MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20862, 23 May 1933, Page 3

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. ALLEGED ASSAULT. A further remand until to-morrow was granted the police by Mr W. Patterson, J.P., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, in the case against Robert Henry Meaclem, a labourer, aged 21, who was charged with assaulting David Hammill on May 13, causing actual bodily harm. Concert and Dance. A concert and dance and presentation of cups will be held in the Ruapuna Hall to-morrow evening, under the auspices of the Ruapuna Swimming Club. Thi cups and trophies won during the swimming season will be presented by Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., and the concert will be given by Mrs H. J. Chapman's concert party from Ashburton. Returned Soldiers' Association. The Ashburton Returned Soldiers' Association held its annual meeting last evening, when the president, Colonel J. Findlay, presided. The annual report stated that there had been an increase of 18 in the membership of the association. The Anzac Day parade had been well attended by returned soldiers. The Canteen and National War Relief Funds, supplemented by the Poppy Day fund, had enabled them to continue to assist unemployed returned men. The balance-sheet showed that the year commenced with a credit of £176 9s 6d, and concluded with a credit of £257 6s 7d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following oflicers were elected:—President, Colonel J. Findlay; vice-presi-dent, Mr E. H. Orr; executive, Messrs L. S. Hopkins, W. Crawford, A. B. Simpson. R. Bain, and W. Patching; hon. secretary, Mr F. A. Hickman; auditor, Mr W. H. Woods. It was decided to send another boy from Ashburton to Flock House, it being reported that funds were available for the purpose. Reference was made to the agitation in Auckland for the Returned Soldiers' Association to be constituted a political body, and it was decided that the Ashburton association remain nonpolitical.

Rugby Union. The Management Committee of the Ashburton County Rugby Union met last evening. The president, Mr J. C. C. McLachlan, presided. A motion of sympathy was passed with the president and Mrs McLachlan in their bereavement. The Allenton Football Club wrote withdrawing its junior team from the competition as it had not sufficient players. The North Otago Rugby Union wrote asking for further consideration to be given the question of sending a representative team to Oamaru to play its representatives. It was decided to reply that the union was endeavouring to arrange for a match and to ask North Otago to suggest a suitable date. The Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association advised that the rental for the Show Grounds had been based as at £2O. the position to be finally reviewed at the end of the season. The Rakaia Football Club wrote stating that it proposed to give the proceeds of the senior grade match between Old Boys and Rakaia, to be played at Rakaia on Saturday, to charity, but it was understood that the Methven Club was endeavouring to have the draw rearranged. It was requested that the draw be left as at present. The secretary reported having replied to the effect that there would be no change in the draw. The New Zealand Rugby Union advised that the following dates had been arranged for representative fixtures between the Ashburton union and other centres:—July 29: Ashburton v. South Canterbury, at Timaru; August 2: Ashburton v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. August 16: Ashburton v. Marlborough, at Ashburton.

It was decided to write to the Canterbury Rugby Union pointing out I that a player who had not obtained his clearance from the Old Boys' Club at Ashburton, was playing in the Canterbury competitions. It was decided to notify clubs that players would not be permitted to take the field until their registrations had been lodged with the secretary and an acknowledgment received. A complaint about the manner in which the matter of the purchase of grounds which h?d been dealt with in committee at the last meeting, had been broadcast outside, was made by Mr H. D. Johnston. He said he made the statement in committee, that Mr S. S. Dean (chairman of the committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union) proposed to come to Ashburton, to see the Ashburton representative team in action, and to inspect suitable grounds. Outsiders seemed to have the full extent of the business discussed in committee. It was only a suggestion made by the speaker to Mr Dean, who had yet to receive an invitation from the Ashburton Union. The matter was still in the air and there had been no attempt to hoodwink the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association in the matter of renewing the rental of the Show Grounds, as suggested by outsiders. The chairman said it was unfortunate that business discussed in committee was carried outside. "A suspicion rests on every member in the room that he is the culprit," he said. The draw, with referees, for Saturday's fixtures, is as follows: Senior Grade —Allenton v. Mayfield, at Show Grounds (Mr C. Wellman); Rakaia v. Old Boys, at Rakaia (Mr W. R. Featherston); Methven a bye. Junior Grade, Town Section—Lowcliffe v. Technical Old Boys, at Lowcliffe (Mr G. W. Brown); Hinds v. Rakaia, at Hinds (Mr E. Chambers); Old Boys a bye. Country section—Mount Somers v. Mayfield, at Mount Somers (Mr A. H. Guiney); Methven v. Springburn, at Methven (the Rev. E. Osmers).

