NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20277, 1 July 1931, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

KAIKOURA. Yesterday morning flames again issued from t-Ixo bore at Gilling's lane, although there was 20 feet of water in the pipe. The flames are bluish-yel-low, and spread out to about four feet. The bore had to be Hooded before Operations could be continued. An inquest was held, before Mr James Davidson, Coroner, concerning the death of John James McSavney, who was picked up unconscious on Juno 20th, after having been dragged by his horse for several chains. A verdict was returned that McSavney died from laceration of the brain, as a result of being dragged by a horse, death being accidental. SCARGILL. There was a very largo attendance at the Young -People's Club monthly social evening. The time was occupied with cards and dancing. The prizewinners were Miss B. Roberts and Mr J..Drake. Music for the dancing was supplied by Miss Aitehison, the Taramea orchestra, and Messrs L. Fairbairn and G. Grcig. Mr J. Lainbie was M.C. At a meeting, of local Benedicts it was decided to hold a Benedicts' ball at an early date. Mr "W. Fleming was appointed secretary. From the proceeds of their social evenings the members of the V oung People's Club have given a pumice copper to the Hall Committee, The rainfall for the month of June was 3.17 inches, as compared with 1.23 inches last year, md 4.82 inches in 1929. The "total fall at Scargill for the year tu date is 17 inches. In 1930 the "f&ll for the same period was 11.13 in: lies, and in 1924 14.54 inches. Sunday's storm the flats have had a light covering of snow, and on the surrounding hills snow is lying to a deoth of several inches. The following were the best scores at the Scargill Miniature Rifle Club's weekly shoot:—E. Foster 69, 11. Rownay 69. 0. Johnson 69, A. Stewart 69, J. Turner 68, G. Gibb 67, L. McNaughton 67, W. Hitchcock 07, H. Shaclraeh 6G, G. Greig 65, G. Pannett 65, W. Fleming 65. J. Ryan 65, J. Demmock 65, J. Drake 65. The button winners were E. Foster and O. Johnson. BALCAIRN. The poster dance organised by the Hall Committee proved enjoyable. The music was supplied by the liangiora Daneo Orchestra, while "extras were played by Miss Fitzpatriok and a trio, consisting of Mrs K. McGowan, M. ILales, and Mr G. Hales. Extras on the bagpipes were given by Mr D. McLean and his two eons. _ Tho lucky spot daneo was won bv Miss- K. Ivelcher and nartner and the Monte Carlo by Miss Fleming and partner. Messrs Crossen aud Dermott were M.C.'s. The judges were Mesdames Fossey and Peaoh and Dr. Fossey, who awarded prizes to the following: Girls, under seven years: Marjory Cooper, Valarie McGuire. Girls, under 14 years: G. Hurley, O. Frost, M. Johnston.. Boys, tinder seven years: T. Stanley, J. Mori aire. Boys, under 14 years: D. Day, A. Le Petit. Ladies: Miss P. Dron, J. Baird: special prize, Miss 13. Hurley. Men: Messrs G. Cooper and J. Eder; special prize, Mr J. Eder. Mr J. Fitzpatrick (chairman) presented the prizes and returned thanks to the judges and all those who had given prizes. After the practice in the Balcairn School of the North Canterbury Caledonian Pipe Band, Mr N. Cook (president) presented Mr J. Smith, who was married recently, with an afternoon tea service, and Wished him every success in the future.

Mrs Hotchkin. honorary secretary of the Empire Service League, addressed a number of women in the Balcairn School on the aims and objects of the League. Considerable interest was ghown. A branch was formed, with the following officers: President, Mrs M. Brown; vice-president, Mrs H. Hurley; secretary, Mrs G. Day. Mrs Samuels, of Amberley, gav© a display of work which could be out by members, and the proceeds given to the unemployment funds. The following resolution was passed: "That w<j consider asking the retailers to let us have New Zealand-made goods as cheap as possible and to do away with coupon systems and any rewards for the goods we buy. An exhibition of New Zealand-mado goods was made At the sixth of a series of gatherings organised by the Hall Committee the following won competitions: Mescalines J. Fleming, G. Day, G. Cooper, W. Haigh, Messrp C.' Smith, W. Dermott, J. Demmock, and A". Demmock. Al usjc for the ' dance was supplied, by Misses A. Fitzpatrick and B. Fleming. Mr B. Fitzpatrick was M.C. After a bitterly cold day, snow began to fall in Balcairn on Sunday afternoon and continued during the night. The depth was about an inch in the township, -but there were heavy falls in the hills around Mt. Grey. KIRWEE. On Sunday at about 3 p.m. snow began to fall, and on Monday morning tho ground was covered with eight inches of snow. Showers of snow continued intermittently during the day The present fall is the heaviest since 1918. A great deal of inconvenience has been caused b.y tho storm. Telephone wires are down in all directions, and the electi-ic current has been off lor thirty-six hours. A heavy frost yesterday morning will tend to stop the thaw, consequently the snow will not disappear verv quickly. The weather is hard on stock as the turnips, etc., are all covered, md the farmers, who have oatsheaf chaff or hay will be very fortunate. HALKETT. Following a very severe -frost on Sunday, morning, a south-west wind sprang up about mid-day and rain commenced to fall. At 6- p.m., the rain gave place to snow, and for fourteen hours snow fell steadily, covering the ground to a depth of six inches. There were showers of snow during Monday, and there was practically no thaw by nightfall. This is the heaviest fall that ihe' district has experienced for over twenty years, and it will be some time before the ground is clear again. Fortunately, nearly all the teiam work has been completed, the recent dry weather being taken advantage of, with all the autumn-sown grain now drilled. WEST MELTON. At a meeting of the West Melton branch of the Mothers' Union, Mrs A. E. Langdale-Hunt presided over a good attendance. It was a "gift afternoon," being an effort to assist St. Martin's House of Help, and the response was giatifying. The speaker for' the afternoon was the Rev. Mr Christian, who gave an instructive address on the influence of women, particularly in the home. He was aecordcid a hearty vote o.1: thanks. An amusing competition was won by Misses Violet and Alice Cunagb. Afternoon tea web sevved.

