MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18890, 4 January 1927, Page 5

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. PERSONAL. The Bev. A. G. Irvine, minister of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, with Mrs Irvine, will leave for the South to-morrow, ou annual holidays. During his absence the pulpit in St. Andrews, will be occupied by the Kev. T. E. Potts, of Timaru, for the first, third, and fourth Sundays, whilo the Eev. George Miller, of Norti East Valley Presbyterian Church, Dunedin, and former minister of St. Andrew's Church, will preach on the second Sunday. New Year Gift. As a Christmas-New Year gift from his congregation, the Eev. A. G. Irvine, minister of St. Andrew's Presbyteriau Church, Ashburton, was the recipient on Saturday of a new English motor-car. Vital Statistics. The vital statistics for the Ashburton district for 1926 show a decrease of 53 births, compared with 1925, an increase of 51 deaths, and a decrease of 20 marriages. The details are as follows:—l92s: Births 354, deaths 150, marriages 88; 1926: Births 301, deaths 201, marriages 68. Tor December, 1926, the figures are: Births 22 (24); deaths 20 (12); marriages 13 (10). Year's Rainfall. The total rainfall for the year 1926, was 29.05, which is a decrease on 1925 figures (38.47) of 9.42. The fall for each month is as follows: January 2.03, February 4.08, March 1.19, April 1.32, May 4.28, June .82, July 2.64, August .99, September .89, October 4.26, November 2.91, December 3.64. Wet Month. Although warm, December was one of the wettest months experienced in Ashburton for some considerable time. Post and Telegraph's Picnic. About 100 excursionists took advantage of the Ashburton Post and Telegraph's annual picnic, to the Temuka Domain, on Saturday. Ideal weather was experienced for the outing, the party having reserved threo carriages on tho early morning slow train to Timaru. An enjoyable day was spent in sports, etc., and tho picnickers returned on the evening slow train. Salvation Army Picnic. The annual picnic of tho Ashburton Salvation Army was held yesterday ou the farm of Messrs Cochrane Bros., of Wakanui, when an enjoyablo day was spent in games and sports. The Weather. After two days of fine weather, the conditions changed suddenly on Sunday afternoon, when a light thunderstorm passed over, the rain continuing intermittently throughout tho evening. Although the sky was overcast most of yesterday, the atmospheric conditions wero rather pleasant. Up to 9 a.m. yesterday morning 14 -points of rain were registered at the Domain weather station. MOUNT SOMERS. The holiday period has passed without untoward happenings. Favoured with ideal summer conditions over tho New Year, out-of-door pleasures and pastimes wore in great demand, while many motorists visited numerous spots in the district, besides many others who journeyed up tho Ashburton After a prolonged spell of broken wet weather, the hot, oppressive norwest conditions which ushered the New

Year in were heralded with joy by farmers, but unfortunately the lino spell was of short duration, as an unwelcome change set in from the southwest on Sundav afternoon, when heavy vain fell most of the night, 1.01 inches being recorded yesterday morning. Team work and shearing operations which recommenced on most farms on New Year's Day, will receive a further interruption. The heavy rains flattened many crops in the vicinity, but if the weather clears immediately most of them will rise again. Farmers on the plains may feel a little envious of the weather their fellow landholders in the back country are experiencing, as most of the misty wet weather of the past'few weeks has failed to reach those parts, which have been enjoying a spell of splendid weather, with the result that shearing «p----erations have proceeded with only minor interruptions, one of the stations over thirty miles back having already completed their wool clip. Rains from the north-west fell in thost* parts at New Year.

A large gathering of parents and friends together with the scholars of St. Aidan's Sunday school, assembled in the Mount Somers Domain on New Year's Day for their annual picnic and prize distribution, and a very enjoyable time was spent in games and sports events. The ladies provided refreshments. The presentation of prizes was made by Mrs J. T. Smellie, and prior to the presentation the Rev. J. W. Dyer addressed the children stressing the value of Sunday School work, and appealed for better attendances and increased membership. During the evening a dance was held in the Memorial Hall in aid of the picnic and prize fund, which was very largelv attended. Music was supplied by Mrs E. C. Wood, Miss L. "Wood, and Master D. »ood, extras being plaved bv Mrs \V. McClimont and Mr W. Fa-ran. Mr N. Beckly was M.C.

STAVELEY. The New Year's Eve dance, which was organised this year by Messrs Alan Syme, C. Cornick, and G. L. Bufton, in aid of the funds of the Mount Somers and Springburn Competitions Society, proved very popular, there being a large gathering from all the local districts. The night was not unduly hot, and dancing was kept up well into the New Year. Good danco music was supplied by Wellman's Band, extras being played by Messrs O'Lauchlan brothers and Mr K Wolfrey. Mr C. W. Slope r was M.C. Messrs J. T. Bull, G. L. Bufton, C. Cornick. 11. Eagle, and W. Sutton efficiently attended to the cupper arrangements. The rainfall for December totalled 484 points. The heaviest fall was on the 24th, when 112 points were recorded.

A week and a half of moist weather, disappointing*to holiday-makers, and interfering with farm work, continued over the week-end. New Year's Day was fine though cloudy and many farmers took tho opportunity of pushing forward their work. Sunday broke oppressively hot and muggy, and after some wind from the uor'-west, a sou'wester came up in tho afternoon, and heavy rain continued to fall until yesterday morning. On many places shearing was to have been started again yesterday morning, but except for sheep which had been put in the sheds it will again bo stopped.

I LOWCLIFFE. t An enjoyable evening was spent in the Coldstream Wharo recently, the occasion being a send-off to Mr and Mrs It. Martin and family, who aro leaving tho district to reside in Seafield. Colonel Studholme, in making the presentation to Mr and Mrs Martin, referred to their many good qualities. Mr Martin was a conscientious and willing worker—ready to assist in all local functions, and would be greatly missed from the district. On behalf of all present, he wished Mr and Mrs Martin ' happiness and prosperity in their new home. Messrs D. Little and Scott endorsed Colonel Studholme's remarks. Mr Martin suitably replied and thanked all for their kind remarks and good wishes. Supper was then served by the ladies. Later, tho Boor was cleared for dancing, music being supplied by the Misses Irena Hampton (violin) and Susan Hampton (piano). Opportunity was taken by a large number of players to test the new Lowcliffe tennis court. .The court, which is an asphalt one, was recently opened by the president (Mr McKeagiie), and the first balls were put over the net by Mrs J. Rawstorn and Mrs P. A. Turner. A large number of spectators was present. Mrs D. A. Little (Coldstream) is at present visiting Omihi; later she will visit relations in Christchurch.