MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19199, 4 January 1928, Page 5

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON

YEARLY RAINFALL. The rainfall for the year just ended, shows a considerable decrease on that of 1926. The total for the last twelve months is 2595 points as compared with 2905 points for the previous year. The heaviest month's fall was 354 points.in June, whereas in 1920 May headed the list with 428 points. The following shows the total number of,points for each month, the previous year's figures being in parentheses:—January 147 (20$), February 149 (408), March 162 (119), April 105 (132), May 70 (428), June 354 (82), July 236 (264), August 233 (99), September 240 (89), October 300 (426), November 332 (291), December 267 (364). Fishing. Very few fish were caught in any of the county fishing' resorts during the New Year week-end, although' a number of fishermen tried their luck. The Eangitata river was discoloured,' but nevertheless the best catches were obtained from this resort. Mr W. C. Smith, while fishing with a silvery, landed a quinnat salmon weighing 15Jlb. As there is still a month before the opening of. the salmon season, anglers can look forward to an early run this year. The largest trout (jaught at the Eangitata turned the scale at 31b. Nothing of any size was caught at Hakatere, the mouth of the Ashburton rivor, although it was in good order.

Weather Changes. Following on a warm nor'-westerly day, conditions changed suddenly 011 Monday evening when the wind veered

round to the south. Torrential rain fell most of the evening, 54 points of rain being registered <at the Domain weather station up to 9 a.m. yesterday morning. Yesterday was unsettled, the atmosphere being rather cold. The sun shone intermittently through banks of heavy clouds.

Bible Class Conference. Another of the sessions of the Bible Class Conference was concluded yesterday. The courses set down for study in the sectional meetings were completed, Miss M. D. Shannon giving a missionary address to women delegates. In the leadership training course, Miss B. Maeke and Sister Margaret address-; ed the women, while Mr A. D. Horrell and the Eev. A. McNeur addressed the men. The addresses to Sunday School: teachers on "Child Study," were concluded by Mr J. Beid. The Presbyterian Girls' Auxiliary held a conference in the afternoon when Miss M. D. Shannon was in the chair. An address was given by Miss M. Neilson on "Prayer." The roll call showed that 17 branches were represented. A paper was also read by Miss Begg, of Dunedin, on Girls' Auxiliary activities. Last evening, in an open meeting, in St. Andrew's Hall, addresses were given by Sister Arnold and Mr J. W. Mansfield on missionary work. To-day is the last day of. the conference.

Bowling. There were sixteen entries fur a doubles tournament held by the Ashburton Bowling Club yesterday. After the rain overnight the greens were a little heavy, but .some interesting play was witnessed. In the skips' section, E. Easterbrook, A. T. Smith, and "W. H. Higgins, tied with three wins each. H. C. Percy won the leads' prize, winning all his games, and E. Vincent Sawle, and P. Stewart tied for second place with throe games each.

Athletic Meeting. In the presence of a large number ai speo.iators, the sports meeting in connexion with the Summer Bible Class ' Conference was held, on the Domain oval yesterday.. ■ln Epitoof the iac't that there had been hea,yy rain the night ■, before, the track was in fairly good" order.; '■■ Praise is duo to the committee for the capable'' way in which the events were run off. • Results are as-follows: 2.2oyds : Senior ■ (9)—Hubbard (Oaruara) 1, Deacon '(iVf.ima.te) .2, McDonald (Cambridge) 100 yds •'■'■ Junior •*' (s)—Doyle (Oewnara)-- .1, Shaw's (Ashburton) 2, >Larkins (Purakanui). 3. High Jump ' (7)—Huhhard (Oamaru), sft 2iin, 1: .Webster (Oa-maru),. oft liin, 2; Moore (Stratford), :sit, 3. ' ' Ladies' Three-legged Race- (s) Misses B. Daeh and J. Byers 1, Misses M. Browne and A. Geddos 2, Misses E. Anderson and M. Dykes 3. 120 yds Hurdles—First heal: Shaw (Ashburton) 1, Howe (Wyndhain) 2. Second heat (3): Webster (Oamhru) 1, A. Lane (Ashburton) 2. Third heat (2): Hubbard (Oamaru) 1, McGregor (Oamaru) 2. Final: Hubbard 1, Webster 2, Shaw 3. 880 yds' Junior (3): Mann (Maori Hill) 1, Johnstone (Ma-yfield) 2. Putting-the.-Dslb Shot (121—Dotid (Sawyer's • Bay), 33ft Gin,. 1; Bottine; (Oaruani), 28ft 2?iin![ 2; McR-ae-(Dipkm), 23ft, 3. One" Mile, Senior (10) Porter (St. Andrews)' 1, McGregor (Oamaru) 2, Willis (Deborah Lay) 3. One Mile, Junior (•)): —Larkins (Purakanui) 1, Wilson (Christchurch) 2, Mann (Maori Hill) 3. Ladies' 100yds—First heat (9): Miss B. Dash 1, Misb O. Murphy 2, Miss Taylor 8. Second heat (8): Misses Browne and Byers (equal) 3, Mise Moffat ■2. Final: Miss Browne 1, Miss Brers 2. Miss Dash 3. 100 yds Senior McDonald (Cambridge) 2, Deacon (Wuimate)

