SEASIDE SUBURBS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 568, 4 December 1915, Page 2

SEASIDE SUBURBS.

SUMNER-REDCLIFFS.

From Our Own Correspondent

The Sumner Bandage Committee has been kept fairly busy of late, the following articles having been forwarded to the depot in Christchurch for the fortnight ending December 4:—47 4-inch bandages, 26 3-inch bandages, 47 2-inch bandages, 1200 swabs, 60 fomentation cloths, 60 face cloths, 30 triangular bandages, 160 operation cloths, 40 diet cloths, 62 bundles medicine cloths, 30 binders,*3o manitail bandages, 3 pairs socks, 6 pairs of bed socks, and 6 mufflers.

The members of the Sumner Bowling Club played their second match of the season on Saturday last, when they were defeated by four rinks from the United Club. Several of the members are already showing marked improvement and later on the club should have no difficulty in extending ,some of the best rinks from the Christchurch clubs. The surprise of the day was the excellent performance of what was. thought to be the weakest rink. During the week another match was played for the Smithson Buttons, the holders (J. S. Neville, R. Gibbs, H. Barlow, and J. H. Maynard s.) being defeated by the challengers (M. S. Heyes, G. Cosset, W. F. Raphael, and G. W. C'. Smithson s.), by 28 to 13. A match against Dunsandel has been arranged for Boxing Day, and it is hoped to get a visit from theXeeston and Southbridge Clubs on New ! Year's Day. j On Monday evening next the residents of Redcliffs are meeting to discuss the obtaining of better postal ; facilities for this part of the district, ! the installation of a slot telephone, 1 and electric lighting. There is no | question but that Redcliffs is entitled to more consideration regarding postal matters. At present the distribution of letters is made from the Sumner Post Office. This arrangement has answered the purpose so far, but residents feel that with the increased population of late years the necessity has arisen for a better service. A slot telephone would not only fill a long felt want, but would prove profitable to the"'department! The Borough Council has everything well in hand for the installation of electric light and this should be. an j established fact within the next few months. The dumping of the anti-* quated street oil lamps will not be the cause of any tears being shed. At the conclusion of the Red cliffs meeting a conference will be held between representatives from the Sumner Burgesses' Association and the Redcliffs Progressive Association on matters connected with the amal* gamation of the two societies.

The members of the Ladies' Miniature Rifle Club are at present shooting for a prize presented by Captain C. G. Foster. The ladies attend the practices regularly, and some of them are scoring well and consistently. On the 10th of the month shooting will be commenced on the open range, which is situated at the rear of the parish room, where practices will be held on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. At the annual meeting of the Ladies' Miniature Rifle Club Mr C. J. Treleaven made a suggestion that the members of the club should offer to teach the-senior boys of the public school the art of shooting, and added that he would be pleased to assist in the matter. The suggestion was well received, and it is likely that steps will be taken to give effect to Mr Treleaven's idea.

The Sumner Burgesses' Association intends bringing under the notice of the Tramways Board the advisableness of permitting the sale of parcel tickets in the borough. The sale of concession tickets locally has already proved a bootf to the forgetful tram passengers, and it is thought that the sale of parcel tickets would also be successful.

A portion of the landing-stage at the pier has become unbolted from the piles, and is now swinging with the tide. Should it become necessary to launch the lifeboat in heavy weather it will indeed be difficult to avoid a serious accident. The matter is being brought under the notice of the Harbour Board, who some time since decided not to spend any more money oh the pier: at Sumner. The Borough Council is also debarred from spending any of its funds on the structure until the arbitration between the two bodies is completed. Possibly this may now be expedited and the necessary repairs done without any unnecessary delay. An examination of the staging shows that the beams did not rest on top of the piles as one would have supposed* but were attached to the piles by means of iron bolts. These bolts have corroded and given way, thus causing the staging to sink down.

It is the intention of the Sumner Redcliffs section of the Citizens' Defence Corps to take steps to stimulate recruiting in Sumner. The borough has done well in the past considering its population in supplying men for the Empire, but now that there is a likelihood of Canterbury's quota being short, it behoves everyone to do what they can in persuading those who could enlist, but who so far are undecided to make the necessary sacrifice for their country.

The funds of the Sumner Bed Cross Committee benefited to the extent of £35 by the excellent concert which was given on Tuesday night. The money will be very acceptable as the committee has only the monthly subscriptions to depend upon for payment for the materials which the members need from time to time. One outstanding feature of the concert was the small percentage of men who were present. There may have been genuine excuses for some, but there were; many who should have favoured the gathering with their presence. Had they done so, Mr C. E. Jones, the auctioneer,

would have succeeded in getting a much larger sum for the flag which Mr McDowell had so generously donated.

