COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17666, 19 December 1917, Page 9

COUNTRY NEWS.

[F»oit Oc» CosxxsroxDiicrs.] RANGIORA. An effort was made yesterday to dispose of the 1000 odd surprlso packets loft on hand after the Northern Agricultural and Pas.oral Association’s patriotic show. A special committee, appointed by the-General Commilteo of tho association, had the supervision of the business, and the use of the Drill Hall was obtained for the distribution stalls. A large number of ladies interested iu the patriotic societies *to benefit from the effort undertook tho sale of tickets, and the committee was assisted at the hall by a contingent of young ladies, who were kept busily engaged during the afternoon handing out tho packets to ticket-holdors. The market day folk wero thoroughly well canvassed, but the sale of tickets did not become at all brisk until the middle of the afternoon. Tbe first prize packet, valued £SO, went to Mr W. Cunningham. ftangiora, with ticket number 3783, and the lucky purchaser of the ticket generously returned the prize for the benefit of tho fund. The next best prize, a croam separator, valued at £24, fell to Mr Alan. Kerr, of Stoles, whoso ticket number was 8930; and a pony, givon by Mr W. M’Rae, TYaikari, was taken by Mr- J. J. Taylor,, oi Rangiora. with ticket numbor 9830. When the sale of tickets closed last evening there was Tstill a considerable number of packets in hand, and it is proposed to dispose of thorn by auction at an early date. The halt-yearly meeting of the Rangiora Oddfellows’ Lodvo was hold, last evening. Officorß for the nest six months wero elected as follow:—N.G., Brother J. S. Cook; V.G., C. R. Golding; E.-S., S. H. Rossiter; lecture master, Prov. G.M. TV. Smith; warden, TV. Butters; guardian, A. N. Blackett; supporters to N.G., E. Payne and C. TV Bell: to V.G, .A. Shankland and M. Barrell; auditors, Brothers Shankland and Golding; Benevolent Committee, Brothers Smith, Bell, Pavnc, Barrell -and Trollope; Hall Committee, Brothers .1. Marshall, Smith, Bell, Goldinv and Barrell. A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring G.M., Brother J. TV. Doggett, and it resolved to place his name on the merit board, and to present him with a P.G.M. certificate. Past officers’ certificates of merit wero presented to P.G. A. M. Blackett and M. Barrell.

Miss Gladys Rogers entertained her pupils one! their parents on Saturday evening at a' break-up gathering at the Oddfellows’ Hall, when a varied programme of musical selections was carried out by the childron. Th© Ransriora High School Board met last evening; present—Mr R. Ball (chairman), Rev F. P. Feudal!, Messrs H. Boyd, J. Stevenson, C. W. Bell, R. Coliio, J. Marshall and C. I. Jennings. . Miss L. Stewart wrote tendering her resignation from the teaching staff for health reasons. The resignation was accepted with regret and it was decided +o iuvi*e anp'icatkms-for-the position, of first assistant mistress at a salary of £3OO per annum. The principal (Mr J. E. Strachan)- reported that tho roll number at tho end oi tho year was 83 (33 boys- and 30 girls). The’-average attendance during the year was S 3 (35 boys and 50 girls). He stated that the introduction of the; business cot:no was keeping several pupils at _ the school next year, and would bo appreciated by those parents in the district who had hitherto been obliged to send their boye and girls-to Christchurch., The number of pupils taking woodwork and cookery next year would be considerably in excess of this year's number, and it would bo necessary to engage instructors in those subjects for at least two lessons each week. Ho recommended that Mr O. Hargroaves be appointed instructor in mechanical and architectural drawing, in order to carry out, the proposed, engineering course. Tho recommendation was adopted. Tho secretary and treasurer, Mr E. R. Good, was voted an increase of £5 per annum in salary. Classes in sketching and water colour painting were agreed to, and the chairman and secretary were- authorised to engage a suitable lady instructor. The Agricultural Advisory Committee'was authorised to purchase a horse if necessary foework on tho agricultural plot. The treasurer reported tho receipts for the month as £l9O 10s 9d, with expenditure £327 l-2s lOd, leaving a credit balance of £305 11s fid.

. ' ' HANMSR- SPRINGS. The popular health resort is looking in tho pink of perfection at present, 'the recent showers having kept shrubs and tree 3 in fino foliage, and for once baffling tlio hot parching nor’-westcrs : that are generally so prevalent in December. Many of the pine 3 have been cut out of tho plantations, taking away to a large extent their sombre appearance, so now the deciduous trees with their bright green foliage* show up to much better advantage. The grounds surrounding the Queen Mary Military Hospital and bath houses have received considerable attention, and are looking bright and gay with flowers. The golf links havo been much improved and are in. excellent playing order. Tho boardinghouses are already well booked up for the holidays and a record time in every way is expected, especially as. thte'motor service has been so much improved. The usual social at the Cavell Ward was again well patronised 'and a pood programme was thoroughly enjoyed. On’ Saturday evening Mrs Mills, of Christchurch, with her Sparklet Company, gave an enjoyable* entertainment in the Cavell Ward. A collection for the Red Cross was taken up and tho sunl of £2O collected, which was considered highly satisfactory. A sheep presented by Mr AY. Hanmer Atkinson to the Rod Cross for weight guessing, was won by Mrs Hendry and realised a good round sum.

