NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18544, 20 November 1925, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. An unoccupied cottage belonging l 0 Mr T. Shankland, situated in Ashley street, was totally destroyed by firo about 3 o'clock vesterday morning. The committee of the Bangiora Athletic Association met on "Wednesday night, when it was decided to hold the annual sports meeting on December l'Jth. It had previously been decided to hold the meeting on December oth, but as the Borough School carnival was fixed for that date, the alteration was necessary. At the fortnightlv meeting of the Bud of Hope Druids Lodge. Bro. C. "W. Tyler presided. Correspondence was received from the Hope of St. Albans and Trafalgar Lodges, congratulating the lodce team on winning the ritual competition. As this was also quarter night, the nomination of officers took place. The installation will take place next lodge night, the installing officer being Bro. H. Thorn ley, district president. The lodge unanimous] v recommended Bro. Warren, 01 Trafalgar Lodge for the position of •district president for the ensuing year. Bro. G. Greig, retiring trustee, was re-elected. Bros. C. Tyler and T. Eraser were nominated for the position of junior auditor. Bro. F. Col? becomes senior auditor. iSick nay and quarterly accounts amounting to £O6 10s were passed for payment. ~ KAIAPOI. Mrs Hannah Edwards, wifo of the late Mr George Edwards, "Okair Farm," Kaiapoi, who died on .November 17 th, at tho age of eighty-one, • was born in Delford, Northumberland, and arrived in Lyttelton in the Lancashire AVitch in 18K3. Until her marriage she resided in Woodend. Mr and Mrs Edwards were married in 1865, theirs being the first marriage solemnised in the AVoodend AVesleyan Church. After living for some years 011 Kaiapoi Island, Mr Edwards purchased ''Okair Farm," Kaiapoi, in 1874. Mrs Edwards resided there continuously till 19:20. She was a regular attendant at the Kaiapoi Methodist Church, and gained the love and esteem of many friends. For the last five years the late Mrs Edwards had resided at New Brighton, and enjoyed good health up to the date of her death. Of her family of six daughters and five sons, eight are still living. The funeral took place at the Kaipoi Public. Cemetery yesterday afternoon, and was largely attended. The service at the graveside was conducted by. the Rev. "W. G. Sladc, the late Mrs Edwards's four sons acting as pall-bearers. Among those who sent floral tributes were Mrs J. Moore, Mr and Mrs W.. Seooit, Mr and Mrs A. Edwards, Mr and Mrs G. Edwards, Mr and Mrs F. Edwards, Miss Edwards. Miss M. Edwards, Mr H. Edwards. Mr and. Mrs Rentoul, Mr and Mrs D. Stalker, Mr R. Scoon, Mr and Mrs G. Tnglis, Mrs Jenkin and Huia, Mr and Mrs Farmer, Mr and Mrs deal, Mr and Mrs Burson, Mr and Mrs Sherrard, and Mrs R. J. Corbett.

CUST. On "Wednesday evening the Rangiora Male Voice Choir gave a concert in the Institute Hall. The choir consisted of; 23 voices under the eonductorship of Air G. Gibbs Jordan, while Mrs (J. E. Bell was the accojnp a m st - The following was the programme:—i J art song, '•Jtiark! The Merry Dream," the cho'r; song, "The Mountains of Alonrne." Mr Reynolds; pianoforte solo, Miss Sutherland; song, ''Come Away," Miss 'Kanby-; quartette, Messrs Bell, Lockhart, .Keir, and Strahan; humorous song, "The Vicar and 1," Mr McAlpine; part song, "Down in the Depths," the choir; song, "Whisper and I Shall Hear," Mrs Chappell; Scottish charactci song, Mr ''Wiseman; part song, "Cossack War Song," the choir; humorous song, "Was Anyone Asking for Me," Mr McAlpine; pianoforte solo, Miss Sutherland; song "Merrily Shall I Live Now," Miss Kanby; quartette, ."Mother Hubbard," Messrs Bell, Lockhart, Keir, Strahan; song, "Love's Old Sweet Song" Mr Reynolds; song, "The Valley by the Sea," Mrs Chappell; Scottish character song, Mr Wiseman; part song - ; "The Border Raid," the choir. Mr and Mrs Watk'ns arc spending a holiday in the North Island. Mr W. F. Gallery is relieving stationmaster during Mr "WatkUis's absence. The following will represent the Cricket Club against Loburn to-mor-row: —J. Cowens (capt.), K. "W. Smith, W. Sail, H. Sail, J. McKcnzie, A. V. Acheson, Arthur Gartery, Allan Garten- E. Wayiand, C. Eaglesome, Hy. Tomlinson. Emergency : W r . Burgess. Tlie proficiency examinations were held in- the Cust school for the neighbouring district yesterday. Nine scholare from the local school presented themselves, and three from "West E*-re-ton school. Mr McNeill, Inspector, was the examiner. HALSWELL. There was a very good attendance at the weekly euchre and dance "held to help the public school prize and picnic fund. The winners of the euchre were: Ladies. Mrs W. Hayes, 1: Mrs I'. Gardiner. 2; men, Mr R. Gardiner, inn.. 1; Mr "W. "Wilson. '2. The music for the dance was played by Miss DMooro and extras by Miss M. Gov. Mr R. Harrison was M.C. The St. Mary's Church committee are working very hard to 'make the forthcoming garden party a success. OKAIN'S BAY. In common with other parts of Canterbury, a storm of great violence visited the Bay last week-end. Much damage was done to gardens and orchards. Mr Arnold Ware, on reaching the top of the Okaiu's saddle in his car. en route to Akaroa. met the full force, of the gale. A sudden powerful gust lifted the top of the hood and carried it away. He also had difficulty in preventing his car from, being blown back down the hill. Another resident, while attending to his dairy herd saw the chimney of his house disappear through the roof into the kitchen below. Luckily no one was indoors at the time. Mrs E. Haines, who has been ill for some time in Christchuich. is now convalescent, but is not sufficiently recovered to return to her home. Mrs T. G. Ware. "Belvedere." left on Tucsdav for a tour of the North Island. She will visit her daughter. Mrs Leach. At a final meeting for the season of the St. John's Guild, it was reported that the Guild bazaar produced £'4o. The credit balance in the Saving Bank was now Cs Tel, which was to be held for church improvement.

"Ragwort is going to wipe out dairying in Taranaki," said Mr H. Jones (Kaimata) at the meeting of the Xorth Taranaki executive of the Farmers' Union. "Blackberry is a serious menace, but ragwort is worse. Tanners will ultimately have to go in for mixed farming." Statements by other members were that ragwort on the top of the Kaitakc Ranges was spreading for miles around the countryside by the wind, that some farmers had actually asked the inspector to serve them with notices to cut blackberry and ragwort, but had not received any, and that what at a glance would be a clean paddock was covered with roots of ragwort, growing there from wind-borne seeds.