COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17527, 10 July 1917, Page 7

COUNTRY NEWS.

[Fkom 0u» ConnEspoNßEirrs.]

ASHBURTON. Tho members of tho Sth (South Canterbury Regimental Band, Ashburton) have appioachod tho Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) with a view to trying to arrange for 'iho holding of monthly united commemoration services out of respect ito all Ashburton. County men who have fallen or may fall during tho war. Tho idea is to do honour to all who make the supreme sacrifice, irrespective of rank, and also to make it a monthly military church parade, tho united service to ho hold in eomo public place. Tho Taylor Memorial (Ladies’ Tent) 1.0. R. held its first anniversary on Thursday evening, when a social was held, Sister K. Kennedy, D.S.F.M., presiding. A moßt omi joyablo programme was rendered, and Sister Kennedy (district superintendent of fomale members) gave a brief history of llechabitism, and expounded tho benefits regarding female mombers. Mr R. Watts, Chief Ruler of tho Ashburton Tent, represented the male members of 'the Reehabito Order. There was a largo gathering at tho Ashburton Railway Station yesterday afternoon to wolcome home soverai soldiers who had returned from tho front. Tho Mayor (Air R. Galbraith) was present, and on behalf of the courfty extended, a hearty welcome to the soldiers, and wished them a speedy recovery from their ailments. Threo hearty cheors were given for the Ashburton men, and three cheers for those who wero proceeding further on the train. Tho Bth South Canterbury Band was present, 4 and escorted one of their members who has returned, to ilia home. Amongst tho returned men were S. F. Cowan, M. G. Miayson, C. E. Jessop, D. W. Lysaght, F. Moroan and Barrie. The members of the Ashburton Loyal Orange Lodge assembled at their hall on Sunday afternoon, and thon marched _to tho Theatre, where tho annual divine service waa hold. There was a good muster of the brethren, as well as a good attendance of ths membors of tho Ladies’ Orange Lodge. After, prayer and the singing of hymns, Chaplain Brother G. W. Leadiey read out tho ” Qualifications of an Orangeman,” and the sermon was preached by tho R.W.G.M. Brother R. J. Liddlo, of Timaru. At tho conclusion of Mr E. . Hitchcock's lccturo on " Tho Future of Elootricity,” to farmers and others in tho rooms of tho Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association on Saturday afternoon, the chairman (Mr J. Brown) stated that Mr John Grigg, who bad recently returned from the Old Country, had consented to give a lecture on farming. Mr Grigg briefly referred to the possibilities of electrical energy in Now Zealand as it would bo applied to all classes of industries, remarking that there was no other country in the world which' had a greater water power and that it was ostimated that for an expenditure of four million electrical power could be supplied over tho whole of the Dominion. He was of opinion that it would pay to her nos 3 the lakes and rivero for this purpose, and stop importing coal from Newcastle. Anyone who had travelled as lie had been doing could not but be favourably impressed with tho many uses to which oloctrical energy was now being applied. Ho instanced what had como under fii„ notice ip Toronto, a largo manufacturing place, and yet it was one of the most beautiful and cleanest towns ho had ever seen. Electrical power, which was obtained from Niagara Falls, about one hundred and seventy miles distant, was used for almost every purposo where light, heat or power was required. There was no doubt thait electricity would bo tho future power of New Zealand, and it was only a question of how soon a general scheme would bo adopted.

DU VAU CHELLE. Li tho Public Hall, Duvauchelle, on Friday, Mr J. D. Bruce, who up to tho last election had been chairman of tho Akaroa County Council for fourteen years, was pro’sented with an il.uminated address from tho ratepayers of the district. Mr J. R. Thacker, county cknirman, made tho presentation, and in doing so spoke of the good work done by the recipient fox the benefit of the county, instancing the crusher plant, which _ had transformed tho clay roads of the Peninsula into roads as good as any in the Dominion. Wharves and bridges had also been built during his regime. The chairman also presented Mrs Brace with a silvor rose-bowl, stating that she had ably assisted her husband in his public work. Another presentation was a dressing enso and jewel box to Miss Jessie Bruce, Mr Bruce’s youngest, daughter, who was the Peninsula Carnival Queen in 'ast year's contest hold by the Canterbury Patrio-

