ASHBURTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20648, 24 June 1935, Page 9

ASHBURTON NEWS.

Gallipoli Survivors Hold Reunion. SUCCESSFUL EVENING. (Special to the “ Star.”) ASHBURTON’, June 23. Over eighty officers and men who took part in the Gallipoli campaign gathered at the Masonic Hall, Ashburton, on Saturday for a reunion. As well as residents of Mid-Canterbuiy there were present residents of Timaru and Christchurch who left the Mid-Can-terbury district to take part in the campaign. Owing to the success of the initial function it was decided to make the fixture an annual affair. Major E. M. Gabites presided. A very happy evening’s entertainment was spent by those who took part in the function. The toast list was as follows:—“The King”; “Absent Friends,” proposed by the chairman; “The Navy, Army and Air Force,” proposed by the chairman and responded to by Squadron-Leader W. Harrison; “The Ashburton Returned Soldiers’ Association,” proposed by Mr D. H. Moore and responded to by Colonel J. Findlay; “The Canterbury Mounted Rifles,” proposed by Lieutenant M. P. W. Blathwayt and responded to by Colonel Findlay and Corporal T. |Minogue; “Canterbury Infantry Regiment,” proposed by Mr J. Robinson and responded to by Lieutenant C. Brister; “Kindred Units,” proposed by Mr C. Stock and responded to by representatives of the various units; 'The Performers,” proposed by the chairman. Items were given by the following: Messrs C. F. Parsons, W. Denley, J. H. Browne, A. C. Wilson, M. MacMillan, P. McLauchlan, A. 11. Todd, B. Dobbie and R. Stevens (Christchurch). Mr J. MacMillan was the accompanist. Woman's Institute. The president (Mrs F. Curtis) presided over the meeting of the Mid-Can-terbury executive of the Women’s Institute. It was agreed that the community drama effort close on July 20, the following groups taking part; Ashburton at Willowby Hall, Hampstead at Hampstead Memorial Hall, Chertsey at Rakaia, Methven at Methven, Mayfield at Mount Somers. Mr C. Moller will be adjudicator. In response to a request by the Dominion executive to send where possible, voluntary organisers to the conference and the voluntary organisers’ school, Mrs Austin was elected and appointed to arrange the Mid-Canterbury exhibition of handiwork. Mrs Curtis was appointed the federation delegate to the conference in Auckland next month. Women’s Division. At a meeting of the Ashburton branch of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union Mrs Begg. who presided, reported that she had attended two birthday parties during the month. Remits for the annual conference were considered. The following competitions were decided upon for the next month:—Best bloom, vegetable and four plain scones. Results of the June competition* were: Bloom—Mrs Penny 1, Miss Moore 2. Miss MacMillan 3; vegetable—Mrs Tait 1, Mrs Bennett 2, Miss MacMillan 3: knitted article—Mrs Bennett 1, Mrs C. Begg 2, Miss MacMillan 3. Personal. The condition of Richard Robson, aged 12, of Winslow, who was admitted to the County Hospital with a broken wrist, is reported to be satisfactory. The injury was suffered while playing football. Mr lan Donnelly, of Christchurch, was the guest at a dinner given by members of the Ashburton Countv Club on Saturday night. Mr Donnelly gave an interesting talk on his recent travels abroad dealing chiefly with his experiences in Russia and Germany.