THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16284, 7 August 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

kaikoura. Spring weather is prevailing at present, although there was a mild frost yesterday "morning. At the Magistrate's Court on Monday, before Messrs G. Renner and J. Boyd, J.P-'s, James Cootos, charged with disorderly conduct whilst drunk, was fined 20s- At his own request a prohibition order "was issued against A meeting of the executive of the War Relief Association was held on Monday. Present —Mr J. Monk (chairman), the Rev. W. McAra, and Messrs W Cooke. J. Davidson, and >.. u. .McDonald. Correspondence in relation to assisting returned soldiers and soldiers dependants was dealt with, and several 1 grants made. Messrs McAra and Davidson and the secretary were appointed a sub-comnntteo to draw up an •estimate of the calls for monetary assistance, etc., made upon the Association, and to submit a report. The reception and Send-off Committee was heartilv thanked for i^ s P services, i and asked to continue in office. It was ! left to tho secretary to arrange for the annual meeting after the books nad been audited. The acting-secretary (Mr W. S. Goodall) was heartily thanked for his services. Tho auxiliary Bchooner Gisborne put into Kaikoura on Saturday short of stores. She left Wellington ten days previously for Dunedin. She was revictualled locally and resumed her voyage yesterday. , . An enthusiastic meeting was held 111 tho County Council Chambers on Monday, at which the resolution affirming determination to see the war through to a successful issue was earned unanimously. Mr F. Monk, County chairman, presided, and moved the motion, which Mr Rcnner warmly seconded, while the Rev. C. H. Saunders, the Rev. W. McAra, Mr Jas. Davidson, and Mr T. Harl gave it eloquent support. Tho motion was carried with cheers. The Rev. W. McAra moved: This meeting expresses its sincero convicI tion that it would bo a crime to discuss terms of peace now or. at any future time with tho Kaiser and his war lords; they are criminals of tho deepest dye, and in the interests of humanity ought to be dealt with as such, but that duly I electcd representatives of tho people 'should take part in the discussion of terms of peace on democratic principles we deem to bo right and reasonable. This motion was seconded pro forma by Mr F. Hay ward. The Rev, Saundors, Mr H. L. Wilson, Mr T. Harle, Mr Boughton, and Mr Rcnner- spoko to tho motion. Whilo accepting it on basic lines, they expressed hesitancy about tho concluding portion. The motion was carried without dissent. Mr Renner moved to tho effect that Great Britain and her Allies should prevent Germany gaining dominance in. the Pacific Ocean. Tho motion was seconded by the Rev. C. F. Saunders, supported by Mr T. Harlo, and carried unanimously. The Rev. Father Kelly manifested his sympathy with the primary object of the meeting by attending and taking a seat with the chairman. A meeting of householders m the town school district was hold on Monday, Mr Renner presiding, to consider whether or not the school should cbntinuo open owing to the fact that more cases of diphtheria had been reported, After discussion it was earriod, on the motion of Mr F. H. Mower, seconded by Mr Osmond, that the school should continue open, but in the event of two or more cases arising among school children, tho committee would lio justified in closing the school. On, the motion of Mr Boughtort, seconded by Mr C. Nilseri, the following resolution was carried with complete ' unanimity:— "That in the opinion of this meeting quarantine.. regulations in connexion with diphtheria have not been properly enforced in Kaikoura by tho Health authorities, and this meeting respectfully requests the Education Board to confer with the Chief Health Officer to the end that the quarantine conditions shall bo properly enforced in future"

WAIAU. At a woll-attendcd meeting of citizens at Waiau on Monday afternoon, at which Mr J. Mcßryde presided, the patriotio resolution was moved by Mr H. T. Beaven, seconded by Mr G. W. Aldridge, and carried unanimously, after which a verse of "God Savo the King" was sung.

