COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16665, 25 September 1914, Page 9

COUNTRY NEWS.

[Feom' Oca Coeresfondents.]

ASHBURTON

For some time past residents in the suburbs of Ashburton who have been dependent on rain water for household supplies have been out of supplies, and water has been carried fairly long distances from houses which iortunately have pumps. Even the supply obtained from this source, owing to the river being-very low, has diminished, and the date is not very far distant when this supply will be cut off unless rain comes. There is plenty of water in the borough supplied from the pumping station, the dry weather not having affected the well.' ■ ■

The attempts of the newly formed Ashburton Rifle CI rib have failed to gain-permission to use the local rifle range owing to the great call upon the targets by the Senior Cadets and Tei - ; ritorials. The members of the club have, however, decided to join the Wakanui Club until such time as they become strong enough to erect a range of their own.

The fortnightly meeting of the Star of Ashburton Lodge of Druids was held on Monday evening, when A.D. Brother Rennio presided. One member was received on clearance, and one candidate proposed for membership. Bio-, ther D. Tilly was elected to fill the vacancy in the office of V.A.B. A letter of condolence was ordered to be sent to tho widow and family of the late Brother H. Guhn.

The Ashburton Egg Circle has temporarily suspended marketing eggs, chiefly on'account of the low state of the market. Members at the present are preserving their eggs. The junior competition in connection with the Ashburton Miniature Rifle Association was fired on,Tuesday evening,, when the Friendly Societies, 323 points, beat Tucker's, Ltd., 301, by 22. points.

At a meeting of the committee of the Ashburton Amateur Swimming Club on Tuesday evening, the annual meeting was fixed for October 2. It was decided to form a life-saving class during the coming season. A patriotic concert and dance were held at Longbeaoh on Thursday evening last, when Mr John Grigg* placed at the committee's disposal his -large woolshed, which was beautifully decorated with flags. There was a' large attendance, and Mr Grigg presided. The programme, which consisted of songs, choruses and instrumental items, was given by district residents, assisted by Mr E. ( G. Craighead, of Ashburton". Miss Gluyas played tho accompaniments, and the chairman gave a patriotic speech. _ The proceeds amounted to £35 9s, which has been paid over to the Ashburton Patriotic Fund. OHOKA. About 15,000 brown trout fry were liberated in the Ohoka Creek vesterday by the Acclimatisation Soeietv, Mr C. M. j Threlkeld kindly assisting by supplying a horse and cart to convey the fish from the railway station. The ceremony of unfurling a New -Zealand flag at the public school was carried out.on Monday in the presence of A large number of parents and others interested in the school. Mr Pearce, chairman of tho School Committee, presided. Master Joseph Mortland, one of the senior scholars, hoisted the flag, first explaining tho meaning of the colours and bars in the Union ;Jack; The pupils' of the Maori Girls' College sang a New Zealand anthem, and after a short address by the Rev J. H. Martin on flags, tho proceedings were brought to a close with the National Anthem. LEESTON. At a meeting of tho Town Board sub-committee preliminary arrangements were discussed in connection with the proposal to form Leeston into n town district, Mr J. Barnett presided. It was stated that tho county clerk had said that he had been instructed by his Council to give all information required by the Association yn furthering the. movement. Two members were deputed to wait on the county clerk, with Mr W. G. Lunn, for the purpose of gathering information to lay before a public meeting to be held at an early date. TEMUKA. The monthly meeting of the Temuka Technical Classes Association was held in tho Temuka Technical School on Tuesday evening last, Mr N. M'Leod in' the chair. Tho director, Mr Smart, explained the. result of his recent conference with the Temuka branch of the Farmers' Union. This year the Canterbury Shoepowners' Union 'had made a grant of £25 to tho Timaru and Temuka shearing classes, and the amount was to be divided equally between the two classes. Last year Tomuka only received £lO out of the £25 granted. Temuka had hoped to get a special grant from tho Sheepowners' Union, but this had not materialised. Mr S. M'Cully said that he was quite prepared to do again this vear what he had done last year, provide tho shed and sheep, give, the men two luncheons, and probably a donation at tho finish of the shearing, provided the class had at least five or six pupils. He was prepared to provide 2000 sheep if there were enough shearers It was agreed that the classes should commence on or about October 26. RANGIORA. Tho anniversary tea meeting of the Rangiora Methodist Sunday School was held last evening, and was largely attended. Tea was served by tho ladies of the congregation, and a pub-

lie meeting followed, at which the Riev W. Wills presided. Addresses were given by the Iter F. T. Fendall, Rev J. B. Clark, and Rev A. M. Costain. Choruses were sung by a party of girls, and a solo was sung by the Rev A. M. Costain. Tho annual report submitted by the secretary, Mr F, B. Lane, showed the school to le in a flourishing condition, the balancesheet showing a credit of £l.l 4s '<]. The superintendent, Mr C. S. Ayers, thanked all who had assisted in the celebration of the anniversary.

Tho Rangiora. Borough Council met last night; present—The Mayor (Mr C. I. Jennings), and Councillors Boyd, Hlackett, Lane, M'Gruer, Wright, Howe and Smith. The Woolston Band was given permission to use Victoria Park for a Sunday afternoon performance and to make a collection. An appeal for .subscriptions to the Huntly Relief Fund was received. The Mayor promised to convene a public meeting to form a committee to collect contributions. The clerk was instructed to inform the North Canterbury Swimming Club that tho bath was now. ready for use, and could be rented on the same- terms as last year. It was decided to commence tho systematic collection of house refuse in tho central part of the borough, the matter pf divising the best means of doing the work being lelt to tho Sanitary and Works Committee. The committee appointed to attend te the matter of providing a rest room and conveniences for women and children on market days was authorised to apply to tho Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association committeo for tho use of the Association's meeting room for the purpose. An order was made calling upon a property owner in Ashley Street to cut his fence back to the street boundary. Tho Mayor' and Councillors Boyd Blackott'and M'Gruer were appointed a committee to collect information in respect to a high-pressure water supply for the town. The receipts for the month totalled £133 3s 6d, and the debit balance amounted to £1023 15s 7d. Tho gas account receipts for tho month were £lB6 _Bs lOd, and the expenditure was £173 5s 4d. Accounts for £7O 9s 5d were passed for payment. _______________