MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18362, 21 April 1925, Page 4

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON.

GENERAL NEWS. The Ashburton High and Technical Schools reopened yesterday with very satisfactory attendances. About 80 per cent, of the Technical School pupils attended, wliilo tho attendance at tho High Sehool was considerably over DO per cent. The position of the Ashburton labour market is, comparatively speaking, quiet. Tho demand for teamsters lias eased, and at the same timo there are very few men seeking this class of work. In view of the fact that tho recent rain has considerably softened the ground it is anticipated that the enquiry for ploughmen will increase. "The "position as regards domestics is practically similar," stated one Ashburton agent, "and there is a marked tendency for all classes of labour to flock to town."

A petition in. bankrutpcy has been filed by James Gibson, labourer, of Ashburton, and a.meeting of creditors •will be held in the office of the Dcputy Offieial Assignee at 2 p.m. to-morrow. The following stock were slaughtered at the Municipal Abattoir* during the month of Mareh:—Cattle 169 (1 condemned), calves 3, pigs 95, sheep 783, Lambs 4. The total figures for the year ended March 31st last were:—Cattle 1848 (17 condemned), calve3_ 40, pigs 1082 (1 condemned), sheep 10,061 (o condemned), lambs 223. There were no large cf salmon reported from tho mouth of the Bakaia River during the week-end. Amongst the H most fortunate were Messrs G. Allington and H. Anderson, of Ashburton, who each accounted for two quinnat salmon, while the heaviest fish of each turned the scale at 141 baud 131b respectively.

First Aid Division. A meeting of those interested*in tho formation of a first aid uivision was held last night, when there were about 19 present. It was decided to commence a combined first aid class on Monday, May 4th. The ladies present, the majority of whom hold first aid and home nursing certificates, decided to form a nursing division, .and the following officers were elected:—Lady supcrintcnder.t, Miss H. Lockwood; first officer, Mrs I. Matthews; second officer, Mrs N. Watson; secretary and treasurer, Miss I. Gadd. It was resolved to ask Dr. G. W. Coatcs to accept the position of medical officer of tho division. The division meetings were set down for Wednesdays, and it was decided to ask Mrs Smith, lady superintendent of the Christchurch corps, to address the first meeting. RAKAIA. Mr A. B. Ringer, who has teen on the staff of the Bank of New- Zealand for the past two years, has been promoted to the position of toller at Rangiora. Mr Ringer, who has taken much interest in local sports, will be missed in tennis and football circles. Mr C. E. Redgrave, of Roxburgh, will succeed him. „ ' The. Rev. W. J. Henderson, the newly-appointed minister of the IlakaiaMethven Methodist Church? has commenced his new duties, and conducted services on Sunday at Mothven, Mead and Ralkaia. . Ansae Bay will be celebrated m Rakaia by united Divine service. Jt lias been arranged to hold the service in the open-air at the steps of the cenotaph in the'-afternoon.

