LOCAL BODY POLITICS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22359, 24 March 1938, Page 5

LOCAL BODY POLITICS

LABOUR NOMINATIONS AT

ASHBURTON

CANDIDATES FOR MAYORALTY

AND COUNCIL

For the first time in its history, the Labour movement at Ashburton has decided to interest itself in local body politics.

At the annual meeting of the Ashburton branch of the Labour Party on Tuesday evening it was decided to contest the Mayoralty and to nominate candidates for the Ashburton Borough Council. Mr J. T. Pratley. who is a member of the council, has been asked to accept Labour’s nomination for the Mayoralty, and he has promised to give his reply in a few days. Messrs C. J. Rudd (secretary of the branch), C. Walker, and J. Smith have been selected to contest seats on the Ashburton Borough Council and there is a likelihood of further nominations.

The branch is also considering the question of nominations for the Ashburton Hospital Board.

THE LABOUR PARTY

ASHBURTON BRANCH MEETS

More than 100 members' attended the annual meeting of the Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Labour Party, which was held on Tuesday evening. The report and balance-sheet showed that the branch was in a sound position. A further increase in membership was reported. It was decided to give £3O to the Mid-Canterbury Labour Representation Committee for its expenses during the coming elections.

The folk-wing officers were elected: —President. Mr W. Bryant: vicepresident, Mr J. Smith; secretary and treasurer, Mr C. J. Rudd; committee. Miss J. Butterworth and Messrs C. Walker, J. T. Pratley, J. Good, W. Hickey. D. Smith, C. Butterworth, and R. W. Stephen.

CHARGES OF SHEEP

STEALING

ASHBURTON MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Stanley Dudley Keats, aged 42 years, and Clarence Burnaby, aged 32 years, both labourers, of Ashburton, appeared before Mr G. Kelly, Justice of the Peace, in the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, on a charge of stealing three sheep valued at £2 2s. the properly of George Brand, Ashburton, on or about March 11. Detective J. J. Halcrow, of'Christchurch, asked for a remand until March 29, as he said further inquiries had to be made. This was granted, bail being fixed at £IOO self, and one surety of £IOO, in each case.

YOUNG FARMERS’ TOUR

VISIT TO ASHBURTON COUNTY

A tour of the west side of the Ashburton County was made yesterday by the party of young farmers from Taranaki, who arrived at Ashburton for morning tea, and were met by Mr W. H. Amos, secretary of the Mid-Can-terbury provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

The party was conducted on its tour of the district by Mr G. K. McPherson, of the Fields Diyision of the Department of Agriculture. A visit was made to the stud sheep farm of Mr R. J. Low, Highbank, where lunch was arranged. In the afternoon an inspection was made of irrigation works in the county, and the party proceeded to Geraldine.

PROPOSAL FOR GYMKHANA

FURTHER MEETING TO BE HFLD AT ASHBURTON

Consideration was given to the question of holding a gymkhana at Ashburton next mortth, at a public meeting on Tuesday evening when Mr S. P. Taylor (president of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association) presided. It was agreed to communicate with all public and sporting bodies likely to be interested, inviting them to take part in the organisation of the gymkhana on an equal share in the profits. The replies will be considered at a meeting next week.

ATHLETIC CLUBS CONFER

SPORTS AT ASHBURTON AND TIMARU

At, a conference of representatives of the Ashburton and Timaru Amateur Athletic Clubs, at Ashburton on Tuesday evening, the clashing of dates for the sports meetings of the two clubs next Saturday was discussed. As a result of the conference it was agreed that both clubs should hold their meetings on Saturday, and that C. H. Matthews, the champion distance runner, should appear first at Timaru and then at Ashburton the same afternoon.

ASHBURTON SILVER BAND

ENGAGEMENT TO BROADCAST

The Ashburton Silver Band, which recently won the 1938 B grade Dominion championship at Palmerston North, has been engaged to broadcast a programme from SYA. Christchurch, on the evening of April 4.

CRICKET

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS WIN JUNIOR COMPETITION