MID-CANTERBURY NEWS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26465, 5 July 1951, Page 3

MID-CANTERBURY NEWS

ASHBURTON

STATE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION

COMMENT ON POLICY OF GOVERNMENT The apparent slowing-down in the erection of State houses was not peculiar to Ashburton alone, but was general throughout New Zealand, said a letter received from the Dominion headquarters of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association at a meeting of the Ashburton Association last evening. The association had written asking whether the construction of State houses had stopped, as no contracts had been let at Ashburton recently. Various explanations had been advanced for the apparent slowing down, one logical theory being the shortages of materials such as cement and interior fittings, said the letter. “However, the matter goes deeper than that, for we are reasonably certain that the Government is holding off in the hope that the market will stabilise and prices will come down,” the letter continued. When discussing rehabilitation loans with a deputation from the New Zealand Association the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr T. L. Macdonald) had made it quite clear that the Government was reluctant to increase rehabilitation loans for housing in the hope that the market would eventuallj' be stabilised. “The conclusion to be drawn from the Minister’s remarks is that Government housing projects also will be curtailed for this reason.” The letter was briefly discussed in committee. No action was taken. Pendarves Sub-branch The Pendarves sub-branch of the Ashburton Returned Services’ Association was granted affiliation at a meeting of the executive. The Commander, Southern Military District (Brigadier G. B. Parkinson), wrote accepting an invitation to speak at the association’s annual reunion at Ashburton to-morrow evening. Mayfield Country Girls’ Club

A report on the annual Dominion conference of country girls’ clubs at Timaru last month was given at a meeting of the Mayfield Club recently by the delegates from the club. All members took part in a short session of impromptu speeches. An invitation to attend the birthday party of the Eiffelton County Girls’ Club was received. Miss B. Currie presided over an attendance of 15 members. Motor-cycle Club

Final arrangements for the flying quar-ter-mile event to be held by the Ashburton Motor-cycle Club on the SouthbridgeLeeston road on Saturday were made at a meeting of the club on Tuesday evening Besides the Ashburton competitors, riders from Christchurch and Oamaru will take part. Golf at Methven The best scores in a Stableford handicap played by members of the Methven Golf Club recently were:—J. R. Smith 34 points, R. Duff 33, A. W. Low 31.

Rugby Draw The following is the draw for the Ashburton Rugby Union’s competition on Saturday Seniors: Hamp. v. Old Boys, No. 1, 2.45 (J. Telfer); Tech. Old Boys v. AU., No. 2,1.30 (O. Craig); Cel. v. Rak., at Rak.. 2.45 (K. Hood); Meth., a bye. Second Grade: Rak. v. Tin., at Tin., 2.45 (K. Kenny); Tech. Old Boys v. Meth., No. 2, 2.45 D. Kenny); Hamp. v. Old Boys, No. 4, 2.45 (C. Rowe); May. v. All., at May., 2.45 (B. Hay); Hinds, a bye. Third Grade: Meth. v. Hinds, at Meth., 2.45 (H. Lumsden); Tech. Old Boys v. Rak., No. 3, 2.45 (G. Chap-man-Cohen); Cel. v. AIL, No. 4, 1.30 (J. Mcßrearty); High School, a bye. Fourth. Grade: Tech. Schl. v. High Schl., No. 5, 1.30 (G. Orchard); Meth. v. Rak., at Rak.. 2.45 (N. Jones). Fifth Grade: Rak. v. Meth. D.H.S., at Rak., 2 p.m. (C. Wilson); High Schl. v. Tech. Schl. No. 3. 1.30 (E. Body); Cel., a bye. Sixth Grade: Meth. D.H.S. v. Rak., at Meth., 2.45 (S. Lemon); All. v. High Schl. 0.8., No. 1, 1,30 (J. Bryant). Seventh Grade: Meth. D.H.S. v. Rak., at Meth., 2 p.m. (R. Lilly); Tech. Old Boys, a bye. Advt.

PERSONAL ITEMS The appointment of Mr D. C. Wood as secretary of the Ashburton Returned Services’ Association was confirmed at a meeting of the association last evening. Mr Wood, who had overseas service during the recent World War, has been on the staff of the Ashburton branch of the National Mortgage and Agency Company for many years, and is at present secretary of the Ashburton Silver Band. He succeeds Mr G. D. Calder, who resigned after being secretary of the association for three years. Mr W. J. Bennett has taken up his duties as relieving headmaster at the Tinwald School. Mr Bennett will relieve until the end of the term.

CENTENNIAL BALL AT CHERTSEY

A large crowd attended the Centennial Ball held at Chertsey recently. The ball was sponsored by the Chert-sey-Pendarves Women’s Institute.

A parade in period costumes was judged by Mr J. A. Lee, Mrs Lee, Mr L. G. G. Harper and Mrs Harper, prizes being awarded to Mr K. Malcolm, Mrs Malcolm, Mrs A. P. Bruce, Miss J. Halliday and Mr V. Burrows. After the grand march, 12 sets of dancers took the floor, and a number of old-time dances followed the quadrilles and Alberts.

HUNT CLUB’S MEET The Ashburton branch of the Christchurch Hunt Club met at Mr P. J. Hanrahan’s property, Rakaia yesterday. There was a small field of about 15 riders. The hounds were cast off on Mr Hanrahan’s property and after drawing the first two paddocks blank put up a hare which led the field at a good pace on a circular course for about two miles, but was then lost. A fresh hare was put up and led the field at a fast pace for about three miles over downy country with fences that tested horses and riders. The chase ended in a kill. The huntsman was Mr J. McLean, the whip was Mr J. Smith, and fieldmasters were Messrs J. Montgomery and W. R. Lemon.