MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21686, 21 January 1936, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON MAGISTRATE'S COURT A statutory first offender for drunkenness, who was arrested in Victoria street on Sunday evening, was convicted and fined 5s in the Ashburton Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. Mr R. Kerr, J.P., was on the bench. Fishing The Ashburton river was in good order for fishing with the worm on Sunday but nothing was caught at the mouth of the river, where several rods were out. Fishing upstream two local anglers landed five trout averaging lib each. The Rakaia and Rangitata rivers in flood. An Ashburton party visiting the lakes in the back country during the week-end found that the weather was not suitable for rainbow trout fishing, but caught some brown trout up to six or seven pounds in weight. Personal Dr. A. J. Mason, medical superintendent of the Ashburton Public Hospital, who has been on annual leave, resumed duties yesterday. Dr. G. I. Miller is on holiday at Sumner. , Visit of Mr W. M. O'Hara Mr W. M. O'Hara, who recently crossed the Tasman Sea in a Klemm Eagle monoplane, arrived at Ashburton from the south, at 3.30 p.m. on Sunday, and stayed the night with friends in the country. He left yesterday morning for Christchurch^ Abattoir Returns The returns of the operations of the Ashburton Municipal abattoir during December, presented to the Borough Council last evening, were as follows: Cattle 137, calves 9, sheep 666 (2 condemned), lambs 244, and pigs 56. Power Board At the monthly meeting of the Power Board, held yesterday, there were present: Messrs E. F. Nicoll (chairman), W. H. Rundle. J. Carr, W. H. Woods, W. G. Gallagher, R. J. Mulligan, J. W. M. Dart, H. J. Crothers, H. C. Barton. W Bryant, and H. Morris. The financial statement showed that the receipts for last month totalled £3969 19s 7d, which was an increase of "£lßl 14s 9d, on the revenue for December, 1934. The revenue for the first nine months of the current financial year was £35,556 3s 9d, an increase of £741 Is 7d on the revenue for the corresponding period of the previous year. The extent to which refrigerators were being sold during the hot weather was commented on by the chairman, who said that 75 per cent, of the sales were cash transactions. In reply to Mr Carr, who asked what was the most convenient type which could be generally adopted within the scope of farmers, Mr H. G. Kemp said that refrigerators with a sft cabinet would hold a whole sheep after it had been cut up, and the .price was £53. The Audit Department returned the board's balance-sheet for the financial year ending March 31, 1935, certified correct. The chairman reported that a new I auditor had gone through the board's ! accounts and had been satisfied with them. The report of the engineer-secretary (Mr H. G. Kemp) said that defective bluegum poles had been replaced by ironbark poles in the following districts: —Dorie 25, Cairnbrae 16, HindsMaronan 8, Longbeach 4, Overdale, Dromore, Riverside, and Rakaia 2 each, itehburton, Lowcliffe, Flemington, and Racecourse road 1 each. Transformers were changed at' Highbank, Mayfleld, and Longbeach. The construction of the new Public Works line from Hororata to Ashburton necessitated the moving of about three miles of lines mainly in the Somerton district. In general, wires were being placed just over the fences in private property. The work was being carried out at the cost of the department. Trees had been cut back in the HindsMaronan district. The running-engineer (Mr A. T. Saunders) reported that 656,000 units were supplied by Lake Coleridge, and 155.7 by the board's Diesel plant during the month. AH pumps supplying the borough high-iressure water were in good running order. The demand for water had been heavy, but there had not been any difficulty in coping with it. The report of the inspector (Mr W. G. Welsh) said that the wiring department had an exceptionally busy r-onth on installation work. Thirtyfour refrigerators had been installed, and the wiring department had installed 29 of these. The wiring for two ranges and two water heaters had been done for the Staveley health camp. Because of extra work before Christmas this department had to work some overtime, and also on Saturday afternoons. The retest work had been held up, but would be in hand a"gain shortly. During the month there were connected six ranges, two water-heaters, 42 motors, 22 meters, 15 consumers, and 28 radio sets. A special report was submitted by Mr Kemp on the failure of the 200 k.v.a. static condensers at the, powerhouse. It was decided that tenders be called for new condensers, the cost being estimated at about £IOOO. Reporting on the construction of electric tractors, Mr Kemp said that the work of building two machines on order had been held Up by the irregular delivery of material from England. Some of the material came to hand on Saturday, and the work would