COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5862, 3 May 1897, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS.

• Customs Revenue.— The revenue of all kinds collected .at the Titnaru Custoraß office during April was £1330. In April last year the amount was ,£1597. COAI.GATS. — Messrs A. Beafcty, J. Cockran, W. Baxter, J. Langdale, J. Beafcty, J. Prestidge and W. Watson (chairman) have been elected a school committee at Coalgate. ■ ■ .• A. Dry Month.— The rainfall recorded by Mr Sterickev's gauge, near Timaru, last month, was only 071 inch. In April last year 529 inches fell. This year when rain was so much needed there were only six slightly damp days in the month. Woodend. — The Mutual Improvement Class re-opened its session on Tuesday evening in the Wesleyan schoolroom. The following officers were elected :— President, Eev J. Dellow ; vice-presidents, Miss <sf. Burne and Mr J. S. Daniell • secretary, Miss M. Eoss; treasurer, Mr E. Judson ; organist,. Miss Skevington ; comifaittee, Mrs J." Skevihgton*; Miss Bume, Abssrs A. Judson ana 1 G. Little.' ; It was* r&lolved to Bend'i letted of ' condolence'! to Mrs J. Blake, whose late husband had been an old and esteemed member of the sooiety. : Eoad Board :ELECTioNß;*f:Tho 'following ratepayera Jiave been duly eleoted members of the . Upper Waimakariri Road Board:— Meßßrs D. Manson, L. E. T. Dalgety and H. F. vdn Haast.— For the Ellesinere Eoad Board Messrs J.B.* Campbell, A. Chamberlainj D. Cant, J. Gilbert, E. LoClihead, W. Nixon and W. Watson have been duly iiominated. ;The poll for the election of three of. these candidates will be held on Friday, May 7. — For the Eyreton Eoad Board Mr E. W. Chapman, having withdrawn h&noinination, Messrs L. Giles, F. Kelly and : W. Smith have been duly elected; and Mr Patrick Doyle has withdrawn his candidature for the South Malvern Eoad District. Meetings of Ratepayers — There was quite a large attendance at the annual meeting of the Wakanui ratepayers, held on Saturday. The report and* balancesheet were read and adopted. A number of local matters were discussed and decided. A spirit of animosity to the Board was shown by soine of the ratepayers present. Motions condemning the Board for its past actions were moved by Messrs Brown and Sedley, but were not carried. A motion thanking the Board for its services was proposed by Mr Choak and carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting. — The annual meeting of the ratepayers of I the Upper Ashburton road district was held on Saturday. There was only a small attendance. The annual report and balance-sheet were read, and after transacting some formal business the meeting closed.