NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18889, 3 January 1927, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

' + RANGIORA. Xew Yeai's Eve passed off very quietly. During the evening a fair number of visitors came into the town, and a good amount of business was done in the shops, which compensated shopkeepers somewhat for the loss of the Christmas Eve trade. The New l'ear was ushered in very quietly. There was lie noise, with the exception of a lew crackers and an isolated detonator. It was tlu> quietest Xew Year's Eve experienced here. liven the police had nothing to do, and the lock-up cells were empty—a most unusual fact at this time of the New Year. The holiday also passed off very quietly. The town was emptied very early, and one and all seemed of the same mind, namely, to get away and secure as much enjoyment as possible out of the beautiful day. The Ashley Gorge was a great attraction —judging by the uuniber of car.3 headed that way. For the lover of i'io seaside, there was the Waikuku Beach. the Leiihfield and Kaiapoi Beaches. 'J'lio Ohoka and Amberley sports woro also on attraction. Nominations for tho Ashley River Trust closed at noon on Friday. Nine candidates •were nominated for the seven seats. All the present commissioners were nominated. For the T'angiora Borough, Mr F. Horrell was re-elected unopposed, as also were the two commissioners for the AshleyOxford subdivision. The following are the nominations. The asterisk denotes the sitting, members "Frederick Horrell, Rangiora County Subdivision; *W illiam Stalker, 'Leonard John Stokes, John Waller (two to be elected). Kowai sub-division: *James Dunlop Wylie, 'Robert Peach, Thomas Wylie (two to he elected). Ashley-Oxford sub-divis-ion : *Tliomas Dawson, *Henry George Phil pott (re-elected unopposed). As a wind-tip to the holid.iv the Town Hall' Was well filled on Saturday night, when screened the very exciting picture "Senor Daredevil."' To-morrow night a clever and very interesting picture, "The Street oF Forgotten Men'' is to he shown. This picture is well worth seeing, and patrons should not miss it. The excursion arranged by the Railwav Department at the reouest of the local Friendlv Societies to Otiru. was a great success. Some 1000 tickets were sold—Bso adults aiid 100 children'. This was tlie full number of excursionists allowed by the Department, and it was estimated that another 1000 tickets could have been sold, so great was the demand for them. Two trains left" within half an hour of each other. KAIAPOI. The Pines Association Gala, which was held at '"The Pines," Kaiapoi Beach, on New Year's Day, proved very successful, and attracted a largß attendance of local residents and visitors, the Organising . Committee had- been working energetically for some weeks, and, as a result,'excellent arrangements were made for the entertainment of those present. Included in the amusements were a chocolate alley, toboggan slide, blindfold ham cutting, a. menagerie, a number of other amusing and skill-testing side shows, and various competitions. During the afternoon, a programme of sports was carried out, special arrangements being made for the children. The Kaiapoi Band enlivened the proceedings with selections. Owing to the new bus regulations, a ileet of cars was used to carry visitors from Kaiapoi free of charge. . Many availed themselves. of this opportunity, and, in all, about.32o car trips were made. In the evening, some of tho side shows were continued, and a wireless entertainment was arranged by Mr R F. Joyce. ' The receipts from the Gala are expected to bo £2OO, and are to be used .in developing and improving "The Pines." The pines and Kairaki Beaches are proving very popular this season, and many families are staying there for the summer holidays. When the scheme of improvements is carried out,' it is expected visitors from the City will take advantage of the beaches more often, as they are within easy motoring distance of Christ-church.

HANMER SPRINGS. The -weather cleared up on Thursday, and with the glass high and steady, a continuance of fine conditions will be very welcome. For nearly a week there was no sunshine, with the wind in the south-east quarter. The hills were under a heavy fog for a good part of the time, with good rain showers and drizzling conditions. The 'weather was not uncomfortably cold at any tune. 'These conditions were most unwelcome to the many visitors, who were compelled to spend a good portion of their time indoors. Camping parties, of which there,are a good number, must have experienced an uncomfortable time with the wet surroundings and the added inconvenience of damp firewood. In the ground surrounding the bath houses and hospitals, the gardens are making an attractive display, and durr ing the festive period . the hospital wards are being kept lavishly adorned with bloom. The field growth in the past iveek has been almost phenomenal. Shearing operations in the neighbourhood have been vexatiously held up, and one big shed has not been able to make a start' yet.

KAIKOURA. The weather for the Christinas holidays was wet and wintry, but last week ivarm sunshine prevailed. The wear ther was unfavourable for harvesting, iiiitl many settlers had their crops of hay damaged. The following have been nominated for positions on the Kaikouva llker Board,, live members being required: — Messrs A. Keenan, C. J. Moran, E. W. Flower, J. W. Boyd, and E. A. W. Smith, The nominations not exceeding the number of members required, .there will be no election. AKAROA. The town has been very full of visitors during the past week and all the available accommodation has been taxed to the utmost. There are several parties of campers with tents pitched up several of the valleys outside the town. The weather lias been most unsettled, and until . Thursday it was a rare thing to catch a glimpse of the sun. All outdoor events in connexion with the Gala had to be postponed, with the exception of the baby show, and that was held m a large marquee on the Recreation Ground 011 Thursday afternoon. The members of No. 2 Queen Committee had gone to considerable trouble to arrange the details, and there wns a good attendance of both eoinp&tilors and interested spectators. The judging l ' was capably carried out by Dr. ad'lell -ji:d Mrs Campiegne, matron of the Aknroa Hospital. The contest was divided into four classes:— Up to sit month.-:, from 6 to 12 months. 12 t0 V. a,lcl . frr,ln 18 months to 2 years. The winners of the respective classes were;— Pat Kit-wan 1, Stephanie Smith 2: Rtiih Armstrong 1: Rov Stevens I ; Bruco MeKenaie and Jack Hammond equal 1. The voting for the most popular babies in the various