THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18242, 28 November 1924, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

—- —9 RANGIORA. A meeting of the committee of the Rangiora Athletic Association was held last night, Mr J. J. Matthews presiding. The interim balance-sheet in connexion with the championship road race and sports meeting showed receipts £B4 7s 6d, and .expenditure £94 Is, leaving a debit balance of £9 13s 6d, whn.li iv'as wholly accounted for by the sports meeting. General approval was expressed at tho success or the venture, and. the balance-sheet was adopted. As the race was so successful, it was decided that no call need be made on the guarantors, who naa guaranteed l £IOO towards the pnzomonev. It was decided to congratulate Sutherland, Smith, and Altorci, the local riders, who were placed in the race. A committee was appointe to draw up a programme for the s P° r lj s meeting to be held on January • It was resolved to apply to the Aort l Canterbury Centre of the ? a ~ "Athletic and Cycling .Union t<> a South Island championship 50-mi e road race, to be held prior to Timaru-Christchurch race next year.

PREBBLETON. The final effort of the Qneen Carnival was the combined fair, held in the I ar- ; ish Grounds, when representatives tro each of the three portions of the ,P^ IS -\ conducted stalls for the benefit of then, own queen. There were several entries in the novelty stall section which was judged by Mrs K. J. Cooke, of Lincoln, who awarded first place to the stall representing "The Old "Woman Who Lived in a Shoe," in charge of Mrs Humphreys (Tenipleton). Archdeacon Taylor, who opened the Fair, congratulated the people upon the successful financial result of the Carnival, by means of which £I2OO has been raised in ' the parish. Lady Rhodes and Mrs Taylor were also present. Hie stallholders wero as follows: —Sweets, Misses Bafter and Hayton ; fancy, Mrs Hay ton';' work, Mesdames Harris and Yeatmail; produce, Mesdames Cherry and Downey; flowers, Mrs Goodwin; sugar bag stall, Mrs Rawle; spider web. Misses Morris and Horman ('2); Dutch barrows, Misses M. Weir and J. Stewart, Mesdames Williams, Alsop, Wylie and Davison; refreshments. Mesdames Hands, Walker, Clifford (Prebbleton), Bailey, Weir, AVright, Browne, Harrison (Templeton), Muir, Seibein, Davi s and Pooley (Hornby.) The final results place.the Rose Queen of Prebbleton (Doreen Smith) first; the Gold Queen of Templeton (Joan Soune) second, and the Blue Qneen of Hornby (Daphne Cox) third. Tho prize for the novelty stall was a tea service given by Messrs A. J. White of Christchurch. The Kerosene Case Stall was in charge of Misses Carpenter and Smith.

While Mrs Yeatman, accompanied by Mi's G. Walker and a small dfiild, was driving through Prcbbleton recently, the horse stumbled and fell, throwing out all the occupants. Fortunately beyond a shaking up and some servers bruises, no injury befel any of those concerned. '

GREENDALB. To commemorate the twenty-first birthday of Miss A vice Shipley, a surprise party visited the' home of Mr and. Mrs W. Shipley on Tuesday night, when;a most enjoyable' timo was spent in. games, etc. Miss Shipley was the winner of a competition. Miss Avice Shipleygave a song. Supper was partaken of, after which the games were continued until the' early hours of morning. Among those present were:—Mr arid Mrs W. SKipley, Mesdames G. Ridgen, L. Adams, and H. B. Shipley, Misses Shipley, Walls, M. Morcland, G. Adams, M. GiddingS, A. Compton, M.| Ridgen, M. Smith, A. Shipley, Messrs H. B. Shipley, E. arid Shipley, Messrs H. B. Shipley, E and B. Adams, H. Partridge, R. Needham, "W. and Gr. Adams, C. Hidgen, and Norman Shipley.

