MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18659, 7 April 1926, Page 5

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. DWELLING DESTROYED. Fire destroyed a six-roomed house, the property of Mr E. Crysell, situated on Creek road, Allenton, at 5 a.m. yesterday. It is surmised that the outbreak originated in the kitchen, but the cause is unknown. The Fire Brigade was on the scene promptly, but as the residence was situated outside of the borough water supply, very little could be done to save the building from burning. Onlv a few sundries of little value were saved. The dwelling, which was totallv destroyed, was insured with the New Zealand Company for £550, whilo the furniture was covered in the same office for £2OO. A washhouse and storeroom, which were not affected by the fire, were insured for £6O. The place was occupied by the owner. Fractured Skull. An unfortunate accident befell Leicester Stoddart, the 12-year-old sou of Mr L. Stoddart, of Willowby, on Monday, when he was thrown from a spring-cart on his father's farm, and badly fractured his skull. He was admitted to the Ashburton County Hospital, where au operation was found necessary. Although still serious, the boy's condition had improved slightly yesterday. The family has been particularly unfortunate of late. Mr Stoddart is at present in the hospital, while only last year Mrs Stoddart was killed when driving a horse and gig down the south approach to the Ashburton traffic bridge. Gaiety Club. A' dance conducted in the Orange Hall on Monday night by the Gaiety Club was attended by. about 40 couples. Tho floor Was in excellent' order. Mr S. Thompson was M.C, and Dabourn's Jazz Band supplied the hiusic. The' Weather. After glorious Easter weather, a change was experienced yesterday morning, when rain fell from 5.30 to 11 o'clock, resulting in six points being recorded at tho Domain weather station. The afternoon was fine but cloudy. Bowling. TherAshburton Bowling Club will be represented by the following rinks on Saturday, wheu it will play at Timaru against the West End Club for the Bristol Cup:—Hoskcn, Oakley, Acton, Craighead (skip); Capstick, J. Smith, Boyce, Stewart (skip); Bonnington, Kissane, A. T. Smith, Higgins (skip); Mcdding, Barnott, McSherry, Milsom (skip); McEacheii, Dohorty, McElroa, A. Lune (skip); Houston, Percy, Maddon, W. Lane (skip); Hawkey, Killoh, Carter, McLachlan (skip); Dunn, Dunlop, Buxton, Easterbrook (skip). Mail Notices. Mails close to-day for northern ports at 2.45 p.m., late feo letters 3.10 p.m., guard's van 3.32 p.m.; and at 5 p.m., late fee letters 5.25 p.m., guard's van ; 5.43 p.m. METHVEN. i Methven bore a deserted appearance on Friday and Saturday. On Thursday night a number of residents caught the late express at Ashburton, en route to the Exhibition. Several deer stalking and camping parties are also away, while bit Saturday train and charabanc carried their full quota to the trots at Addington. For townspeople tho Rakaia Gorge is becoming increasingly popular, and several picnic parties were to be seen any day during the holidays enjoying an al fresco meal by the Gorge Bridge. • On Friday a. few croquet, bowling and tennis enthusiasts were on the various playing grounds enjoying a game before winter puts an end to play. On Saturday a cold nor'-west wind blew all day, but the Bports Groundß were kept occupied. Footballers to the number of about thirty turned out to get in a little practice before the competitions commence. There were not so manv as usual on the bowling green, but those who turned put had_ an enjoyable time. The green was in good order, although on account of the recent rain not over fast. Those present were entertained to afternoon tea by Mrs T. Forrest, assisted by Mrs W. Morgan. Tennis pfayers. turned out well, and the four courts were, kept occupied until dusk put a stop to play. On the croquet green a couple of competition games were played. Prizes for these were donated by Mrs J. Duff, and the ' successful' players were Mrs H. Fryer and Mrs W. J. Owen. Mr J, W. M. Dart and Miss Briden, of the local tennis elub are playing in the Mid-Canterbury Tennis Tournament ab Ashburton. '

STAVELEY. Inspectors Graham and McNeil visited the ..schools in the locality last week. The Rev. R. Dickie spent last week in Dunedin, and at Pleasant Point. The deerstalking season opened in cold tough weather on Thursday last. Although early in the year deer were reported to be numerous. No sport of an outstanding nature, has so far been reported. On Saturday night the Springburn Athletic Club held a short night dance ia the Staveley Hall, but the attendance was poor. Music was supplied by Miss Rhoda Mann, Timaru, and local musicians.

