NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18724, 22 June 1926, Page 4

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. ' Last week .the Kangiora branch of the Methodist .Women's Missionary Union celebrated its first anniversary, Mrs Blair presiding over a large attendance of members and friends. Mi's G. Bowron and Mrs Frank Thompson were present, representing the Christchurch Union, and offered congratulations. They expressed pleasure at the amount of work the. young branch had carried out during the year, and hoped for it a great future. A dainty afternoon tea was dispensed by the members, a feature of which was a birthday cake presented by one of the ladies, each person present receiving a portion. Songs were contributed by Mesdames Baillie and E. Withers, and a duet by Mrs C. S. Ayers and Miss Ayers. _ , _ . The opening session of the Unites Band of Hope was held in the Oddfellows' Hall. Captain Barker, the new-lv-appointed president, was in the chair. The gathering took the form of a social, with games for the children, interspersed with a programme of vocal and instrumental items and recitations. The following contributed to the programme:—Misses Cosgrove, V. Taylor, I. Benjes, Crum, A. Scott, E. Hands, And W. Gibson, and Master Noel Blair. Captain Barker gave a short address. A novel way of serving round the supper was introduced, each one present receiving a paper bap: with his or her share of the eatables in it. It certainly saved the waiters a considerable amount of work. The social was' a most enjoyablo one. The usual meeting will be in a fortnight's time. HANMER SPRINGS. The Waiknrj football teams were favoured with a pleasant day for their trip up to engage the local players in the competition games. As previously, the junior match was lirst played, resulting in a win for the home team by 6to nil. ltcferee, Dr. Sowerby. The seniors' game went in favour of the visitors by ti points to'ii. .Referee, Mr J. D. (Seekiip. Both games were keenly contested, and were fairly even, as indicated by-the scores. Next Saturday the juniors will play Glenmark at Waikari as a curtain-raiser to the Hurunui Sub-Union versus a Christchurch Club team. SbaTpo and Cobden are the, two local players chosen for the first-named side. A meeting of, residents was held last week further to discuss matters in regard to the erecti6n of a fence round the Fallen Soldiers' Memorial. Mr Lakmert submitted a plan on lines already decided upon, and an estimate of the cost, and it was decided to entrust the work to him. It waa also decided to fence in a bigger area thap at first projected, and to approach the County Council through Councillor G. 0. Rutherford, asking if that body would put the area in question into shape. Mr J. Dodds, chairman and treasurer, stated that the dance arranged to help the fund had been a success, and that there were nearly sufficient funds in hand to meet the cost of the work.' Since Wednesday last hard frosts and sunshine have prevailed, with nor'-westers on several days. During the previous night there was a rainfall on the plains, with snow down on to the flats in the back country, which it not all gone yet, though sunny faces are clear. The winter eo far has. been favourable for stock in the back country, which is reported to bo in good • condition. Conditions have ,also been favourable for farm' Work, though the frosts have made the ground too hard to plotigh until nearly midday on a few occasions. ROTHERHAM. An enjoyable evening was spent at the residence of Mr an* Mrs G. Popplewell, when, a "tin-kettiing" was the main item of the evening. t Musio and songs filled the greater part_ of the • evening, and.games and; dancing were indulged in till an early hour. WAIAU, During the week-end seasonal weather, in the form of cold nights with hard frosts, end bright, sunshiny : days, haß been experienced. So far stock has wintered well, and is mainly in goQd condition to withstand the rigorous weather which may naturally be expected during July. TSo members of the Girls' Hockey Club conducted a luncheon and refreshment booth at the Waiau Collie Club trials, and thereby materially augmented their travelling, fund, the ' receipts for the three days amounting i to £3l. , WAIPARA. The past weok commenced with cold showery weather, followed at times with heavy rain. On Tuesday, the weather cleared, and since *hen frosty mornings with beautiful sunny days have prevailed. There is. quite a springlike giowth in the green pasturos, and late sown crops are coining up nicely. Thq usual monthly Of the Mothers' Union was hold in the Glenmartc "Vicarage, when there was a fair attendance from Waipara and Oiuihi. The meeting took the form of a social afternoon, and songs and musical items were rendered by Miss Fendall .and Mrs Glahuie. Afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies of the vicarage. Mr Gordon Ellis, formerly of Darfield District High School, but now of Dunedin, has been successful in obtaining a cadetship on' the s.s. Devon. He is the second son of Mr L. E. Ellis, ' formerly headmaster of Darfleid, but I now of Leith Valley, Dunedin.

