THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17806, 4 July 1923, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

j JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS, i ' A Hamilton telegram states that j c, school for dairy instruction to instructors has opened at the Kuakura State Farm. About forty of the New :Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company's ' instructors, graders and factory employees are present. The shearing dispute in the Wellington district is to come before the Court' of Arbitration at AVellingtjn to-morrow. It is probable that an endeavour will be made by the employers to get the Union to agree to tho conditions for tho whole Dominion being decided on the evidence adduced at the Wellington sitting of the Court, instead of getting tne Court to take evidence in each district. j CHEVIOT. The SubiUnion competitions were advanced a iurthor stage on Saturday when two teams from lvniuoura visited Cheviot. Unfortunately Kaikoura were not at full strength on account of sickness, and both their teams were defeated, the scores being:—Juniors: Cheviot 20, Kaikoura 3. Seniors: Cheviot 31, Kaikoura .0. A dance which was held in the evening was well attended, and an enjoyable time was spent. Next Saturday, Cheviot will travel to Waiau, and the same teams that played on Saturday have been selected , to represent Cheviot. AMBERLEY. The Amberley Miniature Rifle Club completed its first competition of tho season last week, with tho following results:—Men's competition: J. Smith 1, T. H. Green 2, G. Stevenson 3. Ladies' competition: Mrs Lambie 1, Mrs Kidd and Mrs Baker (equal) 2. The weekly medal presented by Mr C. Hadley for the best score during the week has been won by the following: J, Boyce, C. Hadley, G. White, L. Kerr, A. Lukey, Mrs Kidd, Mrs Lambie and : Miss Baker. During last month a I billiard tournament was played in the I club rooms, and created a good deal of interest. After a close finish, J. Smith I ran out the winner. A stamped target match was fired against the Scargill club during last week with the following results: — Scargill A—G. Gwatkins 50, Jones 50, Jolmstoife 49, K. Gwatkins 49, Pannett •19, Foster 47, A. Stewart 48, N. Stewart 47; total, 389. Amberley A—Hadley 50, W. Boyce 49, F. Adams 49, J. Boyco 48, Green 48, A. Lukcv 47, G. Lukey 47, Smith 47; total, 385. Scargill B—Baker 35. Stone 35, Coe 34, Lennie 34, Fox 32, McNaughton 32; total, 202. Amberley B —Mrs Kidd 30, Mrs Lambie 34, Hart 34, Miss Baker 33, G. White 32, Kerr 30; total, 198. RANGIORA. A meeting of the North Canterbury Ploughing Match Committee was held yesterday, Mr W. A, Kelcher presiding. 1 ' The secretary reported that 29 •entries had been received for the various cam petitions, as against 24 last year. The collectors submitted their reports showing that donations amounting to £B9 10s had been promised. Applications for teams were received from a number of competitors, and arrangements were made to comply with tjm requests. The special prize list was left practically tho same as last year. The site chosen this year is a paddock on the West belt, belonging to Mr Cooper. A meeting of local bodies interested in the protection of the Ashley river bridge against the action of the river, was held in the Borough Council Chambers, Rangiora, yesterday morning. ' The Mayor- (Mr W. A, Bowse) presided. Representatives were present from tho Ashley, Kowai, and Rangioira County Councils, and tho Raugiora Borough Council. After a general discussion in which it was pointed out that during the last flood considerable encroachment had been made on the south bank, and a new channel scoured out causing a danger to the approaches to the bridge, it was resolved that the Ashley County Council, as the controlling body, carry out necessary protective works, ana also submit plans of suggested groynes and embankments, and an estimate of the cost to the local bodies concerned, for their approval. SWANNANOA. A largely attended social was held in the Swannanoa Hall, which was gaily decorated with coloured streamers, to bid good-bye to Mr and Mrs F. J. Merrin and family, who are leaving the district. A most enjoyable time was spent in dancing and singing. After supper Mr H. Winter presented Mr Merrin with a large seagrass easy chair, and Mrs Merrin with a caso of stainless cutlery, and a luminous bedroom clock. Mr Winter, in his speech, said the local cricket team were sorry at losing Mr Merrin and his son, who was a very promising' cricketer. Songs were contributed by Mr and Mrs Colin How, Mr Ellen and Mrs J. Ward. Dancing was kept up till an: early hour in the morning. ASHLEY BANK. When the members of tho . Ashley Dance Club met on Monday evening it was decided to postpone the dance xught until Monday, the Kith inst., owing to the passing away