MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21412, 2 March 1935, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY

* ASHBURTON HALL FOR ALLENTON The application of the Ashburton County Council for permission to place before the Allenton ratepayers the proposal to raise a loan of £3OOO for the erection of a hall and fire brigade station for Allenton, has been referred back to the council by the Local Government Loans Board. The letter from the board stated that it was of the opinion that a public hall of the dimensions proposed was not yet warranted for Allenton. As the Ashburton Borough Council was prepared to attend to fires in the Allenton area further co-operation with the borough appeared to be desired more than expenditure on the Allenton fire services since the position could be adequately covered in that way for the time being. It also appeared to the Loans Board that the question of an adequate water supply for Allenton required consideration before further expenditure was incurred on fire-fighting in that area. It was decided to point out that the Ashburton Borough Council was not prepared tb attend fifes in Allenton and to ask for further consideration of the application. "That letter is packed with absolute rot," said Mr R. Houston at the meeting of the County Council yesterday. He stated that some private individual was interfering and was supplying information to the Loans Board. The fire brigade had to be housed and a hall for the district was necessary. He thought a private loan could be obtained.

The county clerk (Mr G. Kelly) said that the Loans Board's sanction would have to be obtained before one penny of loan money could be accepted. Mr Houston said the application was not being treated on its merits. The ratepayers would sanction" the raising of the loan. Mr W. G. Gallagher stated that the council had no redress. It was decided to send a copy of the letter to the Allenton Hall and Fire Brigade committee. County Rates Of £19,193 levied in rates for 193435 by the Ashburton County Council, .£17,782 was paid up to Thursday, the last day for payment before imposing the penalty of 10 per cent. The amount paid represents 92.65 of the total, being the highest percentage paid by the last day since 1930, when 96.90 per cent, was collected before the penalty was added. Over a period of many years the lowest percentage was 50.24 in 1932, since when there has been a substantial increase each year. Last year the percentage was 63.28. Arrears of rates from previous years totalled £2921 at April 1, 1934, and £1655 has been paid since that date. Motor Collision A collision occurred on the Main South road near Winslow yesterday morning, between cars driven by Mr Edgar Somerset, a wool-buyer, of 89 St. James' avenue, Papanui, Christchurch, and Mr Thomas Chapman, of Winslow. Mr Chapman's car was capsized and the other car was swung round to face in the opposite direction, the being thrown on to the roadway. Mr Somerset suffered no extensive injuries, but was conveyed to a private hospital at Ashburton in a dazed con-

dition. Mr Chapman escaped with minor injuries and a shaking. Both cars were damaged. The drivers were the sole occupants of the cars. Weather for February A total of 2.46 inches of rain fell at Ashburton last month compared with 2.37 inches for the same period last year. The heaviest single fall of rain last month was 88 points for the 24 hours ending at 9 a.m. on February 25. compared with 1.14 inches on February 18, in the same period last year. \ Vital Statistics The vital statistics for Ashburton for February show a decrease in births, and an increase in deaths and marriages when compared with the figures for February, 1934. The statistics are as follows, those for last year being in parenthesis:—Births, 21 (25); deaths, 11 (8); marriages, 7 (6). Personal Mr F. Frampton has returned from the Methodist Conference at Dunedin. The Rev. G. B. Hinton will return to Ashburton from the conference to-day. School Garden Competition The iinal judging in the school garden competition for a trophy presented by the Advance Ashburton Association took place on Thursday. The judges were Messrs H. B. and A. J. Millichamp. The following awards were made: —Ashburton Borough, 425 points, 1; Allenton, 405 points, 2; Tinwald, 380

