COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16742, 24 December 1914, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Our Correspondents.]

KIRWEE

A welcome change took place in the weather at an early hour on Monday morning, when heavy rain set in, and by 9 p.m. a total fall for tho day of 1.22 in had been registered. An incalculable amount of benefit will result from this rainfall. Cereal crops which were just coming into ear had been at a standstill owing to the effects of the continuous north-west winds. These crops should now riiako good headway. Crops which were further advanced should now fill out to much better advantage. The heavy wind about a fortnight ago did a lot of damage to tho crops, breaking them down iu such n manner that numbers of fields of grain bore the appearance of having had mobs of sheep driven through them. Potatoes have been cut down by frost during the past week. This has happened several times this season, and will probably make the crop later than usual. Twitch paddocks have been receiving a lot of attention, and more twitch will he destroyed this season than has been the case for a number'of years.' ASHBURTON. .. At the meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council on Monday evening, it was decided to ask the Post and ’ielegraph Department to erect slot telephones at tho post office and in the business’ part of the town. A farmer in the Anama district, Ashburton County, reports that the wheat crops in that district are ’ooking extremely well, while there are certain to be some good crops of oats.' This is due to the many showers of rain. The rain of Sunday and Monday has freshened up things, and grass pastures will receive a new lease of life.

A meeting of those interested in the formation of a brass band in connection with the Ashburton Citizens’ Defence Corps.was held on Monday evening, when Mr G. Willis presided oyer an attendance of twenty-five, including members of the town bands. It was stated that if the band was formed it might be ahlo to take over the instruments and uniform of the old Municipal Band, which was defunct. After discussion, a committee, consisting of Messrs A. E. Clark, G. Willis, A. Simpson, A. E. Clement and W. Rennie, was appointed to confer, with a committee of representatives of ■ the Citizens’ Defence Corps which had been set up to deal with the matter. About twenty names of players were handed in, and five learners stated' •their intention of joining. RANGIORA. A special meeting of the High School Governors was held on Tuesday evening, Messrs R. Ball (chairman), H. Boyd, E. R. Good, C. W. Bell and J. Collie being present, also Mr T. R. Cresswell, principal of the school. The chairman reported that the special committee appointed to consider the new Education Act had met, hut was not yet prepared with a report. A readjustment of the staff to meet the provisions of the new Act was arranged. It was resolved, to pay off an additional £SO of the. debt on the master's residence. On the motion of Mr Bell, it was resolved to extend hearty congratulations to Mr H. S. Richards on his.election as Rhodes scholar. OUST.' The half-yearly meeting of the Loyal Cust Lodge of Oddfellows, held on Tuesday evening, was well attended. An official visit was paid by the Ashley District officers, Prov.. G. M. G. Smith, D.P.G.M. 0. R. Golding,’Prov. C.S. Jennings and P.G.M J Marshall A new member was initiated, and a brother from the Loyal Cromwell Lodge , was admitted by clearance. An invitation from the Rev J. Hay to hold a parad'e at the Anglican Church on Sunday, January 24, was accepted. All j the officers were re-elected for the ensuing six months, and Brother J. Marshall was, appointed auditor. The district officers addressed the meeting, and were accorded a hearty vote of thanks for their visit. KAIAPOI. At, the monthly meeting of the Kaiapoi Domain Board, the Mayor, Mr J. W. Barnard, who presided, reported the destruction by fire of about teu acres of pine trees in the Beach Domain on "Anniversary Day. Though the Board had provided two double brick fireplaces, visitors had apparently lit fires in the heart of the bush, thus causing the disaster. It was decided to erect notices prohibiting tho practice and to prosecute offenders under the Domains Act, which provides a penalty of £2O for such offences. Regarding the holding of a Domain Fete it was agreed that nothing further could be done until a reply was received from the Horticultural Society. The Kaiapoi Executive Committee of the Lady Liverpool Fund has provided the reinforcements from the Kaiapoi district with similar equipment to that given the first contingent.