COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17198, 19 June 1916, Page 11

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Our Cojt.respondentb.] IRWELL. At a public meeting of residents of Irwell, beld in the school, it was decided that in future every soldier leaving tho district should be accorded a public sendoff and that men who have already gone to the front should bo presented with gold medals. Tho next scnd-olf will take place: in Mr Rowley’s timber shed next Friday, evening, when Private H. G. Greaves is to bo entertained and a, gold medal is to be presented to Lieutenant J. Coe, of the mam body, who lias returned from the front. The committee aheadv has in hand a sum of £6O, £32 Ills of which was collected in. the room at tho meeting. SHEFFIELD. A public patriotic meeting was held in tho Road Board office, Sheffield, on Thursday Feeling reference was made by the chairman. Mr W. J. Jenkins, to the loss the Empire had sustained by tne death of Lord Kitchener, and a motion of sympathy was carried in silence, all present standing. A letter was received from Mr H. A. Knight asking (tho oominitteo to make an effort in aid of tho widows and children of the sailors who had lost- their liven in the recent naval battle. A sub-committee, consisting of Mesdames Townshend, Wright and fcandrey, was elected to canvass the district as soon as the necessary instructions were received from tho Christchurch Navy League, for funds or for goods, to be auctioned at the next monthly Sheffield sale. Messrs W. Watson and Townshend were deputed to receive tho goods at the sale. The Rev J. Johnston was elected a member of the committee. WADDING TON. The choir and the members of tho Young People’s Society of the Waddington Methodist Church, of which Miss Muller lias been an active member for about three years, entertained her at a farewell social on Tuesday. Musical items were given by the' choir, Mesdames Miller and Hooper, and Messrs F.i Ne’utze, C. Lamlin, R. Lord and l'\ Armstrong, and recitations by Miss Hodgson and Mr J. Green The Revs J. Hooper (Methodist) and J. Johnston (Presbyterian) spoke of the guest’s sterling qualities, and the loss her departure would bo to tho district, and Mr Hooper, on behalf of the choir and Young People’* Society,presented her with a Bible, a hymn book and a handbag. GLENTUNNEL. A public meeting was held in the Glentuunel Hall on Thursday with tho object (1) of establishing a fund for giving the local men who are going to the front a sond-off; (2) of relieving sailors disabled in naval engagements, or their wives or dependents; and (3) of helping any returned soldiers in distress, or their wives or dependents. There was a fair attendance. Mr H. Roliinson was voted to Ihe chair and Mr F. Milne was appointed secretary. It was decided to combine the first and third proposals and to establish a local patriotic committee to deal with the matter. It was resolved to canvass for subscriptions for the disabled sSilort of (the Navy or their dependents. A list was passed round the room and the sunt: of £SS 14s was promised. The following were tho contributors:—John Deans £25. Mr and Mrs James Deans £25, Colin Deans £25, D. Kcsteven £3 3s, W. Watson £1 Is, J. Blair £l, J. Longstsfc £l, J. N. Pearson £l. H. Roliinson. £l, F. W. Hunt £l, Mrs Hunt 10s, T. Lamport 10s, G. Aitkeu 3s anti H. Atkinson ss. The following committee was nominated:—Coalgate, Messrs John Cleans, Jame 3 Deans and J. 11. Pearson; Gloutunnel, Messrs H. Rollison, F. WyHunt, J. Longstaff; Whitecliffs, Messrs D. Kcsteven, W. Greaves and C. Powell. Mr F. Milne was appointed secretary and Messrs John Doans and 11. Roliinson trustees. HORORATA. At a meeting of tho Hororata Patriotic Committee, Mr I. F. Pearson presiding, the chairman* reported that the credit balance •in connection with the baby carnival was £7BS 10s Id. The total amount, collected in the Selwyn Couuty had been £2845 4s 4d, and the’ Selwyn County’s quota of £2700 had been paid over to tho Canterbury patriotic executive tommittee, leaving a balance in hand of £145 4s -Id. It was decided to write to the Hall Committeo for permission to erect an honours board in the hall, Mr T. B. Jones having presented an honours board. Tho question of a concert by a Christchurch party was left in tho hands of the chairman and Mr R. Lockhead. A letter was received from tho Hall Committee stating that the charges for the hall in future would be 15s for patriotic purposes and full rates for send-off socials to soldiers. The meeting decided to protest strongly to the Hall Committee against tho proposed charges ior uso of tho nail for patriotic purposes on the grounds that the hall was a public ono, free of debt, and that the HaL vmiumittce had a considerable credit balance., 'The chairman was authorised to write to the Haft Committee, Domain Board and Ploughing Match Committee and inform them that the local Red Cross Committee was in need of funds. HAWARDEN. The annual social of the Waikari branch of tho Farmers’ Union was held in the Ifawart’en Hall on Friday evening. Songs were contributed by Misses Cliisnail, licaslev, Skurr and Wright, and Messrs Pearcy, W. Earl and J. Beasley ’Dancing was (Carried on until the small hours of llie morning. WAIKARI. Tho recent rains have made a wonderful difference in the appearance of the country in the Waikari distinct, and _ the mite weather that lias been prevailing for tho last two weeks has brought the grass and crops on in a remarkable manner. The iarmers are finding great difficulty in procuring sufficient stock to keep down the green feed, and in many cases the feed is getting too long and nuts; lieccssanly be wasted. The impression throughout the district is that omy abcui one-third cf the wheat tli at is generally grown will be sown this year. The difficulties ol harvesting and threshing, together with the uncertainty ol the price, make sheep a utyiek better proposition. Farmers seem to bo realising tho ralue.of lime for agricultural purposes, and the ioeal pit lias been kept very busv. The tests that were indulged in last year have proved satisfactory, as some farmers nave repeated their orders. TIN WALD. A farewell social was tendered at Tinwahl on Friday to the Rev J. G. Mill, who lias been in charge of the Flemiiigtou parish of the Presbyterian Church for the past throe and a half years, and who is leaving for (Jhakuuc. Mr Gilmour presided and eulogised tho work carried rut by Mr Mill m the district. Addresses were also given by the Rev G. Miller (Ashbuiton), Rev W. CBlair (Wakanui) and Messrs W. J. Moore and M’Kay. During tho evening the chairman presented Mr Mill with a cheque as a token of the esteem in which he la held by the residents.