Third Grade—Springburn v. Methven, at Springburn (Mr W. Burrows); Allenton v. High School, at Show Grounds (Mr C. Day); Rakaia v. Tinwald, at Rakaia (Mr W. John); Technical Old Boys v. Old Boys, at Show Grounds (Mr P. Morrison). Fourth Grade—Allenton v. Technical, at Show Grounds (Mr T. Beckett): High School v. Hampstead, at Show Grounds (Mr L. Hadley).

Ashburton Choral Society. The annual meeting of the Ashburton Choral Society was held last evening, when th*» president, Mr W. H. Woods, presided. A welcome to Mr W. H. Dixon, of Christchurch, was extended by the chairman. The annual report stated that the performing members of the choir had been 95, and the attendances at rehearsals had been very good. After the choir had been practising for about six weeks, the musical director (Mr W. H. Dixon) was taken ill, and the task of preparing the work for presentation was left to the deputy-conductor (Mr L. J. Watt), to whom the society extended its congratulations on his success. The report regretted the loss of Mr R. J. Laurenson, chauqnan of the general committee, who left Ashburton. and also the resignation of Mr J. Corbett, who acted as pianist for the last three years. Thanks were due to all others who had assisted the society. The balance-sheet showed that the year began with a credit of £27 19s sd. and had ended with a credit of £l6 13s lOd. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

The following officers were elected:— Patron, Mr J. Connolly, M.P.; president, Mr W. H. Woods; vice-presidents, Messrs J. W. Bowden, H. A. Humphreys, Hunter Morris, R. J. Tucker, F. W. Watt, R. A. Collins, the Rev. A. J. Petrie, and Dr. N. E. H. Fulton; pianist, Mrs A. C. Williams; librarian, Mr W. C. Bishop; secretary, Mr D. F. Keir; hon. auditor, Mr J. W. Bowden; committee. Mesdames W. Birnie, N. C. Jones, Messrs W. H. Higgins, H. A. Humphreys, C. G. de C. Drury, V. W. Russell, and Dr. N. E. H. Fulton. The committee was recommended to (reappoint W. H. Dixon as musical director. Mr Dixon spoke in appreciative terms of the valuable assisti ance received from the deputy-conduc-tor (Mr L. J. Watt), and the retiring [pianist (Mr J. Corbett).

RUAPUNA. On . Friday evening boys of the Christchurch Presbyterian Boys' Orphanage, under the leadership of Mr V. French, gave a very entertaining display of gymnastics. Before leaving for their camp at Mayfield the party was entertained to supper by the local branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union. The boys returned to Christchurch on Saturday. There was a good attendance at the second of the fortnightly meetings of the local branch of the Workers' Educational Association, held at the residence of Mr and Mrs G. Ross, on Saturday evening. Papers on the English opera, "Merrie England," were read and discussed. Sixteen gramophone selections from the opera were played. The weather during the last few days has been cold and overcast.

