THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16584, 25 July 1919, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. JOTTINGS FOB FARMERS. Lambs are making their appearance in the llothorham district. HORNBY-ISLINGTON. ' The danco held in the Islington Social Hall by the returned soldiers of the difatrict proved a most enjoyable one. The hall was very tastefully decorated with flags, erergroons, and streamers. There was a very large attendance, including a great many returned men, who appeared in uniform. The members of tho Patriotic Presentation Committee were present as tho guests of the solditfrs. were opened with a grand march, ovor eighty couples taking part, after which tho National Anthem was sung. Mr Jas. Leslie, chairman of the Paparua County Council, and a member of the Presentation Committee, addressed tho soldiors, and thanked them on behalf of the committee for their invitation, and wished them every success. Mr Geo. Witty, M.P., also gave au address, " and thanked tho local soldiers for their efforts on bohalf of King and country. I>ancing was kept up till the early hours to music supplied by Messrs R. "Woods (piano), and Williamson (cornet), extras being played by Miss D. Coulter, Mrs Makeig, and Mr Parker. Songs were given by Miss Crequer, ami-Messrs Bishop and F. Lau. renson. Mr N. McGuinness acted as M.C., and Mr Geo. McNally as secretary.

AKAROA. For the last few months certain of tho babies of Akaroa and the nearer bays have boon boomed in a very effective fashion in tho interests of the AVar Memorial Fund. By means of concerts, dances, "shops,'' raffles, and sundry other methods, the partisans of the various infants have succeeded in raising substantial amounts. A "Baby Competition" was organised and run by enthusiastic • mothers, sisters, and aunts, with most satisfactory results to tne fund, at least, if not. to the onergetic workers aforesaid. Tho competition was closed on Monday afternoon, Children's Peace Day r.nd a

great baby show was ran as parV tftbe attractions at the same tun®- , all the returns were in it was thai no less than £450 bad been nused, a very handsome and most addition to the War Jond. To Mrs R. W. Shepherd, who hadproTEoted the scheme, and had 6upernsea the arrangements, a word of praisew due fo% systematic and enthnsiaswo work. The results are as Babv competition, to raise the largest amount for the fund: —Mrs f* . , Lierro's Trevier 1, Mrs C. Goodwins Jean 2. Bays'* baby class: Aileen Hunt 1, Clarence Brocherie 2. Soldiers baby class: I'eggy Martin I, Dorothy Gardiner 2. Aknroa, Class A: Beryll Jnda 1, Stanley Hay ward 2. Akaroa, Class B: Denis Jacobson 1. Olive Kingston 2. Special prize, soldiers' baby: Peter Gardiner. Bonniest baby in the show: Mrs King's infant. The Mayor distributed tho prizes to the successful babies and their parents at the Council Chambers on Tuesday afternoon. In connexion with the Peace celebrations, tho returned soldiers were entertained at dinner on Saturday ana Monday by the executive. The Mavor (Mr Geo. Armstrong) and the County Council chairman (Mr «7. R. Thacker) were present. After dinner appropriate toasts wero honoured. I

RANG I OR A. An inquest was hold at Rangiora yesterday rrorning, before Mr C. I. Jenaim < t ,s, J .P. (Acting-Corcmert, and a jury of six, of whoni Mr M. "Wright was foreman, touching tho death of Walter Alien, whose body was found in the Ashley river-bod on Wednesday. The jury returned a verdict that "Walter Allen was found drowned in the Ashley river, but there was not sufficient evidence to show how lie came by his death.

RAKAIA. Mr H. Hnydoek, of Rakaia, has been advised that his eldest son, Corponi3 Philip Havdock, is on board the Ullir ninroa, which is expected to reach .Auckland about August 6th. Corporal Maydock left- with the 6th Reinforcements, and has thus seen four years of service. Playing in a football match .at Ashburton on Wednesday, Mr V. C. McPhaif. of Rakaia. received an injurjr to tho tendons of his left leg. He was attended to by Dr. Lyons, anß will be obliged to give up play for a time. Captain and Mrs G. S. Hardy have returned to Rakaia after an in Blenheim of about two years. Captain Hardy intends visiting tho south _ before settling permanently in Rakaia. Bv the bowling alley at the Domain on Peace Day, the committee raised the sum of '£3 0s Gd.