HORORATA. A irost of 13 degrees was experienced yesterday morning, followed by a beautiful sunny day. The snow is not thawing to ,any great extent. PREBBLETON. '' Another social, ax-ranged by the PrebMeton Library Committee in aid of it# funds, took place in, the Public Hall, "when a large attendance enjos r ed dancing to music supplied by Bettel's Band. Competitions were won by Mrs L. Gallagher, Mrs J. Giles, Mr A. Thomson, and Mr A. Case, and a lucky spot waits by Miss Elsie Gallagher and Mr F. Gallacher (New Brighton). Mr L. Gallagher was M.C. ■ Intense cold has been experienced for several days past and snow fell to the depth of one inch during Sunday night. SPRINGSTON, On Friday afternoon the local junior girls defeated the Springston South girls at basketball by 3 goals to 2. Miss M. Eiordan was referee. Playing at Ladbrooks on Saturday afternoon, the Springston A basketball team was defeated by six goals to one. Miss , Laishl,ey was referee. At Eugby the United juniors defeated Lincoln juniors at Springston on Sati urday afternoon by 14 points to C. Mr Joblin was referee. During the past week very wintry weather has prevailed. After a ' black frosfc on Sunday the day became very cold, and during the afternoon rain fell, and in the evening it began to snow, and continued off and on until about midday on Monday, when there was about 3 or 4 inches on the ground. The stock are feeling the effects of the change of weather. However, rain was needed, and what fell will do a vast amount of good to the country. A meeting of the Springston branch of the Farmers' Union was held in the Springston Hall on Monday. Owing to the stormy weather there was a small attendance. A talk on stock feeding was given by Mr Scott, of Lincoln College. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker. Supper was provided. LEESTON. The footbridge erected at Ooe's ford last October was shifted from its posi-' tion by a flood in the river last week, but the timber, which was secured by wires, has been stacked in a place of safety so that it can be used again later! The water.level in Lake Ellesmere ha 3 risen lately, as a result of 'the. rains. There is still a large quantity of water lying in paddocks about the district. Sheep worrying by dogs has occurred in several parts of the district lately. Last Sunday, Mr T. W. Brooks, of, Brookside, found six of his ewes killed and three others disabled in a paddock of fifty, while the others were showing signs of having been molested. On the following day the dogs went among a fresh mob. They als» visited a paddock on Mr S. Candy's farm and annoyed tho sheep there. Warnings have been given that -stray dogs will in future bo destroyed. Under lino weather conditions, but with a southerly breeze which was decidedly in favour of the birds, the Ellesmere Gun Club held the first sparrow match of the season on its ground at Leeston. Owing to the absence of several members at the New Zealand championships at Hamilton, the attendance was not so large as usual. T. Gordon missed his~ first bird, but killed the remaining eight, using his second barrel only once. He gained the first prize, while the following, with seven kills each, divided tho remainder of the money: L. C. Lemon, W. Patterson, E.» A. Washbourne, A. P. Chamberlain, and D. L. McGregor. As the supply of sparrows became exhausted, two clay sweeps were held. There were ten competitors in the first, of nine birds, and L. 0. Lemon A. P. Chamberlain, E. A. Burgess eacn scored the possible and divided the money. A six-bird clay sweep was won by T. Gordon, who broke the possible number. The territory of the Springs-Ellesmere Electric Power Board was further extended to embrace part of the Halswell county, when, at midnight last night, it took over possession of the Tai Tapu Dairy Company's reticulation. This was the first country area to be supplied from the Lake Coleridge station. The purchase price of £11,545 is being paid from the Power Board's £/25 ; 000 loan.