MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19251, 5 March 1928, Page 4

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. PERSONAL. The Rev. W. F. Knowles (Christchurch) conducted the services at the St. Stephen's Anglican Church yesterday in the absence of the Rev. J. F. Wiseman, who is still indisposed. Outstanding Rates. The total rate struck in the Upper Ashburton Road Board's district for the 1927-28 year is £IB6O 3s 9d, and of this amount £1790 5s has been paid to date, leaving the . sum of £69 18s 9d outstanding to incur the ten per uent. penalty. Trades Picnic. The Ashburton railway station was a scene of animation on Saturday morning, when the trades picnic left for Timaru, it being the largest excursion which has left Ashburton this summer. Close on 2000 people made the trip, being conveyed in two special trains, leaving at 8.30 and 8.45 respectively. The picnickers returned in the evening after having spent an enjoyable outing on Caroline Bay. The Ashburton Silver Band accompanied the excursion and played a number of sele'.tions on the bay during the day. A Closed Day. Ashburton bore a very- deserted appearanco on Saturday, when a closed day was observed for the trades picnic. Further, no sports competitions were held, as the Mid-Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association was engaged in a representative match with Ellesmere at Leeston, and the cricket was postponed to enable followers of this sport to witness the match between Australia and Canterbury at Christchurch. The Ashburton Bowling Club played a match against the Timaru Club at Timaru. About 50 local residents left for Christchurch by train on Friday afternoon, while a similar number joined the early morning train for the north on Saturday morning. Meeting of Creditors. The meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of James Morland, Rakaia, will be held in the office of the Official Assignee, Ashburton, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Croquet. Owing to a number of the members having gone to Timaru, there was a small gathering on the Ashburton Croquet lawns on Saturday, and the usual monthly progressive tournament was postponed. The few present, however, played a number of enjoyable friendly games. Anniversary Service. There was a good attendance at the Tinwald Methodist Sunday School yesterday, when the anniversary services were "held. The gathering in the afternoon was addressed by the Rev. C. S. Matthews, who spoke interestingly to the children, referring to the significance of the occasion. A number of appropriate hymns were sung. The evening service was conducted by the £ e v. \V. J. Enticott. Lawn Tennis. The only lawn tennis match played in Asliburton on Saturday was one between the 13a i>tigt and Seafield Clubs, played on th<; forme's court 5 , when a win was roistered bv Baptist by 23 sets to one. Details are as f o ))r,v«. Baptist names being mentioned lirst: Combined Doubles—Brauvais and Mi«s .Mo-

Lernan 7. v. Bruce and Miss Jackson 5; Cow und Miss Brunton 7 v. Baynes i.nd Mrs Hurst 1; Keeley and Miss Porter 7 v. Dewe and Mrs Baynes 0; Matthews and Miss Dahlberg 7 v. Johnston and Miss Gregory 3; Strange and Miss J. Loy 7 v. Waller and Mrs Johnston 1; Lewis and Mrs Willoughby 7 v, Hurst and Miss Lambie 1. Ladies' Singles—Miss M. HcLeman 7 Miss Jnckson 5; Miaa Brunton 7 v. Mrs Hurst 3, Miss Porter 7 v. Mrs Baynes 2, Miss Dahlberg 7 v. Miss Gregory 1, Miss Loy 7 v. Mrs Johnston 5, Mrs Willoughby 5 v. Miss Lambie 7.

Men's Singles—Beauvais 9 v. Bruce 7, Cow 9 v. Baynes 2, Keeley 9 v. Dewe 1, Matthews 9 v. Johnston 7, Strange 9 v. Waller 1, Lewis 9 v. Hurst 7. Ladies' Doubles —Misses MeLeman and Brunton 7 v. Mesdames Johnston and Hurst 3, Misses Porter and Dahlberg 7 v. Mrs Baynes and Miss Gregory 4, Miss Loy and Mrs Willoughby 7 v. Mrs Johnston and Miss Lambie 1. _ _ Men's Doubles —Beauvais and Cow 9 v. Bruce and Baynes 4, Keeley and Matthews 9 v Dewe and Johnston 3, Strange and Lewis 9 v". Waller and Hurst 2. Hill Climbing. The Ashburton Motor-cyclo Club held its snmial hill-climbing tests under good conditions on the estate of Mr J. Stevenson, Mt. Somers, yesterday, when twenty-five riders and four motoring parties made the trip, which included a visit to Sharplin s Falls at the conclusion of the programme. The tests were controlled by Messrs H. Brown, W. J. Sparrow, and W. J. Dallev, and resulted as follows: — , , T , . 350 c c. S.V.—A. Haden (A.J.S.) 1. 350 c.c. O.H.V.—J. Dnnkin (H.D.) 1. 600 c.c. —J. Crowe (8.5.A.) 1, G. Hefford (Triumph) 2. Unlimited Class—S. Preddy (A.J.S.) 1, J. Crowe (8.5.A.) 2. Club Championship (open only to members of the Ashburton Club) —J. Crowe (8.5.A.) 1 M. McTigue (8.5.A.) 2, G. Hefford (Triumph) 3. Fastest time and record for the hill: S. Preddy (3$ A.J.S.), 7 -a-ec. HINDS. A meeting, to inaugurate a branch of the Mothers' Union, held at the vicarage, was well attended. The Rev. E. Hanna occupied the chair and performed the opening exercises and introduced Mrs Roberts, diocesan president and Dominion secretary of the Mothers' Union. She gave a very interesting and instructive address, in which she traced the history of the union and explained its objects. Eighteen of those present were enrolled as members. After the meeting tea was served in the garden by the members of the Girls' Friendly Society.