THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17702, 2 March 1923, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

RANGIORA. The' annual combined picnic of the Raugiora and Southbrook District Schools and the Hangiora Roman Catholic Sehool. which was postponed last week on account of bad weather, was held yesterday. The excursionists, numbering about SOO, were conveyed by special train to Pearson's Park, Oxford, where a very, pleasant day was spent in sports, games, and various competitions under the supervision of the school staffs and committees. The prizes had been secured by Mr C. I. Jennings, and almost every child received one' of some description. On the return journey each child was given a pocket of sweets. SWANNANOA. A pleasant social was held in the Hall on Tuesday evening to bid farewell to Mr and Mr* Murlow, who are leaving the district, Mr Marlow having been appointed headmaster at Clarkville. Ji.ss Yola Begg, on behalf of tiro scholars, presented Mr Marlow with an oil painting and Mrs Marlow tfith a sewing basket, in token of the respect in which they arc held by the children. Mr Paget distributed the sehool prizes. A dainty supper was provided by the ladies. HORORATA. The climatic conditions remain very unsettled, a fact which is causing no ■ittle concern amongst those farmers who have crops still uncut. "Up to the present no very great damage has been done to the crops still out; though it is feared that they will suffer considerably unless more settled weather is experienced now. The annual Flower Show was not the success hoped for, due, no doubt, partly to weather and partly to the fact that in most cases harvesting was in full protrress. Tl'p headmaster of the local school, Mr W. S. Pm tfc, has been granted a month's sWc K-ve. Mr Learmontli is acting in his absence. RAKAIA. The, Rev. E. N. Blakiston, vicar of St. Mark's, who underwent an operation in Cliristchurch recently, is reported to be making a good' recovery. In his absence the Rev. Brittain conducted the services on Sunday. ' Word has been received that Mr -T. Hardy, of Rnkain, who has been studying at Canterbury College, has gained the degree of Bachelor of Engineering. Mr i-I. Cromie, of Rakaia, was successful in winning five prizes at the Wairarapa Rifle Association's meeting at Carterton. Mr G. Cromie" has gone North to take part in the matches at Trentham this week. At present colds and mild influenza are very prevalent in the district, involving a good deal of lost time. / The Methodist congregation, Rawaia, is planning to hold a big harvest festival this month. At a meeting of the P.W.M.U. in connexion with St. Andrew's Church, Mrs Morrison presided. It was agreed to hold a bazaar in the hall on April 26th, and arrangements were made for the various stalls. Luncheon is to be provided, and it was agreed to remain open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. It was decided to hold a sewing meeting every Wednesday, to help stock, the: work-stall. • ■■ ■ " . : METHVEN. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Methven Lodge, 1.0.0.F.,M.U., was held on Wednesday, Bro. W. G. Johnston, N.G., presiding. The financial secretary reported that at present the lodge was entirely free from sickness. . it Was unanimously decided that the fol-. lowing nominations for district officers be , forwarded to the -annual Cohfer•ence:—D.G.M., Bro. P.G. F. G. Mangin; D.D.G.M., Bro. Geo. Cufrie; District Committee, Bros. John Chambers, G. Currie,. F. G. Mangin, and T. A. AnI' derson. It was ' agreed to forward I the following remit to the Conference: "That, all the securities, insurance policies, etc., of the lodge in the Ashburton district be lodged with the district treasurer at Adhburton for supervision. Collection of interest and premiums thereon and for safe custody." It was resolved that the social syllabus be printed and distributed at a nominal charge. The flnan- ! cial secretary notified that next meeting would be a summoned one, and, in view of this, Bro, G. Currie gave notice of motion in regard to the readjustment of fuhdsr ASHBURTON. Following' are the vital statistics for the Ashburton registration district "for. the month of February, 1923:—Births, 26; deaths,- 7; marriages, 5. The figures for February, 1922, were:— Births, 31; deaths, 11; marriages, 5. Miss Gordon, domestic science mistress at the Ashburton Technical School, who is leaving for her home in Dunedin, was entertained a ta farewell tea on Wednesday afternoon by the teaching staff and students, and presented with a Sunshine purse. Her successor, Miss Aitken, was given a warm welcome. There were 18 starters at the first of the series of road races, held under the auspices of the Ashburton Amateur Cycling and Athletic Club. The results were—G. Olds (s|min) 1, R. Biggart (4mih) 2,L. Beauvais (s*min) S. Fastest time, J. Arnst, 27min 57sec. The distance was nine miles.