ASHBURTON.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 864, 16 November 1916, Page 11

ASHBURTON.

NOTES AND NEWS. From Our Own Correspondent. The 23rd Reinforcement, prior to their departure yesterday were entertained by the ladies of Dorie. Short speeches were given by the Revs, Blakiston (Rakaia) and Nelson Wright, and by the Mayor, and Mr R. Bell. The Mayor stressed the fact that the County War Relief Fund was provided for dependents as well as returned soldiers, and urged any who had dependents left behind to make use of the advantages the fund offered, should they require them. The men were paraded to the station, headed by the combined Regimental and Salvation Army Bands. The entraining was proceeded with expeditiously, tliere being an absence of any confusion. At least one farmer in the Rakaia district lias finished his shearing operations, and others are pushing forward with their work. Those who have shorn report that the wool is, if anything, rather light. The 41st anniversary social of the Wills Street Methodist Church was held last evening, the attendance filling the church. The Rev. .1. I>. McArthur presided, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs Oldrieve (representing the County Ministers' Association) and (!. Frost (superintendent of the Methodist Circuit). Reports from the secretary and treasurer of the Trust showed a small deficit on the year's work. hi the course of the evening vocal items were given l,v Mesdanies Hopkins. Waits, and .Mais den, and Messrs I;. Watts and ,T. ('ruin. blisses Dallas, Smith, and Witters rendered instrumental selections, and Mr Watts an organ solo, yiiss L. D. Kershaw recited. At the conclusion of the programme supper was dispensed by ladies of the congregation.