COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16751, 5 January 1915, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Our CoitßKsrosDEXTS.]

CHEVIOT,

The Hurunui and Waiau-ua Rivers were fishable on Sunday, the first time for two months. The fish do not seem to have suffered by the prolonged floods. A party of three caught fourteen fish, all in good oondition, in the Hurunui on Sunday.

Cereal crops on Cheviot are coming in much better than A\ r as anticipated, while rape crops are good. Turnips have struck particularly well, better than in most years. Rain, however, is wanted to bring them on. Grass is very scarce, and a good deal of rain is required to produce anything like a satisfactory growth. The Cheviot Pacing Club held the .annual ball on Friday evening. The hall was crowded and the gathering proved a most enjoyable one. Music was provided by Mr Murgatroyd and Miss Saunders. Mr T. Sullivan, secretary to the club, presented Mr A. Judd, on behalf of Messrs Crossley and Judd, the owners of Sartosta, winner of the Cheviot Cup, with the cup provided by Mr G. L. Rutherford, and Mr J. Fleming's cup for the two and a. half mile trot was presented to Mr E. Honeybone, owner of Mandel. A meeting of the Cheviot sub-branch of the National Bee-keepers' Association was held on Saturday, Mr J. Rentoul presiding. The contract with the Bristol and Dominions Association was discussed, and those present .agreed to supply all t''<ur crops to the Association. Arrangements were made for holding a field day at Mr J. Bentoul's Cheviot apiary on Saturday, January 16. when Mr Bowman, Government apiary inspector, would be present. It was decided to invite all beekeepers and all those interested in bees to be present^ KIR WEE. The rainfall at Kinvee for the month of December was 2.16 inches. Rain fell on eight days, the maximum fall, 1.22 inches, being registered on the 21st. For the corresponding month of 1013 6.06 inches were registered; in 1912, 1.52 inches; 1911, 9.10 inches; and 1910, 4.33 inches. The total fall for the year was 28.53 inches, the lowest for seven years. In 1913, 31.64 inches were registered; 1912, 37.69 inches; 1911, 39.31 inches; and 1910, 32.53 inches.

There hare been more strong northwest winds during this spring than has been the case for a long period of years.

A largely attended social was held in the Kinvee Hall on Saturday evening for the purpose of saying good-bye to Sergeant M'Donald and Troopers C. Page, T. and J. M'Goveren and C. M'Eeath, who were down from the Trentham camp on a few days' furlough, and "also to \V. Robinson, who had just received orders to join the Expeditionary Force. All the guests were presented with wristlet watches. Mr S. Pobertson, made the presentation on behalf of the residents of Kirwee. Mr I. Lorgelly also made ai short speech. Sergeant M'Donald replied on behalf of the recipients. Songs were sung by Mesdaiues Ryan and K. M'Nae and Mr W. H. Conway. The accompaniments were played by Mrs K. M'Xao and Miss M. M'lntosh. Refreshments were provided by the ladies. Dancing was kept up till nearly midnight, the music being supplied by Mr S. Dunn. DUNSANDEL. A concert and dance in aid of the patriotic funds took place in the Town Hall on Friday night. There' was a large attendance and the programme was well received. The chief performers were Mesdames Bradv and A. Brown, Misses W. Rolls, N. Reid, M. Henderson. M. Smith; R. Stainger and Maggie M'Lenaghen, and Messrs F. Bradj' and J. M'Ewan. The accompanists were Mesdames Reid, Smith and Brady, and Miss F. Henderson. The dance music was supplied by Messrs J. Burgess and F. Lill. TEMUKA. The Hazelthorpe Night Fair was held at " Hazelthorpe," the residence of Mr W. F. Evans, Temuka, on Saturday j evening last. The fair was successful, from every point of view, and there was \ an attendance of nearly one thousand i people. The grounds looked beautiful,! being lighted with acetylene gas lamp; and numerous Chinese lanterns. The music was provided by an orchestra consisting of Mrs Weir and Mr R. Jackson, violins; Mrs Jackson, piano; Mr Ballus (Dunedin), string bass; Messrs W. Jackson and H. J. Prattley, cornets; and Mr C. J. Bilton, piccolo. Solos were given by Mr W. Lewis and Miss Lewis, and a mandolin duet was played by Miss Ronnie M'Caskill ami Mr W. Jackson. The accompaniments were played by Miss Egan, of Greymouth. The Temuka Pipe Band also' played selections. The dancing, which was held on the lawn, was kept up until near the midnight hour. The music was provided by Mrs H. H. Hutcheson's Ashburton orchestra. The gross proceeds amounted to £32, and after expenses have been met the balance will go to the Mechanics' Institute rebuilding fund, which will then stand at about £IOO.

Tire Milford Lagoon Recreation Association hold the annual picnic at the lagoou on New Year's Day. The weather was perfect and all present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The following are the results of the sports held at the lagoon :—Single Ladies' Race— Miss M. Conneli 1. Miss A, Horgan 2. Married Ladies' Race—Mrs Splska I. Mrs Kojss 2. Men's lOOvds Handicap—C. M'Millan. Piper's Playing Race—J. Edgar 1. T. 6. Mooney 2. Fanners' Lost rfot Handicap—D. Shaw. Ladies' Swimming Race -Miss Burns 1. Miss M'Caffey 2. Men's JJOvcls Swimming Race- AY. Anderson I.T. H. Langiord 2, F. Hilton 3. Flatbottomed Boat Sculling A.. Burton 1, F. Daily 2. Guessing Competition (lamp presented by Mr (i. B. Cartwright)—A. Whitehead. Tug-of-war— Melvin's team 1. ASHBURTON. On Sunday services of intercession were held in all the Anglican churches in the Ash burton Ootid ry. Appropriate sermons were preached, special hymns sung, and special prayers offered. . .„ On New Year s Ji/ve about fifty persons visited the residence of Mr L. M. Noble, Lvnnford. and spent an enjoyable evening. Mr J. M. Hampton (Hinds), in an appropriate speech, presented Mr Noble with a Morris cliair, as a token of the esteem in which he is held by the residents of Rinds ami Lyimford. The quarterly meeting ol the Loyal Methveu Lodge. M.C., F.0.0.F., was held on Wednesday evening last, when N G Brother Fin'dlay presided. The election of officers resulted : —G.M ; , Brother Findlay; *•«•. Brother \\. Chambers; V. 6., Brother Ne.M; E.S., Brother Pearcej «• Brother Moon. The selection cf guard and supporters was left over until next meeting. The officers were installed l>y the lecture master. ~ , ~ ... At the monw'lJ meeting of the Wnkauuißoad Board on Saturday last the tender of Mr «■ C. Skollmg lor the riant to nut grass Sf >ed on the public "roads in the district was acoepted r ANCHOR A.

The monthly meeting of the Rangiora Bowling, tennis and Croquet Clubs

General Committee was held last night, sixteen members being present. Mr W. E. Barton was in the chair. A new schedule of the caretaker's duties was adopted. The treasurer reported a debit, balance of £214 18s lid. The receipts for the month totalled £5 9s, and the expenditure £42 2s 9d. A suggestion that a second set of snooker halls should be purchased for the bil-liard-room was deferred for consideration. The president and Messrs S. Webber and J. Angus were appointed i sub-committee to act in the matter of the disposal of the hot-air engine used for the water-supply service and ths substitution of a gas engine.