MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20097, 28 November 1930, Page 8

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY. Special anniversary services in connexion with the Sunday School of the Ashburton Salvation Army will be held on Sunday next. The afternoon service will be devoted to the children, and will be conducted by Lieutenant-Colonel Toomer, New Zealand secretary of social work, and Mrs Toomer. A feature of all the services will be tho singing by the children. A number of prizes will be distributed to the younger children at the afternoon service. On Wednesday evening next a concert will be held, when tho annual distribution of prizes will take place. Heavy Bain. As a result of the heavy rain which foil on Thursday afternoon and evening, 94 points were recorded at the Domain weather station. Parents' Day. For the purpose of giving parents an opportunity of seeing the work of the children, a parents' day was held at Ashburton East School yesterday, when there was a largo attendance. Tho work was the subject of much favourable comment by the visitors. A massed drill display was given by tho pupils. Daphne (Rebekah) Lodge. The Daphne (Kebekah) Lodge, No. 34, 1.0.0. F., met on Wednesday evening, when the N.G., Sister G. Harper, presided. Bro. G. Fowke was nominated to represent the Canterbury Central Lodges at the Grand Lodge session. After the close of the lodge business the seventh anniversary celebrations were held. Visitors included members from the Hakatere, Washington, Naomi, Golden Link (Christchurch), Edith Cavell (Christchurch), JZakaia, Wakanui, Waitea (Temuka), Alexandrina (Temuka), Victoria, Waihi, and Geraldine Lodges. Items were contributed by Sister M. Page (Daphne), and Sister Ives (Temuka). McDonald's orchestra supplied the music for the dance which was held.

Eiffelton. The Biffelton sub-branch of the Plunket Society met yesterday afternoon when the president (Mrs J. P. McQuilkiti) presided. The nurse's report stated that during September—3o visits had been made to homes, and new cases totalled five. In October, 29 visits had been made to homes, and there were two new cases. The secretary (Miss M. McQuilkin) reported that £3 3s had been received from the Longbeach Road Board. It was decided to forward a letter of thanks to the Board. Chamber of Commerce. Tho annua) meeting of the Ashburton Chamber of Commerce was held last evening, when the president (Mr H. Ij. Barker) presided. The balance-sheet showed that the year commenced with a credit balance of £lB 4s 2d, and concluded with a credit of £35 16s 6d. The annual report stated that the regulations dealing with itinerant traders and hawkers were engaging the attention of the By-laws Committee of the Ashburton Borough Council. Owing to the difficult conditions under which the railways were working at present it did not appear that the suggestion to raiso the age for half fares, from 12 years to 14 years, could be carried out just now. A Government grain grader was now established in Ashburton. A further small grant had been made to the funds of the Tariff Protection Committee, who were engaged in protecting tho interests of the many, wheat-growers '.n the County. The attention of the Kailwav authorities had been drawn to the vexatious delays to motorists in connexion with the closing of the Kakaia bridge by tho bridge-keepers when a train was expected, and also the danger arising from passing lorries, with overhanging loads, on the bridge. Tho matter of a sheep-loading bank for motorlorries at the Ashburton saleyards siding had been placed before the Railway authorities. Interesting lectures had been given by Mr L. A. Paish, British Trade Commissioner, and Mr D. Jones, M.P. It was with deep regret that the Chamber recorded the death of Mr H. Wills, who bad been the representative of the Mid-Canterbury Farmers' Union. Thanks were due to all who had assisted the Chamber.

The report and balance-sheet wore adopted. The following officers wore elected: President, Mr F. W. Seldon; vice-presi-dent; Mr A A. McDonald; Council: Messrs E. W. M. Cole, E. C. Rawnsley, W. A. Fleming, J. W. BowdeD, M. Bruce, E. Buchanan, J. S. Laing, H. M. Jones, A. Lane, 11. B. Ilefford, T. G A. Harle; auditor, Mr Bruce; exporters' and manufacturers' committeo: Messrs Lane (convener), Buchanan, L. Clarke, E. F. Nicoll; retailers' committee: Messrs A. P. Raven (convener), Hcfford, Jones, E. H. Orr; produce committee: Messrs McDonald (convener), Rawnsley, A. Brown, J. Carr; finance committe:e Messrs Harle (convener), Rawnsley, Fleming; Railway advisory committee: Messrs R. Houston (convener), McDonald, J. C. N Clarkson, V. W. Russell, H. G. Kemp. The president said that New Zealand was extremely fortunate in having for its Governor-General a man of the calibre of Lord Bledisloe, especially during the present unfortunate depression. He very Bensiblv, and gave valuable advice. The president referred to the opening wool sale in Auckland, statthat the low prices were a staggering blow to the finances of the country. The slump in wool was caused very largely by the manufacture of rayon, which was a very inferior article as a substitute for wool, but manufactures of rayon were now being affected, as the low ebb of wool prices made competition difficult. It was decided to support the application of the Ashburton High School Board for an agricultural High School at Ashburton. It was decided to approach Mr H. H. Sterling, General Manager of railways, to give an address in Ashburton. The inconvenience' that business people suffered through the arrival of the north mail on Wednesday's and Fridays by the second express at 2 p.m., was mentioned by Mr Laing, who said that North Island mail arrived in Ashburton four hours later than it reached Christchurch. He moved that the Railway Department bo asked to reinstate the departure of the express from Christchurch in the morning on Wednesdays and Fridays, when the winter time-table is being revised next year; failing this, that the Post and Telegraph Department be asked to institute a morning motor delivery from Christchurch to Ashburton on those days. On the suggestion of Mr J. P. Hanrajtty it was decided to ask the Railway Department to delay the train which leaves Christchurch at 7.30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, so that this can carry the mail brought from the North Island by the ferry steamer. Presentation. Mr C. J. McEachen, who has recently retired on superannuation from the position of stationiuaster at Ashburton, was given a presentation by members

