RAKAIA.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 989, 13 April 1917, Page 8

RAKAIA.

From Our Own Correspondent. A social was held in the Mead School on Tuesday night for the purpose of saying farewell to Lance-Corporal Claydon and Privates E. Timings and G. Breading, of the 23th Reinforcement, who were down on final leave. On behalf of the Patriotic Committee, Mr W. Fairweather presented each soldier with a shaving outfit and a pipe, and wished them all good fortune in their soldier career. Private Timings replied for himself and comrades and the men were heartily cheered. A vite of sympathy for Mr A. Weaver in the loss of his sou, who was killed in action in France, was carried in silence, the audience standing. The monthly meeting of the Rakaia branch of the'W.C.T.U. was held in the Presbyterian Sunday School on Thursday afternoon, Mrs Bong being in the chair. Correspondence was received from Miss E. Trevurza, secretary of the Ashburton branch, concerning a petition for early closing of hotels and enclosing forms. It was decided to make arrangements to have the petition circulated and secure signatures. It was decided also to give support to a petition asking for the appointment of women police. In connection with the visit of Mrs Harrison Lee-Cowie, it was arranged to hold a women's meeting in the afternoon, and a public meeting in the evening, this latter to serve as the inaugural meeting for the Band of Hope season. The Rev. W. T. Todd, of Rakaia, convener of the New Zealand Presbyterian Church Sunday School Committee, has returned from Feilding, where he has been attending the Sunday School Conference. The rains of a fortnight ago have done a great deal of good, and feed is now more abundant.