THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18194, 3 October 1924, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

hanmer springs. The following are the meteorological records for September taken at the State* Forest Service Station, those for the sanw month last year being given in r>a rentheses :—Temperature in shade, moan maximum temperature, 01.3 de.grecs Fall. (09.G.'; mean minimum temperature, 39.4 (36.4); approximate mean temperature lor the month, 50.2 (4S'»; mean daily range of temperature. 21.0 I-3.2): extreme maximum temperature on 27 th, 70 (73); extreme minimum temperature oil 9th, -7 (47,; extreme range of temperature lor month, 43 (26). Exposed thermometers: mean terrestiial radiation, H 0.(3 (30.03); minimum terrestrial radiation (frost.) on 3rd, 19th, 1" (18'■ Wind: average dailv velocity for month. 133.6 miles (93.66); maximum velocity for month on 12th, 520 miles (-500;; "mean amount of cloud for month: O. clear skv.- 10 overcast, 4.7 (2.7). Rain:. Total fall, 1.43 inches (.16 inch). Number of clays on which rain fell, 7 (6); maximum rainfall in any £4 hours on 24th. 0.72 inch (0.20). Bright sunshine: Total, 181 hours (189 hours 20 minutes); maximum, 10-J hour s on 9th C 9 hours 40 minutes); days without recorded sunshine, 4 (2), nip-hts with frost, 17 (15). A commencement- has been made with that long-needed convenience. ii schoolmaster's residence, which is being; erected on the ample reserve connected with the public school. Sinoa the weather cleared up on Monday, the wind hafi again pot round to the nor-west, and has continued uretty consistently. Mild conditions for the month will be welcomed m the. hack country, where the lambing will soon he general. OXFORD. . During September rain fell on hve davs, the total precipitation being .94 inches. The average rainfall during a period of 14 years for the month was 3.81 inches. The previous driest September was in 1916, with 1.94 inches, and the wettest in 1917. with • ; inches. In 1915 the total rainfall for the year was 23.02 inches, and_for the. first- nine months 15.48 inches Tins year the total rainfall up to date is 20.06 inches. In 1915 the rainfall for the "months of July, August and September was 3 50 inches; this year, f'o 1 * the -corresponding period, the rainfall is 2.65 inches. RANGIORA. At the Dominion Billiards Parlour on Wednesday evening, the weekly handicap was won by F. Brewery, who defeated 11. Teasdale in the final. In continuance of■the anniversary celebrations of the opening ot the new John Knox Church, a social was held on Wednesday 'evening, and proved a great success. A sumptuous tea was served by ladies of the congregation in the Oddfellows' Hall. Later in the evening the™ was a crowded audience in the Institute Hall for an entertainment given by members of the Scottish Society from Christchurcli. The programme consisted of pipe music by Pipe : Ma,ior J. A. Patterson ■ and. Pipers J. McLaughlin, A. Wilson, and S. Chistaolm; Scottish and Irish dancing by Misses D. Bruce, Philipson, B. Craig, and J.. 9 r , alg; . sailors' hornpipe by Miss Aitken; songs by Mrs W. Pearce, Miss Alice Mcßratney, Messrs F. Hales, Harold Ward, and P. Donaldson;, recitations by Misses Connie Bloomfield, A. Mcßratney, Jean McMurchie, and Mr J. Laurenson'; and a cornet duet by the Messrs Mavfield Bros. Before the singing of "Auld Lang.Syne," Mr C 3..1. Jennings, on behalf of the church congregation, thanked the performers for their much appreciated entertainment. It may be added, that untoward incidents will impress the visit on the ntembfers of the party. Journeying from the city in an observation car, the driver missed his which resulted in a delay of haJf-an-hour in arrival - at Rangiora, and when the car was loaded up for the.return trip it was discovered that one of the tyres was punctured. A spare tube not being available, one had to be brought out from Christchurch, and it-was close on 1.30 a.m. before the party got away. On arrival at Christchurch, some of the party had considerable distances to go to reach their homes. Fortunately, it was a warm night.