WINCHMORE, Mrs C. C. Jackson, Dominion president of the Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, and members of the Mid-Canterbury executive, paid a visit to the Winchmore Hall in continuation of the series of meetings throughout the county. Mr W. Hammond, president of the MidCanterbury Farmers' Union, presided, and introduced Mrs Jackson, who gave a detailed address on the work in New Zealand. She advocated the formation of a branch in the Winchmore district. It was decided to hold a meeting later to consider forming a branch. At the conclusion of the address Miss Essie Shearer entertained the visitors with two solos: The Winchmore Tennis Club held their end-of-season dance in the hall. Mr H. Nish was the master of ceremonies. A Monte Carlo waltz was won by Miss P. Verrall and Mr G. Wright. Music was supplied by Cook's orchestra, extras being played by Miss Jean Shearer and Mr J. Shearer. Miss Anne Jessep, who has been staying with Mrs H. M. Verrall, Winchmore, has returned to Christchurch. Miss P. Helps, Akaroa, is staying with Miss R. L. Prebble, Winchmore.

SPRINGBURN. Accepting the invitation of Mrs G. B. Jardine, a number of young people interested in Bible class work gathered at the manse on Wednesday, and spent a happy evening. The Rev. Mr Jardine welcomed the guests, and entertained them to a story without words, "A Trip to Wellington." Other items were: Miss S. Cunningham, recitation; Mr Knapp, violin solo; Mrs Jardine, recitation; Miss A. Syme, song; Miss N. Norman, recitation; Mr Knapp and Mr A. Fagan, violin duet; Mr K. Reside, recitation; Mr E. Totty, song. Mrs Jardine spoke on Bible class work, and it was decided to hold a fortnightly class, begininng on Wednesday.

LOWCLIFFE. The Lowcliffe branch of the Women's Institute met on Wednesday afternoon. Mrs Rawstorn, sen., presided. An invitation was received from the Ealing Institute to the Lowcliffe Institute to the birthday party. Most points gained in the competitions during the year resulted as follows:—Miss Price 1, Mrs H. E. Cross 2, Mrs Geddes 3. Paper hats: Mrs Geddes 1, Mrs Hartley 2 Miss Price, Mrs Reddicliffe, and Mrs Haacks (equal) 3. Mrs Simmons gave an address on gardening, and a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded her. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mrs Cross, sen., Miss Davidson, and Miss Ford. SEAFIELD. There was a well-attended open meeting of the Seafleld branch of the Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, held in the Seafield School. Mrs F. Johnson presided. The guest of the evening was Mrs C. C. Jackson, Dominion president of the Women's Division, who is travelling New Zealand organising and addressing meetings to stimulate public interest. Mrs J. Henry presented Mrs Jackson with a bouquet. Mrs Jackson outlined the bush nurse and housekeeper's scheme, and also the rest homes and medical attention scheme. She was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr F. Johnson spoke on behalf of the Farmers' Union. During the evening a short social programme was given. A display of members' work was given, and a competition for pikelets held, the winners being Mesdames W. Lambie 1, J. Henry 2, H. Driscoll 3. A presentation was made on behalf of the Seafield members by Mrs F. Johnson, to Mrs C. Harrison, whose marriage took place recently. LISMORE. The monthly meeting of the Lismbre branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union was held in the school, the president, Miss Fleming, presiding. Miss M. Bell was elected secretary and Mrs Glassey and Mrs E. Young were elected to the committee. It was decided to make a donation to the community chest, which provides the salaries of the housekeeper and bush nurses when employers are unable to pay wages. Miss Fleming introduced Mrs C. C. Jackson, of Masterton, Dominion president of the division, who addressed the meeting on its activities, aims, and objects. Mrs Mulligan moved a vote of thanks to Mrs Jackson. Miss Fleming offered an aggregate points prize for competition among the junior members of the branch during the year. The competitions, which were judged by Mrs Jackson and Mrs J. A. Fleming, resulted: Decorated butter sponge: Mrs J. Addis 1, Mrs A. Fleming 2, Mrs Glassey. 3. Vase of chrysanthemums: Mrs Mulligan 1, Miss Edna Sparrow 2, Mrs Feron 3. Miss Fleming left yesterday on a visit to Wellnigton, where she will be the guest of Mrs F. M. Cordery (Douglas street, Seatoum.