NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18927, 16 February 1927, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. A meeting of tho committee ot rue Raugiora Amateur Athletic Club was held on Monday evening, tho president, Mr G. W. Watson, presiding over a full attendance. Two new members were elected. The secretary read a letter front tho Canterbury Centre regarding the county clubs' championship meeting at Ashburton on March -Ot 1, and asking that this dub co-operate with other amateur clubs m >ortn Cantorburv with a view to arranging r. district team to compete at Ashburton. It was decided to hold consideration ol tho matter in abeyance until the nest meeting and in the meantime to take steps with a view to forming * club team to compete. The questional conducting another evening meeting was brought up. and it was resolve* to. hold one at the Recreation Ground towards the end of February. The Sundav school staff and Bible Class members of tho Methodist Church Eavo a farewell social to Miss Lilla Davidson at the residence of Mrs K B. Laneon Mondav : evening. The Rev. C. Binir. on behalf of tho Sunday school and Bible Class, presented to their departing member a volume of Longefellow's works and from the member* of the choir a book of Tennyson's poems.

KAIKOURA. Mr A. Glenn, County Engineer, on the advice of Dr. R. L. Withers. left for Christchurch on Monday to consult a specialist. Mr Glenn has not enjoyed the best of health during the past fortnight. In the cricket match, Cheviot v. Kaikoura, played at Takalianga Domain on Saturday, Cheviot, in first_ inning*, made 82, and in second effort 79. Kaikoura responded with 151. There being eight minutes to go before the call of time, Kaikoura again batted and made 12 for the loss of one wicket. Tho game was interesting and was watched by a fair number of spectators. The A. and P. Association Committee meeting was held on Saturday afternoon, Mr E. C. Latter (president) presiding over an enthusiastic gathering. It was decided to accept the offer of tho Kaikoura Brass Band to supply music on Show Day, March 18th. Messrs K. C. Latter and J. J. McGrath stated that they would supply two champion ribbons each, for which they were thanked. Stewards were appointed for the various sections and judges in those classes where the positions had not been filled owing to inability of judges appointed being in a position to attend the show. The president reported that as a result of a canvass upwards of £6O had been promised in specials and over one hundred entries promised, from south of Hapuku Bridge. The position was considered most satisfactory and everything points to a most successful show should favourable weather prevail, ft was decided to call tenders for tho publicans' ami luncheon booths. Rain set in at about G o'clock on Sunday evening and continued throughout the night, ft was still showery on Monday and indications were that the wet weather would continue. The auxiliary schooner Fairfield is lying at anchor off the-wharf with a nnantity of. material for the Public Works and Postal Department.

LEITHFIELI). At the meeting lhc\eith7ield dwimming Club Committee. - there were present: Messrs "D; McLean- (cbirirman), \V. D. W. Palmer, *\.May, J. V/. Saricli, L ; O'AlaJley, H. May, J. Fitzpatrick, J. S. ilussell, and V. Penfold and Misses A. C. Lloyd and A. Mander. The committee endorsed the action of Mr O'Malley in having slips printed' advertising tho carnival. The chairman gave a brief resume, of the general advantages of the recent carnival, and took the opportunity of extondinq thanks to tlie. members and others who had aided in making the .function a success. The secretary was instructed to write to the Centre thanking them for the efficient way in which their officers had conducted the carnival, and for allowing the finals of two championships to bo.swum at a. country carnival. The secretary was also instructed to write letters of thanks to Masters D. and L. Olds. Kiwi Club, Dunedin. and to Mr . P Lindsay. Welcome rain fell on Monday night, .14 inches being recorded. A large nutvber of picnickers visited the beach nnd other local picnic spots on Riin«3ay. • . . The Leithfield -Beach. Imp bvenient C. imittee met on Monday evening, when there were present Messrs W. A Kelrher felnirmanV.T: Fitspatriek; T. H. James. Dr. T. T. Thompson. Messrs •T Ashworth. F. Penfnld. D. McLean. W. tfovce. and A. C. Ll-\vd. Mr J W. Sarirh was appointed honorary auditor. Tt was derided that steps l»» tnken towards erectin<r n slide on sinvlar lines fo that nt Wnikukn, and that Mr «T Fitzpatrick obtain estimates rf the cost, the estimates to be handed in at t'»e annual meeting. Mr W. A. KelMier's notion' 11' m>«tiiicr fl'c Domain Board «n behalf of the Reach Improvement was approved, ind the committee's appreciation recorded.

