COUNTRY NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 267, 15 December 1914, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From Our Special Correspondents.) GREENPARK. The anniversary services in coiraection with the Greenpark Wesleyan Sunday School were conducted on Sunday last by Mr Dobbs. Appropriate children's hymns were sung, Miss Ivy McDonald presiding at the organ. In connection with these services a concert was held on the previous Wednesday, the Rev. H. Ranston presiding. Musical items were given by Mrs McFarlane, Misses E. "Parrett, M. Taylor, E. Barnett, E. Suckling, I. McDonald, and J. Harris, and by Messrs L. Peryinan, J. C. Mackintosh, G. Whitelaw, J. Silvester, and C. F. Hansen and Master Ken. Suckling. The Misses May and Bernice Taylor gave a fine exhibition of club swinging. Other items were a dialogue and recitations by the Sunday school scholars. Misses E. Barnett, A. Hulston, and I. McDonald played the accompaniments. Prizes were distributed as follow: — Class I. (Miss Ada Bray's class). — Mbna Quayle, Abigail Quayle, Norman Brown, Ethel Brown, a Myrtle Taylor, Robert Maiver, Gwendoline Everest, Zita Everest, Nita Keast. Class 11. (Mr Silvester's class). — Hector Taylor, Maurice Taylor, Caesar Quayle, Clayton Maiver, Ernest Bearman, Geo. Everest, Douglas Watson, Stanley Larcombe. Class 111. (Miss McDonald's class. ; — Myrtle Keast, Violet McVicker, Jessie Maiver, Mary Sheenan. Class IV. (Mr Win. Bray's class). — Clifford Larcombe, Cyril Taylor, Fred. Keast, Sam. Sheenan, Willie McVicker, Norman Bearman. Bible Class (Mrs Silvester). —Gladys McDonald, .John McDonald, Wharton Silvester, Dorothy Larcombe, Rhoda McVicker. Attendance Prizes.—Violet McVicker, Rhoda McVicker, Gladys McDonald, Willie McVicker, John McDonall, Wharton Silvester.

LITTLE RIVER. A meeting was held in the Town Hall, Little River, on Saturday night for the purpose of arranging to hold a patriotic gala on Boxing Day. Mr W. H. Montgomery was in the chair. Mr 11. Lewthwaite was appointed secretary. Suggestions for the following events were received, and strong committees are to be formed to carry them out: — Children's races; decorated bicycles; decorated motor cars; decorated motor bikes; tug-of-war, County Councillors v. Cricket Club; tugs-of-war, open; decorated prams and go-carts; bullock teams for children's rides; Maori hakas and poi dances;'- bowling at wicket; doodlembuck; shooting gallery; Aunt Sally (a special Kaiser Bill); musical chairs; throwing cricket ball; stepping competitions; tossing the caber; stilt race; flower stall; pillow tights; bran tub; weight-guessing competition for sheep, turkey, and cakes; guessing name of doll; afternoon'tea room; auction sales; greasy pig race; greasy pole; wheelbarrow race (with passenger); pram race; .clay pigeon shooting; baby show; boxing competitions, ladies' nail-driving competitions; gents' hat trimming; blindfold race; menagerie race; wrestling competitions; dog race; sweet and soft drink stall; coin in basin; coin and battery; fortune telling (special fortune, letter from Australia); kicking football; boot race for children, ladies, and men; ladies' tug-of-war; treacle bun; bun-eating and water-drinking competitions; egg and spoon race; thread-the-needle race. It was decided that the proceeds shall go to the Belgium Fund. The Railway Department is running an excursion train from Christchurch on Boxing Day, and it is expected that there will be a large number of visitors. Another meeting is to be held on-Sat-urday night next to complete the appointment of committees. Everyone who possibly can is asked to attend i and help on so worthy a cause. ! WAIAU. Rain set in on Saturday night, and a heavy downpour succeeded. There must j have been a good fall in the back country, as on Sunday the Waiau River was in high flood, reaching, except for the flood of two years ago, a higher level than for many years back. Farmers report many cases of narrow escapes of valuable stock. The Waiau Manse has been without a permanent occupant for about two years, but at last a call to the charge I

has been given and accepted. The Rev. Thompson, late of the Lake Wanaka district, is to be inducted this week, and a fitting welcome to the new minister is being prepared.