MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19148, 3 November 1927, Page 3

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. PERSONAL. Mr G. Wilcox, Ashburton, has received notice that he has been appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the Now Zealand Air Force.; Mr and Mrs Henry Stephenson leave Ashburton on Monday to connect with the Rotorua for England. Amateur Cycling. A meeting of the cycling section of the Ashburton Amateur Cycling and Athletic Club was held on Tuesday evening when Mr L. Thackwell presided over a good attendance. Two new members were elected.

After some discussion, it was moved by Mr P. Craighead: "That this meeting feels keenly the position it was left in on the Saturday following Gala Day, it being advertised that the Gala Sports Committee was including two amateur cycling events in • the programme, but these were cancelled, and wc feel sure that at least one race could have been run," Mr Cranghead explained that a number of riders went to enter for the eveuts, but were informed that they had been deleted from the programme. The motion was seconded by the chairman and carried unanimously.

Mr W. B. Thomas was'appointed handieapper for the season. It was decided to hold the first road race of the season round the Allenton block, on November 26th. W.C.T.U. At the monthly meeting of the Asb* burton branch, of the W.C.T.U., the president (Mrs W. H. Bobinson) presided. Votes of sympathy were passed with Mr W. T. Kingston and family (Temuka), Mrs E. Oakley, and family (Overdale), Mr C. Parker and family (Lismore), Mr C. and Miss L. Tucker, Mrs T. Kerr and family. In referring to the death of' Mrs Kingston, the president said that until her removal to Temuka, she had been an active worker for the Union at Ashburton, filling the various offices. with honour. A vote of sympathy was' also passed with Miss A. Earnshaw, late organiser for the W.C.T.U., in her long illness. • A vote of thanks was accorded to all who had assisted with the luncheon at the Gala, and it was decided to write thanking the Y branch in this connexion. ■

The Maori Superintendent (Mrs Walker) wrote explaining what was being done by the organiser in the North Island, an'J appealed for financial assistance. Three Degrees of Frost.

As a result of the recent changes in the weather bringing about cold conditions three degrees of frost were registered at the Domain weather station yesterday. In Bankruptcy. A v petition in bankruptcy has been filed by Francis Bellman Ward, labourer, of Dromore. HINDS. . The vestry of Hinds parish met on Tuesday evening, when there' were ' present: —The , Rev. E. Hanna, .Messrs, C. Jaine and J. Cook, Churchwardens IP. S,..Stu4hoime,.'.E.. Watson,/-Wr R, Tilson, R. Guinnes's, and G. Scales. It was reported that a • working"bee had put'the grounds in order. It-.was decided that the matter of renovating the dining-room be left in the hands of the vicar and- churchwarden, and that the windmill be repaired. It was also lesolved to employ labour to. have an outside job done. The ;matter of a change in- the services was discussed, when it was suggested that Coldstream should have an extra Hinds a morn ing • and evening service_ alternately, Carew arid Ealing morning and afternoon services alternately, and to consider- having •a ' monthly services at Maronan. Mr _C. Jaine agreed to accompany the vicar on a visit to the Lismoro sub-district. Mrs E. Watson was thanked for her services as organist during the interval, and was asked to continue- in that capacity. The gang, erecting wires and apparatus in connexion with the'central train controlling system, have reached Hinds, and are proceeding towards Ealing. • ■ _ The monthly meeting of the Hinds School Committee was.held on Monday, when Mr W. Musson .presided oyer a full attendance of members. . The master's report showed that the roll number was 71 and the attendance steadily improving. Messrs McLeod and Evans had paid a visit to the school last Thursday. It was decided to close the school for the Ashburton and Christchurch Shows and to make no alteration in the time for starting school when the Summer-time Act comes, into force. Tt was decided to raise money by subscriptions to augment the nrize fund and to arrange for an excursion to Tima-ru on December 10th.

