COUNTRY NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19035, 2 April 1930, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

ITEMS FROM VARIOUS DISTRICTS. (Special to the “ Star.’’) WOODEND. Members of the Woodend Rugby Football' Club held their annual meeting on Monday evening. Mr A. Ward (retiring president) was chairman. The report showed a small credit balance. The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr R. Macdonald; president, Mr Barnes; club captain, Mr Rex Cutler; custodian, Mr T. Jordan; secretary’, Mr G. Gibling; delegates to sub-union, Messrs E. Little and D. Nixon; club committee, Messrs C. Robb, J. Keeper, jun, R. Borland, jun, D. Nixon, E. Little and T. Jordan. The selection of coaches was left to the incoming committee. The opening day’ was fixed for April 12, and a working bee, to prepare the ground, for Saturday, April 5. Harvest thanksgiving celebrations were held at the beginning of this week by the Woodend Anglican and Aletho dist Churches. At each church there were attractive decorations, and, considering the recent drought, a good display of vegetables and cereals, though fruit was scarce. The seating accommodation at St Barnabas's on Sunday’ evening was inadequate for the Anglican thanksgiving service. The preacher was the Rev E. Chard (vicar of Tuahiwi). The harvest produce will be disposed of among Anglican benevolent institutions. At the Methodist Church large congregations attended the services, the preacher in the morning being Mr A. J. Kennett, of Kaiapoi, and in the evening the Rev J. R. Nelson. Solos were rendered at the morning service by Mr G. Rands, of Rangiora, and in the evening by Miss Peacock, of Christchurch. A successful harvest social, sale and supper took place in the schoolroom on Monday evening, the proceeds, as also those of the Sunday services, being devoted to circuit funds. The sale was conducted by Mr A. Smith. Part songs by several members of the Woodend Harmonic Society, under the baton of Air W. Nelson, with Mrs D. Shea at the piano, wore well received by a good audience. Through losing his balance while building a straw stack on his farm premises on Monday morning, Mr J. Gibbs Stanton had the misfortune to fall backwards, a distance of about six feet, his left shoulder striking the ground with some violence. Bey’ond the wrench and shock, accompanied by a severe bruising of the chest, neck and shoulders, Mr Gibbs-Stanton’s injuries are not serious

OXFORD. The secretary of the Oxford A. and P. Association has" received the following telegram from Sir Joseph Ward: “Will you kindly convey my sincere thanks to the president and executive of the Oxford A. and P. Association for their kind invitation to the Association’s Silver Jubilee Show to be held on April 3? I regret exceedingly my inability to be present. May I heartily congratulate the association on the attainment of its jubilee and express the hope that the show will be a record success in every* way.” LITTLE RIVER. The organising secretary’ of the Can terbury Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society’, the Rev A. W. Stuart, visited Little River on Sunday, preaching at the Presby’terian service at 11 a.m. and at the’ Church of England service at 7 p.m. The officers of the branch have been appointed as follows:—President, Mrs J. F. Buchanan; secretary, Mrs W. Aitken; treasurer, Mr H. L. Lewthwaite. SPRINGSTON SOUTH. The final meeting in connection with the Springston and Springston South Flower Show was held in the Springston South School on Thursday evening. In the absence of the president (the Rev A. H. M’C. Acheson), Mrs W. Kimber presided over a fair attendance. Although the display at the recent show had been equal to previous years, the proceeds were not as good. This money is annually divided between the Springston South School and the Springston Church of England. The harvest thanksgiving service in connection with the Methodist Church was held in the Springston South ITall on Sunday. The building was decorated with flowers, fruit, vegetables and grain. The Rev A. H. Fowles preached an appropriate sermon to a large congregation. A social and sale of produce from the harvest festival was held on Monday* evening. Musical items were contributed by Miss Hazel Greaves and Air E. J. Harris. Mrs Fletcher was accompanist. Air E. J. Harris acted as auctioneer for the sale. Bidding was brisk, and good prices were realised. Supper was provided by the ladies. PREBBLETON. A pleasant function took place on Friday evening in the Prebbleton Hall, when the scholars of the Public School, together with a large number of parents and others interested, assembled to bid farewell to Miss Al. Hughes, who has resigned her position as infant mistress. Musical items and drill display's by’ the children were enjoyed. In addition songs were contributed by Miss Als Jones. Aliss Gladys Isitt and Mr J. Hartnell, while elocutionary items were given by Aliss Walters and Betty Prendergast. The accompanists were Mrs H. B. Jones, Airs J. Hartnell and Miss E. Bennett. During an interval a presentation was made to Aliss Hughes by the Basketball Club, which owes much of its success to the keen interest displayed by Miss Hughes.in coaching the members for their matches. Miss Alarjorie Poulter, on behalf of the club, presented Miss Hughes with a fountain pen, and thanked her for her interest and assistance. Aliss Poppy Ham mond also asked Aliss Hughes to accept a travelling rug from the pupils of the school. Doris Walker, one of the smaller pupils, presented the guest of honour with a bouquet of beautiful roses. Others who spoke in complimentary terms of Miss Hughes as a teacher and a friend of the children were Mr C. W. Kibblewhite (head master), Air G. L. Millar (chairman), and Mr A. Gallagher. Air Millar also thanked all who had assisted in the success of the evening, particularlv Mr Reg. Woods and the members of his band, who gave their services as musicians for the dancing gratis. A sriccessful dance under the auspices of the Gymnasium Club was held in the Public Hall on Saturday evening when the hall was crowded. The music was supplied by’ Mr Reg Woods's band and extras were played by Mr R. Longstaffe. Competition dances and novelty numbers aroused much interest. Airs J. AFJntosh, Alessrs A. Hay’s and W. Hall were judges. The winners of the waltzing competition were Mr and Airs J. Hartnell, and of the foxtrot competition Miss E. Gallagher and Mr Burt. A Alonte Carlo dance was won by Aliss E. Bennett and Mr C. Ilobson. Air C. Woodward was M.C. Two tennis matches were played on Saturday afternoon by members of the local club. The first team visiting Yaldhurst won their match by 7 sets to 6. and the second team, on St Alar\’’s courts, ’were defeated by 13 sets to 3. In