HORORATA. Mr W. S. Pratt presided over ' a meeting of the committee of the Swimming Club, Misses Ida Oliver, and Clare Wright, and Messrs F. "Wright, C. Ironside, J. Creighton, W. Gray, A. Tuer, P. Owen, and J. Ironside being present. It was decided to affiliate with the Canterbury Centre, and' ask Mr R. Simes to act as delegate. Arrangements for a carnival "were held in abeyance pending a report from Mr P. Owen. A discussion arose regarding the filtration of the water of the bath. < The matter was left in the hands of Mr \7. 0. Gray. The club hours were fixed, and it was decided to - hold a public meeting to obtain the feeling of the residents regarding "family bathing." The following races are to be swum during the ' season: —Men's 2oyds, 50yds, 75yds, and • 100 yds; ladies' 25yds, and 50yds; juniors' 25yds and 50yds. Mr A'. Ironside's trophy will be presented to the competitor gaining most points in the men's distances. Mr Godfrey Hall's prize for life-saving will be awarded to the winners of the life-saving competition, to be held later in the season. Mr W. S. Pratt signified his willingness to coach any members in life-saving. There was a large attendance of residents at the opening of the swimming bath. Mr D. Bruce, chairman of the School Committee, welcomed those present, and stated that lie would ask Mr Narbey (Darfield), the successful contractor, to hand over the keys to Mr J. D. Hall, who would duly open the bath. He wished to apologise for Sir E. Heaton Eliodes and the members of the Education Board who were unable to be present. Mr J. D. Hall said tlie movement for the construction of a school bath started about, sixteen or seventeen years ago, when his father, the late Sir John Hall, bequeathed £IOO for the project. He especially addressed himself to the boys and girls present, asking, them to make full use of the splendid pool which had been ,provided for them. On behalf of the School Cdmmittee he wished to thank the past committees who had built up the fund, and the public generally for their loyal support. After a short programme of events had been got off afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies of the committee in the school. _ The results were:—Opening Cork Splash: Pat McHugh 1. 25yds Dash: V. Owen 1, F. Wright 2. Springboard Dive: Sime 1, Owen 2. D i ) ve: R. McHugh 1. Boys' Length: Patterson 1, P. McHugh 2 Egg and Spoon Race: E. H. Sime 1, V. Owen. Bovs' Egg and Spoon Eace: F. Wnght 1 A. 2. Girls', 12yds: D. o'liver 1, M. McKenzie 2 12vds: J. McKenzie 1, M. Justice Bottle Eace: E. H. Sime 1, Owen The judges were Messrs J. D. Hall, . Hall, and G. Hall, and the Bej. H. Eoberts, dnd the starter was Mr V. b. the afternoon Mr Douglas Deans, president of the Malvern Rug y Sub-Union, presented the Hororata schoolboys with the banner, for -.the schools' competition.

ALFORD FOREST. Tho members of the newly-formed Alford Forest Tennis Club held a "working bee" on Wednesday afternoon, when an enjoyable and profitable time was spent. It has been decided to put down new tennis courts, as tennis is at present enjoying a very successful run at Alford Forest. Mr J. W. M. Dart, of Methven, attended and gave the local club the benefit of his experience. After a thorough discussion a plan was drawn up and the initial steps in the formation of the court 3 were gone on with, and some good work accomplished. Before ■ dispersing Mr Blathwavt, president of the club, thanked Mr Dart on behalf of the members for his assistance and advice.

METHVEN. A special meeting of the members of the Methven Cricket Club was held; in the Anglican Hall on Wednesday evening. The president (Mr Jno. Watson) presided over a good attendance of members. In opening the meeting Mr Watson referred to the unfortunate position tho club was in principally owing to the loss of senior players by removal from the district'.It was decided to withdraw from the Studholme Shield Competition and to form a junior team. The secretary was instructed to write to various county clubs and endeavour to arrange friendly games; also to inform the Ashburton County Association of the withdrawal of the Benior team and enquire if there was any possibility of arranging matches with junior teams affiliated with the Association. Officers for the junior team were elected as follows: — Captain, Mr P. A. Watson; vice-captain, Mr C.' Jessep; secretary, Mr G. Stephen; committee,' Messrs Duff, A. Allred, W. Grieve, L. Allred; selection committee, captain, vice-captain and secretary. The quostion of subscription was discussed, and it was decided that the junior players' subscription be ss. It was resolved to hold a flannel dance, and the following were appointed a committee to make tho necessary arrangements: Messrs Watson, Stephen, L. Allred, A. Allred, E. Duff, C. Jessep, G. Dalton and W. Grieve, with power to add to their number. Prizes for . a lucky-spot waltz wero offered by Mr it. Duff and Mr W. J. Owen (lady's and gentlemen's prizes respectively.) The Junior Committee met subsequently and decided to play a match between teams selected by tho captain and vicecaptain. The teams selected were:— l Captain: P. A. Watson, Glasson, Hampton, L. Allred, E.' Ireland, W. Grieve, J. Middleton, E. Grubb, A. Owen, Jno. Watson, J. Crooks. Vice-captain: G. Stephen, C. Jessep, Dalton, Anderson, A. Allred, B. Duff, R. Adams, C. Topp, H. Owen, C. Crooks, L., Crooks. Emergencies: L. Scoon, E. Scoon, L. Ireland.

