COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6383, 31 October 1888, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

♦ >: _ Nokth Canterbury Jockey Club.— A? meeting of the members of. fife above Clubwas held at the Red Lion Hotel, Eangiora* yesterday afternoon; present — Captain Parsons (in the chair), Messrs W. Nicholls, E. Chapman, J. Lilly, E. Giles, J. Manning* Millton, M. Duncan, C. Dampier-Crossley*. Gr. Backham, and J. G. E. Winsloe. The stakes won Sat the Spring Meeting were passed for payment. The Treasurer reported that the meeting had been a success financially. There was considerable comment on the fact of some of the large owners having held aloof from the meeting, because the stakes had been reduced. On the motion of Mr Nicholls, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Captain Parsons* who was still the life of sporting in the North Canterbury district, and to whose efforts the satisfactory position of the Club wa3 due. It was explained that it was through a misunderstanding that the shopkeepers had not closed their business places on last race day, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting. Annat.— An entertainment,. in connection with the Annat Band of Hope was held in the district schoolroom on Friday evening last. There was a good attendance, and the Bey P. W. Jones occupied the chair. In the evening's programme of readings, addresses, recitations and dialogue the following took part: — Messrs Naesmith (from Springfield), Stokes (2), I W. Barlow, H. Montgomery, Bloor, Coombs (2), and Misses Newton, Montgomery, Stokes (2), Alice Willis, and Eva Kapley. Lincoln Sports. — A largely-attended meeting of persons interested in these : sports took place in the Lincoln Hotel on i Saturday evening, Mr J. Doherty occupyi ing thechair. The Treasurer's balance-sheet for previous year showed the total amount paid away to have been J677, leaving a cash balance in. band, after paying all i liabilities, of £d 3* 6d. It was unanimously i resolved to hold tbe sports as usual on the , forthcoming New Year's Day, and to at : once secure — if possible— the services of [ the Bumham Band for the occasion. The ' selection of a suitable paddock, and all other business, it was decided to leave in ; the hands of the Committee. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr J. Tod for the use of his paddocks in previous years. The following elections were made : i —President, Dr Westenra ; Hon Treasurer, i Mr E. T. Howell; Hon Secretary, Mr F. ! Townshend ; Committee, Messrs F. Coats, J. Doherty, F. Fowler, J. Hicks, J. Muir, D. McCarthy, A. W. Steggall and E. Townshend. Rangiob4 Wesley an Mjjtual Improvement Association. — The above Association closed their season's meetings on Monday evening last with a social gathering, to which the members invited their friends. The Sunday schoolroom, in which the gathering was he\d, was well filled, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. An entertaining programme of a miscellaneous character was contributed by Misses Gray, Boss, Hunter, Barfcram, Gates, the JRev J. H. Gray, and Messrs J. Payne, F. J. Cumberworth, T. Mardon, W. H. Foster, H. Thompson, A. Aldersley, W. Gray, T. White, and Master J. Allan, Miss Gray acting as accompanist. At a suitable interval, refreshments were handed round. Before dispersing, the members decided to hold a picnic on Nov. 9. Halswelii School Committee. — A ' meeting was veld on Monday last; present —Messrs Deal (Chairman), Candy, H. A. C. Fergusßon, 3. Ferguson, Kennedy and Penny. The report of the deputation appointed to wait on the Board . was received and discussed, and the Board's written reply wag freely criticised* It was resolved— " That this Committee having gone thoroughly into the details of the late examination, are of opinion that the examiner's remarks are unnecessarily severe, and that this Committee has full confidence in the teaching staff ; also that ■a very hearty vote of thanks be accorded the teachers for the manner in which they have conducted the school during the past year." After the transaction of other unimportant business the Committee-ad-, jouraed.