ASHBURTON. T'hpro vos a large attendance at the Ashburton St Stephen’s Schoolroom on Thursday evening, when the Sunday school children, assisted hv friends, gave a concert. the children were trained by Mrs A\ right, with the assistance of several ladies, and the concert was thoroughly enjoyed. Miss Cowan played the accompaniments. Before commencing at tne Board of Managers of the\A s hbuvton Technical School on Friday last, tlio following motion, moved by Mr H. Davis, was carried:—“That the beard sincerely regrets the painful illness of the director (Mr A. L. Moore!, and trusts, that he scan will be able to resume his duties.” Tko montlilv meeting of the Board ot Managers of the Ashburton Technical School was held on Friday, when Mr H. Davis (chairman) presided. The Bonrd of Kduention forwarded remits to the value ot £577 16s 2d and the Ashburton _ Comi.y Council forwarded a cheque for faO ns a donation to the school funds. Mr H. N • Maxwell’s resignation as instructor m English and arithmetic for the junior classes was received and accepted, and Mr.Aharcl was appointed to fill the position. The Building? Committee reported that toe question of adding a large room, 1o be ultimately used for a cookery room, was in the hanos of the architect, and . it was decided that Mr Collins get into .touch with tlic bulletin,, Committee as soon as ha heard from the architect. The acting-director (Mr A. 1. Smith) reported that owing to tlio increased applications from these desiring to learn tvpewriting an additional class had been formed. Accounts amounting to £-19 2s 6d were passed for payment.

GERALDINE. Mr W H. Cartwright. one of (lie teachers at* the District Huh School, is leaving- for Trentham, and his departure from Geraldine was presented with a sleeping bagbv. members of the staff. ? wallet, by tee school children and a wristlet watch by tne public commit'ce. A capital entertainment was organised bv Mrs Ehnslie in aid of the soldiers and the' Allies, and drew a crowded house. An effective tableau was followed bv a dialogue, a one-act play and musical items, the p'.vformcrs in the last-named including Mrs Chapman, of Ashburton. On Friday night 1 hero was a large gathering at Pleasant Valley, when a concert and dance were given in aid of the Patriotic Fund and of tho iical school. RANGIORA. Tho Rangiora Brass Band played a pro„grammo of music ot Victoria Park yesterday afternoon, and a largo crowd assembled to enjoy the music.