COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17587, 18 September 1917, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From Our ConREsroHDENTs,]

HANMER SPRINGS.

’The various places of accommodation at ll{turner Springs are now well filled with visitors, and although the recent rains partially stopped, traffic for two or three days, the roads are again well under repair, and cars are enabled to get through without trouble, as evidenced by the number now here.

Tlio Cttvcll Ward at tho Queen Mary Hospital was crowded with visitors on the weekly social night, when am excellent •-programme was presented. Songs were contributed by Miss Simpson, Lieutenant Pearce, Corporal Dobson and cx-Gunner M’Kay, a recitation by 'Miss Devoreaux, a Highland fling by Miss Howarth and a pianoforte solo by Miss Laurie. The dance music and accompaniments were played by Mrs Hardham, Miss Byrne and Miss Laurie. A basketbalancing competition ‘was won by Private Thompson, Corporal M’Donald being socond, and ft fanning the ping-pong bolt competi-. turn by Mies Thacker. The Golf Club held o mooting on Friday evening. It wa.s decided not to engage acaretaker until tho annual meeting on October ‘2. tho soldiers, who have the use of the links free, kindly offering their services to keep tho links in order until that date. The club shows a credit of £l2 ig s (id to start the season, and a grant of £l6 has been voted from the Amuri Red Cross to osoist with tho upkeep of the links for tho benefit of the returned soldiers, who ere new playing in largci numbers. A notiro has been posted up to the effect that all visitors and residents other than members of the club must pay for their golf to assist with the upkeep, for tho benefit of the returned men.

