COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17628, 5 November 1917, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Ou» CoßßEsroroctT#.] RANGIORA. In the, weight-guessing competitions at tho Rangiora Show tho correct weight of tlie sheep was GlJIb, and the winner was Mr D. M'Millan, Waddington, who recorded 61 3-51 b. The weight of tho bullock was 8471 b, and Mr W. Watson, Rangiora, who guessed the exact weight, was the winner. ELLESMERE. The of the Lceston and Southbridge Catholic Churches held their annual picnic on Thursday, at the Ellesmere Domain, Lceston. There was a very representative gathering, and a most enjoyable day was spent.. Sports for young and old were indulged in, and many of the eventa were very keenly contested, and provided exciting finishes. A tug-of-war Lceston v. South’oridge, was won by Lceston after a sovero contest. The duties of judge were performed by Mr A. T. Robertson. A great deal of credit for the success of the outing is due to the Rev Father Hoare. One of the earliest cores! crops in the Ellesmere district is to bo seen on the farm of Mr D. M’Donald, of Leeston. It is a crop of Algerian oats, and the straw is already five f?ei in lenrth. The reaper will probably be at work within the next three weeks. Tho Rev Rakeua Pirini, a Maori missionary associated with the Methodist Church, is ftt present paying a periodical visit to Taumutu. DOYLKSTON. The annual meeting of residents of Doyleston for the election of a committee of management for Osborne Park was presided over by Mr G. W. R. Osborne, and there was a fair attendance. Tho balance-sheet showed a credit of £lO 16s 3d. The chairman, in the course of a brief statement, said that, it wgs intended to confine the expenditure during the war period to works that were absolutely neeessarv to keep the park in fair order. The following were elected a committee for the earning rear;—Messrs G. W. R. Osborne. W. M’Lachlan. W. O. Rennie. W. Brizzle, J i «mes Quieley, W. J. Doyle, T. Habberiam. W. G. Hibbard and James Pearce, with Mr J. A. Scott, a member of the Ellesmere Domain Board, as an ex officio member. Mr Osborne was subsequently' elected chairman and Mr M’Laohlan secretar”. The tender of Messrs Sims, Cooper and Go., Ltd., was accepted for grazing right* over tha park, for sheep only, at £5 per annum. WALAU. At a meeting of the VTaiau Red Cross Committee on Thursday afternoon, Mrs Rinaldi tendered her resignation as secretary of the Sewing Guild, owing to her departure from tho district. The president, Mrs D. D. Macferlnne, expressed the deep regret of members at tho loss which the Build would suffer through losing Mts Rinaldi’s valuable services, and referred to the good work which she had so satisfactorily carried out. Mrs Beaven was elected honorary secretary and treasurer. HORNBY. The .anniversary services in connection with the St David’s Presbyterian Church, Hornby, were held on Sunday last. Largo congregations were present at both services. The Rev N.' O. White, of the. Puriri Street Presbvteriari Church, Lower Ricearton. occupied the pulpit. Special hymns end anthems were sung by the choir. Feeling reference was made during the services to tho loss sustained by the district, and especially the ohurch, in tho death in action of Privates Manhire and Corbett, two old members of the church choir, and sympathy was expressed with Private 11. Bighorn, reported wounded. The annual social in connection with the a.nniversarv was held in the Orange Hall, Hornby, on Monday evening last. The hall, was packed to the dcors. Mr F. R. Chavman, home missiouer for the district, presided, with him. on the platform being tho Rev N. O. White An excellent programme of vocal and instrumental items was contributed by Misses Alleyne, Bowbycs, Coulter, Hannah, Allen, Brvce, Cooper (2) and Prebile, Mrs Pattel. Messrs Prebble, Eddington, Carver, M’lntosh, the Rev N. O. White and Master M." Perry. Misses Bowbyes, Coulter and Prebble played the .accompaniments. At the conclusion of the entertainment refreshments, supplied by the lady members of the church, were handed round. A voto of thanks was accorded the performers and those who had assisted towards the success of the gathering.