both matches some of the games were not played owing to the failing light. Since the commencement of its work this y’ear the Alusic Society is forging ahead. There are several new members and the season should prove a success. SPRINGSTON. The continued spell of dry weather is having a very bad effect on the i prospect of winter feed. A few weeks ago everything seemed promising for a plentiful supply. The grass, rape and turnips all promised well, but during the past few weeks things have altered very* much. The grass has all dried off, except on the swampy land, while the blight has completely’ ruined the rape and turnip crops. Farmers are .unable to get in grass and oats for green feed. The land is too hard for ploughing, and even when ploughed there would.be no moisture 'for striking seeds. The dry weather, however, where ploughing or skimming can be done, gives a good opportunity of killing weeds. The crops in the district have been rather disappointing as regards y’ields, these being very much less than the crops promised. A late frost may have done damage to the wheat. The dry weather is also having a bad effect on the roads, which are getting very’ loose and more like riverbeds than roads. Pictures of “Forgotten People” were shown in the Springston Hall on Friday morning to the school children. Several adults were also present. On Sunday evening, between Springston and Lincoln, a motor-car travelling towards Springston, and one travelling to Christchurch, met head on. An elderly lady in one of the cars w r as thrown out, and received some cuts and a severe shaking. The other occupants were not injured. Both cars were badly smashed. KAIAPOI. A meeting of householders in conjunction with the School Committee was held in the school on Alonday evening. The Rev G. W. Hercus, chairman of the committee, presided. The object of the meeting was to discuss ways and means of raising £ll6, the committee’s share towards the cost of erecting and furnishing the dental clinic, which is to be built in conjunction with the new school. It was decided to hold a queen carnival, the queens to be chosen from the school children, one to represent the north side and one the south side of the river. Those present formed themselves into a general committee and a subcommittee comprising the Revs G. W. Hercus and C. L. Sparrow, Airs H. Rinaldi and Messrs E. R. Warren and W. C. Tourell were appointed to cjiifer with the school staff regarding the selection of queen candidates, and to report to the general committee in a fortnight’s time. SOUTHBRIDGE. On Sunday the annpal harvest fes rival services at St John's Presbyterian Church, Southbridge, were conducted by the Rev W. G. Hannah and Air R. Watson. The church was tastefully decorated and there was a good display of fruit, flowers and vegetables. /Solos were rendered by Airs W. Rowan, Mrs W. Eggleton and items were given by* the choir, under the leadership of Air Couch. In the afternoon harvest services were held at Taumutu, when solos were given by Mrs Parata, Aliss Parkin, and Mr Learmont. The Rev W. G. Hannah took the services at Taumutu. Airs Scott presided at the organ at the Southbridge services.

The second of a series of socials in aid of the District High School was held on Saturday’. Cards were played in the technical room and dancing was enjoyed in St James Hall. Late sown crops of grain are now being threshed and are proving up to expectations. A crop of wheat on the Homebrook Estate yielded fifty-seven bushels to the acre, and a crop of oats thirty-seven bushels. There are c till many late crops of wheat not threshed. On a Little Rakaia farm a fifty-acre paddock of peas will be threshed shortly. Whooping cough, which was prevalent a month or so ago, is again affecting children. In some cases whole families are down, but it is in a mild form. Dr and Airs Hunt and family*, who have been spending a holiday in North Canterbury’, returned home this week. Air George Hannaford, of Lakeside, who recently underwent an operation at Lewisham Hbspital, is progressing as well as can be expected. Airs Lewton, Southbridge, who has been a patient in St George’s Hospital, has returned home. Airs Hutchison, Southbridge, who has been a patient in Christchurch Hospital, is improving. LOBURN. The Loburn Tennis Club was responsible for an enjoyable dance in the Coronation Hall on Saturday evening. Numbers of tennis players and their friends from other clubs were present. The hall was prettily decorated with streamers, Chinese lantern? and greenery. This was the first social function since the electric light was installed. Alusic was supplied by Air CHnnnibell’s band and by Alisses Iris Pulley and Nellie Fitzgibbon, who played extras. The Loburn branch of the Plunket Society’ will hold its annual meeting this afternoon.