TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18902, 18 January 1927, Page 4

TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS.

TDIARTJ. SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. Miss Mary Mac Donald arrived from Christchureh yesterday on a visit to Mrs E. C. Studholme (Waimate). Mr 11. F. Morton and Miss Clare Morton (Beverley road) returned yesterday from Haiimer. Mr and Mrs F. I. Washbourn and family (Page's road) have returned from Nelson. The Misses Spillane (Invereargill), who have bcou spending holidays in Tiniaru, left by yesterday's express on a visit to Wellington. Mr and Mrs Percy Elworthy (Gordon's Valley), Mrs Arthur Elworthy. (Holme Station), and Mr Herbert Elworthy (Craigmore) arc expected back from England in February. Miss Josephine O'Neill (Dunediu), who was the guest of Mrs G. A. Patersoir (Sefton street), has gone to Fairlie on a visit to Mrs J. E. Loughnan. Alleged Bookmaking. On Saturday the premises of A. Huston, in Strathallan street, were raided by the police, and the proprietor charged with using them as a common gaming-house. The police then visited C. Sloacombe's garage, in Stafford street South, where the owner and AY. Karl on wen' both charged with conducting the premises as a common gaming-house. Yesterday Mr 1). McLennau, J.l'., presided over a sitting of tho Magistrate's Court, when Huston and Karton appeared to answer the charges. Each was also charged with bookmaking. Sloacombe was charged with assisting Karton to conduct a common gaminghouse, and was also' charged with bookmaking. Senior-Sergeant Gibson asked for a remand in each instance until Wednesday, which was granted. Mr L. E. Finch, who appeared for Sloacombe and Karton, ,and Mr W. A. Scott, who appeared for Huston, asked for bail, which was granted.

GERALDINE. i In honour of Mr E. J. Kichcs who, out of a number of New, Zealand applicants has been appointed a member of the editorial section of the International Labour Office at Geneva, tho members of the Geraldiuo District High School Ex-Pupils' Association, entertained their fellow member at supper on Saturday night, when Mr H. W. Williamson occupied the chair. During the evening MiW Farnie, M.A., head of the Secondary Department, and President of the Ex-Pupils' Association, presented Mr Biches with a wallet, and in doing so suolte of his scholastic successes In the past he had been a credit to Geraldme, and in tho important position he was taking up she felt convinced that ho would be a credit to New Zealand. Mr H W WilliainSon,* on behalf of the ex-pupils, congratulated Mr Biches on

his appointment, and said the members of the Association were proud of him, and would watch his career with interest He hoped the present would serve to remind him of the happy time lie had spent in Geraldiue. In responding Mr Riches said he very much appreciated their present, and that he wanted personally to thank Miss Farnie who had not only been his teacher, but also his friend. Other toasts were: Mr and Mrs Kickes and Miss Farnie. Auld Lang Svne was sung by those present. Mr Iliclies leaves to-day on his wnv to Geneva.

ST. ANDREWS. . The weather has been gloriously fino the last few days, although rain threatened on Thursday. A little hail fell, but it soon passed over. Farmers are busy cutting oats and grass which, generally speaking, are stooking up very well, and promise good yields when threshed. The wheat crops are benefiting by the sunshine, and are. coming in very rapidly. »It is a pity that takeall is in so many crops. A- fair number of farmers also report white-heads in the wheat, the result of attack by the Hessian fly. Fair crops of linseed are to be seen in the district, although there is by no means the same amount sown as Inst year. It is noticeable that most of the farmers liavc gone back to the New Zealand' seed, in preference to (he imported larger seeded varieties. Those crops of potatoes which have not been drowned out. arc looking well and provided they do not get another deluge of rain, should dig very well. Very few farmers report success with their turnip-sowing, rain on top of the sowing being the main reason, and resolving has been vciv general. Those crops which were above ground when the rain came, however, are looking splen.dWl. .Some very nice strikes of mangolds have been secured. The bird nuisance is very bad, and all growing crops are subject to their attention, as may bo noted by the whitened oat crops. Ono farmer has had Iris barley completely stripped. The apiarists in the district report that this year promises to- be a very good one. The abundance of white clover, which is more plentiful than it has been for many years, has kept the bees busy, and now that the honey flow is on, beekeepers are kept moving adding extra boxes. A well-known Esk Valley orchardist, states that although the rain spoiled most of his strawberries, his raspberry canes arc splendid. He is finding a ready, sale for his raspberries throughout the district at 9d per lb.

Whooping cough is prevalent in the district at present, several younger children being affected. , While Ashing on the St. Andrew's beach, a local resident, Mr C. Thomas pulled in a six-foot'blue shark. Gray's crossing has been repaired, and a safe, though rough fori through the river is now negotiable. Mrs and Miss Dash have returned from Wanganui. .