COUNTRY NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 181, 5 September 1914, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From Our Special Correspondents.) BANKS PENINSULA. The animal meeting of the Akaroa Bowling Club was held last Thursday in the Borough Council Chamber. Mr George Armstrong, the president, presided, and a fair number of members were present. The report and balance-sheet were presented and adopted, showing a deficiency of £24 in the year's proceedings. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: —President, Mr G. Armstrong; vice-president, Mr J. D. Bruer; committee, Messrs V. Masefie'ld, E. E. Lelievre, F. J. Harrington, A. R. Munro, and Rev. J. W. Hayward; hon. auditor, Mr W. 11. Erring; hon. treasurer, Mr G. W. Thomas; hon. secretary, Mr A. H. Westenra; representation to the bowling centre, Mr C. G. Chegwin. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies for providing afternoon tea to members, and to the returning officers. It was resolved that the season open on the first Thursday in October. The children held their annual fancy dress ball on Thursday evening last. The function was well attended, the children enpoying themselves very much. Eeports from all over the Peninsula state that the cows are*coming in milk in considerable quantities, which will cause the factories to be starting in a week or so. Good progress is being made with the Akaroa Butter Factory, which is how nearii g completion". The building is nearly finished and the contractor for the plant is now installing same. The, directors expect to make a start on September 14. On Wednesday a meeting of the ladies was held in the Borough Council Chamber, presided over by the Mayoress, Mrs G. Armstrong. There was a large attendance of ladies. It was resolved to collect second-hand clothing, etc., for "The Food for Britain Fund" and forward the same to the Christchurch Centre. A number of ladies* volunteered to canvass for clothing, and Messrs R Lawrence and G. Pilkington promised to collect the various articles free, Mr Pilkington taking delivery, at the various post offices and delivery at the railway station, Little River. The orchards are beginning to come out in blossom, plums, apricots, pears, and almonds are to be seen in many parts. '

WAIAU. , A concert organised by the staff -of the Waiau School was held in the Rink Hall on Thursday evening, and proved to be the most successful function financially of its kind - ever held in. the township. Mr Duncan Rutherford occupied the chair, and explained that the object of the-concert was to raise money which would be equally divided among the School Ambulance Fund, Patriotic Fund, and Poor of .Great Britain Fund. A long and very excellent programme was presented, and the items were all well received, the school children especially doing their best to ■make the function a success_and justify the trouble taken with their preparation. Songs were contributed by Misses Nixon and Crampton and by Messrs Rogers, and Pocklington and Master J. i Crocker. Mr and TVtrs Burrows and Mr and Mrs Shaw rendered duets, Recitations, were provided by Masters C. Douglas, C. Crocker, H. 0 'Donnell and Allen ; Netting. The school children gave a Japanese character song and a dance. They also sang 1 'The Red, White, and Blue,"-"The Waiau Recruits,'' and <'The" Fine Old Drum. ,,! Miss Lily Batter played a pianoforte solo. After the concert the hall was cleared, and dancing was indulged in till about one o'clock. Accompaniments and dance music were provided by Misses G. Marr, G. Morgan, Nixon and M. Grant, ajid Mrs/Lunn: There are many financial matters not yet settled, but it is clear that the entertainment will result in a nett profit of at least £l4. The rainfall recorded at the Waiau Post Office for the month of August amounted to only .59 inches. Rain fell on four days, the maximum of .3 inches being on the 30th. The winter has been exceptionally dry, enabling farm work to be carried on with expedition, but unless September brings a copious rainfall it will be a poor lookout for the summer crops, as the ground at present contains much less moisture than it should at this time of year.