of Mr Thomas wuy, a resident of Ashley, early on Monday morning. A vote of sympathy was ex. tended to the relatives ot the late Mr Guy, the members standing. The monthly meeting of the Ashley School Committee was held on Monday evening. Present: Messrs R. Oollio (chairman), J. McVally, F. W T . Robertson, J. Criglington, and G. g. Smith. The headmaster's report showed the school roll to be 52 and the average attendance 45.2. The sum of £5 granted by the committee towards tho trhuol children's library had been subsidised £ for £ by the Education Department and handed to the headmaster, who reported that £7 9s Id had already been spent on the purchase of new books. Negotiations are afoot for the purchase or lease of a piece of land adjoining the school for' a sports ground for the children, and it was decided to cooperate with the headmaster in organcrand carnival dance on Friday, July 27th, to start a fund for the purpose. The committee hope that tne residents of the district will heartily support the effort to make a permanent addition to the school grounds. SEFTON. Members of the Sefton Miniature Rifle Club will hold a hare drive tomorrow in the district between Sefton and Leithiield md Balcairn, the starting place to be the corner of Broad and Terrace roads. Mr Thomas Cooper has kindly offered to provide hot water for luncheon. It is intended to 6end the haves shot to Christchurch for the Coal and Blanket Fund. The tender of Messrs Wadey and Efi'ord has been accepted for the Sefj ton Public Library, and the work wli] be begun shortly. The annual tea meeting in connexion with the Sefton Methodist Church was held in the Rink Hall. After tea a concert was held, the Rev. A. N. Scotter, of Rangwraj presiding. Addresses

were delivered by the Revs. Hay, of Cnribtcimreh, and Foote, of 'Woodend. -in excellent programme of songs, monologues and recitations was contributed by Mesdames McLaren (Christchurch), "Withers ISouthbrook). Mss Chamberlain vAmberloyi, Messrs Wilkinson (Christehurch), Harper (R-atigi-ora), and the Rev. Hay, the accompaniments being plaved bv Mesdames McLaren and Thomson. KIRWEE. The many friends of Mr William McKie will learn with regret that he iseriously ill. SPRINGSTON. At the Homo Mission services in connexion with the Methodist Church, tho preaclur in the morning was the Rev. J. W. Parker and in tho evening' the Rev. T. G. Brooke. Ther o' were good congregations at both services. At the annual Home Mission social the Rev. J. W. Parker presided over a large gathering- of friends. Musical items were given bv Mrs Shaw and the children. The Rev. A 0. Han 'is, of Le :st- n. i;ave an address on "The Missionary Spirit," for which he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Supper was dispensed by the ladies. 1 Tho friends of Mrs W. J. Mutton will be pleased to know that after fifteen, weeks in the Public Hospital she is now an inmato of The Convalescent Home. SPRINGSTON SOUTH. On the 27th inst. a social will be tendered to Mr H. Jackson on the occasion of his 100 th birthday. A public meeting will be held to-morrow evening to make arrangements for the entertaining of the guest. Piaying 111 ttio iiiiesmero Sub-Union competition matches on Saturday, United and Seffcon seniors met on the Lincoln ground, United winning by 12 points to nil. Afternoon tea was dispensed by the Lincoln ladies. Mr J. S. Simpson was the referee. The United juniors journeyed to Leeston, where they were defeated by the home team by 18 points to nil. The Leeston ladies generously provided afternoon tea. Mr P. Harvey (Southbridge) was the referee. The following will represent United juniors against Irwell at Springston South on Saturday:—E. Hoskin, J. laulls, J, Millard, R. Marshall, W. llabgood, A. Haydock, L. Payne, W Jordan, 0. Milne, T. Jordan, M. Ryan, V. Harris, A. Mitchell, D. Marshall, G Hill N. Neale, Frank Iveast, W. w ™ ; » Klt ? t f er > pred Kenst, and F. Hill (captain), HORORATA. Daring the week Mrs G. C. Derrett was hostess at a gift afternoon given in honour of Miss Eileen Gray, whose marriage takes place shortly. The bup-per-room of tne hall was tastefully arranged with autumn flowers for the occasion. There was a large number of ladies present, which testified to the popularity of tho guest of honour. Afternoon tea was dispensed. Mr VYillis, in a happy little sponch, asked Mis.? Gray to accept the m.anv gifts. ,' n tnoso present, to which Miss Gray suitably responded. • The funeral of the late Mrs S. r! Wright, of Hororata, took place on Monday last at thG Hororata churchyard. The services were conducted by tho Risv. L. A. Knight, of Kaiapoi. The chief mourners were Messrs 8. R. Wright, F. Wright and Master Wright, Misses V. Wright, M. Wright and C. Wright. The pall-bearers were Messrs T. H. Baker, E. Lord, H. R. Harris and A. Winterbourne.

