NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20421, 16 December 1931, Page 4

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. Mr Vernon Griffiths and liis concert party from Christchurch, in conjunction "with the children from the Uangiora School, gave a variety entertainment in the Town Hall on Monday evening. There was a good attendance. Half of the net proceeds will go to tlia liangiora School funds. The operettas, "The Willow Pattern Plate," and "Pirate Gold," were well staged. A large orchestra added much to the enjoyment of the evening. The songs, marches, atid choruses wero also very good. In the absence of the chairman of the School Committee, the Mayor (Mr W. A. Eowse) thanked Mr Griffiths and his party for the excellent entertainment given. KAJAPOI. The annual meeting of the Kaiupoi Male Choir was held on Monday, Mr D. Innes presiding over a good attendance of members. The report stated that the past year had been very successful, and had concluded with a, credit balance of £9 17s lid. Sis concerts had been given by the choir, and the usual visits made to the Rannerdale Home and the Christchurch Hospital. The concerts had proved as popular, as ever, and the programmes had been well received and appreciated by the public. The committee extended its thanks to the several artists who had assisted at the various concerts, and expressed its ' appreciation of the work undertaken by the conductor, Mr G. E. March, under whose leadership the choir had maintained the high standard reached. The choir was also deeply indebted to Miss M. Childs, honorary accompanist, and to the president (Mr J. H. Blackwell), and Mies Blackwell for their generosity in .entertaining the choir at feupper after its final concert. The following officers were elected : President, Mr J. H. Blackwell; vicepresidents, the Rev. W. H. A. Vickery, Messrs R. Gill, D. Innes, H. C. Revell, H. Mcintosh, and A. Blakelcy; conductor. Mr G. E. March; secretary, Mr G. Hirst; treasurer, Mr R. W. "Wylie: librarian. Mr A. Hii'st; auditor, Mr A. Blakeley; committee, Messrs F Bryden, E. Gray, R. D- • Evans, and P. Hunt; accompanist, Miss M. Childs. Tt wa3 recommended that the committee make enquiries regarding better hall accommodation for concerts. The sum of £1 Is wps voted to the Marjory Alexander fund. SPRINGSTON SOUTH. The Springston South School picnic was held on Friday at Pleasant Point, South Brighton. The weather was beautiful throughout the day. The committee organised races for the children during the afternoon. Prospects for harvest are not very good at present as the continued dry weather has had a detrimental effect on all crops and a good soaking rain would be welcome. Damage done to crops by the recent hailstorms is very noticeable. Hay-making is still in progress, but the crops generally are not as heavy as in previous seasons. Mrs G. E. Baker, who has been* in hospital, has returned to her home. BALCAIRN. An enjoyable evening was spent in "the Balcaim Public Hall on Saturday when the friends of Miss Bemice Fleming, who is to be married this week, entertained her at a kitchen evening. The evening was spent in games, cards, and dancing. Mr Uermott. on behalf of the Hall Committee, referred to the services that Miss Fleming had given to the district as a musician, and asked her to accept the various gifts with the best wishes of all present. Hot, dry weather has prevailed at Balcaim lately and the countryside is parched. A good 1 rainfall is badly needed. The sowing of root crops is nearly finished and in places there is little likelihood of the later-sown seed striking unless rain falls soon. Several crops of oats are in stook. The apple crop will not be a very heavy one this year as a late frost has caused a considerable' amount of blossom and fruit to fall. , HORNiBY. The opening of the new Croquet Club was held last Saturday afternoon, arrangements for which were greatly curtailed owii)g to the rain. The president, Mfs "Worsley, extended a welcome to the, visitors present. Mrs Worsley thanked the residents of the_ Hornby and Islington districts for their generous, support, the Recreation Committee for granting the ground, and the committee for their help during the past two years. Mr A. Ross was introduced by the president. He wished the club every success, and hoped to see this new club become.one of the important clubs of Canterbury. - ' ■ Mr Dow, of Islington, declared the season open, and played the first ball. Afternoon tea was served by the women members of the committee". LEESTON.. The death took place on Sunday evening of Miss Sarah Emms. Miss Emms attended to her business as usual during last week. Late on Sunday, afternoon she retired to the house, and some time later her sister, with whom she lived, found that she had died. The eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Emms, early settlers in the Leeston district, J Miss Emms spent most of her life ih j Leeston. ' For a long time she was j associated with Mr J. W. Hammond's drapery business, and when Mr Ham- j mond retired she entered into business j on her own account. A staunch churchwoman, and one who was ever ready to assist any worthy project, she was respected by all who knew her. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, the burial service at the Church of England portion of the Ellesmere Cemetery being read by the Rev. N. A. Friherg. vicar of Leeston.