HORNBY. ■The annual picnic in connection with the Hornby District School took place on the local recreation grounds on Saiurday afternoon, anrl was well patronised by parents and scholars. A lengthy programme of spoit-s was entered upon immediately after lunch. During the afternoon lollies and nuts were distributed amongst the children, and this, combined with' tho excellent aports programma and numerous games,- ensured for them a most enjoyable time. Taken on the whole the picnic was considered to be one of the most successful yet held in connection with the school. The distribution of prizes will take place at the Druids’ Hall, Hornby, on Thursday evening, on the occasion of the annual school concert, commencing at 8 p.m.' The results of the sports programme are as follow: —Married ladies’ race—Mrs Muir 1, Mrs Hart and Mrs Kaplcy (equal) 3. Old girls’ race—V. Scrimshaw 1, O. Conway 2, K. Ross 3. Open race —J. Coulter (2yds) 1, A, Spicer (scr) 2, Ibbetson f3yds) 3. Committee race (10 started)— J. F. Ross (2yds) 1, A. Taylor (3yds) 2, D. Clarke (Byds) 3. _ Bovs' championship—P. Keono 1, 11. Shirley 2, M. Kavanagb 3. Girls' championship—M. 'Shelton 1, A. Clarka 2, B. Monteith 3. v

HINDS. On Friday last a fire was discovered in the Hinds railway goods shod, but was quickly extinguished. A bale of wool bales was destroyed and the floor of the building was charred.

A KARO A. The Loyal Good Intent Lodge, 1.0.0.JF,# M.U., met in the lodge room, Akaroa, on Monday evening, tho N.G., Brother R. Brace, presiding over a good attendance. The district secretary wrote, enclosing a cheque for £7 19s lid, being refund of the quota paid by lodgo for members at, the froqt. A motion of condolence with the relatives of tho lato Brother Kissel was carried. Sick pay was claimed and granted to four members. The receipts for tho evening totalled £3 15a

The stormy and wintry weather experienced on the Peninsula on Sunday and Monday proved a critical time ioT the cocksfoot, as the 'crop is now in flowor, and calm weather is essential during that period. The heavy rains will also havo a bad effect, as where the crop is at all heavy it is beaten down, end consequently spoilt, besides being alroos* impossible to bo reaped. Grazing paddocks, however, will bo greatly benefited by the good soaking they have had. As shearing i® about finished on- the Peninsula, no losses of sheep have beon reported. GREENDALE. The monthly meeting of Court Richard Stephens, A.0.F., was held on Tuesday evening. There was a good attendance. The retiring C.R., Brother Dean, installed the C.R.-e'.cct into office for the coming year. Tho newly-elcclcdC Brother Cullen, ailcr returning’thanks for his election, presented Brother Dean with a P.C.R. b ribbon, and thanked him on behalf of the court lor the manner in which tho business had been conducted in the past year. Hearty votes of thanks were also accorood Brothers iaeze, sen., and Partridge for their services The hospital scheme was again discussed, ana it was agreed to call a- special meeting to decide this matter. It- was decidod to have onlarged photographs of tho late Brothers Cule- and Flemming (killed in action) framed and hung in the court room. On Tuesday evening a young peoplo s social was held in the Baptist Schoolroom to mark the closing of tlio year’s meetings. Mr F. Early was the soloist, and a reading was given by Miss-Pearl Mills. Many enjoyable parlour games wore played by tho young A special meeting of- tho Greeudale School Committee was held on Friday, December 14. There was a full attendance. The final arrangements were made, for the annual school picnic to bo held in tho Domain on Friday, when the school prizes wxl] be diatributed. It was slated that the sum of *1 10s, the proceeds of children’s sale of bottles, had beon handed in to tho Lady Liverpool Saturday tho Methodist' and / Baptist Bible Class picnio was held in the Glentunuol t Domain. , About thirty journeyed to the spot in the morning, when lunch was served under the trees. The party then spent somo hours iu climbing the hill overlooking the .Domain. Tea having been served, tho evening was spent in field sports. . ' - Heavy rain has fallen in the district durin" tho past week, doing somo damage t* oats and wheat. Harvest operations have already commenced, tho props being heavy. Shearing operations closed iu the aistnct this week. A considerable quantity of hay ha» been cut this season.

Air Lloyd George paid a high tnovite to his old schoolmaster recently, bub there is one story which he did not tell at Birkenhead, though he has told it before. Tho schoolmaster was fond of tolling his class about- a German dominie who, always greeted his class; -when, it assembled with a most punctilious bow. He explained that he did so bocause one of tho boys in front of bun might be destined for greatness. "One of that old man’s boys,” Mr Lloyd / George’s old master used to say, “ was named Bismarck, who became Chancellor of Germany,” Then ho would cud: “ Perhaps one of you will bo 1 rime Ministetr of Grout Britoiu whon I am an old man.”

\ fortune await? the first. Scotsman who takes up blue fox forming m e uest. So says Mr John D. Hamlyn, the wild beast expert- Hardly any or the beautiful skins of the blue fox are to be had this. year, , and what tow Thera are fetch fancy sums. According to Mr Hamlyn, the littlo grey beast (a native of North America),.could <*sdy be bred in the north of Scotland, and the capital required would not be large. Astonishing prices are being obtained by Newfoundland trappers, namely, £lo 10s for blue fox skins, £9 10s for fox, and as much as £9l for the exceedingly rare silver fox.