MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18410, 17 June 1925, Page 4

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. PERSONAL. On the eve of his,departure to take up tho position of assistant clerk at the Magistrate's Court, Wellington, Mr A. L. Tresidder, -who for the past five years has been clerk of the Ashburton Magistrate's Court, was met by the local solicitors and Justices of the Peace, and presented with nine volumes of Shakespeare's works, several books on law, a set of military hair-brushes, and a pipe. An apology was received from Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., who wrote congratulating Mr Tresidder upon his promotion. Mr IT. C. Orbcll made the presentation, and eulogised Mr Tresidder 's work as Clerk"" of the Ashburton Magistrate's Court, stating that during his 30 years' experienco in law courts he did not know of anyone more capable than the recipient, who had made himself very popular during his five years iu Ashburton. Other speakers were Messrs R. Galbraith, J Cow, R, Clark, E. P. Nicoll, P. W. Watt, J. P. McQuilkin, G. 11. Buchanan, R. Kennedy, A. K. North, and V. W. Russell. Mr Tresidder suitably responded, and introduced the new Clerk of the Court, Mr C. 0. Pratt.

General News. The quarterly summoned meeting of the Court Ashburton, No. 6729, A.0.F., was held on Monday, Bro. R. Gourdie, C.R., presiding. A letter of condolence was forwarded to the relatives of the late Bro. Broker. Two candidates were nominated. The following officers were appointed:—C.R., Bro. C. Bax; S.C.R., Bro. P. Clark; S.M., Bro. A Jackman; J.W., Bro. J. Ward; 5.8., Bro. T. Crum; J. 8., Bro. S. J. McElhinncy. Tho Ashburton' branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union held a meeting yesterday afternoon, over which the chairman (Mr H. Watts) presided. Messrs S. H. Lill and J. Moore were elected to represent the branch at the Provincial Conference next Friday. J1 was agreed to hold meetings quarterly.

High School Board. The monthly meeting of the Ashburton High School Board of Governors was held yesterday. Present: Messrs J. \V. Bowden (chairman), J. Brown', E, Galbraith, C. Kcid, A. Lane, and P. Erampton. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £433 8s" lid. Tho headmaster reported that the roll number was 213. During the past mouth the attendance was 96.G per cent, of tho roll. Miss B. Claridge would commence her duties as a part-time teacher in music during the week. The directors of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition wrote asking for financial assistance in tho construction of an Educational Court at the Exhibition. It was agreed to vote the sum of £lO 10s. Messrs Framplon and Galbraith were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month. , Mr C. Keid stated that the agricultural instruction at the school did not seem to bo quito adequate for boys who wcro going to bo practical farmers. In answer to Mr Brown, the headmaster said the, agricultural syllabus laid down by the Education Department for the examination was quito suitable for a boy who intended to' go to Lincoln College. Mr Brown suggested that tho senior boys who were taking the agricultural course should go to tho A. and P. Show as judges' stewards; to get a better knowledge of the"' various classes tha. were exhibited. Mr Brown was deputed to wait upon tho A. and P. Association to request its assistance in the matter.

A. and P. Association. -A meeting of the General Committee of the Ashburton A. and P. Association was held yesterday, Mr A. Brown presiding. „ With regard to a letter received from Mr E. J. Low, of Highbank, drawing attention to what lie considered to be a mongrel breed of sheep (Border Leicester-Southdown Cross) offered at the Association's last ram fair, the breeder, Mr W. Black, of Waihao Downs, wrote stating that he had been breeding tho class of ram for about 10 years, and had used thorn in his own flock for about six years, before offering them for sale. He had found them most satisfactory. They were ready to go away to tho works long before the long-woolled lambs, and were better in quality. The letter was received, and it was decided to thank Mr Black for the information he had given. The North Otago A. and P. Association wrote stating that this year the Dunedin Exhibition would bo opened during tho week that the North Otago Show was ordinarily held, and it had been suggested rhat failing an exchange of dates with Dunedin, the North. Otago Association should hold its show during the first week in November. It was agreed to reply to the effect that the Ashburton Show could not be altered from November sth;

Tho following recommendations of the Sheep Committee were adopted;—(l) That registered rams be given preference in order of sale at the Earn Pairs. (2) That all sheep exhibited in the purebred classes at the shows bo registered or eligiblo for registration. Two now members were elected."" The request of the High School Board that pupils taking the agricultural course be appointed judges' stewards •was agreed to. It was decided to arrange practical field demonstrations on judging for the boys. _ Mr J. H. Grigg extended an invitation to the boys to inspect his stud flock.

Borough School Committee. The monthly meeting of the Borough School Committee -was held last evening. Present: Messrs J. Watson (chairman), L. J. Watt, E. Coker, J. Wilson, E. Marsden, W. Page, and J. McElhinitey. A letter was received from Mrs Massey thanking the committee for its mess* ge of condolence in the death of the late Prime Minister. Advice was received that the Education Board had decided to proceed with the repair of the infant school, and to obtain prices for the renovation of the building. Tho headmaster reported that the number ■was 45S and the average attendance 434. Messrs Bushell and Wilson were appointed -a Visiting Committee. It was agreed fo arrange for a benefit night in aid of the sports fund.

