MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19154, 10 November 1927, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. MOTORCYCLING. A decision to hold a gymkhana on November 26th was come to at a meeting of the committee of the Ashburton Motor-cycling Club on Tuesday, when there were present: Messrs A. Iladen (chairman), A. E. Harvey, A. Jamieson. E. J. Harrow, J. Crow, J. Donkin, and the secretary (Mr G. Hefford, jun.). Mr J. Farr was elected hon. secretary of the Gymkhana Committee, and it was agreed to invite the Ashburton Silver Bnnd to assist, the iatter body to receive 50 per cent, of the proceeds. The programme will include motor-cycle football for a challenge cup presented by Mr E. J. Ilirrow, and trick riding. Two new members were elected. The resignation of Mr L. T. Saunders was received with regret. Owing to the date being unsuitable, the paper chase which was arranged for Saturdav was postponed until November 19th. Swimming. Everything augurs well for the opeuing of the Ashburton Swimming Club's season on Saturday. With the formation of a ladies' section, with Mrs E. (Joker as convener, more enthusiasm is being shown m the activities of the club. .Miss L. Copplestone, one of Canterbury's champion amateur swimmers, who is at present on a visit to Ashburton, will give an exhibition of diving and swimming during the afternoon. The ladies will conduct a stall at the opening to augment the club's funds. Tor esters' Lodge. At the last meeting of the Court of Ashburton Lodge, A.0.F., No. 7£f>, the C.R. (Bro. J. H. Ward) presided. A vote of sympathy was passed with the family of Bro. T. Kerr in their recent bereavement. A discussion took place upon the question of changing the lodge night, and it was decided to leave the matter over till next meeting. One candidate was initiated. Cricket. To-morrow the Ashburton senior eleven will play a match on the Domain oval against Old Collegians (Christchurch), while a junior A and B trial match will also be played. The teams are as follows: — A Section —A. Baigent, E. MeSherry, P. McLauohlan, S. Willis, P. Willis, V. Willis, G. Willis, H. Drennan, J. Hawkesworth, H. Watson, K. Fowke. Emergencies: W. Patching, W. Andrews, J. Pawson, E. Dunphy. B Section—A. Hooper, W. Smith, J. Bennett, J. Cromie, H. Crothers, P. Watson, C. Stills, E. Bell, B. McKenzie, W. Kapley, H. Lennon. Emergencies: A. Carroll, M. Holland, B. Clothier, and C. Jessop. Ashburton v. Old Collegians—L. A. Charles, K. Nicoll, J. B. Nicoll, G. Nicoll, A. Bentley, G. Stephens, A. Lane. R. Johnstone, G. Harper, B. MeSherry, and W. Thomas.

Cycle Eoad Race. A great deal of interest was displayed in a cycle road race held last evening over a nine mile course. The event, which was for novices, was organised by Mr H. P. Arnst. There were twenty entries, and all faced the starter. The results were: C. Eobertson (handicap 1} minutes), time 2Smin, 1; S. Watson (ljmin), time, 28min lsec, 2; G. Keeley (l§min), time 28min ssec, 3; J. Samuels (imin), time 26min Msec, 4. Samuels put up the fastest time.' Borough School Committee. The Borough School Committee met last evening, when Mr John Watson presided. With reference to the Committee's request for a grant towards the cost of water for the school baths, the Canterbury Education Board advised that the matter would be dealt with at its next meeting. The headmaster reported that th. roll at present numbered 479 with an average attendance of 93 per cent. He had pencilled December 9th for the school concert. The Borough Council advised that it could not reduce the price of water to the baths below 6d .per thousand gallons. The special committee reported that it was proposed to allow the Ashburton Amateur Swimming Club the use of the baths at a rental of £5 per year, provided that the latter paid half the cost of reflllings.. The report was adopted. It was agreed to hold the annual. excursion to Timaru on the second Thursday after reopening in 1928. Bible Class Conference. The Presbyterian Summer Bible Class Conference executive met last night, the Rev. G. Irvine presiding. A motion of sympathy "was passed with, the registrar, Miss L. Tucker, in her bereavement. The secretary reported that a member of the Borough School Committee had approached him with regard to holding a swimming carnival among members of the conference to defray the cost of filling the bath. It was decided to write to the committee stating that the conduct of the carnival had been recommended. The deputy-registrar, Miss I>. Glassey, reported that 71 registrations had so far been received. The various sub-committees reported that arrangements were well in hand.

RAKAIA. The anniversary of the Rakaia Methodist Sunday school was celebrated by special services. The morning service was conducted by Mr Hjorrill and the evening service by the Rev. J. Bootliroyd- In the afternoon a special children's: service was held. The preacher was Mr Horrill, and the children, under Mr AVatts, of Ashburton, sang hymns and anthems. There were good attendances at all the services, a number of visitors coming from Ashburton. On Tuesday evening, in the Methodist Church, the annual prize-giving in connexion with the Methodist Sundav