SOUTHBROOK. A very .enjoyable social was held in the Methodist schoolroom on Tuesday evening. The occasion was in honour of Mis's N«llie Laskey, who. is shortly to be married. There was a large number present, and caeh brought some gift for the guest of the evening. Musical items were given by Mrs J. T Withers, Miss Maisie Thwaites, and Master A. Martyn. Short addresses of a eulogistic character were given by Mrs A. Young for the Sunday school, Mrs C. E. Thwaites for the Girls' Bib.e Class, and Mr 0. E. Thwaites for the church. Several competitions were entered into very enthusiastically. HORNBY-ISLINGTON. At the official opening of the Paparua Tennis Club's season, Mi' lieslie doblaxed the courts open serving tlie first ball over the. net. Dairing the afternoon the president made a presentation on behalf of the club to Mr IG. Joyce, sen., of a silvermounted Loewe pipe for his services in auditing tbe books for the past seven years. The lady members of the cluu provided afternoon tea. A meeting of the Hornby ;-nd IslingQueen Carnival Committer was held in the Anglican Schoolroom. The lxjsidtft of the competitions iri favour of No. 1 Queen, Miss Colleen AlJott, were determined. Miss Daphne Pooley lieing -winner of the table centre and Mr A. Woodward the tray cloth. A cinema evening will be given on_ October Bfch to aid the funds of No ; 1 candidate, and the returned soldiers have offered the proceeds of their sinnnal ball, which is to be hold on October 15th, for the same fund. A dance, in aid of the No. 3 Queen, will be held in the Orange Hall, Hornby. Mr and Mrs J. Rountree, who have been spending a holiday at Brighton, are expected home this week.

AKAROA. A public meeting was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Wednesday evening, its purpose being to take the necessary steps to reorganise the Boy Scouts of the district. The Mayor (Mr Geo. Armstrong) presided, and briefly explained the objects of the gathering. It -was unanimously _ resolved to form a Citizens' Committee to control the local Boy Scout movement. The Mayor was elected chairman, Mr A. P. C.;Wiilliamson hon. secretary and treasurer, with the following as an executive, with power to add to their number, Messrs C. Hall, P. 6. Riches, C. S. Parnham, A. Culien, and Kev. A. C. Purchas. The last-named accepted the position of scoutmaster, and Mr Frank Williamson was appointed assistant scoutmaster. Mr Parnham generously placed a commodious room at the disposal of the executive, to be used as a Scouts' headquarters. Other details were arranged that pr°" mised well for the success of the new patrols to be formed. It "was that the executive should meet on the first Monday of each month.

LE BON'S BAY. Although the rain of a week ago brightened prospects considerablv, the hot days lately have parched"' the ground, and the feed is now very short. If rain does not come soon, the milk season wit] not be so satisfactorv as at first appeared. At a meeting of the vestry'on Tuesday night there were present Kev. ,T. Thorpe (in the chair). Mesdame? W. Crotty, F. Elliott, Miss Leonardo (hon. secretary \ Messrs P. Bnrnett, B. Barker, and W. Sharpe. The meeting was called mainly to decide what should be done with the rent from the vicarage at Okain'g Bay. The other bays all agreed that it should go' to ■-he near a stipend, as the guarantees were still very much below a satisfactory amount. It was agreed to apply with the other bays to the Diocesan Office to have the'rent added to the stipend. The secretary's action in paying an account for insurance was endorsed. The result of the euchre tournaments was shown to be very satistactory. On the' vicar's suggestion, it was . decided, to install a new light at the back of the church, and to increase the power of one of the others. The matter was left in the hands of Messrs Barnett and Barker. The vicar said he hoped to be able to hold a fortnightly service. So far the Bay has missed a service every six weeks. W hen the new timetables are printed, the evening services will commence at (.30, to give those with big herds a better chance to bo present. It was decided to have a working bee on October 11th to clean up the grounds, as they have become overgrown' with blackberry in one corner, and one fence is in bad repair. LADBROOKS. • Thanks to the recent rain, the crops and grass are looking well. " Mr H. Pickering, sen., who has been laid up for some weeks, although still confined to his bed, is slowly on the improve.Master B. Anderson, who is suffering from rheumatic fever, is making