NORTH CANTERBURY NEWS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22908, 3 January 1940, Page 4

NORTH CANTERBURY NEWS

LOW RAINFALL FOR YEAR

ONLY 69 WET DAYS AT RANGIORA LIGHT TOTAL FOR DECEMBER A total of 69 wet days was at Rangier a in 1939, and five of these were in December. This number compares very favourably with that for 1938, when rain fell on 87„f5£stotal rainfall last year was 23.67 mcnes, against 31.73 inches during 1938. The average fall. f °F the last 21 vrar? has been 25.17 inches. y The fall for December of last year was 2.59 inches, almost an inch less than in 1938. when 3.26 inches fell. Only the rain of the last few days raised the total fall in 1939 above the average over 21 years, which was 2.20 inches. _ FIGURES FOR OXFORD i ——— The rainfall for December in Oxford was 3.39 inches, falling on six days. For the same month last year it was 5.60 inches, falling on 15 days. The average for the month over a 29 years’ period is 4.74 inches. For the year, the rainfall has been 30.62 inches, as against 50.72 last year. The yearly ayerage over a 29 years’ period is 38.07 inches. During that period the average has. been exceeded 14 times. Abnormal rainfalls were 53.95 inches in 1925; 44.02 in 1928; 4913 in 1936; and 50.72 in 1938. The years of low rainfalls were 1915 with 23.02 inches, and 1933 with 26.51 inches. These were the only years when the rainfall was below 30 inches. HORORATA 8 Weather observations taken by Mr G. H. Hall, of “Terrace Station,” Hororata, for December show that rain fell on seven days, the maximum fall being 1.911n on December 26. The rainfall for the month was 3.05 inches, compared with 5.70 inches for December. 1938. The rainfall for 1938 was 26.72 in, compared with 46.47 inches for 1938. Last year was the third driest year at Hororata since 1922. All crops throughout the district have been considerably improved since the good rain on Boxing Day. Rape crops are looking well, aild the 40 points of rain which fell on the Monday night will further benefit pasture and crops. AMBERLEY The following monthly rainfall totals were recorded last year by Mr J. B. Starky, of “Brackenfield.” Amberley: January, l.lOin; February. .96in; March, 1.58 in; April, ,79in; May, 1.06 in; June, l.SOin; July. 6.04 in; August. 4.98 in; September. l.OSin; October, .68in; November, 1.63 in; December, 4.01 in, Total for year. 25.18 in.

FAREWELL TO MEN IN SPECIAL FORCE

PRESENTATIONS MADE A'f SPRINGSTON There .was a large and representative attendance at a farewell social and dance in- the Springston Hall in honour of Springston /.i embers of the Ist Echelon of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Mr P. V. Bailey, chairman of the Send-off Committee, presided. were given by the Rev. Mr Sparrow, and Mr J. S. Simpson, county chairman. Mr P. V. Bailey, on behalf of the district, presented the guests of honour with a safely razor. Those honoured were Privates Owen Heinisch . and Tom Findlay, l both of whom replied. Music for the dance was played by Miss M. Eiordan and Mr C. Wallace. Items were given by Misses T. Riordan and M. Mounce, Messrs H. Mills, H. Hoskin, and W. Findlay, The accompanists were Misses M. and T. Riordan. Monte Carlo prizes were won by Private O. Heinisch and Miss E. Kemp, and Mr T. Findlay, and partner. Messrs S. Simpson and C. Bailey were masters of ceremonies. SOCIAL EVENING AT FERNSIDE PRESENTATIONS MADE TO : SOLDIERS A large crowd gathered at Fernside on Saturday evening to say farewell to the soldiers of Fernside who will leave shortly for service overseas. The soldiers were Captain Davies, Driver R. Whitham, Signaller K. Purvis, and Re-, servist R. le Valliant. Short speeches were made by Mr H. E, Evans, Mr A. M. Carpenter, and Mr W. Smith. Presentations were made to the soldiers by Mr W. Smith on behalf of the residents of the district. v -■ j' The evening was spent m cards and dancing, the music bemg played by Tvr<gg B. Evans, C/Evans, and F. Evans, A trio was sung by Misses E. Snellex, J. Smith, and N. Evans. DANCE AT SPRINGSTON SOUTH The Springston South Hall Committee arranged a* pleasant end-of-year dance in the hall. There was a big attendance, including many visitors from the Selwyh Huts. . Messrs _M. Musson and M. Ryan were the masters of ceremonies. Mr H. Lynn and Miss H. Lynn were the winners of a Monte Carlo dance. CRICKET HORORATA V. SHEFFIELD Playing cricket af Hororata on Saturday in the Malvern Association’s competitions, the Sheffield Nomads team was beaten by the Hororata team by 113 runs to 195.

PERSONAL NOTES

RANGIORA

Mr W. C. Seymour, South Westland, was a visitor to Rangiora and Waikuku during the New Year holiday.

HORORATA Mr and Mrs Crafar and family, who have been staying with Mr and Mrs Hill, have returned to Seddon. Mr and Mrs T. Patterson apd family, of Blackball, have been visitors to Hororata.. Mrs O’Shaughnessy, of Lower Riccarton, has been staying with Mr and Mrs H. Ballagh for the WatsonThwaites' wedding. Mr and Mrs T. Winn, of Christchurch, have been guests of Mr and Mrs B. Foster. ■ Mr and Mrs W. V. Joyce, of Ashburton, who have been staying with Mr and Mrs F. S. Barrett, have returned home. Miss Davis (Christchurch) has been visiting Hororata to be present at the Watson-Thwaites wedding. Mr and Mrs J. T. Nelson, of Rangiora, have been guests of Mr and Mrs H. Ballagh for the Watson-Thwaites wedding. Miss Heather Bruce is staying with her aunt at Oxford. Mr and Mrs R. Russell (Christchurch) have been visitors to HoroMr and Mrs H. Ballagh and Mr and Mrs J. Ballagh and family have been visitors to Waikuku. Mr and Mrs A. Petrie, who have been guests of Mr and Mrs Maddison, Waikuku, have returned home. Mr and Mrs W. H. Scott are visiting the West Coast. Mr and Mrs G. Holmes and family, of Christchurch, are staying with Mr and Mrs R. Gray, “Manor House,” Hoxorata. Mrs Barrie and the Misses Barrie, of Christchurch, are spending a holiday at “Manor House,” Hororata. Miss M. Hodgson, Christchurch, is staying with Mr and Mrs W. Thwaites. “Shrublands,” Hororata. Mrs H. Wright, of Christchurch, is spending a holiday with Mr and Mrs J. Hore, Hororata. Mrs H. A. Oliver is spending a holiday in Timaru. PUAHA Mr and Mrs J. Damber and family (Christchurch) have been the guests of Mrs Rupert Vanstone for the Flet-cher-Vanstone wedding. Mr Richard Vanstone (Greymouth) has returned after paying a short visit to his parents, Mr and Mrs R. Vanstone, Puaha. Mr A. Rhind, Redcliffs, has returned home after spending a few days with Mr and Mrs R. Vanstone, Puaha. SPRINGSTON SOUTH Mr and Mrs C. Stevenson have returned home after spending the holidays with Mr and Mrs T. Greaves. Mr H. A. Fletcher is spending a holiday in North Canterbury. Miss Iris Powell has left with Mr and Mrs W. H. Kirk for a motor caravan tour, of Nelson and the North Island. Mr and Mrs J. A. McLeod are spending the school vacation with Mrs Geo. Mcßean. Mr A. Grimwood, Christchurch, was recently , the guest of Mr. and Mrs W. Leslie; - ' V l /:'