THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17989, 5 February 1924, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

KAIKOURA. At a meeting of the South Marlborough Progress League, held on Saturday, Mr S. Andrew presided. It was resolved that the District Engineer be written to requesting expenditure in connexion with the construction of the extra spans of the Kowhai bridge, pointing out that all traffic south is blocked in flood times. It was .agreed to write to the Minister of Public Works urging that the permanent work being proceeded with at Hapuku, and that facilities be provided for transferring motor-cars a'cross the Clarence river. It was considered that eighteen months would elapse before the main structure was read} 1 - for traffic. In the meantime- Kaikoura was being heavily penalised by the blocking of traffic north. Regarding the East Coast railway, it was decided'to secure a report covering the amount of stock, timber, fish, and produce leaving the district, with a view to placing the facts before a combined meeting of the Marlborough and Canterbury Progress Leagues.

At a meeting of the Trotting Club on Saturday night, Mr A. J. O'Malley presiding, two tenders were received for the publican's booth, that of Dunr.ett and Wood being accepted. It was arranged to have the totalisator put in order, and a working bee was appointed to carry out the necessary improvement of tho course. Messrs B. J. Mackle and "\V. A. Ferry tendered their resignations as timekeepers, and Messrs 15. Wilson and E. Gibson were appointed to fill the vacancies. A strong committee was appointed to arrange for the animal ball. _At bowls on Saturday, A. Collins and Kerr challenged the holders of the Buttons,. Claringbold and Hamilton, and defeated them by 32 points to 9. The first fortnight c.f the present year will bo remembered as one of the hottest and dryest experienced in Kaikoura. The thermometer has registered over 80dcg. in the shade on several occasions, the highest being 90 at 6 a.m. on January 13th. Later good rains fell, inducing a welcome growth of feed. Rain fell on seven days for a total of 4.89 inches, the heaviest fall being on January 23rd, 2.09 inches. January of the preceding year was an exceedingly wet month, when rain fell on eighteen days, 12.25 inches being recorded.

. A large consignment of pigs was shipped by the Wakatu yesterday for Addington. Dull and showery weather prevails at- present. HANMER SPRINGS. The following are the meteorological records for January taken at the State Forest Service Station, those for the same month last year being given in parentheses:—Temperature in shade: Mean maximum temperature G3deg (67.41); mean minimum temperature, 42.83 (.48.76); approximate mean temperature for the month, 53 (58.06); mean daily range of temperature, 20.27 (18.67); extreme maximum temperature, on 12th, 91, (81); extreme minimum temperature, on 7th, 40 (43); extreme range of temperature for month,, 51 (38). Exposed thermometers: Mean terrestrial radiation, 39 (45.32); minimum terrestrial radiation (frost), on 17th, 32 (36). Wind: Average daily velocity for month, 67.59 miles (22.25); maximum velocity for month, 13th and 14th, 370 miles (140). Mean amount of cloud for month (0 clear sky, 10 overcast), 3.C4 (5.5). Total rainfall, 4.52 inches (8V72); number of days on which rain fell, 11 (21); maximum fall in any 24 hours, on the 15th, 1.53 inches (1.90). Bright sunshine. 217 hours (140 i); maximum, 12 hours, on 7th, 12th, and 20th (11} hours); days without recorded sunshine, 4 (6). Frost occurred on one night (0). This district fortunately participated in the three beneficial rainfalls experienced during the past fortnight, and the parched pastures are assuming a green appearance again. Further falls, whilst they might delay the getting in of the meagre harvest, will be welcome to givo the turnip crops a good start. The main shearing in this locality was finished last week, being facilitated by the dry condition which prevailed. It is understood that the back-country tallies are a lot short, and that the winter losses are quite as bad, if not worse, than was expected. In fact, this is the least favourable season of the last five.

The monthly medal match played off last month by the golf club resulted in a tie between Mrs ■ W. T. Williams, handicap 23, net 72, and H. J. Winstone, handicap 5, net 72. In the playoff Winstone won.

A dance was held in the hall in aid of the school picnic and prize fund. It was well patronised, and a substantial sum was gained for the fund. The music was played by Mrs Webb, Messrs Watson, Loug'hlin, and Taylor.

AKAROA. On Friday evening the. members of the Presbyterian Young People's Bible Class entertained two of their number, Misses Bene Penn and Kana Hall, who are shortly leaving the district to take up duties elsewhere. During an interval Mr T. Lewitt, leader of the class, expressed sincere regret that circumstances were depriving them of two more of their members, extended to them cordial good wishes for their future well-being, and then handed each a very acceptable token of esteem and goodwill from their comrades. The secondary department of the Akaroa D.H. School has opened with a roll of 2S pupils, with the prospect of a few more to follow. Tho services of a fully-qualified permanent teacher arc now needed. At present, Miss Brunton late of the Shirley School, is acting as relieving secondary assistant.

LADBROOKS. The weather, although dry for late crops, is most suitable for harvesting, which is at present in full swing. Large quantities of wheat have been sent forward. The average has been 25 bush=ls to the acre. At present there is a very keen demand for all classes of grain, lucerne, and • hay. Some large orders have been placed during the week, especially of hay. The potato market looks bright, but the vield. it is predicted, will be on the small side. There is a lull at present in the "barley market. The showers of late have considerably altered the appearance of the grass paddocks, which are_ bearing a greener appearance than of late. Mr T. Trask, railway officer, has resumed duty after spending his annual leave on the "West Coast and Dunedin, The Black and White Sunshine Players are giving a benefit concert in the Ladbrooks Town Hall, in aid of the school funds, on February 12th. RANGIORA. There was a very large number of visitors at the Waikuku beach on Sunday, including the employees 'of Amuri Motors, Limited, who were holding their annual picnic. It is estimated that between 60 and 70 motor-cars were there, apart from other vehicles.