METHVEN

In the various churches on Sunday, and at special children's services in tho afternoon, references were made to the war but tho resolution was not put in view of tho public meeting next day. A united service was held on feunday morning, when the Rev. G. W. Aitken (Presbyterian) and Mr Vickers (Methodist) gavo addresses appropriate to the day. In tho public hall on Monday evening, a public meeting was held for the purpose of carrying the- war resolution, Mr W. Morgan was in tho chair. Tho Methven Glee Club opened the proceedings by singing the National Anthem, after which the chairman delivered a stirring address, and called on Mr W W. Goodman, chairman of tho Mount' Hut t Road Board, the resolution, which was seconded by Mr Henry Maginness. Certificates provided by the Methven Patriotic Committee were then presented to the following returned soldiers: —A. McLeod, John Gunn, Thomas Hawthorne, R. Mollov, Charles Clecve, James Thompson, Green, George Richards, C. Church, and S. Cooke. The. motion was - then put and carried unanimously, the audieiico singing the National Anthem. Messrs W. Jeffs, D. McCrenor, James Stewart, and C. Preston, who are leaving for camp, were the recipients or gifts from the Patriotic Committee. The musical programme provided by tho following:—Methven Glee Club, Mr S. Smith, Miss J. Livingston, Miss Jessie McKay, Mr A. E. Henderson, and Miss McCulloch. .Miss E. 1. Aitken acted as accompanist. After supper the hall was cleared and dancing was indulged in, music being provided by Misses Woods and Bennett, and Mr **The meteorological report for tho month of July, supplied by Mi* Jas. Carr, Rudstone, Methven, is as iollows: —Rain and snow fell on 9 days, tne total being 331 points. To date he rainfall totals 18-2 Sin, as compared with 19.25 in for the same period m 1917, and 22.62 in in 1916.

HORORATA. At a meeting of residents on Monday afternoon, tho county chainnan, Mr K. Wilson, presiding, the patriotic resolution was carried unanimously. KAIAPOI. A meeting of the Kaiapoi branch of the Ladv Liverpool Fund was held m the W.C.T.U. rooms yesterday afternoon, Mrs Barnard presiding. letters of apology for absence were received from the president (Mr Blackwell), and Mrs Trelcaven (Christchurch). A collection taken at the door, in aid of the Sailors' Parcel Fund, amounted to £3 10s. A camisole toj> t given by Miss Shephard, realised £1 7s, and was won by Mrs Kissling. Songs were given by Mrs Crawshaw and Miss Thome, and recitations by Miss Brochrie and Mr Hirst. RANGIORA. At the Rangiora yards yesterday, Mr C. I. Jennings made an appeal for funds for parcels for New Zealanders in the Navy, and received £18. This amount, will be added to the sum of £10 raised at the patriotic meeting on Sunday.

SHEFFIELD. At the last meeting of the Patriotic Committee correspondence was read from the Bed Cross regarding tho Copper Trail, and deferred until next meeting. A correspondent wrote regarding an error made by a canvasser at'tho .lata Queen election, and on a recount being made it was found that Sheffield headed tho poll. Tho treasurer gave his quarterly report, and also submitted a statement showing receipts and expenditure since the inception of the committee. Tho receipts from the ball totalled £141 6s 6d. It was decided to hold a progressive euchro party and dance. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Johnstone for tho fnx> use of the hall.

To mark the anniversary of tho war, j a church parade took place at tho Church of England, and a large number of cadets and territorials turned out ander the command of Lieut-. J. R. Cullen. The Rev. Mr Hughes gav© a stirring address. At the Presbyterian Church the Rev. Johns spoke on the war, and at the clo6e of the service read tho declaration announcing the determination of the congregation to carry on the war to a successful termination. The National Anthem - concluded the service. SPRINGSTOX. Tho Rev. \V. Ready vi sited Sprinprston last week lor the purpose of giving a lecture, but owing to tho •veattaer conditions only a small number ourned up, and it was decided to postpone the lecture until a later date. On Saturday evening a combined meeting of tiie ladies' and men's Red Gross committees was beid in tho hall. Owing to the itev. W. Ji. Scott having left the district, Mr I. Andrew was unanimously elected chairman. After a' full discussilfei it was decided that a special Our Day appeal could not be made, as the district's annual appeal comes in October. It was agreed to make the district's appeal about the middle of September, and that a donation (according to the success of the appeal) be made to tho "Our Day" Fund. A strong committee was ret up to canvass tho various parts of the district.

Last week, while cutting down willow trees in tho river-bed at Ellesmere, Mr E. Drewcry had the misfortune to cut off three toes from one foot. The axe caught in a twig, and altered the direction of tho blow, which resulted as above. Ho was attended by Dr. Cooke, of Lincoln, and is progressing favourably. *

The weather on Saturday was more like mid-summer than the first of spring, as a very strong and warm nor'-wester blew. During the afternoon it changed to the south, and a beautiful evening resulted. Sunday was like spring till about.4 p.m., when the wind changod to the south end blew a gale. Between 8 and iO o'clock light showers, fell, but the rain cleared during tho night, and a black frost was experienced. On Monday morning the wind continued till the afternoon, when it died away. Yesterday the wind was from tho nor'west.