MEAD. A. number of tho residents of the Mead recently paid a surprise visit to Mr James Blackley, who has sold his farm and is leaving shortly for tho Argentine. Mr Blackley has resided at the Mead for the past fire, years. Mr W. Shellock, on behalf of those present, presented Mr Blackley with an initialled leather suitcase expressing regret at his departure and wishing "him success and haopincss in his new home. Mr Blackley suitably replied; Tho remained©? of the evening -was demoted to music and dancing. Music for the dancing was supplied by Messrs E. Duncan, W. Shellock, J. Gronin, and J. Smith. Mr J. Fagan was M.C. DORIE. The wevjfel.y shoot of the Doric Miniature Rifle Club was held on Saturday evening, the prize being a sweepstake. S. Smith (2) 35 and R. Turnbull (2) 33 tied for first place. In the shoot-on S. Smith won with 34. R. Turnbull taking second place ■with 32. Good shooting was done by S. Smith, who refistered 10 consecutive bulls and only ropped one point in 14 shots. Other good scores were: —M. Kingsbury, L. Kingsbury and J. Beard, each 33; H. Harrison, D. Banks, a,nd B. Kingsburv, each 32. For a club sweepstake D. McKie (2) 33 and E. Kingsbury (3) 33 tied. In the shoot-off I>. McKie won with 33, E. Kingsbury being second with 32. At a meeting of the committee it was decided to put in new blocks at tho butts. Messrs J. Beard and 3>. Harrison were appointed to arrange to have the work done at once. Owing to Anzac Day falling on Saturday tho shooting will be held on Friday night. The annual meeting of tho Ardamine Hall Committee was held oil Saturday evening in the hall. The -report and balance-sheet were presented by the secretary. The report showed a successful year's work. The balance-sheet showed 'a profit on the year's workisc of £l2 and a reduction of £22 on the overdraft. Electric 'sgM had been installed at a cost of £.19. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The. following committee was appointed Messrs H. Harrison (chairman), 1). Harrison, D. Banks, D. McKic, JVI. Kingsbury, S. Gardiner, R. Turnbull and F. Alexander. Mr J. Beard was appointed secretary and! treasurer. During last week Messrs J. Smith (Mitcham) and R. Turnbull (Dorie) landed eight quinnat salmon from the Rakaia River. The fish were caught about four miles from tho month and were in good condition. Tho two largest weighed twenty pounds each, tho remainder being from fire to ten pounds. On Saturday a great run of fish was observed iu one of the main streams. , The fish were flashing up stream at a great rate, but were not to bo caught by the most tempting lure or bait. METHVEN. Tho Rev. G. Hercus, of Methven, has received advico that his son, Allan Gordon Hercus. has been granted a 'Junior National Scholarship. In the original list of scholarships his name was not mentioned, but after a review of lie papers the scholarship was granted. Special harvest thanksgiving services were held in St. John's Presbyterian Church, Methven, on Sunday. The services, both morning and evening, were well attended, the Rev. G. Hercus officiating. A large number of gifts of vegetables and farm produce were sent iu and these are to bo forwarded to the orphanages. The football season opened on Saturday. The local senior team journeyed to Ashburton and played Old Boys, Methven winning by Bto 6. 'lhe local juniors played Rakaia Juniors on the Methven Domain, and after a

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close game wero defeated by 3 points to The local golf club sent a team jo try conclusions with_ the Hororat. Club. After a very enjoyable game the heme team proved the victors. An Overland car, driven by -lr Angus McLeod, of Methven, caught fire whilo being driven through BaUaia Gorge on Saturday afternoon and considerable damage was done before tue •fire was extinguished. The car was insured with the Victoria Insurance Co. for £2OO. TT . , „ , | The Methven District High .School opened on Monday morning with «'i satisfactory attendance of scholars. The' Education Department has sanctioned the puttine on of another motor bus to bring children to the school. This will commence running m tho Lvndhurst-Springfield portion of tho trict this morning. PENDARVES. Ploughing of grass land has recently been almost an impossibility, but the conditions are now totally changed since the rain, so that good progress will now be made. Green crops aro.alreadv responding. and if.the weather only continues mild. the benefit to winter feed will be inestimable. FAIHTON. Since the Easter holidays there has been an acuto shortage in tho number of butchers at the works, but the company is now able to make atrangements for the required number. ... Since the heavy downpour, .of rain the paddocks round the township are considerably freshened up, and ploughing frill now be carried out under more satisfactory conditions. MOUNT SOMERS. The annual meeting of the Spring-burn-Mayfield Football Club was held in Mr Murray's hall. Mr Nell was inthe chair, and there was a good attendance of members. It was resolved to carry on as last year, the name to be changed to Spriugburn-Mounfc Somers. The club is entering one junior team. The following office-bearers wore elected: Patron. Mr F. Peter: president, Mr L. JVell; vice-presidents, as last year, Messrs H. Hood, AV. Turton and G. Patton; committee, Messrs F. Patton, Laurence Hood, G. and F. Green; idr T. Stevens {secietarv and treasurer), and a captain to be selected. The selection committee is Messrs P. Patton, G. Green, L. Hood. Sloper and Hooper. On Anzac- Day a combined commem-' oration service will be held in the Memorial Hall by the Revs. Dickie and Beresford. There will be one at Stavelev later in tho day.

During March rain fell on 11 days to a total of 238 points. Rakaia defeated the SpringburnMount Somers football team by 18 points to 6 on Saturday.