a blf.ze of colour. Tt has been the best autumn for very many years. On Sunday night rain again commenced and continued on Monday morning.

ANAMA. The farewell to Mr P. Candy, who is leaving the district shortly, took the form of a concert which was held in the school on Saturday evening, there being a large attendance of residents and frinds. Mr Mclvor spoko of Mr Candy's sterling qualities, and referred to the keen interest taken by liim in all things pertaining to the welfare of the district. Mr Mclvor, on behalf of the residents and Sports' Association, then asked Mr Candy to accept a handsome caso of stainless steel cutlery, as a small token of the esteem in which he was held. Mr F. G. Greenslade (president of the Anama Sports' Association) spoke of Mr Candy's good work as secretary of the Sports Association. Mr A. V. Barrett, president of tlio Mayfield A. and P. Association, eulogised the work of Mr Candy as a member of the committee, and as treasurer of the Association, and asked him to accept a fountain pen. Messrs J. Brown, .r. Williams, F. McKeown, F. Loach, W. J. Robertson, and Rev. .1. Bclshaw, also spoke of Mr Candy's good qualities. Mr Candy, in responding, thanked the residents, and the A. and P. Association for their gifts, and said he would have very pleasant memories of Anama and the Mayncl3 A. and P. Association, and hoped to attend the Show annually. Items were provided by the following:—Miss M. Harrison, Mr E. Withell, and Mr R. Oakley, songs; Mr H. Mclvor, Miss V. Mclvor, Mr H. Beaumont, and Mr R. Oakley, recitations; Mr and Mrs Angrove, duet; Mr E. Beaumont, humorous recitation.

RAKAIA. On Sunday morning the weather was misty and dull, but later in the day the sun shone for a short time. In the evening the mjst returned and during the night there were several heavy showers. Yesterday the weather cleared, and northerly winds blew all day. The rainfall for the twenty-four hours was 11 points. Mr Thomas Stevenson, an old ajid highly respected resident of the Rakaia district died at Rakaia on Thursday last. He was born at Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1855, and came out to New Zealand in the ship Blairgowrie, landing at Lyttelton on August 24th, 187t?. For some years he worked on Acton, Sherwood, Corwar, and Langley estates at fencing and general farm work. In 1896 he joined the staff of the New Zealand railways, where he remained until his retirement five years ago. Although of a retiring disposition, Mr Stevenson was well known throughout the district, and will be missed by a large circle of friends. He was an esteemed member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr Stevenson married a daughter of the late Mrs E. Shannon. His wife predeceased him 27 years ago, and he leaves a son and a daughter, Mr R. Stevenson and Mrs D. Hill, both of Auckland, two brothers-in-law, Messrs C and R. Shannon, and a sister-in-law, Mrs G. Clark. The fnneral, which took place on Saturday, was largely attended. The services in the Presbyterian Church and at the graveside were conducted by the Rer. A. S. Morrison. The pall-hearers were Messrs T. Clark, P. Shannon, Gordon Shannon, and J. Shannon. On Sunday evening in the Presbyterian Church, an impressive memorial service was held in connexion with the death of th© late Mr Thomas Stevenson. The Rev. A. S. Morrifon preached from the test! 2 Corinthians v., 8. Appropriate Psalms and hymns were sung, and Mr L. Oakley sang a solo.