points, 3; Ashburton East, 310 points, 4; Fairfield, 225 points, 5. The judging was carried out under the following headings:—General layout, flowers, vegetables, fruit, maintenance, cultivation, and experimental. This is the third year in succession that the Ashburton Borough School has won the trophy. Ashburton East Dental Clinic A meeting of the Ashburton East Dental Clinic Committee was held on Thursday evening. Those present were: Messrs J. H. Harper (chairman), A. C. Wakelin (Tinwald), B. Clothier (Willowby), H. G. Patterson (Eiffelton), W. S. Kerr, E. H. Childs (Ashburton East), and Nurse Campbell. The nurse reported that she would be due to return to the Tinwald sub-base for revision work in May. The following report for work done was received:— November: Operations 336, attendances 135, new patients 14, re-examinations 164. December: Operations 224, attendances 109, new patients 1, reexaminations 71. January: Operations 74, attendances 38, new patients 1, reexaminations 1. February: Operations 237, attendances 117, new patients 32, re-examinations 45. The secretary (Mr G. V. Furby) presented a statement of contributions received from the different schools amounting to £33 9s. It was decided to notify parents that arrears must be paid before the end of March. Friendly Societies' Association

The annual meeting of the Ashburton Friendly Societies' Association Council was held on Thursday evening, the president (Mr S. A. Moore) presiding. The statement of accounts showed that receipts from lodges totalled £lß7l 12s 3d, while the expenditure w;« £1655 lis 4d, including £1577 12s 6d paid to the Ashburton Hospital Board. The administration expenses amounted to £64 2s Id. The secretary reported that the roll number was 2153, an increase of 71 for the year. The following officers were elected: —President, Mr E. H. Childs; vicepresident, Mr J. H. Ward;, treasurer, Mr W. Bryant; secretary, Mr G. F. Fowke; auditors, Messrs R. W. Crowther, and C. M. Innes; executive, Messrs R. W. Biggar (M.U., 1.0.0. F.), R. W. Crowther (A.0.F.), G. V. Furby (U.A.0.D.), H. C. Preston (1.0.0. F.), R. G. Ross (H.A.C.8.), W. J. Brown a.0.R.), T. Wakelin (Sons of Temperance). Appreciation of the services of the retiring president and officers was expressed. Plunket Society A meeting of the Ashburton branch of the Plunket Society was held yesterday afternoon, when the president (Mrs F. W. Seldon) presided over a good attendance. The nurses' report stated that during the month there had been 654 ..41 ... J

visits to rooms and 65 visits to homes in the town, and 242 visits to rooms and 83 to homes in the country. County Council At the monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council, held yesterday, there were present:—Messrs D. J. Morrow (chairman), H. C. B. Withell, J. Lambie, R. Houston, W. G. Gallagher, H. J. Crothers, F. Frampton, R. W. Wightman, J. Carr, S. P.- Taylor, J. Bland, and J. Moore. The report of the engineer (Mr H. A. Vezey) stated that a continuation of drought conditions during most of the month still further affected the water race system of the county. With a welcome break on February 22 the position had greatly improved, and supplies to the extreme ends of the system should be assured for the remainder of the season. At only two intakes the supply receded below the normal flow. On February 7 the Hinds Gorge race had diminished in volume so much that a rationing scheme was instituted, and was in operation for over a week with very little inconvenience to the occupiers. This supply had since improved with sufficient water for all distributing races in the Montalto district. A serious shortage was experienced in the Barrhill-Ra-kaia district, which was served by the Pudding Hill race. The disgraceful state of the races in the BarrhillRakaia district greatly accentuated the difficulty, but it was pleasing to report that almost a general cleaning had since taken place and the cooperation of most of the occupiers had been appreciated.

The Methven high pressure supply race failed during the month, and it was necessary to draw the town supply from the auxiliary main. Fortunately, the river had remained clear for most of the period, but with the recent fresh and resultant discolouration a great amount of inconvenience was bound to be caused to the residents of the township. The proposal to fit up one of the older motor trucks as a self contained fire-fighting unit had been thoroughly investigated. It was not considered practicable to run a pump off the truck engine. To fit an . automatic water pressure system to the truck with a 400 gallon tank would cost about £6O. Mr Vezey submitted a report showing the average cost of maintaining the main highways throughout the Ashburton County during the last five years. The engineer was complimented on his close attention to the maintenance of a supply of water in all the races du'ing the dry spell. It was decided to take action to recover the cost from farmers whose races were overgrown and had to be cleaned by the council to ensure a clear passage for the water.

