COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17181, 26 October 1923, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

(Special to th© “ Star.”) ANNAT. In spite of the stormy evening a. gathering representative of Annat, Springfield, Sheffield ami Russell’s Flat met at the Annat Hall on Tuesday evening to conclude the euchre tournament season. The successful competitors in the evening’s games were Miss Ratel and Mr Solomon, and Miss Millar and Mr Niemann were awarded the consolation trophies. Airs J. Wilson carried off the ladies' prize for winning the most points during the season, and Mr Lytel Black the men’s prize. Under the supervision of Mrs Gibson and Mrs Cooper (members of ,the social committee) supper was served at the cnoclusion of the games. The hall was then cleared for dancing, which was maintained till early morning- During an interval Mr George Wright (chairman of the School Committee) took the opportunity to thank all those who had contributed towards the success of tournaments which had been held to augment the School Committee's finances and provide prizes for the children ut the close of the year. He moved a vote of thanks to Mr Sturgess, who had provided crockery for the refreshments. | Mr Wright then made presentations to, Mr and Miss Millar, of Russell’s Flat, in recognition of their kindness in providing music for the fortnightly' soc ials. The music for the Tuesday evening social was contributed bv Airs W- Donovan, Sprinfield (piano). Mrs W. AL Campbell. Springfield (violin), and Air K. Odgers. Springfield (violin). Extras were plaver bv Mis* Millar. Russell’s Flat (niano). 'and Air Millar. Russell’s Flat (violin). Mr J. Wilson was Master of Ceremonies. SPR TNG FIELD. The snows of last week have vanished from mountain and hill, dissolved by raging nor’-we.st winds which have prevail e<f since Friday last. I nusually too moist, to the detriment the crops. The violent wind and dust storms have been of much inconvenience to all traffic on the roads. The cricketers’ dance, held JavSt Friday night, was a successful function, both socially and financially. During the intervals of dancing items were given bv Air T- Campbell, songs: Mr A. Bryson.*” recitations : Miss Lilian Smith, song; and the Misses I. J'oines and I. Lapthorne. vocal duet. Messrs H. Millar. E. Odgers (violins) and Miss Millar provided the dance music. Extras were supplied by Atisses Dalby and limes (piano) and Air C. Smith (concertina). Mr C. Taylor was Master of Ceremonies. The final euchre tournament will he held in the school on Friday night. It will be followed by supper and a dance. The School Committee have decided to hold a plain and fancy dress dance in the. hall on Friday week. Providing the weather is fine on Saturday the Springfield Tennis Club will play its first match of the season, meeting the Darfield Club at Dnrfield. The weather lias been much too unsettled to allow of any practice at the courts. A long-felt want in the district has been supplied by Afr F. Ferguson, who lias instituted a daily motor service from Springfield to Christchurch- By this means residents will be able to leave Springfield ©bout 8 a.m. and return at 7 p.m-. allowing them more time to transact their business in the city. The .char-a-banc made its maiden trip on Labour Day. conveying a large party to the Rangiora races. Since the removal of the railway station from the business area of Springfield the posting of letters has been rather an inconvenience. To mitigate this, and through the agency of Air John Hogluiul. a letter-box has been erected in the centre of the township. LEESTON. The annual church parade in connection with the Loval Leeston Lodge No. 6380, M.U., 1.0.0. F.. was held on Sunday morning in the Leeston Presbyterian Church. The Rev Dr Irwin. M.A.. conducted the service nnd gave a stirring address to a crowded church. He dwelt on the virtues of friendship and brotherhood. Appropriate hymns were sung for the occasion and the Ellesmere Pipe and Brass Bands headed the procession to and from the church. BOR NRY-ISLi NGTON. A tea and social in connection with St David’s Presbyterian Church, Hornby, to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the opening of the new church, was held in the Orange Hall recently. The hall was tastefully decorated by an energetic band of ladies with streamers and evergreens. After tea was served there followed an excellent musi-

