MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18905, 21 January 1927, Page 8

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON. ,!

PERSONAL. Drs. J. Eussell Wells, G. J. S. Fisher, and H. S. Bilklift' will attend the Australasian Medical Congress at Duncdiu next month. Outstanding Kates. The Tiuwald Town Board lias collected nearly all its rates for the 192627 year, and there arc only a few ratepayers who will be required to pay the additional 10 per tent, penalty. Of the total rate of i' 353 15s lOd struck, there remains only £26 14s 2d outstanding. Ploughing of Firebreaks. With the approach of the dry wouther. and taking into consideration the abnormal growth of grass this year, the Ashburton County Council is combining with the Railway Department in taking precautions against any repetition of the destructive grass lires of last year. The Council mo red in the matter at its last meeting, and the chairman (Mr A. Horsey) and the inspector of reserves (Mr E. jS". Johnson), who were entrusted with the taking of precautionary measures, have communicated with the Railway Department, with the result that the 'latter and the Council will plough firebreaks on the east and west sides of the railway line from the Ashburton saleyards to within a mile of Ohertsey, in the immediate future. Band Concert. With the approach of the baud contest at Wellington next month, great interest is being manifested in the activities of the First Canterbury Mounted Rifles' Band, and this was evidenced by the large crowd which assembled around the rotunda in Baring square west last evening, when an excellent programme was given. The combination was in good form, .and the playing of the various items clearly indicated that much time had been devoted to practice of late. Under the baton of Lieutenant W. H. Osborne, the following programme was „iven:—'March, "Wairarapa"; contest selection, "Lor'tzing"; one-step, "She was Just a Sailor's Sweetheart"; hymn, "Sandon"; valse, song, "Colorado"; march, "The Mad Major." Drivers' Licenses. The Ashburton County' Council traffic inspector (Mr E. X Johnson) has issued 2032 licenses to drive motor-vehicles in the county sineo April Ist, 1926. All motordrivers will be required to renew their license for the 1926-27 year before April Ist, and to avoid the rush which is usual at the commencement of the new year, these may be taken out any time after March Ist. Since April Ist, 192G, 91 licenses to drive motor-vehicles have been issued in the Tinwald Town Board's district. Bowling. The Ashburton Bowling Club will be represented by the following players in pennant matches at Ashburton on Saturday:—A team v. B team: Jackson, Capstick, Uuulop, A. Lane (s); Russell, Hawkev, Buxton, Milsom (s); Vincent, Bonningtou, Madden, McSherry (s); Wills, John Watson, Carter, Kissane (s). Emergencies: Doherty, Christmas, and Steel. B team v. A team; Hardy, Percy, Oakley, J. T. Smith (s); J. Moore, Sawle, Eastcrbrook, Craighead (s); Laing, Barrett, A. T. Smith,', 0 'Bricn (s); Bands, McClymont, Acton', Stewart (s). Emergencies: Joseph Watson, Meddins, and Flannigan. ;

Cricket. The following will represent their respective clubs in competition cricket matches in Ashburton on Saturday:— Senior—Ashburtou A v. Ashburton B: J. Harper, H. Millichamp, K. Nic-011, B. Lane, K. Shrimpton, R. MeGrogor, L. Charles, A. Beutley, 0. Judge, "M. Keeley, E. Daniel. Junior A—St. Stephen's v. Lauriston, at the Domain: Lcunon, Stephens, Knight, Little, Patching, Pecz, Cooper, Mulhem, Bishop, Mavson, 1 Morrison. Emergency: Argyle. Junior B—Tinwald v. Methveu, at Tjnwald: J. Hanratty, E. McDougall, G. Day, C. Stills, 0. Stills, W. Hockings, A. Colville, B. McKenzic. W. Brady, E. Bell, K. Millichamp. Emergencies: G. Bell and Langmaid., Swimming. Sports. The Ashburton Amateur Swimming Club held another of a series of evening meetings'in.the.Borough School Baths last evening in ideal weather. There were good entries for the 21'0 yards handicap (J. Mcßae's trophy). The race was keenly contested, the results being as follows:—200 yards handicap (") —A. Lane (6secs) and B. Lane (4secs) equal, 1; A. Field (Usees), 2. Won by four yards. Miller, Brophy, and Ramsay retired after the fourth length. Times: 2m 58 l-5s and 2m 50 l-ss. - i METHVEN. A meeting of the Methven Volunteer Fire Brigade Committee was held in the Mt. Hutt Road Board's office on Wednesday evening. Mr J. F. Stone presided, and there were also present Messrs W. A. Shemeld, W. C. Battson, J. McD. Anderson, M. A. Stone, and A. G. Foreman. Mr Anderson reported that he,had a two way hydrant for the brigade. The financial' position of the brigade was discussed at length, and it was finally decided to hold a moonlight dance on Mr Stanley Smith's lawn on Wednesday, February Ist. If successful, this will be followed by a series of similar functions. t MOUNT SOMERS. The spell of fine, warm weather continues, although the hot boisterous nor'westers were most oppressive on Tuesday and Wednesday, the maximum temperature reaching 84 and 80 degrees respectively, while Tuesday night was tho hottest of tho present season. The minimum temperature was 63 degrees, a record for' this summer. Another "dry" sou'-wester sprang up on Wednesday evening and cooled the air. Yesterday was again clear, calm, andwarm. ' Reports from the Buccleugh district ! state that shearing is nearly completed, and farmers are turning their attention to the harvest, as the warm weather lias ripened oat crops, some of which are now being reaped, while it is anticipated the wheat crops will be ready in about ten days. Provided the weather remains favourable for the harvest farmers in that district anticipate some record yields. Tho Rev. J. W. P. Dyer has arraug- \ ed an exchange of pulpits with the Rev. ! A. 11. ISTorris, Cashmere Hills, on Sun- i day. i ills .W. B. Hood, Sydenham, is visit- i ing her daughter, Mrs G. T. Smith, ! Mount Somers. j Miss Lilly Waugh, Sprcydou, is visit- | ing her brothers at Buccleugh, Mt. Som- | ers. Mrs J. Bell, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs T. Miller, has returned to Winchester. Mrs F. Courage, Amberley, who has been on a visit to her mother, Mrs I. F. Peaehe, Mount Somers Estate, has returned to her home. Miss M. Bell, Otanerau, Picton, who has been visiting her grand-mother, ■. Mrs T. Miller, has left to visit friends in Temuka. - - - -*..-.