MID-CANTERBURY NEWS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22309, 25 January 1938, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY NEWS

NEW SCHOOL !AT ASHBURTON REMODELLING AT HAMPSTEAD GRANT FOR ALTERATIONS AT LYNDHUHST A grant has been approved by the Minister for Education 'the Hon. P. Eraser' to cover the cost of remodelling the school building at Lyndhurst. according to advice received yesterday from the Minister by Mr H. E. Herring, M.P. Advice was also received by Mr Herring that plans and estimates for a comprehensive remodelling of the Ashburton East School (Hampstead) are being prepared by the staff of the Canterbury Education Board and will bo forwarded to the department for approval at an early date. It is understood that the remodelling at Ashburton East will comprise complete new buildings, only two of the present classrooms being retained. Parts of the building are 53 years old. They were erected in 1884 to relieve the overcrowded state of the Ashburton Borough School. The first building was of only two rooms, but when the school became a separate institution in 1886 the number attending the school began to grow from its original 233 until the roll number was more than 500. This necessitated frequent additions to the school, and now with its 11 rooms the school is again overtaxed for accommodation. Tn 192(3 a modern dental clinic was i added at the east of the school build- | ing. and the new special classroom | will be used when the school resumes ! on February 1. It is understood uiat when the remodelling of the school is completed the position of the rooms will be such that all classes will receive the sun.

PERSONAL NOTES ASHBURTON Mr J. G. Cameron, of the staff of the National Bank of New Zealand at Ashburton, has been transferred to the Hokitika branch of the bank. Mr Cameron has been five years with the Ashburton branch. Mr E. Davidson, formerly manager of the grocery and hardware departments of the Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canterbury, Ltd., left yesterday for Kaikoura, where he will be branch manager for the firm. Mr R.' W. Smith, who has been the Methven representative of Dalgety and Company, Ltd., for the last two and a half years, has been appointed head auctioneer in charge of the stock department of the Christchurch branch, and will leave Methven in a month’s time. He will take the place of Mr J. F. Tonkin, who has been appointed manager of the Oamaru branch. Mr E. S. Moon, of Darfield, will replace Mr Smith at Methven.

ASHBURTON POLO CLUB Practice matches were played by members of the Ashburton Polo Club on Saturday afternoon at Mr Tarbotton’s property at Tinwald. Those who took part were W. R. Lemon, W. White. R. D. Hefford, and Mulligan (4). Further games will be played next Saturday.

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FARMERS DEATH AT MAYFIELD WeiJ-Known Resident Of District EVIDENCE AT INQUEST James Toner, aged 49, a single man and a well-known farmer of the Mayfield district, was found dead with a shotgun wound in the head in a shed on his farm shortly before 10 o’clock yesterday morning. There was a shotgun beside the body. Toner, who was a native of Mayfield, was a former member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. His nephew, James Toner, lived on the farm with him, and ho also had other relatives in Timaru. At the inquest, opened at the Ashburton Hospital yesterday afternoon before Mr E. C. Bathurst, J.P., Constable J. E. R. Myers said he was called to the farm at 10.15. He found Toner crouching on his knees in a shed at the rear of the farm. There was a large wound in the back of the skull, and a discharged 12-born shotgun was clenched in the left hand. He thought the wound was self-in-flicted. Death would have been instantaneous. James Toner, a labourer, of Mayfield, a nephew of the dead man, gave evidence of identification. He said his uncle rose about 6.30 a.m. and went about his work in his usual way. He ate a good breakfast and wont into the yard of the farm about 9.30 a.m. Soon after he noticed his uncle working at some blocks and chains in the yard, preparing them for a clearing sale which was to take place on the farm, which had recently been sold. About 10 a.m. when he was in the house the nephew heard a single report of a shotgun. He took no notice of it. In the yard at the time was Mr D. Harvey, who heard the report and called out to Toner. They both went to the shed and found his uncle crouching on his knees with his head against the wall. He did not see the gun then. He went to a neighbour's place and called a doctor. The farm was sold about 10 days ago, and he thought his uncle was j worrying about the sale and probably regretted it. His uncle’s health was normally good, and he did not know of any complaint from which his uncle was suffering. He did not know why his uncle regretted the sale nor his financial position. j Sergeant J. F. Cleary conducted pro- j ceedings for the police. i The inquest was adjourned sine die.

