NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18673, 23 April 1926, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. There was an attendance of at tho Agricultural Hal:, when the first cards social under the auspices of the Returned Soldiers' Association was held. The prizewinners were: —Ladies, Miss R. Greig 1, Mrs A. Tulley 2, Mrs ±. Devlin 3; Men—Messrs S. C Hewitt 1. W. Watson 2, R. Rossiter 3. It was stated in the report of last Tuesday's stock market that the highest price for fat lambs this season was obtained bv Mr C. Lindsay, for a line at 32s lid.' This is incorrect, as a line belonging to Harvey Bros.. Ohoka. realised 31s M, in January last. CUST. The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. James's Church was held in the Sunday school. There was a good attendance ami the wear (Rev. A. H. McC. Acheson) occupied the chair. The annual report showed progress in several directions. Bible classes had been started and were showing vigorous growth; the amount given-to charita<>le objects outside the parish disclosed a marked increase on tho previous year: the first vear of the Ladies' Guild had been one' of outstanding enthusiasm and success. Thirteen candidates had been confirmed. The new financial system had l>een got under weigh and most of the subscriptions paid in advance; but 9ubs. to the amount of £< os were outstanding when the books closed, which partly accounted for tne fact that there was a debit balance of £4 los 3d; £lO had been given to the Ladies' Guild and £lO by the vestry to pay off the long-standing debt to the Sundav school fund and establish the "Foulger Memorial Fund." This money would be invested with the Church Property Trustees as soon as they were ready to accept it. The balance-sheet showed income £347 2s 9d, expenditure £330 Bs, balance in hank £l6 14s 9d, outstanding accounts (including Foulger Memorial Fund) £2l 10s, debt balance £4 los 3d. All the, money to the credit of the organ fund had been spent in paying for the electric blower, etc., and it was decided to close the fund. The Cemetery Board reported a credit balance of £l7 6s 4d. The vicar nominated Mr Denis Chapman as warden, Mr Robert Forsyth was elected parishioners' warden ; vestry, Messrs 11. Dawson. G. M. Pixmi, F. G. Horrell, G. H. Jackson, R. Lang T. B. Lock, G. 11. Pawsey, 11. H. Petrie, W. 0. Sail, jun. The vicar announced that this year was the diamond jubilee of the church, which had been consecrated by" Bishop Harper on. .September 29th, 18Gt>. After some discussion it was decided to keep the jubilee during a convenient week-end in September—during which it was hoped the Bishon would conduct special services and hold a confirmation. It was also deckled, as. a diamond'jubilee commemoration, to start, a fund to rebuild the. vicarage,

The appointment of Miss A. E. Walker to the. Woodend School is announced. Miss Walker has been teaching in the local school for seven years and was very popular with both children and parents. The first football practice of the season was held on Saturday last. There was a fair turn-out and good form was shown for an opening game. The first match will be played to-morrow against Amberley, when the following will represent the club:—G. Franks; L. Cowens, H. Tomlinson, S. Burrows; G. A. Bain, W. Burgess; A. Gartery; Davidson, A; Ga'rtery,' Tt. McDonald. C. Tomlinson, J. FTtisiriimons, E. Hands. L. i Tyler," W. Cooper; emergencies, Backer and Croft. HORORATA. For the past few weeks ideal autumn 'weather has been experienced, but a good rain would now be acceptable, as the ground is becoming dry. The fine weather has enabledfaraers to push on uninterruptedly with their ploughing and 6&wing, and some .green fields are to.be se«n, the state ot the soil being such that germination and growth, have been exceptionally rapid. The Harvest Thanksgiving Service in connexion with Bt. Columbia's Presbyterian Church was held last Sunday afternoon. The church was tastefully decorated by the ladies, and evidence ol Nature's bountiful increase was shown all round the building. The Rev. J. J. .Bates.preached an appropriate sermon. Suitable, hymns were sung, and Miss Nelson presided at the organ. The annual social and sale of harvest gifts in. connexion with the Presbyterian Church were held in the Hall, there being a good attendance. In the absence of Rev. J. J. Bates, Mr T. E. Pearson took the chair. Songs were sung by the Misses Budd, Bates, and Shipley, Messrs Early,. Harris, Bulmer, and Nelson. A pianoforte duet was given- by Misses Kitty MoKenzie and Nelson; a recitation by Mr Dennis; a song by Sunday School children, and a dialogue by the children. Mrs J. J. Bates and Miss Nelson'accompanied the singers. After the. concert the gifts were sold by Mr W. A. M. Nelson, and the evening concluded with supper provided by the ladies. SPRINGFIELD. The weather has been very fine, and exceptionally warm for this time of year, when frosts should ..be expected. The mountains are quite clear of snow, an 'unusual sight near the end of April, but farmers will be grateful, as feed will hold on till well into the winter. .The repairs to the-Kowai bridge are being pushed on, and a few weeks should see it once again open for traffic. The Main Highways Board have taken over the West Coast toad, the Tawera. Council to contribute a certain sum each year to the upkeep. A serious accident, and the first of its kind, occurred on Monday evening, at the top of Porter's Pass, when a motorist mistook the road in a heavy fog, the car going over the bank. The unfortunate man was not found till early morning, when some shepherds happened to pass the spot. A doctor was summoned, and it was found that he was suffering from a broken leg and other serious injuries. He was removed to the hospital under very trying conditions. The car was wrecked. There was a large attendance at the euchre tournament held in the hall, fhe ladies' prize was won bv Miss IMcCurdy 1, and Mrs S. Robershaw 2. the gentlemen's prize being won by Mr '.V. Taylor. After supper, a dance was held. A number of pupils of the public school visited the Dune-din Exhibition. They all spent a very happy time, and a word of praise is due to the authorities in charge for the excellent way in which they catered for the children. At a meeting of the Malvern CojHe Dog Trial Club, it was decided to hold the annual trials on May 27th, 28th. and 29th. Mr R. Times was re-elected secretary. Another motor accident took place on Wednesday afternoon, when a motor-lorry was overturned at a curve in the road, about one mile from the township. The occupants, who were two employees of the Christchurch City Council, who had been to the mountains, collecting plants for the Botanical Gardens, had a miraculous escape, one man bein<r badlv scratched and bruised, the other receiving some deep cuts about the face and hands. Dr. McMillan,, of Darfield, attended to the injured men.

KIRWEE.

The judging of the field roots competition, which is held under the auspices o*' the Courtcnay Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will take place next Thursday, and will be conducted by Mr F. E. Ward, of the Department of Agriculture. There are twenty-eight entries, extending from Kirwee to Sheffield. A start will be made from Kirwee about 9 a.m., and all interested are cordially invited to the Field Day.