MID-CANTERBURY NEWS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22508, 16 September 1938, Page 6

MID-CANTERBURY NEWS

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

OFFICERS ELECTED V

MR H. WATTS CHAIRMAN

Mr H. Watts was re-elected chairman of the board of managers ,of the Ashburton Technical High School last evening. This will be the third term for which Mr Watts has held the office. Mr E. Buchanan was also nominated, , „ Other officers elected were: Deputychairman, Mr S. Mitchell; treasurer, Mr W. S. Kerr; executive, Messrs Watts, Mitchell. Kerr. Buchanan, and Mrs H. Tinker. There were also present at the meeting Messrs L. L. Aitken, A. Brown, W. Bramley, J. H. Harper, J. Lowery, A. T. Saunders, and Dr. A. L. Jones. The attendance on the resumption of school for the third term was affected to a slight degree by prevailing sickness, there being 86 per cent, of the pupils present compared with the usual 92 per cent., stated the report of. the principal (Mr W. Crawford). Four pupils had left to take up positions and one had been admitted The roll "number was 301. Evening classes resumed with a normal attendance. An extra class for invalid cookery for nurses would be held two evenings a week this term. The school had taken part in the Ashburton Borough Council’s Arbor Day celebration. A lecture on plant research in the Berkeley Plant Research Institute, California, was given by Dr. A. L. Jones, and a demonstration on Southdown and Border Leicester sheep had been given to the agricultural students by Mr J. Stewart, Rakaia. The school A grade football team won the Ashburton Rugby Union’s fourth grade competition. The school athletic sports would be held on October 18. During the vacation Messrs A. T. Smith and S, H. George attended a .conference of trade instructors at Christchurch, and Mr C. C. Werry attended a course of instruction for agricultural instructors at Lincoln Agricultural College. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £3lO 16s 2d. The Education Department advised that the closing date .for the receipt of applications for admission to training college had been changed from November 1 to October 1. to enable sufficient time for candidates to be advised of their selection and destination before the close of the school year. Preference would be given to pupils with academic qualifications higher than the minimum of a pass in the university entrance examination or school certificate examination, obtained before 1938. ... It was decided to congratulate the school football team on winning the Ashburton Rugby Union’s fourth grade competition. , „ The following dates were fixed for the three school terms next year:— February 7 to lifey 5 > May 22 to August 28. September 11 to. December 15.

LECTURES CONCLUDED

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL

ASSOCIATION

The series should have given members a clearer conception of the mew civilisation, which was being established in the world at Mid Dr. Helen M. Simpson. M.A., Ph.D. In concluding on Wednesday evening the final lecture of the sen* on literature of social protest and criticism which was studied by the Ashburton branch of the Workers* Educational Association during the winter* The president (Mr G. B. Brown) presided. Dr. Simpson said that H. G. Wells, whose works were discussed at the meeting, was the son of a professional cricketer from whom he inherited great physical energy and a love of sport. He educated himself mainly through his own resources, and gained a. Bachelor of Science degree with firstclass honours at the Royal College of Science. Taking up a strenuous routine of teaching and tutoring, he had a nervous breakdown, and during bis con valescence he began writing the essay f which were to make him famous. The lecturer quoted Wells as “a Socialist scientist, and practical idealist, immensely interested in man and affairs insatiably curious about all life, its origins, implications, and possibilities, restlessly delving into history for the mystery of the past that would light his guesses at the darker mysteries of the future.” She added that this writer regarded existence as a perpetual dawn. He wrote always of the future and advocated the federal world State and brotherhood of man. A social hour concluded the meeting, when items were given by Miss D. Mackie (organ), Mr I. B. Mackie (violin). and Mr P. K. J. Cooper (Shakespearean items). A comprehensive votr of thanks was passed to all who had helped during the season, the president making special reference to the work put into the meetings by Dr. Simpson

PRIMARY SCHOOLS , BASKETBALL

ASHBURTON EAST .WINS BOTH COMPETITIONS

The weekly competitions conducted by the basketball section of the Ash' burton Primary Schools Sports Association were completed yesterday. The Ashburton East School won both the senior and junior grades and:the Borough School .was runner-up in both' competitions.

WILLOWBY SCHOOL

REPAIRS TO SWIMMING BATH

The monthly meeting Of the Willowby School ' Committee was presided over by Mr N. H. Griffith. The chairman and Mr Turnbull reported on the recent meeting, held at Eiffelton, to form a children’s club.

The Willowby Bible classes were granted the use of the school grounds for a rally to be held on Labour Day. Mr H. I. Turnbull (head teacher) ’reported an increase in numbers on the roll. It was agreed that young trees be planted in the school grounds. The sub-committee gave a progress report on the repairing of the school baths, and the secretary was instructed to write and draw the Canterbury Education Board’s attention to the school requiring painting.

