NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19172, 1 December 1927, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. On Tuesday evening at the Salvation Army Hall the members of the Young People Corps held their annual demonstration. When the curtain was drawn the platform presented a charming sight, being filled with the children taking part in the programme, and a well-filled house greeted the performers. A very interesting feature was tho introducing of the Life-Saving Girl Guards, who took an active part. The girls then repeated their pledge and declaration and gave an exhibition of semaphore signalling, physical drill, ball swinging, skipping, etc., and explained something of the spirit of the movement by dialogue, song, and recitation. A varied programme, lasting over two hours, brought a happy evening to a close, with the distribution of prizes, each child receiving a prize according to merit. Misses Evelyn and Myra Beck received 93b' marks, being *he possible marks for the year, and were, awarded the dux prize. Adjutant Brown called for a vote of thanks for the hard work put in by the teachers, also for Major and Mrs "Bear, of Christchurch. The fortnightly meeting of the Druids' Lodge was hold on Monday evening. Bro. L. Carlyon presided. The election and installation of officers took place, the following officers being installed by the district president, Bro. C \V. Tyler:—A.D., Bro. A. J. Kirk; V'.A., Bro. R. J. Hughcy; A.D. bards, Bros. H. S. Miles and C. Pulley; V.A. bards, Bros. W. G. Hughey and P. Quartly; secretary, Bro. C. R. Thwaites; treasurer, Bro. C. W. Tyler: 1.C., Bro. W. J. Ford; 0.C., Bro. P. V. Mcßrearty; M.S., Bro. E. K. Banfield; auditors, Bros. W. H. Hamilton and E. K. Banfield; representative to Grand Lodge, Bro. W. R. Young; representatives on Doctors Committee, Bras. C. R. Thwaites, C. "W. Tyler, and E. K. Banfield. There was again a very large attendance at the Roman Catholic Church bazaar last evening, the main attraction being the tug-of-war. The second round was pulled with the following result:—Rangiora County beat Celtic B; Celtic A beat Cust; Rangiora County beat Post and Telegraph.

WAIKARI. A very pleasant party was organised recently to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs J. Gibb on their departure from Waikari for Culverden. After the games Mr E Smith, on behalf of those present, presented Mrs Gibb with a gift. WAIPARA. A meeting of the local School Committee was held on Monday night. Correspondence was received from the North Canterbury Education Board concerning the establishment of a consolidated school at Amberley. It was decided to hold a public meeting in the school this week to discuss the matter. Arrangements were made to hold a children's fancy dress social on the night prior to the annual picnic. HORNBY-ISLINGTON. At the weekly euchre tournament, held in the Orange Hall, the prizes were awarded as follows: —Ladies: Mrs Little 1 Mrs Fisher 2; men: Mr W Cooke I, Mr R. Porter 2. The aggregate prizes for the month were presented to Mrs Hamilton and Mr E. Clarke,

OMIHI. The summoned quarterly meeting of tho Loyal Omihi Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held in the Lodge room on Monday evening. N.G. Bro. M. Hare presided over a largo attendance ol members. Tho following were elected officers for the ensuing year: Bros. UCroft, N.G.; J. Hams, V.G.: UCroft, E.S., Jas. Stackhouse, warden; 11. Inch, guardian. Minor offices were filled by Bros. J. Baxter, It. Sloss, fc. Doak, and fc>. Hall. . Mrs Brien, who has been an inmate in tho Christchurch Hospital, has recovered sufficiently to bo able to leave that institution. Mr A. Campbell, who underwent «i----scrious operation in the hospital, has returned to his home, and is progressing favourably. . The annual meeting ot tho Pub ic Hall Committeo was held recently Ihe secretary, Mr D. McLachlan read tho balance-sheet, which showed a satisfactory credit balance on the years workiiig. A vote of thanks was passed to the ladies for their assistance in raising funds. The following were elected a committee for the ensuing year: Messrs A. Giles (chairman), D. McLachlan, and .las. Wyllie, joint secretaries, S. Burrows, J. Sloss, and D Croft. Owing to so much wet weather, shearing operations have been retarded considerably. Some good oat crops aro to be seen'in the district. With favourable weather from now nn, reaping should commence before Christmas. OHOKA. The annual entertainment promoted by the Ohoka School Committeo to raise funds for the school prizes took this year the form of a conceit by a partv from Kaiapoi gathered together bv 'Mr Andrew Johnston. Previous performances by this party having been of a nature to give much satisfaction to local audiences, a large crowd attended in anticipation of a similar pleasant evening's amusement, and were gratified to find the concert up to previous standards. In the absence of the chairman, the Rev. H. Cottom, the local schoolmaster, Mr 1. G. McCullough, acted as chairman The performance opened with community singing, in which the children and the audience joined heartily. FoJowinc this came an orchestral item by a padv consisting of Messrs A Johnston' T. Johnston, W. knight, O. Cook, and W. Lintott. Songs and duets were given by Misses \ . Johnston and E. Thorne and Mr J. MlIntosb, recitations .by Miss Roberts, zvlophone and ventriloquial items » Mr \Y Lintott, trombone item by .nr T Johnston, humorous sketches t>y Messrs T. Johnston and W. Lintott, and last, but not least a song each verse of which contained topical allusions to the foibles of well-known residents, by Miss Fawcett and Mr 1. Johnston. This very successful entertainment, which considerablj augmented the funds of the school Committee, concluded with a dance the music for-which was played by the orchestra, with assistance from Miss Knight. Mr Chamberlain gave occasional extras.

