FAIRLIE NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15446, 8 September 1914, Page 4

FAIRLIE NEWS

(From Ocr. Owx CoRBEsroxDENi.) THE WEATHER. We are having an early experience of nor'-west winds this season. There have been some hard gales, and they have done more than is desirable towards drying up the country. A week ago we had a very acceptable snow shower, but the winds have robbed the soil of the moisture which it gave. In the main, however, the weather is most enjoyable, the days being fine and warm. Frosts- aro experienced at times, but tltey are not very severe. A soft, warm rain is needed to give the grass and crops a start, there having been very little growth as yet. Teams are busy puting in grain, and threshing, which has been in progress all the winter, is going on in full swing. DEFENCE RIFLE" CLUB. Steps aro being taken to revive the Doienee Kilie L'.ub, but tnc hindrance in tho way is tnc same old trouble, that ol procuring a suitable riile range. Jne 'ieiriturials arc using a range 01 '25 yards at Winscombe, but live defence authorities do not recommend it ior KiUe Club purposes. The President of tho late Cmo, v Mr C. J. Ta.bot. has written to the Defence Olfice," asKing for an inspection to bo made of some cliffs on the riverbed with a view to considering whether they would make a suitable background tor a range. A number of young men have promised to join the club it it gets going, and it seeing a pity that a range cannot be found. In the Aibury district -it niie club has been lormed among,,the Mt. Neasing settlers, and Mr R. Guthrie has allowed some of his country to be used for shooting purposes. At Geraldine, Temuka, and Tiraaru. rifle ranges aleady exist. Fairlie feels somewhat out of it. in the fact that the Defence authorities have not thought it worth while to establish a range for the uso of Territorials. BIBLE SOCIETY. On Sunday, the Rev. F. H. Spencer, agent in New Zealand ior the iirit.sh and Foreign Bible Society, visited the district and put in a very busy day. In tlm morning he preached in St. Stephen's Church ; in the afternoon lie addressed a combined meeting of Sunday school children in the Parish Hall, and in the evening ho held an afterservice meeting in the same buildingHis addresses on each of the three occasions were full of interest, and instruction. The speaker specially touched upon the Bible Society and its work in connection with distributing copies of the Scriptures to combatants at the front, and asked for support in the cost of this work. He also gave a great deal of information regarding the movement among the Eastern nations, and their interest and help in the spread of Christianity among them. At the conclusion of his evening address a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Spencer on the motion of Mr C. J. Talbot and the Rev. J. Craig. The chairman, Rev. H. 0. Hanby, spoke in enthusiastic terms of the world-wide •work of the Society, and its great success in translating the Bible into nearly 500 languages, and in distributing copies by the million in all lands. i" . • TO RELIEVE DISTRESS. As an outcome of the Patriotic meeting hi let in Fairlio at the beginning of the war, the ladies of the etistiict formed themselves into a temporary I society for the purpose of making and sending comforts to t ,so- who have left , or are leaving for tlio front «n the Expeiit.oimry Fo;cv>:. This »>bjeet has now been attained, and the gcoels have been forwarded to the proper quarters. But the ladies feel that they ran still b.> of service, and in a wider way: namely by providing for the relit*. of' distress in the Old Country and in Belgium. Accordingly a meeting of ladies will bo held in the Parish liall 011 Tuesday afternobn for tlio purpose of forming patriotic society, having for its object the gathering oli funds and the making of articles of clothing for the poor in the countries named. A gcod attendance is assured, and the new ! work will no doubt be taken up as vigorously and enthusiastically a., was that of providing our own boy.; with comforts..

SPRING FLOWER SHOW.

The an angements for the Fairlic Spring Fluwcr Show Mid Sale of Work, connec-ted with St. Stephens Church arc we.l foiwrml. The bchedules will be issued ;\s soon as tlic tlate is fixed. As the weather is so favourable to flowers there should be a vvry fine show this year. The ladies of the Guild are ju.sv mailing: articles for the work stall. The following ladies have been asked and have, kindly consented to lake charge of,the various stalls;— Work stall, Mrs Buss-ell, 3lrs Barker. Mrs Driver, and Mrs Southwick. 'Cake competition. Mrs Shenvin, Mrs Skinner, and M:ss L. Welsh. Afternoon tea it-all. Mrs Wreford. Mrs Hanl>v, M:~ B. ]■' Gilliiifrhain, Mrs I. Battison. 3lrs W Bray and Miss Driver. Flower stall. Miss E. LeC'rcn. Miss- J. Gihmn;h.i:n and Miss Goodwin Sweets staff. Miss Watkinson and M'ss Doris Foden. Brai: tub. Miss Wreford. Competitions for men. Miss R. Bray. The gift auction will be in charge of the country wardens and vestrymen. Baby .show, Mrs E. Saunders. The following judge; liavo been asked if they will" jkindlv give their services :—For bowls, briskets, va.scs, tables and nianclepiec-ts. Mrs H. J LfC'rcn For flowers and cottage wardens. Mr P. G. A'!e» For the cake competition. Mr J. J. Bishop.