SOUTH MALVERN. The South Malvern Patriotic Committee met on Saturday ovening, Mr H. Rollinsou presiding. M.r ”• Powell tendered his resignation as a member of tho committee. The resignation was accepted with regret. It was decidod to hold a public meeting in South Malvern on Thursday, September 27, to discuss patriotic and Rod Cross business in that part of tho district. Tlio secretin- reported that even-tiling was now ready for too organisation to become an approved society. WAIKARI. A meeting of the Waikari bra'nch o; the Farmers* Union was held in the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Hall on Thursday. Correspondence was read from the Society of tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals regarding tho trucking and yarding oi ewes in lamb. The letter was received. Tho provincial secretary forwarded a report of tho committee of tho executive, which met the delegates of the Agricultural and Pastoral Union in Christchurch recently. It was resolved : —" Thai it is inadvisable that any body of New Zealand fnnnors should agree to any hard and fast conditions of labour and rates of pay, as, from their knowledge, and experience, nothing more suitable can replnco the present system as between farmers and their men. The Farmers’ Union as a body have always been willing and anxious that any legitimate grievances that employees have should be remedied.” Tho secretary was Instructed to write lo the Chief Postmaster and ask to have the rural mail delivery service introduced into the district. Ii was resolved that Mr Birks, Government _ Electrical Engineer, should be asked to deliver a lecture to members oi tho branch on ' Electricity as Applied to the Farm. ’ AA’AIAU. On Fridav evening a social was held in the Library Hall. AVaiau, to bid farewell to Mr R. Coupsrd. prior to his departure for Trcr,tham ~ Mr I. Beaven, chairman of tlio Patriotic Committee, presided. A motion exevmpaihy with the relatives ot Oornorat Frank Oldman, recently killed in action in France, was passed in silence, all present standing. An enjoyable programme oi musical and other items was then given. bongs were contributed bv Mosdames Smith and M'Bryde, Messrs C. Burrows, H. Rodgcis and Duff, duets by Mr and Mrs Burrows and Messrs Burrows and Jones, a humorous reading by Mr Duff, and an instrumental -■election bv Messrs M’Bryde ana Gibbs ai.a Master J. M’Bryde. Patriotic speeches were given bv the Rev ,T. 11. Thomson, Canon I. J Smith and Lieutenant J. Dower. A wallet and rocket, Testament were presented to Mr Coppnrd, who suitably rep.iod. During the proceedings. Mr G. AY. Aldridge presen ; od Sergeant C. Burrows with the Laa.es Challenge Cun. given to the most proficient Cadet in the North Canterbury district . I ho evening concluded with a <ia!lre, the mu.ic being supplied by Mios B. Iladler. SPRINGSTON. At a. meeting of the Springston Send-off Committee it was deckled to have a concern and send-off to Private J. Moore, also a. welcome home to Private 11. Cross, who has returned invalided on l’ridoy, heptc.nbu -t). MARSHLAND. On Thursday evening the Marshland Had was’crowded on tlio occasion of a social Gathering’ in aid •>{ St Mary s Church (Christchurch) bazaar fund. Tho dances 1 were interspersed with songs Mid recitations. -Amongst- those prosent was Miss Moir, No. .> Queen candidate, who is being supported by tho Marshland members ol the church. Dean Rcgnanlt thanked the promoters ler the substantial financial results of tho underAt the annual meeting of tho Ladies Guild connected with tho Mnrsidard Methodist Church, officers for tho ensuing year were elected as follows:—President, Mrs J. loss (Hubicct to her consent); vice-presidents, Mrs T Wilson and Mrs J. Goodman; secretary, Miss Dobbv: treasurer, Mrs .). G. Abbott. fho Marshland Patriotic Society is maxing arrangements for a "hard-up sccial on September 2C, in aid of tlio medal ,unh. prizes to bo awarded for the best representations. It is intended during the evening to extend a, welcome homo to n returning sou d'ior who is unknown in Marsiilano, but whoso parents now reside in the district, also to unveil another photographic greup ot men on active service. Co-vuderabio correspondence has taxon place between the School Committee end the Board of Education over tho erection of a rpjw fence cn tho school property facing tho Marshland Road. At its last meeting tne board decided to defer the work until alter the war. Owing to way conditions tho School Committee is experiencing a nitiicult, in obtaining the services of a carc.aker, and, for the first time in the' history ci the district, has had to advertise ter applicants. ASHBURTON. The Ashburton Bowling Club has been presented with a silver cup by tho preeiacnt of tho club (Mr Robert Bell). This cup wit! bo competed for during tne corning season by plavors in the championship singles match, but cannot bo won rig.-it out, tho holder retaining possession until defeated. Mr R Galbraith (past president) has presented to tho club an honours board, on which will be recorded the names of all winners of the championship singles _ Bishop Julius 'paid a pastoral visit to Ashburton on Sunday, ar.a preached at bt Stephen's Anglican Church morning and evening- Ho also assisted at tho celebration of tho* Hoiv Communion at 5 a.m. 11l tho afternoon he. visited the Tuarangi Old Men's Homo and conducted a service at List institution. Tho evening service at St Stephen’s was that, of Confirmation, at which a considerable number of male and female candidates presented themselves. Bishop Julius delivered an earnest address to a very large congregation. In the vestry, after the service, Bishop Julius cordially thanked tho choir for their valuable assistance during the day, and expressed his pleasure at the marked and continued improvement the choir was showing in leading the musical portion of the services. HORNBY. The annual social in connection with tlio Il'ornbv Rugby League Football Club was hold in the Druids’ Hall, Hornby, on Friday evoninp. There was a very large attendance, over eighty couples taking part in iho dancing, to music supplied by Messrs If. Woods and A. Hutton. The hall was decorated for tho occasion. Representatives from the town clubs and country clubs wero present. During nn interval Mr C. Larson contributed-a musical item Tho club captain (Mr L. J. Mulaney), in the course of a short, address, paid a. tribute to the lady supporters of the club for the manner in which, they had contributed towards the, success oi tho club, on all occasions, especially so in regard to the social .affairs of 'lie club. Tho president's team had won iho cup for the season, whilst tho seniors were runners-up for the Thacker Challenge Shield, the club being very’ unfortunate in regard to the latter competition. BAKAEV GORGE. A pleasant littlo function was.held at the homestead, Double Hill Station, Whakamatau, when tho residents and the employees met to say farewell to Mr Edwin Robertson nrior to his departure for camp. Mr Pollock, tlia manager, on behalf of the company, presented Mr Robertson with a gold wristlet watch, suitably inscribed, and a pair of military hair brushes, wishing him every success in his new career ami a safo return to New Zealand. Songs and dancing brought an enjoyable evening to a close. KAIAPOI. A public meeting was held in the Kaiapoi Borough Council Chambers last evening lo receive the report and balance-sheet in connection with Surprise Packet Day. The Mayor (Mr J. H. Blackwell) presided. Tho balance-sheet showed receipts £'2B3 Is Gd, ex-

penditure £l2 9s; credit nn lance, £270 13s 6d, the whole of which was devoted to the Lady Liverpool Fund, firstly to provide Christmas oarcels for Kaiapoi soldiers at the front. * Tho president of the fund stated that 120 parcels' had been sent, each valued at 255. The chairman thanked all who had worked to make the effort successful, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded SergeantMajor Cooksley and his committee for addressing the parcels.