MID-CANTERBURY NEWS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22517, 27 September 1938, Page 9

MID-CANTERBURY NEWS

TOWN HALL

EARLY ERECTION URGED

> COMPETITIONS SOCIETY'S

REQUEST

A request that the council should proceed with the building of a town jail was conveyed in a letter to the M>urto n Borough Council last evenfiSWiom the Ashburton Competitions

The let.cr. signed by the secretary (Mi C. J. McEachen). stated, "At our Jast committee meeting a lon<* dis .cession took place on the detrimental effect on our society's activities bemuse of the lack of a suitable theatre Other societies are seriously hampered and some have had to cease operations. It was resolved to ur« e the council to proceed with the proposal to buila a suitable town hall. Nearly all towns of a similar size to Ashburton have their own town hall and are not dependent on privately owned fcuiMiner- 1 trust something definite will be done in the near future and lhat a suitable theatre will be available for our next festival." The letter was received and discussed in committee, no statement being released for publication There were present at the meeting the Mayor (Dr. G. I. Miller) Crs R. Kerr. E. Buchanan, S. Mitchell H W. K. Smallbone, H. W. Sherratt' a' H. Fenn. J. Shaw. S. Osborne' J Thompson, and Dr. J. Connor. Financial Statement

The financial statement showed that receipts since the last meeting totalled £1157 17s lOd, rates accounting for £197, rents £67, water supply £65. abattoir fees £114; heavy traffic fees £72, unemployment wages refund £570.

The Ashburton Mail and Guardian Company, Ltd, asked the council to close Burnett street between the Ashburton Club and M.S.A., and the Somerset right-of-way to vehicular traffic between 6 p.m. on election day and 2 o'clock the following morning, for the display of election results The request was granted. » Mr W. Williams, of Christchurch. applied for a stand for a pie and coffee stall in Ashburton. The Mayor said there were two stalls in the town at present On the motion of Crs. Thompson and Mitchell, it was decided to reply that no further permits would be granted. The Ashburton Gala Committee sought permission to make a charge lor admission to the Domain Oval on Labour Day, October 24. The application was granted. The Canterbury Centennial Exhibition Court Executive wrote asking the council to appoint two delegates to the executive.

It was decided that a public meeting be called in conjunction with the Ashburton County Council to form an Ashburton centennial exhibition court committee to see that the productivity of the Ashburton County was adequately represented in the Canterbury court at the exhibition. The Ashburton High School was granted permission to use the Domain oval on October 4 for the boys' annual athletic sports meeting. The report of the inspector said that *ix building permits totalling £6467 had been issued since the last meeting. A total of 20 motor-drivers' licences had also been issued, making a total of 1088 since the beginning of the new licensing year. ■ % Demolition of Chapel ; On the recommendation of the reserves committee it was agreed to demolish the chapel at the cemetery because of its infestation with borer, and that the office occupied by the jexton be used for burial services.

' The inspector (Mr J. R. Richard*on> •was authorised to interview all property owners who had failed fo connect their premises with the underground drainage. The domain curator (Mr D. H. Leigh) reported on work carried out during the last fortnight and recommended that the children's sand pit \>e ■ extended to an area of 24 feet square. The recommendation was adopted. ' It was decided to defer the erection of the new curator's lodge until next year. • Advice was received from the Department of State Housing that it had agreed to the council's suggestion to continue Tancred street through the State housing block at the corner of Beach road and Cambridge street. The request of the New Zealand Defence League that a branch be lormed at Ashburton was" held over Until the visit of the Dominion organiser of the movement;

WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

ASHBURTON The monthly meeting of the Ashburton Women's Institute was held in the Catholic Club rooms. One new member was elected. Mesdames Dickens •nd Walker were elected delegates to the Mid-Canterbury Federation meeting at Methven in October. Members Were reminded of the flower show on Friday next in the Radiant Hall. Miss S. Bobbins, the Association for Country Education tutor, gave an address on loitre and its prevention. Competitions resulted:—Book cover: Mrs Breeze 1. Pickles: Mrs Hines 1, Mrs Breeze 2. Nightdress: Miss Porter 1. Mrs S. P. Andrew 2. Bloom: Mrs Hayston 1. Truss: Mrs Amos 1.

RUGBY UNION

ASHBURTON MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE RANFURLY SHIELD MATCH REVIEWED A comprehensive report of the Ranfurly Shield match at Invercargill last Saturday in which Ashburton narrowly lost its challenge to Southland was presented by the manager (Mr N. Robilliard) at the meeting of the management committee of the Rugby Union last evening. Mr Robilliard spoke highly of the individual efforts of all members of the team and expressed appreciation of the hospitality shown by the Southland Rugby Union. The performance of the Ashburton team was described as a moral victory by Mr E. S. Chambers, in moving the adoption of the report. Numerous telegrams of congratulation on the effort of the team were read from former officers, kindred unions, and other organisations in all parts of Canterbury. The report and balance-sheet to be presented at the annual meeting of the Ashburton Sports Association on October 6 were submitted. Messrs Robilliard and G. V. Furby were appointed to represent the union at the meeting.

It was decided to apply for four grounds at the domain for football next season.

The recommendations published in •The Press" yesterday, made by the special committee to investigate the classification of teams in the lower grades, were read to the committee. No comment was made as it was agreed that the report be circulated to clubs and a- special general meeting be called on October 10 to consider the proposals, which included the inauguration of a fifth grade competition.

