MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21320, 13 November 1934, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON FISHING During the week-end the Rangitata river produced the best fishing recorded for a year or so. The best sport was obtained at the mouth of the river, where it is estimated about 200 trout were landed, all being in nood condition. The largest catch anong any party was 33, while another party obtained about 17. The heaviest fish were up to 10£lb, but these were scarce and the majority ranged about 3|lb to 51b. Very few trout were caught at the mouth of the Ashburton river, the majority being small fish. There was a good run of kahawai and whitebait and plenty of sport was offering in this direction.

Tramping Club

A party of 12 members of the Ashburton Tramping Club made a trip to Staveley on Sunday and visited Sharplin's Falls. Later they ascended the ridge on the right-hand side of the stream and climbed some rocks, from which an excellent view of the surrounding bush-clad country and the mountains was obtained.

Unemployed Allocation A total of 463 men are registered as eligible for unemployed relief work at Ashburton this week. The number of men in each class, together with the work allocated to each class, is as follows:—A class, 43 men, allocated one day's work; B class, 266, allocated tv/o and a half and three days' work; C class, 154, allocated four days' work. Hospital Board At the monthly meeting of the Hospital Board held yesterday, there were present: Messrs W. G. Gallagher (chairman), F. Frampton, G. S. Hardy, W. Bryant, C. A. Campion, W. H. Wilkinson, R. Oakley, and Dr. J. R. Wells. The report of the medical superintendent (Dr. A. J. Mason) stated that there were 78 patients in the hospital at the end of September. During October 99 were admitted and 96 were discharged, leaving 82 in the institution at the end of last month. In addition there were 293 out-patients, 114 X-ray examinations, 354 massage treatments, and 60 surgical operations. The matron (Miss E. J. Watt) reported that Sister N. Bowden was on holiday and extended leave of absence. Sister Dixon commenced duty on November 4. Nurses Cornish, Hinton, and McKenzie were on holiday. Nurses Mee and Wilson passed the final hospital examination. Nurse Sandrey was a patient in hospital. The report from Malvern Home stated that eight patients were admitted and nine were discharged during last month, leaving three in the hospital.

The chairman reported that the number of patients in hospital for the last quarter was 304, the second highest in the history of the institution. The record for any one quarter previously was 312.

For the charitable relief committee, Mr Bryant reported that £lO4 tfs lid had been distributed in relief. The wood-cutting relief given by The Ashburton County Council to necessitous unemployed during the last standdown week amounted to £294. The chairman said- that notwithstanding the adverse criticism about the issue of meat by the board as rations to unemployed during last winter, several appreciative letters were received from unemployed. Appreciation was also expressed of the other rations issued.

That the executive of the Hospital Boards' Association, together with a representative from the Department of Health, be requested to examine the whole question of friendly societies' agreements in operation throughout New Zealand, and bring down for the consideration of the hospital boards' conference recommendations for a common basis of hospital rates for friendly societies' benefit members," was a resolution moved by the chairman. He said there was an apparent need for some greater degree of uniformity of charges. The adoption of a definite policy would be better than having continual yearly agreements made between boards and friendly societies. Mr R. Oakley seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Allenton Sports Club wrote stating that it would give a set of bowls to the board for the use of patients at the Waipiata Sanatorium. The Ashburton Bowling Club wrote stating that it W3s supplying a set of bowls to the sanatorium through the Otago Bowling Centre. Mr Bryant reported that Mr W. Walker and the Ashburton Woollen Mills had given another set of bowls.

The report of the gardener stated that some of the relief workers were keeping their vegetable plots on the board's section very tidy and were putting in-plenty of vegetable seeds, out others were neglecting their plots. The secretary (Mr Prentice) stated that notices had been sent out to Ihe unemployed, wherever possible, advising that plots were available for unemployed for growing vegetables but there were still three plots idle. It was decided that the unoccupied plots be put in order by the board's own staff, and that no more plots be made available for unemployed. The Ashburton County Council wrote stating that it was suspending the issue of wood-cutting for unemployed during the stand-down week. The sum of £1735 9s lid had been paid out in wages for this work during the winter, in addition to which the council had paid out £SOO in wood-cutting on its own account.

