COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18286, 23 December 1919, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Odr Correspondents.] OKAIN’S BAY. On Friday last tho Okain’s Bay Sunday Sohool held a. picnic on tho beach. There was a good muster of parents and friends, who spent a most enjoyable day. In tho evening the hall was filled, and a very pleasant ovoning was spent. Ml Thomas presented tho prizes, owing to the vicar still being in hospital as tho result of or acoident. Mr William Thacker had generously given £5 for prizes, so that each child who had attended regularly might receive a gift. Special prizes were givon by Mrs Harry Mason, Mrs Stagpool, Mr J. fv. Thacker and Mr Arnie Ware, all of which were much appreciated by the ohildren. HANMiER SPRINGS.' The weather during tho past week has been very varied, the earlier part being so hot as to be unpleasant, over 90 dogrsos being registered in tho shade. On Saturday a liorce north-west galo blow all day, v ith slight showers of rain. Tho wind on Sunday morning was extremely cold, and in tho afternoon heavy rain and hail foil. The golf championship was played recently. ■ Tho first prizes wore the gift of Mr A. Percival Smith, and the second prizes were donated by Quarter-Master Fishor and Mr Nicholson, the results were:—Ladies, Mra Greenhill 1, Mrs J. Anderson 2. Men, Mr Gordon Mora X, Mt Albort Reid 2. A fancy fair was held in tho School grounds on Saturday, the proceeds being in aid of tho cost of painting and ropairs to the Anglican Churoli. Tho sum of £35 was realised, which was deemed highly satisfactory. All the stallholders and helpers worked with a will, but they wore considerably handicapped by tho rough day. Tho Y.M.O.A. are making big preparations for giving tho returned soldiers a good time at Christmas, so that if tho weather keeps fine Hanmor Springs will bo quite gay during tho holiday It is to bo regretted that more accommodation for visitors is not available, as many applicants will ho unable to visit here until after the Now Year. SOUTH MALVERN. Mr A. J. Thorno, who has acted as surfaceman, leading hand and acting ganger of tho Whitocliffs branch of tho railway for tho past five years is transferring to Ashhurst on promotion as ganger on tho Ashhurst length of tho railway. Tho employees of tho Whitocliffs section mot at Coatgato for tho purposo of bidding farewell to Mr Thorno, and the opportunity was taken to present him with a handsomo brief bag as a tokon of the rospoot in whioh ho was hold by tho member.?. Mr J. Jewell, tho now leading hand, mado fooling reference to Mr Thom as a workmate. Mr W, H. Pettit’ made the prosentotion, and Mr Thorno suitably responded. ' SPRINGSTON. On Sunday the fifty-third anniversary of the Springston Methodist Church was celebrated, when thero were good congregations at both services. In tha morning the Rev. J. Paterson, of tho Lincoln Presbyterian Church, was the preacher. In tho evening tho Rev. J. Harris conducted tho service. Several anthems wero rendered by tho choir, and a solo by Miss G; Hams. In tho morning Miss Dent presided at the organ, and in the evening Miss Honry.