MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19159, 16 November 1927, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. PERSONAL. Mr L. J. Walker (Christchurch) has succeeded Mr C. J. Bell as accountant at the New Zealand Farmers' Co-op. Association, Ashburton, the latter having been, appointed secretary of the Southern .Crqs 9 Glass Co., jLtd. Farmers' Union. Owing, to the large number, of enrolments obtained for thei Farmers' Union at Eakaia by the organiser (Mr Bruce Gillies), it has been-deemed advisable to establish a branch of the Union at this' centre. For this purpose a meeting of farmers will'be held in the library after the stock sale to-morrow, when the president of the Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive (Mr H. C. B. Withell) will address those present. < "The Messiah." The Ashburton Male Voice Choir, in conjunction with lady members of other choirs in the town, are at present engaged in practising "The Messiah," to be given on December 14th. The conductor is Mr H. Clemo, and the soloists are: Mrs Rule, of Timaru (soprano), Mr H. Naylor, of Ashburton (contralto), Mr K. Norrish, of Ashburton (tenor), and Mr W. S. Spratt, of Christchurch (bass). Evening Athletic Meeting. For the first evening meeting of the Ashburton Amateur Cycling and Athletic Club, to be staged to-night, the entries are as follows:—One mile cycle handicap 18, 100 yds handicap 9, 300 yds handicap 11, 1000 yds handicap 12. Methven Maternity Home. I The request of the Methven Medical Committee to have provision made for j patients developing unfavourable symp- j toms instead of having to transfer them to the Ashburton County Hospital was considered at a conference held at Methven on Monday, when Mr J. Carr, chairman of the Medical Committee, presided. There were also present: Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, Dr. Jellett, Mr F. W. Watt, Dr. D. A. Bathgate, Dr. W. H. McKee, and Messrs J. W. M. Dart, S. Smith, F. W. Kuddenklau, H.Maginness, H. E. Jessop, and the Eev. G. Hercus. After the chairman had outlined the object of the conference, Drs. Valintine and Jellett went into the committee's proposals and the purpose underlying the Government regulations, which were shown to be framed entirely in the interest of patients entering these homes. After discussion a proposal was made by Mr Watt that the Ashburton Hospital Board should provide a sanitary and sterilising block attached to the nursery to be constructed this year, but in any case, he stated that the Board would be recommended to provide this block and a small isolation room next year. This will enable the home to provide for its own minor cases and eliminate any possibility of a patient having to be removed from the Methven Home as an outcomo of unfavourable symptoms developing during the patient's stay in the home. Longbeach Road Board. The monthly meeting of the Longbeach Road Board was held yesterday afternoon, when there were present:. Messrs J. P. McQuilkin (chairman), H. Watts, L. Maginness, A. Moore, and W. J. Anderson. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £177 7s 2d. The Health Department wrote stating that the Director-General of Health had advised that there would be no need to vest the Winslow and Waterton cemeteries in the Board. The Public Works Department forwarded a copy of the draft regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, and requested suggestions or alterations. The matter was held over to enable members to study the regulations. Motor-cycle Gymkhana, The Ashburton Silver Band having agreed to combine with the Ashburton Motor-cycling Club in running a gymkhana, the Sports Committee of the Club and two representatives fro: the Band met last evening, Mr A. H. Haden, president of the club, presiding. The chairman said it was intended that the two bodies should share on a

50-50 basis. The Club Sports Committee would take charge of the events, while the Band would take over the management of the side-shows and music.

It was agreed that the gymkhana be held 5n the Domain on November 26th. A programme was arranged, including a motor-cycle football match between Ashburton and Christchurch, balloon bursting, obstacle race, acceleration race, surfboard riding, novelty events, and motor-cycle trick riding.

The following officials were appointed: —Announcer, Mr B. Stock; judge, Mr W..C. Smith; starter, Mr H. Brown; competitors' steward, Mr E. Harrow; grounds, Mr B. Green; referee, Mr H. Taylor; secretary, Mr J, Pam .. : .>.; Messrs Dalley and Harrow were ap,-_ pointed to select a-football team to represent Ashburton in the match against Christchurch.

