NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18900, 15 January 1927, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. ' Mr Arthur Chambers, one of the I teachers at the Eangiora .District school, j is attending the summer school at Camj bridge. j CHEVIOT. -Monday, January JOth, was the 2-Ah anniversary of tlio Consecration of St. •John's Church, Cheviot, tho church having been consecrated by the Uight Hoy. Bishop .Mules, then Bishop of the Xelsou Diocese, on January lUtli, IJO-'. A special commemoration service was held in the church on Sunday evening and was largely attended. Ihe vicar, the Kev. U. Widdup, gave a very intorestino- address on the history of the church, and special hymns ivero sung At a later date it is proposed to hold a special .estival to mark the passing of the 25 years. At a special meeting of tlio Cheviot County Council held recently it was decided that Wednesday should he the half-holiday for the ensuing twelve months. Two petitions were received by the Council in connexion with the matter, one largely signed by business people asking that Wednesday be the half-holiday, and ono requesting that Saturday be tho half-holiday. At present the half-holiday is observed on Saturday, and the change will be made at the beginning of April. Gore Bay has been a very popular holiday resort during the Christmas and tfew Year holidays, and a largo number of camping parties spent tho holidays there. The majority of tho visitors have returned to their homes, but ono or two parties aro still camped there. Tlio bay was also largely patronised by local residents during tho holidays. A committee meeting of tho Cheviot Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in tlio lounge of the Cheviot Public Hall, Mr A McGiffert (president) occupying the chair. The following members were present: —Messrs W G. Dickson, R. G. Archer, G. J. Crampton, H. N Buttle, E. Ayrton, C. England, A. Gillanders, J. Paton, B. Smith, D. McLaren, E. Winskill, A. Barnes, C. Holton, Jas. McAdam, J. Beckett, and J. Cottrell. Tho president referred to the loss sustained by tho Association by. the death of tho late Mr A. G. Harrison, and a motion of sympathy with Mrs Harrison and family was carried in silence, members standing. Two alterations were made in tho pony sections, and on the motion of Mr E. Winskill, seconded by Mr Jas Paton, a sub-committee was set up to deal with the allocation of tho special prizes. Tlio following were appointed: —Messrs J. Paton, D. McLaren, C. England, 11. N. Buttle, Jns. McAdam, E. Ayrton. The various alterations in tho classes inside the produce, shed, recommended by th'e sub-committee, were adopted unnnimously. A provisional list of judges was drawn up. It was decided to forward compli- I mentary tickets to the president and secretary of neighbouring Shows, and also to givers outside the district of specials and money. OHOKA. Tho picnic and prize-giving function of tho Ohoka Anglican Church this year was a most successful one. The spot chosen was one alongside the main drain, opposito the residence of Messrs Harvey Bros., who gavo tho use of a lev rt l grass paddock for the games and races. Tho day was a delightful one, and tho lunchoon under the shade of the ■ Mows was much enjoyed by the youngsters. Tho Kev. H. Mathias and, Mr C. ll.' Skinner had charge of the games, while Mr Switalla and Misses Moir and Switalla, tho Sunday school teachers, assisted by other ladies, controlled tho catering arrangements. In all, some 50 to CO persons, young and old, took part in the picnic, which was voted by all to be a great success. • In tho tennis match against Southbrook on the local courts to-day, Southbrook cannot send a full team, and the following will represent Ohoka: Messrs Keetley, Nowton, Moir, Candy, Mrs Keetloy, Misses Knight, King, and M. Lynskey. Crops are well advanced, and fanners hopo for good returns, but harvesting operations aro much retarded by the continual showers. SOUTHBKIDGE. The first meeting of the newly-elected North Rakaia River Board of Conservators was held at Southbridgo on Thursday, there being present: Messrs E. J. Cowan, J. P. McEvedy, W. M. Gabbic, W. Lochhcad, and J. S. McClelland. Mr Cowan was unanimously elected chairman. In returning thanks for his election, Mr Cowan welcomed the now member, Mr McClelland. He mentioned his regret that Mr James Storry had decided not to seek re-election. In Mr Storry tho Board was losing the services of one who had a very intimate ledge of Eiver Board affairs, based upon long experience. In thanking the Board for its invitation to bo present, Mr Storry said he hoped the new Board would carry out any necessary work on the same lines as the old Board had followed. Ho would still assist the Board in any way that lay in his power. LEESTON. The members present at the monthly meeting of the Leeston Town Board were: Commissioners ft. J. McConnell (chairman), E. Bolian, W. Johnston, F. B. Clausen, 8. Johnston, and B. Volckman. It was reported that the whole of the street concrete channelling had been completed by the contractor, and the balance owing to him was passed for payment, subject to the work being passed by the Works Committee. The clerk had procured a quotation 'for installing the new fire syren, and it was decided to have it tested on a date to be announced, in order that the residents would be accustomed to its sound. As tho business people were not desirous of a change, the weekly half-holiday under the Shops and Offices Act was fixed for Saturday during the coming year.

