COUNTRY NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 273, 22 December 1914, Page 11

COUNTRY NEWS.

<From Our Special Correspondents.) DUNSANDEL. The members of the Ancient Order of Foresters Lodge, Court Star, held their annual church parade at St. Thomas's . Anglican Church on Sunday afternoon. There was a large attendance of members and friends present. The Rev. 11. G. Hawkins preached an appropriate sermon. GREENPARK. Some time ago a cross was dedicated to- the memory of the late Mr Hurst by his wife, and as some funds ■were over, a bell was thought of. Mr Yarr and Mr Pearson erected the bellry and hung the bell. On Sunday last the Rev. Mr F. Redgrave dedicated the bell, and the Rev. Mr Williams, of Opawa, the late pastor of the parish, preached the sermon. Mr Trewern, from St. Luke's Church, sang the antliem. Ye are my people.'' There was a full church, containing one hundred people. LITTLE RIVER. A meeting re the Boxing Day Gala -was hold in the Town Hall on Saturday might. There was a g O , T^ ?' Owing to indisposition Mr W. H. Montcomerv was unable to be present and Mr Coop presided. Mr Wynn Williams -wrote apologising for non-attendance, and enclosed a cheque for four guineas from Mrs Wynn Williams and himself. The following appointments of officials to carry out the various sports and competitions were made:—Men s Races, Mr Harry Chapman; Children s Races, Mr Marlow; Decorated Bikes, Prams, and Go-carts, Mrs McManms and Mrs Aitken; Decorated Motor Cars and Motor Bikes, Mr J. F. Buchanan; Tug of War, Jas. Johnson; Maori Hakas and Poi Dances, Mr Tom Skipper; Bowling at Wieket and Throwing Cricket Ball, Mr- R. ,Webb; Doodleumbuck, Mr Len Breitmeyer; Shooting Mr Stan Birdling and John Tini, sen.; Aunt Sally, Mr Frank Fabey; Musical Chairs, Mr Geo. Wright; Skipping Competition, Mr Jas. Humphries; Tossing the Caber, Mr John Reed; Stilt Race, Mr W. McKenzie; Flower Stall, Miss L. Wright and Mrs A. Murray; Pillow Fights, Mr lieo. Fahey; Bran Tub, Mrs T. WilKams; Weight-Guessing for Sheep and Turkey, Mr Fred Joblin; Weight Guessing for Cake, Miss L. Fahey; Guessing Kame of Doll, Miss Elsie Reed; Tea Üboms, Mrs J. Paullj Auction Sales, Mr B. Latter; Greasy Pig, Mr W. Thompson; Greasy Pole, Mr. Geo. Barclay; Wheelbarrow Race (with passenger), Mr Phil. McManns; Pram Race for Men, Mrs Marlow; Baby Show (two classes —children under six months and under twelve months), Mr J. O. Coop; Boxing Competitions, Mr R. Mackie; Ladies' Nail Driving, Mr Jos. Jackson; Blindfold Race, Mr H. Chapman; Wrestling Competitions, Mr A. Watson; Boft Drink and Sweet Stall, Misses JStanbury, M. Columbus, and Jeff; Coin in Bacon and, Battery, Mr Percy Painter; Fortune Telling, Mrs Anderson; Sack Tournament, Ladies' Tug-of-War, Mr G. Radford; Boat Races, Ladies', Children's, and Men's,' and kicking football, Mr J. R. Swaddel; Egg and (Spoon Race, Mr Tom Gilmour; Thread-the-Needle Race, Miss . Nelly Fahey; Clothes Hanging-on-Line ■Competition for Men, Mr Phil McMann; CandleJjighting Competition, Mr J. Humphries; Potato Peeling Competition for Men, Mr Aitken; Father Christmas,: Mr IT. K. Taylor* .Mr Jas. Chapman was appointed imndicapper for running events, and Mr J. McGueen. judge. The judge for the.baby show will be Incognito and under armed escort. Miss Coop, and Mrs J. F. Buchanan, will be judges for the dec.orated bikes, yrams, and go-casts, and Mrs McManns and Mrs Aitken judges for the decorated motor, cars. . The following gentlemen were appointed a sub-committee: — M.essrs J. O. Coop, H. Chapman, and W. Aitken. .

A collection was taken up in the hall, ■esulting in nearly £4. Mr Coop, in jnentioning the duties of the various •ommittees, urged them to systematically canvass for cash and prizes, each fpr his or her competition, as the object {the Belgian Fund) was so good that no •ne would refuse. The collection was intended to help the various competitions, etc., but urged them not to fall back on it if they could possibly help it, as it was desired to raise as large a sum as possible. Mr J. O. Coop donated a sheep to the weight guessing competition, Mr T. Thompson a fat turkey lor the same, Mr W. H. Montgomery a pig for. the greasy pig race, and Mr T. K. Taylor a pair of bootees for a prize in the baby show. : It was- arranged; to hold a dance in the evening, the proceeds to go to the fund.

A committee for the dance, consisting of Messrs F.. Fahey and Stan Birdling, was appointed.

An excxirsion train is running from Christchurch, and cheap fares are arranged, so that visitors from town will be assured of a hearty welcome and hoaps of fun. There will be no charge for admission to thfe domain.