WOMEN’S DIVISION OF FARMERS’ UNION

RUAPUNA. The monthly meeting of the Ruapuna branch of the Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in the domain. Mrs Clifford presided. It was decided to buy £1 worth of spring bulbs. The rest of the afternoon took the fdrm of a garden social to which members of the Westerfield branch were invited. Tennis and clock golf and other competitions were enjoyed. Results of the competitions were as follow:—Clock golf, Mrs T. Sewell 1; nail-driving, Mrs T. Sewell 1; chain stepping, Mesdames Holland and G. Sewell equal 1. The monthly competitions resulted as follows; Premier bloom, Mrs King I, Mrs Holland 2, Mrs J. Moore 3; best Christmas cake, Mrs Boyd 1, Mrs Patterson 2, Mrs Holland 3; raspberry jam, Mrs Allan 1, Mrs Holland 2, Mrs O’Connor 3; man’s buttonhole. Mrs Holland 1. Mrs Allan 2 and 3; best pea pod. Mrs G. Sewell 1 and 2, Mrs T. Sewell 3; large bowl flowers. Mrs King 1, Mrs Sewell 2; small bowl of flowers, Mrs King 1, Mrs Sewell 2, Votes of thanks were passed to Mesdames T. Johnstone, H. Moore, and M. Jackson for judging.

PRESENTATIONS AT MOUNT SOMERS SOCIAL IX HONOUR OF MISS E. T. SCOTT A representative gathering of residents met in the Mount Somers Memorial Hall on Friday evening to bid farewell to Miss E. T. Scott, who has been assistant teacher at the Mount Somers School for more than eight years, and has been appointed to the t)aro School, near Kaikoura. The gathering took the form of a dance, music being played by Mrs L. M. Goodrich. Mrs L. F. Wood. Miss T. Morgan, and Messrs T. Morgan, G. L. Hood, and W. Morgan. Mr W. Morgan was master of ceremonies. Novelty dances were given by Miss Gundry (Staveley). Mr T. Kerr (chairman of the School Committee), who presided, spoke of the many activities Miss Scott had been associated with during her stay at Mount Somers, and for the residents presented her with a sum of money with which to purchase a gift. Others who spoke of Miss Scott’s work in many spheres, and made presentations for their respective organisations, were Mrs A. R. Beckley (Mount Somers Women’s Institute). Miss J. Stevenson (dr-m-ia circle). Mrs L. M. Goodrich (fc'~r-Tancing circle), Mr G. L. Hood (Tennis Club), Mrs L. Tinker (Women’s Hockey Club).

HEAVY RAIN AT RUAPUNA LOSSES OF NEWLY-SHORN SHEEP A total of 234 points of ram fell at fluapuna on Saturday night and Sunday. Xhe wind was cold and losses of newly-shorn sheep wore heavy. FALL AT MOUNT SOMERS

After nearly a fortnight's fine, summer weather, a cold southerly change set in at Mount Somers on Saturday evening, when a steady rain began and continued throughout Sunday. 144 points being recorded up to Sunday and another 85 points up to Monday morning. A liberal fall of snow occurred on the nearby hills. The fine and warmer weather of the last fortnight has hastened the ripening of cereal crops, which mostly give promise of fair yields

A statutory first offender for drunkenness was fined 10s by Mr A. H. Fenn, Justice of the Peace, at Ashburton yesterday morning.'

LAWN TENNIS MID-CANTERBURY SUBASSOCIATION JUNIOR GRADE MATCH In a junior grade match in the MidCanterbury Lawn Tennis Association’s competitions Fairton beat Te Marae by 9 sets to 7 at To Marae. Details (Te Marac names first):— Men's Singles—N. Tully lost to C Hooper. 4-9; R. W. Orr lost to A. McCall, 3-9; V. Hickman lost to H. Slade, 7-9; A. McLennan beat H. Baird, 9-5’ Women's Singles—Miss J. Samuels lost to Mrs H. Slade. 5-7; Miss F. Dunn lost to Miss P. Nutbrown, 4-7; Miss P McSherry beat Miss M. Oram, 7-3 ; Miss M. Rogers beat Miss J. Worthington. 7-3. Men’s Doubles—Tully and Orr lost to Hooper and McCall. 5-9; Hickman and McLennan lost to Slade and Baird, 8-9. Women's Doubles—Misses Samuels and Dunn beat Mrs Slade and Miss Nutbrown, 7-0; Misses McSherrv and Rogers beat Misses Oram and Worthington. 7-3. Mixed Doubles—Tully and Miss Samuels lost to Hopper and Mrs Slade. 5-9: Orr and Miss Dunn lost to McCall and Miss Nutbrown. 4-9; Hickman and Miss McSherry beat Slade and Miss Oram. 9-4; McLennan and Miss Rogers best Baird and Miss Worthington,"9-4

