THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16158, 12 March 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. | RANGIORA. A progressive croquet tournament was held on Saturday afternoon by the Rangiora Ciub lor prizes presented ov Mr AY. Eftord. The winners were Mrs Gibbs-Jordan and Mr A. Shaiikland. Afternoon -tea was dispens?d by the ladies. The harvest festival services at St. John's Anglican Church, Rangiora. were held on Sunday. The church was iik-clv decorated with flowers and fruits, wl'iic-li are to go to the Maori Girls' College, Ohoka, and St. Saviour's liome, Christchurch. The vicar (the Rev. J-\ J'. Eendall) preached at the morning service, and the* Rev. G. \Y. Harding, of Tuahiwi, at the evening service. Special anthems were given by the choir. The annual meeting of the RangioraWaikuku Beach Domain Board held 011 Saturday. Present: Messrs F. Horrell (chairman), C. E. Skevington, J. S. Morriss. 31. H. Stokes, fe Gritfiths, and C. I. Jennings. The "Gazette" notification of Mr M. H. Stokes's appointment as a member tf the Board, in place of 3lr N. B. Archer (resigned), was received from the Department of Lands and Survey. Tho report stated that a largo number of trees, and a quantity ef niarran; grass had been planted in the Domain at Waikuku Beach, and additional conveniences provided for cutnpers and picnic parties. The balancesheet showed the receipts to have be<m £70 12s Id, including £57 10s rent of reserve: and the expenditure £37 Ills Bd, leaving a credit balanco of £33 Is 4d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of the chairman. It was decidcd to grant Mr W. Stalker £5 towards the cost of an embankment protecting the reserve from river overflow. On tho recommendation of the Under-Secretary of Lands it was agreed to terminate Mr A. It. Fear's lease of the reserve, and grant him a renewal for seven years in consideration of his carrying out certain permanent improvements. The matter of appointing a caretaker for the Domain was left in the hands of the chairman and Mr Skevington. It was resolved to make a charge of iOs per year to campers erecting permanent shelters in tho Domain. Mr F. Horrell was re-elected chairman, and was accorded a vote of thanks for his past services.

ASHBTJRTO.N. T.'ie monthly meeting of the Coldstream Road Board was lield on Thursday last, when the chairman (Mr W. H." Stevens) presided. Mr J. B. Cone wrote resigning his position as surfaceman. The Longbeach Board wrote stating that it did not deem it neccssarv to take any action for bridging the" creek on the Trigpole road. —Received. It was decided to inform Mr W. Proctor that Beach road would receive attention as soon as a surfaceman could bo procured. Ashburto'i County Council wrote giving information as to the best gums Tor planting Fifteen feet of piping was granted Mr T. Evans for an entrance to his property. The clerk reported that rates amounting to £555 18s Cd had been collected, and he was authorised to sue for all overdue, with 10 per cent, penalty.

TEMUKA. At a meeting of returned soldiers, ] Mr W. Oldfield presiding, it was resolved to write to Wellington for particulars in regard to forming an Association in Temuka. Mr Street and Mr Booth waited on the meeting as a deputation from the Temuka Bicycle Club to ascertain it : the returned sddiers would join them in running tiie Easter sports. A committee was appointed to arrange details with die Bicycle Club. OXFORD. A meeting of those interested in the resuscitation of the Public Library was held in tho Coronation Hall on Wednesday night. There was a fa-r attendance, and Mr F. E. loot presided. After a general discussion aaa taken place the following officers were elected: Chairman, Mr Geo. Anderson • secretary, Mr F. E. Foot; librarian Mr W". Barnes;. committee,. Misses Dorn and Urquhart, the Revs. D. llankin and J. Lnng, and Messrs E. Jordan and F. Palley. The Domain Board lias promised a donation lor tho pnrehase of new books, and tito library will be re-opened as soon as iLe renovations that are being effected are 'completed. MARSHLAND. Owing to tho inclemency of tho weather, there was only a small attendance at tne last fortnigntly meeting oi the Marshland Ladies' bowing Guild. Tho president- (Mrs C. G. Daljrotv) announced that tne Mayoress ol Clu istchurch would pay a visit to tho Guild at its noxt meeting. - As the result of an application from the headmaster of tUo Marshland School to the Canterbury Centre of the St. John Ambulance Association, an ambulance kit depot has been established at the local post officc, in charge of Mrs E. Alexandre. ■ The Association did not consider it necessary to include a stretcher in the outfit, as the motor ambulanco was; within easy roach by telephone if required. A special meeting of tho Methodist Church Ladies' \Guild was held on Thursday aftcrtioon, when considerable business was transacted in connexion with tho forthcoming concert and salo of work in aid of the church trust funds. Various sub-committees were appointed, and a gift afternoon was arranged. Tho money raised is to bo used in painting the church, and making improvements to the building and grounds. Private F. Selfe, who . returned a. few days ago, is to be accorded, a public welcome home, along with Private M. Faults, who is expected to arrive here shortly. Onion crops are giving better yields than were expected a month ago, but blight has played havoc amongst the potatoes in this district, more so than lias been known for vorv many years. There are comparatively few sound tubers, a large proportion being absolutely useless, even as pig potatoes.

