NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19258, 13 March 1928, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. Tickets for the Keturned Soldiers' Association's excursion to Timaru on Easter Saturday are already selling freely, and the committee anticipates that a record number of excursionists from this district will visit the popular seaside resort.

Harvest thanksgiving services were celebrated at the Southbrook Methodist Church on Sunday. The preacher at the .morning service was Mr J. Lomas, of Christchurch, and at the evening service the Rev. C. Blair. Hymns suitable to the occasion were sung, Mr C. R. Tlnvaites presiding at the organ. At the evening service Mrs X. A. Baillie sang a solo. The will be continued during the week, when a social will be held

During the past fortnight the Rev. Fathers Duggan and Gill, of the fiedemptorist Order, Wellington, held a mission in the Rangiora Roman Catholic parish, which includes - the Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Oxford, and Loburn churches. There were crowded attendances at all the services, both in the day time and evening, and the mission was in all respects a great success. At the closing service held at the Rangiora Church on Sunday evening there was a congregation of 500, the building being packed to the doors. Father Duggan preached a most eloquent and impressive sermon on the sins of modern society. During the mission there were 1600 Communions at Rangiora, 800 at Kaiapoi, 600 at Oxford, and also a large number at Loburn. The parish priest, the Rev. Father Leeu, and his curate, the Rev. Father Kilgour, assisted the missioncrs. The Rev. Father Duggan commenced a week's retreat at the Roman Catholic Cathedral yesterday. At Everybody's, Town Hall, to-night, Jack Mulhall and Dorothy Mackaill will appear in the startling drama, "The Crystal Cup." Though blessed with an abundance of dry humour, and with romantic love as the keynote, the picture is primarily a drama, and this popular team of players are seen in quite the best film of the'" careers. On Thursday, "Mons," the British film dealing with the immortal retreat, will be shown. Gunner A. G. Jenkins, the man who fired the first shell in the Great War for Britain, will lecture with the film. Box plans are at The Bristol and the Golden Gate.

HANMER SPRINGS. The following are the meteorological records for February taken at the State Forest Service Station, those for the same month last year being given in parentheses: Barometer, mean tor month, 30.02 (29.74); highest reading for month on loth, 30.34 (30.0); lowest reading for month on 21st, 29.74 (29.30); thermometers, temperature l" shade, mean maximum temperature, 74 decrees Fah. (74.67); mean minimum temperature, 50 (47.96); approximate mean temperature for month, o2 (61.32).; mean daily range, 23 (26.7;, extreme maximum on 6th, 87 (95); extreme minimum on 28th,, 36 (35); extreme range for month, 51 (60); exposed thrmometers, mean grass minimum, 45 (41.82); lowest grass minimum on 28th, 30 (28); wind, total miles for month, 1808; mean daily run for month, 45 miles; greatest run in 24 hours on 16th and 17th, *>4 miles; bright sunshine, 182 hours (205); mean per day, 5.12 hours; highest total in one day, 4th. 13 hours (12J); numbers of days without sunshine, 4 (0) ; rainfall: total rainfall, 3.61 inches (2.20); number of rain days 12 (6); greatest fall in 24 hours, 0.94 '(0.69); frosts, one on 28th (3). The eliminating rounds for the men's championship of the Golf Club were concluded during -the week-end and the following are left in the semi-finals, which will be played next week-end: A! Reid, F. Cook, T. Wood, and i±. Phillips. .•'■'• '• Rain commenced ;,to fall here on Tuesday last,-and continued for three days. 'Rivers and watercourses were running a- banker. The-wind was mostly from the nor'-west, and consequently the temperature was mild; the effects of the -downpour were soon apparent, grass and crops taking on a healthy green tinge.