of the Ashburton Chamber of Commerce last evening. The president (Mr H. X,. Barker) referred to the loss suffered by the town through the retirement of Mr McEachen. He said he doubted it' Ashburton had ever received better or more courteous attention from any previous stationmaster. During his term in Ashburton there had been an improved change in. the attitude of the railway officials to the public. He presented Mr McEachen with a wallet of notes iu appreciation of his services to the public. Mr W. A. Fleming said it had been quite refershing to come in contact with someone in the Railway Department who had put himself about on behalf of the public as Mr McEachcn had done. Messrs F. W. Seldon and R. Houston also spoke. Mr McEachen returned thanks for the gift and the kindly sentiments by which it was accompanied. LAURISTON. At a special meeting of the Lauriston Tennis Club's committee, Mr C. Fyfe presided, others present being Misses lij. Lemon and hj. Maidens, Messrs T. Church, R. Sides, K. Maidens, A. Farquhar, D. McFarlane, and F. Lctham. With regard to the ladder matches, it was decided to abolish al] challenge fees for the present season. By this action, the committee hopes that keener competition will result. It was also decided that the selection of teams for matches be left to the whole committee. The following team was selected to play Lyndhurst, at Lyndliurst:—Misses Murray, Hampton, Law, and Lemon, and Messrs Farquhar, McNeil, McLaren, and Hampton. Present weather conditions are oold, and very changeable, and shearing operations are being delayed. Farmers would welcome a warm spell. STAVELEY. Tho continued bad weather and poor prices for their produce ara causing very real concovn among farmers. The lambing this season is poorer than the average, reports of 100 per cent, being rare. Soni-i farmers stato that they have hod the worst lambing in their experience. The average for the foothills districts may not be more thnn about 92 or 9-1 per cent. Very leatwins, and losses by storm, are causes of the low averages, and unfortunately the weather continues so stormy that farm work is being accomplished with difficulty, and shearing in a very risky matter. Tho annual meeting of the Springburn charge of tho Presbyterian Church was held iri the Stavelev C hurch. There was a good attendance :itad tho Moderator from Methven (the R. Morgan) presided. Mr Morgan said that during the year the Rev. G. Wood had left, and the Rev. S. •I. Webb had taken his place. It ira.s pleasing to know that the work in the district was prospering. He had inducted three irew elders and three committeemen. He regretted thai the year looked somewhat gloomy, financially. \t the .same time, he reminded the congregation that last year had been approached with foreboding, yet this year's balance-sheet showed £.jo in the c rod it. Mr Weeb gave a report of tho work that had been done during the eight months he had been in the parish. He thanked the managers. the collectors, and tho givers. the organists, the secretary, and the treasurer, tho Sunday school superintendents and workers, the Ladies' Guild, and tho auditor. There j were five Sunday schools in the parish. He had held 9o services. There had been eleven communion services. He had made 230 visits. He had been able to t»peak to about GO pupils of the Springburn .School everv week. The treasurer (Mr K. T. Robertson), presented the balance-sheet, which was adopted. Receipts comprised: Collections, £6-j 13s K)d ; sustentntion, £BB Is lOcl : bazaars, etc., £BO 8s 6d ; grant, £52 8s fid. After paying stipend and general expanses, £SO Is ]d was If ft. The Moderator thought the financial statement, iatisfactorv. Reports Irom the five Sunday Schools were r»ceived, and a report from the Ladies' Guild was read and adopted. The members of the previous vear'3 oommitteo were re-elected for the ensuinyear. "

ItAKAIAGo Wednesday evening a very eniovable social was helrl in aid of the funds of the Rakaia Cricket. Club. Music was supplied by Messrs T. Lawler and E Slattery, and extras were played by Miss E. Houghton and Mr Burrell. A Monte Carlo waltz was won by Mrs L. Shannon and Mr T. Shannon. Mr \ Osborn was M.C.