COUNTRY NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 262, 9 December 1914, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From -Our Special Correspondents.) ; SPRINGSTON. [ The monthly meeting of the Springj ston School Committee was held on FriI day evening, all the members being pre- , sent. Mr J. Watson Kime presided. The [ headmaster reported a roll attendance of 71.7. It was stated that the children ; attending the school had unanimously [ decided, to forgo their annual eycur- ' sion, and donate the funds subscribed for that purpose to .the. Belgium ■Belief 1 Fund —viz., £ll 11/-. It was decided to close the school for the -annual holi- ' days (six weeks) on Friday, December 18, on which day a picnic will be held at''the Selwyn river, Corsford, the public to be asked to .be present and the ladies to provide refreshments. HORRELVILLE. The Rifle Club held their annual wind-up on Saturday night, there being a good-attendance. The captain, Mr T. Hurley, presided, and presented the trophies, which went as follows: (Prize winners): T. Dennis 1, G. Dennis 2, T. Hurley 3, J. Graham 4; non-prize winners: J. Woodfield 1, E. Philpott 2, B. Woodfield 3, C.-Marshall 4; consolation prize, B. Philpott. OXFORD. A great storm was raging when the last notes were written, with heavy snowfall on the hill-tops. We feared a frost, but there has been none; instead the rain was followed by such a growth that it was said spring had come at last. The terrific gale six weeks ago stripped the foliage from the trees and gave a set back to all growing crops by bruising, and even cutting off the tops. Ex.cept for fallen trees, still prostrate where they fell, some of them birches, which had stood the storms of perhaps hundreds of years, the last traces of this storm have now disappeared. A heavy gale is blowing again to-day, and the dust is flying on the plains and down the river-beds. On Tuesday the new post office will be opened. To some of the residents, it will prove a great benefit, but many of us will travel nearly a mile further. However, we recognise that centralisation will eventually be a benefit. One scarcely dares to congratulate the Government on carrying the matter through so promptly; it is no doubt a glaring case of bribing the electors, but the fact remains it has been well and promptly built. OHOKA. A grand patriotic concert was given i in the Olioka Hall last night by the! pupils of the Girls ' Maori College, as-! sisted by Christchurch and local friends. The College girls sang the national anthems of all the Allied nations and gave several concerted items. "The Bagged Band" was highly appreciated, especially in "Who Killed the Kaiser?" After singing the song "Flowers," the girls with baskets sold buttonholes to the audience aiid netted a goodly sutn for the Belgium Fuijd. Songs were contributed by Mrs Martin, Mrs Tipler, Miss Opie, Mr Struthers, and Mr Barrett, and recitations by Wawera and Bangi. The chairman, Eev. Fraer, in a stirring patriotic address, urged all the men of Ohoka to join the newlyformed Defence Rifle Club. Part of the concert proceeds go towards furnishing the club with guns. Miss Opie and her friends received a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of the Bev. J. F. Martin.