COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6128, 15 March 1898, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS.

, ■. ., — • . A Baseless Report. — A report has been circulated that typhoid fever has broken out amongst the Natives at Little River, and that fifteen Maori adults are laid up with this ' complaint. Mr Moloney, the teacher of the school, writes to say that he has Dr Morris's authoriry for stating that the report is without foundation. Catholic Mission. — The week's mission conducted by the Rev Father Shearman at the Rangiora Roman Catholic Church web brought to a close on Suaday morning. On Sunday evening Father Shearman commenced a mission at the Loburn Church, which is to be continued till this evening. He will then go on to Oxford to conduct a series of services. Harvest Thanksgiving. — Harvest thanksgiving services were held in the Primitive Methodist Church, Greendale, on Sunday. The building was decorated for the occasion, and there were large con,gregations. Sermons were preached by the Rev J. Clover, and selections from the hymnal adapted to the occasion were sung by the choir and congregation. Alleged Petty Theft. — A case which excited a great deal of interest in the locality where it originated was heard by the Stipendiary Magistrate at Timaru yesterday. G. D. Marsh, a Claremont farmer, charged his next neighbour, John Barclay, a well-to-do farmer, who stated in Court that he was worth £10,000, with stealing eleven .chaff bags, (mended cornsacks), value 3s 4d, from a heap of emptybags in a paddock. ■ After .hearing the whole case the Magietrate ruled that there was no evidence at all in proof of the charge, JSifiWEE.— A concert was held in the Kirwee Hall on Friday last in aid of the school funds (prizes or trip, to be decided by ballot of the children). Mr James Gough presided, and an excellent programme, consisting of songs, readings and instrumental pieces, was admirably carried out by the following ladies and gentlemen:—Mrs Croskill, Misses E. Botflton, Croskill (two), V. Davies, Drummond,. Nutsey, Paterson and Sherwood. Messrs Anson, Belgrave, Brockett, Drummond, Dixon, Hutchison and Dr Inglis. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Anson, Misses Croskill, Davies, Paterson, Roe, Stewart and Whall. The school children gave four action songs, showing exceptionally good training, for which the teachers (Mr Stewart and Miss Leversedge) received a special vote of thanks. The customary votes of thanks and " God Save the Queen " terminated this part of the entertainment, which was followed by a dance. The music was supplied by Mr Brockett, of Christchurch, and Mr W. Syinons acted as M.C. Angling.— There has been, some excellent fishing at the Rangitata lately. Mr Boyd Thomson records the following:— Mr James Orr (two evenings' fishing), 18 fish 1271 b; Mr H. Cook, Pleasant Point, 10 fish, 801 b; Mrs J. T. M. Hayhurst, 10 fish, weighing from 41b to 10Mb ; Mr D. Taylor, 7 fish, 491 b £oz ; Mr N. C. Nicholas, 10 fish, 4Ulb lloz. The latter records are competition ones for one night's fishing. Mr C. Horsman's take for a morning and evening was 8 fish, 301 b. Mrs Hayhurst's basket is considered probably the best ever taken by a lady angler, and was the result of very determined fishing, with very little assistance from a gillie. The* second angling competition in connection with the Temuka Anglers' Club was held on Friday. It was confined to minnow fishing only, and there were three prizes presented by Messrs Hardy, Bros., England, Dr J. S. Hayes, the president, and Mr J. M. Twomey. The first prize was for the heaviest basket in any river, and the second and third prizes for baskets taken in any river except the Rangitata. The results were as follow: — Rangitata Mr N C. Nicholas, 10 fish, 491 b lloz ; Mr D Taylor, 7 fish, 491 b ioz. Opihi— Mr s' Bowman, 9 fish, 241 b 15^oz; Mr W R&rl' ford, 18 fish, 191 b loz ; Mr R wT Hawkes, 12 fish 121 b 3oz. The fish were weighed and judged by Messrs Coira and P. P. White . The Rangitata BtaJ was very clear, and in the Opihi the water was very slack owing to .the bar behS blocked. "