MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18899, 14 January 1927, Page 7

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. Harvest Outlook. With the advent of further rain the harvesting, prospects now assume a more serious aspect, and it appears that the result of the whole year's work on the part of farmers is to be destroyed by bad weather. Operations 'have been considerably hampered in the Ashburton County during the past few weeks on account of frequent rains, and rust is making its appearance in tjome of the best wheat, crops. Under the present circumstances growers are afraid that the wheat which is ripe will sprout before they are able to have it harvested. Rarely does it occur that oats sprout before they are reaped, but such was the case on .1 "Willowby farm yesterday, when it was noticed, that several heads throughout the crop had sent up young shoots. If no improvement is experienced in the immediate future what, in a large percentage of cases would otherwise be record yields, will be ruined by the destructive elements. Glass Works. The work of constructing the building to accommodate the Southern Cross Glass Co.'s works on tho reserve at the rear of the cemetery, which has been suspended for some weeks, will be recommenced almost immediately, and it is expected that manufacturing will be in progress in five months. The required amount of funds is in sight, and tho company is working on a capital of £65,000, of which £15,000 is fully paid up, the remainder being contributing. Bowling Club. At a meeting of the committee of the Ashburton Bowling Club, held on Wednesday evening, the president (Mr W. It. Lane) presided. It was reported that the recent feto on the green resulted in a profit of about £2O. A motion was passed thanking all those ladies who had assisted at the feto. The teams to represent the club in the pennant matches to-morrow are as follows: A Team v. Eakaia. at Ashburton—Cowen, Steel, John Watson, Higgins (s); Vincent, Hawkey, Dunlop, A. Lane (s); Jackson, Doherty, McSherry, Madden (s); Christmas, Bonnington, Boyce, Kissane (s). B Team v. Methven, at Methven— Sawle, John Moore', Hosken, O'Brien (s); Flanagan, Percy, Dunn, W. Lane (s); Jos. Watson, Wills, Oakley, J. T. Smith (s); Hardy, Rands, Craighead, Easterbrook (s). Cricket. The senior and junior A Grade cricket competitions will be played as usual tomorrow, the Ashburton Cricket SubAssociation having decided not to postpone them on account of the' races. Daphne Lodge. At the' fortnightly meeting of the Daphne (RebekalO Lodge, No. 3-1/ T.0.0.F., held on Wednesday night, the' X.G. Sister H. Fussell presided. The following officers were eleeted for the ensuing term:—X.G., Sister J. Mcintosh; .V.G., Sister E. Hopkins; P.S. Sister G. Fowke; R.S., Sister J. Williams; Treasurer, Sister E. CrawfordE.S.X.G., Sister J. Turnbull; L.SNg' Sister G. Williams; R.S.V.G., Sister S Ellis; L.S.V.G., Sister M. WhiteWarden, Sister N. Burbury; Custodian, Sister B. Thompson; Chaplain, Sister M Mayson; 1.G., Sister B. Ellis; 6.G Sister A. Samuels. '