MOUNT SOMERS. Apart from the snowstorm of ten days ago, the month has been more favourable than many of its predecessors, and farmers generally, report a good lambing. Rain fell.on 14 days, totalling 3.53 inches, as against 4.54 inches last year.' The year's rainfall totals 27.23 inches, compared with 30.07 inches last year. Frosts were registered on live mornings, with . .a maximum of three degrees on October °th. Three inches of snow fell on October 23rd.

The mystery comedy drama, ■ "A Pair of Braces," in aid of Ashburton Hospital funds, will be presented in the Memorial Hall, Mt. Somers, on Saturday nest. The returned soldiers have decided to again hold their annual ball on November 18th. * Mrs T. Miller, who celebrated her Plst birthday on Sunday, has been the recipient of many birthday messages from various parts of the Dominion. STAVELEY. Mr T. B. Adams, postmaster, | Springburn. and Mrs Adams are at i present on holidays. I There was a good attendance at the ; euchre tournament. Miss Ada Aldridge and Mr T. Burgess won the first prizes. Miss M. Fagan, -after tying with. Mrs E. Aldridgc,- and Mr C. Coniick received the consolation prizes. There was a difference of only two points between the rainfall recorded last month (441 points) and that recorded in October, 1926 (443 points). Last month was characterised by some very broken weather, rain and wind alternating freely, and the broken weather has continued into the present month. During last month rain fell on 11 days, the heaviest fall (&5 points) being on the 23rd. At the end of the month the total. for the year had reached 29.9 inches,. as against 35.2 inches for the - corresponding period of last year.

METHVEN . Two births were recorded in October. . The annual meeting of the Methven Caledonian Society was held on, Monday evening. Mr TV: J. Bennett preMessrs E. J. Blackwell, H. Owen, A. Burrows,' and C. .Goodwin were elected members of the Society. Mr T. M Clark; Ashburton, submitted a suggestion that 75, 100, 220, and 440 yard amateur running races be placed on- the- programme,, with an alternative of an 880 yards, instead of 75 yards. ~,,.., \ „ The annual report, which disclosed a successful 'year> was adopted. Toe year commenced with a credit balance of- £56 17s 6d, and 'ended with a credit balance of £B6 3s 4d. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron, Hon. Sir R. Heaton. Rhodes, M.L.C., president, Mr J: RDalton, vice-presidents, Messrs G. JCrooks, TV. J. Cooksley, TV.J. Bennett,' J.- T. Goodwin, T. S. Harrison, E.-'F. Ward, J. J.'McAloon, T. Forest, J. T. Man gin, \v "Morgan, Jno. Watson, A. McKay, S.. G. Holmes, P. McNeill, K. Aitken, A. W. K. Wilson, A. J. Wilson,. J. A. Stephens; hon. secretary, Mr W. J. Owen; hon. treasurer, Mr 0. B. Shaw;:hon.. auditor, Mr R. H. Cranfield; committee, Messrs J. Petrie. G. J. Heney, Jas. Mauger, M. Mackenzie, M. A. Stone, H. Reid, N.,Mcintosh, A. Lawrence, E; A. Mangin, G. Dalton, L.'Dalton,* R. J. L. Duff, R. Ireland, D.Ander- j son, R. Mauger, D. Petrie, J. Allen, N. Crooks, P. A. Watson, and TV. Grieve.

The date of the annual gathering was fixed for Saturday, January 7th, 1928. The question of cutting the cash cycling events out of the programme owing to the condition of the track was discussed,'and- it was decided to leave the matter until the executive 'committee inspect the track. The following were,appointed an executive committee: Messrs L. Dalton, G. J. Heney, H. Reid, TV. J. Bennett, Jas. Mauger, and M. A. Stone. At the monthly meeting of the vestry of the Methven Parochial district there were present: The Rev. F. A. Tooley (vicar), G. Cookson, J. Brawley, T. 0. Gray, A. C. Gadd, J. Adams, H. E. H. Richards, and E. H. Cranfield. A motion of sympathy was passed to the relatives of Misses Breach and Cookson in theft bereavement. Correspondence was received from the secretary of the W.E.A., asking for the use of the Parish Hall for the forthcoming school. The request was granted free, subject to the usual conditions. The vicar reported that the Ladies' Committee had decided to hold the annual fancy fair on November 24th. The Bishop of Christchurch mil pay a visit to the district on November 13th, to hold Confirmation services. In view of Summer Time operating from next Sunday it was decided to adhere to the usual time for the various services during that period.

