MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21323, 16 November 1934, Page 9

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON INQUEST INTO WOMAN'S DEATH A verdict that death was due to a bullet wound seir-inilieted apparently following a mentally depressed mind brought about by worry concerning her state of health, was returned by the district coronc.- 'Mr R. Clark) at the inquest yesterday on the death of Grace Davidson Perrin, aged 45, wife of Mr E. F. Perrin, of Wakanui road, who was found dead in her bedroom by her husband on the night of October 22.

Frnest Frederick Perrin. enginedriver on the New Zealand railways, husband of ihc dead woman, said he [eft home to no to work at 3 p.m. on October 22. his wife being left at home on her own. She appeared to be normal then but had not been m good health for .some time and was under the care of a doctor. He returned home at 0.10 p.m., the house being m darkness and found Ins wife lying on her back on the floor in the corner of the room with a pea-rifle across her legs The rifle did not belong to him nor did he know where it came from. His wife had never indicated that she would take her lite. His children were at the gala, and did not return until after he arrived home. He identified his wife's handwriting on a letter produced.

Clarence Burnaby. a relief worker, 75) Wakanui road, said that a woman, whom ho afterwards learnt was Mrs Perrin. living across the road, called at his house at 3.10 p.m. on October 22 and asked for a rifle for her husband to go shooting with. Witness borrowed the rifle prouueed from his mother and left it with Mrs Perrin iat her home. .She returned to witness's place later and asked for instructions as to how the rifle operated, i Witness showed her how the rifl;could be fired. She went back homo and returned again later and bo/- ; rowed five bullets stating that her ; husband had not sufficient to go shooting. Still a further visit was paid later to witness's house by Mrs Perrin. who explained that she was accustomed to shooting at home and was i going to have some target practice, [but a bullet had become jammed. Witi ness released the bullet and Mrs PerIrin thanked him, speaking to the I children as she left. She appeared to ! be quite normal. i In reply to the coroner, witness said ihc thought he was doing a neighbourly | act in lending the rifle. There was I nothing about Mrs Perrin's manner to ; cause him to be suspicious, nor wa: I lie impressed with the inconsistency :of her remarks. The rifle belonged ! to his sister.

Constable J. E. R. Myers said when ' called in. he found that a bullet had i entered the woman's forehead. On 'the floor was a book in which was-. i written a note indicating that she in- ] tended to commit suicide. '. Dr. H. S. Billcliff said he had been ; attending Mrs Perrin. She had been ; in a state of depressed health for some ! time.

I Personal Mr C. M. Keys <Christchurch>, presi- ; dent of the Technical School Teachers' ; Association, will visit Ashburton toi day to attend the sitting of the ! Teachers' Court of Appeal, which will | hear the case of Mr R. .). Thompson : i principal of the Ashburton Technical ' High School», who is appealing against ; his suspension by the School Board of Managers for alleged disobedience of i the orders of the board and the chairman. i Mr H. T. Armstrong, M.P.. of Christchurch < president of the New Zealand Labour party), will commence a lecturing tour in Canterbury at Ashburton on Tuesday evening next in the ; Tancred street hall. i i Band Concert A concert was given by the AshI burton Silver Band from the rotunda ! at the Domain last evening. Under j the baton of Mr S, Teale, the follow- [ ing programme was given:—March, "Anglo Oriental" fOrd Hume); valse, "Maypole" 'Bonheur); overture.

