COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17279, 21 September 1916, Page 11

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Otto Corrispondxnts.]

SOUTHBRIDGE. A very successful and enjoyable concert was given in the Southbridge Town Hall by a party from Christchurch, under the direction of Mr F. C. Raphael, the proceeds of which were in aid of tho funds of St James's Red Cross Guild. Part of the money is to be used to provide Christmas gifts for tho soldiers at the front. Tho entertainment was one of tho boat held in Southbridge for a. long time. The programme comprised songs by Mrs Vernon Irving, Miss Edna Joughin and Messrs Vernon Irving, Murray Jones and Frank Morrison, violin SOIO3 by Mr Vere Buchanan, humorous recitations by Mr Frank M’Uor.ald, ballad horn bolos and stories by Mr F. C. Raphael, and humorous duets by Mr and Mrs Vernon Irving. Miss Buchanan was the accompanist. The performers were nocorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr R. B. Willis, who presided. Mention was also made of the kindness of Messrs Kcsteven and Jones and the Buick Sales Company in giving tho use of cars. The concert was followed by a dance. The annual meeting of the Southbridge Horticultural Soc.ety was hoid on Monday. The president (Mr J. S. Inwood) was in the chair. The balancc-shiet, which was adopted, showed receipts totalling £B2 (inclusive of a balance' of £32 from the previous year), tho expenditure being £32 less than the receipts. The profits on the Bhow had been handed over to tho Patriotic Fund. An application irom the District High School old pupils for the use of the society’s teni3 for a patriotic bazaar was granted. Officers were elected as follow:—Patron, Hon R. H. Rhodes; president, Mr C. H. Pipor; vicepresidents, Mrs Fincham, Miss Scott, Dr Withers and Mr W. Scoit; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr A. J. Inwood; committee, Mrs Warner, Misses Gianvillo and Moorhead and Messrs J. S. Chapman, J. Moorhead, J. Storry, R. Rowe, J. Greenwood, A. Greenwood, A. J. M’Pheraon, W. M’Causland, H. Money, E. G. Hubbard, D. Tong, T. Greenall, J. W. A. Walker, J. S. Inwood, E. F. Chapman and M. Curran; auditors, Messrs T. Riordan and E. F. Chapman. It was decided that the proceeds of the 1917 show should go to one of tho war relief funds, but the question of which fund should benefit was left over for a future meeting. A suggestion that no prizes should be given was made by Dr Withers and led to some discussion, but no definite action was taken. It was agToed that the public should not bo canvassed for special prizes, but that any donations given voluntarily should go to the general fund. The usual votes of thanks were passed on the motion of Dr Withers, who paid a special tribute to the enthusiasm of the retiring president and tho secretary. LEESTON. A social In connection with the celebration of the anniversary of tho Lceston Methodist Church was hold in the Town Hall on Monday evening. There was a good attendance, and the senior circuit steward, Mr J. Barnett, presided. There were also on the platform tho Rev A. C. Dawry (president of the Methodist Church), tho Rev W. Bramwell Scot! and the Rev J. W. Bayliss. A good concert was given by local talent, the following performers taking part: Misses A. Chamberlain, H. Oppenhoim and L. Chamberlain, tho Revs W. B. Scott and W. Bayliss, and Messrs Thwaites, W. A. Mansell, J. Oliver, G. W. R- Osborne, S. Maxwell and W. Hewitt. On the /motion of the chairman a motion of sympathy with tho circuit minister, Chaplain Grigg, who was reoontly wounded in action, was passed. Tho Rev W. B. Scott gave an interesting address on the duty of cheerfulness. The president of the Conference also delivered an address, in tho course of which ho referred to his ministry in tho Leeston circuit over twenty years ago. He announced (hat the Rev J. W. Bayliss, who had been acting as supply during Chaplain Grigg’s absence at the front, was being transferred to Greytown, and that a student would be sent to Leeston. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded tho performers, the president of Conference, the Indies who provided supper and others who had helped to moke the social successful and enjoyable. ASHBURTON. The cafe chantant, and fancy fair held in the Arcane, Asiiuurtou, in aid of ihe Rea v-ross and VV'ounued Soldiers' Funds, was brought, to a successiui close on auesday evening. During the evening Mr W. omiiii, of the Eew Aeal&nd Farmers Co-operative Association s auctioneering si&fi, subnu.ted to auction all the stocks left over, also alt the structures as they stood, and satisfactory prices were realised. At the conclusion of th.i sole, Mr W. Anderson, chairman of the commi.tee, thanked ad tho lady workers for the enthusiasm tuey had shown, and for the able manner in which they had worked throughout. Ho also paid a tribute to Mrs E Crisp, who had designed tho French village. At the request of Mr Anderson, cheers wore given for the ladies. It is estimated that Ine net takings will amount to £llOO. On Tuesday evening the proceeds totaded £2OO, which included amounts received from the auction sale. A farmer from Methvon states that the cropping area in that district will not be reduced to any great extent this season. In some parts of the county it is Btatod that the crops are not making such headway as might oe expected, but this is attributed to the prevailing cold winds. When the weather becomes warmer, with the moisture in the ground a rapid growth should be experienced. GERALDINE. On Tuesday night a public send-off to Geraldine members of the Twenty-first Jieinfo,cemeut3 was given in the looal Drill Hall. There was a very largo attendance. A cupi.ai en.ertainment was given by members of the Christcfiuich Commercial Traveders’ dub, including Messrs Orchard, Cox, Christie and S. Phi Kips, with Mrs Cox, and by the local Orchestral Socioty and tue band. Major Kennedy, the chairman, presented Mrs J. W. Campbell with a wristlet watch, and mentioned that similar presentations had been made Mess.s W. S. Quaid and M. Murphy at Pleasant Valley. Major Kennedy referred sympathetica.ly to the loss of Mrs Campbel.’s brother at Gallipoli. The Mayoress, Mrs Hialop, presented a parcel to each of the and voiced tho good wishes of the women or the Home and Empire League. Dr Paterson delivered an address. Certificates were presented to successful members of the ambulance class, the Mayor. Dr Hislop, remarking that he knew the members of the class conducted by Dr Paterson deserved the certificates, for he had examined them. The winners were: Mos dames Mason and Sim, Misses D. Barkor, D. E. Booth, O. Campbell, A. Hughes, E. Hammond, L. Howard and L. Eosterbrook, and Messrs La Vie, M’Quillan, M’Lean, E. M’Aleer, E. Neale, B. Orton, B. Orchard, 1 Richards, Rattray, P. Sharpe and E. Wol. The evening concluded with a dance. TAI TAPU. A patriotio shoot, held recently by the Tai Tapu Gun Club, proved a decided success. Pigeons were provided gratis by Messrs H. J. Macartney, J. Macartney, T. Rainey, R. M. Moreen, J. Mackenzie and J. Branthwaite, and Mrs Wheeler. Trophies wero presented by Messrs Morten, Hubbard and Mackenzie. A as sweepstake drew fifteen entries, and was won by H. J. Macartney, J. G. Holmes being second. Another sweepstake drew fourteen entries, and was won by R. Morten, A. Tanner taking second place. A first raiss-out sparrow sweepstake was won by J. Holmes, and another by J. Mkoartney, the cash prizes in theso events beiug handed hack. A feature of the day was that no money was paid away in prize’s. A turkey, given ky Mr T. Brake, was won by Mr T. Rainey, who handed it hack for sale, when it realised an additional £5 ss, making a total of £7 3s fid, Mrs Morten being the final purchaser at £1 15s. Tho tota 1 proceeds for the day amounted to £23 17s 9d. A large number of visitors were present, and all were supplied with afternoon tea by Mts H. J. Macartnoy, wife of the club captain. TEMUKA.. Tho Temuka District High School Committee met on Tuesday evening g preson* — Mr G. P. Cartwright (chairman), Dr Bugg, and Messrs P. A. Aohcson. G. Levans, G. Burns. G. B. Ccoper, G. Thomson. F. Saunders and E. Booth (secretary). The chairman stated that tho examina'ion wou<take place on October 18. After some discussion it was decided that a deputation should wait on the Minister of Education as ho passed through Temuka, to point cut that tho incidentals tho sohool received were insignificant. It was decided to have the flagpole fixed and ereced for the ceremony onDominion Day. The chairmnn asked the members to do their best to accompany him to the school on Dominion Day. An address would be delivered to the children, and they would saluto the flag. The chair-, man and secretary wore appointed to wait on the picture show managers to endeavour to get a benefit night in aid of the school funds. Messrs Cartwright and Burns were appointed visitors for 'lie month. The Drill Hall, Temuka, was again well filled on Tuesday evening, to do honour to tho local recruits of the Twenty-first Reinforcements. As usual, the evening was a great success. These enter ainments have now become well established, and, thanks to the efforts of Mr T. Guinness and h.s stall in securing the aid of talen.ed artists from far and near, success is always assured. The programme was in the hands of the Orpheus Concert Company, to whom thanks aro due for journeying from Timaru to perform this sorvieo to the departing recruits. Pairiotio addresses were delivered by Mr C. J. Talbot, M.P.. and Mr T. Tilbrock. During tho evening Mrs Aspinall presented eaoh recruit with a hold-all. Tho Orpheus Society gave an exoe.leut programme, tho part songs-

