COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16559, 25 May 1914, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Our Correspondents.]

IRWELL,

Upon learning that Mr A. Gow, stationmaster at Ellesmere, had been transferred to Riccarton, the officebearers of the Dwell Presbyterian Church arranged a farewell social in the Irwell School. The' Rev R. ...H. Blair presided and a programme of musical and elocutionary items was given by Mrs Blair, Misses Kibblewhite, Alma Donald, Gow and Eva M’Lauglilin, Mr Blair and Mr J. Buick. The chairman spoke of the great interest Mr Gow and family had taken in the Irwell Church, and of the help each one had rendered to him- personally. Mr Gow had been choirmaster from the opening of the services and Miss Gow had most conscientiously filled the position of organist. On behalf of the Presbyterians and other friends in the district Mr Blair presented Miss Gow with a gold bangle. All present wished the guests a happy future in their new home. , SOUTHBRIDGE. A social was held on “Wednesday evening in the Presbyterian Hall, Southbridge, the Rev G. Lindsay, who presided, explaining that the object was the formation of a young men’s debating club, to bo open to those of any denomination. It was resolved to form the club, and judging by the enthusiasm displayed by the young men present the success of the society is assured. The following officers were elected President, Rev G. Lindsay; vice-presidents, Rev H. G. Hawkins and Mr C. Thompson ; convener, Mr W. Simpson; secretary. Mr T. Carter; committee, Messrs R. B. Willis, W. Bishop, G. Abbott, D. Tong and W. Simpson (with power to add). A musical programme helped materially towards making the evening enjoyable. The performers were Mrs M’Dowell, Misses Simpson, Bishop and S. Withers, Messrs W. Bishop and C. Thompson, and Master Horace Milne. Games were also played. LEESTON. The executive of the Lees ton 'Wesley Guild met on Wednesday evening, the Rev W. Grigg presiding. A syllabus for the winter and spring series of weekly meetings was adopted. Special evenings were set apart for debates, the reading of papers on various subjects and for addresses. The Guild membership lias been strengthened considerbly since the opening meeting. KIR WEE. There was another fall of snow at Kirweo on Thursday night, two and a half inches covering the ground on Friday morning. The winter show, which was to have been held on B'riday, was postponed. The total rainfall since Wednesday was, l.SOin. A party of rabbit trappers has been very successful along Mr Joseph’s land in ” the Waimakariri riverbed, large numbers of rabbits having been recently railed to Christchurch.