NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19251, 5 March 1928, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. Only tlie required number of candidates to form the Ashley Eiver Trust were nominated on Saturday, and all were declared elected. The Commissioners are:—Eangiora borough, Messrs C..S. Avers and R. H. Bailey; Rangiora County subdivision, Messrs 11. J. A. Benjes, L. J. Stokes, and J. Waller; Ashlcy-Kowai subdivision, Messrs John Johnson and J. D. Wyllie. Messrs \V. Stalker and T. Wyllie did not seek re-election. Messrs Ayers and Stokes are the only members of the old Trust returned. A majority of the new Commissioners are opposed to carrying on the large scheme planned by the engineer at an estimated cost of over £40,000. Their policy will probably be on the lines of that suggested ,bv the Hon. Mr Buddo, and supported by Mr Ayers at the meeting of ratepayers on Thursday. KAIAPOI. At the Baptist Church, Kaiapoi, on Sunday evening the Rev. W. H. *A. Vickerv conducted a special service oil Religion and Recreation, at which members of the various sports bodies attended. .Solos were contributed by Messrs A. Baker and G. Hirst. Mr Clias. Clarkson presided at the organ. KAIKOURA. Mr Pembcrton, of the Meteorological Department, paid a visit to Kaikoura recently, and inspected the sites where rain records wero being taken. .Mr A. Glenn, the county engineer, is to be appointed to take the daily readings at Kaikoura. In addition to the large number of sheep being driven over the roads lrom Blenheim to Addington, a special steamer has been chartered to take 65,000 sheep from the Sounds to Kaiapoi. It is likely that- steps will be taken to urge upon the Public Works Department the necessity of continuing the railway from Parnassus to the Conwn.v river. Were this work accomplished fat stock could then be railed south and pastoralists would benefit greatly. This section of the line is included in tlio new survey.

Ln recognition of the splendid services rendered by Mrs J. Washington in caring for the Garden of Memories. the County Council has recommended payment of £lO to her from unauthorised expenditure. The weather during the week has been warm with plenty of sunshine. There is a little snow on the ranges. CHEVIOT. A general meeting of subscribers to the Public Library was held recently, the Rev. G. Widdup presiding over a large attendance. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: —Chairman, Uev. G. Widdup; secretary and librarian, Mrs Cottreli; treasurer, Mrs H. Hoskins; committee, Dr. M. E. Irwin, Mrs D. G. McDonald, Misses E. Sloss, V. Bosomworth, Messrs j. Abernethy, C. Dierck, T. Cottreli. It was decided to have the Library grounds cleaned up and put in order at oncc. The new committee was' requested to go into the question of subscribers' fees and the provision of new books and papers lor the reading-room. The hours for opening the Library were fixed as follows: —Saturdays, from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., and from 7. p.m. to 8 p.m. At the last meeting of the Vestry of St. John's Church, the vicar, the Rev. G. Widdup, presided. The vicar reported that be had received a gift of a Lectern Bible from a group of young people, also an organ copy of "Hymns Ancient and Modern" from Mr S.- H. Tullv. On account of the loss of lay help it was decided to recommend that the order of services in the parish be so arranged that an evening service could be held at Domett and Spotswood once a month. It was also decided to give the St. John's Ladies Guild every assistance in connexion with the catering at the A. and P. Show on March 20th. Sundry gifts were received to enable the Vestry to employ special labour to have the church grounds cleaned up. The committee of the Cheviot Amateur Sports Club met recently, the president, Mr T. West, presiding. The secretary was requested to get into communication with the Scottish Society's Pipe Band regarding the sutiply of music at the sports on Saturday, March 24th. The question of the catering and the soft drinks booth was left in the hands of the president and secretary. A three-quarter mile district cycle race was added to the programme.

The Cheviot Tennis Association, has. decided to send a team to liaikoura on Saturday, March 10th, and to invito the Kaikoura team to visit Cheviot on March 31st, the match to be played on the Spotswood courts, and to invite the Waikari Club to send a team to Cheviot on March 17th, the match to be played on the Domett courts. An Easter tournament has been arranged for April 7th, Bth, and 9th, and the Association's three courts will be used for the tournament. Donations of trophies for the tournament have been received from the president, Mr C. Holton. and Mr E. Edridge. The Rev. J. Anderson, who has been in charge of the Cheviot Presbyterian Church for some time, lias received notice of his transfer to another charge, and his successor. Mr Jardine, will commence his duties on April Ist. The combined school picnic of the Mackenzie and Domett Schools was held at Gore Day on Wednesdav in fine weather. There was a very large attendonce of pupils, parents, and friend?, and a. most enjoyable day was spent. Durine the day a sports programme was conducted, and (tames and swimming were freely indulged in. OXFORD. The monthly meeting of the Oxford branch of the W.C.T.U. was held in the Coronation Hall on Friday, the president being in the chair. It was decided to ask as many members possible to assist the Mother Union at the forthcoming show, to be held next month. Each member read a paragraph or so out of a pamphlet which Mr McKenzie, Alliance Organiser. left at the last meeting. A bazaar under the auspices of the School Committee of the Oxford District High School was held in the Town Hall •jji Thursday afternoon and eveninc. On account of harvesting operations there was not as larce nn attendance as might have been expected. Notwithstanding this good business wa= done, and about £3-5 was netted. During the evening the proceedings were enlivened bv selections by the Oxford Brass Band.'