NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18668, 17 April 1926, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. . The monthly meeting of the District School Committee was held on Thursday night. There were present: Messrs C. W. Tyler (chairman), J. Tweedie, A. Cambridge, C. D. Gibson, A. H. Benzes, E. D. Howe, and J. JMatthews. Mr B. A. McKeown, the headmaster, was also present. In his monthly report, the headmaster statecl that the number of scholars on the roll was: Boys 190, girls 182 ;\ total_ 3<&. The average attendance being 354.U-J. This is seven scholars short of the required average to maintain the school in grade VI. In the school's garden competition for the McFarlane Shield, the school gained second place and won £2 The report was received. It was decided to send a letter of congratulation to the Agricultural Instructor, Mr E. L. Breach, for the success of the school. In connexion with the visit of the school children to Dunedin Mr .McKeown reported that 67 scholars had paid for the trip. The children would be in charge of himself and Miss Ambrose, with some of the committee and their wives. The excursion would leave on Monday and return on Friday next. The master also reported that the Inspectors, Messrs Evans and Raymond, had visited the school during the week. Complaints by the staff were received in respect to the delay with the promised dual desks, and it was decided to write to the Board, complaining of the delay. It was also decided, to write to the Department, pointing out the need of a new school building. The present building was quite out of date and in a very bad state of disrepair. It was decided to fall in with the arrangements made for Anzac Day. Correspondence was received from the Board, notifyin- the committee of the date of the election of a school committee, nomination for which must be in on the 19th and the election on April 26th. Mr W. L. Murray, who has been a, member of the committee for a numner of voars, stated he would not bo a candidate this year. The annual meeting of the Metlodfst Church Chior was held on Thursday evening, the Rev. C. Blair in the chair. There was a fair attendance of members. The report and balancesheet presented by the secretarv, Mr' H. Benzes, was satisfactory. Owing to removal from the district the choir had lost the services.of Mr R. Simpson, the conductor. The position had been filled by Mr T. J. Withers. JV o resignations had' been accepted during, the year, and two members cie'ead. The choir had also suffered through the death of Mr Ivan Taylor. Officers were elected as follows: —Conductor, Mr T. J. Withers; organist, Mr \. Laud; secretary and treasurer, Mr H. J. Benzes; librarians, Misses Nel>mes and Benzes. PREBBLETON. Mrs J. Longstaffe, who has been spending the Easter holidays with her son, Mr G. Longstaffe, at Probbleton, has returned to her home in Ashburton. Mr and Mrs L. Fuller, of Horarata, are staying with Mrs S. Fuller, Prcbbleton. Rain on Tuesday'afternoon interrupted the spell of exceptionally fino and summer-like weather of the past few weeks. 'The rain fell intermittently throughout the following day, when it cleared and there was a return to fino weathor. Tho school children who have been spending the week at the Exhibition returned by special train on -Friday afternoon, all well, and in exuberant spirits. They report having had a thoroughly happy time, visiting places of interest in Dunedin, in additon -to tho Exhibition itself. They were well looked after during tho whole of the visit. The Aurora Australis was clearly visible in the southern skies on Thursday evening. Tho phenomenon was very bright for several hours. FERNSIDE. Several of the Fe'rnside School children are availing themselves or the opportunty of visiting the Dunedin Exhibition, and will be jom-neing thither on Monday. The boys and girls are going in compauy with the Cust School children. Mrs Guy has gone on a visit to friends in the North Island. t . Mrs Holliday has returned from a visit to the Dunedin Exhibition. Mr and Mrs T. Mcintosh, who also have been visiting the Exhibition, returned home from Dunedin on Wednesdav.

