MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19063, 27 July 1927, Page 5

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON.

PERSONAL. Mr J. W. Bowden was elected chairman of the Ashburton High School Board of Governors for the third year at the meeting yesterday. Messrs H. C. B. Withell (president) and J Carr (ex-president) of the MidCanterbury Provincial Executive of the •New Zealand Fanners' Union are at present in Wellington, representing that body at the Fanners' Union annual conierence. . The resignation of Miss M. K. C. Morrison from the staff of the High School was accepted with regret at yesterday's meeting of the Board, and it was agreed to write thanking her for her services. Found Drunk. As the result of drinking methylated spirits mixed with ginger beer, George Humphreys, a labourer, of Ashburton, was found helplessly drunk, in Burnett street, on Monday evening, and was arrested. He appeared yesterday morning before Mr B. Clark, J.P., and was fined 20s, in default 48 hours' imprisonment. Parmer's Bankruptcy. ; _ Enquiries into the circumstances causing the bankruptcy of Albert Ernest Frew, farmer, of Tinwald, were made before the Official Assignee (Mr C. 0. Pratt) at a meeting of five creditors yesterday. Mr W. H. Woods appeared for bankrupt. The amount owing to unsecured ereditors totalled £1297 17s, and there were no secured creditors. The deficit was £ll2B 17s. . Bankrupt's furniture was valued at £4O, and his only other assets were: implements £BO, live stock £4O, and harness £8 10s. The principal unsecured creditors were: W. H. Woods £10; Manchester Bros. £10; T. J. Meaclem (Christchurch) £1250; K. Downey (Tinwald) £10; Bennett and Walls (Tinwald) £l3 lis 6d. Bankrupt, in his sworn statement, said that he purchased a dairy farm of 93 acres at Tinwald in 1919, at £65 an acre, and paid £SOO deposit, which was part of £IOOO lent to him by his wife. He had no other capital. He found it difficult to meet his payments from the beginning. Soon after he took possession of the farm, the price of produce began to fall, and he had to borrow money to meet his payments. With the assistance of his creditors and friends, he managed to carry on until he was pressed by the second mortgagee for payment of an instalment, off principal money owing. He was endeavouring to make some arrangement to enable him to carry on, when the first mortgagee called up the amount owing to him, £3OOO. The property was sold by the first mortgagee on the Bth inst, and as his (bankrupt's) position seemed hopeless he filed. Ho attributed his failure to the high price he paid for the land, and to the drop in the price of produce. He had no prospects and could make no offer to his creditors. The estate was left in the hands of the Official Assignee to be wound up to the best advantage. Bankrupt was allowed to retain his furniture, Heavy Bain. Commencing with a light drizzle on Monday afternoon rain developed into a downpour during the same evening, and fell continuously throughout the night and all day yesterday, it eased off slightly about 4 p.m., but the,lull was only temporary, and rain set in again for the night. A total of 76 points fell between 9 a.m. on Monday and 9 a.m. yesterday. Concert at Tuarangi.

For the entertainment of the inmates of Tuafangi Old Men's Home, the Male Voice Choir gave a programme of music at the Home on Monday, under the baton of Mr H. Clerao. At the conclusion of the items, the Master (Mr F. H. Knight) thanked the choir. Basketball Concert. Despite the wet weather, there was quite a good house at the Theatre Royal* last night, for ffhe concert organised by the Ashburton Basketball Association for the purpose of raising funds to finance the teams going on tour. A bright and varied programme was, presented, and the audience was not slow | to appreciate the merit of the various i performers and encores were frequent. [ The programme was as follows: —Overture, Mrs Chapman's orchestra; vocal duet, Isabel Pawson and Nola Smith; dumbells, Misses L. Fisher, F. Savill, V. Smith, and K. Ashby; vocal solo, Mr Val Cullen; recitation, Miss Nancy Bishop; action song, Mrs Smith's choir; vocal solo, Miss Duff; dialogue, Misses Morva Thomas, and Audrey Ruddock; toe dance, Miss Gladys Bushell; vocal solo, Mr C. Tansey; overture, Mrs Chapman's orchestra; vocal solo, Miss Duff; dance, Miss Emma Weston; duet (saxophone and cornet), Messrs R. Smith and C. Hansen; instrumental trio, Misses M. Welsh, Kathleen McDonnell, and Norman Thomas; action song, High School basketball team; vocal duet, Misses E. Wilson and M. Page; monologue, Miss Enid Thompson; vocal solo, Mr C. Tansey; pierrette ballet, Misses G. Bushell, M. Chapman, E. Clayton, and K. Bishop. High School Board. ' At the monthly meeting of the High School Board of Governors held yesterday there were present: Messrs J. W. Bowden (chairman), W. T. Lill, R. Galbraith, F. Frampton, A. Lane, R. Kennedy, the headmaster (Mr W. F. Watters), and the secretary (Mr G. V. Furby). The financial statement showed that there waa a debit balance in the loan account of £2BO, and a credit balance in the general account of £374 0s sd. It was decided to write expressing appreciation to Mr Jones for his services in giving free tuition in boxing to the schoolboys.

