MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19770, 7 November 1929, Page 8

MID-CANTERBURY

| • ASHBURTON. i ■ I PRESENTATION. Mete hers of the St. Andrew's Girls' \ Auxiliary. combined St*. An- ' .Ircvr's Bible r;a-v>)>. and the PregJ bvtrnan Women's Missionary Union I gathered en Tu-sday night for i th" dual purpose of a Kift social for ! the Auxiliary's sa!" of work and to • hr-nmir Mi«s K. Ar.derson, who is about !to r- tnirri-*. Mrs A. *i. Irvine spoke . , n behtlf of tie r.W.M.I"-. eulogising •h- j.Tvir.- s of Mi«« Anderson and pre- !*■ :;:. 1 her with two bra-* r-owls. Mi«i j K. Bnnningfon spoke on I"half of the of which Mi«' Anderson has ! b. -n a member since its ineeptioa, and aNo a ! -u:ta ; ''r replied. Injuries to Head. ! .\ "*.■:»;}> rtound necessitating four ! f?it'-b*-9 was suffered by Mr P. J. i Baker, carrier, of Onnibridjre street, *vh«*n his head struck the eonrrete corI ni.-e of the Post 03*k» buildintr while i attempting to jump on to the back of i h;i cart. ' AJlenton School Committee. t At the monthly meeting of the All»n- ---\ »..n School Committe* 1 Mr R. Houston p r ,«j.-ffd. The acting-headmaster (Mr i». K. MeCurdvi reported that the roii number was ZZ7, and the average attendance -""■ Mr C. Miller had cmitienced a« relieving assistant on November Ist. A visit was paid to the I ..-hrvol hv Mr E. H. Andrews, of the .Education Board. The Agricultural Inspector < Mr J. Brown) gave a very satisfactory report of the work done at th« schooland the tidy appearance of the gTOuods. Mr C. Maynard's offer to make two wings for the honours board was accepted with thanks. It was decided to close the school on N"o----vernber 7th. Ashburton Show Dny, and November 13th, Christchureh Show Pay. Paxents" Day. A gr*at deal of interest ivas shown in the training of the pupils of the Ashburton East School yesterday, when, a parents' day was held. A feature of the Inspection w.is th<> display of physical drill and dancing by the children. Afternoon tea was served by members of the staff. Rainfall. For the t-ventv-four hours ending 9 a.m. yesterday, eighteen points of rain fell, making a total of nearly half an inch since Monday. Obituary. A Canterbury pioneer of nearly eighty years' standing, Mr John Blackler, died at his residenre, 74 Arthur .street. Timaru, on Tuesday night at the age of Si years. Mr Blackler was born in Tiverton, Devonshire, Kngland, in 1*4,"), and came to New Zealand at the age of six years with bis parents, who first settled in Christchureh. He was educated at a private school in the City and after completing his education, assisted his father on engineering contracts. Many of the main roads in the City to-day were formed out of the swamp under the direction of Mr Blackler, who later took up farming in the vicinity of Doyleston. He married Miss Jcsßie Doyle, of Leeston. He came to Ashburton in 1398 as inspector and foreman to the Borough Council, a position which he held for twenty-five years, before retiring to Timaru about six years ago. Daring his term in Ashburton he laid the foundation of most of the borough streets, and was responsible for a great deal of the engineering work in the, town. In the early days he also acted in an advisory capacity to neighbouring county councils. He was a prominent member of the Ashburton Bowling Club. He was at one time an elder of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Masonic Lodge. Mr Blackler was also a member of the Timaru Bowling Club. He was a very active man up to within a few weeks' of his death, when he contracted an illness. He leaves a widow, three daughters —Mrs T. Crooks (Ashburton), Mrs T. Huston (Timaru), Mrs T. W. Taylor (Timaru) —and three sonsi—Messrs J. W. Blackler (Timaru), W. J. Blackler (Cromwell), and O. E. Blackler (Timaru). Axhburton Club. The position with regard to the Ashburton Club and Mutual School of Arts will not be effected by the decision of the Appeal Court in the licensing case, as this institution is governed by a different clause of the Licensing Act and other principles than those relating to hotels apply to charter clubs. Provisional licenses may still be granted for agricultural shows and race meetings, at the discretion of the Licensing Committee. RAKAIA. On Monday afternoon and evening 17 points of rain fell at Rakaia, and on Tuesday a further fall of 10 points was recorded. Although the fall was light, the rain has done a great deal of good to growing crops, and has also refreshed the pasture lands. A meeting ot.tae committee of the Rakaia Athletic and Cycling Club was held on Monday evening, Mr J. T. O'Reilly presiding. The secretary's honorarium was fixed at £8 Bs. It was decided to hold the annual sports meeting on November 30th. commencing at 11.30 a.m. It was decided to call tenders for the refreshment and ice cream booths. The action of the-president and the secretary in engaging the Ashburton Silver Band was approved. Mr G. S. Hardy's offer of prizes for a primary .schools' relay race was* accepted with thanks. It was decided to arrange a road race for November 2.3rd. It was agreed to meet again on November 18th. The following officials for the sports were appointed: Starter, Mr A. Shannon; megaphone steward. Mr W. Laraman; timekeepers, Messrs J. Beard and J. Cromie: judges. Messrs G. S. Hardy, B. McNamara, and C. W. Browne: track stewards. Messrs S. Gardiner, J. McCarthv, W. Cromie. J. Cromie, and H. Conway; blackboard steward, Mr F. Pitcher; lap steward. Mr A. Corhitt; general events, Messrs J. Weaver. F. Cornelius, W. Rhellock. R. J. Taylor, and E. Duncan; children's sports. Misses Nicholls, South. Penney, and Roberton. and Mr M. P. Cooke; post entries. Mr G. Henderson: handicappers. cvcling. Mr C Lueas, running, Mr G. Tozer: local handicappers, Messrs G. Tattersnn, G. Cromie. and J. T. O'Reillv; protest committee. Messrs G. S. Hardy. J. Cromie, R. Breach. W. Cromie, and J. P. Langley. MOUNT SOMERS. The Rev. S. D. Baird. Central Otago, who was formerly in temporary charge of the local Presbyterian Church, paid a visit to Mt. Somers on Monday. Mr A. N. Grigg has been granted a lay-reader's license by the Bishop of the diocese. Mr and Mrs G. M. Doak. former resident* of Mt. Somers. are the guest* of Mr and Mrs H. Morgan. Miss D. Bowden, Linwood. and Mr E. Brown, of the Christchureh Post and Telegraph Department, are guests at "Oakburn." Mt. Somers. Mis* A. Beckley. Caversham. Dunedm, is spending a holiday with her parents, Mr and Mrs A. R. Beckley.

Mr Ct. Morgan, who has boon visiting his parents nt Mt. .Soniers, has returned to Hannier. Special peace thanksgiving services are being held at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday. A soii'-we«.fer on Monday gave place 1o one of the closest days felt this season, and a steady rain fell for some hours. 6-5 points being recorded on Tuesday morning. A further downpour set in at noon on Tuesdny which lasted until evening. Warm atmospheric conditions have ruled, which has added greatly to the beneficial results of the rain, as a resultof which a more plentiful supply of feed seem.? assured. A further 68 points was recorded yesterdav morning, when mild nor'-west conditions prevailed. Owing to extensive alterations, being effected t« the school classrooms, the old school building, which served the district's needs for over 40 years, and which since the opening of the present school nearly 10 years ago has been used as a library, has been recommissioned for school purposes.