THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16856, 9 June 1920, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Joinings for Farmers. The Ashley County Council lias decided Jo add Is to the fee for the registration of dogs on and after July ist next. Tho inconvenience and loss suffered by wheat-growers owing to the shortago of railway trucks, was referred to bv Mr A. Hor'sev. President of the Ashburton A. and P. Association, at its meeting on Saturday. Mr Horsey said that one farmer cartcd his wheat to tho railway oil receipt of advics that trucks wero available to his order. On arrival tho trucks were not to hand, and tho farmer had to, engage a traction onp:ine to transport the grain to the nearest store. The matter had been referred to the Hon. Tv. Noswortliy, Minister of Agriculture, -who had replied that ho was making efforts to arrange railway facilities for grain transportation, and also to make Asflburton a ccntre for tracks. The Minister also stated that the Government was pushing on the construction of additional rclling-stock._ At a meeting' held after the monthly stock sale at Ulcnavy, on Monday, it was unanimously resolved that it was urgently desirable to establish a local farmers' co-operativo freezing works. A company was formed, with tho following provisional directors: —Messrs Mi jTCorrigan (chairman), F. T. Forbes, MaeDonald, J. MacFarlane, D. Williams, John Coonov, Maurice Leonard, John J. Ryan, and Jas. Scott. Mr J. Tancov was appointed secretary, pro tern", and Mr Forbes treasurer. Mr H. Labatt, organising secretary of the South Canterbury Farmers' Co-opera-tive Freezing Company, which intend •to crect works at' Washdyke, Timaru, addressed the provisional directors, urging them to join forces and erect two works, one in each part of South Canterbury. The meeting, however, took tho view that it would be bettor ' to go ahead independently, and erect works, and amalgamate afterwards if it was thought wise. KANG-lOEA. A very pleasant evening was spent in the Catholic schoolroom, Rangiora, last week, when Mr, and Mrs S. T. Ryan, and Mr 11. Ryan, jvlio have since left the district, were entertained by the Catholic residents at a social evening. The Rev. Father Fogarty, on behalf of those present, presented the guests of the evening with suitable gifts, in appreciation of the valuable work done by them during their sojourn here.. Mr Ryan suitably responded. Mrs Ryan was also tho recipient of a gift from tho choir, of which she was a member. Last Saturday afternoon a crosscountry race, arranged between the members of tho John Knox and" St. John's Scout troops, by Mr L. Hill, was run over a course of about three miles. The winner .was H. Matherson (John Knox), P. Roberts (St. John's) being second, and K. Mackav (John Knox) third. At tho conclusion of the race all tlie competitors wero entertained by Mr Hill. Scoutmaster Fendall, on behalf of both troops, thanked Mr Hill for his efforts on behalf of the "boys. The monthly meeting of the Rangior.i Bowling, Tennis, and Crcquot Club was held on Monday night. The Hon. D. Buddo presided. Fourteen resignations were received; and one new member was elected. Jt was decided to hold tho card socials as usual during the winter months, and Messrs Ambrose, Sinclair, rind Webber were appointed a provi-1 sional subcommittee to carry out the arrangements for the first social. Messrs I li. Boyd and M. Smith were appointed a grounds ...committee. Feeling reference was made by the secretary, Mr C. I. Jennings, to the death.,of Mr J. Golding, an old resident of the town. A motion of sympathy was passed to Mrs Golding and family. Mr G. Geddes was appointed caretaker. HORNBY-ISLINGTON. The Paparua Bowling Club held a social in the Islington Hall. The first part of the evening was spent in progressive euchre, tho prizes being won by Miss May Shelton and Mr Drayton. The consolation prizes went to Miss Freeman and Master R. McGrath. After supper dancing was indulged in, Mr N. McGuinniss acting as M.C.. and the music being supplied by Messrs Avery (cornet) and Jolianson (piano). Miss Clements played an extra. At intervals in the dancing the following items were contributed by Misses Creqnei, G. Brackenbridge, 0. Grady, and Mr Gardiner. With tha object of clearing off the debt on-their li~all 3 the members of the L.0.L., Hornby, are holding a bazaar. Quite a large, amount of produce, etc., lias been promised, as well as a fair amount of financial assistance. The annual winter concert of bt. David's Presbyterian Church takes place next week. The C'hristchurrh Farmers' Co-op. concert party will supply the programme. WEEDONS. 