ASHBURTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20540, 15 February 1935, Page 8

ASHBURTON NEWS.

Start Made to Rebuild Highway. PAVING PROGRAMME. (Special to the “ Star.”> ASHBURTON, February 14. A start has been made with the contract in connection with the paving of the Main South Highway between the Ashburton traffic bridge and Hinds. The contractor, Mr T. Pheloung, of Christchurch, is now engaged on the reconstruction of the road preparatory to paving between the Ashburton traffic bridge and Hinds. Demonstration by Band, A final demonstration of the quickstep and test selections was given by the Ashburton Silver Band in the Ashburton Domain last evening. The Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods), on behalf of the citizens, congratulated the band on its performances, and wished it success at the New Zealand brass bands contest next week. He paid a tribute to the work of the conductor (Mr S. G. Teale) and Drum-Major W. Tucker. The band will go to Timaru on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for the test selections, and on Saturday for the quickstep. The solo entries for the contest are as follow: —Open cornet solo, C. T. Leslie; Eb horn solo, B. Miller; euphonium solo, T. A. Miller; Eb bass solo, J. Dunn; BBb bass solo, E D. Withell; tenor trombone solo, D. E. Moore; boys’ solo (under seventeen years), A. Bright. A collection in aid of the contest expenses amounted to £9 19s Bd. Rivers Drying Up. The dry hot weather is beginning to have its effect on the supply of water in the streams and rivers. The north branch of the Ashburton River, which usually dries up in the lower reaches early in hot seasons, carried a fair supply of water until yesterday, when the flow suddenly ceased. A number of dead fish are to be seen in the few pools of lukewarm water, which will also soon disappear if the present weather conditions continue. Personal. Dr J. Russell Wells will leave Ashburton on Thursday next to attend the annual meeting of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons which opens in Melbourne on March 4.