NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18681, 3 May 1926, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. Tlio death occurred suddenly oil Saturday evening at his residence, King street, of Mr John Horton, an old and respected resident, and father of Mr Thos. Hoi'ten. The late Mr Horton had been in indifferent health for some time, but was able to get about. In the afternoon he was moving about the garden, and at. 5.20 p- 11 }* he went to liis room to retire. His daughter-in-law. Mrs W. Horton, found him dead a short timo later. M.r Horton " was 111 his 83td year, and had been a resident of Rangiora for 52 years, having arrived at Lyttelton from Warwickshire in tlio sailing ship Crusader in the year 1574. Mrs Horton predeceased her husband by some years. At tlic annual meeting of the members of the billiards section of the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis, and Croquet- Club. Mr R. H. Bailey presided over a fair attendance. Satisfactory reports and balance-sheet were read rikl adopted. Officers for the year were elected as follows:—President of the section, Mr R. H. Bailey; committee, Messrs R. .J. Smith, J. G. Wilkinson, J. W. Stnutoif, W. R. Warwick, and JT. Kin ley: secretary and treasurer, Mr A. H. Palairet; delegates to general committee, the chairman and secretary, Messrs R. J. Smith, and JStanton were n .inntcd for election oil the general committee at the annual meeting. A recommendation was carried that the general committee be_ asked to procure a new cloth for No. 1 billiard table. It was also resolved to have the cues renovated. It was de- j eided to request tlio ■committee to aji- j point a man to kec-n the tables in order and examine tiiem fortnightly. It was decided to hold a snooker drive on Saturday. Ma.v Bth, and also that a billiard handicap tourney, of 200 up> be organised immediately.

KAIKOURA. Miss Kuril Stewart lias loft Kaikoura to join tlic staff of tlic Wairau Hospital in order to finish her nursing training. liain set in on Friday and continued on Saturday. It will prove beneficial to farmers. At the Kaikoura Hospital on Friday a very pleasant function took place when a .farewell was tendered to Mrs C J. Agar, previously a nurso at the institution. There was a large assemblage of l;;dy friends. Mrs Williamson expresed regret at the guest's departure, and presented her with a handsome glass fruit dish on behalf qf her many friends Songs were contributed by several of those present, and a most enjoyable afternoon was spent. Mr P. Acton-Adams will be jiominated as a candidate to represent the combined . districts of Kaikoura. and Cheviot, on the • Hospital Board. ■ "i* : 1

WAIAU. A very pleasant function' was hekl iu tl-io Public Hall, when a large numbernf parents and children assembled to bid farewell'to Miss Shelley, who'for the past three years has been on thei staff of the local school, and who is leaving to. be married. The Rev;. J. Newlands, chairman of tlie -School Committee, ' presided, and spoke irt eulogistic terrts'of Miss Shelley's. lUany good qualities, of the zeal and ajj'fty. with which she. • had , carried out. herprofessional duties* -and of the esteem in which she was held by parents and children. He thiju, on behalf of parents and friends and scholars, presented the guest of ' the afternoon with' an oak tray, a Douiton tea service, a crystal salad bowl, and a crystal' cream jug and sugar basin, as a token of esteem and goodwill, and wished her health, prosperity.- and happiness in. her new .sphere. Mrs Clark and Messrs P. B. Dunbar, M. MeKone, TV. I>. Ranks, and , M. McDonald also, spoke. t Mr G. W. Aldridge briefly responded 011 behalf of Miss Shellcv. During the afternoon. musical items wc?re contribute*! bv the school children and - Misses D. Jtercer. It. Clark, and f). Clark. Afternoon te- 'was disnenscd bv the ladies, and the function terminated with the singing o'f "Aukl Lang Syne."