It was reported that the representative matches between Ashburton and Ellesmere, which were to have been played next Saturday, had been cancelled because there were no grounds available at Leeston.

Technical Oid Boys was declared the winning team in the third grade competition.

A profit of £1 13s 8d on the annua ball was reported.

WOMEN'S DIVISION OF FARMERS' UNION

RUAPUNA BRANCH The monthly meeting of the Ruapuna Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held recently. Mrs Clifford presided. Final arrangements were made for the bay at the Ashburton Women's Institute flower show. on September 30. Mrs Moore and Mrs King will be in charge. Monthly competitions resulted as follows:—-Cookery: Mrs Conway 1, Mrs Clifford 2. Sewing: Mrs Sewell 1, Mrs Moore 2. Knitting: Mrs Sewell 1, Mrs Moore 2, Mrs Clifford 3. Bloom: Mrs Clifford 1, Mrs Sewell 2, Mrs R. W. Holland 3. Spring flowers: Mrs Sewell 1, Miss Boaler 2, Mrs Conway 3. Vegetable: Mrs R. N. Holland 1, Miss Boaler 2. Hosteses were Mrs R. W. Holland and Mrs L. Bennett.

MAYFIELD CHURCH SERVICES

The services throughout the Presbyterian parish were conducted on Sunday by Mr A. J. McEldowney, superintendent of the Presbyterian Social Service Association. At the close of the services retiring collections were taken up in aid of the association.

Bishop West-Watson conducted the service in St.-Mary's Anglican Church, Mayfield, on Sunday, and dedicated the new vestry. -He later left for Mount Somers to confirm candidates from Mayfield, Ruapuna, Anama, and Mount Somers.

MAYFIELD TENNIS CLUB OPENS The Mayfield Tennis Club opened its season on Saturday in fine weather. Visitors were present from the surrounding districts, and friendly games were played. Mr G. A. Meikle, captain of the club, declared,the courts open. ! MINIATURE RIFLES WEEKLY SHOOT AT . DORIE I There was a good attendance at the I weekly shoot of the Dorie Miniature I Rifle Club, held in the Ardamine Hall. The No. 16 trophy was won by G. Butler, and the club's cash prize for second place by L. Gardiner . The scores were as follows: —G. Butler (6), 65, 68, 64, 68; L. Gardiner (6), 67 67, 67, 62; A. Farquharson (7), 63. 64, 62; R. Butler (9), 64,59; R. Kingsbury (scr), 70, 65; M. Scott (scr), 65; C. Scott (1), 66; K. Muckle (7), 62; R. Muckle (1), 67; J. Baxter (1), 67; V. Blackburn (7), 59; O. Sprott (3), 66; J Beard vScr), 67; D. Harrison (1), 6o: L. Kingsbury (scr) 69; B. Kingsbury (scr) -69; B. McKie (1), 67. . RAKAIA BAND OF HOPE The monthly meeting of the Rakaia Band of Hope was held in. the St. Mark's schoolroom recently. Mr S. Wilson presided. ~„•»»» The speaker was Mr M. H. McFarlane, of Ashburton. Items were given by Mrs J.~Palmer (recitation), Phyllis Crossley (piano solo), Ronald Hamilton (violin solo). Keith Gibson (mouthorgan solo), Doreen Pluck (song), Keith Gibson and R. Cornelius (duet), Betty Barnes (song), Eric Behrns (mouth-organ selection), R. Hamilton (piano solo), Eric Behrns and David Cornelius (duet). Recitations eiven bv Dawn Cromie. Nola Street, Errol Hardy, Keith Gibson Fay Shannon, Peter Crossley, and Phyllis Crosslev Selections were given by the Young People's Christian Temperance Union choir, and a one-act play by Fay Shannon. Dawn Cromie, and Nola Street The accompanists were Misses Enid Saunders and Rosina Pluck. BOROUGH FOREMAN RESIGNS The resignation of Mr D. T. Gibson, foreman of works for the Ashburton Borough Council, because of ill-health, was received with regret by the council last evening. • The Mayor (Dr. G. I. Miller) paid a- tribute to the work of Mr Gibson as one of the most conscientious workers the council had ever employed. Mr R Kerr, chairman of the works committee, said that Mr Gibson had been in the employ of the council for 38 years, serving for 15 years as foreman. During that period he had had no holidays, and had always taken a keen interest in all departments of the

council's activities. He moved that a bonus of six months' salary be given Mr Gibson on his retirement. Many members eulogised Mr Gibson's work, and the bonus was granted unanimously. MAINTENANCE OF RESERVES

COUNCIL REQUESTED TO TAKE CONTROL

A request from the Advance Ashburton Association that the Ashburton Borough Council take over the maintenance of all its reserves and plots as the association intended to dispense with its maintenance man, was received by the council last evening, when it was agreed that the Mayor (Dr. G. I. Miller) and Mr 72. Buchanan (chairman of the reserves committee) should wait on the association to discuss the position. The Mayor said he that the Advance Ashburton Association had a credit of £3OO, and he did not know what was the intention of the association about that. If all the reserves were taken over, another man would be required on the council's staff. "There is no guarantee that the association will keep going—it 'is pretty shaky now," said Mr J. Thompson,