MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20491, 9 March 1932, Page 8

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. PRESBYTERY MEETING. Tho Ashburton Presbytery met yesterday, when the Kev. R. Morgan presided. 1 The Rev. A. S. Morrison was appointed Moderator for the ensuing twelve months. Commissions were received from Rakaia, Springburn, Mayfield, and Metnven Sessions in favour of Messrs C. H. Oakley, S. J. Webb, F. Griffiths, and H. Lock, respectively. The Rev. M. Sinclair was welcomed. A deputation from Hinds, consisting of Messrs J. Marshall and G. McSeage waited on the Presbytery and disclosed the financial position of tho parish. It was decided to report the views of the deputation to the Home Mission Committee with a view to obtaining a settlement. The Rev. W. Marshall was reappointed the Presbytery's representative on the St. Andrew's College Board of Governors. A report upon the financial position of the Mayfield parish was received from the Presbytery's Commission and it was decided that the best possible financial arrangements be made with the Home Mission Committee. Personal. Mrs W. H. Robinson (district president), Mrs M. Aitkenhead (Ashburton president) and Mrs J. M. Murdoch left last evening for Wanganui to attend the Women's Christian Temperance Convention, which opens to-morrow. Allenton School Committee. The Allenton School Committee met on Monday evening, when the chairman, Mr E. C. Bathurst, presided. The headmaster (Mr E. S. Chambers) reported that the roll number was 254 and the average attendance 242. The honours board had been brought up to date. The combined schools swimming sports had been held in the Borough baths last week, the school gaining most points in the learners' events. Messrs G. Harris and H. Greaves were appointed the visiting committee for the ensuing month. Lodges. The Loyal Tinwald Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., met on Monday evening, when the N.G. (Sister M. Gunn) presided. The lecture master (Bro. A. E. Frew) delivered a White Degree lecture. It was decided to place Bro. W. S. Brady's name on the Merit Board. Court Ashburton, A.0.F., met on Monday evening, when the C.R. (Bro. D. W. Wilson) presided. The Orange Hall Committee advised that the rent of the hall would be reduced to £7 10s for this year. It was decided to thank the committee. The balance-sheet for the year ending December 31st, 1931, was presented, and showed the Court to be in a sound financial position. The assets totalled £8333 8s 6d. The Success of Ashburton Lodge, U.A.0.D., met on Monday evening, when the A.D. (Sister J. Collet) presided. An invitation from the Star of Ashburton Lodge to attend a mock banquet was accepted.

ZiOugbeacb Road Board. At the monthly meeting-of the Longbeach Boad Board held yesterday there were present —Messrs J. P. McQuilkin (chairman), W. J.. Anderson,-W- Watts, and A.-Moore. v The flnaneial statement showed that there was a credit balance of £357 15s 2d. It was decided to impose the ten per cent, penalty on all the current year's rates outstanding after March 25th. The Department of Labour wrote stating that Thursday had been fixed as the statutory weekly half-holiday in the Board's district. A. and P. Association. The fifty-fourth annual meeting of the Ashburton A. and P. Association was held yesterday afternoon, the president (Mr H. C. Barton) presiding. The annual report stated that the last annual show was a most successful function, th 6 entries totalling 2423, compared with 2259 in 1930. The Association was favoured with the presence of the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe), who showed a keen interest in the exhibits and delivered an interesting address to farmers. There were nine entries for the annual horse parade. The entries for the ram fair constituted a record. Entries for the flock ewe competition. were satisfactory, the challenge cup for the most points being won by Mr H. «. Freeman (Methven), and the Mayfield A. and P. Association's special for the best flock in the Ashburton county being won by Mr C. G. C. Harper (Hackthorn). The balance-sheet showed that the past year commenced with a credit balance of £235 6s 9d and concluded with a credit balance of £l5O 12s. Entry fees totalled £3Ol 12s, gate receipts £3OB 2s 6d, and members' subscriptions £2BB 18s, while £643 Is 6d had been paid out in prize-money. The assets amounted to £6401 lis 2d, including £3OO on fixed deposit and there were no liabilities. Moving the adoption of the annual report, Mr Barton commented upon the various sections of the last annual Show stating that in the sheep section the quality of the exhibits was well up to standard and it was pleasing to notise that some of their champions received further honours at the Royal Show held at Christchurch. It was disappointing that the farmers' classes were not better supported. Mr B. D. Cochrane seconded the motion, and the report and balance-sheet were adopted. The question of making a grant towards the research work being carried out at Lincoln College, in an endeavour to eliminate the mortality among sheep was considered. Mr D. G. Wright'expressed the opinion that the Association should not make a grant until it was satisfied that the College was working on sound lines. Mr B. J. Martin said he was confident that the College was working along sound lines, and this opinion was also held by several other members. The sum of £lO was voted. Mr J. W. Bowden was reappointed auditor and the followirig officers were declared elected:—President, Mr R. D. Cochrane; vice-president, Mr W. Leth-. am; committee: Messrs S. Andrew, H. Brown, T. J. Bell, A. P. Bruce, J. W. Butterick, J. Bonifant, S. Crosson, J. A. Fleming, A. Gregory, J. C. Guinness, C. Hale, R. Houston, J. Lowery, G. H. B. Lill, F. Merrin, A. Moore, R. J. Martin, D. A. Morgan, R. A. Oakley, D. Robertson, W. A. Sheate, J. Small, W. M. Skevington, and S. P. Taylor. During the meeting the president presented the Clydesdale Horse Society of New Zealand's medal for the best two-year-old or yearling bred by exhibitor, to Mr H. A. Sheate, of Westerfield. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr R. D. Cochrane presided. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) wrote acknowledging the Association's resolution protesting against the pooling of New Zealand credits in London, stating that he would give it careful consideration. Mr W. H. Amos was reappointed secretary, and Mr A. Brown treasurer.