COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5274, 3 June 1895, Page 1

COUNTRY NEWS.

Obituaby.— Mr P. Cargill, who has been well-known in Timaru for some yeare, died in that town yesterday. Vita& Statistics.— The following: vital statistics were recorded in the Ashborton district daring the month of May:— Births 20, deaths 11 and marriages 3. During the same month in 1894 the figures were:— Births 15, deaths 4 and marriages 4. School Committee. — The election o£ a School Committee for Marshlands, which took place at the annual meeting of house?, holders, having been declared invalid, a further meeting of householders will be held in the school on June 24, for the | election of another committee. i

Employes Suspended. — Certain of the employes of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-, operative Association, Timaru, have been suspended, and an investigation is being made into their accounts. The matter has created Borne stir in Timaru and among the sharebrokers of the Association.

Christian Endeavour.— At the Temuka Presbyterian Church on Friday evening the Bey Mr Kelly, of Wai mate, delivered an address on Christian Endeavour Societies with the view of reorganising the Temuka branch. The attendance was good, and the matter was earnestly taken np by the young people present, some fourteen handing in their names as active members. A committee was formed, and Mies Eußßell was appointed secretary.

Failing to Register Bieth.— At the Eakaia District Court on Friday, before Mr W. L. Allan, J.P., and Mr E. S. Coster, J.P., James M'Crenor, of Methven, was charged under the Amendment Act of 1892, Section 2, with neglecting to register the birth of his child within sixty-two days of its birth. He admitted the neglect, and asked to be dealt with as lightly as possible. He was fined five shillings, and costs, and the child was ordered to be registered within one month.

Besisting a Constable. — A. young man was sentenced to three months' hard labour by three Justices at Tiniaru on Saturday for using bad languageand assaulting Constable Strean while arresting him on a oharge of drunkenness. The prisoner fought viciously and the arresting constable, as well as a bystander who lent assistance, sustained some damage before he was secured. The prisoner begged to be let off lightly on the plea of drunkenness, and appeared to be quite Btaggered by the sentence passed upon him. He had previously had considerable experienoe of gaol life.

Kaiafoi Bible Chbibtian Church.— A conceit in aid or the funds of this church was held on Thursday evening, when there was a large attendance. The programme consisted of vocal and instrumental solos, duets, &c. Those taking, part were— Mrs Mitchell, the Misses Barclen, Best (2), Matthews and Murgatroyd, with the Bey A. Mitchell and Messrs Drakely, Last, Burgoyne and Murgatroyd, and Masters Broadley and Murgatroyd. At the close refreshments were handed round. The Bey Gow gave a brief felicitous address. The chair was taken by the pastor (Bey W. Grigg),

Personal.— The Rev Father Treaoy, having been on a visit to Geraldine for the past few days, many of hia old parishioners met at the Commercial Hotel in that town* •hip on Saturday last to bid him farewell, on the occasion of an extended tour through Blew Zealand. Mr T. Connolly, m propoßing the reverend father's health, expressed a hope that ere long he would again visit them, and concluded by wishing him God-apeed wherever he went. Several others expressed the same wish. Father Treacy expressed his thanks for the kind reception accorded him, and said he would always look back with pleasure to the lime when he was located in Geraldine. Those present heartily joined in three cheers for the reverend father, who then entered a carriage, en route for the railway station.

Concert at Belfast.— A very successful concert was held in the Belfast Town Hall on Thursday, in connection with the Court Star of Belfast, A.O.F. There was a large and appreciative audience. Songs, &0., were given by Misses Weston, Kinsman, Emson and E. Emson, and Messrs Bead, Emson (2), Gtilliford and Cox. National danoes were given by Mr ' Cloae. All the items were well received and several encores were demanded. The acting of a very amusing farce, entitled Irish Justice, by the company, and the singing of the National Anthem brought the concert to a close. A d&nca was afterwards held, at which. Me Caldwell acted as M.C., Messrs Baker and White supplying the music.

. .Th« Latb Constable Hallrtt.—Constable Hallett, who was also inspector of weights and measures and inspector under the Factories and Shops Act at Timara, died very euddeoly. On Friday at noon, on coming off street duty, he complained of feeling sick. Dr Reid was called in and prescribed for him. In the afternoon he became worse and died at 7 p.m. from failure of the heart's action. Mr Hallett was a quiet and painstaking officer, and was generally respected, He came to New Zealand in 1861. He went through the Maori war under Colonel Haultain, and earned a war medal and good conduct decoration. He joined the police force from the Armed Constabulary about ten years ago, and had been in charge of various station?. He leaves a family of nine, most of whom are yet children.

Belfast School Committee.— A meeting of the Belfast School Committee was held on Monday evening; present — Mr A. Hopkins (chairman), and Messrs Border, F. Pepperell, Thompson, Easterbrook and Longman. The number on the roll waa reported to be 232, and the average attendance for the past week 191*3. It was decided to request the master to open the schools half an honr later in the morning during the winter months. A circular wbb received from the. Progressive Liberal Association, embodying proposals providing for the election of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College on a wider representation. Of the two proposals submitted, the committee waß in favour of the one which proposed that the Board should consist of six members to be elected by the householders resident within a radius of five miles of Christchurch, six by the College graduates, and twelve by the Canterbury School Committees. The master's proposal to form flower-beds for the separate classes waa approved, and leave was given to enclose a portion of the new grounds. Several accounts were passed for payment. It was resolved to shingle the approaches to the pchool.