Borough Council The Ashburton Borough Council met last evening, the Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods) presiding. There were also present: Crs. W. H. Rundle, F. J. E. Smallbone, J. Connor, A. L. Jones, H. R. C. McElrea, W. H. RobinSon, E. H. Orr, J. T. Pratley, E. Buchanan, and R. Kerr. It was reported that the amounts received since the previous meeting totalled £323 7s 2d, the principal sums being rates £174 6s Bd, rents £99 5s lOd, abattoir fees £l9 10s Id, and licenses £l6 16s Bd. Writing about the Canterbury Museum, the Registrar of the Canterbury University College (Mr C. C. Kemp) forwarded a copy of the following resolution passed at a conference of the Canterbury College Council and local body representatives:— "That this meeting is in favour of authority being obtained by the Canterbury College Council to raise the sum of £2OOO per annum from local bodies in Canterbury, such amount to be allocated among the Canterbury local bodies on a valuation basis." The Mayor said the letter did not convey the feeling of the meeting. Most of the local bodies represented were prepared to make contributions, but there was a definite opposition to rating power being granted to the College Council. The Mayor and town clerk were rei jested to write stating that the counh»«^toat J he locations would be based on the proximity of the dis-

iJ!SS3 **! w «W«y wrote asking lor J*™W»to conduct a Bale of butand l osie 2 to the ■twete °n enday November 30, with a view to raising funds far the purpose of. send-

Ing representative boy scouts from Mid-Canterbury to the Fan-Pacific Jamboree in connexion with the Melbourne Centenary celebration. The application was granted. The Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade invited members of the council to be present at the celebration of the brigade's diamond jubilee on November 17. The brigade's annual competitions would be held during the afternoon. The invitations were accepted. It was reported that the following stock were slaughtered at the abattoir last month:—Cattle 164 (two condemned), calves 9, sheep 889 (one condemned), lambs 28, pigs 70. A list of the ground assessments of the various areas occupied by sports bodies in the domain was forwarded by the Ashburton Sports Association ;:or confirmation. The assessments otalled £llO and the association offered the Domain Board £IOO. Concerning the assessments, the Ashburton Bowling Club wrote protesting against its rental being increased from £3 to £6. In view of the work carried out by the club in upkeep and improvements to that portion of the domain, it considered that its rent should still be nominal. Conditions did not warrant an increase, md the club was still struggling financially. The domain committee was asked to confer with representatives of the Ashburton Sports Association about the bowling club's assessment.

A recommendation from the Ashburton Sports Association that the Ashburton Cycling and Athletic Club be granted a closed day on the domain oval on December 29, was referred to the domain committee for a report. The inspector reported having issued 12 motor-drivers' licenses, making a total of 817 for the current licensing year.

Mr Orr, chairman of the domain committee reported that seven horse chestnut trees along the new drive in the domain had been damaged, and the matter had been reported to the police. It was decided to offer a reward for information that would lead to the conviction of those responsible for the damage.

Mountaineering Club The annual meeting of the Erewhon branch of the Canterbury Mountaineering Club was held last evening, when Mr E. R. Easterbrook presided. The balance-sheet showed that the year opened with a credit of £3 15s !)d and closed with a credit of £6 3s 2d. The annual report stated that the branch had another good year and the favourable winter enabled belter ski-ing than last year to be obtained. The membership of the club was 23, and the need for new members was apparent. Trips last year had been mainly to the front hills, but this year there was a gradual penetration into the back country by club members. The branch suffered a loss during the year when Mr T. N. Beckett, secretary and founder, was transferred from the disu-ict. The branch's thanks was due to Mr E. B. Condell, who was retiring from the treasurership. They also had to thank the Canterbury Mountaineering Club for its support, and landowners over whose property they had traversed. It was hoped that members would work in with the wishes of the back country run-holders upon whose generosity the club was so dependent. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected: Chairman, Mr E. R. Easterbrook; honorary secretary, Mr C. Denham; treasMr M. R. Pilbrow; auditor, Mr H. G. Ferrier; committee, Messrs H. Doherty, J. Pattle, J. L. Partridge, and E. Bray. Preliminary arrangements were made for a trip to Mount "Winterslow next week-end.

