MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18777, 23 August 1926, Page 4

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. ANOTHER BURGLARY. An entry was made into the premises of a local baker on Friday night, and a cash box containing between £5 and X' 6 in silver was stolen. Tlie nocturnal visitor gained entry by smashing the glass in a window in the rear of tho 1 bakehouse, and going from there into the office. When interviewed on Saturday morning, Mr J. Sutherland, the proprietor of the establishment stated that the cash box which was kept well hidden and would be difficult to find, was the only thing missing. It would appear that the breaking was the work of an amateur, as a hat and a packet containing four cigarettes were left behind. The police have made an arrest and the accused will be brought before the Court to-day. In Bankruptcy. Investigations into the bankruptcy of James Albert Painter, farmer, of Wheatstone, were made at a meeting of creditors held at Ashburton on Saturday. Tho Deputy-Official Assignee, Mr J. B. Christian, presided. The bankrupt was represented by Mr R. Kennedy. Tho financial statement showed tho amount owing to unsecured creditors as £IO9O 12s lOd. Farm implements in hands of debtor were estimated to produce £69 and furniture £25. The farm would realise £3570 but this would be taken by secured creditors. Thoro would therefore be a deficiency of £996 12s lOd. Tho principal unsecured creditors were Collins and Co. £l2 5s Bd, H. E. Bonnington £ll 3s 6d, Hospital Board, Ashburton £ls 15s 6d, N.Z. Farmers' Coop. £l9 lis Id, David Fitzgerald £lO, National Mortgage and Agency Co. £BSO, E. Soal £3O 7s 2d, Alfred Cass £sl 6s 4d, C. E. Parkin £SO. Tho secured creditors were Public Trust £2500, Mr E. Newman £6OO, Messrs Orr and Newton £3OO, Mrs Newton £l7O. In his sworn statement, bankrupt said that he had started farming at Wheatstone in April, 1914. He had purchased 212 acres at £2O per acre, and had paid £SOO deposit, leaving him with £SO, a, few implements and horses, worth between £IOO and £l5O. A local firm had assisted him in obtaining stock. He went in largely for sheep the first year, and lost heavily, but from 1916 to 1919 he did fairly well and was able to reduce his liabilities considerably. In 1919 he had been in ill-health and was forced to employ labour at high rates, consequently his financial position suffered. In 1922 heavy expense in connexion with rexiewal of the mortgage on tho farm was followed by the slump and ho lost heavily in sheep. During 1924 ho did better and was ablo to reduce his indebtedness considerably, also to pay up back interest, and prospects appeared brighter. Unfortunately the wet season of 1925 prevented him from getting any crop in and he also lost 150 ewca and lambs. In July, 1926, the firm had closed on him and sold his stock and plant, and being pressed by other creditors iie was forced to flic. Bankrupt attributed his failure to illness, tho slump, and the flood of 1925. The mortgages on the property, with interest, would amount to roughly £3700. He was afraid the place would not realiso sufficient _ to allow anything for unsecured creditors. He was married and had five young children and had no~ expectations whatsoever. On the motion of Mr C. Cass it was agreed that the Deputy-Official Assignee be instructed to wind up the estate. Notifiable Diseases. Two eases of scarlet fever and one of pneumonic influenza were notified to the County Health Inspector (Mr N. E. Johnson) on Saturday. Euchre and Dance. Tho fortnightly cuchre and dance of I the Eiffelton euchre club was held in the schoolroom on Friday evening. There I was a good attendance and a most enjoyablo time was spent by those.present. Tho cuchre prizo was won by Mrs Deal. Tho consolation prizes went to Miss M. Roach and Mr W. Pendergast. The Monte Carlo waltz was won by Miss Eowntree and Mr Bice, tho music for the dance being supplied by Mill. Thompson. Croquet Club. Tho annual meeting of tho Croquet Club was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Saturday afternoon, Mrs L. C. Dunn presiding. The annual report stated that tho past season had been very successful and most members showed improvement. Various friendly matches had been played with other clubs. Teams were entered for the Ladies' Pennant A Junior Flag competition, and although unsuccessful in both, tho players had derived much enjoyment and experience. Tho club games had evoked keen competition. The membership comprised 55 activo members, 14 honorary, and 1 life member. A proposal would bo brought down to limit the membership to 55 as tho present playing area would not accommodate more, but preference would bo given to tho players on the waiting list. They regretted having lost'one of their members, and tho sympathy of the club was extended to Mr G. Currie and children. The prospects for tho coming season were excellent. \ The report was adopted. The balance-sheet, which showed a credit balance of £22 19s 9d, was adopted. . It was resolved that the membership bo restricted to 55. The election of officers for the onsuing year resulted as follows! —Patron, Hon. Mr Nosworthy; president, Mrs