NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19227, 6 February 1928, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. Mr and Mrs A. E. Golding are spending their annual holiday in Wellington. As reference has been made recently to old Bibles, it is interesting to note that Mr C. S. Avers, of King street, has a Bible published in 16/9, containing 168 picture plates. On Saturday afternoon the members of the Christchurch Poultry Club visited Rangiora and played a five-rink friendly game of bowls with the members of the North Canterbury Poultry Club. Unfortunately, a number of the Christchurch Poultrvmen did not arrive in time to take part in the game, and the rinks were made up with members of the Rangiora Bowling Club. After a very enjoyable game, the visitors won by 107 points to 81. At the conclusion of the game, Mr J. S. Cook, president of the local club, extended a welcome to the visitors and congratulated them on their win. He also thanked the Rangiora Bowling Club for the use of the bowling green for the games. Mr G. E. Jeffries, president of the South Tsland Poultry Association, responded on behalf of the visitors. In the evening the visitors were entertained at a social in the Northern A. and P. Association Hall. Cards were also played, the North Canterbury Poultry Club winning by 43 points to 37. After the cards, supper was served and the usual toasts were honoured. The toast of the "Christchurch Poultry Club" was proposed by the chairman, Mr J. S. Cook, and responded to by Mr G. E. Jeffries; "Rangiora Bowling Club," proposed by Mr A. Hawkins and responded to by Mr C. I. Jennings, president of the Bowling, Tennis, and Croquet Club. A number of musical items were also given, Mr A. G. Hunnibell playing the accompaniments. At the last meeting of the Rangiora and Loburn Fruitgrowers' Association held in the Loburn Hall there was a good attendance, and the ' president, Mr J. D. MacLeod, occupied the chair. A lengthy discussion took place over the price of sulphur spray, it being the universal opinion that fruitgrowers in the South Island were penalised owing to the high price paid as compared with that paid in the North Island. The question of setting up a committee to deal with fire blight if it should be necessary was left in the hands of the president and secretary. Congratulatory remarks were made as to the manner in which fruit was handled at the Rangiora railway goods sheds, but complain* was made by members as to the delay and the damaged condition in which it was delivered in Christchurch, and further south. Several members expressed dissatisfaction with the Daylight Saving Act, and it. was the unanimous opinion of the Association that the Daylight Saving Act was a failure as far as it affected the fruitgrower. OXFORD. The monthly meeting of the Oxford Y. Branch of the W.C.T.U. was hold in the Coronation Hall recently, the president being in the chair. Mr McKenzie, travelling New Zealand Alliance organiser, gave a very inspiring address on his part of tho work for the cause of Prohibition, after which numerous questions were asked by the members, and were answered by Mr McKenzie. PREBBLETON. The weather continues to be very hot and dry, and], although conditions are good for harvesting work, dairyfarmers would be glad of a few hours' steady rain. Root crops, too, are greatly in need of moisture, and oniongrowers, in particular, complain that the crop is drying off and! ripening prematurely. A small proportion of wheat is now in stook, and practically all oat crops are stacked. Some particularly good crops of peas are to bo seen in this district, andl the acreage this year seems to be larger than usual. A meeting of members of the local tennis club was held on Monday evening to discuss ways and means of raising funds to meet the expenses incurred by the work recently carried out in connexion with the courts. It was finally agreed to hold a Paddy's Market towards the end of next month, and a large number of members volunteered to take charge of various stalls and side-shows and to canvass the district for gifts of produce. At the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Jubilee Lodge of Oddfellows Bro. G. Ash, N.G., presided over a good attendance. Final arrangements were mado for several members to attend a purple degree lecture in Christchurch on February 7th. Mr and Mrs Bennett and their family have left Prebbleton and gone to live on their farm at Springston. DARFIELD. Under the auspices of the Darfield Cricket Club a very successful function was held in the Darfield Memorial Hall on Friday, the occasion being the presentation of the shield to the Darfield team. Mr R. G. Robinson (president of the local club) occupied the chair. In his opening remarks, he expressed his pleasure at the presence of such a large gathering in order to celebrate the important event. Personally, he was proud of the excellent manner in. which his team acquitted itself during the season, and especially in winning the shield. Mr G. T. Wright (vice-pre-sident of the Malvern Cricket Association), in handing over the shield to Mr Robinson, heartily congratulated the team on securing it. In accepting tho shield on behalf of his team, Mr Robinson said the occasion was one of the happiest events in his life. He thanked Mr Wright for his complimentary remarks and good wishes, and he hoped that the same good spirit would prevail between the Malvern teams nextyear. He thanked the ladies and those who helped towards the pleasant and enjoyable games during the season. During the evening the following programme of toasts and musical items was contributed: "The King," chan> man; "The Malvern Countv Council. Mr W. W. Mulholland and Mr G. T. Wright; "Railway Department," Mr F. J. Narbey and Mr W. P. Nolan; "Malvern Power Board." Mr J. Cullen and Mr G. Judd; "Wheat-growers' Committee," Mr G. Warren and Mr W. W. Mulholland; "Kindred Sports," Mr J. Gunn, Dr. McK. Dickson, Mr D. Mulholland, and Mr Townshend; "The Ladies," Mr G. Cridge and Mr L. Westwood. Orchestral selection, Darfield Symphony Orchestra; song, Miss Townshend; song, Mr E. Ridgen; song. Mrs Kelham; recitation, Mr R. Sanson, recitation, Mr Bull (Waddington). Miss D. Robinson carried out the duties of accompanist. Dancing was indulged in, the music being supplied by the Darfield Symphony orchestra. Mr L. Westwood acted as M.C. Mrs F. J. Narbev and her daughter, Clare, have left for the North Island on holiday, and will be away for a fortnight. Misses Mary and Florence Nolan have returned from a pleasant holiday spent in the south. Mr and Mrs Hevder left on Saturday for the West Coast on holiday, and expect/ to be awav for a few weeks. Mrs W. Pole has returned from » holiday spent on the West Coast. The annual meeting of share-holders in the Darfield Memorial Hall was held en Monday evening nine members being present. 'Mr H. A. Knight occupied the chain, ju*d

before commencing the business or the evening referred to the death ot the late Mr E. Reid, and moved a motion of sympathy to the wife and relations. The motion -was carried in silence. The secretary was instructed to write a letter of sympathy to Mrs Reia. The annual report and balancesheet showed that a considerable amount of work had been carried out to the hall during the year, and the hall was now considered one of the best equipped in the Dominion. The efforts made to raise funds towards the hall were crowned with success, and the committee would make a further appeal to the public during the present year. The election of officers resulted as follows: Committee : Messrs H. A. Knicrht P. Morrison, P. D. Mulholland, F. J. Narbev, G. Warren, W. W. Mulholland.- Geo. Gillauders, W. T. Cooke, and H. Gillanders. Mr W. Pole was re-elected secretary, and Mr W. T. Cook re-elected treasurer.