Those present were: Mr and Mrs T. H. Baker, Mr and Mrs C. H. Wright, Mr and Mrs E. J. Wright, Mr E. B. Wright, Mr J. W. Wright, Mr S. Wright, Mr and Mrs H. M. Wright, Mr 0. Wright, Mrs J. Wright, Mr and Mrs Barrow, Mr R. D. Harris, Mrs T. Firman, Mrs Lord, Mr and Mrs G. Ostler, Mrs Pugh, Mr and Mrs Craythorne and L. Craythorne, Mr J. Lill, Mrs 2?. Lill, Mr G. Kime, Mr INT. J. Browne, Mr F. J. Andrew, Mr T. E. Pearson, Mr B. Izard, Mr and Mrs G. 0. Derrett, Mies E. Nelson, Mr and Mrs' Skevington, Mr W. Stone, Mr and Mrs G. Hight, Mr T. Hight, Mrs Cropley, Mrs Gudsell, Mr and Mrs T. B. Jones, Mr G. Hall, Mr J. Hockeridge, Mr and Mrs H. Oliver, Mr W. R. Olivej, Mr and Mrs W. Nelson, Mr and Mrs W. Prestidge, Mr and Mfs H. Prestidge, Miss E. Watson, Mr R. Maffey, Mr Willis, Mr and Mrs A. McKenzie,' Mr and Mrs McHugh, Mrs Isaac Wilson, Mr and. Mrs Collings, Mr and Mrs Ironside, Messrs 0. and J. Ironside, Mr and Mrs L. Derrett, Mr and Mrs Kellaway, Mr C. G. Jarman, Mr G. Warren, Mr and Mrs H. Parker, Mr and Mrs W. Page, Mrs A. Gray, Mr W. Gtay, Misses Dennis, Messrs Phillips, W. O'Brien, J. Ballagh, 0. J. Moreland, T. E. Harris, Mrs G. Chapman, Mrs Whitty, Mr and Mrs Spence, Mr and Mrs Saunders, Mr and Mrs A. Beattie, Mr A. Charles, Misses N. and D. Patterson, Mr A. Nettlcton, Mr 8. Vaughan, Mr W. Christie, Mr and Mrs T. Thwaites, Mr S. Thwaites, Mr W. Tizzard, Mr and Mrs J. Clueas, Mr and Mrs E. Clueas, Misses Clucas, Mr W, Stenhouse, Mr W. Leeming, Miss M. Maffey and many , others. Wreaths were sent by the following: Mr and Mrs W. H. Clark, Mr and Mrs T. H. Baker, Mr and Mrs 11. R. Harris, Mr and Mrs Ostler, Mr and Mrs T. B. Jones, Miss E. Nelson, Mr and Mrs E. R. Craythorne, Mr and Mrs J. Clucas, Mr and Mrs Perkins, Mr and Mrs Ironside, Messrs Bourke, Wilson and Co., Mr and Mrs T. E. Pearson, Mr and Mrs T. P. Firman, Misses Cruden, Mr and Mrs A. Winterboume, Mr and Mrs E. Lord, Mrs Cropley, .Mr and Mrs Christie, Mr and Mrs G. C. Derrett, Mr and Mrs H. J. Williams, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Joughin, Mr and Mrs W. R. Heney, Mr and Mrs W. Thwaites, and the Hororata Mothers' Union. COALGATE. Tho ffiainfall, a.t Coalgate for the month of June was 1.06 inches. Rain teli on six days, tne maximum fall ueing 49 points on the 2i)tti. June is always a, month of low rainfall, and in tlie past eight years the lowest fall for the corresponding month was 1.04 inches, and tne hignest "2.613 inches, me average for 8 years is 1.78 inches, so that last month's fall was below the average. The rainfall to June 30th this year was 27.64 inches, and for 1i)22 14.26 inches. Tho. average for the eightyear period is 16.27 inches. The past month was a mild winter month with frosts on most nights. On the 2St)h colderi conditions arrived, and snow was general throughout Mid and North Canterbury. PREBBLETON. Oxt Friday a football match was played at Prebbleton between Broadheld and Prebbleton schools, Prebbleton wininng by 25 points to nil. Mr G. Millar was referee. The annual meeting of the Presbyterian Church was held in the Public Library, tho Rev. J. Patterson presiding. The secretary read the bal-ance-sheet, showing receipts £BB 12s 9}d. expenditure £64 6s Bd, transferred to building fund £24 6s 