KILLINCHY. The Eev. J. A. Shardlow was entertained at a social of welcome by the parishioners of St. Thomas's Church, Dunsandel, and All Saints' Church, Mllinchv, in the Killinchy Hall. Mr A - Glassev presided, and a good musical programme was given. Messrs Glassey and H. F. Wright welcomed the vicar on behalf of the Killinchy and Dunsandel Churches respectively, and the He\. G. P. Hunt, minister of the Leeston Methodist circuit, also spoke. -^ r Shardlow acknowledged the welcome accorded him, and apologised for the aoBenco of Mis Shardlow.

MEDBURY. Recently a dance was hold in Mr Hollo's shed as a farewell to Miss L. M. Quartermain, who has been transferred from the local school to Okuku. There was a largo gathering and a very enjovablo time was spent. During the evening Mr H. Brooker, chairman or the School Commitee, on behalf of residents and parents, presented Miss Quartermain with a blouse-case fitted with all accessories. Mr Brooker expressed the regret felt at losing Miss Quartermain and wished her every success in her new sphere. Miss Una Brooker, on behalf of the children, presented Miss Quartermain with a writing cabinet filled with dainty writing material. Mr Smith (Waikari) and others supplied the music. Mr Toshack was M.C., and the ladies served supper. The Medbury Band of Hope recently met at Mrs Turnbull's residence to bid farewell to the Rev. Mr and Mrs and Miss Crockett, who have left to reside at Lauder, Central Otago. During the evening n presentation was made to Mr Crockett as a very small token of tho very high esteem in which he and his family are held Deep regret was expressed at losing them, also a wish that fchcy would bo as successful in their new sphere as they had' been in this district. _ The evening was.spent in songs, recitations, and games. PREBBLETON. - At the last meeting of the Loyal Jubilee Lodge of Oddfellows, P.G. Bro. H. G. Prebble, in the absence of the N.G., presided over a large attendance of members. Two brothers were initiated to the order, and the following officers were elected: I.P. N.G., Bro. J. Cooke; N.G., Bro. G. Ash; V.G., Bro. G. Stewart; E.S., Bro. B. Walker. The installation and the election of minor officers were deferred until the next meeting. Fur the past few weeks subscription lists for the annual .school picnic and prize fund have been in circulation. The picnic takes place this week at Pleasant Point, and the children and the parents will make the trip by motorbuses.

The old unsightly fence along the Church of England cemetery frontage has been removed and a new post-and-wire fence erected. The work was carried out by members of the vestry, who formed themselves into a working bee, and, in addition to the fence work, spent a considerable time in tidying-up the grounds adjacent to the church. The weather for some time past has been little like summer. Frequent storms have been experienced, and there have also been several frosts. Growth is retarded by the unseasonably cold conditions, and so far little benefit has been derived from the summer time hours. Boisterous south-west wind and rain set in early on Monday morning, clearing off later in the day. LEESTON. Playing in the Ellcsmere Bowling Association's Loudon Rooster competition, the Soutbbridge Bowling Club defeated tho Leeston Club by 84 to 37 in a _match on the Leeston green. Weather conditions were ideal, and the green was in good order. HORORATA. The last of a series of euchre tournaments held by the School Committee for the school sports funds Christmas tree and prizes was held in the school on Saturday night, when the following were awarded prizes:—Mrs Timming 1. Mrs Thome 2; Mr H. Hill 1, Mr M Thome 2. The monthly meeting of the local Plunket Society was held in the parish loom during the week, yrhea Nurse

Finlayson, of Darfield, gave an instructive address.

During the week-end Messrs Ballin Bros.' employees, of Christchurch, visited Hororata to play a friendly game of cricket with the local team. The visitors were defeated by 79 runs. Mrs 0. A. Million, of New Plymouth, is visiting her sister, Mrs T. B. Jones.

Mrs Gray who has been spending a holiday with her daughter at Levin, lias returned home. Mr, Mrs, andtho Misses Chester, of Christchurch, who have been visiting Mrs J. Payne, "Harptree," returned homo on Monday. Mrs and Miss Griffiths (Prebbleton) are spending a holiday with Mrs L. Fuller. Mrs H. Gumm (Christchurch) has been visiting friends here