THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16962, 11 October 1920, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Fanners. At a meeting of drovers, dealers, and stock agents, Beld at Kaikoura, it was unanimonsly resolved: "That tho stock agents be notified that drovers considered 30s pelday ehould be the minimum pay for competent drovers." "That the stock agents bo requested to arrange for improved facilities for trucking sheep at In regard to tho latter motion, 'it was pointed out that tho drovers were compelled to push the trucks after a certain hour at Parnassus, and that often it took as many as six men to movo a truck. Residents at Parnassus ha.d intimated that they would no longer assist in this work, and it was impossible for the drovers to do it.

OXTOBD. A meeting of the Oxford W.C.T.U. was held in the Coronation Hall, to celebrate tho ninth birthday of the Oxford Union, and also in honour or Franchise Day, the twenty-sixth auniversary of tho granting of women's franchise in New Zealand. A resolution was passed, members standing, expressing sympathy with tho relatives of the late Mrs T/Mehrtens, at one time a member of tho Union. Resolutions were also passed expressing sympathy with Mrs Gainsford and Mrs Roi,' in their illness, and with Mrs C. Zimmerman, whose son met with an accident. Somo extracts from an article by Lady Astor, M.P., wore road by the president. Mrs F. Tritt gave an excellent account or the recent proTincial convention, and received a vote of thanks. the rainfall for September -was 7.31 in. Rain fell on 12 days, tho heavy falls m the last two weeks being responsible for 3.09 in and 3.14 in respectively. Tho season is very backward, and feed generally is scarce.

RANGIOBA. Professor Condliffe and Professor Shelley, of Canterbury College, visited "Rangiora on Friday and addressed a public meeting on "The Extension or Education in tho Country Districts, I and also on tho aims and objects of the i Workers' Educational Association. Ihe Mayor (Mr C. I. Jennings) presided over a fair attendance. The speakers were accorded a hearty vote of thanks for their able addresses. At the close or 1 the - meeting the following committee I was appointed to deal with, and further; i the interests of University .education.iia the countryV-Misses Turner and Lace, the Rev. L. A. Kjiight, and ! Messrs C. I. Jennings, W. A'..Banks,. J.. E. Strachan, R-. Ball. T. W. Ambrose, W L. Murray, and Hutchison. It was decided. to form a branch oi; the Workers' Educational Association in the district, and the fallowing were appointed a committee: —Messrs J. Jy Straehan, W. L. Murray, W. A. Banks T W Ambrose, C. I. Jennings, and Hutchison. . ;Mr Nqol Goldsbury was appointed secretary. :■

KAIAPOL Tlie St. Andrew's Caledonian Society's final winter social was tho 3>riU Hall, Kaiapoi, on Jnday evening, and was verv largely attended, by members and their rriends, whu siient an enjoyable evening in dancing ynd progressive euchre. In the card tournament the prize-winners were Mrs W. Hiirt and Mr Silk. I>u"°g. , th « evening an exhibition of Highland dancing was given by pupils who (had been trained by Miss l>rncio Turner and Mr R. Ctirrie, Mr "W*. Johnston© acting as piper. ' A Rugby football match was played at Kaiapof Park on Saturday afternoon between Kaiapoi and Technical College, and resulted in a win for Kaiapoi by 31 points to 9.

HOKNBY-ISLINGTON. On the anniversary of the unveiling of their roll of honour, the scholars of the Hornby school paid an effective tribute to the memory of the ex-pupils of tho school who had fallen in the great war by festooning the monumental tower "with a large number of "wreaths and flowors. Appropriate hymns were vung, and addresses were given by the Rev. Mr Sinclair, Messrs McDonald, Wright, Powell, and tho chairman of the school committee, Mr Holmes. Apologies were received from Mr Witty, M.P., and tho Rev. Mr York. The children accorded a vote of thanks to those who had so kindly assisted them to pay their respect to all whose names are perpetuated on the roll of honour.

