NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18969, 6 April 1927, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

hanmer springs. TI'C following are the meteorological letords for March, taken at the State orest Service station, those for the s:M " c month last year being given in IMrentheses:—Barometer—Mean for month, 29.42 inches (30.01)' maximum lor month on 3rd, 30.29 (30.3). minimum for month on 21st 25.93 (20 03) extreme range 3.31 (0.C7). Thermometer: emperatnre in shade, mean maximum temperature 00.04 >07.0(5). moan minimum temperature, 44.74 (43.35); •ipproximate mean temperature for month 00.(39 (51.40), mean dailv ran<*e of temperature 21.9 (22.(i), extreme maxhnum temperature on 7th and Stli extreme minimum temperature on 27th 34 (31); extreme range of temperature for month 50 (47). Exposed thermometer— Mean terrestrial radiation •jS.OI (34.56), minimum terrestrial radiation on 27th, 2(i (0 degrees frost) (22,.i). AViud—Average daily velocity tor month, 130 miles (74), maximum velm.-ity for month on 25th, 500 miles (•500). Total rainfall, 5.24 inches (2.31), number of days on which rain fell 10 (••'). maximum rainfall in any 24 hours, 2.13 (1.70), bright, sunshine 213 hours (212), maximum ]2 hours 4th and oth (11). davs without recorded sunshine iS th . and ;|3tli (.1), frosts 2 (10). '1 here was a high wind on 25th.

LEITHFIELD. Early in March the weather was hot and calm, hut the later part of the month was typical of autumn with its wild winds and equinoctial gales, though, fortunately the ferocity of the latter were not of long duration. The prevailing wind was from the northwest. Rain fell on ten occasions, the total registration being 1.41 inches, the maximum fall occurring on March Ist, when half an inch fell. The registrations of March, 1925, and Mareli, 192G, were 1.02 inches and 1.07 inches respectively. The total rainfall for the present year is 2.736 inches, while that for the corresponding period of 1920 was 5.505 intrhes, and for 1925 4.84 inches.

At the monthly meeting of the School Committee there were present, Mr H. Mav (chairman), Messrs T. 11. James, W. Jamieson, D. W. Palmer, and F. May. A letter was received from the Canterbury Education Board, stating that the incidental allowance had been paid into the committee's account. The chairman presented the balance-sheet and reported that the books had been audited and found correct. The teacher's report showed that the attendance for the past quarter was 88 per cent, of the possible number, the low percentage being attributable to sickness. It was also reported that 00 per cent, of the pupils had opened Post Office Savings Bank accounts or were saving, bv the penny stamp method, to open accounts.

OXFORD. The Oxford Cycle Track Committee met recently and reviewed the position. An enormous amount of work had been done lo renew the track, aud make it fit for racing, and the degree of improvement was favourably commented on at tin; last sports meeting. H»e sum of £IOB had been spent in cash, am £.30 in free labour. There was a small credit balance, and the committee thought, that another appeal should be made to the public to secure _ support to complete the track, aud to fulfil the programme of improvements decided on. It was therefore decided to call a public meeting at the end of the month to consider the matter and to take steps to complete the work so Avcll started.

On Monday night the Salvation Army Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity, when the Uev, A, J. Scamcr, home missionary general superintendent of Die Methodist Church, and his Maori party, gave :t varied entertainment and made an appeal for aid to the advancement of missionary effort. Many were unable to gain ' admittance. Mr E. Woodficld welcomed the party 011 behalf of the clnirch, and a welcome was extended in Maori fashion, the local Home Mission Committee representing the audience. Mr Seamer gave an address 011 the inception and growth of Maori mission work in New Zealand, and the efforts, put forth in that direction by the several denominations, referring particularly to' the three historic Missions —Anglican, Methodist, and Catholic. An address was also delivered by the Maori chief on the Maori flag and its significance. The entertainment supplied consisted of hakas, poi dances, and action songs of various characters, ivaiatas, folk aud home songs. The presentation was of the highest order, showing great talent and splendid execution, and the audience was thoroughly delighted. The response for financial assistance to the mission fund was most generous.

FERNSIDE. A very enjoyable hard-lip social was held recently in the Fernsidc School. Progressive .euchre occupied the earlier purt of the evening. The winners were Miss (J. Kennedy and Mr M. Kennedy. A hard-up supper was handed round, and alter that, dancing was indulged in. Excellent music was played by Misses 31. M. Sutherland and E. G. Inch, and Messrs F. Evans and D. Taylor. Prizes for the most hard-up costumes were awarded to Miss E. Court and Mr G. Purvis. The lucky spot waltz was won by Miss G, Kennedy and Mr T. Smith/ During the evening ■songs were contributed by Mr ]">. 'iayior." Mr C. L. Kenyon was M.C. The'following school children recently gained swimming certificates over various distances: —Louis Carpenter, 1()C0 vards; Alister Milne, BSO yai'.i. i: ; Don Milne, .500 yards; Keith Milne, 300 yards; George Armstrong, 275 vaids; Charles Lindsay, 220 yards; Jack Lindsay, 200 yards; Evelyn Carpenter, 220 yards. Learners' certificates for swimming 50 yards were gained by Rosa •Mitchell. Tna Sutherland, Molly Murphy, Mabel Mitchell, Patty Lindsay, and Gwcn Lindsay. SPRINGSTON. The third of a series of weekly euchre tournaments and dances was held in the hall. There was a good attendance, and after a very enjoyable evening's play the following proved to be prize-winners:—Ladies. Mrs J. Lancaster 1, Miss S. Smith 2: men. Mr J. Blakemore 1, Mr H. Benny 2. After supper the usual dance was held, Mr 1?. Wall supplying the music. M: N. .Walo was M.C.

