COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 250, 3 August 1937, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(From Our Own Correspondents.)

METHVEN. THE WEATHER IN JULY. The following are the meteorological observations for July, recorded by Mr James Carr, “Rudsto.ne,” Methven:— Rain fell on 10 days, the maximum fall for any one day being 84 points, on the 21st.' The total for the month was 2.44 inches. In July, 1836, the rainfall was 4.60 inches. The average for July for the last 29 years is 3.30 inches. The wettest July during that period was in 1912, when 11.15 inches fell. The dryest was in 1914 and 1928, when only .78 inches was recorded. The total for the year to date is 2-5.76 inches, compared with 33.37 inches for the same period last year/ The highest value of the barometer for the month was 30.38 on the 17th, and the lowest 29.54 on the 28th. The highest reading of the thermometer was 57 on the 31st, and tile lowest minimum 25 on the 19th. The lowest reading on the grass was 17 on the 18th. The range of temperature for the month w T as 13.6, and the average mean temperature 40.4. The wind miles recorded totalled 3672, the evaporation 1.806 inches, and the hours of sunshine 148.4. There -were 21 days when the temperature fell to 30 degrees or lower. , The Plunket Society. The monthly meeting of the Methven sub-branch of the Plunket Society was held in the society’s rooms, the president (Mrs Wootton) presiding over a good attendance. A presentation was made to Miss Beryl Reid in appreciation of her help on the day of the annual appeal. A cheque was received from Mr E. J. Watson as the result of a hare drive organised by him. The president reported that the arrangements regarding the public rest room had progressed satisfactorily. The nurse’s report for June was as follows:—Visits to homes 26, visits to rooms —adults 37, babies 32, other children 8; —total 77, There were three new cases. EIFFELTON. THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the school committee was held on night, the chairman (Mr H, O. Patterson) presiding. The headmaster was authorised to purchase library books for the reference library. It was decided to support the protests of other schools against the headmaster being called upon to certify the fitness of the school buses. The headmaster reported that the school had been visited that day by the board’s inspectors, Messrs Service and Bates, who had expressed satisfaction with the work of the school. It ifras decided to hold an excursion to Christchurch in the third term for the purpose of visiting the and other places of interest. Fortnightly Euchre party. There was a record attendance at the fortnightly euchre party, 68 players taking part. The winners were Mi’s J. Whearty and Mr S. Pearson, while consolation prizes were won by Miss E. Bruce and Mr R. Ford. Music for the dance was supplied by Mr R. Ford. Social and Educational Club. The programme for the Social and Educational Club’s fortnightly meeting took the form of a prepared speech contest. Mr R. Quinn occupied the chair. The judge (Mr S. W. Gower) awarded first place to Miss M. Crossmam while second and third places were filled by Master J. Latimer and Mrs R. T. Latimer. ' Master J. Latimer also won the club’s special prize for the best speech by members under 18. At the conclusion of the contest Mr Gower gave some very useful hints on the preparation and delivery of a speech. It was announced that the next evening would take the form of a public lantern lecture by Mr L. W. MeCaskill, M.Agr. Sc., of the Christchurch Training College. DORIE. I - ' \ THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE. The monthly meeting of the Doric Women’s Institute was held in the Ardamine Hall, Dorie. Mrs Greig presided. A vote of sympathy was passed with Mrs Harrison and family in their bereavement. It was unanimously resolved to enter a bay at the Ashburton flower show in September. ■Demonstrations were given by Mrs Coatsworth and Miss Lee and Alesdames Hardy and Donaldson. The competitions resulted as follow: —Chocolate cake: Mrs Alexander 1, Miss Gallagher 2, Miss B. Sargent 3. Hand-worked linen handkerchief: Miss B. Sargent 1, Miss M. Muckle 2, Mrs Sargent 3. Flowers: Mrs McKie 1, Miss Gallagher 2, Mrs Alexander 3. The hostesses were Mrs J. Muckle and Miss B. Sargent. ANAMA. THE WOMEN’S DIVISION. The Anama branch of the Women s Division of the Farmers’ Union celebrated its third birthday by holding an enjoyable dance in Mr H. McKenzie s granary, Burnside. The building was effectively decorated with streamers and greenery. Cook’s orchestra supplied the music, and Mr A. Brown made an efficient M.C. The lucky spot waltz was won by Mr J. Doonan and Miss D. Smith (Gore),