The meteorological records for the month of November are now available. There were 10 hours or more sunshine recorded on the 12th, 17th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 26th, and 28th. The maximum amount recorded on any day was 13 hours 50 minutes on the 28th, and the minimum was 2 hours 20 minutes on the 16th. Sun was recorded every day during the month, this being the first time for 13 months that such has been the case. The total sunshine for the month was 244 hours 15 minutes, an increase of 44 hours 35 minutes compared with the same month last year. The maximum temperature recorded was 78deg F. on the 16th, and the minimum 45deg F. The maximum variation was 20deg F. on the 16th, and the minimum variation 4deg F. on the 7th. The average maximum temperature was 66.4deg F., and minimum 51.7deg F., giving an average variation of 14.7deg. The barometric readings were low, the highest occurring on the 18th, viz., 30.3 in, and the lowest on the Bth, 29.08 in. Rain fell on 10 days—viz., Ist, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 19th, and 30th. There were no fogs recorded, and there was thunder on the 2nd, 9th, and 19th. The soil temperature, taken at a depth of 4in, varied from 66deg to 76deg in exposed positions, and from 69deg to 80deg in sheltered spots. At the annual meeting of the Sumner branch of the Royal Life-saving Society the chairman referred to the fact that but for the war a Beach Improvement Association would have! been formed in Sumner. He expressed the hope that the formation of such an association would not be lost sight of when peace was declared. It should be the ambition of* every resident to make -Sumner one of the most popular sorts in the Dominion, and a Beach Improvement Association would be the means of wakign the people up and making them realise what an undoubted asset the borough is to Canterbury in particular. By the ex-* penditure of a few pounds seesaws and swings could be placed on the beach for the use of children free of charge, and if a few individuals got to work right away and raised the funds fot .an attraction of this kind it would mean the foundation of an association such as your correspondent has briefly outlined. Mr and Miss McKenzic, who have been interested in Presbyterian Church matters at Sumner, were entertained at a surprise party on Tuesday last prior to their departure for Central Otago. Mr A. K. Rule, who is in charge of Presbyterian work in Sumner, presented the guests with an autograph album, and pressed the regret of the congrega-r tion at their departure from the district.

NEW BRIGHTON NOTES.

From Our Own Correspondent. The weekly meeting of the ladies New Brighton branch of the Red Gross Society on Tuesday afternoon was largely attended. The following parcels of linen and blankets were received: Mesdames H. Ji Hawker, Eskett, Durose, Reece, £awrence, and Toombes. The monthly report for November shows that the following goods have been forwarded to the Christchurch depot: Seven pyjamas, 20 underpants, 45 undervests, 4 dressing gowns, 17 bed jackets., 6 nightshirts, 13 pairs slippers, 51 pairs socks, 12 balaclavas, 46 scarves, 9 bed socks, 99 slings, 1143 roll bandages, 240 swabs, 32 manitails, 864 medicine cloths, 110 operation cloths, 118 face cloths, 190 diet cloths, 90 fomentations, 26 dish cloths, 17 bottle covers, 5 binders, and 3 pairs mittens. The total donations and subscriptions for the month amount to £l6 18/-, including £3 17/- from Mrs Bailey's "surfing" afteronon, and £3 7/- from the local platoon to assist their bandage evenings.

The fire brigade had quite a crowd present on Monday evening to witness a one-man coupling event competition. The spectators evinced great interest in the display, and they were rewarded with some very smart exhibitions. The brigade was divided into two sections, the seniors being members who had attended; any New Zealand Fire Brigade Association's demonstration, and the juniors were drawn from the rest of the brigade, The following are the results: —Seniors, Engineer W. Winter, 44sec, first; Branchman C. Stokes and Dep. T. Hobbs, 55sec, second. In the run-off Branchman Stokes won in 45* sec. Junior, Foreman R. A. Stokes, AMsec, first, Fireman F. Malaquin, 52 2-ssec, second. There were six competitors in the senior event and four in the junior. The medals were presented by Messrs Jones and Sons, jewellers, and A. P. Hopkins (seniors), and ex-Superin-tendent W. J. Neate (juniors). Mr H. M. Olivers and Captain A. H. Owles acted as timekeepers, and Superintendent J. Hillgrove filled the position of judge. The best thanks of the brigade are due to these gentlemen for the able manner in whiqh they carried out their duties. The arrangements for the forthcoming bazaar of the local band are well in hand, and great efforts are being made to make it a huge success. The band is very unfortunate in having to meet such a heavy bill at such a time, and it behoves all loyal residents to do what they can to help along this most deserving institution. A proposal has been mooted to hold a gala at Pleasant Point j on Boxing Day, and the Motor Boat, Club is being approached to run free excursions for the occasion. The idea is a good one and if arrangements can be made there is no reascn why a goodly sum should not be raised. Pleasant Point is an ideal spot for the purpose, providing plenty of space and shelter. There is a good beach, in fact everything that goes, toward making a pleasant outing.

The inducement of free motor boat excursions should secure a good crowd, and once on the ground plenty of amusement would be provided. The main difficulty will be the absence of the larger boats which are booked to go to Akaroa and the surrounding bays for the Christmas holidays. A definite announcement will be made in a few days.

The members of the Brighton platoon of the National Reserve have every reason to feel satisfied with their efforts in the direction of bandage rolling. On Thursday evening a team of men rolled about 250 bandages, a good performance considering the little experience they have had at the work.

[ Messrs Ainger and Bosomworth, the local Bowling Club's, representatives in the country matches last Saturday, covered themselves with glory and incidentally* provided a good advertisement for the borough. Between them, they put up quite the best score of the afternoon, a fact which is a source of encouragement to the younger players in the club. The green presents a very businesslike appearance every evening now, numbers of players taking advantage of the opportunity to improve their play. There is no doubt about the popularity of the game in Brighton, and the zeal which the members are showing proves that the institution of the club has filled a long-felt want. The members wish to thank Mesdames Kibblewhite and Cull for their kindly provision of afternoon tea on 'Saturday last. Such consideration is appreciated by the members and adds a final touch to the day's enjoyment.