MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19149, 4 November 1927, Page 9

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. PERSONAL. Mr E,. Peez, who has been appointed secretary of the Wairoa Hospital Board,, was met by the staff of the Ashburton Hospital and presented with a set of military hair brushes. Mr A. Prentice, who made the presentation, referred ti? the amicable relations which had always existed between Mr Peez and the other members of the staff.

Sunday School Conference. A representative gathering of teachers \Vas present at a conference of the Ashburton Presbyterian Sunday School Teachers' Association, held in the St. Andrew's Hall on Wednesday evening, when the Rev. A. D. Kirkland presided. A short report on the work of the Dominion Council was given by Mr E. Buchanan. A number of discussions took place upon matters pertaining to Sunday School work. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the Association on June 3rd, 1925, at Methven.

Euchre * Tournament. Tbe last of a series of euchre tournaments to augment the piano fund of the Hampstead Memorial Hall was held on Wednesday evening, when there was a good attendance. Mesdames A. Smith and W. Harvey tied for the lady's prize, and it was divided between them, while Mr H. Arnst was the winner of the men's prize. The consolation awards went to. Mrs S. Cunliffe and Mr J. Patterson. The winner of the aggregate prize was Mrs G. Spicer, the runner-np being Mr T. Alexander.,

Bowling. The Ashburton Bowling Club has challenged the Park Club, Timaru, to. an eight rink match for tbe Bristol Cup, and will play the holders to-morrow, at Timaru. Tho following have been chosen to represent Ashburton: G. T. Russell, E. M. Dunlop, H. C. Percy, W. E. Lane (skip) j E. Capstick, H.'McElrea, A. T. Smith, A. Lane (skip); T. Willis, H. E. Bonnigton, H. Craighead, P. Stewart (skip); C. J. Flanagan, E. Sawle, E. Buxton, W. H.,Higgins (skip); J. McElhinney, F. H. Steel, E. McSherry, E. Easterbrook (skip); J. Moore, E. Vincent, J. Watson, W. Acton (skip); G. Co wen, W. Christmas, C. G. M. Boyce, M. Kissane (skip); C. J. Norton, D. McClymont, T. Doherty, S. Madden (skip).

Primary Schools' Games. A further series of matches in the Ashburton Primary Schools' rounder competition was played on Wednesday, with the tfollowing results: Allenton IS2 beat Ashburton East 72; Borough 132 beat Tinwald 90. .

RAKAIA. The funeral of the late Mr Robert Oakley, Overdale, Rakaia, took place at Rakaia on Wednesday. There was a very large. attendance of the public, by whom Mr Oakley was held in high esteem. Representatives of the South Rakaia .Domains Board, Rakaia Ploughing Match Association, Ashburton A. and P. Association, Rakaia Saleyarcfe Company, Rakaia Road Board, and Rakaia Horticultural Society were present. A shert service held in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was conducted by the Rev. A. S. Morrison, assisted by the Rev. W. T. Todd (St. Albans) and the Rev. J. Boothroyd. The hymns, "The Sands of Time are Sinking" and "For Ever with the Lord," were sung, Miss Bruce presiding at the organ. The funeral cortege from the church to the Rakaia Cemetery was a very long one, i over fifty cars taking part. The pall- | bearers were:—Messrs Raymond Oakley, W. J. Lee, Arthur Oakley (Fairlie), and G. Ross (Rapuna). Wreaths were sent by:—Mrs Oakley and family, the graudchildren, Mr and Mrs W. Brooks and family, the Rev. W. T. and Mrs Todd, Mr and Mrs C. Oakley, Mr and Mrs H. E. Cook, Mr and Mrs W. Boag, Mr and Mrs P. Htood, Mr and Mrs W. Oakley and family, Mr and Mrs G. S. Hardy, A. E. Clark, Miss Todd, Mr and Mrs J. Anderson, the Rev. A. S. and Mrs Morrison, Mr and Mrs W. Swaine, Mr and Mrs A. Webb, Mr and Mrs JMuirhead and family, Mr and Mrs L. Cordner. Mr and M 133 J. Doig, Mrs 'Walker, Mr G. McLachlan, Mr and Mrs W\ J. Lee, Mrs Osborn and children, Mr and Mrs C. Liddington, Mrs T. Richards and family, Mr and Mrs Palmer and son, Mr and Mrs G. Clark and familv, Overdale School, Mr W. J Robertson (Anama), Rakaia Saleyards Co., South Rakaia Domain Board, New Zealand Farmers' Co-op. Assn., Ashburton, staff of New Zealand Farmers' Co-op. Assn. : Ashburton, Rakaia Ploughing Match Association, managers Rakaia Presbyterian 1 Church. Rakaia P.W.M.U., Mr and Mrs Salt (Pigeon Bay). The fortnightly meeting oi Court Star of Rakaia. A.0.F., was held: m St. Mark's Schoolroom, C.R. Bro. Pluck presiding. The district secretary, Bro. 0. Jaeobson, and brethren from Courts Ashburton and Star of Dunsandel were present. One new member was initiated. Bro. Phaup. of Ashburton, extended an invitation to tlw Rakaia and Dunsandel Foresters to visit Ashburton Court at an earlv date. Addresses were given by- visiting brothers on court work and general welfare. Afterwards sup'per was handed round, and a pleasant social evening was spent in cards and music.

METHVEN Improvements have been eflected recently to the Methven Railway premises. The most important has been the laying of stone and concrete blocking in the crush pens at J he railway tracking yards. The need of this has been most apparent during wet weather, and the new conditions wiU be greatly appreciated by agents and others leading stock <durinjs ik§ om *

ing season. The extension of the new fencing from the railway gates down the Chertsey road has considerably improved the appearance of this portion of the township. A special meeting of the committee of, the Methveu- Fire Brigade was held in the Mt. Hutt Road Board's office on Wednesday evening. Mr W. A. Shemeld presided and there were r also present:—Messrs J. A. Allan, W. C. Battson, J. F. Stone. J. McD. Anderson, W. J. Owen. A. G. Foreman (hon. secretary), and M. A. Stone. The chairman explained that the meeting was called to discuss the matter of holding a "Gala Day" with a view to raising funds to nurchase equipment. The suggestion had been made that a gathering of the kind could be organised and held before Christmas. A suggestion, was put forward that it may be possible to. work in conjunction with . the Caledonian Society's sports, and Messrs Allen and Foreman were appointed to wait on the committee, to discuss the matter.

, PROMORE. On Tuesday morning the 4 o'clock: goods train, about a mile-and a half from the station, ran into four cattle and a horse, which had strayed on to the line, through a gate being accidentally .left open. Two of the cattle were killed, and .one had its legs broken, and' had to be shot. The horse was first ran into and killed about half a mile from the cattle. The loss will fall very heavy on the owner, Mr J. Blair; the three cattle killed were purebred Jersey heifers. A Jersey bull escaped injury.