AEABOA. On Wednesday night, the OddfolloWß , Hall was crowded with an enthusiastic audience that watched, -with iho wannest appreciation, the performance of a Japanese operetta, "The Princess Chrysanthemum." The main characters were: 'The Emperor," Miss Louise IVarsley: "The Princess. ,, Miss Lucy Julius;" Princ-e So-Tnr, Miss Myrtlo Bell: Princn So-Sli, Miss Ixirna Armstrong; the Lord High Chamberlain, Mi?s Nancy Bell: Fairv Moonbearu, i\[i<s Muriel McAliece; To-To, MLss Marjorio Hall; Yum Yura, Mias Barbara Jacobson; I)u Uu, Miss Kathleen Penlington ; Tu Lip, Miss Elsio Keepan : and Sauct-r Eyes., tho Wizard Cat, Master Keith Wilson. The brunt of the work was borne fay the Misses itearsley, Julius, Nancy and Myrtle Bell, and Armstrong, and Master Keith Wilson, all of whom played their parts in very creditable style, Miss Dean-ley being * especially noticeable. Li tile groups of winsome girls, charmingly arrayed, made dainty fairies and sprite, whose light and peaceful dancinc proved distinctly offective Tbo choruses went with *a sprightly" swing that told of diligent rehearsal and capable tuition. The dresses and the staging' wore alike admirably adapted for tho purpose, and gave a pleasing finish to one of the nios-t successful and brightest amateur affairs that Akaroa's local talent has yet staged. To Airs Julius, who trained the performers, and who conductal throughout, the Mayor, Mr Oeo. Armstrong, during an interval, conveyed the hea-rty appreciation

of the large audience , for a most- enjoyable evening's entertainment. Mr? C. HaU acted as accompanist. and some mention should be mado of the •weird and wonderful performances of the "Japanese ,, JaTz Band. At tho last meeting of tho Akaroa District Higli School Committee, it was decided to recommend Miss Goodey'e to tho Board for appointment as xssistant-raistress in tho primarv department. The Board wroto stating that no relieving teacher was available. Tho committee considered the position needed immediate attention, as the junior department would bo without the semees of a certificated teacher for a, month. Tho headmaster's report stated thai the attendance among the infants and lower standards was scrionsly affected by tho prevalence of measles a-nd influenza. The roll number was: primary department 14S, and secondary department 24.

•RATTATA At the weekly shoot of the- Rakaia Miniature Rifle Club, a competition was held for a trophy presented by Mr the elnb button, X. A. Oliver, handicap 1, and W. J. Lee. handicap '2, tied, with total «x>res of 68. Tho fmal is to be shot off next week. For tiro club hotty button, A. A. Oliver, H. Cromie, and C Jessop tied, and in the shoot-off tbp first-named won. It was announced that Mr G. E. Cnrrey had given a trophy, value £1 Is, to ho jhr>t for thia season.

Oomplainte have rvcontij - been made by landowners fronting tho Rakaia river-bed, of cattle breaking in from tho river and doing damage Mr H. J. Harrison' .stated on Thursday that he had looked into the matter, "and ferand that, with the exception of an area, east of the bridge, used for slaughter- j house purposes, no jmo had any lease J of the river-bed. " ]

A movo is again being made to see if something cannot be done to end the present • dangerous stale of the railway reserve near tho station. The Hoad Board has decided to write to the Hon. Sir Heatpn Rhodes on the matter. The Rakata station is peculiarly placed in that it cannot be reached without trespassing, and the alleged road crossing the rails in. the heart of the township is not a public road at all. At night-time the huge ditches on the unfoneed railway property aro a constant source, of dnnger.

OERAiDOTE. The anniversary of the Geraldino* Presbyterian Church was colebiatod by a largely attended soiree held in tho Drill Hall. After tea tho choir sang the ''Tβ Deum," and tho Ttev. J. Dawson Mad ill apologised for the absence of tlie'Rpv. J. FeaUherslon, of the Methodist Church, who was indisposed. Mr M&dill cave a brief address, and the Mayor, Mr B. R. Macdonald, congratulated the members on their successful anniversary. The Rev. Harold Pnrchas (Anglican Church) said, as a newcomer, it gave him g r eat pleasure to be present. The Prcsbyterinns had a great histoTy behind them, and ho had a great "admiration for the writings of Presbyterians. The Anglicans also wore proud of their Church ; they' loved their Ptnyor-book, and would not liko to part with it. What they should endeavour to do was to let their points of agreement predominate. The R<n*. Mr Falconer, of Pleasant Point, gave an address specially appealing to young men and women. Captain Allow, of tho Salvation Army, and Mr Anderson, home missionary, also gave addresses. During tbp evening songs were contributed by Misa Gillies, Messrs Gimson, Chapman, and Ghrdon, a pianoforte duet by the Misses iSnerratt, nnd a clarinet solo by Mr Crowe, with Mrs Crowe as accompanist. On the motion of Mr N. Campbell a-vote of thanks was accorded to all who 'had assjßted.