COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6072, 8 January 1898, Page 7

COUNTRY NEWS.

m Spreydon Road District,— Mr H. G. j Ell having resigned his seat on the Spreydon Road Board, nominations for candidates to fill the vacancy will be received until noon on Jan. 20. Committed for Trial. — John Casey, an old offender, was committed for trial at Timaru yesterday, on a charge of stealing £16, the property of George Strachan, licensee of the Siiip Hotel, on Dec. 16. St Augustine's Church, Clarkville. — The Sunday scholars of this church and I their friends held their annual treat on Thursday at Mr Thos. Burgess's paddock. About 200 persons were present and enjoyed themselves with outdoor amusements, including cricket. The Eev H. H. Mathias was present, and tea was supplied with refreshments in abundance. '. The Late Mr P. M'Grath. — An inquest was held at Oxford on Wednesday, touching the death of Mr P. M'Grath. Mr G. A. White was acting-coroner and Mr G. T. Jones, foreman of the jury. The verdict was that death had resulted from . injuries caused, by a bull belonging to deceased. Mr M'Grath was one of the pioneer settlers of Oxford, and his funeral on Thursday was very largely attended by residents of the district. House-breaking at Woodehd. — Our Kaiapoi correspondent states that it was j found yesterday morning that the schoolI house at Woodend had been entered and I ransacked. Mr Armitage is absent on a visit to Australia, and Mrs Armitage is I also away. No one is staying in the house, . j but the maid went to it yesterday morning ' aud found that the place had been ! entered. The matter has been reported to | the police. Druids' Anniversary. — A " social " will be held on Jan. 14 the Druids' Hall, I Hornby, to celebrate the opening of the | Olive Branch Lodge,, which is twelve i months old. Representatives of Oddi fellows, Hibernians, Orangemen, and i various Druids' Lodges will be present in regalia. A strong committee has been appointed to carry out the arrangements, and everything will be done to make it a pleasant evening for all who attend. The proceeds of the " social " will go towards seating the new hall, which is very much needed. Sunday School Picnic — The annual picnic in connection with the Leeston Presbyterian Sunday School was held on the Bellone Estate, the residence of Mr Donald Macdonald, Leeston. About one hundred scholars and friends were present. The picnic was supervised by Mr J. A. Cunningham, and all' the arrangements were well managed, and the weather was all that could be desired. During the day sports for young and old were organised, and refreshments were provided by the lady teachers and friends. The conveyances were provided by Messrs John Rennie and Job Osborne. Before dispersing, the usual votes of thanks to the host and other friends who assisted were cordially given. An Interrupted Marriage. — At the Belfast Church, on Thursday, a couple presented themselves to be linked together in the bonds of matrimony. The banns had been duly called in church, and the bridegroom was under the impression that this did away with the necessity for a license from the Registrar. However, just as the ceremony was about to proceed, he was undeceived by the minister, who asked forthe license, and was informed that it was necessary to procure one before the service could go on. The astonished bridegroom communicated with a friend, who volunteered to proceed to Amberley, where it was necessary to go for the license, and for this purpose he procured a bicycle. 111-luck, however, ensued, for the machine broke down on the road, and the messenger did not return until it was too late to perform the ceremony, and the marriage had to be postponed until next day, when it was completed, to the evident satisfaction of the contracting parties.