NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18924, 12 February 1927, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. Mr Tyndall, engineer to the -Mai" Highways Board for the South Island, visited Rangiora on Thursday and inspected the main high'.vnys in tlio district. Ho expressed his satisfaction at tlio greatly improved condition of the roads, the except ion being that portion of the highway about a mile north of the Kaianoi Bridge, whicn had been spread with too heavy metal. He gave instructions that it be scraped at the Board's expense. 1"- reply . ° complaints made that the screening was put on too thickly, he said he was satisfied that in some instances the complaint was justified. Mr George. Feather, carrier, I»burn. had his motor truck and contents totally destroved by fire yesterday morning on the North Loburn road. At the time of the outbreak Mr Feather had a full load of timber firewood, and two sacks of rabbit-skins, the latter valued at about £3O. The fire started at the hack of the bonnet, and when noticed had secured a good hold. As thero was no water available and no assistance. Mr Feather was powerless to control the. blaze. The truck, which had been only in use for a short time, was insured in the lloyal Insurance Company for £3OO. The Rangiora Brass Band will play thr» following programme on the rotunda, Victoria Park, to-morrow afternoon:—March, "Twentieth Century'': hymns. "Kyrie ElicsoV and "Como" ; selection, "Military Church Parade"; sacred numbers, "Hvtnn of the Homeland'' and ,: Oh, Who "Would O'er the Hills, ft, Free. I '': air vatic. 'Sandon": march. "Jovcc's 7N Regiment"; 'God Pave the King."

KAIKOURA. A team of cricketers from Cheviot will play against Kaikoura to-day. At the adjourned meeting of creditors in the estate of Albert Edward Ellcrm, Mr J. Davidson, J.P., presided. Further claims were forwarded bringing the total amount owing to unsecured creditors up to £231 l'2n 6d. Mr Gibson, on behalf of bankrupt, stated that no offer could be made. The meeting considered the position very unsatisfactory, and it was unanimously resolved that the Official Assignee be recommended to have the bankrupt publicly examined. During the week the residence of Patrick Smith was destroyed by fire together with the contents. Tliere was no insurance.

There was a good shower of rain on Thursday, but Friday was again hot and sultry. Considerable excitement was caused about six o'clock on Thursday evening when volumes of dark smoke were observed rising from near the old wharf, many people believing that the Cygnet had taken fire, as she was moored not far distant. What actually occurred was the destruction of the large shed used by the Kaikoura Fishermen's Association for the storage of petrol, oil. and tar. The secretary, L. Alexander, stated that he was on Oie premises nt the time with Eric McKenzie, when flames shot up from the floor and they had to make n hurried exit. The huildinjr and contents were' totally destroyed, there being no insurances.

LEESTON. The following members were present at the monthly-meeting of the.Loeaton Town Bonrd: Commissioners W. Johnston (in the' chair), E. Bohari, F. Townsbend, F. B. Clausen, and 8. Johnston. The secretary of the Volunteer Fire Brigade submitted the following recommendations for the Town Hall Company: (1) That the aislo at the hall should be down the centre, instead of at the sides, in order to provide an easier and quicker exit. (2) That two firo extinguishers should be provided —one to be placed near the stage and the other near the main entrance. A deputation from the brigade waited upon the Board to place several requests before it. Superintendent Ramsey said that tho brigade would 'like to have the now siren erected as early as possible, but suggested that it should bo placed upon a stand at a height of from 12 to 14 feet, as the solid roof had a tendency to deaden tho sound. The Board decided to erect the.siren on a stand as suggested. In regard to the Town Hall, the chairman suggested that two representatives from the brigade, and two from the Town Board should meet the hall directors, to discuss requirements at tho hall, and arrive at an agreement satisfactory to all parties. Superintendent Ramsey said that the brigade would be agreeable to this. The chairman and Commissioner E. Bohan were appointed to represent the Board in the event of the Town Hall Company agreeing to tho conference. Mr T. G. Harper, on behalf of the brigade, said that the hose drying apparatus at present in use was not satisfactory, and tho brigade needed a supply of timber to construct new equipment. The Board decided to order tho timber. The Town Hall Company was granted permission to take any surplus spoil from the roads for filling in a hollow at tho back of tho hall property. The clerk read a copy offrcsh specifications for the construction of an underground sump of 3000 gallons capacity, for fire protection purposes, to bo sunk at the corner of Darcy and Putney streets. The Board approved of the specifications, and decided to call tenders for the construction of tho sump. The clerk stated that there was £62 of loan money still unexpended, and when tho sump was paid for, the balance would be saturated by the expense connected with the piping and channelling needed around tho sump. This would exhaust that portion of the loan money Taised for the laying of sumps.

SOUTHBBIDGE. Three sports bodies at Southbridge—the bowling club, tennis club, and croquet club—have joined forces to hold a combined bazaar on May 12th for the purpose of financing improvements to the playing grounds of each club. Preliminary arrangements for tho bazaar were made at a meeting o\ members from each club, presided over to Mr T. H. Bennett. The chairman and Messrs \V. H. Mackrell, D. Hayes, A. Tong, R. J. Faikin, I'. A. Strack, and the members of the tennis club were appointed to canvass for guts of grain for the farm produce stall. "» view of the small number of ladie* present, it was agreed to hold a later meeting at which to appoint stallholders. It was resolved to hold a *erics of five fortnightly euchre tournaments and dances, the proceeds 'from which arc to build up a foundation fund from which stallholders may draw instalments for the purpose of purchasing supplies The following were appointed a social committee to take rcsponsibilitv for conducting the tournaments and to ask the help of otn«r members when required:—Messrs A. Watson, E. Chapman. R J. l»r----kif. T H. Bennett: Mesdr.mes Hul.ard and Tone: Misses D.vce and Chapman, and the secretary. Mr I - \- Strack. Hi© first social is to be helu on February 19th.

AKAROA. Here were some very interesting games played on the bowling green on Thursday afternoon. In the final for the President's Medal competition, T. J. defeated C. Pettcrson by 22 to i:i. Petterson is a very consistent player, ;is he has won the uicdal for the last two years in succession, and the game for this year's final was much closer than the scores indicate. In the semi-finals for the Championship Pairs, A. H. Williams and P. J. Eccleton defeated C. Petterson and \V. M. Buddie by -1 to IP. A. F. C. Williamson and If. Patterson defeated J. Thompson and A. J. Clements by 2'2 to 17. Williams and Eccleton are the only pair with two lives left, and so Williamson and Patterson will have to beat them twice to win the championship. Four players from the Opawa Club came down for the day. and played friendly games with the local players, who, however, proved too good for the visitors.

TAI TAPU. The intense heat which lias prevailed during the past month has had a drying effect upon pasture lands, though it is ideal lor harvesting operations, which arc now in full swing. Several crops have been threshed, resulting in very satisfactory yields. Jt is one of the best grain seasons experienced for many years.

Tennis has proved a most popular game this year, the courts being occupied almost every afternoon and evening. The junior members are making good progress. Miss Stcinnietfc is the winner of the racquet presented by Mr 11. A. Wheeler. A handicap tournament will shortly he held for a ladies' trophy, presented by Mr Ward, and a men's trophy, presented by Mrs Suckling.

A busy time is anticipated hy those responsible for the garden fete, which is Ikm'iis held for the Peninsula Farmers' Maid of Honour—Miss Marcwa Parkinson—at fb.e Tvnituna Homestead Ibis afternoon. Miss Parkinson will be a Maid of Honour in the Military Pageant to he held in Christchurch.