RANGIORA NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19036, 3 April 1930, Page 5

RANGIORA NEWS.

FRUITGROWERS HOLD THEIR ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the RangioraLoburn Fruitgrowers’ Association -was held at Loburn on Tuesday night, Mr J. W. Macleod presiding. The report stated that the meetings of the association had been well attended, and the membership was now forty. The year had been one of enthusiasm and progress in all matters of interest to growers. The past season’s crop was a good one, and on the whole realised fair prices, local growers exporting a portion of their crops. In export matters, especially, great assistance had l>een rendered by Mr L. Pa} r nter, the Government instructor, and his staff. Mis departure from Canterbury was regretted, but good wishes went with him on his promotion to Auckland. His successor, Mr B. Goodwin, was giving good attention to the district. The association’s meetings had often been attended by Mr Cone, who had given useful information in regard to the work of the federation and also the Control Board. Much correspondence had taken place with the Department in regard to the prevention of fireblight, and eventually a committee was elected and gazetted, and was now in a position to act promptly should an outbreak of fireblight occur. Mr E. W. Gimblett had been appointed by the association to act in conjunction with Christchurch growers in a deputation to the Minister of Customs regarding the duty on imported fruit. It had been considered that Canterbury should be represented on the New Zealand Fruit Control Board, and Mr M'acleod was nominated, but failed to secure election owing to the fact that Canterbury joined with Nelson. During the year Mr Goodwin, Assistant Director of the Horticultural Division, and brother of the local orchard instructor, paid a visit and gave an interesting address, which was much appreciated. Efforts to obtain better telephonic communication with the Rangiora railway station had not yet been satisfactorily finalised. The spring this season showed promise of a bountiful harvest for Canterbury fruitgrowers, but the frost which occurred on October 29 —the heaviest for forty years—completely destroyed the stone and pip fruit crops, with the exception of a little stone fruit at Heathcote Valley. This was a severe loss to the whole community. The Government was approached for relief, and promised it as a result of the sympathetic hearing given by the Hon G. W. Forbes to a deputation. The finances of the association had improved owing to the increased subscription. Crops »n Nelson and the North Island were heavy this year, but the exporting of some 1,400,000 cases would relieve the New Zealand market. Although the local growers received a serious setback as a result of the frost, they were not down-hearted, and hoped for a better season next year. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the president congratulated the association on its activities, and the secretar} r on his full report. Mr G. Wilkinson took the chair for the election of officers, which resulted as follows: —President, Mr J. \V. Macleod; vice-presidents, Messrs E.W. Gimblett and S. G. Brister; secretary, Mr E. K. Banfield; committee, Messrs F. Hill, C. S. Hasell, A. V. Kerr and A. J. Kirk; auditor, Mr W. A. Rowse; delegate to Dominion conference, Mr Macleod ; delegates to provincial conference, Messrs Macleod and Banfield. MAGISTRATE’S COURT. Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., presided at a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Rangiora yesterday. Judgment for plaintiffs by default was given in the following cases:—New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., v. Albert Green, £8 lOd and costs, £1 14s 6d: same v. Albert 'John Taylor, 4s 9d and costs, 13s; same v. W. R. Sykes. £4 14s lOd and costs, £1 3s 6d; Palmer and Doak, Ltd., v. G. Pearson. £3 5s 4d and costs, £1 10s 6d. SOCIAL AFTERNOON. Yesterday afternoon the members of the Women’s Guild connected with the John Knox Church held a social gathering in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Amongst the guests were several whose age prevented them from taking an active part in the church organisations, and some who had at one time or another been connected with the congregation, but had removed to other parts. Other churches were also represented. The gathering being regarded as a reunion of the elderly ladies of the congregation, to give it an old-time tone several present were dressed in the fashions of the early days, and the contrast of their dresses with those of the present day caused a good deal of amusement’. Mrs Hutchison, president of the guild, welcomed the visitors, and the Rev W. R. Hutchison also spoke. In the course of an entertaining programme, Mr C. I. Jennings and Mr W. A. Banks recounted some amusing incidents of the eaily days. An enjoyable afternoon was spent. DRUIDS’ LODGE The fortnightly meeting of the Druids’ Lodge was held on Monday evening. Brother L. Cartyon, A.D., presided. A motion of sympathy was passed to Brother R. Wright in th2 death of his wife, members standing in silence. It was mentioned that Brother R. Wright -would this year complete fiftv vears’ membership. It wa3 ?n June, 1880. that the Druids’ Lodge was established in Rangiora, and the q.ue* tion of celebrating the jubilee was brought up. It was decided to circularise the members and finalise arrangements next lodge night. Correspondence was received from the Cancer Campaign Society appealing for assistance to its funds. Sick pay f-1 13 amount of £7 10s was passed for payment. “ KING ” CONTEST. There was a large attendance at the Rangiora Town Hall last night .for the final function in connection with the Returned Soldiers’ King Carnival Bazaar. A concert programme was given by members of the . Christchurch R.S.A., consisting of songs and a variety of humorous items. The performers were: Messrs F. Hale, F. Moran, R. Lamb, E. Pegler. B. Absalom, D. M’Gill, J. Laurenson and L. Campbell. Mrs C. E. Bell played the accompaniments. Selections were also given by an orchestra conducted by Mr Gibbs Jordan. At an interval the investiture of the “King” of Rangiora, Mr C. I. Jennings, took place. Mr J. W. Macleod, president of the association, after making reference to the success of the bazaar, stated that the money raised was to be invested, the interest to be used to give relief to returned soldiers in distress. lie presented a gold R.S.A. badge and a pair of field-glasses to Mr Jennings, and silver badges and gold fountain pens to Dr T. A. Will and Mr R. M lntosh, the other candidates in the “King” contest. The badges carried with them honorary life membership of the association. The recipients, who were accorded musical honours, returned thanks to their supporters. A vote of thanks was accorded the J performers.