MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20523, 16 April 1932, Page 11

MID-CANTERBURY

ashburton. OUTBREAK OF FIRE. An -outbreak of in some scrim and packing in a store-room at the rear of Murrays, Ltd., Tanered street, necessitated the calling out of the Fire Brigade about 10.30 a.m. yesterday. An ordinary garden hose was used by several of the firm's employees to control the fire and when the brigade arrived it 'was found unnecessary to use its hose. Little damage was done. Magistrate's Court. At the sitting of the Magistrate's Court before Messrs P. W. Watt and W. Patterson, J.P.'s, yesterday, judgment, for the plaintiff by default was given in the case of J. Jacobs v. T. E. Wills, claim £3 10s 3d. Gala Cup Presented. Representatives of the Ashburton Cricket Association, Trustees, and third grado teams in the Ashburton County gathered at a social on Thursday evening for the presentation of the Gala Cup to the Technical Cricket Club, the winners of the third grade competition. The president of the club (Mr E. J. Thompson), who presided, referred to the club's strong position in cricket, which had been attained in four years. The third grade team had Avon its competition, while the seniors were co-run-ners-up for the Studholmo Shield. The Mayor (Mr W. 11. Woods), chairman of the Gala Trustees' Committee, said they were pleased to be able to assist the sport, lto congratulated the Cricket Association upon bridging the gap between school cricket and county cricket by instituting the third grade competition. He presented the cup to W. Sparrow (captain) congratulating the team on its performance in the nineteen games which were played before finality was reached, and also upon possessing the player (H. Baird) who had put up the best bowling averago in county cricket. Mr A. A. Fooks (secretary of the Gala Trustees) also spoke stating that he thought the standard of cricket in the county was improving. Later in the evening, Mr Thompson presented clulj cups to 11. Baird, who had the greatest bowling average in the county, his record being 7.24 runs per wicket, an/] to A. Moodie and D. Gowans, who did the "hat trick" dicing the season. In addition to the loyal toast, the principal toasts honoured were: "Visiting teams," proposed ).y the president and responded to by Mr V. Stills (Kin Ora); "The Management' Committee of the Cricket Association,"'" proposed by Mr W. Crawford and responded to by Mr F. Pritchard; "The Technical Cricket Club," proposed by M.r Pritchard and responded to by Messrs V. McNieol, A. Wills, and W. Sparrow. During the evening, Mr S. M. Cassidy led community singing in addition to which items were given by Messrs Cassidy and E. Mcllraith. Personal. •Mr James Cair (Methven) left for Waimate yesterday to address a meeting of farmers on present day problems, Wjhich affected theui. Women's Division, Farmers' Union. The annual meeting of the Mid-Cau-terbury Women's Division of the Farm-