It was reported that a case of petrol had been given as the prize for a paperchase to be held on Saturday. Mr W. J. Dalley reported that five checking points had been selected for a course which would take fully three hours to cover. It was decided that the chase commence and finish at the Post Office. Mr Bailey was authorised to select secret speed checking points. Sale of Work. The girls' auxiliary of the Presbyterian W.M.U. held a successful sale of work in St. Andrew's Hall last night. Several musical items were given during the evening, and supper was provided. MOUNT SOMERS. The monthly meeting of the Mount Somers School Committee was held on Saturday evening; Those present were Messrs L. King (chairman), R. W. Todd, G. M. Doak, G. Alexander, and J. T. Bull. Messrs D. A. Syme and Perrin (Springburn), waited on the committee regarding the establishment of a district junior high school, which it was proposed to build at Springburn. Action was deferred until fur-, ther particulars were received. It was reported that the headmaster, Mr P. H. Jones, had left during the month, and that Mr W. H. Moses was relieving master pending an appointment. The inspector's annual report was received, with which members expressed satisfaction. Owing to the exhausted state of tbe prize and picnic funds, and in view of the poor response made by; parents in recent years, it was agreed that, apart from special prizes given, no prizes be given this year, and that an excursion be held. Changeable weather was experienced over the week-end, five degrees of frost being recorded on Saturday morning, but, fortunately, the morning was cloudy, and no damage resulted. Showers fell both Saturday and Sunday, 24 points being recorded on Monday morning.

MAYFIELD. The monthly meeting of the Mayfield A. and P. Association was held in the hall on Monday evening, the president (Mr L. R. Harrison) presiding. There were also present Messrs G. Johnston, R. Nosworthy, J. Early, C. \V. Gillies, J. Biddick, A. Fleming, A. D. Kirkland, R. W. Holland, S. Baxter, D. Edmond, G. Richardson, D. Duff, E. O. D. Withell; A. V. Barrett, R. R. McMillian, F. G. Greenslade, H. C. Barton, J. A. Fleming, L. A. Oakley, R. Oakley, G. B. Murdoch, J. Moore, J. A. Lilley, T. Corbett, and S. Baxter. Mr Barrett reported that Mr DeHoiy could not see his wayclaer to grant tho Association the use of the hall on Show Night. The Hon. Mr Nosworthy wrote thanking the Association for its support in the recent manure prices controversy which had been discussefl in tho House. Mr L. A. Oakley wrote accepting a seat on the General Committee. Several sub-committee's reports and recommendations were approved. A 'notion of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Mr R. Oakley, of Overdale, and also to Mrs E. Roberts in the loss of her mother.

METHVEN The monthly meeting of the committee of the Methven A. and P. Association was held on Monday evening. Present: Messrs J. W. Mc-Anulty (president), J. Watson, James Can-, G. Callaghan, E. A. Boddy, AV. F. Marshall, J. Rutfdenklau, A. C. Watson, W. F. Reynolds, H. J. Freeman, C. Half, E. A. Bland, A. Geddes, E. J. Wai&on, G. KeUy, A.. J. Penny, and A. Marr. The secretary of the North Canterbury Stock Auctioneers' Association acknowledged the Methren. A. and B. Associa-

tion's further request for continuous loading of stock at Addington, and stated that this matter was still under consideration. The secretary of the New Zealand Friesian Association wrote stating that they would give a gold medal for most points in the pedigree Friesian section of the show. The question of amendments to the Arbitration Act now before' Parliamebt as affecting the primary producer was discussed at considerable length, and it was unanimously decided to telegraph the Prime.Minister as follows:^'"That the committee of the Methven A. and P. Association thanks the Government for its efforts to improve the position of the primary producers and earnestly hopes that the Government will pass the proposed amendments to the question of altering, the conditions in a number of classes' in the show schedule was discussed and a number of recommendations of various sub-committees we're adopted.