MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21733, 16 March 1936, Page 5

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON RAILWAY SOCIETY’S JUBILEE To celebrate the jubilee of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, the Ashburton branch ; held a smoke concert in the Masonic Hall on Saturday evening, The guests of the evening were Mr H. E. Herring, M.P., and Mr C. G. McGonagle, relieving stationmaster at Ashburton. Mr H. C. Page, of Chertsey (chairman of the branch) presided over a large attendance. Among those present were representatives of the local branches of the Technical Teachers’ Association, Post and Telegraph Association, Railway Officers’ Institute, New Zealand Educational Institute, and the Engineers’, Firemen’s, and Cleaners’ Association. . . The toast, “Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants,” was proposed by Mr Herring who referred to the great work being done by the society. He congratulated it on attaining its jubilee. Replying, the chairman paid tribute to Christopher Leek and J. Smith and others who had formed the organisation at Auckland in 1886. “Any man employed on the railways could join. It was a railway union in every sense of the word,” said Mr Page. The speaker reviewed the growth of the society during the last 50 years, and gave examples of changes which had taken place in the railways during that period. . In response to the toast “Our Parliament,” proposed by Mr C, A. Walker, Mr Herring said that there was a very evident tendency nowadays to deride parliament and replace it by a dictatorship. He said it was the business of the people to govern themselves without a dictator. “I pin my faith on the -continuance of our parliamentary institution,” said Mr Herring. Other toasts were:—“ The Railway Department,” proposed by Mr W. Joyce and responded to by Mr McGonagle; “Kindred Societies," responded to by Messrs W. Crawford (Technical Teachers’ Association,) S. W. Gower (New Zealand Educational Institute), and M, J. Peterson (Post and Telegraph Association); “The Ashburton Branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants,” proposed by Mr E. F. Perrin, and responded to by Mr E, Allen; “Superannuated Members,” proposed by Mr W, Penbale and responded to by Messrs J. Osborne, H. Stone, and M. Hannan; “The Artists,” proposed by the chairman, and responded to by Messrs A. H. Todd wd A. C Wilson; “The Chairman,” proposed by Mr McGonagle. During the evening, items were given by Messrs A. H. Todd, A, C. Wilson, C. Parsons, J. H. Browne, W. Denley, P. McLauchlan, T. Brown, and W. Rankin. The function was successfully organised by the committee, of which Mr F. W. Chambers was secretary. Unemployed Belief Due entirely to the cessation of seasonal work, mainly harvesting, there has been an increase of 88 in the number of unemployed registrations, last week in comparison with the previous week. For this week 238 unemployed will draw the sustenance payment compared with 150 last week. Visit of Auckland Band The Auckland Congress Hall Band of the Salvation Army, consisting of more than 40 players, will visit Ashburton on March 30, In the course of a South Island tour, and will play a programme in St. Andrew’s Hall. The band will be accompanied by Major H, C. Goffin (secretary for the Salvation Army bands) and by artists who contribute to the concert programme. The members of the band will be billeted with Ashburton Salvationists and friends during their stay at Ashburton and will leave on March 31 for Timaru where they will render a programme the same evening. A. and P. Association An election will be necessary for the committee of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association this ■year, there being 28 nominations for 24 vacancies. The nominations for officers of the association are as follow:—President, Mr Arthur N. Grigg (Surrey Hills); vice-president, Mr R, J. Martin (Seafleld); committee (24‘ required), Messrs S, Andrew (Ashburton), Harry Brown (Seaview), T. J. Bell (Ashton), J. Bonifant (W#kanui), Hugh B. Brown (Elgin), J. W. Butterick (Wakanui), S. Crosson (Lagmhor), D, J. Doak (Overdale), F. P. Cookson Eiffelton), M. Farrell (Maronan), J., A. Fleming (Lismore), A. Gregory (Ashburton). J. C, Guinness (Ealing). C. Hale (Ashburton), C. G. C. Harper (Hackthorn), R. Houston (Ashburton), J. M. Johnston (Eiffelton), J. Lowery (Tinwald), F. Merrin (Tinwald), S. H. Lill (Tinwald). S. G. Lemon (Lauriston), D. A. Morgan (Ashburton), J. G. McLachlan (Rakaia), R. A. paisley (Overdale), W, A, Sheate (Westerfield), J. Small (Wheatstone), J. W. Smith (Ashburton), and S. P. Taylor (Eiffelton). Strong North-Westerly Wind A strong north-westerly wind blew throughout the Ashburton County on Saturday morning and afternoon, but there was a sudden change to the south-west in the evening. Two poles supporting part of the Ashburton Power Board’s reticulation system were blown down at Wakanui. Personal Mr Lisle B. Thompson, son of Mr and Mrs R. J. Thompson, left Lyttelton by the Port Brisbane on Thursday for Manchester, where he will take up a college apprenticeship for two years with the Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Company. Mr I. L. Bonifant, who left the staff of the New" Zealand Farmers’ Co-oper-ative Association on Saturday, to take up a position attached to the staff of Dalgety and Company. Christchurch, was presented with a travelling ' bag and an alarm clock by Mr E, W- M. Cole (manager) from the staff. The opportunity 'was taken also to say good-bye to Mr Alex. Shaw, who left the staff, to take up a position at Christchurch. The good wishes of the staff were expressed to both by Mr Cole. Mr G. Kelly, Ashburton County clerk, is on annual leave, and is visiting the fishing resorts in the county. Mr F. Charles Perry, general secretary for New Zealand of the Mission to the Lepers, was a visitor to Ashburton on Friday. Heavy Railway Traffic A busy period is being experienced by the officials of the Ashburton railway station in handling the extra railway traffic, due to large consignments of sheep to ewe - fairs, and to the haulage of grain. Two extra trains, north and south, are being run daily to cope with the traffic, A motor horse-float' containing six trotters for the races at Timaru on Saturday, broke j down at Ashburton and when officials of the Railway Department were approached they provided horse boxes which were attached