school was held. The Rev. J. Boothrovd presided, and there was a large attendance of parents and friends. were sung by Nancy Kaan. Wilfie and Clifford Behrnes. Vera smith. Vera Oliver, and a party of tiny girls; recitations by Daphne Smith. Eunice Pluck, Dylis Kaan, Mildred Oliver. Willio Greenaway, Alice Hasher, Stella -Behrnes, and Vera 01liver; dialogues by Russell Kenwarn, Francis Basher, Dylis Kaan, anci Frances Rapley, and a company son?, • Uodtime," by the children. Miss V.. Hopwood played the accompaniment.*. The Rev. J, Boothroyd, who presented the prizes, congratulated the children on the work done during; the year, and on behalf of the parents thanked Miss H. Hopwood and her staff of teachers for the interest they had taken in the children. The following is the prize-list:—Pri-mary, Willi© Greenaway 1, George England 2, Peggy Rapley 3; juniors, Dnphne Smith 1. Alice Basher 2, Vera Oliver and Frances Ripley (equal) S; intermediate, Vera Smith 1, Hettv Basher 2, Dorothy Smith 3, Enid launders 1 ; special ior encouragement, Mildred Oliver; highest marks in school. Daphne Smith; most attentive pupil, Frances Rapley. Diplomas for over DO per cent, of marks were presenter) to Vera Smith, Hettv Basher, Dorothy Smith, Enid Saunders. Daphne Smith. Alice Basher, ami wilhe Greenawav.

LONGBEACH. Mr J. H. Grigg, Longbeach, is paving a visit to Auckland. Mr and' Mrs J. P. McQuilkin and Mr James McQuilkin sen., Eiffelton, are in Christenurch for Carnival Week. At a meeting of the Hall and Library Committee there were present Messrs C. Tansey (chairman), J. J. Blee (treasurer), W. Thompson, G. Pearson. F. Soal, C. Paterson, and R. Croy. Correspondence was read from the Inspector of Explosives regarding the building of an operator's room for use during moving picture entertainments. The chairman was requested to write and say that it was decided not to go on with this work aij present. In connexion with the forthcoming jubilee of the Hall, preliminary arrangements for the celebrations were gone into.

METHVEN j At a special meeting of the executive of the Methven Caledonian Society Mr J. R. Dalton occupied the chair. Messrs A. G. Foreman and J. A. Allan waited on the committee as a deputation from the Volunteer Fire Brigade in reference to securing the privileges of the tearooms and sideshows at the annual gathering on January 7th with, a view to raising funds for the purchase of equipment for the grant the request. It was decided to present past presidents of the Society with a bouncf copy of the sports programme for their year of office. It was decided to hold a concert on the evening of the sports meeting, and Messrs Dalton, Stone, Shaw, and the secre-; tary were appointed to arrange the I programme. Messrs Dalton and' Mauger reported having inspected the cycle track. With immediate attention it could be put in good order. Hi ey were appointed a deputation to wait on the trotting club to secure •permission to proceed with the work. A social organised by the residents of Lauriston was held in Mr W. •■. Goodwin's granary to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Dalzell and family. Songs were contributed by Mrs H. J. Chapman (Ashburton) and Mr C. Card. Miss Winnie Goodwin gave a violin solo. The evening was spent in dancing, music being supplied by Dabourn's Orchestra. An extra, was played by Mrs Crothers. Mr Bert Crothers was M.C. During an interval Mr W. Goodwin presented Mr Dalzell with a travelling suit-case. Mrs Amos presented Mrs Dalzell with a clock. Miss Bernie Maidens presented Miss Grace Dalzell with a purse, and Master Jack Cretney presented Master Beg. Dalzell with a purse. Messrs H. J. Crothers, F. Amos, C. G. Prebble, and W. F. Reynolds also spoke in appreciation of the good qualities of Mr and Mrs Dalzell and their work in the district, especially in connexion with the School Committee and Presbyterian Church. At the monthly meeting of the Mt. Hutt Road Board there were present, Messrs F. W. RudJdenklau (chairman), W. W. Goodwin, A. F. Marr, R. J. S. Wilson, and D. Hampton. The clerk's report on the work done during the past month was received. The clerk, Upper Ashburton Road Board, wrote offering to pay half the cost of patching the Lyndhurst-Winch-more road.

Mr F. G. Mangin wrote with reference to the unsatisfactory state of Doherty's road. It was decided to put the motor grader on the road, also to give notice to clear gorse from the roadside to owners of the property adjoining. It:was decided to hold over in the meantime the work of piping the township race,. The clerk was instructed to apply to the County Council for plans and specifications of a suitable bridge for the stormwater channel at Cairnbraa. Mr R. Suckling wrote asking for attention to the road at the entrance to his property at Highbank. It was decided to shingle the road. Messrs A. W. Bremer and F. Shearer wrote with regard to the overflow of the stormwater channel near their in McMillan street. The clerk was instructed to have the matter attended to.

Mr S. MoCrea was granted permission to plough the road fronting his property for the eradication of gorse. The Board then sat as the Methven Domain Board. Messrs A. Adams and W. J. Owen,' representing the sports bodies, waited on the Board with reference to employing a full-time caretaker for the domain. It was decided that members of the Board meet representatives of the sports clubs on November 19th to go into the matter. The District High School Committee wrote asking that tho swimming bath bo cleaned out and filled in time for the coming swimming season. It was left in the hands of the clerk to have this work done immediately. The Board then sat as the Methven Cemetery Board. The clerk reported that he had written to the Christchurch City Council and Ashburton Borough Council asking for particulars of charges for keeping plots in order and replies had been received giving the information asked for. It was agreed to inspect the cemetery on November 19th.