13, leaving a balance in hand of 8s 10id. The Sunday School receipts were £6 9s lid, and the expenditure £4 13s 7d. The outgoing committee was re-elected with the exception of Mr J. Cooke, Mr Harding taking his place. Mr Saggers' suggestion of a bazaar, with the idea of raising £l5O before the end of the financial year, was left over for a further meeting. The matter of repairs to the Prebbleton Church was also held over. After votes of thanks to the ministers, choir, organist, and workers, a musical programme, consisting of songs, recitations, and duet.

was contributed by Miss McDonald, Given Patterson, Mr J. Prebblo. Lilly Miliar, Mrs Kingan, Mr Harding, hancy Flemming, Mr Murieson. Tfte third round of the Prebbleton Public Library's euchre party took place on Saturday night, when the prizes wore won by Mrs MoXally and Mr C. Hand?, the consolation prizes beinc awarded to Mrs T. C oleman and Mr D. Ash. Supper was liardcd round by the ladies. MOJJNT GREY DOWNS. A pleasant little function took place in the Mount Grey Downs Schoolroom last week when the scholars ami parents met to bid farewell to Miss A. M. Cross, who has occupied the position of mistress at the school lor several years.' On behalf of the residents Mr Harry Lilley presented Misa Cross with a handbag, and in the course of a few remarks eulogised the work, done by her in connexion with the school. He also wished Miss Cross, who is joining the staff of the Bromley So'uml. every success in her new sphere of life. Miss Cross suitably responded, thinking the residents for their kindness during her sojourn at the Downs. Dancing was then indulged in, the music being supplied by Messrs T. Hanna nnc. H. Lilley. Mr J. Row,e officiatng as M.C. RAKAIA. In then-matches on Saturday, two of the Rakaia football teams had easy wins, the Juniors defeating Old Boys at Rakaia hy 21 to nil, and the Third Grade defeated Technical School by 1' to nil. The Fourth Grade sustained their first loss of the season, being beaten by High School by 7 to' 6. The ladies' hockey match was postponed on account of tho inclement weather. ■ Mr J. Blank, truant officer, has just paid a surprise visit to tin Rakaia School. Final notices are beinc sent, to several parents on account of irregularity of their children's attendances. MEAD. This year tho spinsters and bachelors of the Mead combined to bold their danco in the schoolroom. A very larg number w.as present, visitors coming from Rakaia. Te Pirita, and Fyvio. The music was provided by Messrs W. Shellock, F. Cornelius, and R. Slieahan. The duties of M.O. were carr -cd out by Mr A. Weaver. Dancing was carried on till the early hours. ASIIBURTON. At tho monthly meeting or' the Ashburton East School Committee, Mr R. H. Loy presiding, a deputation from the Borough School, Committee was present in regard to forming an Ashburton. County School Committees' Association. It was unanimously decided to support the proposal. Mr.'W. Kerr was appointed a delegate to ci.rfer with the borough representatives. The headmaster reported that the roll num be<r was 417, with an a vera 5© attendance for tho month of Miss Fawcett was warmly congratulated on the large number of sewing passes ftained by the girls at the recent muter Show.