COUNTRY NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 59, 16 April 1914, Page 11

COUNTRY NEWS.

<Frdm Our Special Correspondents.) AMBERLEY. The eommittee of the Amberley Miniature Rifle Club met in the club tooths on Wednesday..- Mr E. Chamberlain secretary was instructed to ask Mr Gee's quotation for installing and fitting an acetylene gas plant in the rooms. It was proposed that a letter of sympathy be forwarded to the relatives of the club's late president, Mr B. Burland. This motion was carried, members standing. WAIAU. The usual fortnightly meeting of the' Loyal Waiau Lodge was held in the! Library Hall on Tuesday evening. £2, sick pay was passed to a sick brother, and two new members were proposed. The N.G. appointed' next Friday night for the meeting, of .the eommittee to revise the by-laws, and declared next lodge night a summoned meeting to consider the proper celebration -of the ; lodge anniversary, a lecture to be held the same evening. The receipts, amounted to £1 14/2 and expenditure; to £2. ANNAT. On Monday evening last the social club held their first social and dance of the season. There were a fair number present, including visitors from Sheffield, Russels Flat, and Christchurch. Mr H. Fergusspn very ably acted as M.C., and everyone spent a most enjoyable evening. The social <Jab are at present doing their utmost to work off the debt on the piano just purchased, and their efforts so far have "been well responded to. Mr D. Coleman, president of the club, made a short speech during the evening, and intimated that the club intended ■ holding a euchre, party every Friday even-,-.ing during the winter months, and that on each fourth Friday a dance would be held. He also stated that he was sure the residents -of the neighbouring districts would lend their patronage, as the sole aim nf the club is to pro-; vide a means of passing away a few/' winter evenings.

CHEVIOT. ■„ At the last ordinary-meeting of the:] Cheviot County Council there were present Messrs T. Stevenson (in the chair), G. L. Rutherford, C. Barnes, T. Meikle, and L. B. Maef ariane. It was decided that the council should record its profound regrot at the death of Mr Walter Macfarlane, who had represented the Kaiwara riding from the Inception of the council in 1895 until lie resigned last yeas, and that a letter be forwarded to the widow and reja-. tiyes, expressive of the sympathy and condolence of members. A letter was received from the Prime Minister, stating that he was obtaining legal advice with regard to the council's request for additional subsidy upon rates. In reply to the circular letter from the Minister of Defence, asking what! the council considered the most suitable; substituted service for conscientious objectors to military training, a letter was drafted suggesting tree planting Mnder Government supervision; but whilo the council was in accord with? the Government on the defence Question, it did not think the majority o'f; local bodies could provide suitable; work for objectors. j The tenders of James Barnes, for the; supply of oats, and of W. J. Burnett,; for chaff, were accepted. It was deeid-; cd to invite tenders for leasing Home-? view and Gore Bay Cemetery reserves; for a further period of five years, i The clerk was directed to issue sum-; mouses against persons with unregis-| tered dogs in their possession after; April 30. Councillor Meikle gave; notice that at the next meeting he; would move that the general rate for; the current year be £d in the £, un-i improved value, and that the special \ rate on Ilawk-swood riding be reduced! to l-30d. f

LITTLE RIVER. The ordinary meeting of the Wairewa €ounty Council was held on April 14; present—Messrs Coop (chairman), Gebhie, Feather, and Johnstone. Correspondence was received as under: —From the Defence Department relative to the employment of religions or conscientious objectors to the Defence Act; Resolved that the Minister be informed that this council is not aware -of any Bweh objectors in this county, but if there should be at any this council would find labour for them. From the Government Life Insurance Department, asking that the council's accident insurance may be effected in that Department. It was resolved that this be done. Mr Gebbie proposed that the leases of the county reserves be pot up to auction. Seconded by Mr Feather and carried. From the Public Works Department, asking for returns of assets owing to the council as on March 31. The foreman's reports were then road. It was resolved that no pledging be allowed on any metal roads of the county in future, and relative I© non-metal roads it was resolved that those using sledge* on speh roads be notified that if surface water j« not k«pt off the roads sledging will immediately be stopped. It was resolved that all ratepayers haying .gor.se or ferooin on the road abutting on their property receive notice that unless «uch goxse or broom is cleared within two months from date the council will take steps in the matter.