"Overturiana'' (Somers); hymn. "Deep Harmony" (Broadhead); selection, "More Melodious Memories" <Ord Hume); fot-trot, "Northern Belle'' (Lafont); intermezzo. "Forget-me-not" ' Richards'; march. "Number 4'' (J. Howard). Hakateie Lodge The Hakatere Lodge met on Wednesday evening, Bro. J, Arnst, P.G.. presiding. Final arrangements for a visit to the Star of Opawa Lodge, Chtistchurch, on December I, were left to Bros. G. Fowke, J. Arnst. and A. C. Williams. One candidate was elected by ballot. An invitation to attend the birthday parly of the Daphne Lodge on November 24 was accepted. It was decided to confer three degrees at next meeting. A social hour was spent after the meeting. Bible Class Dance A successful flannel dance was held on Wednesday evening by the St. Stephen's senior girls' Bible' class, in aid of the annual Anglican camp funds. The Monte Carlo wait/, was won by Miss E. Eden and Mr C, Attwood and a statue dance was won by Miss J. Fitzgerald and Mr J. Brosnahan. MiRay Daybourne supplied the music for the dance and Mr R. Keeley was master of ceremonies. Missionary Union At the monthly meeting of the Ashburton branch of the Methodist Women's Missionary Union, held on Wednesday afternoon. Sister Mildred presided. Sister E. McMillan, who is engaged in mission v.-ork on Choiscul Island, wrote thanking the institute for the letter of welcome to New Zealand, and Sister ivy for a parcel of clothing received for distribution among the Maoris. The reports of the delegates to the Dominion conference of the Methodist Women's Missionary Union, held at Wellington from October 23 to 26, were received. Tiie report of the delegates was endorsed by Sister Mildred, who referred to the great work done by the executive, one lady alone having typed and sent out C 670 circular letters during the year. Mrs Macfarlane and Sister Mildred were accorded a vote of thanks for their reports. Ashburton Tennis Club The progressive tournament played by women members of the Ashburton Lawn Tennis Club yesterday resulted in a win for Mrs W. R. Ryburn with 119 points. Miss J. Lane being runnerup with 115 points. Tennis The following will represent their respective clubs in matches to-mor-row:—

EilYelton A v. Te Marae C, at Te Marae—N. Stoddart, J. M. Stoddart, R. Davidson. J. Roche. Misses K. McQuilkin. M. Stevens, L. McQuilkin, and M. Crossman. Eiffelton B v. Willowby. at Eiffelton—N. Thomas, G. McQuilkin, H. Hawkins. J. Tansey, J. Cocks. I. Johnston. Misses O. Stevens. E. Anderson, M. Davidson, f. Stoddart, K. Johnston. t,nd J. Taylor. Ashburton v. Te Marae B. at Ashburton—R. Hon-ill, L. Crooks C. Denham. A. Cookson, Misses H." Harper, L. Gilchrist, M. Fear, and M. Watt. Te Marae A v. Fairlo.n. at Fairton— A. Shaw. J. Gore. C. Parsons,' T. Lee, Misses J. Smith. D. Burgess. E. Thomas, and Mrs A. C. Shaw. Te Marae B v. Ashburton, at Ashburton—A. Stanley, G. Kellv. D. Harwood, G. Warriner. Misses I. Dahlberg, f. Easterbrook. H. Druminond, and N Buchanan. Te Marae C v. Eiffelton A. at Te Marae-L. R. Clarke, A. Bruce. J. Betteridge. D. Bowden. Misses E. Meredith, I. McLennan. J. Samuels, and E. Pritchard. Bowls The following is the draw for' the first round of competitions of the Ashburton Bowling Club:—Champion Singles—Second life: First round. Mpctier v. Christmas. McElh'finey v. Easterbrook, Mitchell v. McEachen, Woods v. Cockroft, McLachlan v. Minogue. Higgins v. Colquhoun, Smith v. David. Tultoch v. Amos, Pritchard v. O'Brien. Featherston a bye. Champion Doubles—Second life: First round. Christmas and McElhinney v. McLachlan and Milsom, Featherston and Higgins v. Colquhoun and Easterbrook. Orr and McEachen v. Amos and Madden. David and Minogue v. Tulloch and Dunlop. Todd and Pritchard v. Cockroft and Mactier, Dickinson and A. Lane v. Mitchell and Sawle, Woods and O'Brien v. J. W. Smith and W. R. Lane. Doubles Handicap—Second life: First lound. Dakers and Duiilop i 5) v. Tulloch and McEachen <A), Cockroft and O'Brien (scr) v. Todd and Higgins ill. Orr and Amos '7) v. Sutton and McElhinney '4). Mitchell and Easterbrook (scr) v. Crawford and W. R. Lane (4). Dickinson and Woods <4) v. Colquhoun and Christmas (4), Smith and Pritchard (4) v. Thomas and Mactier (5). Colts' Singles—Second life: First round, Gilmer (4) v. Dunn <5), Dakers (serf v. Dickinson (scr), Thomas (7) v. Crawford (6). Technical High School Board The Technical High School Board met last evening, there being present: Messrs A. L. Jones (chairman), L. A.