steady progress towards recovery. The Sunday afternoon services of the Methodist Church will in future be held in the schoolroom instead of in the hall. The first service under the new arrangement will be conducted by Mr Harding on Sunday. It is hoped that, under the improved conditions, there will be a much larger attendance at these services than has been tha case of late. ' The Ladbrooks school has been again closed down through the continuance of measles in the district. At least three families, accounting for ten or twelve ! children, are affected. The school will reopen on October 13th. LEESTON. A "mock banquet" was held by the Leeston Wesley Guild on Wednesday night, as the closing function of the' 1924 series of meetings. There was a good attendance o'f Guild, members and their friends., " The' Rev. A, O. Harris presided, and the visitors included Mr J. Cunningham (chairman of the Ellesmero County Council),'Mr A. J. Gray (deputy-chairman of the Leeston Town Board), and the Bev. W. H. : P. McKenzie' (Presbyterian Church). The guests of honour were the local preachers of the Leeston circuit. An excellent 'repast was provided by the ladies, and several toasts were honoured. Particularly good speeches were made bv several of the ladies, who spoke to' the vaVious toasts. • Songs' and other items were given by Mrs J. "Coe, Misses Austin- and Eade, and Mr .Owens. ■ RAKAIA. It is' annuonced that Miss Monica McNamara, of Rakaia, has passed the Higher Local -Trinity College Examination. ' , The fishing season opened on Wednesday, and at an early hour on that day. the river' was receiving attention, but unfortunately was not in' a fishablo .condition. In the afternoon four primary schoolboys,.all..entitled to take fish, were to be seen trying their luck. ! What they lacked in Bkill they made up ; for. with enthusiasm... ■ The. following is a list of the pupils j i of the Rakaia and Methy.en Convents , examined at Rakaia oil October Ist by Dr. John Warriner, Trinity College of j Musie, London Associate, Alice Farquliar (piano); senior pass,, Hilda | Penny (piano) ; intermediate: honours, Margaret Henderson (piano); intermediate pass Doris Richards (piano); junior honours, Keith Osborne (piano); preparatory honours, Joan Breach (piano); preparatory honours, Sybil Keid ' (piano) preparatory pass, Irene McAnulty (piano); preparatory pass, James Mcintosh, (violin); first steps, Mollie Baker, (piano). MOUNT SOMERS. What will urobably be' the last football match of the season takes placo to-morrow, when the A3lenton is coming for a friendly game with local team. The annual smoike concert takes place in the evening. . Tlie Domain' Board is making improvements about the library and tennis courts and laying; down what promises to bo a very attractive children s playground beside the tennis courts, lhis should prove *b boon to the little oues whose mothers play tennis.At a special meeting of the-Plunket. Committee on Wednesday there were present Mesda-mes R. B. eill (m the chair), Croft, Gorrie, Burney, Nosworthy, Nell, Comyns, Benfell. Alexander, Hepburn, Whelham, and Jones, secretary. After considerable discussion it was decided to hold a "Paddy's market" on October. 11th, the same day as Mrs Chapman's concert. Tlie market is to be held at- the librarv, near the tennis courts, in the open if it is a- fine day, and, if. not, in the library. It is hoped that rt ■ good sum will be raised-with the market and concert xi.t night to carry on for some time without any more functions. At the rifle club this .week shooting for tho ladies' braoelet., "Lh© following were tho l>ost srores: —O. Morgan 49, Gorrie, H. Gifkins, 48/ Bland, Hazml Morgan 47, F. Gifkins4s. ITie third and last round will be fired next week. A guinea troohy was received front Mr Bland to go to the winner of the club's aggregate for the season. A trophy from Mr Gifkins wr.s also received. The rvnnual ball' nil I be held at the end of October. A meeting of the committee of the Tennis Club was held on Monday night. At the opening d«iy a.collection will be taken up for Wilding Park, and further efforts made later. The ladder of A and B teams has been drawn up. It was decided to send a .delegate to the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association, and also support the country tournament, as outlined by that. body. On' Labour Day a combined doubles tournament will be held on tho courts. During September, there -vyas rain on seven days, totalling 135 points. Tho total for the year to date is. 1952 points as against 3135 last year.