NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19460, 6 November 1928, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA.

The Rev. C. Blair, who has been granted a month's rest hy the stewards of the Methodist Church, left for 2)unedin yesterday morning. Mr L. R. C. Macfarlane, Reform candidate for Hurunui, and Mr G. W. Forbes, United Party candidate, were in Rangiora yesterday. , Mr S. T. Seward, postmaster, is spending a short holiday in Wellington.

A most attractive and original picture is being presented at Everybody's, Town Hall, this evening. It is entitled "Gigolo," and is the film versfon of a very popular novel. On Thursday that brilliant and satirical comedy, "The Private Life of Helen of Troy," wi'il be screened. Box plans are at The Bristol and day sales are at the Golden Gate.

HANMER SPRINGS.

The golf club played its monthly medal match during the week-end. The best cards were: Mrs W. T. Williams, 93-19-74; A. Reid, 79-4-75; Mrs P. Lumsden, 81-8-76; W. Paterson, 89-13-76.

During the past week 6.72 in of rain fell at the State Forestry Station, and at the Hororata Station 11.2 in.

Mr James Manson, of The Lodge, who has been ill in hospital in Christchurch, is now convalescent.

AMBERLEY.

On Sunday, about 3 a.m., a house situated on the North road, owned and occupied by Mrs Bailey, was burned to the ground. The occupants were only able to save some, articles of clothing.

OXFORD.

The special meetings held in Oxford last week in connexion with the visit of Miss Henderson, president of the Christchurch W.0.T.U., were much hampered by the heavy and continuous rain. Miss Henderson addressed a meeting at View Hill, a home meeting at East Oxford, the young people, and a cradle roll rally. At the last mentioned meeting, one new member was initiated. The meetings were enlivened by vocal items by Misses Ryde and R. Comyns and Mrs J. Whyte.

SHEFFIELD.

The East Malvern Band of Hope held its final meeting for the session on Friday night in the Oddfellows' Hall, Sheffield. A special programme was given by a concert party brought out from Christchurch under the auspices of the New Zealand Alliance. The speaker for the evening was .Mr Gordon McKenzie. Items were given by Norma Sturrock, Merle Forward, Grace Nixon, Shirley Cook, and Norman Forward. The accompanist was Mrs Brown.

DARFIELD.

The monthly meeting of the Darfield branch of the Plunket Society was held on Friday. Arrangements were made for a special meeting, when Mrs W. Deans, delegate to the annual conference, held recently in Wellington, will address the meeting, and also for a combined bring and buy afternooa and children's party, to be held in December.

-Nurse Finlayson, who has been on holidays, returned on Monday. Sister Coulston, who was visiting her sister, Mrs R. G. Forrester, has returned to Auckland.

Mrs G. Hutton, who was the guest of Mr and Mrs W. Glanville, has returned to Salisbury, Timaru. Miss J. C. M. Bradley, of the Malvern Power Board staff, has left for Auckland on holiday.

HORORATA.

Playing in the Malvern Cricket Association competition, the Kirwee team visited Hororata on Saturday. The home team was defeated by 100 runs. Dr. A. D. Nelson, Superintendent of t(he Wanganui Hospital, visited his sister and brother during the weekend.

i PREBBLETON.

The annual tea meeting held in connexion with the dedication festival of All. Saints' Anglican Church was as great a success this year as on former occasions. The long tables, prettily decorated with flowers, were in the capable charge of a number of ladies, who had a busy time attending to the needs of their numerous patrons. The tea meeting was followed by a concert, given by the local music society, who repeated the programme given by it a few weeks ago. On the motion of Mr F. W. Carpenter, votes of thanks were accorded to the concert party and the ladies responsible for the arrangements. ' . , , This month, the meeting of the local branch of the Mothers' Union took the form of a social gathering, at which, in addition to the members, there were present numerous visitors, including a number of members of the Leeston branch. During the afternoon, Mrs Stephen Parr, of Christchurch, and Mrs T. Foster, Ladbrooks, delighted everyone with their singing, and a duet by Mrs Parr and Miss Alys Jones was also much enjoyed. A number of amusing competitions and a treasure hunt were also held, and a small play was enacted by the Dramatic Company. The president, Mrs H. B. Jones, welcomed all the visitors, and a dainty afternoon tea was dispensed by the members. t . Miss B. Duncan, of Christchurch. is the guest of Mrs J. McNally, Prebbleton.

KIRWEE.

The general committee of the Oourtenay A. and P. Association met on Saturday, Mr W. C. Bedford presiding. The local branch of the Plunket Society applied for the use of the ladies' dress-ing-room for a rest room on Show Day. The matter was left in the hands ot the secretary and shed superintendent. Mr H. Foster, who has left the district, wrote resigning from his position on She committee. Mr F. G. Sowden wrote offering £lO towards the cost or erecting a bandstand provided that it was erected before fc>how Day. Ahe offer was accepted with thanks. It was decided to put the foundation down in concrete, and Mr M. Johnson offered to defray the cost of carting the shingle. The Ellesmere Pipe Band agreed to supply music on Show Day. Mr D. J. Smith was appointed a marshal in the produce section, and Mr David Finlay marshal in the light horse section. Mr W. L. Stott was appointed to tako charge of the sheep guessing competition. Messrs W. Adams and P. J. Gill were elected members. It was reported that a very successful personal canvass had been made for the purpose of collecting overdue subscriptions. Mr F. G. Sowden, who had motored the canvassers round the various districts, was accorded a vote of thanks.

The rainfall for the month of October was 3.82 inches. Rain fell on 14 days, the maximum fall being 1.38 inches on the 26th. The fall for the corresponding month of 1927 was 2.42 inches, and 1926 3.83 inches. The total precipitation for the ten months ending.October 31st was 20.70 inches, and for the corresponding period of 1927 the total was 18.10 inches, and 1926 20.77 inches During the first half of the month north-west winds blew almost continuously, whilst during the latter part of the month rain fell on ten days. The rain has made a vast improvement to the appearance of the country, feed is now coming on rapidly, and the cereal crops are looking splendid, being in most cases a good, healthy colour. Mr H. McNae has been an inmate of the Christchurch Hospital for the past five weeks and is reported to be progressing favourably.

SPRINGSTON SOUTH.

I The annual meeting of the Springston South Amateur Sports Gala Club was held on Saturday, Mr P. J. De La Com presiding. The report and balance-sheet showed that the past season had been a successful one financially. The secretary (Mr G. Hill) who has left the distendered his resignation, and the appointment of a new secretary was held over. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patrons: The Hon. Sir E. Heaton Rhodes, M.L.0., Dr. E. J. Cooke, Messrs J. A. Redpath. and G. Mcßean; president, Mr P. J. De La Cour; vice-presidents, Messrs Musson, A. Thompson, N. Powell, J. S. Simpson, H. W. ,Heslop, W. D. Berry, G. ,J. Eoberts, E. Yarr, J. Williams, 0. H. Watson, P. V. Bailey, and G. H. Cook; starters: Messrs J. S. Simpson and P. V. Bailey; timekeeper, Mr J. Pearson. A discussion ensued regarding affiliation with the Amateur Athletic Association. The matter was held over until November 17th, when it was hoped there would be a larger attendance of members.