NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18899, 14 January 1927, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. Mr L. C. Jolly, stationmaster at Rangiora, is on annual holiday. Mrs C. Blair and her young son, Noel, were passengers by tho ferry boat last night for Wellington, on a holiday visit. Mrs J. Golding, of King street, Rangiora, returned on Wednesday evening from a visit to her daughter, Mrs J. Webster (Leeston). The Kangiora Brass Band played in the Band Rotunda in Victoria Park on Wednesday evening. A good programme was given, which was much appreciated by a large number of residents who turned out. The half-yearly meeting of the Star of Rangiora Lodge, 1.0.0. F., was held recently, N.G. Bro. E. D. Rowe presiding. The following officers were installed for the ensuing six months:— 1.P.G., Bro. E. D. Rowe; N.G., Bro. J. McLeod; V. Grand, Bro. M. Smith; financial secretary, Bro. C. D. Gibson; recording secretary, Bro. J. McKav; treasurer, Bro. R. W. Smith. The officers were installed bv Bro. C. Rintoul, P.G., D.D.G.M., assisted by Bro. Rowland, P.G., Grand Marshall, Bro. C. Brown, P.G., Grand Warden, Bro. H. E. Barnsley, P.G., Grand Secretary, Bro. W. J. Mitchell, P.G., Grand Treasurer, Bro. If. W. Perryrnan, P.G., Grand Chaplain, Bro. Martin Hartigan, Grand Guardian. The returning officer, Bro. 11. E. Bamslev, P.G., reported that Bro. W. Greenslade, P.G., Bro J. McCullough, P.G., Bro. C. Rintoul, P.G., had been elected to represent the North Canterbury district at the Grand Lodge sessions to be held at Christchurch in March next. The quarterly meeting of the Rangiora Methodist circuit was held in the schoolroom on Wednesday evening, the Rev, C. Blair presiding over a good attendance of officials. The chairman reported that two members of the congregation had died during the quarter, Mr J. Doggett and Mrs W. Horton, and expressions of sympathy were passed with the relatives, and also with Mr J. H. Blackwell (Kaiapoi). The minister also reported that a number of elderly people were laid aside through illness, and a motion of sympathy •was passed with them. The treasurer reported that the receipts for the quarter did not quite meet tho expenditure, the balance-sheet showing a small deficit. It was decided to hold the annual harvest festival on March 20th, at Rangiora, and on March the 13th, at Southbrook. Messrs W. A. Rowse and 11. Taylor were reappointed circuit stewards for another year. Messrs S. Ayers and T. Dennis wore appointed representatives on the Biblo in Schools League. Mr W. A. Kowse was appointed representative to the annual Methodist Conference to be held in Auckland in March, with Mr S. Ayers as substitute. AKAROA. The local Boy Scouts arrived home at midday on Wednesday, after having had an exceptionally good holiday on the West Coast. A party of 14 boys, in charge of Scoutmaster A. C. Purcnas, and with him, Mr W. Green as assistant, left here on January 3rd, being conveyed to Little River by several private- car-owners. They took the train to Arthur's Pass, and camped there tho first night. They then cycled over the hill down the old road to Hokitika, and after campingout for one night, proceeded to their headquarters on the east side of Lake Kaneiri. They stayed there several days and amongst their many triumphs was the ascent of Mt. Tuhua. A great number of visitors was present at the camp on Sunday, including several erstwhile Peninsula mwle"K who are now located on the West Coast. A day was spent at Hokitika on tho return journey, and the local Scouts entertained their visitors splendidly, putting on a sports programme for their benefit. The weather was on its best behaviour while the bo-vs were away, and practically every ni"ht thev were ablo to sleen outside. The roads were in sood order, and although each one had n heavy pack on'the back of his bicvcle. the journey, was completed without nnv serious mishap. Tt was particularly interestinp; to the boys from this side to be enabled to view the dredces at work, and also to see real timber trees growing. PREBBLETON. Mr and Mrs W. Hands, who spent the holidays at Ashburton as the guests of Mr and Mrs F. Hands, have returned to Prebbleton. Mr and tors A. McNally have returned to Sefton after a short visit to relatives in Prebbleton. Mr and Mrs J. Giles and their family leave the district next week to reside at Belfast. Mr R. Walker, who was injured in a collision with a motor-car on New Year's Day, is making a satisfactory recovery. Service was held in the old Presbyterian Church for tho last time on Sunday afternoon, and on the following morning preparations were begun for the removal of the building to Mr W. Downey's farm, where it will be used as a granary. Pending the completion of the new brick church, the Presbyterian services will be held in the Public Hall. It is expected that a start will soon bo made with the new class room at tho school. For some time the school has been badly overcrowded, and, the s'aff hampered through lack of space, so that the additional accommodation will be very welcome.

KIRWEE. The weather has been beautifully fine since Sunday, when eight points of rain fell. Harvesting operations are now being pushed forward, and a good acreage of oats has been cut. A fair quantity has been stacked, especially in the Norwood district, where somo very .fine crops are to be seen, the showery weather evidently suiting that class of laud. Algerian oats right through Kirwee and surrounding districts are uniformly good and there should be some high yields. On the other hand, Gartons are not nearly so good, and, although there are some fine crops, there are quite a number which are badly affected with smut, which will greatly reduce the yield. The greater part of the oat crops will be stacked before the wheat is ready for the reaper. There are some very fine crops of wheat to be seen, but others look patchy, having the appearance of being grub eaten, whilst others again seem to be touched with take-all, or something of that nature, but on the whole there should be some very fine yields. Farmers are busy putting in the last of their turnips, the wet weather having prevented them completing this work sooner. Rape is growing more rapidly since the weather became warmer. The same applies to Japanese millet, of which a small acreage is being tried. This at present looks i verv well, and should give a lot of feed till" the frosts set in. The local branch of the. Pluuket Societv has decided to discontinue j holding its monthly meetings during the harvest, but will resume them again on the third Tuesday in March