RAKAIA. A meeting of the South Rakaia School Committee was held on Monday evening. Present: Hot. A. SvMorrison (chairman), Rev. E. N. Blakiston, Messrs W. J. Lee, C. Evison, R. Breach, A. F. Kennett and A. A. Oliver. The head teacher's report showed a roll number of 131, with an average attendance of 123. Hie recent wet weather had affected the attendance in the infants' room. Messrs Haslam and Evans, on their recent visit, had commented unfavourably on the state of the fences, grounds and shrubbery. Mr W. J. Lee had given goalposts and baskets for the basket-ball team. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Lee. Acting on a suggestion By the head teacher, it was decided to ask the Board to hold over the remodelling of the school until the term holidays in August, and that all work that can be done in the workshops be proceeded with. It was decided to write to the Education Board for an increase in the* incidentals' fund. A letter was received from Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, M.P.. regarding the remodelling of the school. The secretary of the Education Board wroto stating that the foreman had been instructed to attend to the pump at the residence, and if it cannot be repaired, a lfew one will be provided. The Board also wrote that the committee's application for dual desks had been held over, and that as the number of pupil teachers and probationers had already been allocated, it was not possible to send one to Rakaia. A copy of Mr Jsitt's Bill was receired from the Bible in Schools' Association, and after some discussion it was decided to support it. The tender of F. Booth for clearing gorse and broom from the road line and school grounds, and cutting the fences, was accepted, part of the cost, to be paid from the Grounds Improvement Fund. It was resolved to hold a concert in aid of the school funds. Messrs C. Evison, A. Oliver, W, J. Lee, R. Breach, and A. 1\ Kenue'tt were appointed a committee to make arrangements. The- fortnightly social of the Rakaia Ladies' Hockey Club was held in St. Mark's Schoolroom on Monday. There was a good attendance, and an enjoyable evening was spent. A lucky spot waltz was won by Miss K. Stewart and Mr F. Booth. Music for the dancinc: was supplied by Misses C. Shannon, B. Stofjrart, F. Cornelius, T>. Kennett and Messrs W. A. Smith and Cockburn. Messrs S. Connolly and J. Allen were the M.C.'s. The fortnightly meeting,of the Edith Cavell (Rebekab) Lodge, 1.0.0. F., was held in the Town Hall on Monday evening. Sister T. Clark, X.G., preside*! over a good attendance, of members. Correspondencp was received from the Grand Secretary in regard to lodge matters, and an appeal was forwarded from tho Opotiki Lodge. A motion of sympathy was yiassed to Brother and Sister Rule in their recent bereavement. Four candidates were initiated. After the closing of the lodg&, a social hour was spent.

Mail Notices. Mails close to-day at Ashburton for northern porta at 5 p.m.: late fco letters 5.25 p.m.; guard's van 5.43 p.m. Outgoing oversells mails fcr Tonga.. Fiji and Samoa., per Tofua from Auckland, close at Ashburton to-morrow. DORIE. At the weekly shoot of the Dorie Miniature '.Rifle Club, a postal match was fired with the "Wcstcrncld Club in conjunction with the shoot for a trophy presented by Mr W. J. Lee. The conditions of the postal match were 14 men, with the four lowest scores out. Tho shooting was the best that has been done on the range, the ten-man team putting on 336. The following arc tho: scores:—D. Banks (I), 35; J. Beard (2), 3i>;*M.'Kingsbury (2), 35; S. Banks (1), 35; R. .Shanks (2), 31; D. McKie (4), 34; L. Kingsbury (2), 33; B. Kingsbury (3), 32; J). Harrison, 33; B. Harrison, 30. The first eight tied for the trophy. In the shoot-off, D. McKie won on the' fourth shoot with 33, 34, 32, 34, ,T. Beard being second with 35, 34, 34, 30. J. Beard registered 10 consecutive bulls and IT. Harrison HI. After the shooting a committee meeting was held,'and it:was decided to have a harc-driv.e next Monday.

CHERTSEY. At the Card Club's fortnightly euchre tournament there was a good attendance. The ladies' prizo was won by Mrs A. Garland, with 120 points; Miss Muriel Garland being second, with 123 points, and Miss Wilkinson third, with 118 points. Ihc mer-'s. prizo was won by Mr E. fide with 130 points, Mr H. Cox being second with lzd points, and Mr I>. Lynch third with 12d points. A dance followed. JJr A. H. Wright, of Dunedin University, who has been staying with his brdther, Mr V. W. Wrignt, of Quamby, has returned to Ms home at Lagmltor. Funds are'being raised to take over the local hall from the Oddfellows, and so convert it into a public hall. In order to assist this project, a concert is being organised by Mr Guy Struthcrs.

MOUNT SOMERS. On Monday evening the Men's Club held a very enjoyable euchro tournament, tho first of a scries. Thcro was an attendance of over 20. Most points towards a final prize were gained as follows v —Mr Jones 7, Messrs Beresford and Thompson C, Mesdaraes Wood, Yates and Hood 5. Nest Monday is Question Box evening. The school was visited last Friday by tho Agricultural Instructor for Canterbury (Mr Moodie), but as snow lay on the ground, no practical work wa3 done. Tho best display this year was that of Chou-moellicr, which outstripped everything else.

METHVEN. The Miniature Eiflo Club*" held the second of its series of matches for a trophy presented by Messrs Cookson Bros. The following tied with a total score of 70 for the two matches. J. E. Carr, 35, 35 (2), 70; G. Waddington, 32, 34 (4)1 70; J. Anderson, 33, 33 (8;, 70; W. Jackson, 34, 30 (10), 70. For the Hotty Button competition,'.,!. E. Carr and J. Anderson tied with "possibles." In the shoot-off J. E. Carr won. W. M. Holland put up some remarkably good shooting by scoring a possible, after which he registered 20 consecutive bulls. The club also held a postal match with Seaficld, tho conditions being twelve men a-side, tho nine highest scores to count. The Methven scores were:— J. E. Carr 35. W. M. Holland 34, S. Wightman 33, J. Anderson 33, G. Waddington 34, G.' Graham 32, E. H. Allen 31, J. Manning 31 G. H. Nickolls 32. Total 295. '