'Jliere was a fair attendance at the opening social of the Wesley Guild. The Rev. J. Harris presided. were contributed by Misses "Wa.ker (-), 3>. Curragh, Chambers (3), C. HarVey, and A. Hampton. Sereral competitions were indulged in- Supper was. provided by the ladies. DARFIEm At a meeting of th© Darneid-Kim-berley Plunket Society four new members were added to the committee—-->les-dames Syme. and Stott (Knnberlev) and Mesdames E. Ridgen and T. Gougtt (Greendale). For the year ending March 31st, 219 adults. 162 children, and 22 babies have visited the rooms m the Darfield Memorial .Hail on nurse* day, tho first Friday in the mon h. There has been an increase in membership, and the branch has had a mos successful year. SPBING3TON. On Fridav evening the opening social of the Wesley Guild was held m the Sunday school room* the Rev. J. Hams

presiding over a fair attendance. Tha following contributed items: —Misses L. Chamberlain, I. Everest, Marv Kime, Muriel 31 ounce, Ina Mounce, ilessrs J. W. Marshall and "\Y. Kime. Miss Chamberlain played the accompaniments. At the conclusion of the programme a competition was held, -.uss Xr. Chamberlain beinjj the winner. On Saturday evening . the Springs Patriotic Committee met in the hall, when plans for the proposed soldiers' memorial were submitted. It was agreed to erect a memorial of grey granite, and to canvass the district for funds. It- vras dc-cidod to tender a farewell social to Messrs P. Orump, .7. T. Blakemore, and H. "W. Kime, who are leaving tho district. Foreign Mission Sunday was lield in the Springston Church on Sunday. Tiie congregation, owing to the inclemency of tho weather, was not good. The preacher for the day was Mr G. Slient, who preached two very forcible sermons in tjie interests of foreign missions. SOUTH MALVERN. I/ast week twenty-five residents of Glentunne] devoted an afternoon to work on the future Town Hall. As a result, the foundation of a hall, 100 ft by 30ft. was laid. The Ladies' Committee arc holding a scries o,f fortnightly dances in connexion witli tho building fund of the hall. At the last meeting of tho Glentunnel School Committee, there were present:—Mr H. Ledgard (chairman), Pearson and McLauglilan, and Messrs Pearson aiul Todd (secretary 1 ). It was decided that for tho winter months the school should he opened at 9.80 a.m., instead of 9.13 a m., ond that during the cold weatber the ehiMrrn should again bo supplied with lint cocoa. On Sninrtlcy one of -the most immrtnnfc mat-lies in the Malvern S"bcomnctition was held in £he T.ontunnel Drvmain, and attracted a Inrrre crnwd of spectators. The teams mmoeting were Springfield and Black Diamonds. An exciting and keenly untested game resulted in the Glent'liinel tor.m winning by 15 points to 3. • For the winners tries were obtained bv - T. S'mnson, Vv. Smith. #?. Marsh, M. TTarwood,_ and G. D. Marsh. For Springfield 11. Gcddis kicked a penalty goal. interest in Dr. Tmbv King's forthcoming lecture at Da ""field is shown bv the fact that from Glentunnel over thirty scats in the motor conveyances have been booked. MO'TtTKARABA. One of tho jollicst dances that liave ever taken nlace in the district was held in tho .Motukarara Hall on Thursday night. The function, which' took the form of a hnrd-up social, was promoted by tho Waihora Football Club, and nrov<?d a great success. Nearly everybody was dressed to suit the_ occasion. Instead of the usual dainties, oto., for supper, hot saveloys find potatoes "were served, followed by biscuits and choesc. After simper a mock court wns held. Mr Parkinson acted judge. Burly policemen soon made sovernl arrets, and fines were inflicted Mr Whi+ford performed several conjuring tricks, while Miss Jones gave a vncnl item. Tho dnficc music was supplied by Mr TV. Newtnn, extras being nlayod by Miss Gebbie and Messrs M ■Ronsham and P. Columbus.. Mr C. Miller acted as M.C. EAKAIA. A convenience which will be