SPRINGSTON. ; At the- monthly meeting of the Women's Institute, Miss A. Marshall | presided over a large attendance of members. A demonstration of the icing of Christmas cakes was given by 1 Miss Tosvvill and Miss Palmer, of Chrisfcchurch, for which they were wcccrded a vote of thanks. A competition for the best article made from a yard uf cretonne was won by Miss V. Wall. An exhibition of home-made Christmas gifts was made. A letter was received from Mr and Mrs W. Wright inviting the members of the Institute to a garden party to be held at their residence on January 9th. The hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames Howarth and Traves. Tho Springston Cricket Club journeyed to Irwell on Saturday, and after a very exciting game won by two wickets and four runs. Irwell made 161 (J. Cog 58, W. Doak 49, C. Hoskin not ou< 14) and Springston 165 for eight wickets <"H. Grim wood 67, J. Millard let, C. lieid 14, W. Leslie 10, J. Moore not out 21, N. Musson 13). W. Leslie four for !3l bowled best for Springston and IV. Heslop five for 69 for Irwell. SOUTHBRIDGE. The monthly meeting of the Southbridge Town Board was held on Monday evening, Cmr. J. H. Hampton presiding. Writing from Nelson, 'Cmr. A. I>. Harrison tendered his resignation as a member of the Board, he having loft Southbridge. The resignation was accepted, and it was decided to send a letter to Cmr. Harrison,, acknowledging his services while a member. It was decided to call for nominations,, to fill tho vacancy. The chairman was appointed to replace Cmr. Harrison as the Board's trustee for the Thompson Library Bequest Fund. Information concerning the extension of the No. 5 Scheme to cover development work on farms was contained in a circular from the Unemployment Board. Members considered that gorse grubbing was practically the oniy class of work 1,1 the Soutlibridge district to which the scheme, as it affected private property, was applicable. The clerk sai that the married unemployed men in Southbridge were getting a full week's wol '*J this week, after which they would stand down until January 4th. It was agreed that the tar required lor sealing the area in front of the Town Hall should be procured immediately, and that the work should be proceeded with under the Unemployment Scheme. HORORATA. The annual break-up ceremony of "The Candidates" (junior members of the Ilororata Girls' Friendly Society) took place in tho Parish Hall on Saturday afternoon. Preseiit at the function we're the Glenrov and Homebush Sunday schoolchildren, with their parents and friends. During the afternoon several members of "The Candidates presented a concert programme, consisting of vocal, musical, and elocutionary items. Opportunity was taken during tho afternoon by Elma Felton (on behalf of the juniors) to present their leaders- —Mrs T. B. Jones and Miss Roberts—with Christinas presents, as tokens of their esteem and appreciation. Mrs T. B. Jones then presented each child with a Christmas gift. Afternoon tea was dispensed, thfe Christmas cake being cut by Mrs T. B. Jones. The work done by the children during the year for St. Saviour's Orphanage was displayed, and was much adritircd 'by those present. SPRINGFIELD. Although there is not the usual abundance of f<?ed, Springfield compares more than favourably with other districts at present, as being under the hills the district receives many welcome ghowers of rain. During the past week rain fell on three different days, ] and set in again yesterday morning. OKAIN'S BAY. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal i Hand of Friendship Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.TJ.. was held on Saturday. Bro. W. j C. Harris, N.G., pi'esided. The an- j mini balaiice-flheet and auditors' report •were adopted. Two prize shoots held by the Chorl- j ton Defence Rifle Club were won as follows:—No. 1, H. Mason, 93 points, 1; C. Mason, 89 points, 2; L. Spurr, 88 points, 3. No. 2, F. G. Harris, 90 J points, .1; R M. Craw, 83 points, 2; J. Boleyn, 81 points, 3. . | A social and sale of work in aid of funds for St. John's Church was held in the Okain's Bay Hall on Friday. Music for the dancing was provided by the Chorlton Band, and extras were pxayed by Messrs G. Ware, C. Holstein, L. Marshall, and W. Harris. Messrs E. Bailey arid W. C. Harris acted as M.C.'s. Mesdames W. Harris and J. Harris were in charge of the ice-cream stall; Mesdames P. Cummings and T. Ware, produce stall; and, Mesdames J. Bole.yn and E. Harris fancy stall and sewing. A competition for a Christmas cake was won by Mr W. L. Pidgeon, and a competition for a Christmas pudding was won by Mr E. Bailey. A game competition was won by Miss Betty Pawson and Mr A. Gilbert. The Okain's Bay Oddfellows' Lodge held a successful picnic at the beach on Friday. . Tho day was ideal for bathing, paddling, and games on the beach. The races resulted as follows: Girls tinder 6, Shirley Mason 1, Alice Hartley 2, Mary Hartley 3; boys under 6, Gordon Harris 1, Harvey Mason 2, D. Mason 3; boys under 8, lioger Mason 1, Mervyn Harris 2, John Atkinson 3; girls under 10, Pauline Smith 1, Dolly Coffin 2, Doreen Moore 3; boysjfinder 10, AJf Coffin 1, Douglas Harris 2, Archie Ware 3; girls over 10, Doreen Harris 1, Joan Mason 2, Pattie Wakelip 3; boys over 10, W. Robinson 1, Ray Pidgeon 2, Syd. Reed 3; hop, step, and jump, Harry Harris 1, B. Corrigall 2, Ray Pidgeon 3.