THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17019, 16 December 1920, Page 10

THE COUNTRY.

— *— — OXTOKD. The dry .weather of the beginning of the niontlij intensified by the persistent nor'-westors, created a serious aspect. Cereal crops wero prematurely running, and sheep* feed was becoming scarce! The hay cror> promises to be very light, the undergrowth being scanty. The rain that fell on Saturday night, .68in, had a reviving effect, and probably soted the situation.."Tho ground has become very hard and cracked, and a day's rain- would not be unwelcome. The pubjic meeting convened by the Oxford Benevolent and Progress League for tho purpose of organising schools' sports on Eoxing Day was well attended. Committees, were set jiip to mako arrangements, nnd u long programme of events for both boys and girls was com- i piled, as well as various novelty events. I The socretar3' was instructed to write to the Railway Traffic Manager to request , that tho trnins stop at Pear-son, Park, 1 and be he'd back in the afternoon. | At the closing session of the cookery ; classes, held at Oxford there were conilietitions for , -, prizes presented by the W.C.T.U., and'by Mrs.Reynolds. There was a great number of competitors, and some good cooking was shown. Mrs R. .Tiidson acted as judge. In many cases • the .girls had to work two at a board, and therefore .the results were not for individual effort.- The following is the' prize list:—Secondary Department: Pastry, S. Horn 1, L. Rossiter 2; pikelets, 0. Manning 1, E. Newport ' 2. Primary Schools: Sponge. E. Higginson and T. Bitme-nd 1, K. Wotborspoon 2; scones. M. Frahm nnd E. Clarke 1, E. Baxter and A. MeCahon 2; broad, M. "Wells and D. M.nrsh 1, I. Jamieson 2. The parents of the pupils were invited to the display nnd were entertained at afternoon ten. In presenting the nrisces Mrs "RvfJo. Tiresident of tho "W.C.T.IT., referred to the imijnrtnnci; of p-ood fookine in i onui?ng dome«tio happiness. She. the pur-'ls on th<> frond work they Ind done, and promised prizes Tor their work nest year. OUST. The children's fanry dress ball in connexion 'with tibe lo"-al school was held in the Institute Hall. Cust, and was a hpgo success. The dresses worn by the children wero artistically dcsisrnod, nnd had a brilliant effect in thr? Grand March. There was a largo attendance of parents and oUlicrs to witness the i/oriorniance of the children, which was a most creditable one. LEESTON. A social evening was held in the Catholic Hall at Leeston to farewell Mr | and. Mrs R. G. Power,-who are removing to Nelson after residing at Leeston for ten years. Mr Power was unfortunately'not able to be present through illness. * Musical and other items were given by Mrs Kldridge, Misses Austin /and IJoflcy, and Messrs Owens, Austin, Watson, Eccleton, Mclntyre, and Bendall. Mrs Marshall and Mr Mcßrydo played for a dance. The Rev. Father Creed expressed regret that Mr Power was unable to be present and rdferred to tiie loss the district and church would sustain by the departure of Mr and Mrs Power. It was intended to send a case of cutlcrv to Mr and Mrs Power. On behalf of Southbridge and Leeston parishioners. Mr J. P. McEvedy a.sked Father Creed to accept, on behalf of Father Long, a sum of money,-as an appreciation of Father Long's work in the parish during Father Creed's abicncf; through illness. ' All the members were present at the | monthlv meeting of the Leeston School Committee. Rev. "W. Laycock presiding. ! Tlie head teacher reported that the at- | tendance was still being seriously af- ■ foUed by prevailing illnesses. The roll j iiitml'ur was and the number on the j roKiHt.cr 70 It was reported that satis- ! j factory progress was being made with | I the work of clearing a section, recently

acquired by tha Board of Educatiaß/«* sclibor* use.' It was decided to -present the school prizes, at a i'unctiottllj' W school ground. SHEFFIELD. A gift afternoon for St. Saviour's Orphanage was held in the Sheffield Bomain on Saturday last, resulting in tha very creditablo total of 221b of-butter, 29 dozen eggs, 17 tins and jars of jara •and honey, cakes, elotOios, and produce, , together "with £2 8s in cash, the.gifts coming from Sheffield, Annat, Wnddington; also from Springfield and D«rfield. Afternoon tea was provided by tho Indies of St. Ambrose Church, Sheffield. SOUTH MALVEKN. - On Saturday the children of Glentunnel ech.ool gavo.a.coimt in aid ol the school prize fund and library, in tho i produce shed, Coalgate. An excellcnl [ programme was presented, the liuiwr-, ous items receiving the w ell-mcrited ap-» -preci-ation of ihe audience. The concert I was'opened by the singing of the Olen-. tunnel school song, afLen which the ! pupils of tho, infant room contributedsome daintv and graceful items, 'lw' Mary" (Miss Tassio Tadd), "The Gardc:i Song, "Clouds and Sunbeams. ' UK for tho Holidays," and "Lullaby".bein<* esnecially worthy of mention. Misses "Adeline Pollard and I. fcaP; pely/ -with Master T. Hannah, acW dharmingly in "The Lovely Princess. Standards I. and 11. contributed two pretty action sours, "Silver Form" ana { 'Will You \V;;!k:-'.' Misses Eunice find Adelino Pollard contributed graceful dances. The pupils of the upper standards gave several action songs ami choruses, including "Christmas HollJ Bt-rrios," ''Old Mother Hnbbnjd, "feix Jelly Tars." "Ten Little Boys," "tlicre Goes An Old JVonian,. and "Havmakers." A dialogue was given by "Miss G. Nieol and Master y* Griffiths, and Tccitations by Mr A. -i" 'Wills. Songs were rendered, also, by Mioses G. P. Mills, Eunice Pollard, Gladys Xicol, M. Russel!, .llos« Mitchell, and a duet by Masters G. "Bisphan and G. Willis. An exhibition of physical drill by a squad of Uho. Oidor boys attracted much interest. "n« accompaniments were played by Mi** M. Macgrogor and Mrs Pollard. On behalf of the ■committee, the chairman CMr H. Lodnard) Ihsmkod the tpadicr'i Mrs Pollard, and tho children for theif efforts in producing so suc.eitiful a concert.