CHEVIOT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6133, 21 March 1898, Page 4

CHEVIOT.

[Fbom Our Correspondent.] The annual school treat in connection with the M'Kenzie (Cheviot) school was held in the Kecreation Grounds on Thursday, March 17, and was most^ successful, the day being beautifully fine. A concert; was to have been held in the evening, but owing to rain setting in it Avas postponed until Tuesday next. A destructive storm set in at 6.10 p.m. on Thursday, accompanied by thunder and lightning. A hailstorm (about half a mile wide) fell over part of the district, and did great damage to turnips, rape and potato crops. So severe was it that bare stalks were left standing, the leaves being literally cut up into small pieces. One settler had half his turnips destroyed, while the other half was left untouched. Several windows were broken in the Waiau district. The Port Robinson landing service has been compelled to issue a notice to farmers that, owing to the shed being now full of grain, the service is compelled to refuse storage until further notice. A very successful " social " was tendered on Saturday night to the Rev Budd, who is leaving the district. The ladies of the Presbyterian congregation provided the refreshments for the occasion. Pianoforte solos were contributed by Miss J. Sturrock and Miss Waddell, and these ladies also played the accompaniments during the evening. Sorgs were contributed hy Mesdames Fraser, Wright, Brassington and Sturrock, and Miss Waddell ; recitations by Miss C. Sturrock and Mr Balch. Messrs Nicol, Gale and Burns also contributed songs. The Rev W. E. Campbell, of Waiau, occupied the chair/ and a very pleasant evening was brought; to a close by the audience singing ;"Avild Lang Syne."