COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12752, 23 September 1919, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Own Correspondents. ] TEMPLETON. A sooial evening teas given by Mr and Mra A. Tovrnley at tJjeir homestead in honour of tlioir son, Trooper Townley, who has just returned after over two years’ service in Egypt. Upwards of fifty of the young people °li Strict attended, and a very enjoyable time was spent in the largo barn, which, with the aid of flags, evergreens and Chinese lanterns, had 1 been transformed into a place oi beauty. The brothers M'Tainsh, of Hornby, were in attendance with the bagpipes, and their stirring tunes contributed in no small degree to the evening’s enjovment. Mr Cecil M’llroy was master of ceremonies, and succeeded in keeping everyone amused with gs.mos and competitions. At midnight an adjournment was made to the spacious kitchen, where a sumptuous sit-down supper was served. The gathering broke up at 2 a.m. with cheers (or the Townley family and the singing of " Auld Lang Syne.” KIRWEE. ' The directors of the Kir wee Scleyards Company met recently. Mr W. B. Rout presidjr". iv- Uas decided to reopen the shearing ‘" J 'j A“ ls B 9 aßori , three machines to bo used and the company to find one man to help with the wool. Shearing will probably start about the third week in October. For the las. few seasons it has been rather a difficult matter at times for farmers to get their shearing done, and it is hoped that tho present arrangement will help to tide over the difficulty, A team of crickot enthusiasts motored out from Christchurch on Saturday and played a match with the local team on the Kirwee Domain. The- local players, who have had two Saturdays’ cricket, scored 193, whilst the visitors, who had not previously played this season, made f-3. For the winners, A. Roper oa, .30, Lohrev 28, Lewis 26, Hobbs 11 and J. Botsfone 10 were the highest scorers; whilst for Christchurch, A. W. Tnomas 38 and Jackman 11 were most successful. A Roper (five wickets) and A. Stewart (four wickets) howled well for Kirwee, and R. Read (five wickets) was most successful for the losers. Tho local team played thirteen men. A return match has been arranged for Labour Day. The' ladies of the district provided afternoon tea on Saturday. , The weather last week was mild, with a 'north-west wind blowing on Friday and Saturday. This warmed up the ground, and the growth in the young grass paddocks and the cereal crops was quite noticeable. Early on Sunday morning the wind changed to the south-west and rain came on. the temperature becoming much lower. Rain continued to fall all day on Sunday, and on Monday morning it was stiTl wet. O.TSin having been registered. Oats are still being drilled when the weather is favourable. There does not appear to be so much land in cereal crops this season. AKAR^A. Tho returned soldiers’ hall held in the Oddfellows’ Hall was very successful. The hall had been tastefully decorated with festoons _/>f wistarias and moss, interspersed with electric bulbs and Chinese lanterns. loose responsible for the decorations were a committee of young ladies, by whose endeavours a most charming effect was obtained. There was a very largo attendance, all parts of the Peninsula being represented. A pleasant feature was the goodly number of returned m °fi present. A party of staff officers from Christchurch, under At aj or Overton, were among tho guests. The Mayor presented, gold medals from the Akaroa Ladies’ x\ssociation to three returned men—Captain A. Jacobson and Troopers F. Newton and A. Ferris. LOBUKN. On Friday evening a " welcome home social was given to a number of returned soldiers of the Ashley County. The guests were Plight Lieutenant Horroll and Private Butters (both Main Body men) and Privates Alloway, Davis, Elder, 'Fraser, James, Loffhagen and Weaver. Each soldier wca presented with the gold medal given by the county Patriotic Committee to all soldiers of the county. Lieutenant Horrell, on behalf of the men, responded, thanking the committee and the people. He stated that all tho time he was oway he had lived,in hopes of coming back and experiencing the old times over agarh, and this event had indeed oomo up to hia expectations. Ho also thanked the Lady Liverpool branch for the many parcels received while ov service. Hearty cheers were given for the boys, end “ For they are Ji'lly Good Fellows" was enthusiastically sung. Tlie music for the dance was supplied by Mr J. Whitburn. This is perhaps the final function of its kind that will bo held in tho district, and much credit is due to the Patriotic Committee for their untiring efforts in_ providing farewell and welcome home socials to every soldier in' the Ashley County. ' ASHBURTON. The annual meeting of tho PlemingtonLagmhor congregation was hold at Tinwald, the Rev W. Marshall presiding. , Reports were read from the session, the managers, the Sunday school and Bible class, all of which showed satisfactory progress. Tho balance-sheet, presented by Mr R. Gilmour, showed a credit of £33. Tt was decided to adopt the new Church • Praise. Strong committees were appointed for each centre, with Mr R. Gilmour as treasurer and Mr W. Taylor as secretary. Votos of thanks were accorded to all workers, and a vote of- cot, Aden ce in the minister was carried unanimously. The ladies provided refreshments. There was a largo in the Lowoliffe School grounds on Thursday afternoon last, when a “ Peace oak ” was planted by the children. The proceedings were opened with the National Anthem, after which Mr W. H. Price, chairman of the committee, expressed pleasure at seeing so many present. Tho plot had been prepared, and the children individually put in some soil till ■ the tree was well planted: Mr Price stated that the oak was an emblem not only ot Peace, hut of the sacrifice mode by our bravo men in the great war of 1914-19. Mr Jewell, chairman of the Lowcliffe Peace Celebration Committee, presented each child with a suitably inscribed Bible or other memento, ninety-six presents being \ distributed. Mr C. Korrish, moved a vote of thanks to the School and Patriotic Committees for the satisfactory manner in which the arrangements had been carried out. Afternoon tea was served to parents, visitors and the children. METHYEN. The last of the series of euchre socials held under the auspices of the cricket club was well attended. The prizes for the evening were won Ijy Miss Briden ond Mr J. F. Stone. The aggregate prizes for the season were also decided, tho winner of the ladies' prize (an afternoon tea set) being Mias A. Newman, and of tho gentlemen’s prize (a safety razor outfit) Mr Robert Henderson. The committee decided to give a consolation prize (rose bowl) to Miss Mitchell, who lost the first prize by only two ■ points, and who. having some distance to oomo, had missed one of tho sopials through boisterous weather.