COUNTRY NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 196, 23 September 1914, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From Our Special Correspondents.) HALSWELL. A very successful function was held in the pavilion on the Halswell Domain on Saturday afternoon, when Miss Gardiner, the leading lady player of last season in the Tennis Club's matches, was presented with half-a-dozen dessert spoons and forks and half-a-dozen tea spoons. The president (Mr E. Paterson), on behalf*; of tfhe members, in making the presentation, congratulated the recipient on her approaching marriage, koping she would be long spared to u«e the silverware, and that it would recall pleasant recollections of the afternoons she had spent on the tennis courts. Mr Arthur Amyes returned thanks on behalf of his fiancee.

CUST. "That our present form of party government gives expression to the will of the people" was the subject of an interesting debate at Oust on Monday evening between the Cust Mutual Improvement Society and the Eangiora Literary and Debating Society. The affirmative view was upheld by Messrs S. L. Paterson, A; K. Eule, and T. W. Ambrose, for the visitors, and the negative by Messrs Struther, H. Tallott, and D. Arnott for the local society. Mr Watr' son, of Oxford, acted as judge. T|he verdict was given in favour of the Ciist representatives.

After the debate the visitors were hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs E. Gardner.

| METHVEN. The annual general meeting of the Methven A. and P. Association was held in the Methven Hall on Monday. The president (Mr A. Murray) occupied the chair, and there was a large number of members present. The president, in his address, summed up the history of the .'association since its inception three years ago. Four ploughing matches had been held, and £230 had been paid away in prizes. The ploughing match account had a credit balance of £3l, while at three successive shows specials and prizes have amounted to £729 15/9. The present financial position showed a credit over liabilities of £490 12/B.' A comparison in the number of entries, showing the huge increase, is as follows:: 1912, entries 624; 1913, entries 746; 1914, entries 1351. If the increased continued it .would compel the committee to consider the advisability of holding a two days' show. Two horse parades had been held, with a view of securing suitable stallions for the district.- The question of flock ewes was one that the association would have to give its attention to in the near future. The association was deeply indebted to the large number of firms and members who had donated trophies and money as special prizes to the last show.

The vice-president (Mr D. McDonald) seconded the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, and the motion was carried.

Three new members were elected, .ami the following officers were appointed: Patron, Mr A. Orr; president, Mr A. Murray; vice-president, Mr C. A. Cuff; auditors, Messrs H. Green and W; J. Percy; treasurer, Mr C. A. Cuff; committee, Messrs D. MeKendry, T. Doherty, W. Btichan, H. Green, J. Stewart, W. Morgan, S. Smith, J. T. Mangin, G. L. Crowley, A. Murray, T.v Gundry, C. W. Doherty, W. W. Goodwin, H. Maginess, R. Holland, .1. W. Gomvns, R. Millar, A. McKay, T. • Twomey, J. Dowling, and T. S. Harrison; secretary, Mr J. F. Stone. > • The president presented Mr A. Drummond with the Viewmount Cup, won at |hc last show. Mr Drummond, in accepting, stated that lie would donate a silver cup for competition in the home industries section.

Special prizes were reciyed from Messrs T. Dowling £5, and W. W. Goodwin £5, and Mr J. F. Stone donated a silver cup value £7 7/-. -Messrs' Orr, Smith, Mangiii, Morgan, Harrison, and Stewart renewed their donations of last year. ■■..'; '■'•■;■';%-'.;

It'was resolved to fix the date of the show for Thursday, April 8. ' A yote ; o£;tlianksr was passed, to the chairman, outgoing .officials, an£ all those who had assisted in making the show a success.