crs' Union was held yesterday, Mrs J. A. Fleming (president) presiding. The annual report stated that a satisfactory year had been experienced. The iinancial membership Aran 42 and live brandies had been formed in the MidCanterbury district during the past twelve months. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £lO lis. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. . The following officers were elected: President, Mrs J. A. Firming; vice-pre-sidents: Mesdames A. Brown and G. Tait; treasurer, Mrs E. M. Begg; secretary, Mr W. H. Amos; committee: Mesdames C. Sargent, M. Macale, F. G. Evans, S. C'ro.ccon, C. Riekard, and A. Ilamber. Votes of thanks were passed to Mrs Biddick for her activites as secretary during the past two years, and to Miss Ilic.kcy for auditing the books. The Union decided that it was not in favour of holding an annual conference of Women's Divisions this year. The question of amalgamation with the Women's Institute was discussed and it was decided that tho Division was not in favour of co-operation, but not amalgamation. Tho members of the Mid-Canterbury Executive were entertained at afternoon tea. Badminton Club. The Ashburton Badminton Club held its annual meeting last evening, when the president, Mr A. Prentice, presided. The annual report stated that the season had been successful, both socially and financially. Three matches were played against Avonside (Christchurch) and two against Timaru. Mr C. H. Chapman, of Dunedin, represented the club at the annual general meeting of the New Zealand Badminton Council. The prospects for the coming season were bright', as it was anticipated that .a number of new members would be joining,' and it was hoped to hold more club tournaments and outside matches. The balance-sheet showed that the season commenced with a credit balance of £9 5s 7d and concluded with a credit of £!' 18s Id. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted ■■ as follows:—President, Mr A. Prentice; club captain, Mr L. A. Cliilds; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Tansley; committee, Mrs L. A. Chi Ids, Misses W. T/. Porter, J. Easterbrook, Messrs I. Alackie, T. E. Watt, and K. A. Bullock. Tho matter of affiliating with the Mid-Canterbury Sports Protection Association was left with the committee. It was reported that a match' had been arranged with Avonside at Ashburton on April 29th. It was decided to place on record appreciation of the services of L. M. llobbs, who lias been for two years secretary and treasurer. Fanners' Union. At the monthly meeting of the Mid- * Canterbury Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, held yesterday, Mr G. 11. B. Lill (president) presided. A resolution of sympathy was passed with the president, and also with Mr W. T Lill in the death of Mrs \Y. T. Lilt. The vice-president, Mr W. It. Hammond, paid a tribute to Mrs Lill's interest in charitable causes. The Auckland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union wrote suggesting an interchange of speakers between Auckland and other districts on matters of interest to farmers. If anyone could indicate, apart from polities, liow the country could be got out of its present difficulty the Auckland executive would b(f interested. _ The executive kept party politics outside its meetings. Was the Mid-Canterbury Executive in favour of dropping nil contentious inter-Union questions until after some settlement of urgent national affairs 1 Mr A. P. Bruce moved that they invite a speaker from Auckland to visit Ashburton. 110 said there would not be any harm in hearing the Auckland view. It might be a good opportunity to place the wheat question before the northern speaker. The president said lie had received a confidential letter from tho Dominion president, and by the tenor of that letter it appeared"that no good would come of the visit of an Auckland Union speaker. , A member: Aucklandcrs are strong free-traders. "We have to be very careful before we have anything to do with the Auckland people," declared Mr F. G. Evans, who said it would bo good-bye to the Farmers' Union in the South Island if Auckland members got what they wanted. • , Tho motion was defeated, and by ten votes to nine the matter of whether i i was desirable to extend the invitation was left to tho president. The Canterbury Bantam Club to warded a copy of tlie Bill proposed for the registration of poultrymeii, that the Union support its protest against the Bill. . . Mr G. W. Leadley: The Bill is just a trick to extort a little more taxation. It was decided to disagree with tue Bl A circular was received from the New Zealand Farmers' Union ment on ing that the Imperial Conference had resuscitated the wholo of frec trade within the Empire. The circu lar dealt with the principles of wter national trade, Empire tariffs, Empire trade developmcn , policy of the Union .ig with Great Britain, and a suggeste the response to its enquiries iefc nee to Ottawa Conference matters Us most disappointing. The C xccu e « asked to forward its views o « ter so that a comprehensive report com W. R. Hammond moved thatthey affirm the principle that thcic duties on the necessities oi life anc nfr^Rßrucesaid^hatitrcquiVeda special committee to go into the^mattc Action was left to tne i vice-president, and secretary, also empowered to arrange a speake*>. the Mid-Canterbury annual confere tr& »*■< 4"* fsrs: Board forwarded a circular stat gtlia. i- was strongly of tho opinion that; the Dominion's meat industry should be rt presented at the Ottawa Conference- - request was being made to t1 ,.) ment that Mr David Jones (ehaiiinan and Mr R. S. Forsyth (London should be officially attached to the: No Zealand delegation at the Board 1 Particulars were received of the Taranaki Provincial Executive s r.ary service to farmers, showing • the* term of membership was tor t. years and all Services to stock vprt ii'iven free, an annual subscription being imposed according to the stock owned bv members of the Union. "The matter of perquisites allowed to members of Parliament and Government departmental officials was mentioned 0} the president, who said that some o the perquisites were as much as the salary paid. Some members obtained as much in one day during their absence from Wellington as an ordinary working man received in a week. It was onH breeding revolution, and the Government's attention should be drawn to tho mrftter. Mr F. G. Evans said he would not mind the honorarium remaining as at present so long as there was a ieduction in the made. He moved that thev send a remit to the Dominion Conference of the Farmers' Union on

tiie lines .suggested by the - president.

The motion was carried. Messrs F. Frampton, W. E. Hammond, A. P. Bruce, and IT. C. B. Withell were appointed a Finance Committee. It was decided to hold the annual conference of the Mid-Canterbury Provincial District on May 20tli. Pigs and Poultry. The following prices were realised for pigs and poultry at the, auction mart yesterday: — Poultry—Hen's Is to 2s 6d, pullets 6s to 7s Gd, roosters 2s Cd to Cs 6d, ducks 2s. to 3s 3d a pair. Pigs—Weaners ss*to 8s each, slips up to 12s 6d each, stffes up to 23s each, porkers up to 34s each, baconers up to £3 2s each. Duty on Fowl Wheat. "That this Union enters an emphatic protest against the removal of duties on fowl wheat," was the text of a resolution passed by the Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executivo of the ' Farmers' Union, on tlio motion of the president (Mr G. 11. B. Lill), yesterday. Mr M. Macale (Metliven) said he understood a movement waa on foot to have the duty taken off fowl wheat, and the Dominion President of tho Farmers' Union (Mr W. J. Poison, M.P.), was practically in favour of it. The president said he would sooner i leave the wheat question alone altogether, but if that was the case hethought they should make a protest. Mr W. Hammond (Winclimore). said lie had received advice that they should leave the matter alone in the meantime. The motion was carried. METHVEN. The annual Poppy Day appeal was conducted at Methvcn on Thursday (sale day), under the direction of the members of the Methven branch of the Women's Institute,' with Miss Grace i Morgan in charge. The siim of £7_ 10s was obtained and it has been decided to carry on tho appeal for the coming week. RUAPUNA. The annual meeting of the'Kuapur.a branch of tho Workers' Educational Association was held at the residence of Mr and Mrs Thompson. At the conclusion of the last season's meetings there was a credit balance of 7s 9d, which was given towards the administration expenses of tho scheme, as a mark of appreciation. for the course received. A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs Thompson, leader, and Miss Gwen Ross, secretary.. It was decided to continue the meetings during the coming winter. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Mrs W. Thompson was re-elected leader, Mr J. Early deputy-leader, and Miss Gwen Koss was again elected secretary and treasurer. At the conclusion of the business a lecture on "Appreciation of Pictures," was read.