COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18116, 5 June 1919, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Our Correspondents.] rangiora. On Tuesday morning the John Knox Boy Scout troop paraded in the church grounds, and icas inspected and addressed by the district oomnwndor, Mr J. E. Strachan, niter which the flag was saluted in honour of the King's Birthday. Members of the Scout Committee and the Mayor (Mr O I. Jennings) were a’so present, and the latter addressed tho boys. Subsequently eighteen of tho boys, under Chief Scoutmaster Gibson,, left for a march to ICoiapoi and back. The route taken was through Southbrook and down the Lino Road, returning by the Maori pa* At Kaiapoi ex-Scoutmaster R. T. Walla,Bch, who was the first Scoutmaster in tho Dominion, met the troop. ITo related many interesting incidents in connection with the first troop of Boy Soouts in Hew Zealand, formed at Kaiapoi. Ho showed a photograph of tb(f. troop, and stated that all the boys in it had served at t.lio front. None who had hitherto returned held a rank below that of nergeant. When passing through the pa, a halt waa cal'.< d for afternoon tea, which was supplied by Mr and Mts Hadfield, of Tuahiwi. Tho boys stood the march well, and arrived home at 5 p.m. The outing was part of tlioir first-class test, requiring thorn to walk a distance of fifteen miles and then write an eseAy on the trio. Tho Literary Institute Committee met last evening, Mr C. I. Jennings presiding. The trcnsiiror' Teportod a credit balance of £IBB 9s lid The rub-commftteo appointed to interview the Borough Council sn reference to tho council taking over the management of tho institute property, reported that the proposal seemed to bo viewed in a favourable -light by the council, end, a committee waa appointed to fully consider it and report to tho council. A motion that one of the two pianos in tho hall should bo sold waa negatived. OXFORD, The Oxford Patriotic Committee met on Monday night, Mr D. Hawke presiding, Mr W. Weld sent in his resignation as u member, having ieit the district. It was decided not to accept tho resignation, but to grant Mr Wold leavo of absenco till tho close of the year, and to p.ace on record an appreciation of his valuable services a-s a momber of the committee and a promotor of patriotic enterprises. The terms of the lease between the directors- of the Town Hall Company and tlio Patriotic Committee were received and approved. It was-agreed to take possession on June 1, and to defer matters in regard, to tho future management of the hall till 1 tho next meeting. Mr R. B. Dailey reported on. hia visit to the Baao Records Office in regard to soldiers' pay-books. He received every assistance from the officials and was satisfied that they wore doing their best. Wiiile noma pay-books may have been lost, everything possible was' being done to recover them. May was an exceptionally dry month, rain falling ou three days, the total being .56in. On only three occasions during the past nine years has a monthly rainfall been so low. A very cold snap began on Thursday afternoon with a light fall of snow, followod by very severe frosts, particularly that on Sunday morning. With Ihe scarcity of food, stock will have a trying experience during the winter. The Oxford County Council met on Tuesday. Tho day being tho King’s birthday, the council, after passing accounts for payment adjourned till next Tuesday. HAW ARDEN. A. large gathering of the scholars, parents and friends met recently in the Horsley Down School, to bid farewell to Miss M. Davidson, who has been in charge of tho school for tho last four years, and has been transferred to Ashley. .The chairman of. the School Committee (Mr James Spence) said that. tho committco wero exceedingly sorry to lose the servicos of so capable a teacher os Miss Davidson. Tho children mul benefited greatly duiing tho period that Miss Davidson had been mistress, which fact was borne out by the school records and inspector’s reports. • Ho bleo stated that tho school children had 6ent, a largo number of parcels to soldiers at the front, and 'that tho school had raised £379 in the recent tjucon carnival contest, both accomplishments being undoubtedly duo to Miss Davidson’s untiring efforts and organisation. Mr Bpor.ee then presented the departing guest with a handsome clock and travelling rug, and in doing so, expressedJ.he good wijiies of the gathering for her future appiness and welfare. Mr A. Cowie also spoke, endorsing the remarks of tho previous speaker, aiid emphasisd the very good feeling that had always existed between Miss Davideon and the school committee. Miss Ella Skurr, in a neat little speech, oq. behalf of the children, said how sorry they wore that Miss Davidson vrn9 leaving, .and presented her with nn ebony-backed hairbrush and comb. Musical items were rendered by Uisso3 Picrey. Lowe, M Bride, E. Skurr, Mr J. Ds#k and tho school children. Afternoon tea was then served by the_ Indies, and a very pleasant afternoon terminated with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne.”