NORTH CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21377, 21 January 1935, Page 10

NORTH CANTERBURY

RANGIORA PERSONAL Mr and Mrs C. J. Keir have returned to Rangiora after their annual holidays. Boy Scouts' Camp About 30 members of the Rangiora boy scouts, under the charge of Mr G. W. Southgate, left Rangiora yesterday morning for "Glasnevin," the property of Mr E. S. Taylor, just above Amberley, where they will go under canvas for 10 days. The boys have taken six tents, and enough provisions. The camp will be supplied with electricity from a plant erected by several of the boys. The camp is ideally situated, in a small gully near the Kowai riverbed. It is sheltered from all weathers and there is ample space to carry out scout work as well as a programme of sports. There is also a good swimming pool in the Kowai river quite near the camp. Mr P. L. Rouse will act as deputy to Mr Southgate. Harvesting Stops Sports Most of the matches in the North Canterbury Tennis and Cricket SubAssociation's competitions were not played on Saturday, as the majority of members of the teams are engaged in harvesting. It is unlikely that many matches will be played until after the harvest, which is now in full swing in North Canterbury. Tennis » G. Mehrtens, No. 8 on the North Canterbury Sub-Association's ranking list, withstood a challenge from L. Taylor, who occupies No. 9 position. The match was played on the United Club's courts Mehrteris winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, after a good match. SOUTHBRIDGE The monthly meeting of the Southbridge Town Board was presided over by Commissioner J. H. Hampton. One property transfer was notified and the issue of a building permit was approved. A favourable report was received from the health inspector. A quotation for providing a folding gate for the entrance to the Town Hall stairway was accepted. Three tenders were received for kerbing' and channelling work in Hastings, street, but consideration of them was deferred on account of the position of telephone poles. Enquiries are to be made from the Post and Telegraph Department and a surveyor, after which a special meeting is to be called. Farmers throughout the district are very busy with harvesting work, the dry weather having ripened all kinds of crops much earlier than usual. All the available labour has been absorbed and much inconvenience has been caused through the late arrival of the season's supply of cornsacks. LEESTON Unemployment relief under the No. 5 scheme has been suspended in the Ellesmere district for an indefinite period during the harvesting season. The Rev. J. C. Young, of Rotorua, formerly minister of the Leeston Presbyterian charge, who is spending his annual holiday in Christchurch, was a visitor to Leeston during the weekend. An Irwell recently lost a I large stack of hay through spontaneous combustion, although the hay seemed to be in proper condition when it was stacked about two months ago. The farmer had ploughed a break round the stack, which prevented the fire from spreading over the grass paddock. The abnormal period of dry, warm weather has caused a large- number of pine trees planted on the plains for shelter purposes to die. Even four-year-old trees which semed to be well established, and which withstood the dry conditions of a year ago. have suffered badly, many thousands having died.

MARSHLAND The monthly meeting of the Marshland School Committee was held in the school, the following being present: Messrs D. Goode (chairman), A. Gibbs, W. R. Andrews.G. Chisnall (secretary), Mrs Chisnall, and the headmaster. The balance-sheet for the break-up concert was presented, showing that the school funds had been considerably augmented by the effort. A special vote of thanks was passed to the teaching staff and to Mrs Marks for their work in training the children. The headmaster reported that Miss Nancy Thomas, who had been an additional assistant last year, had gone to Nelson, and that Miss Southgate, who had been relieving for the last term, had been transferred to the Addington school. The committee expressed its appreciation for the services rendered the school by these two young teach* ers, and expressed regret at their departure. Miss V. Butcher will take up her duties as assistant-mistress when the school reopens. The annual school picnic will be held at Waikuku on Friday, February 8, and details were arranged. The committee will canvass the district for donations to the picnic fund. Arrangements were made to allow the children to attend the Belfast baths during the holidays. Mrs F. Jesson, who spent a fortnight's holiday in Otago Central, has returned home. Mrs Erickson and family are spending a holiday at New Brighton. Mrs Stackwood and Misses June and Margaret Stackwood have returned from a holiday spent at Kaituna Valley, when they were the guests of Mrs Keith Parkinson. Mr and Mrs H. R. Marks and family have returned from a holiday spent at Waiau, where they were the guests of Mr and Mrs Murdoch McDonald ("Glenbourne."). OXFORD There was a good attendance of members and friends at the opening meeting of the Oxford Women's Christian Temperance Union. Mrs C. Morris conducted devotions, which closed with a sacred solo by Miss J. Comyns. It was decided to send a letter of" sympathy to Mrs W. Morris in her illness. Arrangements for the cradle roll rally were left to the president and the cradle roll superintendents. Miss Henderson, president of the Christchurch union, gave an interesting and instructive address, and was accorded a vote of thanks. The next meeting will mark Frances Willard Day, and several members promised to bring a brief account of progress made in some of the many departments of work done by the union.