MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19158, 15 November 1927, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. PERSONAL. The Revs. A. S. Morrison (Moderator), W. Marshall, A. D. Eirkland, re presenting the Ashburton Presbytery, together with Messrs E. Buchanan (Ashburton), and Lock (Methven), are attending the Presbyterian General Assembly, which opens in Christchurch to-day. Prevalence of Goitre. "Owing to the prevalence in the County, of endemie goitre, I would like to bring before the Board the advisability of using in the institution for all cooking purposes, nothing but iodised salt. As goitre has proved to be largely due to the deficiency in iodine content of the soil, and as a certain percentage of iodine is essential for reasons of health, this deficiency should be rectified by the special administration of iodine. The most practicable method of doing this is by the use of iodised salt, and I would like to urge upon the Board the necessity for giving this matter its serious consideration." Thi« was a report of the Medical Superintendent (Dr. D. A. Bathgate) submitted to the Hospital Board yesterday. The chairman (Mr F. W. Watt) said the value of iodised salt was not generally known and he strongly recommended its use. It was decided to thank Dr. Bathgate for his report and to obtain prices for a bulk supply of iodised salt. Fishing. The best sport with the rod was obtained at the Rangitata river mouth during the week-end, when several local fishermen landed bags of five, varying in weight up to 61b. At Hakatere, the mouth of the Ashburton river, the catches were smaller, both in quantity and weight. Comparatively few fish were caught and none exceeded 31b. The Rakaia river was discoloured, but fishable. Evangelistic Service. There was a good attendance at the Baptist Church last evening, when an evangelistic service was conducted by Mr Bruce Scott, of Auckland. Songs were sung by Miss Lind, also of Auckland. In Bankruptcy. The bankruptcy of Francis Bellman "Ward, labourer, of Dromore, was investigated by the Official Assignee (Mr C. 0. Pratt) yesterday. Mr W. H. Woods represented Ward. In his sworn statement, bankrupt said the main cause of his failure was illness in his family 3nd scarcity of work during, the winter. His wife was practically an invalid for six months, and he had to employ a housekeeper at £1 5s and found. Ho was earning only £3 per week, and got behind with store bills. In April, 1926, he had to give up bis job. and he took over 20 acres at Dromore which was purchased by his wife, who paid a deposit of £4O. The potatoes which he grew were a failure, and he received only £3O for oats. Last year his boy was in hospital, and bankrupt was ill for six weeks. As a result of creditors pressing for payment, he filed. The financial statement showed the amount owing to unsecured creditors to be £241, against which were cash in hand £B, furniture valued at £25, and stock and implements valued at £27, leaving a deficiency of £lßl. The unsecured creditors were: Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd., £8; National Mortgage and Agencv, Ltd., £9O; Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., £8; H. Addis, £l2; E. P. Bradley, £l2; Oakhurst Hospital. £37; County Hospital, £3; W. Mason (Chertsey), £3. Mr Woods said there' was no nionoy available. Bankrupt was anxious to make an offer to pay his creditors in three moDths, but it seemed almost impossible, as he had nothing tangible to work on. In reply to the Assignee, bankrupt suid there was a mortgage of £l7O on his wife's farm. He had twelve acres of the farm in crop, while there was another four acres of wheat on the property he was leasing from the School Committee. Mr Woods said he had an offer of £SO ior the stock and other assets. The meeting was adjourned far a week. Hospital Board. The monthly meeting of the Hospital Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs Y. W. Watt (chairman), J. Bruce, A. Horsey, W. G. Gallagher, H. Maginness, G. S. Hardy, W. Bryant, W. T. Lill, and the secretarytreasurer (Mr A. Prentice). The report of the chairman of the Hospital Committee (Mr W. T. Lill) stated that recent happenings at Methven Home were discussed with the Director-General of Health (Dr. Valintine) on his visit to Ashburton. They were indebted to Messrs W. G.'Holder and E. V. Conway and all who had assisted to make the "Mariette" performances a success. The financial statement showed a credit of £2035 19s-6d. The Hospital Boards' Association forwarded an extensive.report upon tuberculosis, its control, and the scale of payments by Boards. The report was referred to a committee, consisting of Messrs Watt, Bryant, Lill, Hardy, and Dr. Bathgate, for a report. It was reported that as a result of the efforts of a number of local enthusiasts at I

