ASHBURTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18992, 11 February 1930, Page 5

ASHBURTON NEWS.

BOROUGH COUNCIL. At the fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council, held last evening, there were present—the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) and Councillors F. Z. D. Ferriman, F. W. Seldon, F. J. E. Smallbone, J. Thompson, E. H. Orr, J. M’Elhinney, W. H. Robinson, R. 11. Collins and R. Kerr. The financial statement showed that the receipts since last meeting totalled £l7O 11s 2d.

The inspector’s report showed that building permits for a dwelling valued at £BOO and a shop valued at £SOO had been granted. One case of scarlet fever had been reported. Sir Charles Fergusson acknowledged the farewell message sent to him b3’ the Mayor. The Mount Hutt District War Memorial Committee extended an invitation to the Mayor and councillors to be present at the unveiling of the memorial to-daj r . The invitation was accepted. The New Zealand Student Christian Movement wrote expressing its appreciation of the kindness extended to it by the residents of Ashburton during its recent camp. A petition from a number of loca' tradespeople for the declaration of a whole holiday on Saturday, March 8, for the annual trades union picnic to Timaru was granted. The Kaiapoi Woollen Company employees were granted the use of the Domain for their annual picnic on February 22. A similar request was granted to the firm of Weston Bros, and Co, Ltd., Christchurch, on February 15.

MALE VOICE CHOIR DISBANDS. At a meeting of the Ashburton Male Voice Choir, held last evening, when Mr A. C. Wilson presided, it was decided to disband owing to the fact that the conductor, Mr H. Clemo, was returning to England, and it was almost impossible to secure the services of another conductor in Ashburton who would hold the members together so well as Mr Clemo. Messrs T. E. Watt and W. H. Higgins were appointed trustees to take over the music and about £7 cash in hand. Members spake in appreciative terms of the services given by Mr Clemo during the past three years, and a motion to this effect was recorded on the minutes. A vote of appreciation was accorded to Mr J. Corbett, pianist. MUNICIPAL ABATTOIR. During January 140 cattle, 10 calves, 791 sheep, 101 lambs and 75 pigs were slaughtered at the municipal abattoirs. One head of cattle was condemned. SHIPMENT OF STORE SHEEP. The first shipment of North Island ewes was due at Lyttelton during the week-end, and further consignments are expected next week with a number of well-known station lines to follow. A well-known Ashburton dealer stated yesterday that the general opinion was that there would be no consignments from the North Island this year, but it was expected that a considerable number would come south within the next few weeks. There would be consignments from Marlborough and a fair proportion from the south. This, he contended, would have the effect of bringing down the present high prices now ruling for store sheep in the Canterbury markets. MOTOR-CYCLE CLUB. The Ashburton Motor-cycle Club held its first series of competitions for the Preddy Cup during the week-end. The following were the results: D. K. M’Kendry 47 points, M. Hopkins and I. Farley 46, G. Hefford 42. GALA CUP TENNIS MATCHES. The following is the draw for the first round of matches to be played on Saturday next in the Gala Cup competitions : Men’s singles (senior) —G. Clark v. A. Sutherland, E. Adkins v. L. Hobbs, S. Sullivan v. R. M’Gregor, L. Clark v. C. Bonnington, J. Morgan v. C. Cuff, byes W. Fagan, D. Lawson and L. Murdoch. Men’s singles (junior)—Meikleham v. M. Heenan, byes G. Doherty, F. Madden and E. Bryant. Women’s singles (senior)—Miss T. Cowan v. Miss C. Bowden, Mrs Sullivan v. Miss D. Vesty, Mrs Smith v. Miss N. Cowan, Miss N. Percy v. Miss M. Bell. Women's singles (junior)—Miss N. Sullivan v. Miss K. Bell, byes Misses E. Johnston, G. Knight and K. Sowden. CHORAL SOCIETY. A meeting of those interested in the formation of a choral society w;as held in the Bristol Piano Company’s rooms last evening. Mr W. H. Dixon, of Christchurch, was present, and explained that from sixty to eighty voices and an orchestra of twenty instruments would be necessary. 1 A committee consisting of those present was formed, Mr L. J. Watt being appointed chairman and Mr D. Kerr, secretary. It was decided to secure a list of likely singers and to hold a further meeting on Mon day evening to ascertain what support would be forthcoming, should the result prove satisfactory, preliminary arrangements will be discussed and a start immediately with the formation of the society. PERSONAL. Mr A. O. Pilbrow, manager of the Ashburton Gas, Coal and Coke Company, left yesterday afternoon for Napier, where he will attend the annual meeting of the Gas Institute of New Zealand. Dr G. J. S. Fisher will make his departure for England at the end of February. He will be absent for twelve months. Mr T. M. Clark, formerly of Ashburton and now of Auckland, was a visitor to Ashburton last week-end.