OXFORD.' The Oxford W.C.T.XJ. met in the Coronation hall, the president being in the chair. A resolution was carried expressing sympathy with the relatives of the late Mrs Johnson Wright, of Wellington, and appreciation of her long and faithful service in connexion with the W.C.T.U. It was decided to send letters of sympathy to Mesdames Groham, "Nelson, and E. Wells in their illness. The Superintendent gave a report showing that there are 53 subscribers in the Oxford district, and 7 free copies of the paper distributed. An appeal for more subscribers was backed up by a letter from the editor, Mrs Peryman. Correspondence included a letter from the Bible Reading in Schools Committee, and from Miss Henderson. Members were asked to make a special effort to attend next meeting, when T. B. Taylor Day would be commemorated. CUST. A meeting of the Sports Club Committee was held on Saturday evening. Present: Messrs B. Croft (president), Fergus (secretary), Struthers, W. Thompson, J. Beattie, Eaglesomc, W. Bowe, P. Howe, and Henderson. A resolution of sympathy with Mr F. H. Early (hon. treasurer) in his serious illness was passed. It was decided to improve the cycle track in the Domain. It is announced that an exchange of cures has been effected between Eev. 11. 0. Hanbv, vicar of St. John's, Woolston, and Bov. A. H. McO. Acheson, vicar of Oust. The transfer will, take place early in July.

SEFTON. On Friday afternoon a ten-a-side football match between Ashley and Sefton Schools took place at the Sefton Domain. The visitors won by six points to nil, B. Morgan scoring twice in the last four minutes. Mr A. Burke was The football match between Kowai and Loburn was played in the Domain on Saturday afternoon. The Loburn team was unfortunate in being two men short. Kowai won by 27 points to S. For the visitors, Francis scored twice, Wat-herston converting a try. For the home team Russell (3), D Peter (1), W. Dando (1), G. Smith (l),and C ? Adams (1) scored tries, while W. Dando converted two, and L. Moms one. Great interest is centred around the forthcoming football match next Saturday between the Linwood senior team and a representative team from the North Canterbury Rugby Sub-Union. This match is to be played m the Domain, Sefton. ASHLEY BANK. Last week the first of the second series of weekly euchre parties was held in the school. Tho function was well attended. Prizes given by Mr H. Ludeman and tho' School Committee were won by Miss Nora Downing and Mr Drake. . More frosts have been experienced in the district so far this winter than for tho whole of last winter, some of them being very severe this week, lue fine days will enable farmers to plant wheat and other crops. A team of Ashley schoolboys journeyed to Sefton on Friday for a football match against the Sefton boys. The Ashley team were victorious, the scores being 6 to nil. - The annual library meeting,, which was postponed, will be held in the school to-night at 7 o'clock. WAIKUKU. The Waikuku Mutual Improvement Society met as usual in the church vestry. Rev. W. 13. Cuming was in the chair. ' Miss G. Dreaver was elected convener for next week's meeting, which will bo "Link" evening. A question box was held, all questions being most satisfactorily answered. Those present were:-Mrs J. Mornss, Misses H. Bunting, E. Dwarf. G. Dreaver, H. Judson, C. McMillan, M. Orchard, M. Sloane, Rev. W. B. Cuming, Mr G. Orchard. WOODEND. The Woodend Methodist Ladies' Guild held an enjoyable social in tho schoolroom on Friday evening. The competitions were interspersed with items. The items were:—Pianoforte duets, "Merry Wives of Windsor, "Drums and Trumpets," Misses Orchard and Sloane (Waiknku); songs, "There's a Friend in Every Milestone," "Tatters," "A Lonely Road, ' Mr Sheppard (Waikuku); songs. The Englishman," "Ye Banks and Braes, Mr Robertshaw; recitations, "The Old Man's Story," "Rural Economy," Mrs Archer. A dainty supper was served at the conclusion. Mrs A. bmitn played the accompaniments. SWANNANOA. A special children's service was held in the hall, on Sunday afternoon. The vicar (Rev. A. H. Acheson) conducted tho service, and gave an. address on "The Lost Sheep." During the service a set of Communion rails, and a prayer desk, which were donated by tho Ladies' Guild,. were dedicated, and used for the first time.

