ASHBURTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19267, 2 January 1931, Page 16

ASHBURTON NEWS.

BIRTHS INCREASED BY 25 DURING THE YEAR. In the vital statistics for the year 1930 births show an increase of 25, deaths an increase of one and marriages an increase of eight, when compared with last year’s figures. The following are the details, last \-ear’s being given in parentheses:—Births 313 (288), deaths 157 (156), marriages 89 (81). The following are the figures for the last quarter:—Births 81 (58), deaths 42 (42), marriages 25 (18). The figures for December are :—Births 27 (IS), deaths 7 (16), marriages 16 (8). Telegraph Office Returns. On December 23 and 24 a total of 769 telegraph messages were sent from Ashburton compared with SB9 last year, while 927 messages were received against 1109 last year. The number of messages transmitted was 298, making a total of 1994 messages handled against 2294 last 3*ear. The telephone exchange dealt with 862 toll calls on Christmas Eve against 858 last year. Celtic Cricket Club’s Dance. A large number of couples danced the old year out and the new year in at tlje dance conducted by the Celtic Club on Wednesday evening. Macdonald’s orchestra supplied the music. Bowling Tournament. A progressive tourney was played by members of the Ashburton Bowling Club yesterday, when there w’as a large entry. The weather was perfect, and the greens were in good order. The leads’ section was wpn by P. Boothroyd. R. Bain and H. C. Percy were runners-up, but did not play off. Personal. On the eve of his departure for Auckland, where he intends to live in retirement, Mr F. M. Brodie, who has been manager of the local branch of the Bank of New South Wales for the past five 3’ears, was met by the managers of the Ashburton banks, representatives of the commercial firms and farming community and the golf club and presented with a case of pipes, a tobacco pouch and smoker's requisites. Mr F. W. Sfeldon made the presentation. The opportunity was taken to welcome Mr H. A. Templar, formerly of Greymouth, who is Mr Brcdie’s successor.