NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18487, 15 September 1925, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. Mr Thos. Wyllie, chairman of the Sefton-Ashley Drainage Board, has received advice from the Hon. D. Buddo, M.P., that ihc clauses in tho Ashley River Trust Bill have all been agreed to, and that the Bill is now in the hands of tho printers. The young men of the Methodist Church Bible Class held a social in the schoolroom on Saturday evening in aid of the funds'of the forthcoming bazaar. Mrs C. Blair presided and there was a large attendance, competitions, games, and musical items filling in a very pleasant evening. At the monthly meeting of the Rangiora United Band of Hope, the chair -was taken by the Rev. W. R. Hutchison, who gave a temperance address. The programme was contributed by Misses Ayers, Taylor, Davis, McKechnie, Dorothy Rowe, Louie Doggett, Doris Benjes, Coila Murray, Wmnifred Gibson, Eunice Hands, Aileen Coey, Audrey Boden, Mr ITrwaites, Jack Gulliver, Billy Boden Charlie Tullev, Keith Lovell, and Noel Blair. i ROTHERHAM. A friendly hockey match -was played between the ladies and the schoolgirls, the game resulting in a draw. After the game Miss Genet, the captain of tho club, on behalf of the team, presented Mr Moor with a pipe in appreciation of his services during the season. On Saturday night the residents of Rotherham and the surrounding districts were entertained at a dance in the hall to celebrate the paying off of the debt on the improvements to the building. The Rev. J. P. Dyer, chairman of the committee, congratulated those concerned on their success in paying off the debt in so short a timo>. He mentioned the name of Miss Danielson as one who* had been ready to offer her services on all occasions. WAIPARA. During the week, cold, showery weather has again prevailed in the district.' The ground is very damp, and there is scarcely any growth in the grass lands, while it is impossible to get any actual work done in the way of cropping. Considering the unfavourable weather, there was a good attendance at the Waipara Hall on Friday evening for the railway dance. The music was supplied by Mrs A. Ferguson and Mr Hall (Omihi), while Mr Laredo acted as M.C. Supper was provided by the ladies of the district. On Sunday, Mr Dan Antill, of Weka Pass, had the misfortune to meet with a painful accident. He was filling the tank of his car when the petrol came in contact with a light, and flaring up, caused severe burns to both hands. Mr Antill was taken to Christchurch Hospital for treatment. LEITHFIELD. At the monthly meeting of the School Committee there were present: Messrs 11. May (chairman), F. May, D. W„ Palmer, W. Jamieson and T. James. Correspondence from the Education Board regarding the estab-

lishmcnt of a reserves of trees at the school was read and favourably discussed. On Saturday'afternoon: school children and committeemen gathered in the school grounds, when an interesting and instructive time was spent in planting upwards of 50 pine trees. This practically filled the area which can bo allotted to trees on the present site.

The weather continues unsettled, with foggy conditions' prevailing. On Sunday a heavy shower fell between 7 and 8 p.m,. the gauge .registering .255 inches. Rain continued until after 10 a.m. yesterday, the total fall for the fifteen hours being .735 inches. PREBBLETON. The past week has not been without its quota of wet weather, for rain fell on six days out of seven. A drizzling rain set in on Saturday evening, and though the sun succeeded in breaking through for a little while on Sunday afternoon, it was hot for long. Exceedingly heavy though short showers fell in the earrys evening, and the rain

continued to fall Throughout the night and on Monday. Prospects of spring weather seem no nearer than for several weeks past. Although large areas have been prepared for grain, a. ery small area has yet been sown, and the sodden and waterlogged condition of the land will make it impossible for much to be done in this direction tor a considerable time. Potato growers who have not yet dug the wnole of their crop are finding much difficulty in the completion of the work. Practically nothing has been done in kitchen gardens this season. There was a satisfactory attendance •at the Hall Committee's euchre match on Saturday evening, when the prizes we're awarded as follows:—Ladies: Mrs Hay ton (aluminium teapot), 1, Mrs C. Hands (mixing bowl) 2. Men: Mr L. Kolkman (pocket wallet) 1, Mr J. Earnshaw (enamel flask) 2. The aggregate prizes for the last six nights' play were awarded to Mrs Davison with 126 points, and Mr G. Downey with 121 points. Mrs W. Wilson, St. Martins, Christchurch, is spending a holiday with Mrs T. Coleman. A meeting of ladies was held on Friday afternoon to make preliminary arrangements for the annual tea meeting and concert, which is usually held in connexion with the patronal festival of I All Saints Church.

LOBURN. A surprise party visited the home of Mr and Mrs J. W. Blyth; Eosebrook, Loburn, to bid farewell to their daughter, Esther, who is leaving home to take up her duties as nurse at the Babies' Home, Sumner. The evening passed quickly with dancing and games. Alter supper MrE. L. Kempthorne, on behalf of the young people of Loburn, presented Miss Blyth with a gold-mounted fountain pen, as a token of the e?.i;em in which she was held, and wished her every success in her new sphere of life. In spite of the bad weather, a large congregation was present at St. Martin's Church, Loburn, on Sunday evening. At the close of the service, the curate, the Rev. H. F. Ault, presented the organist, Miss Blyth, on behalf of the congregation, with a Kodak camera, and wished her every success.

OKAIN'S BAY. On "Wednesday, a party of friends visited the residence of Mr H. Mason to welcome homo Mr and Mrs J. Harris. jun. A very pleasant evening was spent in games and music. Those present were Mrs J. Harris, jun., -Urs J. Boleyn, Miss Elsie Harris, Miss IMphne Harris, Mrs George Harris, fliss Jean Harris, Messrs J. Harris J T Un- ' , Harr y Jiason. George Harris, Jack Mason, J. Boleyn, E. Spurr. Boleyn. Many were prevented tro J£ coming by the bad weather. The St. John's Ladies' Guild met on Ihursday when final arrangements were made for the forthcoming sale of Mrs W. B. Clarkson (St. Albans), who was m the Bav for the MasonHarris wedding, has returned to town, one was accompanied bv her mother, Mrs J. Ware, "The Willows." Miss D- .Hammond (Stratford, North Island), who was also present for the ¥ «™g, has returned to the north. Mrs P. Harris and family have returned from a visit to Mrs Harris's mother, Mrs Pidgeon, Little River. Messrs Banks, Spencer, and Andrews, members of the Education Board, and Mr Penlington (architect) visited the Bay on Thursdav in connexion with the site for the new school. That recommended by the committee was approved. It is understood that work on the new school will be commenced shortly. SOUTHBROOK. On Sunday tie girls of the Southbrook Methodist Bible Class entertained the young people of the Rangiora Church to tea in the Schoolroom. Afterwards all present attended the service at the church, the Rev. C. Blair preaching a sermon appropriate to tho occasion.