to the special passenger train from Christchurch. The horses arrived at Washdyke in time to fulfil their engagements. ' • Bam Fair Entries A total of ,1184 entries, compared with 1012 last year and 881 in 1934,. have been received for the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s annual ram fair, which will be held on the show grounds on Wednesday. The entries in the various classes are as follows with those for 1935, in parenthesis:—English Leicesters '272 (272), Border Leicesters 385 (339), Southdowns 248 (165). Corriedales 90 (54), Shropshires 43 (50), Romneys stud rams 26 (63), unregistered rams 120 (34), flock ewes 51 (15). Sunday School Picnic The annual picnic of the children of the St. Stephen's, Allenton* Hampstead, and Fairton Anglican Sunday Schools was held at Corsair Bay on Saturday. More than 200 children, their parents and friends, travelled by train to Lyttelton. Many of the excursionists walked round the harbour to the bay, while others went by launch. A pleasant day was spent in tramping, swimming, and launch trips around the harbour. • High School Cadets The annual barracks of C Company, Third Cadet Battalion (Ashburton High School Cadets) were concluded on Saturday morning, when a rifle meeting was held. The competitions consisted of grouping, application, and rapid on the double diagram Imperial Challenge Shield target. Results’,— , Grouping (possible 25) E. Fowke 25, M, Finlay 25, H. Fooks 25, W. Lowry 25, J. Barton 25, G. Bowden 25, L. McElhinney 25, R. Soutar 25, J. Soutar 25, M. Watson 25. Shoot-off: Barton 1, Fooks 2. . Application (possible 25) J. Barton 23, L. McElhinney 23, B. Cromie 23, J. Tucker 23. Shoot-off: McElhinney 1, Barton 2, Rapid (possible 50)— E. Jordan 45, G, Bowden 42, B. Cromie 42. Shoot-off: Jordan 1, Cromie 2. Junior Aggregate (possible 100) R. Barnett 79, R. Soutar 75, B. Cromie 65, I. Gordon 62, D, Shaw 61, K. Clayton 60. , Grand Aggregate (possible 100) G. Bowden 89, E. Jordan 85, H. Fooks 85, E, Fowke 83, J. Barton 82, L. McElhinney 82, J. Soutar 80, W. Lowry 80, N. Collins 80, R. Barnett 79, J. Welsh 78, C. Tucker 76, R. Soutar 75. Shoot-off: Bowden 1, Jordan 2, Fooks ,3. Formation of Boys’ Brigade To consider the formation of a boys’ brigade company from the three Presbyterian Sunday Schools at Ashburton, a meeting was held in St. Andrew’s Hall recently. The Rev. D. D. MacLachlan and officers and boys of the Tinwald company gave a display. Mr MacLachlan explained the aims and methods of the brigade, and drew attention to the rapid growth of the movement in New Zealand during the last eight years. A committee was elected, with the Rev. R. S. Watson as chairman and Mr F. Shearer as secretary. At a meeting of the committee possible officers were selected, and plans for immediate action were approved. Motor-cycle Club There was a good attendance of the public at the annual road-hill climb contest of the Ashburton Motor-cycle Club on the property of Mr Edgar Watson,’ Happy Valley, Methven, yesterday. Results were as follows; 350 CC., O.H.V. or S.V.—R. Dunn (time, Imin 10 l-ssec) 1, E. Smith (Imin 18 4-Ssec 2, A. Lamont (Imin 44 4-Ssec) 3. Unlimited C.C.—R. Dunn (Imin 8 4-ssec) 1, R, Chambers (Imin 13sec) 2, E. Smith (Imin 15 4-ssec) 3. Club Championship—R. Dunn (Imin 7 3-ssec) 1, R. Chambers (Imin 13 l-ssec) 2, E. Smith (Imin 19sec) 3. Consolation Race—E. Smith (Imin 17sec) 1, R. Chambers (Imin 18 3-ssec) 2, A. Lamont (Imin 47sec) 3. Fastest time for the day: R. Dunn (Imin 7 3-ssec). Cricket The Fairfield Cricket Club’s senior grade team, which won the Ashburton County Cricket Association’s sailor competition last year, was again successful this season, the final series of matches being played on Saturday. This club also wort the junior competition, which was concluded on the previous Saturday. As the Fairfield Club’s senior team is the holder of the Bristol' Cup. which is for annual competition between the winners of the Ashburton and South Canterbury Cricket Associations’ senior grade competitions, the winner of the South Canterbury competition has the opportunity to challenge the Fairfield Club for the trophy. The best batsman on Saturday was J. Pritchard, who made 80 runs for Ashburton in the match against Methven. N. Phelan (Fairfield) knocked up 44 runs, and B. Knox (Old Boys) 40 runs. B. McSherry (Ashburton) took six Methven wickets for 8 runs, and C. Brady (Fairfield) took seven for 19, in the match against Technical. FAIRFIELD v TECHNICAL