Tho Weather. Early yesterday morning il, was apparent that there would be a change from tho hot weather of the previous two days. As the result of a strong wind from a southerly quarter, the sky became heavily clouded, and rain commenced about 9 a.m., continuing throughout the day. By evening a considerable quantity had fallen, and there was no sign of a clearance. Band Fete. Good progress is being made with the arrangements for the forthcoming First Canterbury Mounted llifles' Band fete to augment the contest fund. The committee has decided to hold the function in the Drill Hall on February 3rd, 4th, and sth. Reports presented at the meeting on Wednesday evening show that the various sub-committees have been very active, and several sideshows will be run. Swimming Sports Postponed. Owing to the inclement Weather the swimming sports which were to have "been held in the East Ashburton baths last evening, under the auspices of the East Ashburton Swimming Club, were postponed. Band Concert Abandoned. A concert, which was to have been given by the First Canterbury Mounted Kifles Band in front of tho East Ashburton Memorial Hall last evening, was abandoned on account of the adverse weather conditions. METHVEN. The monthly meeting of the Methven Domain Board was held in the Mt. Hutt Road Board office on Tuesday evening. Mr H. Green presided and there were also present: Messrs W. J. Burrows, H. G. Ayers, and Dr. W. H. D. McKee. Mr T. £>. Harrison forwarded a cheque for i'u for grass seed stripped on the Domain. Mr Alex Orr, Christchurch, forwarded a chequo for £lO as a contribution to the funds of the Board. The members of the Board expressed their hearty appreciation of tie gift. The Ashburton County Council forwarded a cheque for £22 10s, this being the amount of tho annual grant to the Board. Tho secretary was in-structed-to write thanking the Council for the money. With reference to the supply of high pressure water to the swimming baths, it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of Mesa* Jas. Carr and 11. E. Jessep, the ridings representatives on the County Council. The Mt. Hutt Road Board wrote advising the alteration in the levels of wafer-races, which will probably interfere with the supply of water for the swimming baths. It was decided to write to the various sports clubs whose levies were outstanding, requesting payment. Mr Ayers brought Up the question of putting in a fire Pjug at the Domain in the event of the high pressure supply being obtained, and it was decided to have this done The duties of the caretaker were considered and it was decided to approach the Cemeterv Board with a view to their utilising the caretaker's services in. the cemetery to keep plots clear at a small annual charge. The caretaker was instructed to have pot-holes _ nt Domain gates filled in. The question of the saie of crass seed cutting rights was left in the hands of Messrs Green and Burrows. The chairman brought up the question of attendance at the Board's meetiues and the secretary was instructed to write to those members whose attendance had been unsatisfactory, reminding them that their attendance was required resrularlv in order to carrv on the work of the Board in a s;iti-fnctorv manner. In connexion with the proposed special rating area and a grant to the Board s

funds, which was brought up at a recent meeting of ratepayers, it was decided to send a letter to the Mt. Hutt Road Board supporting the motions carried at that meeting and asking the Board to meet a deputation from tho Domain Board to discuss the mattor. Mr Ayers reported on the swimming baths. The posts for the safety chain had been set in concrete, and the chain would be installed in the course of n, few days. A temporary water supply for the baths had been obtained by damming back tho water-race and covering the intake to the baths. The following players will represent the Methven Bowling Club in a match against Ashburton B in the Ashburton County pennant competition at Methven to-morrow. —T. Sim (skip), W. J. Cooksley, S. G. Holmes, T. Forrest; E. J. Beattie (skip), S. Smith, AV. Morgan, J. Duff; H. E. Thomson (skip), J. Lawson, G. Cookson, J. Callaghan, W. J. Owen (skip), P. Cookson, W. J. Going, "W. Owers. MOUNT SOMERS. Mrs F. Courage, Amberley is at present visiting her mother, Mrs I. F. Peache, Mount Somers Estate'. Mrs L. McLaughlan and her daughter (Waimate), former residents of this district, are the guests of Mr and Mrs W. D. Herron. Mrs W. Edgar is spending holidays in Tiinaru. Mrs J. Murray, sen., Timaru, is visiting her daughter, Mrs J. K. Lockard, Mt. Somers. Mr G. Green, who has been visiting the district, has returned to lleefton. The spell of hot north-west conditions experienced during the past few days has enabled farmers to proceed with their shearing operations, while teams and tractors have been working long hours making all haste with the sowing of turnips. The warm spell will be most beneficial to cereal crops, and haymaking operations. Tuesday was the hottest day of the present summer, the maximum temperature reaching SO'deg. A south-west wind during the night cooled the air, and light rain fell on Wednesday morning, but not sufficient to interrupt farm work or shearing. North-west winds again rose on Wednesday afternoon, but gave' way to another sou'-wester yesterday morning. FAIRTON. A meeting was held in the Fairton Public Hall to consider the advisability of the Hall, School, Cricket, and Tennis Committees combining for the purpose of holding weekly euchre tournaments, the proceeds to be divided amongst tho four parties mentioned. There were present delegates from the four bodies interested. Cricket Club, Messrs J. T. Willis, C. Huffam; tennis club, W. Watkins, A. McCall; hall committee, J. Burgess, H. Chappell; school committee, AV. Donald, and A. Mclnnes, also Mr J. T. Oram. It was decided to combine and form a club to be known as the Fairton Combined Euchre Club. Mr Oram was elected chairman, and Mr W. T. Watkins, secretary. PENDARVES. Very hot weather was experienced on Wednesday, but yesterday morning a change set in. A strong south-east wind arose, accompanied by rain which put a stop to harvest operations for the time.