HALSWELL. On Saturday evening the second of a series of euehre parties and dances ' was ]ield in the local hall, under the managenient of the hall committee there being an attendance of about eighty players. The prize-winners for the euchre were: Ladies, Mrs F. Spnrkes 1. Mrs McXajnnra 2j men, I*. Jjuufc 3, Mr J. Moloney 2. Miss D. Moore supplied the music for the dance, Miss D. Savage and Mr B. Debenham playing extras. Mr X. Gardiner was M.C. During the eveniu" a '-ucssing competition was won by Mrs IL Kolkman.

WAIKUKU. 'Flic weekly meeting of the Vwukuku Mutual Improvement Society was held recently. Mr 'full "was l"' eiCUt and gave an address. It was decided to hold a social for the next meeting, and Ms Morgan and Mrs Morriss were elected to arrange a programme The animal meeting ot the ttaikuku Ltidies' Basketball Ciub was held oil Saturdav afternoon. There wa, a record attendance and -Miss I). Madden m s convener. Ihe following ofliccrs were elected lor the ensuing yearCnptam, Miss M. King: vice-captain, Miss Ji. Maddison; secretary oncl treasurer, .Miss H. Tonilin.son; selection committee, the captain, and Misses H. Bunting, and L. Maddison. After the meeting an enjoyable game was played between teams captained by Miss King ;in d winning. Miss B. Maddison .scored the first goal ol' Hie season's piny. The Harvest Festival service in connexion with Woodend St. Barnabas Church, was held recently, there being a good display of fruit, flowers, and vegetable?, which were afters aids sent Saviour's Orphanage. The Kev. J. T. Paddison, vicar, occupied the pulpit, ai'd Miss King presided at the organ. Large congregations were present at both afternoon and evening services on Sunday at the Waikuku Methodist Church, when the annual Harvest Festival services took place. '1 ho I?ev. W. B. Cuming took the afternoon service, taking lor his sermon "The Principle of Service." Mr J. P. Iliornc conducted the evening service, when lie .spoke f.rom the text "The F.arth Beareth of Fruit of Herself." The choir sang anthems under the baton of Mr J. (irifiiths. Mrs Wont was the soloist, and Mr 1). Robinson presided at the oi's'an. Miss Ada I>ymock was the guest ol honour at a children's party on Saturday last, the occasion being her eleventh birthday. Outdoor names were played, after which the children sat down to tea.

SPRINGSTON SOUTH. A meeting was hold recently to arrange for social functions (luring the winter months. Finally it was decided to hold weekly euchre tournaments and dances. The money raised by these functions will be devoted to the hall funds, and a strong energetic committee has been elected. The opening of. the season by the United Football Club was held on Saturday afternoon. There was a fair muster of players and there is every promise of three teams being entered in the Sub-Union's competitions. A good yield ef partridge peas is reported from Mr L. Crump's farm, the average being 62 bushels to the acre. The Springston Gun Club have decided to hold the annual shoot for the I'yan Memorial Shield on Easter Monday. The winner of this coveted trophy receives a gold medal as well as having his name engraved on the shield. .Several farms in this district have changed hands recently. LITTLE RIVER. By the recent death of Mr John Topp, of Puaha, Little l?iver has lost an old and much respected resident. The late Mr Topp was born in Cambridge, Eng-laiul,-in lSoii, and came to New Zealand with his parents the same year. His early life was spent at Sefton, where his parnefs had taken up a farm. At the early age of 12 years he went to work for Mr C. Dampier. Six years later lie came to Little Ither with the late Mr Allen, with whom lie worked for 4 years, when, for the late Mr AV. .Coop lie used to cart timber wilh a :Bix„liorse team to Christehurch. In 1888 lio came to Tararewa sawmills, ami worked there till 22 years ago. When the Morris settlement was cut up, he purchased a farm which he successfully conducted'until-the time of his-death. Mr Topp married in IS7G the eldest daughter of the Late Mr Win. Farquliar, of Amberley. His wife predeceased him 18 years ago. He is survived by four daughters and a son and la grandchildren. The daughters are Mrs Joe Smith, Puaha, Mrs E. Watkins, Greenpark, Mrs Percy Morris, Woodend, and Miss A. Topp, Puaha. The son is Mr John Topp, Puaha. The funeral, which took place at the Little River cemetery was largely attended. The pall-bearers were the oldest residents of Puaha and directors of the Wairewa Cheese Factory. The many beautiful floral tributes received spoke eloquently of the esteem in which Mr Topp was held. Wreaths were sent by the following: Mr and Mrs Gilhnan, Mr and Mrs J. E. Joblin and family, Mr J. V. -Chapman and family, past and present pupils of the Puaha School, the grandchildren at Greenpark, Mrs Smith and. Mr and Mrs J. Humphries and family, Mrs 11. Lee and sons, brothers, and sisters, Joe and family, Khoda and Lynley, Hilda and Herbert, Jimmy Dawson, Mr and Mrs Patten and family, Mrs A. J. Dawson, Mr and Mrs J. Harty and family, Mr and Mrs A. Thompson and family, Wairewa Co-op. Dairv, Loyal Wairewa Lodge, Mr and Mrs J. Johnson, Mr and Mrs 3?. Vanstone, Mrs Banks and Mr Maffey, Miami Mrs W. Reynolds and family, Charles and Sarah Jones, Thomas and .Teaii Milligan, Mrs Douglas Parsons and Winnie, Mr and Mrs Ilalph Asliby.

