COUNTRY NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 140, 20 July 1914, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From Our Special Correspondents.) BANKS PENINSULA. A farewell soeial was tendered to Mr G. O. T. Armstrong by the hockey and football clubs on Thursday evening in the social hall of the Boating. Club, on the occasion of his leaving to take up j his residence at Hamilton. A presentation was made by' Mr C. Hall on behalf j of the club of a spirit kettle, travelling rug, and suit case. Mr Hall spoke in high praise of Mr Armstrong's interest in sport, especially as a collector of •funds for the clubs. A most enoyable evening was spent, and finished by a dance. Mr A. Gray, headmaster of the Akaroa High School, took the boys in a launch, kindly provided by Mr B. W. Harvey, to Tekao to gather native trees and shrubs, and these were' planted on Thursday afternoon in the school grounds by the children ■ before the members of the school committee and teachers. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr T. Lewitt, and the chairman of the school committee, addressed the children, pointing out the advantages of tree planting. The storm, with heavy seas, is still running, the ranges round the harbour are covered with snow lower down than at any time for several years past. The telephone system is rapidly extending to the outlying bays. Recently connection has been made to several homesteads up Grehan .Valley, and it is now contemplated to connect with the homesteads at Stony Bay and Flea Bay. A few more connections will entitle the local office to the use of the telephone from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.