T. Hunter; vice-presidents, Mesdames F. W. Watt, T. M. Clarke, R. Buxton, E. B. Nowton, and McKeig; secretary and treasurer, Miss M. Moore; club captain, Miss Iloskon; committee, Mesdames Clarke, F. W. Watt, C. G. Moyce, L. C. Dunn, D. Heenan, and J. Smith; afternoon tea committee, Mesdames A. Cooper and Humphreys. It was decided that in all tournament games ,the two-life system be adopted. The opening of the season was fixed for Thursday, October 7th. Badminton Club. The ladies' singles championship conducted by the Ashburton.Badminton Club was concluded on Friday evening, Mrs J. M. Mcßae defeating Mrs L. J. Watt in the final. Diphtheria Outbreak. A deputation, representing the Ashburton branch of the Plunket Society, consisting of Mesdames A. Grigg (President), H. L. Barker, A. H. Barnctt, and Sister Gates, waited upon the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) on Saturday morning for the purpose of ascertaining what action could be taken to suppress the present outbreak of diphtheria in Ashburton. The deputation suggested that where a case was taken from a house an examination of all the remaining members of the household should be made. It also referred to some cases where occupiers of houses affected did not seem to realise tho responsibility of strictly adhering to the instructions of complete isolation for a period of 'seven days. Men-

tion was made of the milk supply being a possible source of infection. In reply, tlie Mayor assured the deputation that the Borough Council was fully aware of the need for action, and considered that publicity should be given to the necessity for exercising the Greatest care by those responsible tor the affected, also for strict attention to the advice and instructions of medical advisers, and of the Health Inspectors The suggestion regarding swabs would be sent to the Health Department, who had alrcadv sent a senior inspector to make investigation and report upon the outbreak. Among other places mentioned to him was the water-race on the \]ford Forest road, which was being polluted by drainage from residents in tint area. That and other matters would be dealt with in the report from the Department Inspector, winch would be published as soon as it came to hand.' Records upon milk supply revealed that in almost every positive case the supnlv was derived from a different source. The Mayor was thanked for his attentive heaTing. Records kept by the Borough Inspector reveal that so far this year forty cases of diphtheria have been reported in the borough, as against eleven for the corresponding period of last year. METHVEN. The monthly meeting of the committee of the Methven branch of the Royal (New Zealand) Society for the Health of Women and Children was held in the Public Hall on Thursday. Mrs Hector Reid presided, and there were also present Mesdames F. W. Ruddenklau, H. Green, T. Fairbairn, G. Kelly, E. A. Bland, J. Callaghan, Jno. Watson, A. Lawrence, and J. Wisely (hon. secretary). The resignation of Mrs C. T. Jessep was accepted with regret, and the secretary was asked to send Mrs Jessep a letter of appreciation of her past services. It was decided to help the Ashburton branch with their annual Daffodil Day" appeal. The secretary presented a report on the recent Dominion Conference at Wellington, which she had attended as delegate from the branch. The nurse's report was read and showed: —Visits to rooms 219, adults 101 babies 94, older children 24, new cases 2, breast fed 2, artificial fed 2, breast and supplemented 1, weaned visits to homes 2. Mr and Mrs James Dalzell, Mr A. Dalzell, and Miss Myrtle Dalzell, ot "Merrylea," Medbury, are spending a few days in Methven, where they are the guests of Mr and Mrs Walter AHaden, "Hampton Court." mount somers. Mr W. H. Moses, headmaster, is spending the holidays in Cliristchurch. Miss J. Davidson, of the teaching staff, is spending her holidays in Gore. Mr W. L. Hunter, stationmaster, has been re-advised of his transference to Lumsden Junction instead of Thornbury Junction. For several nights past people tor some miles around Hav<a been admiring the spectaoular sights of grass fires on the low-lying hills nearby. . Tuesday's showers (18 points) were most welcome, though roucn more rain is needed. Glorious spring weathei has prevailed for several days, and once again the evidence of growth can be seen, despite the severe check occasioned by snow and severe frosts ten days ago. MAYFIELD. On Friday evening the Band of Ilcpe held a pleasant evening in the hall. The function took the form of a. conceit given by the children. During the evoning the Rev. A. D. Kirkland gave a very interesting lecture on tho aims and objects of the Band of Hope. Miss Paterson and Miss Baynor, who arranged tho function and prepared the children, were thanked. Tho Rev. J. Bclshaw was in the chair. On Friday a nor'-wester sprang up, and continued all day, bringing with it tho smoke from the tussock fires, which have been burning for the past week on the hills. Tho ground is particularly dry for this time of year, and a warm rain would be much appreciated to start off the spring growth. The school closed on Friday for tho ordinary term vacation.