MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18894, 8 January 1927, Page 4

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. Outbreak of Diphtheria. During the past two weeks there has been an outbreak of diphtheria ia the Willowbv and Windermere districts. A total of eight cases has been notified from Willowby, seven being children, six of whom are of the same family. More misfortune attended the outbreak at Windermere, from where five eases of the same family, including two adults, were reported, one child having died. The County Health Inspector (Mr E. X. Johnson), who had exercised the strictest precautions against the spread of the malady, stated yesterday that all the cases had been conveyed to the hospital, and there was no cause for alarm as the cause of the outbreak had been found, two carriers having been located. Two cases of T. 8., one from Methven and the other from Allenton, the latter having resulted in death, have also been reported during the last fortnight. Personal. Mr J. Floccarfc Moffat (Christchurch) and Mr H. Francis Morgan havo returned to Ashburton after spending a short holiday at Peel iorest. Railway Booking. In spite of the fact that there was a general exodus of Ashburton residents to the Dunedin Exhibition during the Christmas and New Year holiday period of last year, this year's booking at the Ashburton railway office showed an increase of 106 over that of last, the excursion tickets taken out between December loth, 1926, and January oth, 1927, the end of the season, being 2510, as against 2404 for the 1925-26 season, which closed on Jahuary 2nd, three days sooner than this year. On the other hand, there were 1272 ordinary tickets distributed for the same period last year, as against only 497 this, a decrease of 775.

County Rivers. It is doubtful if fishing will be possible in any of the Ashburton county rivers during the week-end. The Eangitata, Eakaia, and Ashburton were quite dirty last evening, the last-named being not quite so discoloured as the other two. The Hinds and Selwyn rivers are clear. Bight to Cut Cocksfoot. The right to cut cocksfoot in the Upper Ashburton Eoad Board's district was disposed of at auction at the Farmers' Co-op. mart to W. Skilling, of Tinwald, for the sum of £27. Band Bazaar Dance. A dance held in the Orange Hall on Thursday evening in aid of the Band Bazaar Contest Fund, exceeded all expectations, there being about 90 couples present. Maybury's Ambassador Orchestra, of Wellington, supplied first-e—ss music, extras being played by Mrs A. Michell, assisted by Mrs H. J. Chapman (violin). During the evening Miss Nellie Doull danced "Valse Bluette," and with Mr Jack Maybury as partner, gave an exhibition of the French tango and the American Charleston. Cricket. The following will represent the Fairfield Cricket Club in its fixtures to-day: —Senior v. Ashburton A, at Domain: 6. Fowke, J. Willia, C. Huffam, E. Drennan, S. Willis, P; Willis, D. Vincent, W. Watkips, F. Smith, K. Fowke, B. Parsons. Emergency, K. Patton. Junior A grade v. St. Stephen's at Fairfield—W. Andrews, V. Willis, C, Urquhart, H. Drennan, C. Evans, E. Dunphy, A. Williams, H. Sladc, H. Urquhart, E. Watson, 6. Willis. Emergency, N. Willis.

SPRINGBURN. Mr S. T. Goldsmith is spending a short holiday in Southland. Mr and Mrs Clark, Christchurch, are staying with Mr and Mrs G. L. Bufton. . _. , , , »T , Miss A. E. Booth, Brightwater, Nelson, is spending a short holiday with friends in the district. Miss Booth is at present the guest\ of Mrs D. A. Synio. MEAD. There passed away at the Christchurch Hospital recently, a popular resident of the district in the person of Mr W. S. Cornelius. The sympathy of the district is extended to the widow and family of seven small children. METHVEN. A pleasant afternoon was spent on the local green on Wednesday by the members of the Croquet Club. Several visitors were present from the Ashburton Club, and some enjoyable games were played. During the afternoon the president of the Methven Club took the opportunity to welcome back Mrs H. G. Ayers, who has been absent, on account of illness, for a considerable time. In a few wellchosen words, she expressed the pleasure of members that she was once again able to join in the club games. Mrs Ayers suitably'responded. MOUNT SOMERS. Motorists wiH be pleased to learn that the redecking and general overhauling of the Mount Somers traffio bridge across the South Ashburton river is rearing completion. The work has been considerably delayed by wet weather. : The weather again gives promise of settled conditions, yesterday morning being bright and clear. Point 07 inches of rain was recorded on Thursday morning. The crops, which were laid flat with the recent rain have again risen.