RAKAIA. A meeting of the Rakaia branch of the P.W.M.U. was held in St. Andrew's schoolroom on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs A. S. Morrison presiding. Thero was a good attendance of members and friend's. A letter was received from Mrs J. S. Lambie thanking members for expressions of sympathy in her recent bereavement. It was decided to hold a gift afternoon, when gifts of materials will be received in preparation for a bazaar to be held in the autumn. An interesting account of the P.W.M.U. conference recently held in Palmerston. North, was given by Mrs Kirk. A hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Kirk was carried by acclamation. Afternoon' tea. was served.

A meeting, of the committee of the Rakaia Athletic and Qycling Club was held in the Library on Wednesday evening. Mr E. Fox occupied) the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. A letter was received from the Timaru Centre fixing March stli as the date for the Rakaia Club's annual sports meeting. It Was decided] that in the road race competitors must pay all fees before starting. It was also decided that in future no entries for club races will be received unless fees are The .secretary vs'as instructed to wnto to' defaulting competitors in the last -race requesting payment of entry fees. For the road race to-morrow, Mr W. _ Crorme was appointed marshal, ,Mr Liglitfoot l{ip checker with the judges, Messrs A. Shannon, W. Laraman, C. McKegney, S. Connolly, and A. Oliver observers. The secretary- was instructed to request the Domain Board to receive a deputation regarding the cycling tracks. Messrs A. Shannon, E. McSweeney, J. Allen, and H. Cant were appointed a sub-committee' to draw up a programme for the. annual sports meeting, and to submit it to the General Committee.* It was, dlecided to hold an evening meeting ■of cycling and running events next month. The following handicaps have been declared for to-morrow's road race:T. Ellis scr, H. Cant Jmin, L. Goulds lmin, A. Ramsay lmin, J. liapley 1| min, R. J. MpCoy lfmin, E. Pye IS min, F. -McNamara lJmm.C.-Basher 2min, J. O'Reilly 2min.. JB. Boswell 2Jmin, C. G. Basher 2Jmin, H. McDonald SJiriin, Rountee 2Jmm, J. Cornelius 22min, E. Duncan 3mm, W. "Wells 3min, W. Shellock Bm!n, W. Butler 3Jmin, P. Pluck . 3i.min, R. Breach 3imin. A meeting of Court Star of Rakaia, A.0.F., was held on Wednesday evening, Bro. W. Johnson, C.R-, presiding over a good attendance of members. Bro. Johnson welcomed Bro. Piercy, of Court Sir George Grey, Wellington. Bro; Piercy thanked the Rakaia brethren for-their welcome, and gave a brief outline of the working of courts. An interesting report of . the Canterbury district meeting'was giv<®t by Bro. W. Duns tan. Sick pay amounting to £5 18s was passed for payment. Three ladies were initiated into the Order, and one candidate Mas proposed for initiation. A very well-attended meeting of the Loyal Rakaia Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held in the Library. The ocasion was the installation of officers, the installing officers being: Bro. H. Petterson, N.G. ; Bro. A. C. Hardy, V.G.; Bro. G. L. Knox, 1.P.N.G.; Bro. _H. Donaldson, Guardian; Bro. J. Childs, Warden; W. Harvey, L.S.V.G.; Bros. W. Garrard and E. Childs, conductors. The newly-installed officers wete: — Bro. R. Baker, P.D.GJVI. as Bro. A. D. McLauchlan, V.G.; Bro. C. Nelson, elective secretary; Bro. A. Oliver, secretary; Bro. J. Turton, P.S., I.P.N.G. and lecture master; Bro. K. L. McLauchlan, R.S.N.G: ; Bro. J. Basher, L.S;N;G..; Bro. Bishop, R.S.V.G.; Bro. Douglas, jun., Guardian; Bro. T. Jones, Warden. After the ceremony P.G. Bro. J. Turton and P.G. Bro. McNamara, thanked the officers and members .of the Ashburton Lodge for the interest they had taken in tho Rakaia Lodge, and for performing the installation ceremony. Broi Baker, P.D.G.M., N.G., also returned thanks to the installing officers. Bro. Petterson, N.G., replied on behalf of Ashburton. During the evening two new members were initiated into tho Order. After the Lodge closed supper was handed round by the local brethren.