COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5326, 2 August 1895, Page 1

COUNTRY NEWS.

• — — ♦- — — "■ Ball at Banoioba.— Last eight the North Canterbury Football Club's annual ball was held at Bangiora, and, as usual, the event was attended with great success. The drill-hall, where the dance was held, was beautifully decorated with native greenery and flags, a conspicuous feature being the bannera of the principal clubs connected with the Bugby Union. Supper,, provided by lady friends, waß tastefully laid in a marquee at the front of the hall. The company wai a large one, including a number from Chrietchurch, and the proceedings were of a most enjoyable character throughout. The music was provided by Mr Fleming's band. Abblby. — A. very successful concert in aid of the prize fund wsb held on Wednesday evening. The room was crowded, and Mr W. G. Whiteside, chairman of the committee, presided. The programme comprised itemß by Mrs Ayers, Misses Anderson, Banks, Joyce, Yates, K. Banks, M. Peach, Caaserley (2), Martin, E. Collie, M. Pound, L. Found and B* Voas, Bey H. Eaat, MeEsrs J. Banks, W.Gower, N. Joyce, H. Allison, H. Wilson, Strong,. Mackie, Moore and Johnston. Songs were also given.by the girls of the upper division of the Bchool, under the direction of Mr J-. Toss, and by the girls of the lower division, under Miss Hempleman. A dance followed, and waa largely attended,, Mr Charles Leach acting as M.C. and Mies Gardiner supplying the music. Akaboa Borough Council.— The fortnightly meeting of the Akaroa Borough Council was held on Wednesday- evening ; pteßont — the Mayor and Councillors Henning,, Vasßioni, Perm, Chappell and Watkins. The financial statement showed receipts eince last meeting .£lO4 Ob 9d, and debtor balance at the Bank of New Zealand £53 6s. Accounts were passod for payment amounting to £69 4s 4d. Correspondence was read from the wharfinger,, enclosing a cheque for £58 43 9d, amount of wharf dueß collected during the paßt quarter. The Town Hall Committee waß granted a renewal of license. A letter was read from the Marine Department regarding the lifeboat, and it waa resolved that the Council regretted it could- not see ita way to maintain the boat. The report of the Finance Committee, recommending a payment of £600 off the loan,, and that application should be made for a fresh loan of £900, was adopted. The Works Committee's and Beserves Committee's reports were adopted. After transacting Borne routine business the meeting closed. Mutual Improvement. — The Belfast Mutual Improvement Society held a ladies' evening, on Wednesday laßt, when nearly one hundred members and friends were present. The stage had been decorated with much skill and taste, and presented a very pretty appearance. Mrs Grigg, vice-president,, was in the chair, and feelingly referred to the loss sustained by the cause of education in the person of the late Mr Colborne-Yeel. A motion expressive of regret and sympathy was carried. A lengthy programme waseubmitted by the lady members, the principal items of which were several exceedingly well displayed tableaux, that of "^Dreamland Facea" being the most effective. O.her tableaux represented were " The Flower Girl," "Faith, Hope and Charity," "The Sleeping Beauty " and " Britannia." Songs were given by Meedames Grigg and Beech, and the Misses Cos, Lindsay and Smith, and a duet by the Misses Smith and Lindsay. Recitations were given by Mesdames Wren, Henderson and Beech, and Miss Longman, and a reading by Mrs Pateinan. Miss Moreland gave an address on "The Sphere of Woman," which proved very interesting. The Misses Smith and Longman were the accompanists; The chorus "Home, Sweet Home" brought a pleasant evening to a close. — The St Paul's Mutual Improvement Society, Kaiapoi, held its mid- winter "social" on Monday. There waß a large ai tendance in Bpite of the weather. Charades, songa, &c, were given during the evening by the members.