NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18604, 1 February 1926, Page 4

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. The rain which fell oil Friday night and Saturday morning was general throughout North Canterbury, and was very greatly welcomed by the farmers. The country was very dry, especially north of Amberlev and in the Cheviot district and the farmers were having a must anxious time, through the number of grass fires which were continually breaking out, especially up the Omihi Valley and near Domett. from Ethekon north, several tires broke out from sparks from the railway, and several telegraph poles and a good deal of fencing have been destroyed. The rain has been especially welcomed in these localities, and not alone by the farmers but by the railway officials. The downfall ceased on Saturday morning, but a good deal fell again on Saturday niL'ht, and early on Sunday morning. The chairman of the High School Board of Governors received a telegram from the Hon. Sir .Tames Parr, Minister for Education, on Saturday, intimating that he would visit the school on Wednesday morning.

CUST. The long spell of dry weather was broken on Friday night, when a sou'wester blew up with rain. Heavy showers fell during the night, and lighter rain was experienced on Saturday morning, when the weather cleared again. A meeting of the Institute Hall Committee was iield on Thursday evening. Present: .Messrs Crysell (chairman;, Wayland, Wood, F. Early, C. Forbes, Watkins, McKenzie, and Acheson. The Beautifying Sub-Committeo reported that the shrubbery had been 'well kept, and some new trees purchased to replace some that had died. A letter was read from -Mr Yateman drawing the attention of the committee to the new regulations governing cinematograph shows, and the necessity for providing a fireproof operating box. After discussion it was decided to appoint a sub-com-mitteo to go into the matter of cost, interpretation of regiilations, etc., and submit a report. It was decided to write to Mr Yateman and say that the committee were going into the matter. The library sub-committee reported the addition of several new volumes to the library. The annual meeting was fixed for Thursday, February ISth. The treasurer presented a draft of the annual balance-sheet, showing a satisfactory credit balance. It was decided to pay £3O into a) sinking fund towards tlio extinction of the \niortgago on the section. GRAIN'S BAY. The annual returns for 192-3 of the Loyal Hand of Friendship Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., show a very satisfactory position. Tho membership is now 49 men, 1G women, a total of 65, Sick pay, £123 2s 6d, exceeded the sick fund contributions, £lO2 8s 7d, by £2O 13s lid. One funeral allowance of £3O was paid. last week's' gale raised an exceptionally heavy sea, which caused considerable damago to the Wharf road. The huge waves*breaking right out beyond the Heads presented a sight well worth seeing from the hills. The continued dry weather is causing anxiety to dairy farmers, the herds being short of feed, thus causing a diminished milk supply. The weather, however, has suited the cocksfoot harvest, several farmers having already finished threshing. During tho liot weather a good many residents and visitors patronised the beach. Several friends of Mr John Moore gathered to bid him farewell on the eve of his departure for New Guinea. .A musical evening was held and two .competitions, which were won by Mr Floyd Mason and Mr L.. McEwan.

Those present' included: Mr and Mrs 1 Percy Moore, Mr and Mrs W. Robin'son, Mrs Reg. Mason, Misses L. Moore, M. Moore, R. Haines, D. Harris, Leila Mason, Nola Mason, Winnie Robinson, and Nita Robinson, Messrs ,Joe Haines, R. Haines, llitchie, Geo. .Moore, Floyd Mason, and L. McEwan. Mrs J. J. Moore and Miss D. Moore are spending a fortnight with Mr A. G. Moore, Nelson. Mr and' Mrs His Top and family are staying with Mrs Walter Harris. Mr and Mrs Reed have returned from a visit to relatives at Ashburton. The Misses Sharman : and Mr Sharman (Christchurch) have taken a house at Okain's Bay for a few weeks. Mr, Mrs, and Miss Cunningham and Miss Kurl (Christchurch) spent the week-end with Mrs Reg/ Mason. Mrs Hartley and family (Christchurch) arc staying with Mrs W. Pidgeon. Miss Sinclair (Lyttelton) is the guest of Mrs Archio Ware. Miss 0. Spurr and Miss D. Spurr (Christchurch) are visiting Mrs A. McKay. Mr Inglie (Stratford) paid a short visit to his sister, Mrs Reg. Mason. Mr and Miss Jcnkin (Christchurch) arc the guests of Sirs T. Ware. GREENDALE. A successful social was held in the Orange Hall on Tuesday evening, to bid farewell to Miss J. S. Sloane, who, after being mistress of tho Greendale school for four years, has recently been appointed to a position on the West Coast as sole-charge teacher. A short programme was given, as follows : —Pianoforte duet, Mrs J. H. Jarman and Miss G. Barker; song, Miss M. Rudd; song, Miss A. Shipley; vocal duet, Misses B. F. and M. Rudd; song, Miss Vera Frew. Mrs J. H. Jurman acted as accompanist. Mr C. H. Adams, on behalf of the district, made appreciative reference to Miss Sloane's work in the school, and voiced regret at her departure. Mr E. H. Frew, chairman of the school committee, asked Misg. Sloane to accept a gold wristlet watch as a token of tho esteem in which she was held by the residents. The Ladies' Hockey Club, of which Miss Sloane was captain during the past season, presented her _ with a leatherette writing companion, the presentation being made by Mr T. Gough, president of tho club. From the scholars attending the school Miss Sloane received a handbag, the presentation being made by Doris Adams, one of the younger scholars. Miss Sloane returned thanks, and said that she hoped to revisit Greendale from time to time.

KIRWEE. The weather has at last made a welcome change, rain setting in from the south-west on Friday night. It continued to fall all night, and" .92 inch was registered at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The weather then cleared, although it remained cloudy. The rain will do an immense amount of good to the rape and turnip crops, which were showing the effects of the continued dry spell, and it will also freshen up the grass paddocks.