The engineer was asked to report on the possibility of supplying water for irrigation to Mr R. S. White, Greenstreet. Mr Gallagher urged the necessity for supplying water for small irrigation plots where the water was available so that farmers who desired could make provision against the shortage of feed in seasons similar to that at present being experienced. On the suggestion of Mr Crothers, it was decided to write to the Main Highways Board suggesting that before the Main South road between Dunsandel and Rakaia was paved, the highway should be straightened to eliminate the dangerous railway crossing north of the Rakaia bridge. The application of the Hinds School Committee for a water race for the school grounds was granted. Mr J. L. Connolly, Rakaia, forwarded a cheque for £2 2s expressing his gratitude to the staff of the council for the manner in which an effort was made to fight a grass fire which affected his property recently. Councillors commented ' on the apathy of farmers to make an acknowledgment when they had received similar services gratuitously from the council's staff and fire-fighting plant Grants of £lO each were made to the Ashburton Salvation Army's band fund and to the South Rakaia Road

Board for the cemetery fund. The Labour.Department notified that Saturday was the statutory weekly half-holiday in the council's district. The tender of Mr T. Pheloung, £346 10s, was accepted for the second coat of tar-sealing the Alford Forest road from the water tower to the woollen mills. High School Boys' Sports The boys' annual swimming sports of the Ashburton High School were concluded yesterday. The senior swimming championship was won by J. Milsom with 23 points, H. Silcock being runner-up with 17. The junior championship resulted:—P. Grant 21 points, 1; W. Jackson 15 points, 2- E. Stayt 8 points, 3. The 25 yards breaststroke senior championship resulted: —J. Milsom 1, H. Silcock 2. Time 22sec. Tennis The following players will represent their respective clubs in matches today:— Eiffelton A v. Fairton, at Fair ton— N. Stoddart, M. Stoddart, R. Davidson, J. Roche, Misses K. McQuilkin, L McQuilkin, R. Davidson, and J. Roche. Swimming Tub annual swimming sports of the Ashburton Borough School were held yesterday under ideal weather. The events were controlled by the staff and were keenly contested. Tbn results were as follows: BOYS' EVENTS Championship— Cecil Osborne y\) points), Gordon Stayt (-1 points), Re#. Finlay and Jim McCallum (3 points each). Learners—Under nine years: Ivan Dobson 1, Dick Hay 2, Peter Vincent '■'>. Under 11: First heat, Billy Patching 1, Bert Druminond 2; second heat, Herbert Colquhoun 1, Jim Denley 2; third heat, Ken Cookson 1, Alan Green 2; final, Oolquhomi 1, .Patching 2, Denley 3. Under 13 years: Ted Fearn 1, Trevor Swnney 2, Edwin Thomas 3.

25 Yards, under 10 years— "Russet KinßSbury 1, Jim Denley 2, John Milncr 3. 33 1-3 Yards, under 12 years-First heat: Jack Lewis 1, Arnold Stayt 2, Gordon Harwood 3. Second heat • Hcrhert Colquhoun 1, Tony Prentice 2, Robin Wood 3. Final: Colquhoun 1, Prentice 2, Lewis 3. 33 1-3 Yards, over 12 years—First heat: Cecil Osborne 1, Jim McCallum 2, Norman Henderson and Jack Stock (equal) 3. Second heat; Godon Stayt 1, Ron Morton 2. Desmond Corbott 3. Final: Osborne 1, McCallum 2, Stayt and Stock (equal) 3. Dive, under 12 years—Herbert Colquhoun 1, Peter Vincent 2, Arnold Stavt 3. 25 Yards Breaststroke for Herbert Smith Cup—Cecil Osborne 1, Gordon Stayt 2, Keg. Finlay .'i. Dive, over 12 years—Jim McCallum 1. Jim Nutbrown 2, Alan Welsh 3. Plunge—Cecil Osborne 1, Harry Kennedy 2, Reg. Finlay 3. Distance, 37 feet. 50 Yards Free Style, for Herbert Smith Cup—Cecil Osborne I, Gordon Stavt 2. Reg. Finlay 3. Mixed Relay for Milsom Cup, teams of four—Cecil Osborne, Re?. Finlay, Paulino Erikson and Betty Holland 1; Jim McCallum's team 2, Gordon Stayt's team 3 GIRLS' EVENTS Championship—Betty Holland (5 points), Hetty Travers (4 points), J. Thomas. J. Keonan, and L. Patching (3 points eachi. Learners —Under nire ytftirs: June Colquhoun 1, Daphne Stayt 2, Adrienne Kinijsbury 3. Under 11 years: Lindsay Vincent 1, Margaret Sinclair 2, Alyth Buchanan ii. Tinder 13 years: Noeline Daniel 1. 2a Yards, under 10 years—Ngaire Lay I, June Colquhoun 2, Dawne Hardio 3. 33 1-3 Yards, under 12 years— Fii%i heat: Elizabeth Watt 1, Janet Thomas 2. Fay Brown 3. Second heat: Mavion Marshall 1, Boatricu Edmonds 2.. Dorothy Denlev li. Final: Eileen Moorn 1, Jauet Thomas 2, Elizabeth Watt 3.