OXFORD. , April was a.dry month, rain falling on'only five days, the total precipitation being only .95 inches. ..There was no heavy rainfall on any day. ■ ,In March and April there have been only 9 days' with rain, and the total rainfall sineo the beginning of the -year is 10.89 inches. The average rainfall for April over a; period of 13 years, is three inches. On only one occasion during that period has there been a lower rainfall for the month than .95 inches, namely in 1921, with .85 inches, following a particularly dl'v March. Resides being 'exceptionally ' tlry, the month was warm and mild, .and free from boisterous winds. Fogo and mists and .-the mild temperature have induced a good growth of grass, which is in unusual profusion for this time «f the year. :

. . CUST.. The animal parish social and gift sale was a very successful function, oven though the attendance was smaller than last veai —due to counter-at-tractions and a showery evening. A fine company of amateurs from Rangiora gave two very laughable farces, entitled "Postal Orders" and "Tho Dear Departed" llccitatiohs \vere_ given by Miss Taylor and Mr C. J. Smith, and :ongs by Mrs Acheson and Mr T. B. Lock. Mrs Locke was the accompaniste. The gift sale realises a good sum, and ow features in a sweet stall (Mrs Lock, Mrs L. Campion, and Miss Mathcson) and a cake stall (Mrs Allison and Mrs Forsyth) were most successful.

I LEITHFIELD. Although the weather for April was remarkably fine and warm, almost half the days were "grey" days when the sun did not shino brilliantly, llaiu fell on six occasions, the inaximmii fall being .42 inches and the minimum being .1)325 of an inch. The total fall for the month was 1.197 inches, whilo that- for April, 1925, was 2.525 inches. The total rainfall for the year to date is 6.7G2 inches, whilo that for the first four months of 1925 was 7.365 inches. The prevailing wind was from the north-west, generaJly of a mild nature, but that of Wednesday night blew with an old-time autumnal strength. An enjoyable euchre tournament and dance were held in the Oddfellows' Hall recently. The prizes for the euchre were given by Sirs C. H. Trail, Messrs C. J. Hadlev, J. I'itzpatrick. and D. McLean. The first prizej half a ton of coal, was won by Mr Fitzpatrick; the second, a goose, went'to. Mrs McLean, and the third, a cup, saucer, and fell to the loi of Mrs Kirkby. After the" tournament supper was dispensed and the hall cleared for dancing. The music .was supplied by Mrs F. Trail, while Mr I). W. Palmer carried out' the .duties of master of ceremonies.

WEST EYRETON. At the second fortnightly euchro and dance party, the prizes went to Miss l'atkin (ladies) and Mr Lilley (men s). The dance music was supplied by tlio West Kyreton Band iMessrs Jennings, E. fS. Dixon. G. Muith, and Muldreuj. Miss Amy Dixon Tjlayed the extra.

FERNSIDE. A party of friends paid a surprise visit to Mrs Hollidav last week to bid her good-bye,, as she is leaving Feruside to reside in Christehurch. A. very pleasant time was spent in music, games, competitions, and dancing. The winners of the competitions were Miss -Margaret Bell and Mr Duncan Milne. A dainty supper was .served. The singing of ''For She's a jolly Good Follow" and "Auld Lang Syne" brought the evening ot a close. Those present ucre: Mesdamcs' Holliday, G. Milne, C. H. Hinton, Misses M. Bell, K. Milne, M. Sutherland; A. Kenyou, E. Morgan. R. Milne, Messrs F. Evans, W. B. Glass, B. Guy,' D. Milue, C. Court, C. lvenyon, and H. Sutherland. At the recent meeting of the Fernside'Tennis Club Committee arrangements were made 'for"a dance to be held in the school on Friday to raise funds. Permission has been granted for the court (which is to be of concrete) to be placed in the school grounds. A bazaar is to be held in a few months, and tlio committee is preparing for a bti.sv time during the winter. After the recent hot, dry nor'wester;;, the soaking lain at the end of the week will be very beneficial. The farmers are busy at present preparing their land for wheat-cropping, etc. The potato crops in the district are much later this year. Very few farmers have commenced digging yet, hut it is expected that digging will be in full swing in a few weeks.

KIRWEE. The rainfall for the mouth of April was only .7(3 inch. Rain fell cm eight days, the maximum fall being .28 inch on the 'lst. The fall for the corresponding • month of 1923 was 3.23 inches, 1921, 2.38 inches, ana l'J23, 2.30 inches. During the past nineteen years, there has only been three occasions when the April tall was, lower than that of this year,' viz.,' 1910, 60 points; l'Jls, 58 points, and 1918, 71 points. The fall for the'lour, months ending on April 30th was 8.38 inches, whilst for the corresponding period of 1925, 7.77 inches were registered] 1921,-7.13 inches, and 1923, 9.81 inches. There has been rather an.unusual number of north-west winds, during the month,, and on quite a number of days the weather was'.very summer-like.

