COUNTY CENTRES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3568, 30 September 1916, Page 7

COUNTY CENTRES.

NLWS AND NOTES

(From Our Ov/n Correspondents.)

WILLOWBY

Debating Society

Tiic final session of the Wiilowby Debating Society was held in tho church schoolroom on Wednesday last. Ine evening was fine, and a" large at- | tendance or members and the general public was present. Tho Rev. W. J. Oxbrow presided, 'and explained that tho programme for the evening would consist of competitions. Mr John Watson, of Ashburton, had kindly consented to judge the essays and elocution, while ■ the singing was judged by a committee consisting of Mreclames Lill and Clothier and Mr Watson. /

The various classes brought forth a satisfactory number of entries, and the execution of the several items was carried out in a manner that afforded a good deal of pleasure and amusement to the audience, at the. same time reflecting considerable credit on the con- ' tostants, who, in many cases, gave evidence of possessing a good deal of talr-nt. . Tho following is the result of the various competitions:— ■ ■ ; ISo. I—Essay on "Sympathy" (tliree \ entries): Miss Winnie Watson 1, Mr | G. Clark 2. j i No. 2 —Recitation, " The Ocean" ■ (three entries): Mr G. H. B. Lill 1, .Mr S. Lill 2. No. 3—Recitation (comic): Mr ! Stephen Lill 1, Mr G. H. B. LiJl 2. No. 4—Solo (five entries): Miss Clarke 1, Miss Davening 2. No. s—Prepareds—Prepared reading- Miss Winnie Watson 1, Mr G. IT. B. Lill 2. No. 6 —Duet: Miss Chapman and Mr R. Chapman 1. No. 7 —lmpromptu reading: Miss Edith Watson 1, Miss Lill 2. No. B—lmpromptu speaking: Rev. W. J. Osbrow 1.

At the conclusion of the competitions a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Watson for the valuable services he had rendered the society in judging the various classes, a similar vote being accorded to Mesdamos Lill and Clothier for judging tho musical items, and to Miss Chapman, who played the accompaniments. In replying, Mr Watson expressed the [rreat pleasure the competitions had giver, him. He did not suppose he had pleased everyone, but he assured them that.he had tried to do his host. The singing of the National Anthem brought to a. close a very pleasant and profitable evening.. P>efore dispersing, refreshments were dispensed by the ladies, and were irruch appreciated.

Methodist Circuit

Tin; qti.irt.erly meeting of the Wiilowby Mei.hocli.sfc Circuit Church officials v,;;s held in the church, Lowcliife, on Thuraday evening. Tho Rev. W. J. Oxbrow, suporintoudent of tiio eirejiit, proside<i over an attend an cc of 14 memben; ropro.sentiny different parts of the circuit.

The. chairman reported a membership of 136 seniors and 30 junior:"?.

Tho financial statement, as presented by the circmb stewards,. Ales>]-.s W. T. Tiill and W. Jewell, showed that the income for the quarter did not quite moot thD expenditure, and on their i reeommendafton the mm of £8 -was transferred from the reserve fund to the current account.. After some little discussion the halamv>-sh^e{. n:; presented was. on the motion of the stewards, unanimoTisly adopted. Special collections: during ' the incoining quarter were voied to {he Wi! low by and Kalin^ Sund:iv .Schools and (o ihi }ii 1 hi t i ii< (i c ii tin \ i i! "~-ui 1 r !i i' i !> \ [)1 s '-i ikl ps t u^'i n i i i(i i on t'n \li )<■ i 1 tv *v oi antl ( i > i I i ! "W h i ( M I ill 11 no Ltd I ' 0 'd Id lt i 1 i i I it (ht Mil \ T i ' ~n ' ! !li f foinc 1 1 th [h < n i' Of i i X iik < ilr< f Mr 1I! i( \ i ksilw! th ( in ilv I ltd i in tl i me 1 ii I Ij\ k mini N b< Jo? | ■\\ i 'M t" ill th"> iirmbo on i n< i (i i ( n \ ie tn them the ti <mt'--ir*^ f np I i am ihein of vun p ith\ a*i 1 (ons+mt icmembi irue in

pubic md pnvnto pi i\pi Mr W. T. Lil] moved th.it the Rev. W. J. Osbrow bo invited to remain in the circuit for n fourth your. Ke pointed out that during Mr Oxbrow's sojonrn in the circuit ho had endeared himself to ali sections of tho comnuin;ty. His pulpit :ind pastoral work had boon much appreciated, and good work'

had been done.—Mr -Je.woll .seconded the motion, which v.'as carried unanimously. Mr Oxbrow, in .ict'optin^ tho. invitation, stated that hthad spent a very happy time in" tho circuit, and lie had endeavoured to do his best. When ho was first invited to the circuit ho had been promised the fullest co-operation of the oiUcials. and ho was pleased to say ho had not boon, disappointed.

Tho asual for hi i slit's holiday was granted to tho minister, Mr Oxbrow to arrange his own time. Messrs W. T. Liil ajul W. Jewell were, elected representative:; 1.0 tlie District Synod sitting in G'oraldinc in November, and Messrs H. Harding aucl A MeKenzio substitute roprcsentatives.

Messrs W. T. Lill and H. Wills were appointed auditors. On tho motion of Mr Watson, seconded by Mr Lill, it was i-esolvod that tho next nicotine: be held at Willow by on Thursday. January 4, at 2.30 p.m., Mr Lill cordially inviting the board to moot at his residence.

This bein<r all tho busincs.vt.lto uieetwas closcil by the cli.'iirman prononncinc the Benediction. Tho mo.mier.s were then invited to .supper whir-n had been provulod in the vestry by the ladies of I/owclifFe.