Fairfield beat Technical by 68 runs In a one-innings game on the Technical ground. Batting first, and playing one man short, Fairfield made 123 (N. Phelan 44. Don McKay 22). Technical replied with 55, the only player to reach double figures being V. McNlchol,. who scored 17. The only bowlers for Fairfield were C. Brady and H. Baird, who took seven for 19 and three for 30 respectively. For Technical. E. Stlgley took four for 50. and McNlcol two for 6. ASHBURTON v. METHVEN Ashburton beat Methven by 113 runs and four wickets in a match on the oval. Batting first, Methven was dismissed' for the small total of 28, no player scoring double figures, and three failing to score. Ashburton replied with 141 for the loss of six wickets (J. Pritchard 80, J. Wood 24 not out). Bowling for Ashburton, B. McSherry took six wickets for 8 tuns, and J. Varcoe four for 14. For Methven, W. J. Owen took two for 31, and W. Cook two for 36. OLD BOYS v. KIA ORA Old Boys beat Kia Ora by 15 runs in a one-innings game on the Old Boys ground. Batting first, with one man short, Kia Ora made 100 (H. Jordan 27, E. Cutler 15, F. Holloway 15). Old Boys made 115 (B. Knox 40, B. Doig 14, R. G. Ross 12). Bowling for Old Boys, R. Fear took three for 12, B. Knox two for 10. and S. Duncan two for 15. For Kia Ora, L. Moore took three for 27, and S. Kerr three for 35. Tennis Championships Because of the Inclement weather the Mid-Canterbury Lawn Tennis Sub-Asso-ciations’ Gala Cup championships could not be concluded on Saturday, and -wilt. Ire finalised during the week. Miss E. Meredith won the senior women’s singles from Miss D. Vesty, and A. McCall beat C. J. Hooper in the final of the junior mens singles.

Details are:— ‘ , _ Senior Men’s Singles—Third round: P. McLauchlan beat N. Stoddart, 6-2, 6-3; V. W. Russell beat K. G. Fowke, 6-1, 6-1; E. P. Bryant beat A. C. Shaw, 6-0, 6-4. Semi-finals: McLauchlan beat Russell, 6-2, 6-2; Bryant beat Bruce, 6-2, 6-0. Senior Men’s Doubles—First round: N. Stoddart and D. M. Bruce beat K. Fowke and R. Horrill, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. Second round: E. P. Bryant and W. T. Watkins beat Stoddart and Bruce, 7-5 6-0. Semi-finals; P. McLauchlan and V. W. Russell beat A. Stanley and L. R. Clarke, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1; Bryant and Watkins beat C. A. Cuff and c. J, Bonnington, 7t5, 5-7, 6-1. Senior Combined Doubles—Third round; C. J. Bonnington and Miss D. Vesty beat A. C. Shaw and Miss A. McHarrie, 6-2, 6-1; E. P. Bryant and Miss E. Meredith beat A. Stanley and Miss I. McLennan, 6-0, 6-1. Semi-final: Bryant and Miss Meredith beat Clarke and Miss Dahlberg by default. , „ Senior Women’s Singles--Final; Miss E. Meredith beat Miss D. Vesty, 5-6, 6-2, 6-4. Junior Men’s Singles—Final: A. McCall beat C. J. Hooper, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. Rifle Shooting The Ashburton Defence Rifle Club fired 'a match at 300 and 500 yards on Saturday at the butts. The winner was D. Moore, whose score totalled 96. G. Cromie, who returned 46 and 44, the best scores of the day, was second with 92, while D. Doak; who had a higher handicap, returned the same aggregate.