SSOyds Senior (SI: McGregor (Oamaru) 3, McKav (Oamaru)'2, Porter (St. Andrews) 3. 440 yds 'Junior .(3j:. Doyie (Oamaru) 1, Shaw (Ashburton) 2. Thread the Needle Race —MLS3 Browne and Cowie 1, Miss B. Manson aifd W. McEae 2, Miss D. Smith and Bruerton 3. Throwing the Cricket Ball—McDonald (Oaicaru), 85yds, 1; -Moors Csirstimri;', :i vd?, li ilorrie (OaasrjJ 3,

Ladies' 440 yds Walk (10)—Misa M. Browne 1, Miss J. Bell 2, Miss B. Dash 8. 410 yds Senior (8) —Hubbard (Oamaru) 1. Hooro (Stratford) 2, McGregor (Oamaru) and McDonald (Cambridge) equal 3. 220 yds Junior (4) —Larkins (Purakanui) 1, Doyle (Oaniaru) 2, Shaw (Aehburton) 8. Ladies' 220 yds (3H-Miss M. Browne 1, Miss B. Dash 2, Miss J. Byers 8. Inter-District Kelay Eace (2)—Ashburton (O'Connor, J. Sutherland, A. Lane', H. Shaw) 1. Long Jump—Hubbard (Oamaru), 18ft,. 1; Moore (Stratford), 17ft Sin, 2.

HINDS. Mr J. IT. Ericson (Dunodhi) is relieving stationmaster, owing to the absence of Mr J. A. Thompson,, who'' met with a painful accident whilst shunting' on Wednesday,-morning. •. , ,i ■ ' Miss .S.. Hampton has returned \to .'Christchurch after': paying; a brief -visit to her parents, Mr and Mrs'J. M.'Hampton. , ' . Miss M. Olive (Cashmere: Hills) is a guest of Mr and Mrs W. H. Ford. Mr F. Hampton (Redcliffs) is spending the holidays with his parents, Mr and Mrs J. M, Hampton. Miss Lilly Musson (Christchureli) _is spending the Christmas vacation with her parents, Mr and Mrs W. P. Mus,Bon. Miss M. Holland has returned to Christchurch after spendiug a week with Mrs J. Holland.

BARRHILL. A very happy afternoon was spent .at | the annual breatk-up of the BarrhjU ! School. Each child was presented.with a book, and bag of sweets and fruit; and the smaller children each received a gift from the dip. Mr Hayward, chairman of the . School Committee, congratulated the teacher Bliss Fraser, on her excellent record of passes and the splendid work done during the vear. Miss May Payne, on behalf of the school children, presented Miss Fraser with a gift for her many kindnesses to the children. The afternoon was spent in games and sports. Afternoon tea. was served by the ladies. RAKAIA. The New Year holidays pasted off quietly. With the late night on the Friday and the half-holiday, on the Saturday, there was not much stir in business circles. The weather was very changeable. Saturday was fine till about •7. o'clock in'the evening, when one of'the most severe; electrical storms experienced for ; years commenced: and - continued for about an hour. Sunday was fine,' and; Monday was line until the evening, when rain set in and continued intermittently [ until midday yesterday, whenthe weather again cleared. The rainfall registered was 62 points.