now proceed again. Park for Ashburton East A request that a recreation ground be provided for Ashburton East was made to the Ashburton Borough Council last evening by the Hampstead War Memorial Society on behalf of a meeting of ratepayers held in the Ashburton East district last month. In a letter to the council the society said the meeting was representative and the opinion was expressed that the time was opportune for the purchase of a ground. If the matter were delayed much longer, the opportunity of obtaining a suitable piece of land would be gone. The Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods): This is a hardy annual." He said that the council had no concrete proposal before it, therefore the council could hardly approve or reject the scheme. The town clerk said that a poll to purchase 10 acres by raising a loan of £2OOO had been taken in 1924 and the proposal was then turned down bv 304 votes to 213. . Mr J. Thompson said it was desirable that a playing area should be provided. More than one recreation ground was set aside in other towns It was the council's job to go into !u e S) 1 !!. 41 ?".' to consider the needs of the district for the years to come It was decided to ask the society to appoint a deputation to "the next

meeting of the council to place proposals before it. Harvester-Injured During harvesting operations at Hinds about 7 o'clock last evening, William Wilson Lowe, the eldest son of Mr Wr T. Lowe, of Hinds, caught his hand in the blade of a binder and received severe cuts. He was admitted to the Ashburton Public Hospital. Borough Council At a meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council held last evening, the Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods) presided. There were also present: Messrs J. Thompson, F. J. E. Smallbone, J. Shaw, E. Buchanan, S. Mitchell, J. T. Pratley, H. R. C. McElrea, W. H. Robinson, E. H. Orr, R. Kerr, and Dr. 3. Connor. The financial statement showed that the receipts since the last meeting on December 23 totalled £6982 2s Bd, including current rate £6408 15s lid, arrears of rates- £B4 16s lOd, rents £192 3s Id, abattoir fees' £lO6 4s 6d, and licenses £29 9s 6d. The Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade was granted permission to use the borough high pressure water for its annual competitions to be held at Mona square on February 8. Mr H. E. Herring, M.P., advised that the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) would be unable to visit Ashburton to the Hampstead drainage scheme during his present visit to Canterbury and the West Coast, but expected to be in Ashburton shortly. The Local Government Loans Board advised that it had received a report from the Public Works Department on the Hampstead underground drainage loan of £12,000, and it appeared that finality had not yet been reached and that tenders were now to be submitted, including the cost of supplying'automatic flushing tanks. It was understood that the Public Works Department was not prepared to agree to any installation without flushing tanks on a flatter grade than one in 100 for 6in pipes, so that it appeared that if the tenders received were in excess of the loan authorised, the whole matter might require further, consideration. It was presumed that the Ashburton Borough Council would communicate with the Loans Board should the present requirements be beyond the amount of the loan authorised. The Mayor said Mr W. H. Stevens (engineer) was negotiating with the Minister for Public Works in the hope that something might be done to avoid additional expense. The gradient,was altered to one in 200 by the Public Works Department and not one in 100 as mentioned by the Loans Board. It was' decided to call for alternative tenders for the work, with and without flushing tanks. The Town Clerk (Mr W. Patterson) was given permission to attend the annual meeting of; the Institute of Town Clerks, which will be held at Napier on March 3. The Town Clerk reported that the outstanding rates were £902 3s Id, compared with £1033 3s 7d last year. Building permits totalling £2672, including club rooms at £2650, were granted. "I want to call the attention of the council to the absolute lack of traffic control in Ashburton," said Mr Smallbone. He said that disregard was shown for parking regulations. More than 2000 cars were registered in the district, and they should be controlled. He suggested the appointment of a full-time traffic inspector. Mr Thompson said that the council's inspector should be in uniform. It was 10 years since there had been a prosecution and speed limits were being disregarded. Mr McElrea said the discussion was out of order. Proposals similar to those being made were being considered now' by a committee of the council. MOUNT SOMERS, A complimentary social was tendeiwd- the Rev. Trevor Williams, by parishioners in the Mount Somers Memorial Hall on the eve of his departure on a visit to England. There was a large gathering from all the 'sub-centres of the parish. Mr J. A. Mears was chairman. Songs were given, by Misses A. Roe and K. McMillan, Messrs C. Rountree, and P. Harris. Mrs. I, M. Goodrich was accompanist Music for dancing was played by Mesdames S. Shinimin (Ruapuna), W. McCUmont, , and . Mr J. Fagan (Mayneld). . ' Messrs A. N. Grigg (vicar's warden) and J. JL Boales (Ruapuna) spoke of the sincerity of purpose with which Mr Williams had discharged his duties during his stay of more' than two years in the parish, the progress of church worfc in the parish, and the high regard in which parishioners-held him. Best wishes were expressed, for an enjoyable trip, and a; safe return, and -the hope was expressed that the

