COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17759, 1 February 1926, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

WOODBURY. On Friday a hot nor'-west wind blew over the parched countryside, but later in the afternoon the wind changed and rain set in. continuing till Saturday morning. The amount registered was ,140 in, which will freshen up the district. Rain has fallen on three days during the mpnfh, the total fall being 2.11 in. KAKAIA. After the long spell of dry weather rain commenced to fall at Rakaia about 10 p.m. on Friday. By midnight there was a steady downpour, which continued throughout the night. Rain fell at intervals throughout the forenoon on Saturday, but the weather cleared by midday. After the recent grass tires the rain has been welcome to the farmers. The rainfall recorded was .131 in. GERALDINE. At a well-attended meeting of members of the Sports Association and the Geraldine. Brass Band on Friday evening, the question of holding a queen carnival was discussed. It was decided to arrange for a triangular contest with three queen candidates, and to hold a gala day. The Library Committee is to be asked to participate. It. was arranged that, two delegates from each body should form the executive, with the Mayor. Mr J. Kennedy, as president and Mr Thomas as secreOn Friday evening the wind changed from north-west to south-west, and shortly after rain fell, continuing with one or two breaks for about twelve hours. The rainfall registered was about an inch and a quarter. The land, which had become parched, will benefit greatly. Some, wheat was in stook, and some hay was put, but farmers are hoping to have ample winter feed. STAVELEY. To forward work in connection with the hall bazaar, the Ladies’ Bazaar Committee held a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, when Mrs Andrews presided over an attendance of thirteen. It was decided to ask Mr W. Buchan to run his Punch and Judy show on the night of the bazaar. Mr G. E. Goldsmith is to be asked to open the bazaar. There has been a good response to the collection. A cooking demonstration was given by the Ashburton Electric Power Board in the Staveley Hall on Thursday night, when there was a fair attendance of residents. Miss'K. M’Elhinnev was the demonstrator, and Messrs A. Buckingham and D. Millar spoke of the advantage of modern electrical appliances. Air Buckingham explained that the delay in connecting up many of the local houses was due to the difficulty in getting transformers, a result of the recent shipping strike. He also stated that the board was going to instal automatic switch gear at all its sub-stations. This would so manage the sub-station that a temporary obstruction on the line would put the current off for only a few seconds. On Friday night a meeting of the Competitions Committee was held in the hall, when the book of words of over fifty events for the coming

competitions was drawn up. Mr Farquhar Voting wrote advising that he had accepted the position of judge for the musical and elocutionary items. Early on riday night a south-west rain began to fall, continuing till Saturday. The rain will go. a long way towards restoring vegetation. CUST. A meeting of the Hall Committee was held in the Men's Club card room on Thursday evening. Those present were:—Messrs G. K. Crysell (president), G. Wayland (secretary), S. Wood (treasurer), F. Early, C. Forbes, J. Mackenzie, R. Watkins and the Rev*A. 11. Acheson. A letter was received from the Cust Tennis Club regarding permission to play on Sunday. . The matter was left over for the incoming committee to deal with. A letter was received from Mr Yateman, proprietor of the picture show, stating that certain alterations were necessary lor the hall to comply with the Government regulations. It was decided to make the necessary alterations it’ at all possible. Messrs G. K. Crysell, G. V ayland, S. Wood and C. Forbes were appointed a subcommittee, to deal with the matter. It was decided that the doors <>f the library Vic locked from Saturdays to Mondays. OKAINS BAY. The returns of the Loyal Hand of Friendship Lodge, .M.U.1.0.0.F.. for 1925, show a very satisfactory position. The membership is now 49 males, 16 females. Sick pay amounted to £123 2s 6d and exceeded the sick fund contributions. which totalled £lO2 8s 7d, by £2O 13s lid. One funeral allowance of £3O and six maternity claims, £36, were paid. The total value of the funds is £1604 3s lid, all the available money being invested at from 6 to 7 per cent interest, which amounted to £l2O 7s Id. The registrar granted the lodge's request to appropriate £4O to manageLast week's gale raised an exceptionally heavy sea. which caused considerable damage to the wharf road. The huge waves breaking right out beyond the heads, presented a sight well worth seeing from the hills. The continued dry weather is causing dairy farmers some anxiety. 'I he herds are short of feed and the shortage is reflected in a diminished milk supply. The dry weather, however, has favoured those engaged in the cocksfoot harvest, several having already finished threshing. Mrs J. J- Moore and Miss D. Moore are spending a fortnight with Mr A. G. Moore. Nelson. Mr and Mrs Hislop and family are staying with Mrs Walter Harris. Mr and Mrs Reed have returned from a visit to relatives at Ashburton. KIRWEE. After a lengthy spell of dry, windy weather, a south-west rain began to fall soon after 1 p.m. on Friday and continued all night. By 9 am. on Saturday .92 inches had fallen. The weather " then cleared, and the afternoon was fine. The rain will do an incalculable amount of good to the rape and turnip crops, which were beginning to show the effects of the long spell of dry weather. It will also freshen up the pastures, and there will not be so much danger ol grass fires.