CHEVIOT. The Cheviot Public Hall was packed to the doors when the Cheviot Amateur Dramatic Society presented the threeact comedy, "Facing the Music." The members of the Society gave an excellent performance of the comedy, which was greatly enjoyed by the large audience who at the conclusion of each act gave the players an ovation. The proceeds are to be devoted to the County War Memorial Garden, and at the conclusion of the performance Mr S. C. Smith, on behalf of the War Memorial Committee, expressed the thanks of the comraitteo to the Society for their efforts. A meeting of the committee of the Cheviot Collie Club was held recently tht president, Mr A. Gillanders, presiding over a good attendance of members. It was decided to hold the annual trials on May 6th, 7th, and Bth, and fo leave the catering arrangements in the hands of the Cheviot Ladies' Croquet Club. As Mr G. L. Rutherford was unable to accept the position of judge, it waß decided to approach Mr G. Rutherford. It was also decided that the cup presented by the late Mr H. Francis be allotted to Class 1 as a memorial challenge cup, and that a miniature cup be given with the cup. It was decided to close entries for the trials on April 29th. The presidentwas appointed delegate to the Canterbury Collie Club Association. No election was necessary for members of the Jed River Drainage Trust, the required number only being nominated, and the following have been appointed members of the Trust: Messrs H. C. Dierek, D. O'Connor, T. Lewis, T. Meiklc, and B. Skinner. A party of school children from tho various schools of the district will leave on a visit to the Dunedin Exhibition on Monday. They will be in charge of Mr Geo. Ferguson and Miss E. Sloss. Thero was a good attendance at a working bee held on tho Cheviot Golf Club's course on Saturday last, and good, work was done preparing the course for the opening of tho season, which takes place to-day. ■ Arrangements for the fitting celebration of Anzac Day, Sunday, April 25th, were discussed at a recent meeting of the committee of the Cheviot Returned Soldiers' Association, when it was decided to carry out the same programme as last year, viz., short ceremony at the Spotswood Memorial at 11 a.m., and a combined service at the County War Memorial at 2.30 p.m. At both ceremonies an opportunity for placing wreaths and flowers on the memorials will bo given. The first matches in the Hurunui Rugby Football Sub-Union competition will be played on Saturday, May Bth, when the Culverden Club will visit Cheviot with two teams. LEITHFIELD. At the April meeting of the School Committee, there were present: Messrs H. May (chairman), T. James, W. Jamieson, F. May, and D. W. Palmer. The chairman reported that the incidental allowance for the quarter ending March 31st, had been paid into the bank. He also reported that tho books had been audited and found correct. Correspondence from the Education Board, stated that the replacement of the school grate would receive early consideration. The teacher reported that the attendance for the March quarter had been 96 por cent., and that the general health of the pupils had been good. The school will be closed for a fortnight from May 17th, for the term holidays. ' The Swimming Club committee met on Thursday night, when there were present: Messrs D. McLean (chairman), Miss Mander, Messrs H. May, D. W. Palmer, F. May, W. A. Kelcher, E. Stace, L. O'Malley, C. J. Hadloy, J. Fitzpatrick,, Miss Lloyd, and Mrs C. H. Trail (secretary). Accounts amounting to £3 8j wcro passed for payment. Mr J. Fitzpatrick informed tho coramitteo that Mr J. ». Shaw, builder, Christchurch, had generously given tho bricks used in the building of the fourteen-foot wells. The gift was greatly appreciated, and the secretary was instructed to write Mr Shaw a letter of thanks and appreciation. The arrangements for tho forthcoming euchre tournament and dance were completed. It was decided that tho season's trophies be presented on May 20th. A brief interlude in tho pleasant spell of bright autumn weather occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, when .42 inches of rain fell. Thursday morning was dull and cool, but as the day advanced, fog enveloped tho district, and at times in the early evening was so thick that visibility was bad. Soon after 8 p.m. the fog rolled away aiyl calm nor'-west conditions... prevailed. Yesterday was a bright autumnal day, when the glorious autumn tints showed to perfection. At this season, the districts adjacent to the Kowai river form one of the prettiest spots in North Canterbury. When the fog lifted on Thursday evening a display \of the Aurora Australis was visible. The spectacle was not so ! brilliant as on former occasions, but the semi-circle of rays was very distinct. - LEESTON. The monthly meeting of the Leeston Town Board was presided over by Commissioner R. J. McConnell. The Medical Officer of Health requested the Board to serve notice on a resident of Carston street to construct a catch-pit to deal with house drainage. 