SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18362, 21 April 1925, Page 6

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

TIMARU. Social and Personal. Mr and Mrs Derrick Gould arrived from Christchurch yesterday on a short visit to Mr and Mrs Arthur Elworthy (Holme Station). Mrs E. G. Kerr (Nelson terrace) and Mrs Andrew Guild (Temuka) motored home from Christchurch on Sunday. Mrs W. D. Campbell and the Misses Campbell (Wai-iti road) have returned from a holiday at Peel Forest. Mrs Gilbert Hayhurst motored back to Oamaru oa Sunday with Mr Havhurst. Mr Willis, who was the guest nf Mr and Mrs A. F. Uoberts (Park lane) rclurnri] to Cambridge yesterday. Mrs Borrie left for Auckland on Saturday after a visit to Mrs hrling Zicsler (Quarry road). Mrs Fenner (St. Albans) is the guest of Mrs John McKae (Selwyn street). Mrs Melville Jameson ("Otumarama ") left yesterday for Christchurch, to be present at the Wentworth GriggBeckett wedding, which will take place on Thursday. Miss Alice McLaren, who has been for some time in England, will return from Sydney this week by the s.s. Marama to Timaru, where Mr W. R. McLaren and his son intend to reside. Mrs Malcolm Miller (Wellington) has i returned from a visit to Mrs James j Junes ("Haldon"), and is at ("Otiri- i tiri") with Mrs Edgar Jones.

The Weather. . Cold, and at times threatening, weather conditions were experienced during the week-end, and yesterday morning broke dull and raw. The sk\ cleared somewhat later in the day and the atmosphere became wanner, a frost last night appearing unlikely. High School Board. The monthly meeting of the Timaru High School Board was held yesterday. Present: Mr J. Bitchoner, M.P. (chairman), Mrs B. H. Low, Messrs K. Orwin, W. D. Revell, W. F. Cheverton, J. Maze, H. H. Fraser, and F. Lyon, Dr. G. E. Gabites, and Commander G. Dennistoun. Tho chairman referred to the. opening of the secondary • schools, and expressed the hope that the Dominion would' not again suffer in the manner it had at the hands of such an epidemic. The paralysis had made serious inroads into the -work of every school in the Dominion, and teachers generally were glad to get under way again. The Director of Education advised that he had requested the Public Works Department to take any action possible to - expedite the completion of additions to' the Boys' High School.' Members stated'that ■'the- work was still going on slowly. There had been no "speeding-up" as yet. Referring to the 'maintenance of the High School buildings, the Director of Education stated' that 6-i-per cent.--was the full charge under the architect's scale of fees, ■ and' suggested, that the Board, endeavour, to . secure some concession, such as. had.been, done .by other School Boards.

The Director of the Fields Division, Department of Agriculture, advised that if the Board secured a block of land on which definite co-operative experiments could be out in. coiljunction with the Department, he would be pleased to discuss details. He was afraid, however, that with the exception of supplying seeds and manures and finding a limited amount for supervision expenses, the Department would not undertake any definite financial assistance.

Opening of Schools. Cabinet having authorised the reopening of certain secondary schools, the Timaru : Girls' High School and Timaru Technical School commenced work for the 'year yesterday. Tho secondary department of tho Timaru Boys' High School will reopen to-day. Preparatory pupils are nqt to attend till notified. The. attendance •.at the Girls' nigh School was very satisfactory, most of the pupils' resuming work. - The staff had been thoroughly organised, and there was . little delay in commencing the year's programme. At the Technical School there was an attendance of 80 out of 100 pupils, which is considered more than satisfactory, owing to'the short notice. A number of country pupils were, not in attendance. " In the secondary schools about six weeks' actual schooling has been lost. It is probablo that there will be a two weeks' break in August, but all other holidays will be cancelled.. . Batepayers' Apathy. Tho fortnightly meeting of tho Borough Council was held last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace), Crs. T. W. Satterthwaite, J. A. Hay,. D. McNabb, E. R. Guinness, W. G. Irwin, J. F. Arnold, P. C. Vinnell, and J. Anstey. i Tho Mayor, after reviewing the work of the past year, said that he wished to thank tho ratepayers for their action in allowing him to be re-elected unopposed to tho position of Mayor. However, the paucity )of nominations of candidates for seats on the,various local bodies was extremely unsatisfactory, and it was regrettable that there should be so little enthusiasm—in fact, such rank apathy—in tho, afEairs of local government as there was in Timaru at the present time. (Councillors: "Hear, hoar."). . It was more by good luck than anything else that enough councillors had been nominated to carry on tho work of the coming year. It was also very regrettablo that the people of Timaru should have so littlo. interest in their harbour that they should fail to nominate sufficient members to look after their interests on tho Harbour Board.

