THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18232, 17 November 1924, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

. RANGIORA. After the opening of the Municipal Baths it was found that the last earthquake had caused a crack in the concrete bed and that the. bath was leaking badly, necessitating it being, emptied and closed for a week for repairs. This work has now been finished and the baths were opened again on Friday. On Saturday the very warm weather induced quite a large number of bathers to -risit the baths, and in the afternoon it was crowded, mostly with children, amongst whom the swimming bath has beeome increasingly popular. AKAROA. The Akaroa Presbyterian Church, a cEarge that includes a considerable portion of the Peninsula, comprising, as it does, Pigeon Bay, Duvauchellc, Kobinson's Bay, Wainui, as well as the town of Akaroa, appears at last to be within sight of having a settled pastor. For practically twelve months tho charge has been vacant, tho last minister having been the Eev. J. W. Hay ward, who resigned in November of last year to take up, a position at Sprcydon. Since then, efforts to fill the vacancy have, for a variety of reasons, been in vain, until this last week, when, at a congregational meeting on Wednesday evening, presided over by the Eev. N. L. D. Webster, the interim Moderator of the charge, it was unanimously decided to send a call to the Eev. F. J. Tylee, of Dipton, Southland, that gentleman, so it was understood, having signified his "willingness to accept, provided the call were unanimous. Messrs James Tettigrew, J. S. Dodds, and A. W. Orme, as elders of the church, were delegated a commission to act with the interim Moderator in prosecuting the call. Mr. Webster stated that, provided there were no unforeseen contingencies, Akaroa might reasonably expect to have a minister inducted in the Presbyterian Church before Christmas. St. Jeter's, the Anglican Church in Akaroa, celebrates the diamond jubilee of its consecration towards the end of this month. The vicar, the Eev. A. C. Purchiis, and his vestry have made some special arrangements for th'e notable occasion. The Mayor and borough councillors, the Masonic, and the Oddfellows' Lodges, and other organisations in the town have been invited to be present officially at the special evening service on Sunday, November 30th, when the preacher, it is understood, will be'one of the higher dignitaries of the diocese. The Akaroa Croquet Club has decided to .run monthly social gatherings during the playing season. The .first of these, held in the Anglican Parish Boom last Tuesday evening, was well attended. As usual, the time was devoted to progressive euchre and dancing. Trophies for the card playing were secured by Mrs C. E. Johnstone and Mr E. W. Hammon, Miss B. Jacobson and Mr F. C. Newton taking the consolation awards. Misses M. Jacobson and L. Vangioni acted as hostesses for the evening, the understanding being that two lady members of the club act in that capacity in turn.

; kirwee. :;. /,.,\ . The Coiirtenay Show, which takes place at Kirwee next Thursday, promises to be the most successful show yet held by the Courtenay Agricultural and Pastoral Association; 'A- record entry has been received, the total'being. 176 more than last year's total. The increase' is mainly in'the" light horse sec* tiou,' which' shows 69 more than last year. ]Farm produce Shag also" an 'in: crease' of 69, and horses' 15; The following gives this year's, total compared with last year's, the latter figures, being shown in.parentheses:— Sheep 207 (192), cattle 91 (89 j), draught horses 66 (51), saddle . and harness horses and hunters 144 j(75), farm produce 261 (192), dogs,2B (23),. poultry 42 (44), pigs 2 {Q)t erain and seeds 18 (15), roots 14; (10), .Vool 2.(2). Entries for garden'produce and flowers have still to be received, so that : the final total should be well over 900.

KIMBERLEY. Tho Kimberley Hall was the scene of tho. most successful function that has been held in tho district this year, the occasion being the children's fancy dress dance. . The hall was artistically decorated with red and white streamers and balloons, white from the centre hung large baskets* of. foli: age. . There was a large, attendance of. adults and of children, who, spent the early part of the evening in various games, which were supervised by Miss McCausland and Miss Penny. Excellent music was supplied by the Darfieid Jazz Orchestra, extras being played by Mrs Payne, Mr W. Syme, and Mr A. Hart. A . vocal item was contributed by Mr Suckling. The guessing competition for a beautiful iced cake, presented by Mrs B. Reveley to the piano fund, was won by Mr W. Pole, who handed it to be sold by auction,., The cake was afterwards auctioned by. Mr Mulford, and finally purchased by.; Mr "Crump. An adults' dance followed the children's entertainment, the duties of M.C. for which were earned.out by Mr Campbell McCausland. The prizes for the fancy costumes . were given by Mrs H. Bevcley, Miss McCausland, Miss K. Pinnev, and Mr G. Manson, The prize list for the children's fancy costumes was as follows: Best fancy costume: Girls, Edith Bevcley (Snowball Flour) 1; Gwen Olridge (Black Cat) 2. Boys: Boy Mitchell (Zulu), 1; Duncan Eeveley (Jockey) 2. Most inexpensive dress—Girls: Ida Pncst (Daffodil) 1; boys, James Balloch (Brown Paper Parcel) 1. Most original dress (under school age): Girl, AlmaWhyte' (Belgian Flag), 1; boys, George Eaves (lee Cream Seller), I. The pri ze for ni° tlier with g reatest number of children in fancy dress was wou by Mrs Priest. Those i?J*™7 dress were':—Janet Mackay (Nignt;, Jean Priest (Queen of Hearts), Lavender Anderson (Star), Helen Mfkay (Hawaiian Maid), Verna Mitchell (Poppy), Joan Bedford (Poppy), Una Hart (Butterfly), Sheila Eaves (Japanese Maid), Ida Priest (Daffodil), Irene Priest (Red Riding Hood), Bhona Eaves" (Winter), May Donald _(Bosebud), Edith Reveley (Snowball Hour), Alma Whyte (Belgian Flag), _ My™ Dunn* (Rainbow), Hazel BaUoch (Star), ■' Mirian Pole (Twink), Gwen Olridge (Black Cat). Boys: Ha.sey Bedford (Jester), Alfred Priest (Red Indian), Sidney Mitchell fgthe' Christmas), Norman Priest (™ e )' Ralph Gartery (Harlequin) Gibson Wrizht (Cook), Jack Balloch (bwag Je fColin Wright (Higher), %£ He Priest (London Coster Boy), -Koy. MitfheU (Zulu), Douglas Priest SS Balloch (Paper ?? h K ,( Beaman (Cricketer), Duncan Percy ..Beaman yj Anderson Reveley - +■ oiridsrc (Edmonds Baking Powder), - Olriagc (Pixie).

ASHLEY BANK. favoured bv <m extra .mail, is plS to hear, that she is making a fiXf recovery from her recent iU-