MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20574, 16 June 1932, Page 5

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON

TELEPHONE RENTALS. { ! ! I ( A resolution requesting the Post and Telegraph Department to make a 20 per cent, reduction in telephone rentals m j their district was carried'by u largely- J attended meeting of farmers in the Ash- ( burton riding, held at Eift'elto'i yesterday. Mr S. I'. Taylor, the representative of. the riding on tic Ashburton County Council, presided. Mr T. ,L>. Burnett, M.P., and Mr ('. 11. N. Clarkti«.u. \shbtiri-ni po.'tuiaM.er,- were pre- ! sent.

The chairman stated that there had been a 20 per cent, reduction in salaries and wages within the Department, while all general interest rates hud been reduced to a similar extent, therefore it was reasonable to expect the same reduction in telephone rentals.

It was indicated that several farmers had been forced to disconnect their telephones owing to their depleted tiuaucial position, and several more would be compelled to do likewise if no relief was given. The resolution ' was carried unanimously.

3tr Clarkson was given instances of farmers on party lines being Baddled with extra rental charges on the line because other farmers had been forced to disconnect the telephone. He said that as a general rule the Department was not enforcing the extra charges and promised to investigate the cases. Drunkenness. ; .V charge of being found drunk in Cambridge street on Tuesday evening was preferred against George William Spicer before Messrs A. H. Fenn and J. VV. Bowdeti, J.P.'s, at the Magistrate'a Court yesterday. Sergeant W. T. Kelly said that Spicer was creating a disturbance in his own home. It was his third offence within siv months. Accused, who pleaded guilty, wan lined £-2, in default seven days' imprisonment, and consented to a prohibition order being taken out against him. Crown Tenants' Association. following the recent conference between Crown laud tenants in the Ashburton County and the Canterbury Land Hoard, a movement is on foot for tho formation of a Crown Tenants' Association in Ash burton. A meeting will be called in the near future, when tenants will be addressed by officers of the Te-cently-formed South Canterbury organisation. Reduction in Rates. The Longbeach lload Board lias effected a reduction of 12$ percent, in its rates for the current year. The levy for tho year ending March 31st. 1933, will be 7-32 d in tho £. Fire Brigade Inspection. The half-yearly inspection of the As!iburton Volunteer Fire Brigade was carried out by members of the Borough Council last evening, when there was is good muster of men under Superintendent T. Barber. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr R. Kerr) congratulated tlio firemen upon their smart appearance and their prompt response to calls. , ( - Missionary Union. The monthly meeting of the Ash burton branch of the Methodist Women's Missionary Union was held on Tuesday, when the president (Sister Mildred) presided. A vote of sympathy was, passed with Mrs A. Highit and family in their bereavement. Arrangements were made for holding a gift aftiJrnoon in July, when the annual contributions for the Solomon Islands "box" would be received. Letters were read from Sister E, Dobby (Hokianga Maori Mission;, Sister Nicholls (Waikato Maori Mission), Sister Edna White (Solomon Islands), and Sister Elise Whilton (China Inland Mission). Druids' Ball.. A successful annual ball was staged by tho Star o.f Ashburton and Success of Ashburton Lodges, U.A.0.D., in His Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday evening, when the hall was decorated. The grand march was lod by ArchDruids Bro. Garriock and Sister J. Collett. A lucky spot waltz was won by Mr H. Wear and Miss D. Shierlaw. Bros. T. Miller and S. Hawke were M.C. 's, and the music was provided by the Strollers' Band. Rugby Football. Old Boys' teams will be selected from the following for Saturday's matches: — Senior v. Kakaia, at Show Grounds— Jordan, Cobb, E. Welch, Argyle, 0. Welch, Best, Doig, Cowan, Mulhern, fioeley, Heenan, Bradford, Rose, Ross, King, Betteridge, and Field. Junior v. Methven, at Methven— Smitheram, Campbell, Rooney, Dixon, Kerr, McTigue, Gudsell, Field, Quinn, Crum, Hill, White, Milsom, Todd, Stoddart, Lee, D. Bowden, Kaan, Foivlte, and McElhinney. Hockey. The. draw for tho Ashburton Ladies' Hockey Association's six-a-side tournament, to be played on Saturday, is as follows: Senior A grade—First round: Lauris* ton A v. Methven B. Second' round: Hinds A v. winners first round; Tinwald A v. Hinds B; Lauriston B v. Methven A; Ashburton v. Tinwald B. Senior G grade —First round: Kakaia v. Mayfleld B. Second round: Lowcliffo A v. winners iirst round; High School B v. Mayfield A; Lowcliffe B v. Baring Square B; High School A v. Baring Square A. Junior grade —Springburn v. High School C; Hinds B v. Ashburton B. Second round: Ashburton A v. Methven A; High School A v. Hinds Ji.; Methven B v. High School B. The draw, with referees, for the Men's Hockey Sub-Association's competition matches on Saturday is as follows: —St. Stephen's v. Methven, at Methven (Mr 11. E. Thompson); Ashburton v. St. Andrew's, at Ashburton, 1.45 p.m. (Messrs E. M. Gabites and W. Thomas); Baring Square v. Tinwald, at Ashburton, 3 p.m. (Messrs E. M. Gabites and W. Thomas). MT. SOMERS. ' Un Saturday afternoon a lirgc muster of Girl Guides and Brownies assembled in the Memorial Hair grounds, for a parade inspection by Miss .Bromley Cocks (Divisional Commissioner), and Mrs J. H. Grigg (District CommisSl °At r the ' weekly study circle; of the Mt. Somers W.E.A. class held at the residence of Mrs W. A. H. Sharjje, a study of the play, "Major Barbara by U. B. Shaw, was made. HINDS. The school committee held their fortnightly euchre tournament in the schoolroom. Mrs Watson and, Mrs T. Wells tied for first prize; in the play-off Mrs Wells won. Mr J. Hickey won the men's prize. Consolation prizes were

awarded to Mrs Tinkler and Mr D Bird.

The weekly rifle shoot, was held on tno rifle range. The scores registered wore as follows: A. Ellis 78, D. Watson 77, R. McKeage 76, R. Bagrie 76, A. Lamont 73, H. Watson 70, A. Sim 'O. A. Ellis won the hotty bntton for tho week. The president's troplij was won by A. Sim. Mr B. Frampton, who was married recently, received ft presentation from the members of the ttifle Club. WILLOWBY. A social evening, arranged by the Willowby Miniature Rifle Club, was l'eld in the Willowby Hall. During the evening competitions were won by Mrs J. Taylor and Mr J. Wallace, consolation awards going to Mrs Pearson and to Mr H. White. Music for the dancing was supplied by Miss R. Arnst, of Ashburton. Extras were played by Mr Hawkins, of Eiffelton. Mr J. Sutherland was M.C. LAURISTON. At a special meeting of householders on Monday evening for the purpose of forming a School Committee, the following were elected: —Messrs ,C. A. Fyfe, J. Whearty, A. T. Maidens, W. D. Brunsden, and A. Goodwin. Following the public meeting, tho new committee held its first meeting, when Mr C. A. Fyfe was elected chairman, and Mr. J. Whearty secretary. Mr W. E. Smith was elected auditor.