A meeting' of the committee of the Methven Gun Club was held on Tuesday. Mr C. T. Jessep presided, and there were also present: Messrs W. J. Cooksley, H. Green, G, A. Franks, and E. F. Ward. Correspondence was received from the Colonial Ammunition Co., congratulating the elub on winning the C.A.C. Cup. As the total number of shoots for the cup was now completed the company suggested that the Metbven Club, • being the present holders, arrange a'• time and place for a final shoot between the winning clubs' for a straight-out shoot for the trophy. After discussion it -was decided that Messrs McLeod, Harrison, S. Anderson, G. Franks, and W. J. Cooksley be a- subcommittee to-arrange the necessary details and report later. •■

At the Miniature Eine Club's final shoot of the season, a. trophy, presented by Mr S.. Eobinson, was .fired for, the conditions being as follows: Fifteen shots, no sighter, handicap.'All those with a-'total of 75 to shoot off. W. Jackson was the winner. The shootoff for Mr J. McD. Anderson's trophy was completed, : and this also resulted iu.a.wiu' for W, Jackson..' The shootoff for Mrs E. Holland's iced cake resulted in- a win for .C. Topp. The hotty "button Was won by S. Hyland with 35, M. Holland being runner-up with 34. During the- evening M.' 1 Holland registered 17 consecutive "bulls." With a view to assisting the funds of the Methven Caledonian- Society, a concert party, organised by Miss Gladys Bushell, of Ashburton, visited Methven on Tuesday evening. Although' .the weather was unfavourable there was a fair attendance. The programme comprised national .and ballet dancing, and vocal and instrumental item's* the performers including Ashburton audChristchurch artists, and also a number of Miss Bushell's.Methven pupils. An exhibition of the Charleston, was giyen by Miss Todd, of Sydney. Mrsjft.; J. Chapman, Ashburton, acted as 'accompanist.. Prior to the last item, Mr M. Holland, on behalf of the Caledonian Society, expressed appreciation of the action of Miss Bushell in arranging the concert. A dance followed, music being supplied by. Mr Thompson (Ash: burton), whilo Misses Bushell and' D. Philpott contributed extras. Mr M. Holland acted'as M.C. '■ '

ROKEBY. There was a good attendance at the final euchre tournament of the Rokeby School Committee. The prizes were won by Miss Hooper and Mr W. McPhail, jun. ; Consolation prizes, were presented- to Miss McPhail and Mr Stanley Wright. Afterwards_ an enjoyable dance was held, music being Supplied by Mrs Stewart, Miss Hooper, Miss Kennedy, and :Mr D. Stewart. Mr R. Hooper was M.C. It was agreed to wind up the series of tournaments by holding a ball in Mr J. C. Irwin's granary.

BARRHILL. The Barrhill School Committee closed- its series of card parties with a dance in the Barrhill .School. There was a very largo attendance-, visitors coming from Ashburton, Rakaia, Lauriston, and Lyndhurst. The aggregate prizes for the season were presented" to Mips Maggio Hurst and MiErnest Hurst. On behalf of the committee. Mr J. Clinton presented Mrs Donaldson with an electric jug and Mr R. Story with an accordion in appreciation of their services in supplying music for the dancing during the winter months. Mr Story suitably returned thanks. Music for tho dance wa6 supplied by Mr T. Lawler, and extras were played hy Miss Story, Messrs R. Story and Maidens. Mr R. Blain was M.C.