'lie clerk was instructed to serve the notice, and to apply to the inspector for specifications, ilie clerk reported having received notice that a grant of £i3 os lOd woulu lw paid to the xJoarcl by the-Main Highways Board towards tue cost of repairing that part ot. the mam higuway running through the town district. It was decided to call tenders for-carting 500 cubic yards of shingle from the Board's pit, 400 yards to be placed in a dump tor winter repairs, ana 100 to be placed cm the streets where repairs were needed at present. The chairman said that Mr" T. Beck had cleaned out the drain through his property over the whole length. He was now desirous of seeing the length below his place cleaned. The Board decided to call tenders for cleaning this, arid other drains. Commissioner Clausen urged that the Board should endeavour to raise the money required to pay off the debt on Hi- 'Memorial Square improvements, preferably by other means than through the rates. 'Commissioner Johnston suggested that the Board should launch a big scheme to complete improvements to the Square, the laying of concrete paths, and the building of a band rotunda. It was decided to hold a special meeting to discuss the question. The annual meeting of the Ellesmere Public Cemtery Board of Trustees was presided over by Mr A. J. Inwood. The balance-sheet for the year ended December 31st last, returned by the Auditor-General, showed a credit of £l4B 15s 3d at bank. £45 5s 7d in the Post Office Savincs Bank and £2OO invested in War Bonds. The chairman presented a report in which he referred to tho death of tho late Mr William Nixon, who had been the last link connecting the original trustees with the present Board, having been a member since the Board was first gazetted in 1878. Mr A. J. Inwood was re-elected chairman and secretarv, and Mr A. Mcpherson treasurer. Mr W. J. Lemon reported that the Leeston Presbvterian Church authorities had nominated Mr •lohn Nixon ns their representative on I the Board to fill the vacancy caused tbrouch the death of Mr William Nixon. The Board approved the nomination and decided to forward the

name to the Minister for Lands to be gazetted. An application from the Leeston Town Board for the use of a, reserve next to the Pines Pit was declined. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr A. J. Inwood for his work as chairman and secretary. MOTUKARARA. The Waihora Football Club opened its season on Saturday last with practice games, and to-day they will play a friendly match at Tai Tapu against St. Andrew's Old Boys' Club and United Juniors. At a meeting last week the lady supporters of the club decided to hold a dance in the Motukarara Hall on Thursday, the 22nd inst., in aid of the club's funds, and judging by the intrest shown it should be a great success. The Hall Committee, at the last meeting, decided to open the weekly card tournament and dance on the firstSaturday in May, and, as usual, should receive a liberal patronage. The Waihora lennis Cluh are making preparations to have their courts again top-dressed in about three weeks' time, when the same will be closed for a short period. The trophies won at the Easter tournament will lie presented at a function to be held later. WOODEND. On Thursday afternoon at "Brockenhurst," Woodend, {he lady friends of Mrs J. Crawford met to bid her farewell on the eve of her departure for the Home Country. Games and competitions were played during the afternoon, and musical items wore given by Mrs Smith and Misses P. .McGrath, and K. Young. Mrs Young presented Mrs Crawford on behalf of her lady friends with a travelling rug and a cabin trunk. Those present were:—Mesdames Stokes, Payne, ASmith, Ward, J. Young, D. Stalker, Thornton, J. Barnard, K. Barnard, J. McGrath, Shilton, Dench, Cutler, K. Mcintosh, K. Mcintosh, jun.. Gillman, J. Marshall, Davidson, Hamilton. Misses P. McGrath, K. Young, P. Pearce, J. Jones, H. Mcintosh, and Shilton.