NORTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19175, 5 December 1927, Page 3

NORTH CANTERBURY.

RANGIORA. At the Methodist Church last evening tho usual order of service was dispensed with and a musical sen-ice held instead. The Rev. C. Blair conducted the service, and the musical programme was in charge of Mr A. Lane, who also presided at the organ. All the items were given by members of the cnoir. Tho senice opened with the Doxolo?>, which was followed by a prayer ot general thanksgiving and the Lords Praver. During the service the cUoir sang the anthems. "0 How Amiable./ "The Radiant Morn,'' and I "'" Feed Mv Flock." A solo, "Thanks be to God," was sung by Mrs N. A Bailhe Mr C. S. Ayers sang tho solo, A Dream of Paradise." and Miss Thelma Avers "How Lovely are Thy Dwellings." There was also a duet by Mrs Blair and Miss M. Rands. Hymns were also sung bv the congregation, and after the Benediction the choir sang the vesper, "Grant Is lny Peace." KAIAPOI. A picnic organised by tho Rakaia United Friendly Societies was held in the Kaiapoi Park on Saturday. Between four and five hundred people attended the outing, which was held in perfect weather. The annua! picnic of St. Bartholomew's Church Sunday School was held at Stewart's Gully on Saturday last and was well attended. At St. Bartholomew's Church on Saturday evening a special service was conducted by the Right Rev. Bishop West-Watson, assisted by the Rev. H. H. Mafliias and the Rev. F. Nansen, to celebrate the induction of tho Rev C. L. Sparrow as vicar of the parish HAWARDEN. Mr N. Clarke, of the Hawardeii Post Oflice staff, has been transferred to Koss, and Mr J. McTamney, from Kanfurly, has taken his place. Mr D. N. White, postmaster, is at present on leave and Mr A. Lysaght is relieving.

OXFORD. During November rain fell on 14 days and the rainfall for the month, 6.08 inches, is a record for the period for the last 17 years. The number of wet. days.has made the month a bad one for shearing, and the cold snaps have been hard on the newly-shorn sheep, particularly the hoggets. The annual meeting of the Oxford W.C.T.U. was held on Weduesday afternoon, November 30th, in the Coronation Hall, the president being in the chair. The secretary reported that a telegram had been sent on. behalf of the Union, to Mr G. Forbes, M.P., protesting against six year polls, and urging the bare majority and a twoissue ballot-paper. Superintendents' reports showed that there were 46 names on the Cradle Roll. It was decided to hold a Cradle Roll rally during the summer. Band of Hope members, totalling 215, having joined this year, the children were keenly interested, though bad weather and other things had interfered with the meetings. In the "Y" Branch interest was well maintained, attendance ranging from 17 to 2-5. The treasurer's financial report was considered satisfactory- The secretary gave a brief survey of the District Executive meeting held in Christchurch last week. The following officers were olected: —President, Mrs Ryde; secretary, Mrs Tritt; treasurer, Miss Caverhill; vice-presi-dent, Mrs Hawke; evangelistic superintendents. Miss Waterman and Mrs Turner; WJI.. Agent, Mrs Hawke; Flower Mission, Mrs J. Baxter; home meetings, Mrs T. Gainsford and Mrs Brown; Band of Hone, Mrs C. W Tritt; Cradle Roll, Mrs Roi; "Y" superintendent. Mrs R. W. Comyns; legal and Parliamentary. Miss Caverhili; superintendent, Notable Days. Mrs Jones. AKAROA. At a recent meeting of the Akaroa District High School Committee correspondence was received from the Education Board, stating that £l6, the balance of a subsidy on the Ground Improvement Fund, would be forwarded when the committee decided upon what the money would be expended. It was decided to reply stating that the erection of a shelter-shed was under consideration. It was reported that the Ladies' Committee had made arrangements for canvassing for the prize fund. An unusual visitor to the harbour last week was a gray hair seal. It landed on the rocks below the Kaik, and was under observation for several days. , . The following crews have been selected to represent the Akaroa Boating Club at the Lyttelton Regatta on Saturday week-.—Senior pairs: 13. P. and N. Hammond; junior double sculls: E. May and N. Hammond; maiden pairs and double sculls: It. Keegan and F. Phillips; youths pairs and double sculls: D. Reid and W Baillie; youths' single sculls: D. Reid A meeting of the Horticultural Society was held on Saturdav night, when there was a good attendance ot members, presided over by Mr G. Armstrong. The secretary presented an interim balance-sheet showing a small credit as the result of the recent Rose Show. Votes of thanks were passed to all officials who had assisted m making the show a success, and special mention was made of the services of Mrs W. E. M. Jacobson, who had supervised and arranged for the refreshments during the progress of the show. Messrs F. G. Armstrong, A. C. Purchas, and Miss E. M. -Jacobson were appointed a committee to revise the schedule for the summer show, to be held on December 30th. It was decided to close the entries at 8 o dock the evening previous to the show. Messrs F. R. Davis and J. S. Hawkes were appointed judges of the cookery, flowers, and - vegetables, respectively, subject to their consent. Stewards were appointed for the various classes, and it was decided to hold a concert after the show. * J The past few days have been more j in keeping with the season. Saturday , and Sunday being beautifnliy fine. J PREBBLETON. On Thursday the annual school picnic was held at Pleasant Point and a large number of children, accompanied by "their parents and friends, made the trip by motor-buses and private cars. Although heavy rain fell early in the morning, and prospects or a fine day were not bright, the weather cleared before the time or starting and the sun shone brightly during the afternoon. A programme of children's races was successfully earned out. j Seven pupils were presented by the I headmaster. Mr L. Owen, tor the proficiency examination, all of thorn bein,f successful. . ~ A committee, formed of the younger members, of the church, assisted by their friends are working hard making preparatory arrangements _ tor a garden fete to be held in the \ parage grounds about the middle of tne m °The'monthly meeting of the Mothers' Union was held at the V«* ra f.?° Friday afternoon, when, instead ot tne usuaf service and business meeting, tne members spent a social afternoon, and each one broneht a gift of eggs ior St. Saviour's Orphanage. Eleven dozen