WOMENS GOLF AT ASHBURTON

Medal matches were played in conjunction with the third round of. the eclectic match by the Ashburton Women’s Golf Club yesterday. The best cards were as follow: • - Senior —Miss B. Morrow, 87, 13—74; Mrs J. M. Mcßae, 90, 14—76; Miss J. Dunlop, 94, 18—76; Miss E. Brown, 95 18^—77. Junior—Mrs W. J. Heenan, 99, 36 63; Miss W. Andrew, 105, 25—80;' Miss M. Findlay. 114. 34—80, S' \

MISSING CAR RECOVERED

DRIVER ARRESTED AT DUNSANDEL

THEFT FROM PARKING AREA AT ASHBURTON

A sedan motor-car owned by Mr Cyril J. Chapman was missed from the parking area alongside the store of Messrs Buxton and Thomas before noon yesterday, but was recovered a' Dunsahdel, where the driver, believed to be an escapee from the Borstal Institute, Invercargill, was arrested by the police. No damage was done to Mr Chapman’s car. Another car, which was stolen from Oamaru yesterday morning was recovered from the Triangle, Ashburton, by Constable T. W. Round yesterday shortly after Mr ChapmanV car was reported missing.

CORRESPONDENCE IN NEWSPAPER

ACTION OF CHAIRMAN

QUESTIONED

EXCEPTION TAKEN BY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER

Strong exception to the action of the chairman (Mr H. Watts) in publishing a letter about the amalgamation of the Ashburton High and Technical High Schools in the correspondence columns of a newspaper, and signing himself as chairman of the board, was taken by Dr. A. L, Jones at the meeting of the Ashburton Technical High School Board of Managers last evening. Dr. Jones said that some years ago it had been agreed that all members of the board should refrain from the publication of such letters unless they had the full sanction of the board. Mr Watts used the phrase “my board,” thereby committing all members. The speaker said he did not wish to imply that he disagreed with the contents of the letter, but he took, strong exception'to the principle. Such letters led only to disharmony and biased criticism for both of the school boards concerned.

“If the subject is of sufficient importance to warrant the publication of a letter in the newspapers, it is surely sufficiently important to merit the calling of a meeting of the board to sanction such a publication." continued Dr. Jones. He added that he realised that there were some cases in which the chairman should be left to use his own initiative, but in a matter of such importance he regretted that the chairman had left the board open to adverse criticism. It was not right to enter a newspaper controversy without the consent of members when it was a question of the policy of the board. “We are being robbed of our prestige and dignity,” concluded Dr. Jones. Mr Watts said he had no apology to make. He had been taken to task about his previous statements by the newspaper and he took the opportunity to explain his attitude. Dr, Jones said that the newspaper comment was not made personally to him, but as chairman of the board.

TINWALD CRICKET

CLUB

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The annual meeting of the Tinwald Cricket Club was held in the Tinwald Town -Hall on Wednesday evening when the president (Mr R. Pearce) presided over a large attendance. The annual report stated that the club had had a-successful season, the foarp being well up in the competition. The finances of the club were in s sound position. A game had been played at Tinwald against the Walthanr Club (Christchurch). Three. Junior members of the club were included in the county junior representative team. 1 __ ... The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron. Mr H. B. Milllchamp; S resident, Mr W. Hockings; captain. Mr Hulme; secretary and treasurer, Mr E, E. Bell; delegate to the Ashburton County Cricket Association, Mr J Hardie. . , ~ It was decided to enter a “team in the junior competition of the Ashburton Countv Cricket Association.

CRICKET CLUB AT

COLDSTREAM

ONE TEAM TO BE ENTERED IN ASHBURTON COMPETITION

A decision to enter one team in the Ashburton Cricket, Association’s junior competition was made at the annual meeting of the Coldstream Cricket Club on Tuesday evening. The chairman (Mr M. Tilson) presided. The balance-sheet showed a satisfactory credit balance. x J . ~ Officers were elected as follow: — Patron* Mr D. S. Studholme; presi-. dent. Mr W. Armstrong: vice-presi-dents, Messrs H. Simmons, W. McKeague, D. Mcßae, and J.Hare; captain. Mr E. H, Gibbs; vice-captain, Mr F, Clarke; committee, Messrs W. Tilson, E. Cross; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr G. H. McKenzie; delegate to Ashburton Cricket Association, Mr Cross, /- It was agreed to put down a concrete pitch with the, consent of Mr Studholme. Grants were received from Messrs H. Simmons and A. D. McKenzie. It was decided to open the season on October 5.