The question of the vacant scat on the Harbour Board was considered, tho Mayor stating that under the Harbours Act the Governor-General might appoint such qualified person as he thought fit. It was decided to write to the Harbour Board explaining the situation.

WOODBURY. The return tennis match which was to have been, played at Orari Bridge on Saturday had to be postponed, as the court was too wet. The maicli is to be played next Thursday afternoon. If the Orari Bridge grass court is not fit for play, the match will take place on the asphalt courts in the "Woodbury Domain. On Saturday evening a party of young people of the district tendered a surprise party in the Hall to Mr and Mrs Marks and their guests, Mr and Mrs D. G. Falconer, of Christchurch. A happy time was spent in dancing and games till nearly midnight, when Mr Marks thanked the young people for the pleasant 6urprise and for the happy evening. Miss May Vance has gone to Hanmer to undergo a course of treatment. Mr and Mrs J. Bice ihave gone to Gisborne. WAIMATE. The Waimate High School resumed yesterday morning after a break of seventeen weeks. In spite of the very short notice most of the pupils were in attendance. It is expected that all the scholars will hare taken up their

TEMEKA. The final of the Temuka, Druids' tng-of-war contest took place in tho Brill Hall on Saturday evening, there being a very large crowd present. The first contest was the semi-final of the lightweight section, between Alliance (o-ist lib) and Maoris (54st 41b), the seaport, boys winning by several inches. Then came the final in this section between Alliance (54st lib) and Druids - o-Jst 81b). A fast and exciting fire minutes ensued, the indicator never at any time being more than one inch from neutral, and when time was called the local men'secured the verdict by the closest possible margin amidst great cheering. The winning team was composed of-the following:—J. Ourrie (list 31b), M. Greeiish (10st ol'u), W. Fnsby <lost 31b), B. J. Hope (list 31bi, and -I. McFelin (list 81b). The last pull of the evening was the final in the" heavies. between the Temuka Druids (oSsi), and the Maoris (50st). When the lomminute gong soundeyl tho Druids had t one-inch lead, and although the Mi'.oris put even- ounce into their efforts. they could not budge their opponents. wlr> won ainiil frantic cheering. During the evening Mr J. Allfrey announced the. winners of the various competitions as follows:—Lucky number for l>ox of chocolates (■>), C. M:ntson : weaner pig, AV. Gourley; kewoie's birthday, September 14th. J. K. Voiing: cake (No. 1), number of beans,. Mrs B. Norton: cake (No. 2). number of beans, A. McFarlane.

Harvest thank >givin<r services were held at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday. The Jlev. H. R. Fell preached the sermons, and harvest iiyrons were sung. Mrs £?. I!. Wigbtman, as in former years, was responsible for the beautiful decorations in the church'. Mr A. AV. L. Buzan has consented to be nominated for a seat nn the Borough Council. Mr J. S. Lee has been mentioned as a probable candidate.

, The jubilee celebrations of the Temuka Volunteer Fire Brigade were ooTnmenced on Sunday, in the morning a church parade, which was attended by the firemen, under Captain Henry, and many ex-firemen (including the Mayor. Mr T. IT. Gunnion) was held at the Presbyterian Church. The procession, which was headed by the Temuka Pipe Band, moved off from the central fire station shortly after 10.30 and marched to the church, which was packed.