LAURISTON In the absence of the Rev. D. B. Ashford, who is attending the Presbyterian General Assembly at Dunedin, Mr Hadfleld conducted the service at the Lauriston Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning. Miss A. Farquhar was the organist. PENDARVES The following are the draw, handicaps, and times for a mixed doubles tournament to be held on Saturday, November 17, at 2 p.m.:—Miss F. Ironside and W. Johnson owe 30 play Miss B. Hampton and F. Ironside owe 3-6 15; Miss H. Johnson and J. L. Bush owe 30 play Miss K. Lambie and P. Doig owe 30. 2.30 p.m.—Miss S. Lambie and R. Lambie owe 30 play Mrs C. Hampton and A. Rankin owe 15; Miss I. L. Lambie and F. Johnson scr play Mrs Bush and K. Midgoley owe 30. 3 p.m.—Miss O. Doig and O. Spratt rec. 15 play Mrs Bruce and F. W. Ironside owe 30; Miss E. Doig and C. H. Hampton owe 30 play Miss D. Watson and E. Rankin owe 3-6 15. The draw and handicaps for the first round of the singles (trophy) matches are as follows. This round must be completed by November 16, the firstmentioned player of each pair to arrange their game:—Women—Miss O. Doig owe 40 (bye); Mrs J. L. Bush owe four strokes (bye); Miss H. Johnson owe 30 plays Miss S. Lambie rec. 15; Miss F. Ironside scr plays Miss B. Hampton rec. 3-6 15; Miss E. Doig owe 40 plays Miss I. L. Lambie owe 15 3-6; Miss A. Lambie owe 15 (bye); Mrs C. H. Hampton (bye); Mrs A. P. Bruce owe 30 (bye). Men—A. Rankin owe 3-6 15 plays F.-Ironside scr; P Doig owe 15 plays L. Bush owed 15; R. Lambie owe 40 plays K. Midgeley rec. 15; W. Johnson owe 30 (bye).

MAYFIELD The monthly meeting of St. Mary's guild was held in St. Mary's Church, Mrs J. J. Mulligan presiding over a good attendance. The Rev. W. T. Williams conducted a short service. It was decided to hold a garden party at the home of Mr and Mrs J. J. Mulligan, in aid of the funds of the guild, on November 24, at 2.30 p.m. Sideshows, cake stall, plant stall, produce stall, and afternoon tea were arranged, to be in charge of Mesdames C. Dunstan, Barker, R. Miller, Hewson, S. Johnston, and others. In the event of the day being wet it was decided that the effort be held in the Agricultural and Pastoral Association's shed. Contributions of eggs were asked for the Timaru St. Saviour's Orphanage, to be handed in at the morning service on November 25. Arrangements were made to renew the furnishings for the interior of the church.

The annual meeting of the Tennis Club was held in the band hall, the Rev. A. D. Kirkland presiding. The balance-sheet, which showed a credit balance of £9 15s 6d, was read and adopted. On behalf of the committee, Mr D. M. Dellow thanked members for the support given during the previous season. The following officers were elected:—Patron, Rev. A. D. Kirkland; president, Mr R. Oikley; auditor, Mr D. O. Sewell; chairman of committee, Mr D. M. Dellow; secretary and treasurer, Mr Ronald Oakley; club captain, Mr R. J. Doonan; vice-captain, Mr G. A. Meikle. The opening day for the year was held on Saturday afternoon. Mr R. Oakley declared the courts open for the season, and wished the club success. Visitors were present from the Anama and Montalto clubs. Friendly games were played during the afternoon.