33 1-3 Yards, over 12 voars-First heat: Joyce Keonan 1, Betty Holland 2, Olive Edmonds !!. . Second hunt: Puuline Erikson 1, Ruth Lindsay 2, Vera Hollowav 3. Final: Joyce Kuenan 1. Ojivo Edmonds 2, Botty Holland 8. Dive, under 12 years—June Colquhoun 1, Lexie Colville 2, Elizabeth Watt 8. 25 Yards Breaststroke for Herbert Smith Cud—First heat: Betty Holland 1, Lesley Patching 2, Betty Vincent a. Second heat: Janet Thomas 1, Marion Marshall and Vera Holloway (equal) 2. Third heat: Rose Denlcy 1, Pauline Frikpon 2. Esther Tjindsay 3. Semi-finals—Fii'Rt heat: Lesley Patching 1, Rose Denley 2. Second heat: Janet Thomas 1, Betty Vincent 2,

Final: Lesley Patching 1. Janot Thomas 2. Betty Vincent 3. Dive, over 12 years—Kyra Oliver 1. Betty Holland 2, Betty Travers 3. Plunge—Hetty Travers 1, Fay Brown 3, Pauline Erikson 3. Distance, 29 feet. 50 Yards Free Style, for Herbert Smith Cup—First heat: Joyce Keonan 1. Bettv Holland 2, Olive Edmonds 3. Second heat: Beatrice Edmonds 1, Norma \food 3. Fay Brown 3. Third heat: Pauline Erikson 1, Janet Thomas 2. Final: Joyce Keenan 1, Betty Holland 2, Janet Thomas 3. MOUNT SOMERS Mr H. Morgan presided over the annual meeting of the Mount Somers library committee. There was a small attendance. A motion of sympathywas passed with Mr W. A. Sharpe in his illness. The librarian, Mrs A. It. Beckley, in her report, stated that there were 27 yearly, four quarterly subscribers, and one monthly subscriber, whose fees totalled £l6 7s. A total of 64 new books had been added to the shelves at a cost of £l2 9s Id. The euchre evenings had been poorly supported. Thanks was exmessed to Mrs L. B. Wood and Mr G. J. Foreman for giving the aggregate prizes for the euchre. It was decided to hold a further series of euchre and dance evenings during the winter months. Membership fees were fixed at 10s a year, 4s quarterly, and 2s monthly. -A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the librarian, Mrs Beckley, for her work during the year. The following committee was elected: —Mesdames A. R. Beckley, J. A Mears, W. A. Sharpe, W. Robinson, Miss E. T. Scott, and Messrs H. Morgan, A. R. Beckley, J. A. Mears, W. A. Sharpe, and J. T. Bull. Rain fell on 13 days during February, for a total of 317 points, compared with 273 for February last year. A maximum fall of 108 points fell on February 22. This year's rainfall to date totals 6.22 inches, as against 9.50 inches for the corresponding period last year. There were two frosts. Two hundred and seventy-three points fell at Bucclcugh, making the year's

total 983 points. The following will represent Mount Somers v. St. Leonard's Sawmill at cricket, at Mount Somers, during the week-end:—J. A. Mears, J. Harrison, L Tinker, L. Wood, A. Williamson, F. W. Gifkins, D. W. Herron, E. G. Gifkins. G. Greenwood. G. Porteous, S. Chaffey, S. Eder, G. J. Foreman. MAYFIELD The quarterly summoned meeting of the Loyal Mayficld Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held in the Band Hall. Sister Elms, N.G., acting, presided. A welcome was extended to Bro. J. S. Donaldson, who presented Past Grand certificates to the following members: —Bros. E. S. Bennett, T. H. Young, and E. A. Young. Bro. D. S. Glassey reported on the district committee meeting, and Bro. Donaldson on the United Friendly Societies' Council work. Sick pay, amounting to £3 10s in favour of three members, and other accounts of £ 1 5s 6d were passed for payment.