AKAROA. A small boy named Tom Craddock, aged eight years, a son of Mr C. Craddock, Little .River, was playing about a water wheel on Mr Moore's property at Hickory Bay recently. By some means the wheel revolved, and the boy was crushed against a post. I'pon admission to the local hospital, he was found to bo badly bruised, and sustained cuts on the body, which necessitated several stitches. Ho is sta *; e d to be progressing favourably. ■lhe residents of Wainui recently ionued a cricket club, and on Thursday they visited Akaroa to try conclusions with the local players. Owing to tho short notice, the homo team was not up to full strength, and Wainui won the match by 173 to 7;). For the winners the principal scorers were C. M. C. Wilson 03, J. Tikao 43, C. F. C. Wilson 33, W 'Williams VI. For Akaroa E. Bunnell 17. H. Pool I' 7, and K. Brueo 16 made the most runs. Vntortunatcly half way through the match it began to drizzle, and at 2 o'clock, until the end of the j_ramo. very heavv showers fell. On Wednesday night, the committee or tho No. 3 Queen gavo a dance in the Oddfellows' Hall, as a wind up to their recent activities. There was a very large attendance of visitors present, as well as the members of tlio other Queen Committees. Several members of tlio crew of the yacht Surprise brought their instruments, and assisted with the music for dancing, and r'm 1 ' cn?ol ' ts were much appreciated. Ihe weather for tho last few (lavs laving remained dull and cold, has had the effect of delaying roapinc operations. With the exception of cocksfoot on some of the road sides that has been reaped a start has not yet been made in any of the paddocks "oar tho waterfront. It is a good number of years sinoo grass-seeding operations have been so late in starting, as this season. The fortnightly meeting of tlio Akaroa Borough Council was held on AVednesdny evening. Present: The Mayor, Mr (i. Armstrong. Councillors C. W. Lcote, T. McCaughan. E. G. McNabb, JV l'ool. W. W. Williams, and C ■Men-art. Leave of absence was granted to Councillors Barnham, Masefield. and Writrhi-.. The Council'extended their sympathy to Cr. Wrirdit on his recent accident, and trusted that he. would make n spnedv recovery. The Mayor reported that £2O had been raised bv an cnlertiinment by the (Jala Ommitjee and forwarded to the Dobson Mine Kelief Fund. A letter was received from Mr P. Lynskey, stating that the Bank of New Zealand premises had been damaged, through a pipe being blocked under the footpath, which carried off storm water. It was decided to repair the defective pipo, and the Mayor was deputed to examine the extent of the damage done to tho building. It was decided to defer tho question of minimum frontages for subdivision purposes until a full meeting of tho Council. The Mavor was appointed delegate to attend the Municipal Conference at Palmerston North, on February lGth. The foreman Was instructed to deal with any over-hang-ing trees interfering with tho Power Loard's electric wires in tho borough. Ihe Mayor stated that it was regrettable, that the new tennis courts were not in order to play on, and they had ie«>n a bi;r loss to the town during the holidays; after discussion it was decided to ask Mr J. Woodill to make n report on the state of the courts and thus enable them to bo finished. The finance report showed receipts since last meeting £302 3s 7d. accounts passed for payment £259. total debit general fund £1219 19s Id.