WAIKARI. A public meeting was held on Saturday evening to consider the question 01 holding sports at Easter. There vas a very good attendance, and Mr H. Saundercock was in the chair. Mr Chas. Cotterill was elected secretary and Mr Jackson treasurer. It v.-as decided to hold an athletic carnival on Easter Mondav on Waikari sports ground. In addition to the usual.events two championship events. 120 yds and 100 yds, will be run. A strong committee was elected,, with power to add to their number.

The Waikari Memorial Committee met in the Council Chambers. Mr H. Saundercock (chairman) asked for suggestions as to where the memorial cou.d be erected. After various places had been discussed it was decided to erect | the memorial in the hospital grounds if the authorities would grant permission. Mr A. Cameron (Waipara), who i was present, promised to call a meeting at Waipara on Saturday night. The committee then discussed the ways and means. RAKAIA. After languishing for some years in Rakaia, athletics have now rprung to life with a most vigorous bound, and an ambitious programme has been framcc. b<- the newlv-formed Athletic and Cvcling Club for its sports meeting on March Ist. For a new club to launch out with a prize list of £ll2 requires not onlv faith, but a large amount of hard work. The project has been taken up enthusiastically, and there is every prospect of a successful gathering. " A number of collectors have nlreadv secured a. large amount of cash to finance the club, while on the track in the Domain training is in progress on most evenings. At a meeting of the committee of the club the subscription was fixed at --s Cd, youths under fourteen Is. ladies 3s, and honorary members 10s 6d, this last subscription carrying with it free admission to the grounds and free car stand. The following officials were appointed:—Grounds committee, Messrs J. McCov, A. Shannon, 11. Raplcy, G. Tatterson, W. .1. Brown, and W. Laraman; judges of running, Messrs A. J. Mngson, (i. Pluck, and B. McNamara.; timekeepers, Messrs G. Tatterson, G. Cromie, and W. Black; blackboard steward, Mr W. E. Judkins; marksmen, Messrs L. Cordner, M. Cunneen, W. Laraman, J. McCov, J. McCarthy, B. Breach, 11. Raplcy, B. Timings, and E. Timings; judges of wrestling, Messrs J. McKay (Ashburton) and P. McNeil (Lauriston) ; dancing and piping judges, Mr McGillivray (Leeston), Mr W. Kilgour (Christchurch), and Mr J. Allen (Dunsandel); handioapper, Mr C. E. Hassell; megaphone steward, Mr W. Laraman. It was resolved to invite tenders for the ice cream and refreshment stalls, and to endeavour to have a bowling alley on the ground. The secretary was authorised to make enquiries in the matter of side-shows. Letters have already been received from Messrs McGillivray, Kilgour, and O'Brien with offers of assistance. It was decided to send invitations to the president and secretary of near-by affiliated clubs. It was agreed to meet in the Library every Wednesday evening to make further- •arrangements. For some years the Salvation Army "held the fort" in Kakaia. Then force of circumstances compelled a withdrawal of the garrison to other centres, and Eakaia was without an army for some years. On December Ist last, however, there arrived Captain Smith and Lieutenant Bain, two young officers enthusiastic for the Army's cause. They came in their Army "fort," a travelling citadel, and the intention was to stay only a short period to make a brief reconnaissance and depart for other fields. However, they have met with such gratifying success in their activities that a regular campaign has developed, so that Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening services have... boon held in the Methodist Church regularly. Last week the Ashburton Army's Silver Band came out to lend a hand, and a splendid concert was given in Mr Tucker's Hall. Adjutant Calcott was in charge,'and the sum of & 13,14s was taken. Now the matter of the Army making a decided stand and fighting on an extended front in Rakaia is being considered. If a permanent location is made here, there will be five religious bodies at work in Rakaia. This year the Rakaia school children are to journey to Ashburton Technical School on a Friday, instead of on the Thursday, as for so many years back. This will be a great improvement, as so many public functions in Rakaia take place on Thursdays. These has just been hung in the pavilion of the Rakaia Bowling Club an enlarged photograph of the rink team that was instrumental in lifting the Gala Cup a couple of seasons ago. The team comprised' A. Holmes (s), A. Weaver, C. Featherstone, and J. W. Wright. This season's club singles competition is not yet concluded, though fairly well advanced. As usual, the holidays and the stress of a very busy time on the farm have combined to hinder the completion of the matches. The present position is as follows: —Section A: Newman and Weaver 5 wins, Glasse 4 wins. Section B: Stubbs 5 wins, Wright and Henderson 4 wins. Section C: Featherstone and Palmer 4 wins. Section D: Holmes 4 wins. No section is as yet decided. In the doubles and rinks very little has yet been done, but in this coming month it i 3 hoped to get off many of the games and so reach finality before the season is too far advanced. The green is in very good order, and is well patronised each night. On the Rakaia bowling green on Saturday the Eakaia Club played a match against a team from the Ashburton Club. The result was in doubt for a long time, the games being very even for many heads, |>ut eventually Rakaia drew away and won by a margin of 10 points. The scores were as follows, Eakaia rinks being first named: — Rink 1 : Holmes (s), Weaver. Laraman, Magson, 25; Carter (s), J. A. S. Smith, Oakley, Collins 14. Rink 2: Wright (s), Stubbs, McNamara, Black 12; Keane (s), Buxton, Brydon, Cowan 21. Rink 3: Featherstone (s'h Hardy, Rapley, Palmer 18; A. T. Smith (s), McSherry, Blackler, J. Watson 19. Rink 4: Newman (s), Henderson, Pluck, Allen 30; Easterbrook (s), McElrea, Killock, Russell 15. Totals, Eakaia 85, Ashburton 09.