NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19286, 16 April 1928, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. Mr B. Morris, of "Spring Grove Ffinn," Eketahuma, is on a visit to his old home at Waikuku.

The annual general meeting of the Rangiora brancn of the Returned Soldier.-,' Association was held in the N'. A. and P. Association hall on Saturday evening. The president, Mr J. W. MacLeod, was in the chair. ' There was an attendance of between 60 and 70 members. were also present from the Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Hawarden, and Tiniaru Asso* ciations.

The chairman, in opening the meeting, expressed pleasure at such a large meeting and at the interest that was being taken in the Association. The committee, in its annual report, stated that the Association had experienced another successful year. It had been a strenuous one,' however, greater attemon having been paid to the matter of providing employment for returned soldiers in need of work, to see them through the winter months. It had utilised the profit from the Poppy Day sales conceit proceeds, and the collection on Anzac Day for that purpose. It negotiated with the Rangiora-Waikuku Domain Board to induce it to allow the men to cut firewood at the beach. The wood was sold by the committee, thereby enabling*tae money thus obtained to be used over and over again. The committee lost money in the transaction, but achieved its object of making the money go ns far as possible and so keeping the men employed. The Association's socials proved rather disappcintingowing to strong opposition, and invariably were unfortunate enough .to strike a wet night. The railway excursion to Timaru proved an unqualified success, 500 people making the journey, resulting in the Association getting a rebate from the Railway Department of over £lB, which, after deducting advertjpmg expenses, showed a nice profit. A series of socials for members held during the year had proved popular. Visits were exchanged with the Kaiapoi Association, thereby creating extreme good fellowship between two Associations. One sad event marred nil otherwise happy year. Thai was the sad accident that resulted in the death of Mr J. H. Hartley, a rallied member of the executive. The; cash purchase scheme had hardly proved a success, only thirty-five members, having availed themselves of the opportunity to benefit by the scheme. The balance-sheet showed receipts £443 lis lOd, the principal items being, card socials £142 lis 9d. concert takings, subscriptions £35, Poppy Day collections £lB 2s 9d, sales of firewood .£93 12s. and Timaru excursion £lB Is 7d. The expenditure totalled £436 lis 4d. relief and wages amounting to £164 19s Bd. ' The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, congratulated the members on the' satisfactory position as revealed by the balance-sheet. The membership _ had increased, and there was more interest taken, in the affairs of the Association, and this was just a reflex of. what wa's happening in other parts of New Zealand. The Returned Soldiers' Association had taken on a new lease of life. Jhe motion was seconded by Mr Heron and carried. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: —President, Mr JV W. MacLeod (re-elected); vice-presi-dents, Messrs W. Gardiner and IV Hunt; secretary, Mr F. W. Reynolds; treasurer, Mr J. Marshall; committee, Messrs E. Ellis, J. McDonald, G. Young; H. K. Kippenbcrger, T. Heron, J. Woods, A. Howe, 0. Hopkins, L. Hopkins, and D. Hill; auditor, Mr W. Butters. At the conclusion of the general busi- 1 ness a social hour was spent. The Loyal I and other toasts ■ were honoured, and a ] programme of musical items and recitations was given by members and visitors present. There were large congregations at the harvest thanksgiving service at the Presbyteriau Church yesterday; The. Church was very, tastefully decorated, i and there was a large display of gifts in kind for the Christchurch Presbyterian Orphanages. Mr R. Rule, of the Social Service Association, occupied the pulpit with the Rev. W. R. Hutchison in the morning, and gave the address. Ho made reference to the work being done at the orphanages. Included in the service were the anthem, "Praise the Lord, O .Jerusalem" (Maunder), Mrs Gibbs Jordan taking the solo part, and a solo "Give Thanks and Sing," by Mr C. J. Keir. In the evening the minister conducted the service, the subject of his sermon being, •' The Harvest Field and the Labourers." The choir' sang Stainer's anthem. "Ye Shall Dwell in the Land," the solos in which were taken by Miss P. Ranby and'Mr R. J. Logan. Mr Garnet Rands- sang "The Reaper." " The Wedding of Baby Doreen," by the Royal Australian Sunbeams, will be presented on Tuesday evening 'in the Town Hall. This event is attracting a great deal of interest, and a bumper house is expected. On Saturday the tennis section of the : Bowling, Tenniß, and Croquet Club closed the season's organised play with a progressive doubles tournament. Thirty competed and the result of the play was: Ladies: Miss M. Taylor (16 games) 1, Mrs T. Shankland (14). Men: • J. R. Deal (13) 1, H. Schluter (12) 2. At the afternoon tea interval the president of the section, Mr L. W. Menzies, presented the championship badges won during the season as follows: — Champion singles: Ladies, ' Miss R. Greig; men, V. Purcell; ladies' doubles: Misses R. Greig and E. M. Guy; men's doubles: V. Purcell and W. P. Cosgriff. Combined doubles: Miss E. M. Guy and V V. Purcell. Junior championship and singles: Misses M. Taylor and T. «Kin ley. Trophies were also presented to Mrs L. M. King and Miss Joan Palairet, winners of the ladies' handicap doubles, and to Dr. L. M. King and T. H. Blain, winners of the men's handicap doubles. Mr Menzies also took advantage of the opportunity to thank Mrs T. Shankland and Mrs F. Tolmie, on behalf of the players, for making the arrangements for afternoon tea during the season.

