COUNTRY NEWS,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5698, 17 October 1896, Page 7

COUNTRY NEWS,

Presentation. — The members of • the Girls Shaksperian Club, Kaiapoi, yesterday presented Mrs Armitage with a solid silver spoon (in case), in commemoration of the birth of her first son. Mrs Armitage was the means of commencing the Girls' Club in Kaiapoi. Athletic. — The Ashburton Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club opened the season on Thursday by a procession of bicyclists round town, and a short programme of sports in the domain afterwards. The 7oyds Running Handicap was won by Harold Curtis (lyd), the Mile Bicycle Handicap by N. Jones (20yds), j and the Half-mile Running Race by L. Broad (scr.) Cycling.— The Timaru Tourist Cycling Club organised an opening run for Thursday afternoon, in which about forty riders took part. The riders afterwards made their way to the Caledonian grounds, where a series of amusing races were ridden, including slow, one-legged, eggand spoon and costume races. Before separating cheers were given for Mr B. S. Reid, the captain of the club. | Woodend. — The weekly meeting of the Mutual Improvement Class was held on Tuesday evening, when there was a very good attendance, and the Rev J. Dellow presided. The business of the evening was the reading of the "Journal." All the papers were well received, and elicited a good discussion. — A Lecture to men only was given by Professor Charleston in the Oddfellows' Hall on Wednesday evening, and was well attended. Timabu Presbyterian Church. —On Thursday evening the annual congregational gathering of the Timaru Presbyterian Church was held in St Mary's schoolroom, and proved highly successful, there being a large attendance from town and country. After tea the Rev "W. Gillies, the pastor of the church, took the chair, and among the speakers were the Revs H. Kelly, of Waimate, and W. Hewitson, of Knox Church, Dunedin. The pastor's report on the position of the church stated that good progress had been made. Boating. — On Thursday afternoon the Timaru Rowing Club opened the boating Beason. The weather was rather cold, but there was a large attendance. The club had provided some bunting decorations, the Garrison Band lent their services, and afternoon tea was provided. The captain of the ship Nelson lent some useful assisttance by firing signal shots. Mr Moss Jonas, patron of the club, steered one of the boats in the opening procession, and then made a short speech, declaring the season opened. A number of scratch races were got off. Valedictory. — A pleasant gathering I took place at Dooley*s Hotel, Geraldine, on Wednesday evening, when a number of gentlemen, amongst whom were several members of the legal profession, met to bid good-bye to Mr F. Wilson Smith, solicitor, who left on Thursday for Auckland, where he has decided to commence business. During the evening Mr John Mundell, chairman, handed Mr Smith a costly gold watch and chain, on behalf of many friends in South Canterbury. Mr Smith feelingly responded, and several speeches were made in eulogy of the guest. Kaiapoi Public Institute. — On Thursday evening a concert was given in the Oddfellows' Hall in aid of the Institute funds. The first part consisted of a i number of items, including selections by Mr A. Broadley's string band, songs by Miss M'Leod and Messrs J. Johnson, H. Last and J. Templeton, violin solo by Master J. Broadley, cornet duet by Messrs Hoskins, trio by Miss Broadley, Messrs A. Blakeley and J. Broadley and comic song by Dr H. C. Parsons. The second part consisted of a very amusing farce, A Cure for Fidgets, in which the characters were taken by Misses Winterbourne, E. Fraser and E. Balch, and Messrs F. Robillidrd, W. Pearce, R. Stent and G. Oram. ' Angling Society. — A general meeting of the Geraldine County Anglers' Society was held at the Royal Hotel, Temuka, on Thursday afternoon, . Mr James Findlay presiding. The financial position showed a small liability, which would be wiped out by payment of members' outstanding subscriptions. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Gaze — "That Messrs Cutten, Mere-dith-Kaye, J. Findlay, D. Taylor, P. Coira and the mover be a committee, with power to add to their number, to canvass for members to constitute a new society, having for its objects, in addition to the promotion of angling by competitions, the maintenance of a club-room with suitable literature, the keeping of records, the introduction of visitors to the district and, generally, the fostering of a friendly feeling amongst anglers ; the committee to report to a general meeting to be convened by the honorary secretary." Mr E. Cutten consented to act as honorary secretary pro tern.