COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17328, 17 November 1916, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[Fkom Our Coiuiespondents.] RA.KAIA. . The monthlv meeting of the Rnkaia branch of tho W.C.TU. was held in tho Methodist Church on Tuesday afternoon, the president, Mr* Boag, being in tho chair. A large number ot samples of books/<md.pamphlets was on viow, accompanied by o. tetter from Mrs Weil. Tho matters ot selecting and. ordering wore loft to Mrs - Boag. Mrs jbiddington was appointed to supervise the distribution of literature. Miss Trevurza wrote acknowledging tho report of tho branch, which had been sent to her, aiid enclosing ivn invitation to members to attend a garden party in Ashburton Two new members wero admitted. Although tho General Manager of Bailways has stated that, it is unlikely that any scheme for the rearrangement of the Kakaia. station yard will be undertaken during the present financial stringency, it ia noteworthy that none of the new crossing notice-boards have been erected at the moan crossing in the township, although some have been erected outsido the station limits. This fact seems to point to a contemplated, change of cross-ing-place. The present crossing, by the wayla not a public road at all

: , ASHBURTON. Owing to tho continuous drv weather the Ashburton Borough Council 'had the fire hose out yesterday for the purpose of watering the flower bods in Baring Square. • The -fiw\t oase yi scarlet fever in' Ashburton for some considerable time has been reported from the north-east part of the town. A confirmation service was conducted 1 y Bishop Julius in St Stephen'a Church, Ashburton, on Wednesday evening. Seventeen, males and twenty-two females wero presented, and Bishop Julius delivered a very' impressive address to the young people upon their promise of renunciation, faith, and obedience, which he likened to tho oath of a soldier going forth .to battle for his country. There was a largo congregation. Yesterday his Lordship left lor Timaru by the first express for the purpose of conducting a similar service there in tho evening. Mr tt. D. Johnston, of the Motor Works, Burnett Street, Ashburton, has been seriously ill since Monday last. His condition yesterday was slightly better, but still serious. Among the soldier's returning by the Maliono due in Now Zealand abont .the middlo of December, are four hospital cases for Ashburton. During the past week the weather at Ashburton has been dull and threateninjr but only a few points of rain have fallen. Heavy fogs have enveloped the district during the past few nights, but the atmosphere has been very worm. OUST. The total takings of the recent "Our Day 'I carnival at Oust were cnarly £3OO. made up as follows: —Cash donations £36 13s, gate takings i'ii Bs, produco stall £7G Is, afternoon toa £lO, luncheon £l3 13s 6d, flower' Btall £lO, apron stall £7 3s, pyjaraa competition. £1 la 3d. soft drinks £3 9s. shearing competition £3 ss, stepping competition £1 4s. sheaf tossing 17s, shooting at wheel £2 3s 6d, sheep and pig igucssinjr £4 9s, hoop-la £S 12s 6d, shooting gallery £4 (is, musical stalls £1 17s fid, sparrowshoot £7 12s 6d, ooooanut shying £4 ss, kerosdno tin stall £3 2s, joy rides £2 17s 3d, articles presented for guessing competitions and art unions £35 2s 7cl. and dance in the evening £7 4s. After deducting expenses the fund will benefit to the oxtent of about £260, "which must be considered highly creditable when taking into consideration tho very short time the workers had to work up tho carnival. The committees set. themselves the task of raising £2OO, but tho results surpassed all expectations. » KAIKOURA. The first outs of lucerne this season in the Peninsula area have turned out very well. Several families hove in which thero are ." two or more sons," none of whom have offered their services, arc being "rounded up." There are a few unmarried eligible? yet to be obtained in K«.ikoura. but as this county has contributed more than its quota (or hod so quits recently) «nd is in the Nelson military district, which is ahead of quota requirements, these eligibles will not go into tho ballot yet awhile.