eggs were received as a result of the gifts. A treasure hunt, which caused much interest, was won by Mrs G. Walker, Mrs W. Kolkman and Mrs C. Hands, who divided the prize; and a guessing competition was won by Mrs H. Prcbble. No meetings of the branch will be held during January and February. Those present were: — Mrs H. B. Jones, Mrs F. Carter, Mrs W. E>ownev. Mrs G. Dresmar, Nfrs H. Cherrv," Mrs W. 0. Downey. Mrs H. G. Prebble, Mrs G. Tod. Mrs G. Walker, Mrs Clifford, Mrs W. Kolkman. Mrs E. Walker, Mrs L. Leversedge. Mrs J. Giles. Mrs C. Hands, Mrs F. Hill, and Miss Wilson.

HORORATA. The annual fete in aid of St. John's Church and St. Saviour's Orphanages was held in the hall on Saturday, and realised £'so. The various stalls were in charge of:—Mesdames H. Reeves, G. C. Derrett, produce; Mesdames G. Hall and E. Jekyll, fancy work; Misses Clucas (2), and R. Derrett, flowers; Mesdames E. Adams. C. Chapman, J. Thome, and Miss Roberts, afternoon tea; Mesdames Harold Richards, Gerard, and Miss Richards, sweets; Misses Maffey and the Girls' Friendly Society, soft drinks and icecreams; and Mrs F. B. Jones, brantub. Messrs J. Payne and H. Oliver organised the sports, and Mr B. C. Rutherford acted as treasurer. A meeting of the committee of the Horticultural Society was held recently. The schedule for tho forthcoming show in February was considerably revised. The secretary reported tUat a number of special prizes had been offered including one for best collection of named weeds for children. It was decided to discontinue the garden competition. , A meeting of the Hall Committee was held during the week. It was decided to bold a dance on New Year's Eve and also to clean up the hall grounds. The day was perfect for the combined districts' annual picnic, held at Diamond Harbour on Saturday The excursionists had a most enjoyable time. Miss M. Nelson, of Riccarton. is visiting relatives here.