GERALDINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18537, 7 April 1930, Page 5

GERALDINE.

A LIGHT RAIN. Following nor'-west conditions prevailing on Friday and Saturday, a light rain set in on Saturday evening and continued through the night. Conditions were overcast and damp yesterday, but the rain was not sufficient to be of much use to the farmers. MUSICAL SOCIETY. At the annual meeting of the Geraldine Musical Society, Mr Geo. Loach presided over a fair attendance. The annual report, which was adopted, showed a credit on the year’s working. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Chairman. Mr Geo. Loach; conductor. Mr E. P. White; pianiste. Miss E. A. Sherratt; secretary and treasurer. Miss I. Logan; committee. Messrs G. Knibb. B. Logan, B. Heaton and H. Coombes. Mrs F. Walla ch and Misses Sherratt and Moncur. It was decided to open the season with a social to which supporters would be invited, and the practice night was fixed for Tuesday. The resignation of Miss I. Henry, as secretary, was received with regret, and it was decided to write her a letter of appreciation for her valuable services. GOLF CLUB OPENING. Fine weather favoured the official opening of the Geraldine Golf Club’s links on Saturday afternoon, and although no formal ceremony took place members enjoyed a mixed four- ' somes between teams representing the captain (Mr E. R. Beckett), and the president (Mr A. A. Readdie). The former team proved victorious by 5£ games to 3S. the scores being as follows (captain's team mentioned first): Campbell and Miss Logan 1 v. Heaton and Mrs McClure 0: Sharpe and Miss Sherratt 1 v. Bennett and Mrs Feilden 0; Feilden and Miss Sharpe 1 v. Readdie and Miss Bell 0; D. Lack and Miss Hawke 0 v. Withers and Miss Rattray 1; B. Macdonald and Mrs Plimmer 0 v. Burrows and Miss Wilton 1; Christophers and Mrs Scott 1 v. J. Scott and Mrs Christophers 0; P. Bennett and Miss Roberts 0 v. Holdgate and Mrs Macdonald 1; Beckett and Mrs Williams 1 v. E. Scott and Miss Upritchard 0; McKechnie and Miss Williamson l v. Irving and Miss Webb h; D. Macdonald 1 v. Dr Curtis 0. AN OPTICAL ILLUSION. Fogs do not cause trouble only at sea. Three Geraldine business men had reason to speak in disparaging terms of a fog that enveloped the town, when an optical illusion drew them from the warmth of their beds into the damp conditions prevailing outside the other morning, a short time after the zero hour. It appears that the manager of one business establishment in the main street went home after a busy day. and neglected tp turn off the electric lights in his premises. The glare of the lights, which lighted the fog as it wreathed and fell, gave the appearance of the glare from an extensive fire, and drew the three who had been wakened from their sleep In haste to the scene.

RAINFALL FOR MARCH. The following weather report for March has been supplied by Mr B. R. Macdonald, “Waitui,” Geraldine:—Rain fell on eight days, the maximum fall being .43 on March 3, and the total for the month, 1.15in. compared with 2.98in for the corresponding period last year. Rainfall registered during the first quarter of 1930 totals 11.93in, compared with 5.19in for the corresponding quarter in 1929. PLUNKET SOCIETY. At the monthly meeting of the Geraldine, Plunket Society, the president, (Mrs J. M. H. Tripp), was in the chair. Nurse Sutherland reported that during the month she had paid 180 visits to homes and had received 186 visits at the Plunket Rooms. She had motored 770 miles in paying visits. There were four new r babies. The treasurer presented the balance sheet to March 31, and it was agreed to hold a committee meeting to consider the annual report. It was suggested that the annual meeting should be held in May, and that Dr Derrick be invited to attend and address members. MAGISTRATE’S COURT. A sitting of the Geraldine Magistrate’s Court will be held to-day before Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M. Included among the cases set down for hearing is a case of alleged failure to keep books. It is understood that there is a fairly long list of cases. INTEREST IN CRIBBAGE. There will probably be at least ten teams taking part in the Geraldine and District Cribbage Association’s competitions this year. Last year’s teams included Hilton, Citizens, Bowlers, Orari Bridge, Oddfellows and Farmers’ Union, and additional teams will probably be entered this season from Orari, Gapes Valley, Arundel, South End, North End and Winchester. FOOTBALL CLUB A meeting of the committee of the Geraldine Football Club was held on Friday night. Present Mr D. Hatton (in the chair), Messrs J. Rivers, McKechnie, and M. Hayes (secretary). It was decided to fix the opening of the season for April 19, and to play a Town "V match on that date. Sub were fixed at 5/- over 18, and er that age. Mr W. Aiigland was appointed fifthgrade coach, and it was decided to approach Messrs L. Bright and N. Vincent to ascertain if they would coach the other grades. The advisability of entering a fourthgrade team was discussed at length, it being pointed out that if only two teams were entered there would be a large number of players who would not get games. It w r as decided to review the position during the week, and to have fifth-grade players weighed to see if any would be available for fourth grade.

PERSONAL. Mr B. R. Macdonald, of “Waitui,” Geraldine, has returned from Christchurch. Miss Grant, until recently on the staff of the Waverley School, has taken up her position on the staff of the Geraldine School. Miss A. Hughes, of Geraldine, returned from Christchurch on Saturday. Messrs C. H. Haslam and F. Bates, Canterbury Education Board Inspectors, have been visiting schools in the Geraldine district. Miss Betty Crawford. England, is the guest of Mrs Kain, Geraldine. Mrs Gould. Christchurch, is the guest of Mrs J. M. H. Tripp, “Silverton,” Geraldine. Mrs Woodham, of Australia, who has been spending a few weeks with Mrs J. M. H. Tripp. Geraldine, leaves for Sydney on Thursday. Mrs Drummond Sharpe, of Geraldine, is at present the guest of Mrs Harris, Cashmere Hills. Mr R. Ford, who has been on the staff of the Woodbury School for twelve months, has been transferred to the Addington School. Christchurch. Mrs Wilfred Howell. Cave, has been the guest of Mrs J. Peter, Geraldine. Mr E. J. Riches. M.A., has returned to Geraldine from the north. He will address a meeting in Timaru on Thursday night. FARMING PROSPECTS. Farmers throughout the country are fairly busy with seasonal work. A commencement has been made with the digging of potatoes, and a very fair yield is anticipated. There are a few reports of blight, but nothing of a serious nature. There is a good supply of tubers, and this is responsible for the lower prices offered by merchants, and the recent fali in values to £3/15/- on trucks, s.i. Except for isolated patches of linseed, stook threshing has been completed,and some farmers are, in cases where the soil is workable, already ploughing in their stubble. The wheat jdelds have not been particularly high, but oats have threshed very well in most cases. Many farmers are preparing for the sowing of the new season’s crops. There is a greater area in linseed this year than for some seasons past, and all crops promise to yield above the average. The more attractive price offered for forward contracts last year probably accounts partly for the larger acreage sown. Those who have turnips and swedes and other winter feed crops are beginning to feel the dry weather, and some freshening rains would be welcomed.