MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21324, 17 November 1934, Page 11

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON FARMERS' UNION ! i The Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union met yesterday, Mr R. Oakley, of Mayfield (president) presiding. The Postmaster-General (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) advised that the tenders received for the performance of the mail services in the Mid-Canter-bury area by means of "baby" cars had been declinedl The successful tenderers wouM be in a position to render a service similar to that now being enjoyed by boxholders. It was decided to thank the Post-master-General for his attention to the un l° n 's representations on the matter. The South Canterbury Provincial Executive of the Union gave particulars of an excursion to Lincoln College on December 13, and invited members of the Mid-Canterbury executive, together with members of the Women's Division, to attend. It was decided to circularise the branches and invite the Women's Division of the Union to attend. A report on revaluations was made °y Mr J. Carr (Methven), who said that most farmers applied for a revaluation principally to escape the payment of land tax which for many years had to be paid out of capital. The number of revaluations made in the Ashburton County since April 1, 1930, was 77, and the average reduction in capital values was 21.23 per cent, or a total of £163,625. The reductions varied from 4 per cent, up to 50 per cent., the capital value of P ro J??™™ reduccd varying from £6O to £27,0j0. The county council was in favour of striking a rate orx a 25 per cent, reduction of the 1930 basis. When iarmers were granted a revaluation they would escape land tax, but not local body taxation. The local body rates would have to be increased to meet any deficiency in the total sum resulting from a lower valuation. The land tax should be abolished he said. It was higher in Canterbury than in any other part of the Dominion. He maintained that farmers should aim to secure a reduction in valuation. Mr Carr was thanked for his report, and was asked to convey the thanks of the union to the County Clerk (Mr G. Kelly) and his staff for their courtesy in supplying information on many subjects to the union. The following remits were submitted by the Lauriston branch:— "That, in view of the continued Australian embargo on New Zealand potatoes, we ask the Government to place an embargo on Australian dried and preserved fruits and general merchandise. We consider that the Chamber of Commerce could assist in the matter." "This branch strongly supports the Government in its proposal to reduce rural rates by 12A per cent., as we consider this is the first step in the complete derating of farm lands." "That we are of opinion that the Dairy Bill is a step in the right direction, that of controlled marketing, and the Government be commended for bringing the bill forward." The president said that the Government was negotiating with the Australian Government concerning the embargo on New Zealand potatoes. The second remit was adopted. Discussing the third, Mr W. R. Hammond (Winchmore) said the farmers were up against fluctuations in prices for their produce. He pointed to the success of controlled marketing in Denmark, one of the most successful agricultural countries in the world. Mr V. Wilkinson (Chertsey) said that there would be an oiier-supply of mutton very shortly, and further markets would have to be explored. If there was a loss on an experimental shipment, that loss *should be borne equally by the producers of the Dominion. "We have to face changing conditions, and new ideas <# control and marketing have to be knocked into shape," said Mr J. R. Dalton (Methven). The remit was carried, with the addition that a clause be added urging that the industry should have time to explore fully the provisions of the bill before it was put into operation. In the meantime the executive was in favour of approved controlled marketing of produce. Personal A visit was paid to Ashburton yesterday by Miss E. Jerome Spencer, of Hawke's Bay (founder of the women's institute movement in New Zealand). She was entertained at luncheon by the Ashburton District Institute, when she met officers of the various institutes throughout the county. The Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods) and Mrs Woods were among those present. In the afternoon Miss Spencer addressed a meeting of institute members from all parts of the county. Loyal Ashburton Lodge Loyal Ashburton Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., met on Thursday evening, v/hen the N.G. (Bro. R. H. Loy) presided. Votes of sympathy were passed with the relatives of P.G. Bro. F. Hancox and Bro. C. Gadd. An invitation to attend a church parade at Rakaia on December 2 was accepted. Two new members were elected and two candidates were initiated into the order. Sick pay amounting to £3O 18s 4d was passed in favour of 17 members. The nominations for officers for the ensuing term closed. The social committee reported that the Christmas tree would be held on December 15. Man Injured Mr George Brown, a single man, aged 40, of Methven, suffered injuries to his back, which were not of a serious