SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17936, 3 December 1923, Page 5

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

TIMARU.

Social and Personal. Misa Helen Cotterllt (Sefton street) left on Saturday to spend the week-end with Mrs H. Elmslie, Geraldiae. Mrs Frank Graham (Christchurch) spenfi the weok-end with Mrg £, J. le Crea (Maori Hill). SClbs F, A, PI Hie t was expected back fram OhriEtchurch on Saturday, Mrs Percy "W>jght and children (Plgnon Bay) are the gueats of Mrs A, Wright (Wai-itl road). Mr and Mrs Ralph Holdgats have turned from Chrlstdiurch, and are spending a few days with Mrs J. Sold' gate (North etreet) bafore going into their home in Parklane,

The engagement is announced of Amelia MargareS, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Home (Dunodin), to David Baland, only son of Mr and Mrs 0, d» Buchanan (Fairrisw. Timaru). Mr and Mrg Alexandar (Nllo street) hare returned from Pleasant Point, where they were the guests of Mrs E, Butchers ("Monavale"). Boxing. tS> Some interesting bouts were seen at the first boxing tournament hold by the Timaru senier cadets in the Drillshed'. Some of the competitors showed promising ability, The officials were;—Beferee, Mr H. Gunn} timekeeper. Lieutenant J. de Jouxj announcer, Lieutenant 0, W, Fester, Results were as followt— Under 7st.—H. Cullimore beat H. Bodgersj D. Grieve beat W. Young, Semi-finalt Cullimore beat G, Harding, Final! Grieve beat Cullimore. Under 7st 101b—G. Hill beat W. Ennisj J, Butler beat A. de Joux. Final: Hill beat Butler. Under Bat 01b—L. Ennis beat M. Naismith; de Joux, a bye. Final I Ennis beat de Joux.

Over Bst 01b—Andrews beat Brown} Steward beat Fitzgerald; O'Rourke, a bye, Semi-final i Andrews beat O'Rourke. Final: Andrews beat Steward.

.During the evening an exhibition bout was fought between Co* and Richardson, and ended in a draw. Timaru South HchooL The pupils of Standards I. and 3X, together with iheir teaoher, Mrs Millar and Misses Watson, "Ward, and Jonos, held a social at the school on Friday evening, when there was a largo gathering, including many parents. * A programme of games. Bongs, and music was carried out, and a -very enjoyable time was spent. These Bocials are an annual affair at this School, and constitute the children's method. of assisting to stock the bran-dip and Christmas tree at the annual Flower Show and sale, each child contributing either a coin or some toy. As a result of the entertainment a largo number of ar. tiolos and cash were received. Supper was served, and all joined in singing the National, Anthem, thus concluding a very successful find enjoyable evening. Mala School Gala. On Saturday afternojon the Timaru Main School held its annual gala day 'in aid of the school funds. The weather was all that could be desired, and supporters of the schools attended in large numbers. During the afternoon there were tug-of-war championships for schools, relay races for boys and girls and parents, dancing, and also numerous stalls, which secured a good turnover. The Timaru Pipe Band was in attendance, and played various Highland selections throughout tli9 afternoon. Crowds of Picnickers. A great many picnics are hold on Caroline Bay in the summer-time, people coming en masse from long distances. On Saturday the town was invaded by a crowd which ran into many and vrtio came by special trains from Eakaia, Tinwald, Hindß, Morven, and Waihao Downs. It is estimate that close on 2000 visited Timaru on Saturday. The Bay was made the headquarters, and the weather was entirely favourable for the occasion. Sunburn and sand played a large part among the souvenirs taken by the picnickers on their return to their homes in the evening. Hickson Mission. Tie Yen. Archdeacon Julius stated to a reporter that arrangements had been made for about 1000 patients to attend the healing mission in St. Mary's Church, Timaruj on December 11th and 12th. Theft from Bathing Sheds. One day last week a boy, while enjoying a swim, left his watch in the sheds on Caroline Bay. The dip over, he returned to the sheds, and found the watch had vanished. On Saturday morning, in the Timaru Juvenile Court, a youth was charged with the theft, and pleaded guilty. Ho was placed under the care of the Probation Officer for six months, the Magistrate characterising the theft as a particularly mean one. A reporter asked the Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace) whether the Council intended to make any provision for the safekeeping, of bathers' valuables since the Boulton case, which the Council lost on appeal. The caretaker, acting on instructions, has refused to take articles.

The Mayor replied that nothing definite had been decided on, but the question would be brought up at the next Council meeting, and fully discussed. Maori Versus Porter, On Saturday afternoon, when the north express was standing at the station, and the picnickers were hovering round the platform in a swarm, n hefty young Maori did his best, aided by a little liquor, no doubt, to gain admission to the platform. This can only be achieved by the payment of 3d for a platform ticket. The sentinel at the gate informed the Maori of this, but li 6 persevered in his attempts to get in. "If you don't get off, I'll put you off!" said the porter. "It would take a man to do that," was the reply. The porter treated the unfortunate one as if he did not exist. Exasperated, the Maori struck a terrifyingly bellicose attitude, while the porter smiled serenely. At last, evidently not caring to see a "dust tip," one of the Maori's pals coaxed him away, and the sight of the youth being dragged from behind with his fists still whirling in tho air caused many a prospective passenger to smile, and forget his aching corn for a moment. Port of Timaru. Shipping movements at the Port of Timaru will be found in the shipping columns. * 6 WAIMATE. Thursday last a team from the Morven Tennis Club journeyed to StudKS! ni collusions with the StudP e mat . ch suited in a \ t e ~ nine sets to seven. _ a meeting of the Waimate School (Coatiaued at foot of next colusmj

Committee Mr J. L. Menzies was appointed first assistant in place of Mr Burgess. Mr Menzies was recently headmaster at Waddington. Mr H. Mooncy is relieving until the arrival of Mr Menzies.

At a meeting of tho Acclimatisation Society held on Friday it was decided to approve of a suggestion embodied in a letter from the Department of Internal Affairs, that a person may sell opossum \ skins if the skins are stamped and a royalty paid. The rang3r's, report stated that two boys had been caught fishing without licences and the offenders had been warned. It was decided that' the boys be written to and asked to take out fishing licences. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the men who opened the mouth of the Waitaki Eiver. It was agreed that each man should receive £2 for his day's work, on condition that the Waitaki Society paid half the expenses. The Waimate District High School will break up for the Christmas holidays on December 20th aad reopen on January 29th. GERALDINE. At a meeting of th© (leraldine branch of the Farmers' Union it was agreed to communicate with other branches in order to secure joint action with a, view to farmers purchasing artificial fertilisers on more favourable terms. Relative to purchase o:r petrol, it was deemed inadvisable to purchase, in bulk at present, owing to the lack of proper storage. Respecting wheat prices Mr Tait expressed the

opinion that a free market for wheat was best for farmers. The president, Mr Flat-man, agreed, but said it would not be wise to do anything in the way of rearrangement at present. Farm era would grow wheat if it paid them to do so. Mr Charles said, it was all very well to grow wheat in war time, but now they should use their own judgment as to what they should grow.