AKAROA. The progressive euchre tournament promoted by the social committee of St. Patrick's Church, was concluded, on Friday evening. The prize winners for j the final night's play were: ladies, Mrs E W. Hammond and Mrs H. Bunny; men: Mr J. McNabb and Father Lordan. The winners of the aggregate were Mrs J. McKay, and Mr. W. &. Priest. ' A special meeting of the Aliaroa District High School Committee was held on Saturday. Present: Messrs W. Jacobin (chairman), F. G. Annstrong, W. Green, B. W.Henning, and A. 0. Pureh.as (secretary). Throe tenders were received for the contract of imS roving the school ground, and that of lessrs J. J. Walker and Sons, Akaroa, at £lB9 was accepted. The chairman said that the committee still required about £3O to complete the ground improvement scheme. The adjourned meeting of the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board was held at Duvauchelle on Saturday. Present: Messrs 11. A. Mould, J. Hayward, and A. A. Narbey. Mr E. A Mould was elected chairman for the coming year. Motions of sympathy were passed to Mr S. J. Vogan, a member of tho board, and to the relatives of the late James Rhodes, a former member. Tho matter of gorse and noxious weeds growing oh the roadsides was fully discussed, and it was decided to send notices to several offending ratepayers to comply with the regulations. It was also decided that the Board should proceed to clear all gorse, etc., from their , own frontages, including a part of the foreshore on the chain reserve around the harbour. The chairman gave notice to move at the next meeting that a rate of one halfpenny in the pound be struck. Messrs Leete and Williams waited on the Board and asked for improved access to their property at Children's Bay. They said that their only access at present was along tho beach at low water. After discussion, it was decided that the matter be held over until members had inspected the proposed road. Mr E. Gildens, Barry's Bay, wrote asking for several improvements on the road leading to his property. The request was granted and authority was given to spend up to £SO in trimming and metalling the road. The members of tho Board proceeded to Barry's Bay, and inspected tho sea wall near the old wharf, where tho water was causing damage. It was decided to replace the portion of tho wall with rubble concrete faced. The foreman reported that the Long Bay road had been regraded and that the grader, was now at work on the Takamatua roads. Pawson's and Robinson's Bay Valley roads had been rometalled. Mr J. Skipper was appointed ranger, in conjunction with his duties as ranger, to tho Akaroa County Council. Tbo clerk was instructed to sue for all outstanding rates. Accounts amounting to £257 were passed for payment. Three business concerns have changed hands in Akaroa recently, Mr Parris has disposed of his saddlery shop to Mr Frazer, of Kangiora, and Mr Dodds his pharmacy to Mr Davidson, of Wanganui. The New Zealand Farmers' Co-op. have disposed of their local branch to Mr Clements, the present manager. TAI TAPU.

A Presbyterian Church social was | held in the Town Hall on Saturday | evening, when Rev. F. Robertson pre-1 sided. Songs were sung by Mrs Rob. erteon, monologue by Mr Pascoe, duets by Rev. F. Robertson, and. Mrs Robertson, and Rev. Robertson, and Mr Pasooe. Miss Pascoo was the accompanist. During the evoning, the resignation -

of Mr John Hunterj -who had acted as secretary, for some years, was receiv-: ed with regret, and a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded him for his faithful service. Mr H. J. Macartney was elected secretary in Mr Hunter's place. Gaines were afterwards played into which young and old entered with onlhusiasm. Supper and AuldLang Syne terminated a happy gathering. A football match was" played at Ladbrooka on Friday, between Tai Tapu and Ladbrooks school teams. Tai Tapu were victorious by 18 points to 13. Mr Maginnesß was referee. IE BON'S BAY. A progressive euchro party in aid of funds for the local Football Club was held recently. There was a good attendance. The winners of the prizes were: Ladies: Mrs J. Mcintosh 1, Miss H. Mora 2. Men's: Mr A. Cunningham- (Duvauchelle) 1, Mr Mcintosh 2. A very enjoyable dance followed. Music was supplied by Mrs Truman, Misses G. Leonardo, M. Gilbert, and D. Mora. Mr 0. Barker was M.O.