THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17544, 28 August 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

AKAEOA. For the past few mouths, each Friday evening in the Technical School has hecn devoted to a lecturo or homely talk, mainly for the benefit and instruction of tho youth of tho .place. 1J» last three meetings have been taken by Rev. A. H. Julius, whose addresses .on Antarctic exploration, dealing ! mainly with Scott's and Amundsen a work, have been listened to with keen i interest by large audiences that included a Rood sprinkling of adults.. Another night was taken by "Experiences i of Earlv Settlers on tho Peninsula. when Messrs Geo. Armstrong (the I'Mayor), Felix Brocbene (our oldest I surviving French settler), and J. UI Bruce kept the young folks' close attention by their plain yet graphic description of life in tho early days ot tho settlement, fifty and sixty joars ago. Miss V. C. Fame,. M.A., who has been mainly responsible for the laudable movement *««*!? *Xnd in nights, her subjects being, "Eng»»»J ° th! Eighteenth Century," and"A.Ham Talk on Botany." * ex * a ?fJ£ J. L. Davis will speak on."Some lhases of AWoplane Work During the \Yar and as he himself saw actual service in Franco for three years, hj" la £ should bo of particular interest to tho y °Thf Brigade is holding its annual plain and fancy dress baJl tomorrow evening, and on the following evening it is giving, as per usual, the children of the whole district the treat to which they look forward with unI feigned delight-a fancy dress ball all for themselves. . m wn On Wednesday evening the members of the Ladies' Guild connected with the Presbyterian Church, held a pit sale of work in Bible class rooms. In spite of the wintry weather conditions a very fair number of sympathisers m the movement rolled up,.and tho business done under tho superintendence of Mrs T. Lewitt, president, and Miss Myitlo Fyfe, hou. secretary, was so satistactorv that somo £l3 will go to the oreait of the Guild's funds. The money is dovoted to the purchase of material which the members make up at their weekly meetings, and then, sell for tho benefit of sundry deserving, objects connected.with church or mission worJ*. Through tho winter months quite a large number of local singers have been busy rehearsing the sacred cantata, "Under the Palms." Mrs A. H. Julius, both as promoter and conductor, has brought her volunteer company to such a comparative stage of efficiency that it is proposed to give the first P"ohc performance on or about September lUtn. *> lEESTON. Mr H. Bliss, iun., presided over a meting of the EHesmere Dairy Farmers' Association, at which the question of amalgamating with the EUesmere branch of the Farmers' Union was discussed. Messrs R. T. McMillan (president of. the union) and W. S. Mclaughlin (secretary) wero present by invitation. After a .lengthy discussion it was decided to join forces with the Farmers' Union. dotleston. Mr G. W. R. Osborne presided over the annual meeting of Doyleston residents for the election of a Management Committee for Osborne Park. The balance-sheet showed a credit ol £32 Bs, but there was still £52. 17s 6d duo on the pavilion. The chairman a annual report referred to tne erection of the new pavilion .with coppers inset, which had proved a great convenience. Tho seating accommodation, though insufficient, was much appreciated. The trees and fences were in fair order. It was made a recommendation to the incoming committee that the question of ownership of a section of lana near the park be investigated. The chairman said he had been approached in regard to the matter of having tennis courts in the park if a club was formed. This matter was left in JJi€>. hands of the committee. Tho following were elected a committee for the ensuing .year:— Messrs G. W. R. Osborne (president), W. 0. Rennie, F! J. Mottram, H. Smith, W. A. Nelson, M. Kolly, G. Cooke, A. Robb>;(hon. secretary ana treasurer), and G. H. Hibberd. LAJmiIDE. On Thursday night a very successful social, arranged by the spinsters and bachelors, was held in the. Lakeside Memorial Hall. The floor was in perfect order, and music was supplied by Mrs R. Lambie, Misses S. Scbnelle, A. Alexander and G. Thian, and Mr V. J. Leahy. Mr W. MUraith was M.C. BEOOKSIDE. The Ellesmere Pipe Band journeyed to Mr,A. E. WithelPs residence on Thursday night for a house-warming function. Several selections were given on tho lawn, and tho members wero hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrti Withell. During the evening a fine rug was presented to tho hosts as .a token of esteem and goodwill. SOUTHBEIDOtI. Arrangements for the annual road race ana sports meeting were made at a meeting of the Southbridgo Athletio Club, over which Mr J. T. Parkin, presided. A motion of sympathy with Messrs Woods Broß. and W. Scott, who recently suffered loss by firo, was carried. The programme for tho sports to bo hold on Labour Day was approved, tho first prize for tho Ellesmero Handicap being increased to £B. It was decided to liold a dance on tho night of tho road race. The president and secretary wore authorised to arrange for a special train on Labour Day. i .Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., presided over a sitting of tho Court at Soutlibridge on Friday. A charge of driving a motor-car on the wrong side of the road against Anthony Bartholomew McEvedy was dismissed. For riding a bicycle at night without a light Percy Buckley was fined 5s and costn. Judgment was given for plaintiff by default in Public Trustee v. Jamos Cannon, olaim £5 16s, costs £1 18s Cd; same v. Phillip Glover, £11: ss, costs £3 7s; same v~. Constantino D'ocookin, £l3 5s 7d, costs £2 14s; same v. Albert Spicer, £l2 8s sd, costs £2 Ids. DARFTELD. The annual meeting of the Tennis Club was held on Wednesday in the Memorial Hall, Mr R. G. Robinson presiding. The following officers were, elected for the ensuing season;— President, Mr J. Reid; vice-presidents, Messrs R. Q. Robinson, R. King and H. Gillnttdors; committee, Messrs W. Somerrillo, D. Johns, D. Gillaildera, H. Cronin. W. Williams, and H. S. W. Pole. A working committee was elected io improve tho pavilion and erect a new fence. Tho opening day will bo September 10th. Mr R. Reid presided at tho general mooting of tho Fnrmers' Union, the second lecture of this year's series was delivered by Mr G. H.'Holford, Christchurch, the subject being on Liming and Manuring. The lecture was profusely illustrated, with lantern slides. Mr Holford was extended a hearty Tote of thanks for his instructive and ablo Jicture. In connexion with the installation of electricity the meeting passed a resolution requesting the Minister of Public Works to approve of the formation of n Power Board in the counties of Selwyn, Tawera and Malvern. On Friday evening the Tennis Club held a very successful dance in the Memorial Hnll, Mr R. Woods supplying •ho music. Tho hall wa3 tastefully decorated with Rtreomers. During tho evening Miss L. Taylor, Miss Christopher, and Mr H. Westwood T>lny«d extras. M*«sra H. Oppcn and H. Cronin were M.O.'s. On Saturday a largo number of people witnessed a friendly game of hockey (Continued at foot of next column.)

on tho ]>arfield hockey grounds b&i keen the married and single ladlea. Great excitement was created at different stages. An unusual incident occurred to ono player on .whose blouse tli© ball was caught. The player quickly took advantage of her luck and made for her opponents' goal. Tho result of thejgamc was a draw. For the married lailies Mrs It. Gunn scored 3 goals arid Mrs'Aitken one, and for the single ladies tho scorers were Miss Sim, Miss Taylor (2), and Miss Gillanders. METIIVEN. Very liard. frosts have been ruling at Methven. of. late, especially during the Inst two nighte, bvt the weather has cleared Again, aud there is no appearance of any more rain. Some fanners, especially on the light land around Cairnbrae and Lyndhurst, are complaining n.bout the great shortago of feed for their ewes and lambs; owing to tho excessively dry winter feed has not come away nearly as soon as it v.xnld have had _ there been an average 'rainfaU. Unfortunately, not many farmers made provision for this by putting in oats, Oai>e barley, etc., in the autumn to ensure green feed for the spring Luoerno has not taken on to any great extent with the farmers in the -Ucthvon district, as torao farmers consider that tbs cJinwtio conditions aro noi suitable. Another objection inada by farmers, to lucerne growing is that a good deal of labour is entailed in keeping the ground worked between tho drills and clear ,of weeds until tho crop i.s established, which, it is nnder-tcotl, generally takes two yeans; and as most of the farms in tho Metiiven district aro held in fairly large holdings, farmers have not so much time to devote to intense cultivation, such as hicerno m"|uires, as they -would have if tho holdings were of about 20 to 50 acres. ASHBUETON. The Celtic Footiball Club held its au-nu-al smoke concert last week, r.-lien *hero wa3 a very large gathering The usual toast list was-gone through, and during tho evening a most enjoyable programme of songs, recitations, and other items was contributed. The reunion was the most enjovabl© and successful yet held by tho club. • -At the annu 1 rWting of tho Tinv aid Cricket Club tho following officers were elected:—P:.iron, Mr W. Strange: president, Mr J. Cow; vice-presidents, Hon. W. Noswcrthy, Messrs J. GudseL, H. Petrie, R. Holirnd, D. Frirsdlantler, T. "Wilson, T. Tarbotton, "NV. J; I'Owry, B. Wills, W. Bryant A. Milhchamp, W. Moses; club captain, Mr H. Millichamp; vice-captain Mr F. McKenzie; secretary, Mr H. Carroll; treasurer, Mr T. W. Gudsoll; committee, Messrs H. Simnson, N. rasker, H. Breakwel], J. McCormick, J ■» • Brady, B. McKenzie, with the captain, vice-captain, and secretary.