nature, when he fell on his plough on Thursday. He was admitted to the Ashburton Public Hospital the same evening, and his condition was reported to be satisfactory. Croquet A croquet match in the B flag competition of the South Canterbury Croquet Association was played between Waireka (Ashburton) and Ashbury (Timaru) at Ashburton last Wednesday and resulted in a win for Waireka by 5 games to 1, with several single. games unfinished. Details are as follows, Waireka names being given fl Smiles-Miss Hardwick 26 Mrs Panton 14; Mrs E. Robilliard 26, Mrs Keay 0; Mrs H. Samuels 26, Mrs Leslie 16. Mrs J. M. Wilkie 16, Mrs Martin 14. Mrs M. Macmillan 9, Mr.s Edyvean 4 Doubles-Miss Hardwick and Mi* Robilliard 26, Mesdames Panton and Keay 10; Mesdames Samuels and Wil kie 26, Mesdames Leslie.and Mai tin 9- Mrs Macmillan and Miss For&yui 24. Mesdames Edyvean and Solomon 26. . MOUNT SOMERS At the quarterly meeting of the Mount Somcrs Domain Board held in the library, there were present, Mess s E C Wood (chairman), J- ivicuumont,' W. J. Comyns, and H. H. Hood. The chairman reported that the trecnlantina had been completed, and that f number of the former trees planted had been destroyed by hares It was at the swimming baths had been completed by the unemployed, and thTfevelling of the grounds and other , improvements were being attended to. , Those present at the monthly meet- ] ine of the Mount Somers School Com- < rrittee were Messrs J. A. Mears (chair- < man) W R. Glasson, R. McCallum, L. ; King' G. M. Doak, W. A. Sharpe (head- jt

master), and J. T. Bull (secretary). A motion of sympathy was passed with the Harvey family in their recent bereavement. Replying to the committee's enquiry about liability for accidents to pupils in the school grounds, the Canterbury Education Board wrote that it is not considered that members of a committee would be personally liable unless there were evidence of wilful neglect of reasonable precautions. Any case would have to be dealt with under common law and negligence proved. It was decided to make the presentation of prizes on Wednesday afternoon, December 19, and that Mr F. Peter be invited to make the presentation of awards, and the Rev. W. T. Williams to make a speech. It was decided that special prizes be awarded for first in each class, and that each pupil in the school should receive a prize or gift. Owing to the prevalance of much sickness, it was agreed that no attendance prizes be awarded. A roll of 53 was reported. ROKEBY Mrs Hooper presided at a meeting of the Rokeby girl guides' committee. It was decided to use the proceeds of the recent dance to commence a fund to provide a local hall. It was agreed to call a public meeting for Tuesday, November 20, to discuss the subject further. The Rokeby girls' auxiliary have made arrangements to hold their annual garden party at Mrs W. Crozier's residence on Thursday, November 29. METHVEN The annual meeting of members of the Methven Amateur Swimming Club was held in the Town Hall, Mr.lf. G. Ayers presiding over a good attendance The annual report stated that the club had enjoyed a successful season. Teams from the club had competed at various club carnivals in the county, and had won the Friedlander Cup at Mount Somers. During the last year the club had installed electric lighting at the baths, and was now in a position to hold evening carnivals. Several of the club's younger members showed much improvement, and had more than held their own in open competition. Several evening carnivals held showed a fair profit, and the club again showed a small credit balance The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr Jer. Connolly, MP; president, Mr H. Reid; vicepresidents, Messrs H. G. Ayers, E. A. Fitzgibbon, Stanley Smith, and A. E. Henderson; honorary secretary, Mr L. V/alker; honorary treasurer, Mr W. Martin; delegates to Ashburton Amateur Swimming Centre, Messrs J. C. C McLachlan (Ashburton), H. G. Ayers and H. Reid (Methven); women's committee, Misses Nancy Ayers Ivy Watson, May Dalton, R. Waddington, Ailsa Anderson; captain, Mr P. Cookson; vice-captain, Mr G. Dalton; committee. Messrs R. G. Dart, J Mcintosh, J. Wootton, E. A. Fitzgibbon, K. Fryer, D. McDonald, M. Hands, J. Comptcn, and the Rev. E. A. Osmers; honorary auditor, Mr H. Green; handicapper, Mr A. R. Gourley Mr Ayers referred to the services of the retiring handicapper, Mr E A Fitzgibbon. who had held the position since 1905. On his motion a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Fitzgibbon for his services. It was decided to open the season with an evening carnival on Tuesday, November 27. The final meeting of the Methven District High School Carnival Committee was held in the school on Thursday evening, Mr Stanley Smith presiding over a good attendance. The treasurer, Mr A. G. Foreman, presented the balance-sheet of the carnival, which showed a credit balance of £237 4s. The monthly meeting of the committee of the Methven Plunket Society was held in the society's rooms, Mrs J. Wootton presiding. The nurse's report for the month of October was presented as follows:—Visits to branch 4, visits to homes for new cases 2, others 22, total 24; visits to rooms, adults 43, babies .'6, older children 10, total 89. There were four new cases.