PREBBI.ETON. The members of the Prebblotnn branch of the Mothers' Union havo resolved to spend part of the time at their monthly meetings sewing for the children of St. Saviour's Orphanage, and a beginning was made at this month's meeting when a largo parcel of mending was done for that institution. Material is to be purchased for making new garments at future meetings. A series of lectures commencing next month -will be gi-ven by the Kev. Hubert Jones in the Parish Hall, the subject being the origin and development of music. The lecturer will use pianoforte and gramophone illustrations. At a meeting of the Public Hall Committee held on Monday evening it was decided to hold a Paddy's Market in aid of tho Hall funds towards the end of next month, and members were appointed to canvass the district for contributions of produce. Preliminary arrangements were made for a dance to be held'on St. Patrick's night. An entertainment presented by Jubilee Bellringers' Company at'the Hall last week attracted quite a good audience, and the company has intimated its intention of making a return visit at a future date. The spell of dry and exceptionally hot weather continues and the countryside bears a parched and burnt appearance. A good, soaking rain is badly needed. Bain threatened on Monday afternoon, but only a light shower fell. Boot crops are suffering from the prolonged dry spell, many of the potato crops now making second growth However, conditions have been most favourable for harvesting operations, and everyone has been working at top speed for some weeks. Threshing is general and the yields are, on the whole, quite satisfactory, although in some cases a Utile short of expectations. Should the present conditions last for another week, most of the harvest will be in A number <rf very good' pea have lately'been cut »nd Btaekejj

ARAROA. A very welcome-change in the weather was noticed about 5 o'clock on Monday , afternoon. A southerly breeze sprang up. which later turned into a southeasterly drizzle, and continued throughout the night. The recent intense heat, has made tho lower part of the Peninsula very dry indeed, and it will require about a week's soaking rain to renew the pastures and go dens. The creeks are particularly low at present, and unless heavy ruin sets in shortly! there will be insufficient water running in Alymcrs Valley creek to fill the Borough water reservoir. Mrs A. F. Walker has been notified that her daughter, Mavis, has been successful in passing her final examination for,the Licentiate Diploma. Miss Walker, although still in her teens, has recorded a good performance. She has f.'ceivcd the whole of her musical education from the Villa Maria Sisters o£* Mercy, both at Akaroa and Christchurch. Mr T. Stewart, of French Farm, is still an inmate of the local hospital, but is now progressing rapidly from his recent severe illness. ' SOUTHBROOK. Fine weather prevailed for the opening of the new tennis courts on Saturday afternoon. There was a large attendance of members and their friends, and also visitors from surrounding clubs. Mr 0. Evans, club captain, after welcoming the visitors on behalf of tho Club, referred to the courts being put down with the assistance of voluntary labour, also mentioning the great help received from Mr A. Mcintosh. Now the courts were finished, and in playing order, ho hoped that many competition matches would be arranged between home teams aud others from surrounding clubs. The president of the club, Mr N. Archer, spoke in congratulatory terms of tho very fine courts, and mentioned that they were a credit to the contractor, Mr H. Quinney, and ho thought the club had been fortunato in obtaining Mr Quinney' services. He congratulated the men members of the club who had devoted many of their tenuis hours to the shovel instead of tho racquet, also tho many non-members for the great assistance given, and expressed tho opinion that if the same energywas shown in connexion with the forthcoming bazaar to be held early in May, the club should then be in a very sound financial position. Mr Newton, of the Ohoka Tennis' Club, and Mr Harry Benjes, of the Rangiora Methodist Tennis Club, also congratulated tho Southbrook Club on the very fine courts they now possessed, and expressed tho wish that their teams should meet the Southbrook Club in many good competition games. Afternoon tea was supplied by the lady members, after which many interesting sets brought an enjoyable afternoon to a close. HORORATA. A busy time is anticipated by those responsible for the annual Horticultural Summer Show, which is being Held on Saturday. Tho Rov. R. Welsh, of Wanganui, conducted the service at the. Presbyterian Church on Sunday. 3lr and Mrs Hayden, of Cashmere, are visiting Hororata, and are staying with Mrs L. Hight. While working on Mr T. B. Jones's threshing-mill, Mr T. Keltie had the misfortune to cut his head badly with tho belt. He was attended by Dr. Dickson, of Goalgate, who stitched the wound; . • ''''.,', *' The iutctise-lieat which lias prevailed for'"some tble'changed on Monday at mid-day,"when a sou-west wind sprang up winch brought-rniiu with it later in the' flay. "The' weather continued dull yesterday; although it. showed signs of clearing. '' Harvest operations were stopped for the time, although only a light rain fell. Owing to the very hot weather the local school swimming bath has been exceedingly well patronised .^