MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20364, 10 October 1931, Page 10

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. MAGISTRATE'S COURT. There was only a short sitting of the Magistrate's Court in Ashburton yesterday, before Mr C. E. Orr Walker, S.M. An application for an increase in the present maintenance order of £1 10s, in rspect of herself and children, was made by Lilian Kachael Angus, against her husband, William Thomas Angus. Defendant said he wag on unemployed relief work and had 16 days' work in five weeks. No order was made. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in the case of Commissioner of Taxes v. Henry B. Nay lor, for £6 14s Sd. J. W. Comyns, of Mount Somers, was charged with operating a motor vehicle which was not licensed, for the carriage of goods, and without being the holder of a driver's license. The Traffic Inspcetor (Mr E. N. Johnson) said that Comyns had been previously convicted and warned. A fine of £o, with costs 12s, was imposed on the first charge, and 10s, with costs 12s, on the second. Sailors' Society. The last meeting of the year of the Ashburton branch of the British Sailors' Society was held yesterday, when the president, Mrs J. R. Wells, presided A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs J. Lane for providing a garden party for the Society's funds last month. It was reported that the Ashburtou Musical Club was arranging a concert to augment the Society's funds at t,he end of this month. It was decided that the gift afternoon bo held in the St. Andrew's Hall on November 6th, when articles suitable for the sailors' ditty baga will be received. Mrs Wells thanked all who had helped the work of the Society during the year. A pianoforte solo was given by Mrs Robertson, and songs by Mesdames Robertson, R. Stephenson, and Miss E. Holland. Hampstead Women's Institute. Tho monthly meeting of the Hampstead branch of tho Women's Institute was held on Thursday afternoon, the president, Mrs B. Coward, presiding. There were about twenty-four members present. A character dance by Master Alan Hunt was much appreciated. Mrs Garriock gave a most interesting demonstration on tho spinning wheel. A competition on making the best use of lib of flour was won by Mrs Coward, with Mrs G. Chapman second. A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs Garriock. Hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames Mason and MacAleer and Miss Coldicott. • Allenton Sports Club. For the purpose of raising funds for the Allenton Sports Club, Mrs W. Acton, assisted by Mrs R. W. Barr, entertained 50 ladies at her home on Thursday. A pleasant time was spent. Croquet competitions were won by Mesdames Fraser, J. Stevenson, W. C. J. Osman, E. C. Bathurst, E. de G. Robilliard, Misses I. Hardwick, and J. Morgan. The sum of lis 9d was raised. Mrs E. C. Bathurst thanked the hostess. Loyal Ashburton Lodge. The Loyal Ashburton Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., held its fortnigthly meeting on Thursday evening, when the N.G., Bro. W. K. Waters, presided. A welcome was extended to a member of the Loyal Volunteer Lodge, Christehurch, who had taken up residence in Ashburton. A committee was appointed to make arrangements for "Old Members' Night," which will be held on October 22nd. The lecture master (Bro. C. M. Innes) , conferred tho gold degree on four candidates. Herd Testing; Maintaining that dairy-farming with herd testing to eliminate the weak and unprofitable cows was one of tho soundest enterprises that a farmer could undertake to-day, Mr J. Parlane, president of the Canterbury Herd Te:.ting Association, delivered an address to members of the Ashburton branch of the Earners' Union yesterday. The president (Mr G. H. B. Lill) presided, and in introducing the speaker said they were all interested 7 in the snbject. Mr Parlane said that dairy-farming was a hobby with him and he made it his business to spend some time among the members of tho Association. R< erring first to the depression, the speaker said that it tended to make them study more economical means of production. Herd testing, or what might bo called a system of keeping a balance-sheet of each cow, was first introduced to the Waikato district from Australia. The system had grown until New Zealand had been divided into groups and the Association had been working in Canterbury for six years. Towards the expense of herd testing the Government contributed 6d per cow and they had a promise of a little help from the Dairy Board next year. There was a larger number of farmers herd testing on the West Coast than in any other district. The speaker read extracts from the bulletin issued recently by the Association, showing that up to date information was continually being broadcasted among members. "Dairy-farming with herd testing is one of the soundest enterprises that a farmer can go into to-day," emphasised the speaker. He knew of a case in Southland where in spite of the fact that a good season had not been experienced, a man had obtained 3631b of fat from 60 cows, during the season. Surely the same could be done in Canterbury on land of reasonably good quality. Mr G. W. Leadley said that there was less fluctuation in dairy produce than any other produce. It was up to farmers to take the matter into careful consideration. