NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19163, 21 November 1927, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. To celebrate the 167 th anniversary of the Loyal Eangiora Lodge of Manchester Unity Oddfellows, the members held a dance in the Parish Hall on Friday night. Although the attendance was not as large as was anticipated, those present, including representatives of sister and kindred lodges, spent an enjoyable time. Music was supplied by Breach's Orchestra, and during the supper interval by Bros. A. G. Hunnibell, and J. C. Haucox. A Monte Carlo waltz was won by Bro. J. A. Miles and Mrs E. Bailey. WAIAU. The Loyal Waiau Lodgfl of Oddfellows, M.U., at a special meeting held on Saturday evening, had a visit from the Ashley. District officers, the party consisting of D.G.M. Bro. J. D. Bovce, Deputy D.G.M. Bro. W. Gardner, D.Scc. Bro. C. I. Jennings, P.D.G.M.'s Bro. W. Fletcher and C. E. Golding. Before this Lodge met a lodge of Past Grands was held at which the purple degree was conferred on Sister L. M. Clark, and Bro. C. A. Forbes. N.G. Bro. Cole presided ove,r the ordinary meeting and extended a hearty welcome to the District officers. In responding the visitors spoke in various topics of interest to the Order. The flourishing conditions of the eleven lodges affiliated with the Ashley district was referred to in congratulatory terms, the district secretary stating that the consolidated sick and funeral fund profitably invested amounted to approximately £40,000. Sister Cole was congratulated upon being the first lady member of the Orde- in the Ashley district to receive the Purple Degree, although two lady members of the Loyal Ohoka Lodge had qualified for it. After the lodge closed the visitors were entertained at supper. Yesterday morning there was a parade of lodge members and visiting officers to attend the Anglican Church. The vicar, the Eev. G. F. Neligan, officiated and the lessons were read by P.D.G.M. Bro. 0. E. Golding, and D.G.M. Bro. J. D. Boyce. Before the sermon which was based on the 15th verse of the 11th Chapter of Hebrews, Sister Clark sang a solo. On returning to the lodge meeting room N.G. Bro. Cole, speaking on behalf of the members, warmly thanked the District Officers for their visit, which he assured them had afforded a great pleasure, and a stimulus to future service in the cause of Oddfellowship in the place. Bro. Golding spoko in acknowledgment of the sentiments expressed by Bro. Cole, and said that the visit had been an equally pleasant experience to the District Officers. CULVERDEN. At the last meeting of the Culverdcn branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union Mr J. W. Black presided over a fair attendance. After discussion it was decided that membership of the Organising Association should be more clearly defined, the matter to be gone iiito at'the next executive meeting. A letter was received from the provincial secretary in reference to horse-breed-ing, asking for figures as to num&er of mares in the district. It was also dlecided that the secretary write to the railway traffic manager in reference to the poorly-lit carriages on the morning train from Waikari recently. The secretary announced that the annual report of the State Forest Service was available for members' perusal. CHEVIOT.

A meeting of the committee of the Cheviot Amateur Sport's Club was held recently, the president, Mr T. West, presiding over a large attendance. Two ■applications were received for booth rights On sports day, and it was decided to request the applicants to forward a tender for the rights. Applications for the catering rights were received from the Presbyterian Ladies' Guild and the Cheviot Croquet Club. The application of the Ladies' Guild was granted. It was decided to engage the Scottish Society's Pipe Band for sports day, December 17th. The sum of £6 was allotted for the children's sports run in conjunction with the main sports. It was decided to erect a post and rail fence to prevent the public encroaching on the track. A sheep for the weight-guessing competition was given by Mr D. G. McDonald. The following additional committees andl officials were appointed: Protest Committee, Messrs W. Walls, T. Pain, the president, and secretary; Danco Committee, Messrs B. Smith, U. E. Kelly, J. M. Glasson, W. Petne, 12. B. Clark, E. N. Clarke; gatekeepers, Messrs P. S. Wilson, E. B. Clark, W. Petrie; car stewards, Messrs T. Henshaw, A. Barnes; assistant competition steward, Mr H. C. Jlenner; motor-car event, Messrs D. McLaren, T. Henshaw, D. G. McDonald, A. Barnes. The form the car event should take was left in the hands of Messrs D. G. McDonald and T Henshaw to decide. The programme issued is a very attractive one, and the sum of £BO will be distributed m trophies. For various reasons the dajtes for the presentation bv the Cheviot Amateur Dramatic Society of their new threeact comedy have been altered, and the comedy will now be presented on Tuesday and Thursday, December 27th and 29th. In the past the Society has been very successful in raising funds for various local objects, and on this occasion the proceeds will be devoted to the County War Memorial Garden Fund and the Public Library. COURTENAY. Slightlv over £97 was collected at the gates' on Show Day, this constituting a record. The results of the guessing competitions were:— Sheep, correct weight, 2421b, H. walker- (Aylesbury), J. Tonkin (Christchurch), W. T. Cooke (Darfield), J. Gillanders (Greendale), and W. Dysart (Seddon) all guessed the correct weight, and will divide the prize. Decorated Christmas cake, correct weight 241b soz, R. W. Wilson, 241b 31ioz. The sheep brought in £9 7s, and the cake £l2 los. Friday morning was beautifully line, but towards midday the weather changed, and light rain came up from the south-west, this continuing all the afternoon and well on into the night. 18 points being registered, making a total of 1.47 inches for the week; of this amount 45 points fell on Tuesday and 84 points on Wednesday. A spell of warm, sunny weather would be very welcome to harden up the feed, which is very soft and washy at present. There lias been a good growth recently, and the crops are looking well. Tiie recent frosts have caused a good deal of damage to gardens and orchards. SOUTH MALVERN. The monthly meeting of the South Malvern School Committee was held on Monday evening. It was decided to remove "the front fence of the school grounds at least one foot six inches further out, and to purchase shrubs for the garden. It was decided not to give prizes, except for attendance, to the school children this year. The money is to be spent on the school grounds. It was also decided that the euchre tournaments cease on November loth. This week the euchre match was well attended, the winners being: Mrs Derrett, Mrs Jewell, Mr Dempsey, and Mr Todd.