WILLOWBY MISSIONARY AUXILIARY V

Mrs W. W. Avery presided at the monthly meeting of. .the Willowby Methodist Circuit - Women’s Missionary Auxiliary held at the home of Mrs R. J. Chapman. Mr. E. W. Harrison read the Scripture lesson. Sympathy with Mrs John Parsons in the death of her mother was expressed. Mrs C; E.-Roberts and Miss Dorothy Roberts sang a duet, “The Old Rugged telling of the conditions under which missionaries work were read from Sisters Atawhia, Wilcox, Lina Jones. JEffie Harkness, and Merle Farland. Mrs Avery spoke on personal experiences among the native peoples of Papua. v

SOCIAL EVENING AT

LYNDHURST

A social evening, organised by the Lyndhurst Social Committee., was held in the hall. Competitions, which were controlled by Mr R. Rule, were won by Mrs J. J- Reesby, Mrs Knox Cook Mr A. A. Leonard, and Mr E. Stone.

WOMEN’S BOWLING SECTION

RECOMMENDATION TO SPORTS CLUB AT ALLENTON

The formation of a women’s division of the bowling section of the Allenton Sports Club will be recommended to. the general executive, according to the decision of the bowling committee at a recent meeting. Mr E. S. .Chambers (chairman) presided. The proposed subscription for women players is £l, which will entitle them to play any time except evenings, Saturdays, and public holidays, when a large attendance of men members is expected. The committee will also recommend that all subscriptions be raised 5s to meet increased working costs. Top-dressing of all the lawns at the club’s grounds is well advanced. The bowling and tennis lawns have been completed and improvements to the croquet lawns are being made. Two new shelters are being erected on the croquet lawn.

BIRTHDAY PARTY AT GREENSTREET

The fourth birthday party of .the Greenstreet branch of the Women's Division of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union was held recently. Items were given by Mesdames McArthur, and Roitee. Miss Shearer, Mrs J. Gregory, and Miss Hill won the competitions. Mrs Johnson cut the birthday cake. Mrs Johnson gave a report on the Dominion conference and ou the women’* education week held at Christchurch.

NATIONAL PARTY

WOMEN’S SECTION MEETS AT WESTEBFIBLD

A well-attended meeting of the women’s section of the LagmhorWesterfleld branch of the New Zealand National Party was held at Westerfield on Wednesday afternoon. The president (Miss H. Arnold) presided.

The 'meeting opened with the singing of the New Zealand National Anthem by Mrs D. Shaw, after which Mrs J. £. McKay, of Christchurch (provincial organiser for the party), gave an interesting address on the principles of the party. Ten new members were enrolled.

DANCE HELD AT ASHBURTON

There was an attendance of about 500, including many visitors from country districts, at the dance conducted under the auspices of the Ashburton branch of the National Party at the Radiant Hall, Ashburton, on Wednesday evening. .

Mr A. N. Grigg, National candidate for Mid-Canterbury, and Mrs Grigg, who spoke briefly, were enthusiastically received. Novelty dances were held, and items were given by Miss Gladys Bushell’s dancing pupils. The music was played by Debourn’s orchestra, and Mr N. Chambers was master- of ceremonies.

„ 'C.-Nash gave an address on Seeds at the weekly luncheon of the Ashburton Rotary Club yesterday Mr R. McGiUivray: Canterbury distnct superintendent of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture, visited Ashburton, yesterday.

CHIMNEY FIRE AT dj ALLENTON 4J

TJie Allenton Volunteer Fire Brigade received a call to a fire in a chinaig;-: at the residence of Mr E.' Ede. 11* J Alford Forest road, Ashburton, aboata 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The fire wWi' extinguished without any damage be-,' ing done. - • r

LYNDHURST TENNIS CLUB|

The annual meeting of the hurst Lawn Tennis Club was held re* cently. Mr C. C. Winn, president, pf*' sided. The annual report showed that the club *had had a very successful year. The balance-sheet showed a very' satisfactory credit balance both in th* general and pavilion funds. Three new members were nominated. The opening day was fixed for October 8. The following officers were elected- ■ Patron. Mr W. Cook; ‘ president. Mis* ■ Rudd; vice-president, Mr R. Rule; hon- r orary secretary, Mr L. Molloy; hon- . orary treasurer, Mr K. Cook; captain.: : Mr J. LUley; vice-captain. Miss M- \ Cook; auditor, Mr G. Lilley, commit tee. Mrs Symes, Missies Jean Gilmour. - Marjorie Cretney. Isabel Cretney. Messrs C. C. Winn, R. Ruddenklau. and-’ A. Stewart.. . :