ROICEBY. Messrs W. A. Banks (chairman), John Jamieson, A. Pererill (members), and H. C. Lane (secretary), of the Canterbury Education Board, held an enquiry yesterday into the circumstances connected with the destruction by fire of tho Itokebv school. The chairman and members of the School as trrl! as wove, si residents, were questioned, but no- ono seemed to be near tho scene when the fire occurred, and it will be a difficult matter to ascertain the cauie. A rc port cf the euqu'ry ivll be submitted t« the nest meeting of the Education Board. Arrangements have been racdo for carrying on the school in a marquee erccted on tho site of tho destroyed buildin/t until a now schoolhouse is erected.

ASH BURTON'. ■ A returned soldier named James Somerville, Weslciiield, while in Ashburton for tAo Puaeo celebrations, .had his eye badly injured bv a cracker thrown by a small boy. £to received medical attention, but it is understood he \vili liavo to consult a specialist V° Hampstoad Ton*n Board met on ucanciiday, Mr W. 11, llt.fainson pr - Htc-uiy. inc s\)m of £o os v,-as voted tne Society for tho Health of Women and Children. It,was deeided to offer the U'ttkitnui Koad Iteard the loase o7 a yiavci i-eservo ata rental of os per annum. the Hoard to ko'jy the reserve m order.

lliß lian]mooting of members of the Ashburton County Second Division U>a»uo was hold on Wednesdav, tho Mayor (Mr 11. Galbraith) presiding. VJie i-j;jort and balance-shoot, tho latter snowing; a credit balance of £8 lis , " l ' ro adopted. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Mr A. G. Mcf nrland, it was decided to wind up tho League, and that in appreciation of tho very valuable services rendered to "diggers ; in Nor,' 2(inland by tho re- • preofciuativoj of tho Salvation Army, tho balance of the branch funds be hrtnded to that organisation to bo used uu- the children in one of its orphannyL's. Mr Galbraith, in a brief address "" Itehulf of the executive, presented air 11. M. Jones with a rug as a token of the esteem in M-hicli ho was. hold by tuembers. It was decided to place on yet-ord the valuable services of Mr Dun* hain (secretary), and he was mado the resipient of a fountain pen. At the annual meeting of 'the'Anhburton High School Old Pupils' Association, Mr . Anderson, the prosid<>ul» waa in the chair. Tho members present stood in silence while the lion, fcccrotarv, Mr I r .' W. Wattcrs, read out names «f fifty former pupils of the senool who had made tho supremo sacriiico during tho war. Tho balancesheet, ;ifi fead, showed no liabilities and n credit balance of £36. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously adoptot'" The following officers were elected President,- Mr W. Anderson ; vicepresidents, Slaior K. H. Orr, D.5.0., Mr IT. O. Bell, and Mr P. B. Lloyd; lion, secretary, Mr D. C.' Cowan; lion, treasurer. Miss D. McClurg; committee, Mrs Bobiiliard, Misses Digby, McKoig, Hunmhreys, and Messrs W. £~**• Tucker, C. g. -Williams, and H. nilkinson; members of the executive resident in Chrislchnrch, Miss Jessie McGregor, and Mr £>. P. McCaJhim. The chairman expressed, the opinion that the purchase and the formation of a new sports' ground would bo a fitting memorial for the old pupils to provide in honour of those who had fallen, and he thought the nnresiary funds could be failed for the piirDose. Mr Walters said tho present pupils' memorial would tako the form of a common room and a. library. Tt- was unanimously decided to hold a lug welcome home to all old pnnils of tho school who had been on active serviff*. It wns resolved to communicate with tho Board of Governors to the effect that the time had arrived when the Old Pupils' Association should bo represented on the Board.

GERALDIXE. On Wednesday afternoon the annual meeting of the Home and Empire Leaguo was held, Mrs Hislop president) being in the chair. Tho balancesheet showed that the League had handled close on £10.000. Qf this 07er £3-500 was spent on material made up by the ladies. There was a credit balance of £1227. It was 'resolved to contribute £200 to the "War Ilelief Society, and £50 for the relief of sailors. The Executive Committee was reelected.