trip would be the means of Mr Wil* liams gaining further knowledge of the church's woncs and activities in the Mother Country. Mr Grigg presented Mr Williams with a sum of money with which to purchase a memento during his trip. Mr Williams in reply said that it was with considerable hesitancy that he decided to go abroad, and his decision had been prompted by the urgings of both the Bishop and parishioners that he should take the opportunity,of getting into closer touch with the work of .the mother church in England. He deeply appreciated the kindly expression of affection, and the tangible gift, and asked for a continuance of the same hospitality and support for Mr R. Carson, a. student of College House, whom he was leaving in control of the 1 parish under the charge of the Rev. H. E. Hamilton, of Methven. Mr Carson also spoke. Supper was served by women help-, ers. STAVELEY Mr and Mrs A. Tillman (Christ - church) are staying with Mrs A. R. Andrews. Mr and Mrs Percy Bryant (Seaward Downs) are visiting Mrs S. Goldsmith. Miss M. Syme, of the Christchurch Public Hospital, is staying with her mother, Mrs D. A. Syme. Children's Health Camp Those in charge of the health camp at Staveley have reported that the children are benefiting by their holiday and are steadily gaining in weight. A religious service was conducted again on Sunday by the Rev. A. A. C. Lion,, and on the previous Sunday the Rev, Trevor Williams spoke to the children. He visited the camp again on Friday to say farewell before leaving for England. One of the girls presented him with a buttonhole and wished him a happy time. tAtJKISTON In the. absence of the -Rev.. D. B. Ashford, who is on.annual leave, Mr James Oliver conducted the service at the Lauriston .Presbyterian. Church and on Sunday morning Miss Ray Letharn was the organist. Mr Oliver referred totoe great loss theqhurch and the district had suffered in the recent death of Mr, Walter Letham, and asked all present to stand in silence as a mark of respect and sympathy. ' ■'; Work on the Farm ' . Harvest operations are progressing, and- noty th, e >,reapiijg of the. .wheat crops ha? begun.,, Many, good >crops K are W be seen la theTdisttfcV Jhwra-

day's north-west gale caused considerable damage to ripe, oats crops, and also to grass-seed which had heeft cut and was awaiting the header, Th&batS were shaken and bent over, and much grass-seed was blown a distance and threshed en route, RUAPUNA Mr and Mrs R. McLay entertained a number of friends at their home at "Stoneylea," Ruapuna,, to, celebrate the coming-of-age of their eldest son, Arthur. The drawing-room ■ and verandah were decorated with balloons and coloured streamers. Dane ing was held to music played by Miss E. Allan and Mr F. Allan. The toast of "The King" was proposed by Mr J. H. Boaler, that of the guest of honour by Mr J. H. Patterson, and that of the host and hostess by Mr S. Clifford.' A presentation for those present was made by Mr F. Allan. Novelty dances were won by Miss L. Moore and Mr S. Clifford, and Miss M. Tasker and A. Macfarlane. Mr S. Clifford was' master of ceremonies. LISMORE j The monthly meeting of the Lismore branch of the Women's Division , of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. was held at the Maronan homestead, with the president, Mrs Jacob, presiding. Among the correspondence was a letter acknowledging a gift sent as a Christmas present to the lepers at Makogai Island. Mrs J. A. Fleming, as. a member of the Mid-Canterbury executive, spoke of the business transacted at the last meeting, and said that the Lismore branch had been congratulated on having sent £4 towards the funds for the health- camp at Staveley. ' . . The- meeting voted 5s to enable :a delegate to become a. member of the Crippled Children's Committee. • It. was decided not to hold a meeting next month, because.of the'harvest. The interprovincial conference was discussed, and it was decided that as many members as possible, should attend it. ■■■>'. The competition for the Best .bloom resulted:—Mrs' Sparrow .1, Mis&Clueas 2. and Mrs Addis 3. . - A. vote.of thanks was passed'to Mrs Addis, who was the hostess for *heafternoon, - <■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ~-■ -