cal programme organised by Mrs Holmes, of Iliccarton. Among the items were instrumental music by Misses C. Carter, J. Carter. E. Carter and D. Talbot: vocal solos were contri buted by Mrs J. M’l »ren. Misses .T. O. King, M. Fisher and .7. Ewart, Messrs Richards and Woodward ; quartettes by Messrs Quaino (2), Turner and Barnes; recitations by Miss M. Edmonds; character sketches by Messrs Hall anti Merrett. Towards the close of the programme, the chairman, Mr J. Coburn, Presbyterian missionary for the district, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the performers and to the loyal band of ladies and gentlemen who bad given their time arid talent to ensure the success of the function. The motion was carried with acclamation. The singing of the National Anthem brought an enjoyable evening to a close. There was a large attendance at a progressive euchre party'held in St Columbus’s Parish Schoolrom. Hornby, on Tuesday evening last. Prizes were awarded as follow:—Ha dies’ first prize, Miss R. Freeman; ladies’ consolation prize. Mrs D. Eennox : men's first prize, Mr Devenport ; men’s consolation prize. Mr H. Davis. At the close of the evening the ladies provided sup|x*r. TEMUKA. The cricket season will be opened on Saturday, when Temuka juniors hope to meet Celtic at Temuka. in the Tiniaru Boxing Association’s amateur turney several Tennika men competed. in the fly-weight final 1. Hill, Tiniaru (7st olb) beat .J. Moulton, Temuka (7st 71b); in the featherweight final. J- de Joiix. 1 iniarn (Bst 81b) heat H. Wallace, Temuka (9s). The light-weight contest l>etween A. Wallace, Temuka (8»t 81b) anti J). Stewart. Temuka (9st 91h), ended in victory for Wallace. A close holiday was observed in the town yesterday, the occasion being the Timarii show. Large numbers of people from town and country lelL by train and motor in the morning, the weather being fine, but cold winds prevailing. A progressive pairs tournament was played on the bowling green yesterday bv the local club. 1 he following were the handicap pairs: .Section A Fisher and F. Smith 6. Jo.vnt and I Keys 3, Gourley and Lawrv Sydow and Watson 7. Thomson and Hunt 1 : Section B—Sinclair and White », Ab- « bott and Carpenter 3. J. Cooper ami ( Shield 6, Foote and Scrimshaw . . M’Millan and Collins •'’>; Section C E Tt- Coouer, jun., and Fraser fi. Pierce and’ M'Leod G. Dr Hogg and M’Callum 4. B. Leveris and H. Berry 7. H. Wilson and D. M’Lines f>: Section 1> Jameson and Harvey 4, Hop*

and -Worboys o, Hughes and Kdwards 4, Kerens and Anderson 3, Brown ami Dr M’lnnes 7Mr J. Beri is lying dangerously ill in a Timaru hospital. His condition is causing his relatives and friends grave anxiety. HAN MELI SPRINGS. 1 The Golf Club opened the season on Labour Day under pleasant weather ' conditions. The day was devoted to J competitions which were open to all ; players, and a good number took part j in them. In the morning a thirteen hole stroke handicap was played which was won by Mrs Kredericksen. with Dr F. A’Court second. The results of the afternoon's play ! were as follow: Cadies’ driving competition: Airs Cyril Stringer 1. Airs Wins trine 2; men’s driving competition: Dr- A'Court 1. T. Wood 2: approaching and putting: Master Erie Carter 1. Master W Bedelph 2: putting competition: Master Eric Carter 1. H. Winston© 2. The winner of the two latter competitions is u schoolboy who shows a keenness and aptitude for golf, and lie won by good play. Recently the club decided to encourage school boys and girls to take up the game, admitting them to membership at a nominal subscription, and a number have commenced to play. In the evening a dance was held in i aid of the club’s pavilion building fund. A large number attended and art enjoyable evening was spent. A 1 visit* for the dancing was played by Al*' G. G. Webb. Airs D. Willis. ATiss Marjorie j Farrow, and Alessrs Fdnev. Dawson and T,nughlin. During the evening, by request. Airs: Stringer and Air Johnston, two visitors at the Dodge, danced a b>x trot, which much appreci-ASI-IBURTON-. The travelling facilities for farmers and others who attend the Addington stock sales have been often adversely criticised. In an effort to secure a more convenient service, the following letter has been forwarded to the District Traffic Alanager, Christchurch, by the chairman of the Ashburton County ; Railway Committee (Mr W. T. Lilli : - j “ This committee thinks that the time is opportune to draw attention again to the requirements of the travelling public from Ashburton to Christchurch on Wednesdays, and would suggest a passenger train on that day, leaving Ashburton perhaps somewhat later, but arriving in Christchurch earlier, the return time of starting being also delayed. If the fast service were granted it would mean, in our opinion, increased passenger traffic, and would vindoubtedly give much more satisfaction to the travelling public, Ashburton farmers, and business men, because, as you are aware, it is the busy time in the town, and under present arrangements the trip is long and tedious. The committee would be delighted if you could arrange this matter—that is. to give longer time for markets and business and less time for travelling.’’ AYAIAU. For the past three days AVaiau has been experiencing an “old man” nor'wester, which at times has blown with almost hurricane force. Owing to the amount of silt left in the riverbeds by the May floods the atmosphere has been thickly impregnated with dust, which has proved most unpleasant for pedestrians and a source of annoyance to housewives. Heavy rain has evidently fallen in the ranges, and this ha» had the effect of melting the heavy coating of snow left by last week's cold snap. The AVaiau River is considerably above norrrfl. The heavy rains of last wetlt were hadlv needed in this district and have had a very beneficial effect on pastures and crops, which are now growing vigorously: but a continuation of the nor’westers will have a detrimental effect. The Mason River was in flood after the heavy rains, and is still carrying a considerable body of water, with the result that a number of wells which had given out are again furnishing a considerable supply.