ASHBURTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19117, 9 July 1930, Page 16

ASHBURTON NEWS.

PRESBYTERY MEETS. The Moderator (the Rev A. G. Irvine) presided over the meeting of the Ashburton Presbytery held in the St Andrew’s Hall yesterday afternoon. A circular was received from the Assembly’s Public Questions Committee on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, suggesting that a petition be sent to the Government urging the abolition of excursion trains on Sunday, and asking for the opinion of the Presbytery on the matter. It was decided to leave the matter entirely in the hands of the committee. , The Clerk (the Rev W. Marshall) reported that the amount to be raised under the budget system by the congregations within the bounds was £j/d, and the Presbytery decided that each congregation should be asked to contribute on the basis of 14s 6d per memThe Rev R. Morgan (Methven) reported that a series of evangelistic meetings had been held by the Rev J. Bissett (the Assembly Evangelist) in his district. A remit was received from the Assembly dealing with the filling of vacancies. It was suggested that in place of a Moderator a Commissioner of Presbytery should be set up to interview the congregations with a -view to filling the vacancies, and that those ministers who had served for at least five years should be considered first. The Presbytery decided not to support the proposal. It was decided that the Presbytery send its congratulations to the Rev G. B. Inglis on the attainment of his jubilee as a minister. Frost Delays Ploughing. In several instances yesterday morning ploughing operations in the country districts near the hills were held up on account of one of the most .severe frosts (15.5 degrees) experienced this winter. The visitation was followed by bright sunshine, but the day was well advanced before the frost had thawed sufficiently and the ground was soft enough for the ploughs to operate. In the eastern districts the sowing of wheat has been completed, but there still remains a fair area to be sown in the country nearer the foothills, where this w*ork is generally later than in the case of the districts nearer the coast. Ashburton Croquet Club. The president (Mrs J. Lane) was in the chair at the annual meeting of the Ashburton Croquet Club held yesterday afternoon. it was decided that the offices of president and captain be combined for the ensuing year. The following officers were elected: Patron, Sir William Nosworthy; president-captain, Mrs L. C. Dunn; vice-presidents, Mesdames F. Malceig and E. B. Newton and Mr F. W. Watt; secretary, Mrs E. Ruddock; treasurer, Mrs J. E. Carter; committee, Mesdames F. W. Watt, J. Thompson, Cowan, F. J. Smallbone. D. Heenan, R. Buxton, J. T. Smith and Miss Moore; Tea Committee, Mesdames R Galbraith and J. Thompson. Lodge Meetings. At the fortnightly meeting of the Star of Ashburton Lodge No. 14, U.A.0.D., Brother S. L. Hawke, A.D., presided. Dr Jackson Crawshaw was appointed a medical officer of the lodge. Brother J. T. Collins, Christchurch, advised that it was the intention of the Druids to hold a monster church parade in Christchurch on July 27, in aid of the unemployed. The Grand Lodge advised that two members had been placed on the superannuation fund. As the Vice-Arch’s chair was vacant, Brother G. 11. Dyer was elected, and installed into the office by Brother Vesty, P.D.P. RAKAIA. Mr G. Chisholm, who has been porter at the Ralcaia railway station for about two and a half years, lias received notice of his transfer to Greymouth, and leaves Rakaia to-morrow to take up his duties. Mr I. Jolly, of the railway staff, leaves on Friday on transfer to East Oxford. Mr C. Ryan, from Scargill, has arrived to take Mr Jolly’s place.