MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20024, 4 September 1930, Page 9

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. BAND SOCIAL. For the purpose of augmenting the fund to provide new uniforms for the Ashburton Silver Band, another of a series of socials was held in the Tancred street Hall on Tuesday night, when there was a good attendance, and an enoyable time was spent. Mrs H. J. Chapman supplied the musie for the dance. W.C.T.U. The monthly meeting of the Ashburton branch of the W.C.T.U. was held in the Baring square Schoolroom on Tuesday afternoon when Mrs W. Grigg presided. Voteß of sympathy were passed with Mrs H. Wills, and Mr and Mrs F. Wills, in their recent bereavement. It was decided again to give £1 Is to the prize fund of the A. and P. Association. The sum of £5 was given to the New Zealand organising fund. Two members were appointed to confer with the "Y" branch to arrange for a stall at the A. and P. Show of goods made at the Blind Institute. A report' of the bi-monthly meeting of the South Canterbury District Executive, held in Timaru on August 12th, was submitted by the representative (Mrs W. H. Robinson). A vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Robinson for her interesting report. Reference was made to Franchise Day in New Zea- ; land, and its results. A collection was' taken up in aid of the New Zealand! funds.

Hockey. \ A hockey match will be played between the Ashburton A and B representative men's hockey teams, and teams from Canterbury, on Saturday, at Ashburton. The Ashburton teams are as follows: — Ashburton A—Glasson, Goodwin, Reid, Osborne, Hobbs, Harwood, Silverwood, Coker, Shaw, Pearce, and Gower. Ashburton B—Lawler, Pluck, Palmer, Taylor, Stewart, Lane, Garriock, T. Palmer, and three Methven players to be selected. Emergencies for both teams—Hamilton, Willis, Coker. Motor-Cycling. A meeting of the committee of the Ashburton Motor-Cycle Club waß held on Tuesday night, Mr G. T. Clark presiding. Three new members were elected. The half-yearly programme was drawn up as follows:—September 13th, annual concert and presentation of prizes; October sth, flexibility trial (points for Preddy Cup); October 12th, combined rally at Waihora Park, Motukarara, with Pioneer Sports Club; October 26th, pillion trial (points for Preddy Cup); November 9th, grass hill climb, classes for Preddy Cup and novices; November 23rd, inter-club rally with South Canterbury and Pioneer Clubs; December 7th, sporting trial (points for Preddy Cup). Ladles' Guild. Mrs A. J. Petrie presided at a meeting of St. Stephen's Ladies' Guild yesterday, when representatives of the Women's Christian Temperance Union were present. Mrs T. E. Taylor, of Christchurch, gave a most interesting address on the subject of Christian women's citizenship. She was accorded a vote of thanks. MT. SOMERS. Colonel and Mrs B. B. Neill, "Barrosa," Ashburton Gorge, have returned from a trip 1 :to London. v ; • The past month has been one of the mildest experienced in August for several years, and already the spring sowings of cereal crops are well advanced, while the autumn-sown crops are showing marked growth. Conditions, too, have been ideal for all stock;, and, provided they remain favourable for the lambing season, an appreciable increase in the percentages should result. Bain fell on twelve days, totalling 295 points, last month, compared with 532 points for the corresponding period last year. The year's rainfall totals 26,17 inches so far, compared with < 29.32 inches for the corresponding period last year. Frosts were registered on 24 mornings, with a maximum of 21 degrees on the 2nd. There have been 142 frosts so far this year, as against 127 last year. At a special meeting of the Mount Somers sub-branch of the Plunket Society there were present: Mesdames A. N. Grigg (president), W. Turton, G. A. Bland, J. Wills, H. M. Cocks, J. Gorrie, Jj. Prebble, G. L. Nell, J. W. Tinker, and Miss K. Bland (honorary secretary). Arrangements were completed for the concert and dance. Prizes for novelty dances were promised by Mesdames Cocks', Turton, and Wills.

LAUMSTON. The monthly meeting of the Lauriston branch of the Farmers' Union was held, when there were present: Messrs H. J. Crothers (president), W. Hammond, G. Franks, A. Eushton, J. McQuilken, A. Maidens, T. Greenaway, J. Collett, O. Symes, and C. Fyfe. The treasurer reported a credit balance of £ls 6s sd. A letter was received from the Minister for Agriculture assuring the Union that the restrictions in regard to foot-and-mouth disease would not be lifted at present. After an interesting discussion on the advisability of a State lottery for i to purpose of obtaining further revenue, the meeting closed.

METHVEN. A very enjoyable social evening was held in the Anglican Hall, Methven, on Tuesday. There was a large attendance, including many from surrounding districts. The early part of the evening was devoted to competitions. These were won by Mr Eric Bennett and Mr £. J. Black well, and Mrs J. Miller and Mrs A. W. McKendry. At an interval in the proceedings opportunity was taken by Mr E. ,F. Renai, on behalf of the members of the Hockey Club, to thank those who had given prizes and all Who had helped so willingly with the series of held. It was largely due to this assistance, he said, that the club had been able to keep going. He then presented the aggregate prizes won at the socials. These were won by Miss Ina Middleton, with Mrs W J. Owen runner-up, and Mr R. Fahev, with Mr S. Hands runner-up. After supper the hall was cleared and dancing was enjoyed to music supplied hv Mrs A. Lawrence and Miss N. Owers. Mr W. Grieve was M.C.