[ Farmers have been busily engaged in working twitch, and other .weeds out of the land, the weather being ule-.il for .this operation. -Some whca.t has already been drilled. One farmer .reported that his wheat was np in six days. The land had been well- worked, and' j consequently it ; retained-.the moisture, and the warm days caused rapid germination. 'The turnip moth has been playing havoc amongst the turnips and swedes, but.other green feed is doing well. ■llain, again canio on, on • Friday night, and at S a.m. on -Saturday an additional :13 points had fallen, with no signs of the weather clearing. The weather is mild, with an absence of wind, and . the rain will.-do a lot'of good. . ,Potato growers, .are busy--lift-ing their early orops,-and a fair quantity ,has been sold, and delivered. - - The Presbyterians of the Halkett Parish-are busy preparing for the said of work, produce,' et'd.', which' takes place in tiro Agricultural Hall on Fri* day-. The -arrangements are in the hands of: a capable and energetic committee, and given a fine day there is ever" prospect of the function being a success. The Scottish Society are giving" a ctineert iiv the evening.

GRAIN'S BAY. At the first of a series of euchre parties organised by the members of the Oddfellows' Lodge, Mrs F. C. Milne won the ladies' first prize, and Miss L. Moore the second prize. The gentlemen's first prize was won by Mr H. J. Mason, and. the second by Mr Lambert. Music for the. dance was. supplied/by Miss L. Moore, Miss D. Harris, Miss R. Haines, and Mr Lambert. Mr L. McEwen' ircns M.C. •

SPRINGSTON SOUTH. The - residents- of the district tendered a farewell social to Miss A. Calder, who lias been assistant mistress at the local school for four : and has accepted the position of assistant mistress at St. Albans School. On entering the hull, Miss Calder was presented with a 'beautifil bouquet by little Hope Tyson; The evening took the form of a social, songs being contributed by; Master Frank Hewitt,Miss Cus'bla' Ryan, atid Mr H. Hoskins, and choruses by' the, scuool children, and Miss Hazel' Greaves 'contributed a pianoforte solo. •' The accompaniments were played by Miss C. Ryan. The dance music was supplied by Mr and Mrs Quaife, and Mr M. ltyali' was M.C. Mr f. Iveast'(past chairman of the sehool committee), in making a presentation to Miss Calder of a travelling rug and a xylonite toilet set, on behalf of the residents, referred to the high esteem in which the guest_ was held. Regret was felt at hpr leaving, as she had been an Efficient mistress,, and during her four years' stay she had made many friends. Mr A. McLeod (a former headmaster'' of the school) also spoke in eulogistic terms of Miss Calder's work, and wished her every success, in her new school. Miss Calder, in rising to respond, was greeted with cheers and the singing of . "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow." The evening was brought to a close by the singing of "Auld Lang Sync" and three cheers for Miss Calder. It has been decided to hold euchre tournaments in the hall during 'the winter months, commencing on May Bth, and a meeting will be held on Monday to elect a social committee. The spinsters and bachelors are holding a meeting on May 7th to arrange for their annual ball. Mr and Mrs C. N. Powell have returned from their tour south. Mr and Mrs W. Kirk, of Geraldine, are at present spending a holiday with friends in the district. At the annual . meeting of householders, the following committee were elected:—Messrs J. R. Tyson (chairman), J. T. Moore (secretary and treasurer). T. J. Kimbcr, T. Hamilton, and AY. Musson. After a long, period of summer weather a welcome change took place on Thursday evening, when a light sou'wr rain set in and continued throughout the night. Fridav was dull, with a sou'-we ( st wind blowing. Farmers would welcome a good downpour. A largo area of , wheat and oats has been sown, and some farmers are waiting for rain before they start drilling operations. Potato digging has commenced, and fairly good yields are reportedThe onion crops are now off the ground and the yields have been very,poo?. A unique thing for this district, is that a crop of barley still remains standing, and jf fine weather prevails, will be fit for cutting ui a This crop was" sown tato i" Decembei.