DARFIELD. Tho Daifield Miniature Rifle Club held a successful rainbow ball last Friday evening, the proceeds being devoted to the procuring of Christmas comforts fo!r tho local boys at the front. Upwards of. 50 couples participated , in the grand march. A guessing competition was won by Mr \V. Ready, with Mr D. Gillahdera ■ in secotid " place. The net /proceeds amounted to £22 10s, to which has' to be added- £7 0s 3d, collected at Mrs Hardie's sale at Coalgate. The music rt'as supplied by Wells's Band, with extras'by Mrs Christopherson and Mi E. Wortnington, tho last-named acting as M.C.

A.trophy was fired for by the local Miniature 'Rifle Club on Saturday evening, Mr J. Findlav .being the .-winner. Messrs ,D. Mcßeath; E. Worthington, and T. Curran tied for secoiid prize. In the sbboj>oif Mr Mcßeath won bj one • point. A hearty vote of thanks was passed at the meeting to Mr arid Mrs 15. Wortfiirigton for the success "of the ..rainbow ball. -

. : ; 's£r •"iy*." t Sanspa'' met with' a ratlior painful accident b'n ' Monday "c'venin?;'. Ho alighted ffopi the train beforo it stoppedj with a' result that he fell heavily on his' face. He was attended by Dr. Simpson, and was later .able to bo taken to his homo. He suffered slight concussion, besides being .badly brnised on the face.

The .'Rev. J. A. Brown conducted morning servico at the Darfield Presbyterian Church on Sunday,' and gave a very appropriate sermon. ; At the conclusion of the service the patriotic resolution was moved bv Mr R. Reid, seconded by Mr D. Mulholland, and carried. .. Mr "Wroth conducted war services at the Darfield and. Kimberley Anglican churches.

Miss B. Morrison's name was inadvertently omitted from those who contributed music for the dance held at the "Long Night" cards tournament in the Catholic schoolroom. The prizes were given by Messrs Worthington and Mcllraith.

AKAROA. It has been stated recently that tho Akaroa Hospital is used very jittie. it so Happens that in the last two years tuio average number of patients has been small, out tnat lias piobabiy been a macter of accident (says tno "Mail"). In tho last tew weeks the hospital has been put to a good, deal of use. It would be a great aetnment to the district if the Hospital wore done away with, and the present arrangement of having a trained nurse from, tno Onristctiurch Hospital with general experience has been an excellent ono. In many cases the nurse in charge, tnough •sho nas not any. patients absolutely on her books, does a great deal of nursing in various homes, and tho abolition of tho present arrangement would be much felt in,the community. Mr Bruce has .suggested a maternity home in connexion with the hospital. If this could bo arranged it would, no doubt, be a great benefit to tho district, but an extra nu»e to do general nursing would be rcqiiifil. In a locality which has only one doctor an . experienced nurse is'an'absolute necessity in case of any prevalence of sickness.

HAKAIA. The quarterly meeting of the Soutn Rakaia Domain Board was heid in the .Koad Board office on Monday. There were present: The Hon. (J. A. C. Hardy (chairman), Messrs L. Oxley; A. J. Magson, T. Blackley, A. J. McLean, and T. Morland. Tlio treasurer reported a balance in .hand of £10-1 6s. The chairman reported that new big gates had been hung, but the small wicket gates were in need i f repair. Some old stumps required to bo removed, and- lie suggested that next year, when firewood would very likely be in short- supplytlio pines on the south side bo cut "down. The swimming pond required cleansing of weeds. Tho tennis courts had sunk in the centre, and the fault would be troublesome to rectifv. A sum of nearly £20 was received for the sale of a tank and piping, formerlv used by the Bowling Club. A letter was received from tho Tennis and Croquet Club asking for a grant of money and presenting accounts for work done to the value of £23 lis. It was suggested that before making further grants the Board should a-sk the club for a balance-sheet of money spent The sum of £30 was voted/ Mr T. Blackley commented on the. fact that no trace of vandalism had ever been found on the ground of the bowling, croquet, or tennis clubs, this speakin" well for the youths of Rakaia. Messre Hardy and Oxley reported that for twelve months they had been considering the matter of the..appointment of a carctaker for the whole Domain, but had not been able to draw up a feasible scheme. Mr X. Blacklqy etroHglj

ugcd the employment of a man to do general work in the Domain,. and also to look after the sports grounds, the various clubs to pay subsidies towards his -wages. He- moved for a return showing the amount spent for labour in the last twelve months, and agreed to assist in drawing up a schedule of duties for a caretaker.