Charles, W. G. Hillier, W. Bramley, A. Brown, E. Buchanan, H. Watts, R. Houston,- C. T. Perkins, Dr. J. Connor, and Mrs Harriett Tinker. The report of the principal (Mr R. J. Thompson) stated that the attendance at school had improved a great deal during the present month. Term examinations had commenced on Monday and would continue almost without interruption until after the end of the month. Several students from both the day and evening classes were entering for the Government shorthand typists' examination and various examinations under the Association of Commercial Science. Evening and manual training classes would cease on November 30. The school break-up would be held on December 11. In the competitive section of the Asbburlon show the school obtained 60 prizes out of a possible 68. In non-competi-tive classes 47 prizes were obtained, and in the open clnsses a further four awards were received. The entries Jor the sheep shearing had again been insufficient to warrant the formation of a class. The agricultural class was experimenting with seeds provided by the Agricultural Department of Palmerston North. Clovers, grasses, and rape, both certified and uncertified seeds, were being tested, and progress results were being forwarded Lo the department. In connexion with the visit of his Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, on January 19, only about 40 girls and 25 boys were likely lo be present. During the last month six boys and one girl had obtained permanent positions, bringing the total number of students placed during the present year up to 60. In addition, one boy and one girl had been doing relieving work during the month. The inspector fMr F. C. Reynard) had visited the school. The Education Department advised that 12 student teachers in technical schools throughout New Zealand would be appointed next year, and applications were called for the positions. The allowance payable would be £2O a year, with a boarding allowance of £4O. The Education Department was granted the use of a schoolroom for a metalwork and woodwork test for one pupil on November 22 and 27. The Ashburton Borough and County Councils were thanked for their donations of £5 and £l2 10s respectively. It was decided to congratulate the teachers and staff on the success of the students at the Ashburton show. The arrangement of the principal speaker at the annual break-up was left with the chairman and principal. The financial statement showed a credit of £331.

METHVEN For some time past the rabbit pest on farms adjacent to the Rakaia river from Blackford towards Barr Hill has given cause for much concern, and with a view lo taking some concerted action a meeting of farmers whose properties'adjoin the area mentioned was convened on Thursday by Mr R. W. Wightman. There was a good attendance, and a number of apologies were received from others who were sympathetic towards suitable action. Attending the meeting were Messrs J. W. Smith, inspector of stock, Ashburton, and Grant, a stock inspector from Christchurch. In outlining the plan for control of the pest. Mr Grant stated that under no consideration would trapping of rabbits be allowed, but assistance could be obtained from the Unemployment Board under the direction of the Ashburton County Council to employ men | to make a systematic clean-up of rab- ' bits. The men so employed would be paid 35s a week, with a subsidy of 12s from the farmer, who would have to provide the necessary cost of chemicals and find accommodation for the men. In addition the men would be allowed any profit from the sale of skins. Mr Grant further stated that it would be necessary to form a committee to control operations, which, once constituted, would have power to notify landowners to clear the pest as well as eradicate all cover, such as gorse and broom, on their properties. After a general discussion it was pointed out that only by concerted action would any benefit arise, 'and it was decided to proceed with the scheme, and the following were appointed a committee, with power to add if necessary: Messrs R. W. Wightman. Jas. Carr, R. G. Gerard, W. Ballantyne, and E. J. Watson. A vote of thanks was accorded Messrs Grant and Smith for placing the scheme before the meeting. Mr J. Connolly. M.P., was a visitor to Methven on Tuesday for the ReidMcKay wedding. Mr and Mrs R. Reid. Greymouth. have returned home after attending the Reid-McKay wedding at Methven. Mrs R. Johnstpne, Oxford, who was a visitor.. to for the ReidMcKay wed,ding, has now returned home. The following players will represent the Methven Cricket Club in the junior competition against Technical at Methven on Saturday:—W. J. Owen, G. L. Bufton, C. Austin, S. H. Macdonald, H. Reid, S. Smith, G. Lochhead, G. Cleeve, T. Owers. H. Owen. J. Mcintosh. Emergencies: D. Cleeve, K. Fryer.