SUMNER ITEMS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19813, 28 December 1929, Page 4

SUMNER ITEMS.

Personal. Mr and Mrs J. M. B. Crawford, who left the Borough this week, after many years of residence here, carry -with them the very best wishes of a wide circle of friends in Sumner. During his long period of service on the staff, ami for some years as Principal of the School for the Deaf, Mr Crawford had been instrumental in training many persons, both young and old, to overcome their disability in speech and m hearing, and in so doing had endeared himself to all. Apart from his many vears of service in his official capacity, Mr Crawford took a keen interest in local affairs, besides which he was president of the Bowling Club and of the Richmond Hill Golf Club. With Mrs Crawford he was also keenly interested in the Croquet Club. Mrs Crawford, too was well known, and their de-. parture for the City is a distinct loss to the Borough. Mr and Mrs W. E. Best and family, who for many years have resided on the Esplanade, left last week to take up residence in their new home in Chapter street. Mr and Mrs Ross Lascelles have taken a house at Sumner for the holidays. Mr and Mrs H. Bradley (Kjlmore street) are staying at Sumner for the holidays. Mr and Mrs Maurice Warren (St. Albans) are spending a short holiday at Sumner. Mr and Mrs Y. Donald have gone to North Canterbury, where they will spend a few days. Mr E. H. Booth is staying at "Beachcliffs." ' Mr and Mrs A. E. Flower and family are staying in their house at Scarborough. Mr and Mrs A. Pullan are paying a visit to their son, Mr Audley Pullan, North Canterbury. Mr and Mrs E. Kudkin and family are spending the holidays at their house on the Esplanade. Motor Camp. It is the opinion of a well-known local business man that Sumner might very well be a link in the chain of camps for motorist? which are scattered throughout the North and South Islands. He is of the opinion that many families would welcome the opportunity of staying by the seaside during the holiday season, but either the high rents for houses or the excessive cost of boarding out a family prevents them from being able to do so. The ideal site he considers to be on the north side of the croquet lawns in Wakefield avenue. This position is handy to the shops yet not too far from the beach, and at the same time is well sheltered. A charge could be made for a camping position, and the (money from this source would cover any expense incurred in laying out the site, and in paying for an attendant. The Main Eoad. Bad as the state of the Ferry road may have been last week, this week's rain has resulted in its being in a deplorable condition. There is nothing but a succession of bumps and holes from Fitzgerald avenue to Bamford street, and in one or two places the tram rails are dangerously exposed. The maintenance of this road is in direct contrast to that of the tar-sealed roads under the control of the Sumner Borough Council. Yesterday workmen were engaged in filling in numerous small holes in Nayland street, with tarred metal. These holes were a result of the recent heavy rain, and the attention thus given obviates the necessity of larger and more expensive repairs which would follow if they were neglected. Esplanade Roadway. As time and the supply of suitable material permit, the road along the Esplanade is gradually being constructed. Certainly it is possible to drive a car along the whole length of ths Esplanade, but in places it is a road in name only, "ecently, tramway workmen were engaged in re-packing parts of the line in the Borough. The tarred pieces of roadway thus displaced were of no further use, but in the eyes of the Borough Engineer they were useful as a road foundation. In this way an excellent beginning of what will soon be a good road has been made near Hardwicke street. Spoil from the excavations being made for the purpose of obtaining rock for the Scarborough boat harbour is also being dumped near Head street. The Holidays. Although good weather is necessary for the full enjoyment of any holiday, especially is this so for a sojourn at the seaside, whose full delight cannot be secured under a cloudy sky. For those who had only three days' holiday, from Wednesday to Friday, the Tatei were fairly kind, Thursday being the best of the three. Yesterday promised well and many people bathed in the morning in full expectation of doing so again in the afternoon. A suspicion of a nor'-wester in the morning soon gave way to a sou'-wester, which it usually heralds, and after lunch many picnickers were caught unawares by its sudden arrival. . The presence of so many visitors during the days has brought about the recurrence of the old complaint, that is the careless way in which some of the visitors dispose of their rubbisli. Yesterday morning, at Scarborough, on the beach and in the shelter of the trees under the hill, the state of this picnic ground was disgraceful. Whole sheets of newspapers, cardboard boxes, and tins, helped to disfigure this popular end of the Borough. The fact that the rubbish baskets were almost full was no excuse for such a lack of interest in the appearance of this portion of beachfront, and since trippers gain the most benefit from it it is surely their responsibility to see that they leave their picnic place reasonably tidy. Telephone Service. The telephone service of the Borough is still a matter of controversy between the Business Men's Association and the Department, and an assurance has been given that everything will be done to meet immediate local requirements. At present the matter of telephone business is being reviewed, so that the demand anticipated in the future mav be met. A reduction in charges eannot »c expected under existing conditions, but if alterations are made subscribers may hope for a cheaper as well as a better service. Bowing. Five crews will represent the Sum-ner-Redcliffs Bowing Club at the Akaroa regatta on New Year's Day, Che members of which have been in strict training. This week a challenge race resulted in J. Wing (stroke) and W. Killner (bow) beating A. Sutherland (stroke) and C. Truscott (bow). The final selection of crews to go to Afcaroa is as follows: ,*,»■«, Youths' fours—J. Gant (stroke), K. Dale (3), J. Sutherland (2), E. Woods (b lfai'd« T B ««« ri " d (stroke), C. Truscott (3), J. Wing (2), W. Killner (bow). , . Maiden pair oar-J. Wing (stroke), W Killner (bow). junior pair oar-M. Hullett (stroke) IB C. Neville (bow). Maiden doubles-L. S Woods (stroke), B. C. Neville (bow).