tic Fund. Mr Biuce suitably replied. On Saturday a very enjoyable concert was given in tho OddfeLows’ Hail, Akaroa, by mombers of the Masonic fraternity, in aid of the dependents ol the mercantile marine (Lady Carson’s appeal). There was a largo attendance, despite a vory wet night. Upwards of £2O was taken at tho door, and a monu card front tlxe ill-fated Lusitania brought £d7 by auction. CHEVIOT. A considerable exteneion of the telephono system in tho Cheviot district is likely to be tukon in hand shortly. Already arrangements have been made for connecting up practically all tho residents in CavcrhiL Valley, and arrangements are nearly completed for carrying a district wire out to tho Leamington. This will put nearly all Cheviot in touch with the central bureau in the township, and will prove very convenient during tho timo3 when farmers find it vory difficult to leave their farms owing to tho shortage of labour. Tho extension of the system, when completed, will also make the number sufficient for the local bureau to give an 8 a m. to 8 p.m. service.

LOBURN. A wall organised social was held at Loburn on Friday. evening in aid of the Lady Liverpool Trencli Comforts Fund. Musical itoms and songs were contributed by Misses Rogers, Parsons, Cook and Bailey, and by Messrs Warner, Royno'ds, L. Loffbagen and Master Puller. Mr M’Leod, a returned Anzac, interested the audience by a description of his experiences in Egypt, and Miss Agatha Bailey gave tv recitation. The dance music was supplied principally by Mr Warner. The sum of £2 8s was handed over to the local treasurer, and also a special donation of 10s from Mr S. Horne. KAIAPOI. The monthly meeting of the Kaiapoi District -High School was hold', last evening; present—-Messrs J. G. Yellowlees (chairman), R. Dunn, R. Sewell, H. Trustrum, A. It. Pavitt, F. J. Smith, K. Johnston, E. Collister and J. Batch. The Education Board, in replying to the committee’s request'for an increased incidental allowance, stated that though tho allowance was no higher in any other education district, tho board was doing its utmost to persuade the Department to increase tho grant. The board would consider whether it was practicable to alter tho present system of changing class books after each annual examination. In reference to the Education Board’s question as to whether any part of the school grounds could bo utilised for cereal or root crop; it was decided to state that tho grounds were not even large enough for school use. Tho District Health Officer, in reply to a letter from the committee, stated that a report on . the sanitary arrangements at the school had boon forwarded to the Education - Board on June 11, together with the following recommendations:—(l) A now well to be. sunk or an electric pump and tank to be installed so as to allow tho installation of suitable automatic flush tank with Sparge' pipes to effectually flush, the walls; (2) Tho channels to be repaired and regraded, so as to allow them to bo cleaned by flushing. It was resolved to ask the Education Board if it had received the report, and if so, what it intended to do in tho matter. Tho head master reported a roll number of 442, with an average attendance ot 3G6.

RANGIORA. The opening meeting of the Rangiora United Band of Hope was held in the Templars’ Hall last night, the Rev W. H. Homes 'presiding over ia large attendance. A good programme was presented as well as a short address by the president. Reoitations were givon by Irene Laskey, Lucy Cox, Miss Rogers and Mr Homes; duots, Nadie Smith, Dolly Rydor, Barbara Simpson and Dick Simpson and songs by Myra Scott, Miss Dalziel, Captain Hawkins and the Revs J. Guy and W. H. Homes. Two items were also given by the junior Salvation Army Band, and a flute duet by Mosdames Jackson and Taylor. Mr Homes was accompanist. At the close of tho programme officers wero elected as follow: —President, Captain Hawkins; vice-presidents, Revs J. Guy, W. H. Homes and F. P. Fendall, Master E. T. Jones and Messrs C. I. Jonnings, F. B. Lnno and J. Lewis; secretary and treasurer, Rov W. H. Homos; pledge secretary, Mi J. Matthews. A largo committeo was also elected. A sum of £2 was voted to the Canterbury Union.