OKAIN'S BAY. The Okain's Bay Dairy Company's herd-testing statistics for the March 30-day period are as follows: Best herds: (1) 30 cows averaged 824.001b milk, 4.30 test, 30.401b buttcrfat; (-) 12 cows. averaged 810.001b milk, 4.35 test, 35.261b butterfat; (3) b „ c °" s averaged 730.00yb milk, 4.76 tcs^-4.'' u butterfat; (4) 14 cows averaged /obAJiu milk, 4.32 test, 32.701b butterfat. ost herd: 38 cows averaged 391.»81b nulk, 3.88 test, 13.191b butterfat. Best cow. 8401b milk, 6.2 test, 52.081b "Worst cow: 1801b milk, 0.0 tes' a *Q i. butterfat. Highest individual test lowest individual test, Ass -„ average: 1009 cows averaged oil A> milk, 4.08 test, 23.561b butterfat. Best cows to date: (1) «0.641b 204 davs; (2) 421.621b biiticrfut in -01 days; (3) 416.281b butterfat in -06 da? s > (4) 407.881b butterfat in 196 da) • YVADDINGTON. A large number of young people met recently at the liomo of Miss Gei 10 Ferguson to say farewell to Miss Constance Sealey, who has lelt ."'V., • t . family to make her home in church. ' Games. competitions. « J music were indulged in. During evening Mr F. Bull, on behalf ot tluspresent, asked Mis.s Sealey to ac 1 hair brush and hand mirror as a o of the esteem in which she , bv her many friends. Mi' £• * suitably responded on behall ot s> sister. ' f . . At the. invitation of Mr and Mit• aW. Adams, the members of the dist Bible Class and Choir met farenga'" to say good-bye to Miss Sealey, who for many years has 'j 0011 .jj; prominent worker of the Methodic Church. Tlie evening passed mono with games and. competitions, t«"° competitions beina won by Miss - C-lark I and one by Mr C'. Spa ley. On behalf j of the young people of the chun-h. M iss Eh"a Stephens presented Mis> Sealey I with a suitcase. Mr A. W. Adams also I spoke. Mr Sealey suitably responded. The singing of "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow" and "Aukl Lang Sync brought the evening to a clc^e.

PREBBLETON. A • handicap iloublcs tournament: Ims. occupied several Saturday afternoons' piny on the local courts recently, and some interesting games have been played. The ladies' doubles were won by Mrs 0. Longstaffc and Mrs L. Galkigliciy the men's doubles by L. McGill and L. Gallagher, while Miss M. and S. McNally were successful 111 the cumbined games. The monthly meeting of the local branch of the Mothers' Union took place last week, when three new members were admitted at a service. held in the church. The meeting then adjourned to the Parish liall, where a 'large parcel of mending for _bt. Saviour's Orphanage received attention. During the afternoon . the Rev. H. B. Joues°read to the members the first act of John Galsworthy's play ""Strife,^' which was much appreciated. Afternoon tea was also served. On Friday evening the vicar of the parish, the Rev. 11. B. Jones, gave the fifth of his lectures on early keyboard music, in the Parish Hall. He described and explained, a fugue in music, showing upon what, a slender structure such .1 form of music is built up, and played several fugues by Bach to illustrate his remarks. Tlio next lecture will be the final one of the course. Dr. Eleanor Baker McLaglen visited the school last week and medically examined the scholars. A large piopoition of the children were found to be in need of dental attention. A succession of fine days, brightened by autumn sunshine, has been experienced recently, but several frosts have been recorded. The Paparua County Council's grader is at present at work upon the main roads, which were badly in need of attention. The death of Mrs John Hyndnian occurred on Saturday, after a lingeiing illness. During the many years she had lived in Prebbleton with her husband and family, Mrs Hyndnian had won the respect and esteem of everyone. She was predeceased by her husband 19 years ago, and leaves a grownup family to mourn their loss. The funeral took place in the Prebbleton churchyard on Monday afternoon.