COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17287, 30 September 1916, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS.

■ 1 —». —■ [Fnoii OrK Correspondents.] NORTH CANTERBURY. Rain 'commenced to fall in North Canterbury on Thursday morning,. arid up to 9 a.m. yesterday 85 points were registered at the Rangiora High . School. Tho weather continued showery all day yesterday, ajjd there was little indication of its clearing up last evening. Coming after a spell of warm dry weather the rain will serve a useful purpose. Throughout North Canterbury the ? spring outlook for tho farmers’ is a very promising one. The crops are healthy ana making good growth, and feed is abundaht for tho time of the year. The. lambing _is progressing satisfactorily, and good percentages are the rule. Feed being plentiful ewes and lambs are in demand, and are selling, well. In proof of this, at. Mr E. Duncan s clearing sale at Coburn yesterday a line ot 13-2 six-tooth to failing-mouth ewes, with about 130 per cent of lambs, realised 23s 3d all counted. RANGIORA. Mr H. C. Wilson, who has been accountant at the Rangiora, Branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association for the past, five years-, has received notice of transfer to the head office to act as accountant to the live stock department. , , The anniversary tea meeting of the Methodist Sunday School was held on Thursday evening, and. in spite of unfavourable weather was largely attended: The tea was provided b ; subscription and was served by the. teachers, assisted by ladies of the congregation. At the after meeting, presided over by the Rev J. Guy a satisfactory report and balancesheet was presented by Mr F. B. Lane, the school secretary. Addresses' were given by tha Revs W. H. Howes, J. R.. Clark and tho chairman, end several musical items were contributed by the scholars, Mr J. T. Withers presiding at "the organ. ' . " Tho superintendent * of file Fire Brigade acknowledges receipt of a donation/of £1 Is from Mr L. Devlin to the brigade 'funds ten recognition of services rendered at the fire on his premises recently. • . CULVERDEN.. - After a prolonged spell of beautiful weather rain eommemyd to fall at Culverden on Thursday morning, shortly before nine o’clock, and continued heavily throughout the day. The total rainfall recorded in Culverden up to 9 a.m., Friday, was J.4in. Tho rain was falling steadily yesterday 'afternoon, end the Pahau River was reported in heavy flood. All tho creeks are full and any low-lying areas ore under water. WEEDONS. A very‘successful evening for the purpose of assisting-, the Navy League Funds was held recently in the Weedons Schoolroom. The entertainment, consisted of a . conceit, gift auction and dance. Tho concert programme was supplied by a party from Christchurch. Items wore contributed by Mrs Young, Misses Mitchell, Maindonald and Wilstead, and Messrß Young, Taylor and Owen. Misses Denby .and Mhindbnaldi played the accompaniments. An address was delivered by Mr A-. Boyle, president of the Canterbury branch of the Navy League. During the evening Mr 11. W. Jennings auctioned a flag which realised.£sl 15s 6d. It was Anally purchased at £5 5s by Mr Boyle, who presented it to the Weedons School. The other bidders for the flag were as follow: —Mr' A. Boyle, £8 8s; Messrs J. and V. Ryan, £5 os; W. Phillips, E. W. Pearce, H. W. Jennings', each £3 3s; T. W. Higlit, 0. Curragh, J. Jones, T. Pearce. J. Henley, A. Harvey. J. Williams, E, W. Johnston, J. Clarke, S. Dnvisoi, p. Gilmour, E. Larcombe, E, Mulcock, A. Phillips, L, B. Manion, D. M’Vinnie, W. Griffithe-Smith, John Curragh, each £1 is; J. T. Manion, 10s 6d; G. M’Clatehie -and Co.. Ids’.Ed; E. Davison, 10a; Ct. M’K.ty, C. Browno, W. Smith, C. Hodgkinsou, O. Beckett, D. Marsliatl, P. Whyte, J. Hampton. J. Hutton, B. Wenlock. Mrs Porter, Mrs T. Nelson, Miss E. Busch, and Miss G. Browne, epch ss, The music tor the donee was supplied by Miss Maindonald and Messrs J. Hutton and’ W. Hill. By the evening’s entertainment the fund will benefit, to the extent of £9l SPRING-FIELD. On Saturday last the Lyric Orchestra and Concert Party paid a visit to Springfield aud in tho evening gave a concert in the Town. Hall. The various orchestral numbers, instrumental solos, vocal items, and the v©ntrilciquial and magician items were much appreciated by a large audio rce. On Sunday afternoon the party vrerc conveyed by Mr Ca-ssidy in one ot hi® mail coaches to Sheffield Domain, where a stage hud been erected. Under the auspices of -the She:fiold patriotic Committee an orchestral q° D ' cert was given by the Lyric Orchestra botoro a largo audience. The sum of £8 was collected in silver coin at the gate, and this amount will bo handed over to the Lad” Liverpool Fnud for Christmas puddings tot the troops. On Sunday evening the party entertained ?dr and Mrs Ccffev and their friends in the Springfiold Hall at. a sacred concert,. n.nd the collection amounted .to £2 Cs Pd, which will also be handed over to tho same Fund. The party were tho guests of Mr andi Mrs J. J. Coffey, of tho Royal Hotel, during their, stay at Springfield.