REAPLNA BEATS MAYFIELD

A tennis match between Mayfield and Ruapuna A teams was played at the local courts on Saturday. Because of rain some of the games were not completed. Results were as follows (Mayfield names first): — Men's Singles—J. Doonan beat R. C. Bean, 6-4; D. Dellow lost to R. Sewell, 3-6; I. Oakley lost to Geo. King, 4-6; G. Meikle lost to W. McLay, 1-6; H. Oakley lost to F. C. Tasker, 4-6. Women’s Singles—Mrs G. Meikle lost to Mrs J. Cairns. 1-6; Mrs D. Glassey lost to Mrs H. Moore, 3-6; Miss P. Duff lost to Miss I. Powell. 0-6. Men’s Doubles—J. Doonan and D. Dellow lost to R. C. Bean and R. Sewell, 3-6; I. Oakley and G. Meikle lost to Geo. King and W. McKay, 1-6: H. Oakley and K. Burgess lost to F. C. Tasker and A. McKay. 1-6. Women’s Doubles—Mrs C. Meikle and Mrs D. Glassey lost to Mrs J. Cairns and Mrs H. Moore, 0-6; Miss Joan Shimnun and Mrs ,T. Sewell lost to Miss L. King and Mrs G. Sewell, 4-6; Miss P. Duff .and Mrs D. Dellow lost to Misses 1. Rowell and L. Boyd, 5-6. Mixed Doubles—Mm G. Meikle and J Doonan lost to Mrs .T, Cairns and R. C, Bean. 5-6: Mrs D. Glassey and Mrs D. Dellow Tost to Mrs H. Moore and R. Sewell, 1-6; Miss .loan Shimmin and 1. Oakley lost to Mrs G. Sewell anti Geo. Kina. 4-0; Mrs ,7, Sewell and Mrs G. Meikle beat Miss K. King and W. McKay. 6-4; Miss P. Duff and 11. Oakley lost to Miss I, Rowel! and F. C. Tasker, 1-6; Mrs D. Dellow and K. Burgess lost to Miss L. Boyd and A. McLay. 3-6. Mayfield 3 sets (56 games), Ruapuna 18 sets (108 games).

CRICKET

ASHBURTON COUNTY ASSOCIATION

TEAM TO PLAY WEST COAST The following players have been selected to represent the Ashburton County Cricket Association at Greymouth on February 4 and February 5 In the final match of the minor associations’ competitions:— I. M. Hamilton (captain), A. A. Todd, H. E. Cook, J. B. Nicoll, P. Harper, R. W. Bigger (Ashburton Club), L. Whinham, C. T. Dacre (Public Works). H. Jordan (Kia Ora), S. Duncan (Old Boys), Dave McKay (Fairfield). At a meeting of the management committee of the association last evening, it was decided that the team make the trip by rail, leaving Ashburton on Thursday, February 3, and returning on the Sunday. Mr E. T. Kensington was appointed manager of the team. Alter some discussion it was decided to rearrange the draw for senior and junior grades and to play competition matches on the Saturday on which the representative team will be away. Thisi action was taken because it was considered that to adhere to the draw as at present would have an unfair result on the senior competition.

FISHING CONDITIONS AT ASHBURTON Conditions for Ashing were unfavourable in the Ashburton County during the week-end. The rivers were dirty, and the cold wind and frequent showers kept the majority of anglers in their homes. The Ashburton river is in flood, and it will be three or four days before it is flshable again. MORTGAGE ADJUSTMENT ♦ NEW CHAIRMAN FOR OTAGO COMMISSION IFrom Our Parliamentary Reporter.} WELLINGTON. January 24. An announcement that Mr C. L. Calvert. a barrister and solicitor, of Dunedin. had been appointed chairman of the Otago Mortgage Adjustment Commission, in place of Mr H. L. Cook, who has resigned from that position, was made to-day by the Minister for Justice (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason). Appreciation of Mr Cook’s services was expressed by Mr Mason. He said that Mr Cook had found that he could no longer spare the necessary time from his own ler/x 1 business. Very groat progress had been made in mortgage adjustment work by the commission of which Mr Cook was chairman.