MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18402, 8 June 1925, Page 4

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. GENERAL NEWS. While cycling through some loose shingle in tho vicinity of Mona Square on Friday, Constable S. Paul, fell ami seriously injured his wrist. The Technical School Old Boys' Football Club opened their 1925 season of dances on Friday evening, when about 40 couples attended the function. The school assembly room was effectively decorated in the club's colours. The "lucky-spot" waltz was won by Miss Williamson and Mr D. Doyle, while the music was supplied by Daybourn's orchestra. Ten degrees of frost were registered in Ashburton on Saturday. Members of the Ashburton County Council visited Walnut avenue on Friday to witness a demonstration of several makes of road graders which were on trial. No decision as to which make it would purchase was arrived at by the Council. In the afternoon the members visited the gravel reserve on the Racecourse road to witness a further trial of the stone-crusher which they have on approval It is probable that a further test of tho latter will be made, in the Mayfield district, as there is a large quantity of suitable road metal in that locality which will give a more severe test. Tho chief attraction at the Hakatere dance on Saturday night was tho waltzing competition,, which was won by Miss F. Bobthroyd and Mr B. Frew. The lucky-spot waits; was won by Miss Lv Griffiths and Mr W. Griffiths. The ouchro tournament, conducted fortnightly in conjunction with the dance, under tho auspices of tho Loyal" Ashburton Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., was on Saturday night won by Mrs A, Husband and Mr E. Thomas.

Church Bazaar. An effort to raise funds was made on Saturday by members of tho Tinwald St. Andrew's Anglican Church, when a bazaar was held in the new hall. There was a variety of stalls, which displayed a good array of. produce and fancy goods. There' was a large attendance, and the articles found a.ready sale.

Basketball. ' • The primary schools'. basketball competitions were continued on Saturday morning on tho Domain. Tho matches resulted as follow: A grade.—Borough 12, Ashburton East 0; Tinwald 10, Allenton G; Convent a bye. B . Grade.—Borough IS, Ashburton East 2; Tinwald 4, Allenton 2; Convent a bye. Band. Concert. The popularity of the scries of concerts conducted by the First Canterbury Mounted Eifle- Band was again in evidence last evening, when tho following programme was given under the baton of Lieut. W. H. Osborne:—Hymn, "Sun of My Soul";, march, "British Legion"; selection, "Eural Wedding"; hymn,' "Days and Moments"; inarch, "Simplicity." In addition a xylophono solo was contributed by Mr J. Hall and a vocal solo, "For Lovo and Tlice," by Mr V. W. Eusscll.

Schools' Boxing Club. As a result of ,tho success and the interest that has been recently' shown in tho frco tuition boxing class for boys, it was decided at a meeting on Saturday night to form an Ashburtoni Schools' Boxing; Club. The following-officers' w.o£a' elected:—President, the Hon. W n -Nosworthy; vice-presidents, Messrs E. J. Thompson, W. F. Watters, C. G. M. Boyce, and W. W. Garton; eomraitteo to draw up rules, Messrs 11. Bowdeu, E. Hefford, H. F. McElrea, C. Stott, L. Thompson, 3. Todd, and J. Pritchard; secretary, Mr A. H. McElrea. The club will apply' to the Canterbury Amateur Boxing Association for affiliation.

Masonic Service. A Masonic service of sorrow in memory of tho lato M.W. Bro. W. E; Massey, Grandmaster, was conducted in the Ashburton Presbyterian Church yesterday afternoon. There was 'an attendance of about 250, and the R.W. Bro. W. Gifkins, P. Prov. G.M., occupied the pulpit, which ' was draped in mourning. The service opened with tho playing of tho Funeral March, followed by hymn and prayer. The lessons ivero read by W. Bros. E. C. D. Withell and W. Bro. W. T. P. Locke, with appropriate ritual. # A wreath of flowors was placed upon the catafalque by W. Bro. A.' Holmes, W.M. Bakaia Lodge, a wreath of evergreens by "W. Bro. P. B. Robilliard, P. Prov. G.D.C.j and "the wreath everlasting" by Bro. S. Smith (Methven). Solos were sune by BrW 0. B. Gass, P.W., and L. j. Watt, S.W. The service was concluded by the pronouncing of the Benediction, previous to which all stood in silence while Bro. L. J. Watts played tho "('Dead March" on the organ.

Mail Notices. Mails close at Ashburton to-day as follows:—For northern ports at 5 p.m.; late fee letters, 5.25 p.m.; guard's van, 5.43 pm Mails for Great Britain, Ireland and Continent of Europe, via Pitcairn Island and Panama (specially addressed correspondence only), per Corinthio, from Wellington, : close at Ashburton to-morrow.

RAKAIA. A meeting of the committee of the Rakaia Ploughing Match Association was held in the Road Board office on Friday evening, Mr R. Oakley presiding. The secretary reported that tho use of a paddock for the annual ploughing match had been offered'by Mr J. G. McLachian and also by Messrs Wilkinson. Messrs A. J. Magson, B. McNamara, J. G. McLadhlan, J. Duncan, R. Oakley, A. Holmes., and L. Cordner were appointed a committee to inspect the paddocks.. Ifc wae decided that tractors will not be allowed on tho ground on the day of the ploughing match. The secretary Mr A. Holmes, reported that a cup had been offered by Langley's Estate and a rose bowl by Mr J. Pye. It was decided that the cash prized be the same as last year in each class. It was also decided to offer a prize for the best handled team on the ground. The prize for the best harness' is to be confined to the district classes. It was decided to award a rose bowl to the servant gaining most points. In the event of two judges 7iot being able to agree, it was resolved that a third person be asked to.assist. The secretary was instructed to interview Mr H. Hopwood regarding the transport of ploughs from the trucks to the ground and back.

ROKEBY.

The opening meeting of tlie Rokeby Baud of Hope was held in the Kokeby School on Friday evening. There was a largo attendance, all the available space being occupied, Mr W. J. Henderson presided and gave a short temperance talk. Five new members signed the pledge, and the secretary reported that there were twenty members. Piano solos were played bv' Misses South, Edna England, Mona Magson, Alison Magson, and a duet bv Misses Isabel McGeorge and Alison Magson. A recitation was given by Miss Vera I3urrpwe.s, a readiug bv Mrs

Hopwood, and a song by Mi- "W. J. Henderson. Miss Gareth McPhail acted as accompaniste.

HINDS. The annua] tea in connexion with St Luko's Sunday school was hold in Hinds Hall on Friday, evening, when there' was a large attendance of children and friends. Two long tables wore erected and laden.with good things. Afterwards a"social.hour was Hp-ent m playing games. During an interval the children sang songs and gave recitations.. At 7.30 the Rev. J. Hay returned thanks to those who had contributed to tho success of tho evening.