sqpretary reported that Messrs J. W. Bowden and A. Lane had been elected unopposed as the representatives of the parents on the Board. In his report the headmaster stated that the roll -was 127" boys and 114 girls. The average for the month had been 93.3 per cent. Miss M. Morrison would leave at the end of the term to take over her new appointment at Wellington Girls' College. The report was adopted. The Presbyterian Bible Class Conference Committee was granted th? use of portion of the school for the annual camp to be held at Ashburton during the Christmas and New Year vacation. "I think there should be an amendment in the Education Act to prevent teachers from leaving the itaff in the middle of the year," said Mr W. T. Lill when a resignation came before the Board. Mr Galbraith said that the same dimenlty was experienced in the Technical School, and the matter would be the subject of a remit to the Technical Schools Association conference. • Mr Watters said that changes in the staff seriously affected the work of the school, and there was a great difficulty in filling vacancies during the year. Other members considered that teachers should not be permitted to leaye

the staff before the end of any year, and the framing of recommendations in this direction to the Minister for Education was left to the chairman and headmaster. The Education Board was granted the use of the school in which to hold teachers' examinations J *» September. Ashburton East School The Ashburton East School Committee . met on Monday night, when there were ■ present: Messrs W. S. Kerr (chairman), W. H. Robinson, W. G. Corbett, D. ' Keir, E. H. Childs, E. Vincent, and W. Thompson. In his report the headmaster (Mr . W. W. Garton) reported that the roll , number was 456, and tho attendance had been affected, especially in tho lower . standards, by mumps and colds. The chairman's report upon the recent meeting of the Dental Clinic Committee was adopted. A circular was received from the Technical School advising the date of nominations for a member to represent the schools on the Board of Managers. Messrs W. H. Robinson and W. G. Corbett were appointed'a Visiting Committee for the ensuing month. Ladies' Golf. The draw for the July medal, to be played among members of the Ladies' Golf Club to-morrow, is as follows: Seniors: Miss D. Keith with Mrs C. M. Pinfold, Mrs F. M. Brodie with Miss H. Laing, Mrs Nicoll with Miss Z. Bonnington, Mrs E. Kennedy with Miss E. Stewart. Juniors: Miss B. Cuff with Mrs L. J. Watt, Mrs J. T. Thomas with Miss H. Hunter, Mrs F. Seldon with Miss Hoskin, Mrs H. G. Kemp with Mrs Mulligan, Mrs V. P. Boot with Mrs Tucker, Mrs Smith with Mrs F. Watt, Mrs H. J. Fraser with Miss L. Watt, Mrs S. Thomas with Miss W. Dickinson, Mrs W. Thomas with Mrs J. Dunlop, Mrs "W. "W. Garton. with Mrs J. Lane, Mrs Bushell with Mrs E. H. Orr. * RAKAIA. j After a day of misty, drizzing rain on Monday evening a light wind from the east brought heavy rain, which continued to fall steadily all night. In the morning the side channels and water-courses were running streams, and surface water lay on the ground in sheete. The rain continued without a break until early afternoon, when the wind dropped and soft, misty rain fell. Soon a breeze from the south-west brought more rain, and this continued for the remainder of the day with very little sign of clearing. The rainfall recorded for the two days was 1.28 inches. Owing to the extremely wet weather the Rakaia Ploughing Match Association postponed the annual ploughing match, which was to be held yesterday. At a special meeting held yesterday afternoon it was decided to hold the match to-day irrespective of the weather.. The ball and presentation of prizes arranged for Tuesday evening will be held this evening. LITTLE RAKAIA. There was a good attendance at the first of a new series of suchre tournaments conducted by the Little Rakaia School Committee, the number including a good contingent of players from Southbridge. The prizes were won by Mrs Bunting and Mr G. Ridden, and by Mrs J. Hannah and Mr A. Carroll. MOUNT SOMERS. A successful hare drive organised by the Mount Bomers Miniature Rifle Olub was held on Monday, about 20 guns taking part. The shooterß commenced from the Mount Somers traffic bridge: and up albng the riverbed flats as far as Mr G. A. Bland's, "Woolmers," where an adjournment was made, and the party was hospitably entertained to luncheon as the guests of Mr and Mrs Bland, who were later warmly thanked by the club captain, Mr J. Gorrie, for thedr. kindness. The party returned home via the limestone quarries. Hares, were plentiful and a splendid day's sport / was obtained, about 80 hares being bagged. After several days of cold, threatening conditions, rain set in on Monday, afternoon and was still steadily falling at mid-day yesterday, with little prospects of. ceasing. Forty-five points were recorded at 9 a.m. No frost was recorded. Snow is falling along the foothills, but from reports received from the Ashburton Gorge at mid-day yesterday, the fall is not serious, although snow was still falling. About two inches is reported in the vioinity of the Coalmine, while the fall was little more some thirty miles back towards Lake Herron. HINDS. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Hinds Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held in the Lodge room on Saturday evening, when the District Officers paid an official visit. Despite the wet weather there was a good attendance of members and visitors from sister Lodges. The Lodge was opened by D.G.M. Bro. D T. Paterson, N.G., assisted by D.D.G.M. Bro. Garrod, V.G., and a full complement of officers. The N.G. extended a very hearty welcome to the District Officers and to the visiting sisters and brethren. One member was initiated into- the Order, after which an interesting address was given by P.P.G.M. Bro. Goodall, of Timaru, who also presented him with the recognition badge of the Order. The usual toasts were honoured and responded to by Bros. D. T. Paterson, D.G.M., Garrod, DJD.G.M., Donaldson, 1.P.G.M., District Officers Bro. Petrie, provincial sercetary, South Canterbury district. Bro. Goodall, Timaru Lodge, Bro. Husband, Dunedin, Bro. Childs, Ashburton, and Bro. Milne, Tinwald. The monthly meeting of the School Committee was held on Monday evening when Mr A. MoKenzie occupied the chair The headmaster's report showed that the attendance had been affected by mumps and scarlet fever.