ASHBURTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19034, 1 April 1930, Page 5

ASHBURTON NEWS.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICES CONDUCTED.

There were large attendances at both the evening and morning services held at St Stephen's Church, Ashburton, on Sunday. The Vicar (the Rev A. J. Petrie) preached at the morning service, while the curate (the Rev C. W. Haskell) occupied the pulpit in the evening. Special hymns and anthems were sung by the choir, the soloist in the evening being Master Wills. The church was beautifully decorated. A large supply Of produce and goods was received, and will be forwarded to St Saviour's Orphanage,, Christchurch. TIN WALD FOOTBALL CLUB. At a meeting of Rugby football enthusiasts at Tinwald, Mr L. Skilling presiding, it was decided to form a club, and to apply to the Ashburton Rugby Union for affiliation. It was decided to enter a third grade team in the competitions. The election of officers was held over. The Mayor of Ashburton (Mr R. Galbraith), and the County Chairman (Mr J. Carr) will attend the town planning conference at Christchurch to-day, representing the Borough and County Councils respectively. METHVEN. At the close of the Methven A. and P. Association’s show on Saturday, officials gathered for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mr R. N. Elliott a member of the committee, who recently sold his farm and has removed from the district. Mr E. A. Bland, president, referred to the many excellent qualities of their guest, and the hard work he had done for the association during his ten years’ residence in Methven. As a small memento he asked Mr Elliott to accept a Kaiapoi rug from the committee with their' best wishes. Several others endorsed the president's remarks. Mrs Elliott was also met by a number of lady friends in the produce pavilion, when opportunity was taken to say good-bye, and thank her for the interest taken in the various activities of the district. Mrs K. Dickie, on behalf of those assembled, presented the guest with a cheque with which to purchase a memento.

RAKAIA. The weather at Rakaia over the week-end was fine. Saturday was an ideal day for sport. Sunday was fine, although cloud}-, with a cool wind blowing. There being no matches to play on Saturday, the local bowlers played progressive doubles. There was a fair run of salmon ;n the Rakaia River during the week-end. and some very good fish w-ere caught. On Saturday Messrs H. B. and E. Miilichamp caught twelve, nine of which average twenty-five pounds. On Sunday another fisherman caught eight, while another caught six, all splendid specimens. One salmon turned the scales at 271 b. WILLOWBY. At the annual meeting of the Willowbv Mutual Improvement Society, the Rev W. Grigg presided over a fair attendance of members. The secretary’s report was adopted. The treasurer’s statement showed a credit balance of approximately £B. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—President. Rev W. Grigg: vice-presidents. Miss G. Chapman, Miss A. C. Lloyd, Miss M. M. Lill, Mrs C. Unwin, Messrs G. H. B. Lill, R J. Chapman and H Doliman, jun.; secretary, Mr Harold G. Chapman; treasurer, Miss R. E. Stoddart; committee, Misses R. H. Lill, D. Doliman. Messrs G. Unwin, H. F. K. Hayxnan and D. Bell.

On Sunday morning the Rev A. J. Seamer preached to a large congrega tion in the Willowby Methodist Church, lie was assisted in the choral parts of the service by a band of Maori singers and musicians. STAVELEY. A general meeting of the Staveley Tennis Club was held in the hall on Friday evening. The president, Mr K. I. Robertson, was in the chair, and there was an attendance of fifteen members. A circular, calling the meeting, reported that materials to the cost of £3O had been secured and were depreciating owing to the work being far in excess of the capabilities of the few members actively engaged. Mr Robertson said that the attendance seemed to indicate that there was still sufficient interest to get the work com pleted, but it was a case of now or never. Those present made promises of sufficient help to get the work, with the exception of the actual laying, completed, and the chairman and secretary (Mr T. B. Adams) were to endeavour to arrange for the laying down to be done by day labour. To raise additional funds for the club, a dance was arranged for next week, the Mount Somers. Alford Forest and Mayfield Clubs to be invited to assist. On Saturday the first working bee did a big sheftre of the remaining work.

RUAPUNA. A concert was given by the Sunday School scholars on Friday night, when a number of parents and friends were present. Items were given by the children, and games and competitions were held. A monologue was given by Miss G. Ross, songs by Miss May Allan and Mr Thompson, and a flute solo by the Rev P. Cocks. Misses G. Ross and B. Hancox acted as accompanists. During the evening the prizes were presented to the pupils by the Rev R. Kirkland, who gave a brief address on the work in the Sunday Schools. Messrs Cocks and H. Tasker algo spoke. A vote of thanks was passed to the teachers for their work. At the show held at Mayfield recently the Ruapuna School was successful in gaining the cup presented by Mr and Mrs H. W. Beaumont for most points in the juvenile section. They scored 113 points. MOUNT SOMERS. The annual meeting of the Mount isomers Miniature Rifle Club was held on the club range on Saturday evening. Mr J. Gorrie (captain) presided over a fair attendance. The report and balance-sheet showed that the club had had a successful season. The opening night was fixed for Tuesday,, April 8. The shooting nights were changer] from Saturdays to Tuesdays, subject to confirmation on opening night. Meryi

bership fees were fixed at: Seniors 7s 6d, juniors 2s Gd, ladies ss. It was agreed that the possible for juniors be 50, and seniors 70. It was reported that a cup was being given for com petition by Mrs W.,8. Hood, of Syden ham, Christchurch, a former resident, of the district. The cup, which is tc be known as the “W. N. Hood Memoi ial Cup,” is for the highest aggregate in twelve shoots out of sixteen consecutive handicap shoots, handicaps to be revised monthly. Office bearers were elected as follow: Patroness. Mrs I. F. Peache; president. Colonel R. B. Neill; vice-presidents (limited to three), Messrs F. Peter, H. 11. Hood, and G. A. Bland; club captain. Mr J. Gorrie; vice-captain, Mr C. Gluyas, secretary-treasurer, Mr J. T. Bull; target judge, Mr L. 'Hood; handicapper, Mr W. A. 11. Sharpe; armourers, Messrs W. Smith and W. Morgan. The Rev G. Wood, who has accepted a call to Belfast, preached his farewell service at the Mount Somers Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning. The application of the Mount Somers Tennis Club and Men’s Hockey. Club for permission to play games on the domain on Sundays, was considered at a meeting of the Domain Board held on Saturday evening, those present being— Messrs E. C. Wood (chairman), G. L. Nell and 11. H. Hood. It was agreed that no games be allowed on the domain property on Sundays.