SEFTON. At .the-annual meeting of the Sefton Methodist Ladies' Guild, Mrs Thome presided. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £'B''l9s sd. The bal-ance-sheet of the .recent barrow fair was also submitted and this showed a net credit balance of £ls 10s 4d. The secretary read a report of the work done during the year. The following officers were re-elected:—President, Mrs'Thome; secretary and treasurer, Mrs A-. ■ Withers. In the Domain pavilion on Saturday ovening, a meeting of the Kowai Athletic Sports Club Was held, Mr J. Ashworth presiding over a good attendance of members. Messrs W. Hay ana Co.'s tender for the ice cream and •soft drinks stall was accepted. The Loburn, Ashley, and Sefton Anglican Churches applied for the catering rights at the sports on Easter Monday. The application was granted. A letter was received from Dr. E. S. McPhail stating that he would judge the babies, and offering the same prize as last vear. Mr W. A. Keleher reportea that the Kowai County Council had granted permission to use the grader for the track. It was decided to hold a workinc bee in the Domain at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 24th, the next meeting to be held that night. The following canvassers for trophies were appointed: Rangiom, Messrs A Asli-

worth and R. Peach; Christchurch, Messrs J. and S. Ash worth.

HALKETT. The rainfall last week was 1.32 in, made up as follows: Tuesday, 11 points; Wednesday, 92 points; Thursday, 17 points; Friday, 12 points. The rain wall be a great benefit to.the country, as it fell at a most opportune time, and there seems a much brighter prospect for -winter feed. Although a few paddocks of stooks are yet to be seen in the district, the bulk of the harvest is completed. _^____^______

OXFORD. The Oxford District High School, which is a consolidated school, held its annual picnic at Sumner on l'riday, and was joined by the Kiri Kin School. A hpccial train was chartered, and over 500 children and adults took part in the outing. The heavy rain of the previous day gave place to warm sunshine, tempered with a light breeze, and a most pleasant day was spent. At Sumner the picnickers were well catered for. evervtliiiicr beins done to make the day enjoyable. The return journev was completed at West Oxford at S o'clock.

AKAROA. A meeting of the committee of the newly-formed Ladies' Hockey Club was held on Friday evening, Mr P. G. Uichcs presiding. A quotation was received for all the necessary equipment for the use of club members, and it was decided that players purchase their own sticks and pads. A notice of motion was tabled to make certain alterations to the rules, and it was decided to have a special general meeting on Thursday next. Mesdames T. Masefield and W. Pool, with the field captain were appointed selectors.

There was an exceptionally large attendance at the Catholic schoolroom on Friday night for the purpose of bidding farewell to the Eev. Father Gallagher, and to welcome the Eev. Father o'Regan, who has been appointed to the Peninsula parish. In presenting Father Gallagher with a well-filled wallet, Mr P. J. Eccleton asked him to receive it as a slight token of the esteem in which he was held by his Akaroa parishioners. During the five years the departing guest had been among them he had accomplished some great undertakings. The new Little River church would be a lasting monument to him, as it was mainly through his efforts that the building had been completed. Mr Eccleton referred to the beautiful grounds surrounding the church and presbytery here, and said it was Father Gallagher's love for beauty that had transformed them from their rough state. He also welcomed FnthT o'Regan on behalf of the parishioners, and assured him that he had a hard man to follow in his predecessor, but he was certain to receive loyal support.

In his reply, Father Gallagher said it was only two years ago that his parishioners had subscribed and sent him to the Homeland for a year's holiday, and he was deeply touched that once again they thought fit to make him a presentation. Although he was leaving the Peninsula for the next parish at Lincoln he would be 'their neighbour, and extended a hearty invitation for one and all to call on him in his new home.

In thanking those assembled for the hearty welcome accorded him, Father o'Regan said that from the feelings of goodwill shown during the evening he was assured that his stay among them would be a happy one.

SOUTH MALVERN. The annual picnic of the Brethren was held at Waireka, the residence of Mr and Mrs Keith Broughton, on Saturday. About 70 people atten'V 1 and a very enjoyable time was spent. The children ran races, anil other sports were carried out and prizes given. The Brethren have considerably increased in numbers of late, and now hold regular church services and Sunday school at Glentunnel. The South Malvern Sundav School also held its annual picnic on Saturday at Benholm, Whitecliffs. The picnic was held at the old orchard, where the late Bishop Harper first lived. The Rev. Mr Jones was in charge, and a good sports programme was carried out. -' ' ' ; ''. - The rainfall for the week ending Saturday was 1.65 inches.