appreciated by the travelling public is the provision on the Raikaia railway platform of a box for telegrams, which is to be cleared after the departure of trains. ■ Now that the war period is past..tho Rakaia people are looking forward to tho time when tho Railwaj Department will carry out its intention j to erect a new and more up-to-date railway station, and at tho same time rearrange the fetation yard. The lighting system on the platform and at the main crossing is quite inadequate, and j may yet lead to a serious accident. The matter of a new school for Rakaia was advanced a fuither stage last week, when a special meeting of ratepayers was held in tho Road Board office to consider tho closing of part of a road to provide an improved site. Ten ratepayers were present, and Mr A J. Magson presided. .After the statutofy notice calling the meeting had been road, a resolution was-passed unanimously in favour of closing the section of road. The new building proposed is a four-roomed structure, with accommodation for two hundred children. A vcry_ "up-to-date central heating apparatus is to be installed. The building is bo designed as to provide for extension to seven rooms. The Town Hall was well filled when tho many friends of Mr and Mrs D. O'Rielly met to say farewell to tliem prior to their departure from the district. Mr O'Rielly has taken over a farm at Fairlie. For many 'years back he has been a most successful potato grower at the Village Settlement. Rakaia. Both he and Mrs OTtielly have been life-long residents of the district. The presentation of an extension table, a framed enlargement of the Convent School, and a substantial cheque, were made bv Mr W. Laraman. He stated that Mr O'Rielly and he had been schoolboys together, and their fucst had ahvavs "played the game." Ho took his share of whatever was on foot, whether plav or work. Mr Laraman expressed the pleasure of the Rakaia people that their guest ha-1 been so successful in life, but he Imew the parting would be felt very keenly. On rising to speak Mr O'Reilly xvr** greeted with resounding clicors. He thanked his friends for their goodness towards him c elf and his wife, and state"! that if over he gave un liis venturo at Fairlio then he would again make Ralrnia his home. The rest of the evening was spent in dancing, tho music for which was provided by Jones's band. Mr A. Oliver acted as M.C. "AuW Lang Syne" and cheers brought n memorable gathering to a close about 2 a.m. Truly, virtue is its own reward verr often. At a recent lnrce social gathering at Ilnkaia the M.C. earned great praise bv bis "rerv efficient manacremer't of the fathering. At liomet : me he found that someone had rewarded his efforts by walking off with his overcoat EOWAI BUSH, A euchre club has been formed, which will meet everv Tuesday evening for | progressive euchrs. An occasional dance will be held to raise funds for the club. One very successful party ! has been held. The elder children of tho school v,-iP liave good reason to remember the month of Mn-v, with the never-to-be-forgotten to the city to see the Prince, and again to see the Renown. ASE3TJBTON. General Birdwood is expected ,to arrive at Ash burton by the first- express to-morrow morning. He will bo accorded a civic reception, und then proceed to the Soldiers' Club, where he will be entertained at morning l tea. Afterwards he will bo entertained by the citizens at luncheon. At a largely-attended special general meeting of the Ashburton Athletic . Club, Mr John Grigg presiding, the question of the appointment of an instructor in boxing and physical culture was fully gone into, and the Executive Committee was given full powers to engage the services of Mr TV. Cadman for one year, the club guaranteeing him a salary of £8 per week for the twelve months. It was stated that the membership was 219. j WATMATE. Mr C. E. Bremner, who resigned the position of engineer to tho Waimate County Council after twenty years' service, to take un a similar anpoint-ment with the Geraldine Count l " Council, began his new duties on Monday. Mr and Mrs Bremner roceived presentations from the -AngHwrn Church of a so£

of books and a cushion, respectively. Mr Bremner was also presented with a travelling rug and thermos flaslr by the County staff.