NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18920, 8 February 1927, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

"♦ KAIKOURA. Mr Frank Monk's residence at Pulii Ptihi was totally destroyed by lire at 10.30 o'clock on • Saturday morning. Mrs Monk was alone- at the time, and it is thought that th,c outbreak occurred in the- kitchen. Tho houso was insured for £IOOO in tho State Office and the furniture and effects for £250, also iii tho Stat© Office. Mr Monk received tho news of the destruction of his home when at the races at Cheviot. In the rink game on Saturday for the president's cup, Collins heat Cates bv seven points. At tho fourteenth head the scores were: Cates 0, Collins 18. Cates' team rallied and scored 11 on the next six heads, bringing the score up to 17-18. The Inst three heads went to Collins, who won a very interesting game. Collins has now had three wins out of four games played for the cup.

HANMER SPRINGS. The local triangular cricket competition was continued on Saturday, the game being Hospital versus .Forestry. The latter batted first, the last wicket falling for a total of 141 runs. Hospital responded with 136 runs, and thus won by 13. For tho winners Hart scored 42, Graves 39, and Carson 29 retired, MiUiken 15, and Forrest 12. Their best bowlers were MiUiken four for 49 Loughlin three for 55, and Hart two for 42 For Forestry Robinson scored 57Men Z ics47,andE.B.Carterl2,and the bowling honours lay with E. B. tar tor three for 5, Robinson two for CD, C. McKay one for 23, and E. Owen one fo Thc 3 Golf Club's monthly medal match in connexion with the first round of the G. O Rutherford deck competition was played during the week-end The best cards handed in were as follows- 11. Phillips gross 70 handicap net P. •McMnn.iway9«s--i- # '-> -'"' ~ -, den 84-11-73; Mrs Winstone Svl4-<4.

OXFORD. There was a good attendance «t the monthly meeting of the Oxford 1. Branch-of the W.C.T.U., which w s held on Friday in the Coronation Hall. i«o papers deling with'the n*™?*?' "J* disadvantages of a license poll ex erj «* rears, instead of the present period were read by the supcrinteiuleu vice-president, after which an interest iu R discussion followed. The meet i,| dosed with the .initiation of one new member and the singing ot the Temperance Doxology.

HALKETT. Tl.e mouth of January wa* and warm especially the la«t to, n.ght. The rainfall was very low. ; onl} U» inches being registered. Ka.n « seven (lavs, the maximum tail "<■ »»*- - corded. During the past week the da have been exceptionally ho .1 •>' though it has been good « fo harvesting, the scorching sun h , a most dctrimentnl effect on th ap and turnip crop,. Even though J crops had a suflk-i,-i;t nunfall in thu. ear W stages, some paddocks did not make the* growth that «r« «P«Jed. ufMl these are almost a failure . io« that' the weather has turned tlrj- ± " l tieallv all the crops have been ri-ip-cd, and in most cases excellent .io|arc to be seen. The mo*t no u-cal lo feature about the stocks, is the brcn.lt.. across tfio tops," indicating a good jfiew.

AKAROA. The steamer Mernoo arrived at the wharf here, early on Saturday evening, to dischargo the balance of her cargo of Newcastle coal. After a full week of nor'-'.vest weather, Sunday was the hottest day that was experienced for a long time. A total of 80 degrees wbb registered at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. On January 18th and 22nd of this year 8(5 degrees were recorded.

MARSHLAND. The weather during the past month has been extremely dry and hot, consequently the district is beginning to present a burnt appearance. The thermometer registered 82 degrees in the shade- on Sunday. A good rain fall would be welcome for tho grass and potato crops. Some very fine crops of clover have been cut, and the second crops of hay generally are good. Tho monthly meeting of the School Committee was held during the week. Present: Messrs G. Chisnall (chairman), D. Goodc, S. Marsh, F. Jesson, and W. Waugh. The chairman reported that repairs had been effected to the school and residence during the recess, and that the school grounds had been put in good order for the year. The Education Board notified the committee that the headmaster, Mr I'ilkington. was retiring from the school at tho end of April. The collectors for the annii .1 picnic, which will be held on Thursday in the beautiful grounds of tho Riccnrton race course, reported that they lind met with considerable financial success. Arrangements were completed for the day's outing, and given line weather, it should eclipse all previous efforts. The monthly meeting of the Hall Committee was held during the week. Present: Messrs J. Blackburn (chairman). IX Goodc. F. Rognl, G. Chisnall. H. Hibbard, W. Wilson. R. Motick, F Smedley. and W. Waugh. The chairman reported that the contractor was pushine on with the work of alterations to the hack room, and when' completed this promised to be a great lienofit.