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Parlane. Pigs and Poultry. The following prices were realised at the weekly sale for pigs and poultry at the auction mart yesterday:—Pigs: Weaners, 17s to 235; stores, up to 28s 6d, porkers, up to 325; baconers, up to £2 10s. Poultry —Hens, 2s 8d to 4s; ducks, up to 4s 4d; roosters, 5s id to Cs 4d; all per pair. DORIE. There was a good attendance at the fortnightly social held in the Ardamine Hall on Tuesday evening. Competitions were won by Miss M. Currey and Miss Baxter, and Mr J. Beard and Mr Doig. Music for the dancing was supplied by Mr Rankin and Mr D. Banks was M.C. There was a good attendance at the weekly shoot of the Dorie Miniature Rifle Club, on Saturday evening, and sgme good shooting was done for a trophy given by Mr W. W. Carrutliers, I). Banks winning on tho third shoot. A trophy given by Mr G. Butler was

METHVEN. The following players will represent tho Methven Cricket Club against Ashburton B at Methven on Saturday in the Ashburton County senior competition: —A. R. Gourlay, D. Smith, U. Fryer, lan Watson, iiwan Watson, U. Stephens, J. Steffens. J. Goodwin, W. J. Owen, J.- W. M. Dart, V. W. Wright: emergencies, C. McKee and R. Ileid. The usual monthly meeting of the Methven branch of the Plunket Society was held on Thursday afternoon in the Town Hall. Mrs Hector Reid presided and there were also present Mesdames E. A. Bland (hon. treasurer), Jno. Watson, G. R. Cleeve, W. J.. Owen, G. Johns, G. Kelly, W. J. Cooksley, and D. Chambers (hon. secretary). An apolcigy was received from Mrs L. L. Aitken. During the month the nurse paid four visits to Methven and the visits to homes totalled 17 and the visits to rooms 159Tliere were three new cases. The nurse also reported that the general health of the children was good. In connexion with the building of the new Plunket rooms at Methven the Ashburton Advisory Committee advised that Mr Geo. Anderson's tender should be accepted, and this was agreed to. To raise further funds for the Society it was decided to hold a social evening at an early date, and later to run a hard-up social. At the conclusion of the meeting those present were the guests of Mesdames Watson and Bland at afternoon tea. RAKAIA. On Thursday evening in the Town Hall the members of the local railway staff held their annual ball. There was a large attendance, visitors coming from Cliristchurch, Ashburton, Leeston, Southbridge, Dunsandel, and all the surrounding districts, and the ball was a great success. The hall was beautifully decorated with hanging streamers of red, green, and white, with hanging baskets of ferns. On the stage were two miniature semaphores showing red, green, and white lights, and the supper tables were gay with spring flowers. Excellent music was supplied by Slattery's Band and extras were played by Miss Margaret Lawler, and Messrs H. McDonald and A. Pluck. Messrs T. Lightfoot and V. Daly were the M.C.'s. On Monday evening at her home, Miss Keane entertained a number of parents and friends at a recital given by her pupils. Piano solos, violin solos, and songs were given by Miss Keane, saxophone solos and songs by Mr L. Keane; intrumental trio by Alice Keano (violin), Nan McKimmie (piano), Luke Keane (saxophone); piano duet by A. Keane and N. McKimmie; piano solos by Mr J6hn Connolly and Mrs M. O'Reilly; songs by Mrs H. Cromie, Misses J. Brown and M. O'Reilly, and a step-dance by Miss W. O'Reilly. The following items were given by tho pupils:—Violin solos by Jack McKimmie; piano duets by. Minnie and Edith Kenward, and Betty Crossley and Edna Kidd; vocal trios by Edith Kenward, Edna Kidd, and Betty Crossley; piano solos by Stella Behrnes, Mary O'Reilly, Margaret Stevenson, Una Shellock, Daphne Cromie, Edith Kenward, Betty Crossley, Nan McKimmie, Minnie Kenward, Edna Kidd, Winnie O'Reilly, Russell Kenward, Kathleen Slaney, Madeline O'Reilly, Peggy Sheehan, and Joan Hancock. In the recent Trinity College examinations the following pupils were successful, gaining honours in thory of music:—Minnie Kenward, Betty Crossley, and Edith Kenward. RAKAIA. The Rakaia Horticultural Society's spring show, which is to be held next week, promises to be most successful. The secretary reports that entries aro coming in freely and with a continuance of the fine weather a record entry is expected. On Wednesday afternoon a meeting of those interested in the formation of a class for instruction in homo nursing was held in St. Mark's schoolroom. Sister D. M. Christian, of xbe Red Cross Society, presided and gave an account of the work of the Society. It was decided to form a class and to hold weekly meetings, the first to 1)0 on Friday, October 16th. Tho following officers were appointed: President, Mrs A. S. Henderson; secretary and treasurer, Mrs M. V. Brown; committoe, Mesdames Sargent and Finlay and Misses M. 'Patterson, Tully, and Brown.