AMBERLEY. Farmers are taking every advantage of the weather conditions. Skim ploughing is well advanced and in some instances a commencement has been made with deep ploughing, ready for the sowing of wheat nest month. The Amberley Golf Club opened its season on Saturday when there was a good attendance of players. The president, Mr S. Frew, declared the season open and drove the first ball.

LE BON'S BAY. Mr and Mrs Lambert and family and Mr Franklyn have returned to their homes in Christchurch, after camping on Le Bon's Bay Beach for the Easter holidays. Miss Bendle has returned to Le Bon s Bay. She met with an accident and had been an inmate at the Akaroa Hospital for a fortnight. Miss M. Crotty has returned to her home at Le Bon's Bay after spending a short holiday in Christchurch. Mr H. Christie, of Christchurch, is spending a fortnight's holiday with Mr and Mrs A. E. Williams, of Le Bon's Bay. Mrs P. Barnett, of Le Bon's Bay, is staying in Christchurch, where she is undergoing medical treatment. Mrs A. Thelning has returned to her home in Christchurch, after spending Easter holidays with relatives in Lc Bon's Bay. Mr Morrison has returned to Le Bon's Bay, after spending a short holidav in Christchurch. Eoadmen have recently been employed metalling portions of the Panama road. This will ho a boon to riders, especially during the winter months.

SUMMERHILL. , The first of a series of fortnightly dances was held in the Summerhill Schoolroom recently, there being a good attendance. The proceeds were in aid of the school. Music for the dancing was supplied by Mrs Dorofaeff, and Mrs Clist. The winners of the Monte.Carlo were Mrs Keep and Mr A. Keen and of the lucky spot waltz for children, Miss M. Arps and Master J. Beattie.

OXFORD. j A meeting of the executive of the Oxford Branch of the New Zealand j Farmers' Union was held on Thursday, afternoon, when Mr H. G. Parish presid'ed. It was decided again to make representations to the postal authorities, requsting that, at country post office, no charge be made for telegrams when country depositors are making withdrawals'from the Post Office Savings Bank. A committee was appointed to organise a working bee to assist a farmer who is in hospital. In a discussion that took place on the grading of wheat it was decided to recommend to all farmers that when consigning produce of any kind they see that all sacks are branded with their own distinguishing brand. A reply was received from the Railway Department in regard to a complaint made by an Oxford farmer that there -was delay in forwarding sheep from Addington to Oxford. The stock were bought early, and at 1 p.m. on January 25th the farmer gave notice ' that he wanted them loaded. The reply stated that "on Thursday,' the 26th, the truck was consighed. This truck was loaded at 10.45 a.m. of the same day, sent to Middleton at 11.30 a.m., and left by special train at 9.12 p.m., arriving at Rangiora at 11.49 p.m. The stock left J Rangiora by speciat train at 10 a.m. and arrived at Oxford at 12.10 p.m. oh Friday. Strong representations had been made from time to time by the - Department for a system of Jcohtinuous lo^dingr,'■••'' at Addingtoh -during.. the hibnthsibf February; April, /but so far :without avail." It was considered that the request of the Depart-' ment w*as a'-'reasonable one, and' whoever was responsible for preventing continuous loading was acting in a manner prejudicial to farmers' interests; If this matter was in the hands of the Saleyards Company it demanded immediate attention. It was unanimously agreed that when the auctioneers were responsible for loading, the farmers got a better service, and it was decided to request that be \ reverted to. It was decided to hold the annual, meeting on April 27th.

HAWARDEN. ?lie tennis finals. were played on Saturday in perfect. weather, results being as follows: Ladies' Cup Handicap, Miss'J. Fisher beat Miss R. Booth. '_'■■■ Ladies' shield handicap: Mibs J. Fisher beat Miss S. Rutherford, 6-5, 2-6, 6-0. Men's cup: R. J. Wilson beat R U. Foster, (by default). Men's shield: J. T. Lowe beat R. J. Wilson, .6-2, 5-7, 6-4. BROOMFIELD. . In the Broomfield Hall on Friday evening, the school committee held its first dance of the season. The music was provided by Mrs Ferguson (Waipara) and Mrs Hall (Omihi). Extras were played by Mr and Mrs G. Wornall, Mrs Belcher, and Miss R. Hall. The M.C.'s we-e Messrs J. C. Croft and J. W. Streeter. The recent rains have made a marksame time and place the congregation and green feed is coming away well. During the last week some very warm days have been experienced, and several strong nor'-westers.