RAEAIA. Mr B. McNamara presided over » large and enthusiastic meeting on Monday evening, when it was decided to form an Advance Rakaia Association. Mr McNamara spoke of the necessity for such an Association, arid, of the great amount of work that could be done when the Association was placed on a good financial basifa. Messrs J. Connolly, G. S. Hardy, JiHopwood, W, J. Lee, A. Corbitt, and. the Rev. A. S. Morrison also advocated the formation of an Association for the welfare of the town. Mr JConnolly proposed that an effort be made immediately to raise funds, and. have tho Association put on a constitutional footing. This was agreed to, and it was decided to hold a "Paddy's market" shortly. _ donations of goods were promised, the following were appointed an executive committee: —Messrs G. Tatterson. *V. Cromie, J. J. Duncan, G. Hen'ierson. G. §. Hardy, and B. McNamara. It was decided to recommend to ihe committee that a tug-of-war tournament be held early next winter. *°*~ lowing offioers were appointed Patron, Mr Jer. Connolly; secretary, Mr G. Henderson; assistant secretary, Mr L. Street; treasurer. Mr L. Cordner; committee. Mr G. S. Hardy (chairman), Mr B. McNamara (deputychairman), Rev. A. S. Morrison. Messrs C. Evison, C. Shannon, J. Lambie, M. P. Cooke, S. Connolly. W. F. Magson, J. T. O'Reilly. R. Breach, A. SHenderson, J. G. McLachlan, H. A. Harrison, W. J. Lee, W. Cromie, W. Black, A. Corbitt, G. Shannon, G. Haslett. J. Anderson. H. Hopwood. J. Pye, F. Wilson, N. McCormack, W. T. Healey, J Allen, G Cromie, W. 8Shannon, E. Duncan, W. Shellock, W. .Tatterson, A. Stewart, A. Allan, L. Oakley. A. Oakley. C. W. Browne. C. Nelson, D. Finlay, J. J. Johnston, 6. Bryant, H. Conway, J. McCarthy, J. J. Duncan, J. Gardiner, J. F. Langley, J. T. Smith, H Evans, H. Rapley, W. A. Smith, A. Shellock, and C. Wilkie.

SEAFIELD. To-day marks the 51st anniversary of the Seaiield School. Mrs J. Mitchell is on a short visit to Timaru. Mr and Mrs W. H. Gaudin are spending the holidays in Christchurch.

MAYFIELD. A hare drive, to raise funds for the Montalto School, waß held at Montalto on Saturday in ideal weather conditions. About fifty sportsmen took part, and the bag of 148 hares was considered very satisfactory. Tho ladies of the district provided luncheon at tho Moatalto School. August was notable for the changeable weather experienced. Heavy rain and some snow fell during the early part of the month, and wintry conditions prevailed until about the 15th, when bright, sunny days, with an absence of severe frosts, were experienced for most of the latter part of tho month. As a result of the mild weather, quite a growth is noticeable in pastures and crops, and an early spring appears to be certain. This will bo welcome ,to farmers, as feed has been',in short supply on account of the failure of the turnip crop. In spite of the scarcity of feed, stock has come through the winter in better condition than was anticipated. The rainfall for August amounted to 371 points.

ANAMA. The monthly meeting of the Anama Road Board was held on Monday, the chairman (Mr G. W. Ross) presiding. There were also present: Messrs G. Richardson, H. Lamb, and R. Nosworthy. The clerk (Mr B. McjDowfdl) reported that the light wjingl&g and grading of the North Hinds road had been completed. One team was at present shingling from the bridge to Anama station, while the second team was engaged in light shingling the Upper Downs road, from Cavendish to Mr Nosworthv's property. Two sets of pipeß had been laid on tho Downs road. Good progress had been made with the work.

Members of the Anama School Committee inspected a number of open-air schools in and around Christchurch for the purpose of recommending to the Education Department the type of school most suitable to replace the Anama School, which was destroyed by fire jrecently. The comtiaittee have recommended the Linwood avenue type of open-air school as most suitable. It is expected that building operations will commence shortly. While waiting for the new school to be built, school will be conducted in the shelter shed, which has been made suitable for this purpose.

PENDARVES. The rainfall for August totalled 4.16 in at Pendarves. Rain fell on nine days during the month, the maximum fall being on the 4th and sth. wh.en 4.23 in fell. The total rainfall to date for 1930 is 17.44 in. For the corresponding period in 1929 it was 21.4 in. Miss E. Hampton (Christchurch) is spending a few days, with Mr and Mrs C. H. Hampton, Mossgrove.