RAKAIA The annual bowling match between the Ashburton Sub-Centre and the i Canterbury Centre for the Langley: Cup was played on the Rakaia green on Saturday. A strong north-westerly wind prevailed until near the end of the match, when it suddenly changed to the south-west. Canterbury won the cup by 10 points, the. total score being . 136 to 126. . Mr C. Carrington., president of the Rakaia extended-a^?Kei^

come to the visitors, and presented the cup to the winners, Mr W. Healey, manager of the Canterbury team, replied. Mr W. Healey, for the Rakaia club, presented the Bram Lee Rosebowl to H, Rapley, the winner of the club’s championship singles competition. Details of the games were as follows (Canterbury names mentioned first):; —Fuller, Hey, Dann, Ramsay (s), 11, Cowans, Silverwood, P. Boothroyd, Acton (s) 19; Ranger, Haydock, Turland, Taylor (s) 12, Cooke, Barr, Mathieson, Templeton (s) 2r; Clark, Lennie, Britten, Madsen (s) 21, Dickinson, Dunn, Lane, Higgins (s) 20; Smithson, Cutts, McNab, Healey (s) 24, Gardiner, Colgan, Jones, Rapley (s) 12; King, Teasdale, Sneddon, Gagliardi (s) 24; Smith, McElhinny, Colquhoun, Wood (s) 20; Hadley, Robb. Vogel, Young (s) 30, Treen, Callaghan, Matson, Renai (s) 18; Robinson, Dobbs, Page, Dobbs (s) 14, Breach, Grossley, Garrigan, Conway (s) 16. Mrs W. Gimson presided at the annual meeting of the Lauriston branch of the Women’s Institute. The president referred to the death of Mrs W. Letham. The sympathy of all members was carried in silence. Mesdames R. Bebbington and F.L. Amos were appointed delegates to .the

Mid-Canterbury conference, which is to be held in. Ashburton early in April. Miss Rona Gimson*was welcomed as a new member.

Competitions resulted as follows:, — Asters, Miss L. Letham 1, Mrs R. Bebbington and Miss M. Letham (equal) 2, Mrs Boag and Miss M. Hampton (equal) 3; tray cloth. Miss M. Hampton and Miss £. Lemon (equal) 1, Misses M, Letham and E. Lemon' (equal) 3, Misses M. and A. Hampton (equal) 5, The secretary, Miss A. Hampton, presented the annual report, which indicated a most successful year. The treasurer. Miss E. Maidens, presented the financial statement, which revealed , a satisfactory credit balance. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted:—President, Mrs W. Gimson; vice-presidents, Mesdames C, A. Fyfe and R. Bebbington; secretary. Miss E. Lemon; treasurer. Miss M. Letham: committee, Mesdames J. Mackie, A, Goodwin, V, Boag, W. D. Brunsden. Misses A. Hampton, E. Maidens, L. Letham, and D. Maidens. P aace . The liauriston Hall Committee opened the dancing season with a most successful harvest home dance. The attendance was very large, visitors being present from many parts of the province. ? The, masters of ceremonies were Messrs R. F. Letham and H. T. Crothers. Music for the dancing was played by Cook’s band (Lyndhurst), extras being played by Mr T, Lawlor (Rakaia). A lucky spot waltz was won by Miss Magson and Mr J. Irwin. The same couple also won a lucky spot fox-trot. A lucky spot boston two-step, was won by Miss E. Dale and Mr R. Blain, and Miss Maw and Mr H. Fatquhar won the Monte Carlo waltz. Miss Drummond and Mr Sheard won the competition for the first couple bn the floor.

.Details:—^ 300yds 500yds Hep. Tl. D. Moore .. 41 46 9 96 G. Cromie .. 46 44 2 92 O. Doak .. 41 46 , 5 92 Fi Porter .. 43 44 2 89 L. McNatty .... 36 46 4 88 J. Bishop .. 40 41 2 83 J; Welsh . .. 29 35 10 74