MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21404, 21 February 1935, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY

—s—. ASHBURTON PERSONAL Mrs G. Johns (Rakaia-Methven circuit) and Messrs F. Frampton (Ashburton) and G. H. B. Lill (Willowby) left by train yesterday morning to represent Ashburton county congregations at the Dominion conference of the Methodist Church at Dunedin. The Rev. R. McGregor (Willowby) made the journey south by car. Girl Guide Association A meeting of the Ashburton Girl Guide Association was held on Tuesday afternoon, when the president (Mrs F. W. Seldon) presided. The resignation of Miss I. Hillier as captain of the first company was received with regret, members paying a tribute to her fine service since the organisation of the girl guides at Ashburton. It was decided to recognise her work in a formal manner at a date to be arranged. A number of appointments were made as a result of the resignation. Miss E. Mcllraith was appointed captain of the first company and Miss O. Spedding lieutenant. Miss M. Jennings will remain captain of the second company, and Miss B. Furby was appointed lieutenant. Advice was received that Mrs D. S. Studholme (Coldstream) had been appointed district commissioner in place of Mrs A. J. Petrie, who had resigned. The balance-sheet in connexion with the camp held at Staveley in January was presented, and considered satisfactory. Bible Class Concert A successful concert was given at the Baptist Church on Tuesday evening by the Ashburton Baptist Young Women's Bible Classes to augment the Bible class missionary fund. Pastor H. W. Mellsop presided over a good attendance. The following programme was given:—Hymn, young women's classes: vocal solo. Miss M. White; piano-accordion solo, Mr C. Porter; male quartet, Messrs K. and R. Norrish, J. Lewis, and S. Porter; recitations, Miss I. Ede; vocal solo, Miss N. Bishop; pianoforte solo, Miss B. Tucker; recitations. Miss J. Lill: pianoforte duet, Misses H. and P. Loy; vocal solo. Miss A. Beck; missionary dialogue, Bible class members. Missionary Union The annual "Silver Tree" effort held by the Ashburton branch of the Methodist Women's Missionary Union was held on Tuesday afternoon, and proved very successful. The Baring Square Me. jdist Hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Sister Mildred apologised for the absence of the Rev. G. B. Hinton, and called upon Mr F. Frampton (senior church officer) to open the proceedings. Len Hopkins presented Mr Frampton with a dainty buttonhole. Mr Frampton referred to the work done by the various branches, and congratulated the ladies on their success. In declaring the sale open, Mr Frampton wished those present a successful afternoon. Musical and elocutionary items were contributed by the following:—Solos, Mesdames G. Holmes and W. R. Featherston; piano solo. Miss'O. Watts: guitar solo, Mrs G. Holmes; recitation. Miss M. Amos. Misses B. Chapman and M. Kelly were the accompanists. Afternoon tea was served and good i business done, the stalls being practi-l cally cleared. The bags were taken ] from the ''tree" and favourite quotations read. The proceeds for the after-1 noon amounted to more than £22. i with several small sums yet to come i in. Tennis The following players will represent the Ashburton Lawn Tennis Club in a match with the Timaru Tennis Club J to be played at Ashburton on Saturday:—P. McLauchlan. V. W. Russell. D. A. Lawson, C. Bonnington. E. Easterbrook, R. Horrill, Misses D. Vesty, T. Cowan, Mavis Vesty, N. Tayler. I. Litten, and J. Lane. Chora] Society The annual meeting of the Ashburton Choral Society was held last evening, the president, Mr W. H. Woods, presiding over a large attendance. The annual report stated that the year's results had been satisfactory and that the standard of performances! was quite up to the standard of the' previous year. The choir membership maintained about the same average as previously, and the orchestra, under the leadership of Dr. N. E. H. Fulton, had increased in membership. The financial statement disclosed a credit balance of £3 1L Bd, compared with one of 19s 6d last year. The principal items of revenue were subscribing members, £7O, and choir members' subscriptions, £53. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. A number of new members were elected. 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, F. W. Watt, R J. Tucker, R. A. Collins, W. H. Higgins, G. E. Argyle, Drs. N. E. H. Fulton and J. R. Wells; secretary, Mr W. B. Thomas; honorary treasurer, Mr W. C. Bishop; honorary librarian. Mr W. T. Corbett; general committee, Mesdames W. Thomas and W. Barrett, Miss L. Acton, Messrs 11. Silvcrwood, A. P. Marriner, Drs. N. E. H. Fulton and J. R. Wells; auditor, Mr J. W. Bowden. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr W. H. Higgins for his valued services as chairman of the committee last year. The meeting recommended that the committee invite Mr V. C. Peters, of Christchurch, to be conductor for the ensuing year. RAKAIA The United Friendly Societies' Picnic Committee held a meeting in the library on Tuesday evening. Present were: Messrs W. Shellock (chairman), N. Brading. T. Gaylor, W. A. Smith, H. Donaldson, R. Pluck, F. Behmes, C. Shannon, and D. Newman. It was decided to send a letter of sympathy to Mr J. Eng'and in his illness. It was also decided that hot water and milk would be provided free at the picnic to Corsair Bay. MOUNT SOMERS At, a meeting of the Mount Somers parochial vestry, held on Monday evening, at the vicarage, there were present: the Rev. W. T. Williams (chairman),' Messrs A. N. Grigg, F. Peter, J. A. Mears, J. H. Boaler (Ruapuna), D. Duff, and S. Shimmin (Mayfield), J. Mclver (Anama), G. L. Button (Bushside), E. T. Grigg (Alford Forest), and J. T. Bull. A motion of sympathy was passed to Mr W. A. Sharpe, in illness, and wishes expressed for his speedy recovery. The treasurer, reported receipts of £2l 0s 5d from offertories, £24 Is 2d from envelopes, and £2 16s 7d from general sources, since the last meeting. Payments made totalled £l4B lis 7d. It was estimated that about £75 would need to be raised before the end of the financial year, to balance the accounts. It. was decided to instruct vestrymen to proceed with the annual canvass, but that before doing so a circular letter would be forwarded to every parishioner, not already enrolled, soliciting increased support for the • envelope scheme. It was decided to hold the annual produce show and sale of work on Saturday, April 27, at Mount Somers. Mr J. A. Mears was appointed general organiser, Mr A. N. Grigg assistant organiser, ".nd Mrs F. Peter ladies' org"niL" •. _t was reported that the women 'ir/.l already had a preliminary meeting, and it was decided to