A garden parly, in aid of the Mayfield branch of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union, was held at the home of Mr and Mrs J. W. Kingan. The weather was ideal, and there was a good attendance. Games of tennis, bowls, croquet, clock golf, and swimming were enjoyed. A produce stall, in charge of Mesdames W. T. Elmslie and J. Brown, did good business, and Mr S. Kingan had charge of an ice cream and soft drinks stall. The net proceeds of the party amounted to £7 10s. During the afternoon a meeting of the members of the union was hold, Mrs Elmslie presiding. It was decided to have the annual church tea meeting on April 9 if possible. The meeting then closed with the benediction. METHVEN The following are the meteorological observations for the month of February as recorded by Mr James Carr, "Rudstone," Methven: Rain fell on 14 days, the maximum fall on any one day being 138 points on February 24. The total fall for the month was 4.52 in as compared with 2.71 in in February last year. The average rainfall for February during the last 26 years is 2.99 in. The driest February during that period was in 1929, when 21 points were recorded and the wettest in 1926 when 7.23 in fell. The total fall for this year to date is 7.20 in and for the same period last year it was 11.07 in. The highest value of the barometer was 30.28 on February 7 and

12, and the lowest, 29.74 on February 20. The average for Che month was 30.09. The highest reading of the maximum thermometer was 89 on February 5 and the lowest minimum, 43 on February 16 and 25. The lowest reading on the grass was 33 on February 26. The mean temperature for the month was 64.75. RAKAIA Rain fell on 12 days during February for a total of 230 points compared with 230 points for the corresponding month last year and 136 points for January of this year. The heaviest fall for February was on Sunday, February 24, when 116 points were recorded. Bro. F. Behrnes, C.R., presided over a good attendance at the meeting of the Ancient Order of Foresters held in St. Mark's Schoolroom. It was decided not to visit Court Ashburton on March 5, but to make the visit on some future date. The balance-sheet was presented and showed the position to be satisfactory. Two members were reported on the sick fund and one member was proposed for initiation. Bro. S. H. Shellock was appointed delegate to the district meeting. The series of weekly euchre tournaments run by the Kereone Hockey Club opened very successfully in the 1.0.0. F. Lodge Hall on Thursday evening. Miss L. Toner was the winner of the women's prize, and Mr T. Clark won the men's. Because of the Anglican bazaar on Thursday of nexi week the card tournament will be held on Wednesday. A pleasant gathering of Mothers' Union members took place on Thursday when members of Ashburton, Methven, and Tinwald branches joined the Rakaia branch at Rakaia. After a service held in St. Mark's Church, where the Rev. A. H. Barnett gave a helpful address, the visitors were entertained at lunch by the Rakaia members in the Parish Hall, where they were welcomed by Mr Barnett. The afternoon was spent at the domain, where Mrs Ashford gave an address on "Courage," for which those

present accorded her a hearty vote of thanks. Afternoon tea was served, after which Mrs Petrie (Ashburton), Mrs Jennings (Tinwald), and Mrs Robertson (Methven) expressed appreciation to the Rakaia members for the success of the day. PIGEON FLYING * SUMNER CLUB Tlit Suimiej- Pigeon Flying Club recently held a race from Parnassus in which R. Thompson'( Flying Shadow flew the distance of 7f> miles 1040 yards in three hours 22 minutes. The results were as follows: Yds. a min. R. Thompson's Flying Shadow 607.8 W. Wright's Dark Night . . 666.4 H. Ford's Snow White '' . . 662.6 T. Campion's Auburn Lad .. 661.4 A. Wright's Red Glow . . 658.7