thii Ashburton A. and P. Show, the- gum of VJm V s fid was available for the County Hospital"' The money probably will be devoted fo the provision of vila glass for the pun porches at the children's ward. The chairman made reference to the excellent spirit which had prompted the effort, making'special mention of Mr A Prentice. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Prentice. A balance-sheet of the recent production „f "Mariette" showed that the receipts Stalled *256"9s 2d, and the expenditure £194 '. JOd leaving a profit of £62 Is 4d, £34 "i 9d of which has been paid to the Hospital Board, and the remainder, £27 8s 7d, to the Pr On "he recommendation of Dr. Bathgate, it was agreed to purchase a diathermy apparatus at a cost of £l2O. It was agreed to call lor tenders lor additions to the morgue. The Board's attitude towards the Mcthven Medical Committee in its efforts to luve the Methven Maternity Home converted into a cottage hospital was discussed in committee On resuming in open meeting it wis reported that a conference was to be held that afternoon between the Methven Committee, the Director-General of Health, and the Board's chairman (Mr Watt). A resolution had been carried to the effect that -the Board's policv must continue to be in accordance wilh'the Health Department'* regulations, i IT 111. J • 3 The Director-General of Health advised that no subsidy could bo paid on funds received t» provide Christmas cheer for patients. Swimming. The annual meeting of the Ashburton Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association was held last night. The annual report stated that during the P3st season considerable progress had been made bv the Centre, which had become an active organisation. The first carnival hold by. tho Centre was during the visit of Misses Stockier and Miller and Mr D. Lindsay. The sum of*£7 4s 9d was netted. The visit was of undoubted benefit to swimming. There was a decided advancement in interest taken by lady swimmers during the season. Ladies' sections had been organised by the Ashburton and East Ashburton Clubs. The number of school children's certificates issued showed a decided falling-off compared with the previous year. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £lB 5s Id. Tho annual report and balance-sheet woro adopted. The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr J. Cow, vice-presidents, Messrs J. W. Bowden, T. Tarbotton, F. Curtis, sen., and presidents of Euapuna and WiHowby Clubs; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr I). McMillan; honorary auditor, Mr W. ! H. Woods; local consul, Mr A. Thomson; educational officer, Mr A. B. Gottrley; centre handicapr.er, Mr A. >T. McCallum; timekeepers, Messrs H. Wilson, F. Curtis, jun, J.'C. McLachlan, N. Robilliard; executive, Messrs J. C. McLachlan (chairman), A. Thomson, K. I'. Coates, A. J. McCallum, and the secretary; delegate to New Zealand Council, Mr E, B. Wheeley. The chairman said ho hoped that more interest would be shown by the schoolmasters in assisting school children to obtain their swimming certificate during the coming season. The N.Z.A.S.A. advised that the rules had been amended bo that in finishing a race a competitor may touch the top or end of the bath above the water-line RAKAIA. On Saturday afternoon, on tho Rakaia Bowling Club's green, a match was played between the Dunsandel and Rakaia Clubs, Rakaia winning by 39 points. The following f are the scores, Dunsandel names being mentioned first: : —Gardiner, Caldwell, Brown, ' Wraight (skip) 13 v. Allen, Newman, Milne, Stubbs (skip) 23; Greer, Fagan, Chatterton, Jas. Walker (skip) 16 v. Magson, Laraman. Tatterson, Henderson (skip) 18; Claydon, Happer, 0. A. Wright, Burgess (skip) 17 v. Evison, Shannon, Cooke, Weaver (skip) 23; R. H. Johnstone, Tyler, Chamberlain, McPherson (skip) 21 v. Cronin, Oliver, Palmer, Hardy (skip) 22; W. N. Walker, Hampton, Walker, Kime (skip) 11 v- McNamara, Rapley, Black, Holmes (skip) 31. Totals— Dunsandel 78, Rakaia 117. In the colts' competition G. Cromie 19 beat Nelson U. METHVEN On Sunday a Confirmation service was conducted at All Saints' Church by the Bishop of Christchurch. Tho vicar, the Rev. F. A. Tooley, presented 21 candidates. The Bishop addressed the congregation," his remarks being particularly for the benefit of young people. The Bishop, who was accompanied by Miss West-Watson, lunched at the vicarage and later motored to Rakaia to hold a Confirmation service at that centre. A sharp frost was experienced on Saturday morning, and early potatoes> etc., received a severe set-back.