HORN'B Y-LSLIN GTON. The medal for the dux of tho school, which was presented by tho headmaster, Mr A. C. Bowbyos, has been awarded to Master Harry Shirley. Last week Mr Bowbyes presented tho modal after giving a short and appropriate address. Private Arthur Blakemore, who was one of a batch of six or oight young follows from the Islington Freezing "Works who enlisted some two years ago, and was invalided homo two months ago, has returned to tho district- after a sojourn at Rotorua. Private Blakemore had his ]eg broken by a rifle bullet on the Western front. The anniversary services in connexion with the Hornby Presbyterian Sunday-school were held in the church on Sunday. Mr Tcnnant, of Richmond, occupied the pulpit both morning and evening, and preached to large congregations. The pulpit and organ were prettily decorated with flowers. After the morning service the prizes wcro presented by Mr Tennattt. Miss Manhire presided at the organ, and suitable hymns for the occasion were sung hy the choir. Mr Sinclair, the newlv-appointed missionary took up his duties at tho beginning of tho month. Mr Charman, who has been stationed here during tho last two Years, having been transferred to the Sprcydon charge. LINCOLN. A very fino portrait of the late Caetaift John Gtaham, formerly star

tionmaster at Lincoln, who was killed at the front, was unveiled in tho Lincoln Masonic Hall last week by M.W. Bro. J. J- Dougall, Past Grand Master, in tho presence of a representative gathering of members' of the Craft. The portrait was presented to ( the lodge by tho late Captain Graham's widow.

SHEFFIELD. At a meeting of the Sheffield Patriotic Committee, held last week, it was resolved to liold an entertainment about the 22nd inst., in aid of the Y.M.C.A. War Fund. Owing to the many and urgent calls now being made for patriotic purposes, it was decided to hold an "Our Day" stock drive, to take placo by next Sheffield sale day. The following wero elected a sub-com-mitt-eo to canvass the district: Misses Jenkins and McMillan, Messrs Wright, Eraser, Black, and Jebson. It is hoped that as generous a response will be made on this occasion as in the past. Tho ladies of tho committee have undertaken to. provido luncheon and afternoon tea, which will also assist in. augmenting the funds. Notwithstanding tho busy timo through harvest, tho local bandage class have sent to the Central Rod Cross Depot the following goods:—22o majnitail bandages, 10 T bandage 3, 12 tea towels, 7 dozen handkerchiefs, 19 face cloths, 3 pairs pyjamas, 2 bed jackets, 2 vests, 10 shirts,' 1 pair underpants, 6 capelines, 6 pairs socks, 1 d rossing-gown, 8 jug covers, which" shows that their enthusiasm in this good work has not -waned. l AKAROA. Air T. Lewitt, being the only noinineo for the vacancy on tho Borough Council, caused by the retirement of Cr. H. W. Wilkins, has beon declared duly elected. Mr Lewitt has served several terms as a councillor. He was chairman of the Lighting Committee whon tho electric light scheme was initiated some six years ago.