, CHEVIOT. Heavy raiu set in on Thursday morning and was continuous \up till midday yesterday. Tho rain was welcome after the drying weather -previously, experienced, but a prolonged spell of it will be lia-rd on newborn lambs. On the grass lands lambing is 'just about finished, and although there has been some losses among tho ewes tho percentage on ftio whole is gooa, reports running into tho vicinity cf one bundled' per •cent. Lambing is in full swing on the runs and as tho rain is not so hard on the lambs there, and the hills badly needed moisture, any loss will be more than compensated for. The creeks arc fill running high and there are no prospects of the Cheviot rivers Being fishable at tho oponing of the fishing season. The Cheviot Chess Club closed its season on "Wednesday evening, the club following its usual practice of adjourning for tho summer. The evening wits spent by members s.ud a number of their, friends With a card tournament and _music. After supper Mir G. W. Forbes, M.P., presented the winners of the card tournament, Mtb Scott and Mrs Thomas, with prizes, and Mr J. Ren foul With tho club's trophy for this year's tournament, Mr Rentoul winning 21 games out of 24 ployed, Dr Saunders and, Mr V. daysman being next with 191 games. - During the evening music was contributed by Miss Saunders, songs by Misses Ritchie and Sullivan, Messrs Skinner and Fletcher, and recitations by Messrs Scott and Ross. There was' a record attendance in the Cheviot Library recently, when Meadames Ashby arid Burrell gave a "Liverpool ” gift afternoon. v It was widely known in the district that cn this occasion all donations were to bo devoted! to the Soldiers' Christmas Gift Fund, and the response w»s most generous, the following gifts being received: —4 khaki handkerchiefs, 11 writing blocks,. 23 tins jam, li tins condensed milk, .12 pairs socks, 2 bottles curry powder, 9 tins chocolate, 7 cakes chocolate, 4 tins toffee, 61 packet cigarettes. 8 packets cigarette papers, 25 pairs -socks, 1 tin tongues, 3 pipes, CO tins tobaqoq,; also, from Cheviot branch, 8 pairs socks, 1 scarf, 4 kneocapa. Thq nest gift afternoon will be in the library, to-day, the Rev James Parlane being host. Gifts of any description will be welcomed for tho soldiers. KIRWEE. There is rather more mortality amongst ewes than is usually the case, but the Kinvee district does not seem to -be alone in this respect; Stock in most cases are looking very well, and now that raiu has come, feed.will grow quickly and there should he plenty o, grass in the course of ‘ a week or two. The preparation of land for rape and turnips is engaging tho attention oi farmers, and rolling the cereal crops is proceeding. There will probably bo about the same ncroage of potatoes planted as is usually tho case. . Given wann weather, shearing will start' carjy next mouth. 1 The Krvwco Company s shed will net be opened' this year, so that it will probably bo a . little mere inconvenient for farmers to got their shoariug done. ROLLESTON. The Rollsßton branch of the Ladies' Rod Cross held*a Very successful concert and dance in the railway shed last,week. Mr J. S. tYallaoo presided’ over a large attendance. Songs were contributed by Mrs Whyte, Miss Thelma Whyte and Mr Sturgess, a duet by Messrs Wallace and Sturgess, Scotch dances by Misses M’lntosk -ftiid Cicirk and Mfcstorm M’lntosli and Clark, a sone by.the Red Cross branch, a recitation bv Mr Newman and « farce by the Lincoln Comedy Company. During the evening addresses were delivered by Mr Georgs Wit tv. M.P., the Rev W. H. Scott and the Rev J. Redgiave. Gil the motion of Mr A. Scott, a vote ot thapka to tho performers and workers Was carried' unanimously. Dancing was kept up till an early hour. WAIPARA. A successful social in aid of local Red Crbss funds was held recently in Mr J. C. T. Balter’s shed, Waipara. Music was supplied by Mrs ..Trail, oi Leithfield. Songs were sung bv Mrs Brown (Omihi) and Messrs Aieheson and Baker (Kaiapoi). During the evening a calm given by Miss 'Cameron was the subject of a guessing competition, and with this and tho sale of buttonholes a substantial sum was raised." Mrs King donated a sack of wheat, and Mr X. Wilson (Oniilii) a pair of fowls. Altogether £l6 10a 6d was realised. OXFORD. Except for the rather hard frosts ‘which have injured the tender grass, file weather lor the past fortnight has been all that could

be desired, enabling farming work to.be push-. od ahead without hindrance. : On Thursday , night * steady rain net in irorn the southwest, and continued all day yesterday. Tho: temperature fell considerably, bringing down snow on the uplands. A little rain-was needed, but Iho excess will tend to retaj-fl farm operations. , l \ The lambing season is well advanced, and thero are likely :to be some good percentages; twins forming, a striking feature in-the paddocks, a, great oontrast to the conditions last 7 A meeting of the. Oxford sub-branch of tho Navy League was held on Monday iiijjht, the president ,(,Mr R. Henderson); presiding over a good attendance. Correspondence was received from the Canterbury branch iri regard to local expenses.- It was decided.: to fix the annual siibecriotion. at si mininiuni of 6s, Is of which.’ would be-- used- foi; - local expenses. Any member paying a’donation of 11s> or more would be supplied with' a copy of The Navy.” 1 It was decided to call in all Subscription® to’ the Sailors’ Fund ‘befAro Trafalgar fortnightly meeting of. .the Oxford Patriotic Committee was held on Monday mght, when Mr D. Hawke presided, over a large attendance. Correspondence was received from the Minister in regarded *hen; enemies. was considered 'that close-atttetten Bhould be paid, to this matter. Dissatisfiotion was ex nreseed- ftt tho punisbm«at ranted cut recently to, an, alien for - disloyi.l utterauces, which was ’c6hsidered r ; .Mr speaking on.the matter; contended thata <m enemiee should be interned rill tho term nation of the war and then deported A motion of sympathy was pasted to Mrs P. H. Thompson iti her serious ‘ Percy Fisher wils appointed Auditor.