Mr W. H. Pester, Ashburton, met the members of the Hall Committee recently, and discussed with them schemes for remodelling the Staveley Hall. Hia plans wjll come before the committee at its meeting on Monday next. Until Sunday conditions out of door were unpropitiouß for the holidays, but on Sunday, which up till mid-afternoon was a beautiful day, many Ashburton picnickers visited the locality, though the advanced season made the bush rather damp. Monday was another bright day. The touring motorist was much in evidence throughout the holidays. The stottt at the middle of last week took the year another step into winter. The mountains received another coating of snow, which will probably now remain throughout the winter. It was only about four weeks ago that the remaining snow drifts of last winter entirely disappeared. Last Thursday flight a most beautiful sight was to be seen about 9.30 p.m. The. moon was shining brightly in the east, giving the melting clouds a silvery grey colour. Immediately before the summit of Mount Somers the clouds parted for a moment, revealing the rugged snow-clad peak, ,which, lit by the moon, stood out sharply against the dark night sky. The Springbnrn Athletic Club held its third and final road race for this season on Saturday afternoon, when nine of the thirteen entrants started. The route was from Staveley to Springbarn, via Rogatski'g corner, and back via Bush Side (twice round), a dUtance of 3bout 15 miles, The race was a gruelling one; the roa<js were rough, and there wns a'stiff ndr'*west breeze blowing. Riders fouml the uphill stretch near, Bushside particularlv stiff Ooinz.. The following was tlm placinc: F Smith (21min) t. J. (set) 2. G. Hourher (4imin) 3. R. Good (2imin) <*. H. Lamb (Imin) 5, A. E. Tate (ljmin)

6. Arnst secured fastest time, his time being 41niin losec. Smith's time was 43nrin 30sec. Owing to the handicaps and seratchings, the race was a straggling one from the first, and there was no keen contest for any of the placings. There was a good crowd of residents and visitors to witness the race.

LYNDHURST, A grand variety concert was held in the Lyndhurst Hall on Wednesday evening to celebrate the opening of the improvements to the hall. Although the night was wintry, a large crowd assembled from all parts of tho district. The following contributed items to the programme:—Part 1. —Instrumental trio, by Hector, Mabel, and Jean McDonald, "We King an Opening Chorus just because its Fashionable," Mr A. H. Todd and company; baritone solo. Mr McMillan; contralto solo, "Still as the Night." Mrs H. Naylor: song, Mr V. Cullen; banjo solo, Miss M. Macdonald; tenor solo, Mr V. W. Russell; character sketch, Mr A. H. Todd. Part ll—Pianoforte solo, Miss Jean Macdonald; tenor solo, Mr P. Mowat; mezzo soprano solo, Mrs E. M. Gabites; humorous song, Mr H. Naylor; vocal duet, Mr V. Cullen and Mr P. Mowat; mezzo soprano solo, Mrs D. A. Lawson; burlesque speech, Mr L. T. J. Ryan; concerted item by Mr A. H. Todd and company. After the .concert was,over, the hall was cleared and dancing took place to music supplied by Macdonald's Orchestra. Mr W. Cook acted as M.C. A dainty supper was served in the now ante room, which is a great improvement to the hall. CHERTSEY.

The funeral of the late James Stewart McKee was held in the 'Chertsey cemetery at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The service was conducted by the Rev. A. S. Morrison (Rakaia). There was a large gathering of friends and relatives present, and the surrounding country districts were well represented. Many beautiful floral tributes were received, marking the esteem in which the deceased had been held. The pallbearers were Messrs John Doig, F. Ironside, W. Wilkinson, and R. Croy. Amongst the visiting relatives were Mr and Mrs G. Smith (Dunedin), Mr Jas. McKee (Wellington), Mr and Mrs A. Gibson (Christchurch), Mr J. McFarlane (Dunedin), Mr T. Bartlott (Petone), and Mr and Mrs Oliver (Rakaia). DORIE.

Tho rainfall for March at Doric was 1 inch 70 points. Rain fell on eight days, the heaviest falls occurring on Jbhe ,24th and 31st, when 82 points and 50 points were registered. Tho total rainfall for tho firjst three months of this year is 6.43 inches. TJio rainfall for March, 1925, was 1.15 inchos, and for March, 1924, 2.38 inches.