NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18348, 3 April 1925, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA.

A public meeting was held in the Institute Hall last night, called to consider a proposal made by the local sports bodies to purchase an area of land known as. the Dudley Estate, and comprising about 13 acres, situated in the centre of the borough, as a sports and recreation ground. The Mayor (Mr W. A. Kowse) presided, and there was a fair attendance. 'Councillor K. Macintosh'said that the Dudley Estate trustees were taking steps to dispose of the property, and there was a,great need of a sports" ground in the town. They should not allow the opportunity to be missed. Dr. T. N. Allen said that he was in thorough sympathy with the movement. Mr C. Tyler, president of the Football Club, endorsed the remarks made by the previous speakers. Mr B. A. McKeown also spoke, stressing the advantages of securing the site for the children's sake. On the motion of Mr It. Macintosh, Messrs J. Catherwood, C. Tyler and the mover were appointed to interview the trustees of the estate and obtain a definite price for the land and the terms on which it could be purchased, and report to another meeting at'an early date. The motion was carried unanimously.

ASHLEY BANK.

At a meeting of the Ashley Tennis Club, held in the, local schoolroom on Tuesday evening, there was a fair attendance of members'. Mr II Teach •,vrh in the chair. It was decided to accept the challenge from t!u- Lohurn Club and if convenient to arrange A match for Easter Saturday, the matcii to be played- on- the Ashley Courts. The club has decided t°.,? Sr pha-lt. the courts as soon as possible. A ladder match, will be played on fc>aturdav afternoon to nick the team tor Easter Saturday. Next a working bee will be held at the courts. A "Government subsidy of £9 12s ■« has been received by the librarian. A harvest festival service will be held in the Presbvterian Church next Sunday, when tl'ie Rov. T>. J. Youngson who is leaving for Euroa, Victoria, will preach his farewell service. The mornings are very cold and frosty, though followed by strong sunshine. Last Saturday's roiii did a little good, but more is needed. Earmers are busy with skim ploughing.

LE BON'S BAY. Several grass-seed sales have been effected lately. The .price, compared with that of a few years ago, is very poor. Very few lots now arc. realising anything above 6d per lb. The' crusher lias nearly finished its work in the Bay,- and?is now at the heap opposite C. Grotty's. As this is ii very small heap, it will not be long before .the crusher, goes, and the roadmen will be ablo to give all their attention to the. roads. ■■■■•• ,

HALSWELL. The last of the series of euchre parties and' dances organised by the local Sports Club was held in the hall on Saturday night, there being-a fair attendance of players. ..The prize-winners were:—Ladies: Mrs 11. Hayes 1, Miss Fitzgerald 2; men: Mr H. Hayes 1, Mr A. Cox 2. The winners of the aggregates were—-Ladies: Mrs Lunt; men: Mr Lunt. The musicv-was supplied for the dance" by' Miss Moore, ''and'extras were played;by Miss Eaglesome; •- M-r.E. Harrison was M.C.

HORNBY-ISLINGTON. The Hornby Dance ; Assembly held a car.ni.val,dance in'' tie". Orange Hall,; Hornby, on Wednesday evening. ;The ] music was supplied by Smith's Marimba i Band, and extras were played by Miss Lily Freeman. . Mr D.lrvine carried out the duties of M.C. During the evening, Miss Jean Webb sang' solos, which were much appreciated. The prizes for the fancy dress were awarded to.Mrs Baker '(Gipsy) and Miss L. Man(Going Up). Among those present were:—Mrs Smith, Mrs McGirr, Mrs C. Lennox, Mrs Tovey (Jockey), Mrs Davis (Indian Squaw), Mrs : Baker (Gipsy), Misses Jessie Bryce (French Artist), Olive McKenzie (Ohristchurch, jockey), Jean Webb (Butterfly), Thelma Lake (Soekburn, Scotch Lassie), Lucy Manhire (Going Up), Lily Freeman, Doris Griffiths, Jean Simpson, Nellie Minards, Betty Bryce, Hilda Kiddell, Eileen Riddell, Messrs D. Irvine, C. Flaws, C. Sutherland, A.--S. Minards, I W. Minards, B. Freeman, W. Freeman, S.' Gawlor, F. Williamson, J„ Knight, E. Ibbotson, H. Horman, C. Lennox, W. Seibein, B. Woodham, P. Mellwraith, K. Hamilton, H. Spic'cr, M. Bridges, F. Tippett, J. Carter, D. Hutton (Templeton), C. Goodwin (Prebbleton), E. Pollock, H. Wright (Soekburn), C. Bradford, L. Cooke. .The. Islington Welfare Committee held their fortnightly euchre tournament in the Islington Social Hall on .Tuesday. evening. There was a. good attendance, and prizes were awarded as follows:—Ladies' first prize, Mrs Earnshaw (Doulton 'teapot),: i seco'nd .• prize, Mr W. Pollock (acting lady) (glass shaker); men's'first.prize, Mrs W. Seibein (acting gentleman) I pocket 'wallet); second prizes Mr :W. Hampton (handkerchiefs). '■••' ■ ■ •

~K1RWEE......... , The rainfall for the,moii,th of Mareh was 1.42 in. Bain fell on two days, the maximum fall being 76 pbints.'bn the uth. For. the corresponding month of 1924,. the fall wa5,2.22i.n; 1923, ..89in; 1922, 2.72 in. The total for the three months, ending on March 31st, was 4.52 in, whilst for the- corresponding period of 1924, the/total was 4".75 in; 1923, 7.51 in; 1922, During the month north-west-winds predominated, and at times' tTioy' blew, with great violence, doing, it considerable amount of damage -to ' stacks; and drying' off.'.. the rape and turnip crops. Farmers, are busy-getting out their potatoes, and the weather Jias been very favourable for this operation.- Unfortunately, the shortage of railway trucks has put a stop to the digging, as the tubers cannot be got, awaj>,and large numbers of sacks are to.be seen in the paddocks. " " .7. V ..-.- ... The methods of. trie Railway Department, in dealing with the requirements of their clients, are still subject for criticism,- Last Saturday morning tw.o horses were trucked- at KirweeVand consigned to Tattersall's. A local farmer bought .two horses, and; out. going, to load.-these horses and consign-them to Kir wee,-the owners were informed that fhefhorses could not be put'off at Kirwee, but would.be taken on to Darfield: ' This, made .it necessary' to journey, to Darfield in the rain,.."and bring the horses back to Kirwee.