COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5429, 3 December 1895, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

Customs Revenue.— The amount of the Customs and other revenues collected at Timaru during November was JJ1895 15s.

Vital Statistics.— The following are the vital statistics for Ashburton district for the indnth of November : — Births 24, deaths 9, marriages 3.

Woodehd.— At Hill'B Bush, on Saturday, a very pleasant day was spent by the members and friends of the local Bible and Mutual Improvement Class. The weather was all that could be desired.

Appointment.— lt ia announced in the Gazette that Mr Eichard Casey, of Pareora, has been appointed an officer under the Fisheries Conservation Act, and a ranger under the Animals Protection Act for the South Canterbury district.

Breaches or Licensing Acts. What are known in Timaru as the Criterion Hotel casea, which were abortively heard by two Justices a abort time ago, have been reinstated under the new Act, and were called on before the Stipendiary Magistrate yesterday. Owing to some misunderstanding the defendants had been misled as to the Bitting, and the cases were adjourned for a week.

Tbddington.— A dance took place on Friday last, in the local schoolroom, under the auspices of the Teddington Terpeichorean Society, in aid of the Governor's Bay Hall, which is to be ereoted in the public domain. The music waß supplied gratuitously by the Governor's Bay 'string band, as were also the refreshments by the ladießof the district. The result financially was a great success.

Band qv Hope.— There was a good attendance at the meeting of the Burwood Band of Hope on Friday evening. Mr De la Cour was in the chair. A very good programme, consisting of reoitations, song b, instrumental bolob, glees, &c, was contributed by Miß3 White, Master Palmer, Mrs Palmer, Messrs De la Conr, Boilingson and Grant, and a glee party. Mr Parkea gave an address, and the meeting closed with the Benediction.

Fire Alarm on a Steahee. — The Australian Bt earner, Balmain, which arrived at Timaru last week with a load of coal, was the centre of a slight commotion on Sunday evening, owing to an alarm of fire being given by eomeoife near the vessel. A bundle of waste in a locker in the engine-room somehow caught fire and made a great smoke, but was easily extinguished. A few shillings will cover all the damage done.

St John's Paeibttbrian CHtfBCH, SouTHßßiDcra.— The annual "social" in connection with St John's Presbyterian Church, Southbridge, was held in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, and proved a great success. Addresses were given by the Eey J. Mackie (Southbridge), Bey Wright (Lincoln), and Eer Grant (Leeeton). The ohoir sang several anthems, and solos were given by the Misses Gabbie and M' Arthur and Mr Yates.

St Andrew's Day at Oxford.— St ! Andrew's Day at Oxford is always recognised as a general holiday, and weeks before the event comes off plans are formed to minister to the pleasure and amusement of the holiday-makers. This j year the amusements consisted of a cricket match in Pearson Park, a flower and, vegetable show at Griffith Hall, a capital play in the evening at the Town.Hall, and a wind-up with a dance. Pearson Park was seen to its best advantage, and visitors expressed both surprise and pleasure at the beauty of *the park and the surrounding scenery. As tbe sun mounted higher, the heat became rather oppressive, and the visitors were glad to take every advantage of the grateful shade afforded by the trees. Towards noon an adjournment was made to the flower and vegetable show, where a very creditable display of local productions was to be seen, and some substantial prizes vere awarded to the best exhibitors. The comedietta Blow for Blow was played by the Amateur Dramatic Company, and' was highly appreciated by a very large audience, fully three hundred being present. The floor was afterwards cleared, and a dance brought to a cloße a most enjoyable holiday.