and the Monte Carlo was won by Mr Bruce Ward and Miss E. Mclver. Mr N. Corbett and G. Robertson gave a humorous sketch, which was much enjoyed. Four junior members— Misses L. Robertson, M. McKenzie, R. Hewson and M. Mclver—contributed a song, introducing local hits that caused much merriment. Air Alan Shrimpton contributed two songs, which were well received. Tlio members of the Division served a bountiful supper. The birthday cake was cut by Airs Whiteman, a member of the Alount Somers Division, who extended best wishes from that branch. The president (Airs S. Bennett) presented Airs W. J. Robertson with a beautiful cake plate on behalf of members. Airs Robertson, she said, was the first president, and did a lot of pioneering work in connection with the Division, continuing in office for two years. The president also thanked Air H. AlcKenzie for the use of his granary, and all who had assisted in any way to make the birthday party such a success. The Weather in July. The rainfall recorded at “Laggaii,” Anama, for July was 245 points, while last year 373 points fell. The total for the year is 2068 points, while over the same period last year 2591 points were registered. While the rainfall for July was not very heavy, there were a large number of severe frosts; and with the snow continuously frozen on the adjacent mountains to a very low level, the temperatures were cool, and the land was in a sodden condition, unsuitable for getting in crops or preparing the land ; nor was it very satisfactory for the feeding of turnips to sheep, as there was no thaw-out at all for several days. On one occasion the wind veered to the south, and snow and hail covered the ground. A big fall was anticipated, but during the night it cleared off and again froze. Crops and Stock. Turnips are not so plentiful as is usual for this locality, but with the addition of a little chaff or hay stock should come through the winter well. The last few milder days has brought the autumn-sown wheat through the ground. At present it looks well. Practically none has been sown since autumn, owing to the waterlogged condition of the land. A litffle spring wheat will be sown, hut it is now definite that the area in wheat will be considerably below that of previous years. Most slieepowners have been crutching' this month. Ewes are looking w.ell, but hoggets seem, to have felt the severe winter, and in some cases appear a little backward. It is reported that the death-rate is greater than usual. HINDS. BIBLE CLASS SOCIAL. The Hinds Presbyteran Bible Classes held a social in the Public Hall, Air W. H. Carroll presiding. Representatives were present from Ealing, Lowcliffe and Alaronan. Prior to the social, interesting Bible class study was conducted by the leader (Air Carroll). A happy time was spent in games and competitions. The winners of the competitions were Aliss B- Galletly and Alessrs J. Hansen and L. Clucas. A pianoforte solo was given by AJiss O. Wilson, and a mouth-organ solo by Air E. Rhodes. A presentation was made to Aliss Mary Alcßae, who is leaving the district. A feature of the evening was a novel supper served by members of the Hinds Class. • The singing of the National Anthem and the hymn “Silent Night” concluded a very enjoyable evening. STAVELEY. THE RAINFALL IN JULY. The rainfall for July totalled 229 points. The heaviest fall, 88 was on the 21st. In J uly last year 418 points were recorded locally. The totals for this year and last year to date are respectively 27.28 inches and 34.14 inches. LAGMHOR. MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD. The congregation at Lagmhor Presbyterian Church on Sunday was evidence of the respect and esteem in which the late Air J. Lowry, of Westerfield, was in the community. The Rev. ]~. D. MacLachlan conducted the service, and based his sermon on John 14. He said that the late Air Lowry had just recently been elected to the eldership of the church, and his sudden passing at first filled the congregation with dismay; but now when they looked back it seemed as if this call to the eldership was but the Divine approval of a faithful man, so that in his passing he was to be thought of as a steward of the Holy Sacrament for his fellow-men. He was a man of a .brotherly nature —broadminded and ready to help any good cause independent of denomination or creed if it was for the. good of his fellows. The choir sang ‘‘The Glory Song,” and Airs W. Lill and Aliss Alabel Lill sang Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar.” GHERTSEY. DOGS WORRYING SHEEP. Two dogs, one a sheep dog amUthe other a half-bred sheep dog, were caught worrying sheep on Air W. Swain’s farm at Chertsey on Saturday evening. , The dogs were destroyed. About four years age three dogs' of various breeds wandered on to All Swain’s farm and were taken charge of by the dog who considered they had been dropped off a car. Farewell Social. A farewell social to Air and Mrs W. Halliday and family, who have left

for Alethven, was held in the Chertsey Hall on Thursday. Air W. Wilkinson presented them with a chiming clock and a roll of notes. Aliss D. Chambers, on behalf of schoolmates, presented Joy Halliday with a cup, saucer and plate. 500 Tournament. Airs James Doig, Air Allan Doig and Mr W. Holland were the winners of the 500 tournament held at the Chertsey Hall on Saturday evening in aid of the Croquet Club. Personal. Air James O’Connor, of Rakaia Settlement, who recently broke his wrist when the horse walked out of the spring dray, lias been sent to the Ashburton Hospital for observation for another complaint. Boxers Entertained. Boxers from Invercargill were met at Chertsey by the president of the Rakaia Boxing Association (Air Lynch), who treated them to afternoon tea at his residence, and a large number met them at Rakaia on Sunday evening. They left Invercargill at, 6 o’clock on Sunday morning. Yesterday they were taken to Christchurch and also Alethven, via Highbank. viewing the County farms. Air Son Tall, the well-known referee, Air Hughes (secretary of the association), and Air Vickery, with the trainer (Ah’ Mafcwan, of Invercargill), were in the party. The Rakaia Association will return the visit about August 23, and will take three or four boxers with them.