COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17947, 14 November 1918, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FeOU OtJB CORRKSrOWDENTS.] CULVERDEH. A seriouß Sro broke out in Mockett's garage on Monday night, evidently originating in a car belonging. to the local agent for Messrs Pyne and Co. Mr Mockett left the garage about 10.30' p.m., and everything then - appeared to bo all right. About 1.30 a.m.. one of tho employees (G. Baksr) returned from a trip to Christchurch, and saw flames shooting through the rooi. He immediately rushed and, getting the hose to work, wa3 successful in cunnning the fire to tho cur in question, which wag completely, buinod with the exception of the radiator, wheels and tyres. The rafters of the garage were charred, and a car belonging to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's agent was badly scorched. Great credit is due to Mr Baker for hia prompt action, which .no doubt saved the garage and its contents from total destruction. Had it pone, there is no doubt- that the Amuri Drill Hall and Messrs Dalgety and Co.'s premises adjoining would also hato been destroyed. AKAHOA. During tie last few days almost summer weather" has been eiperiencsd at Akaroa: in fact, quite hot at noonday,' straw hats and white coats being strongly in evidence The hailstorm which sprang up suddenly on Friday afternoon, and was so severe, for a short time, did not do so much damage as expected, and, contrary to expectation, a hard. frost did not supervene. . The crops m gardens and orchards were not injured. OXFOF.D. The Oxford Patriotic Committed met on Monday night, when, in the absence of the chairman, Mr D. Hawko, on account of sickness. Mr W. Weld presided, and there was a good attendance of members. A.vote.oi sympathy was passed to the relatives ot Privates C. Eley, J. Burrows, J. Murray and Sergeant G. E. Weld, all of whom have died of wounds or sickness. A motion that; at I returned soldiers and the next, of kin _c: those who had died should bo presented wita medals was lost. bJmeeting of the General, Committee o. tho Oxford Agricultural and PastoralvAssociation was held recently, the president (Mr I). Hawfce) being in the chair, and there wa<a"large attendance of members. . A rosoution of sympathy was oassed to Mas Boh* mani on the death of her mother, in \v. ,T. Jenkins wrote making certain «*gS e *" gestions, which the committee ueeidea ; o RfUsider. It was agreed that an effort scou.u b« made to' secure railway connection »<* twe-u Sheffield and Oxford or. show darter the' conveyance of passengers and lts : It. was decided that the next show s loiiK iv, Md on Thursdav, April 3. Sectional committeiss were appointed. On the of Mr T. Cooper, it was decided <h*t •"* ' committee, should consider, ways and mea - of etectin* a sui<ab'e agricultural ha11:«d offioes. Tho question was referred to _we Finance Commits for consideration and a report. Mr J.' Cross presented the V™* tion with a litan challenge cutt to be .«n*n < to the winner of most points m,.the house and dairy section, to be von hrw times » suction or four times at J t ' Cross was heartily thanked for -Ins gutTwelve new members were elected.