etc., by the male members being an outstanding feature. Miss Cora Holdgato had to respond to several recalls. SHEFFIELD. There was a record attendance at a hardup social held in the Sheffield Hall on Friday evening. Souvenirs were presented by Mr W. J. Jenkins to Privates Ke'.land, Kennedy, M’Clintock and Long. The competition for the best pairs of hard-up oostumes was won by Mrs Miller and L. Wright, Mrs Cullen and T. Wright being seoond. Mrs Wright and Dr Miller were awarded a special prize A supper of saveloys, hot potatoes and tea was much enjoyed. Mr Jenkins announced that the Lyric and Orchestral Concert Party would give a sacred concert on Sunday afternoon, in the hall, which had been lent for the ocoasion by Mr Johmston. The children’s' gift afternoon on Saturday, in the Domain, met with splendid support, a good supply of Chr stuias gif-s coming in from Anuat and Waddington children. The Wnddington school children, under the eupervision of Mr C. Wilkins, gave action and part-songs, and exhibitions of drill. Afternoon tea was supplied by the ladies. CULVERDEN. On Friday evening a large number of the friends of Mr. and Mrs W A. Scott assomb.ed in the Presbyterian Church at Oulverden to b.d them farewell prior to their departure for Ambcrley, where Mr Scott has been appointed postmaster. The Rev J. H. Thompson presided. Messrs Hampton, Nicholson and Crumpton spoke in appreciative terms of the many good qualities of the gues.s, and the chairman specially mentioned Mr Scott’s help in church matters. Mr Thompson, on behall of subscribers throughout the Amuri district, presented Mr Soott with two rugs, Mr! Scott with a set of cutlery and a gold brooch, Miss Scott with* a gold brooch, Master Willie Scott with a “ Meccano motor, and Master Eric Scott with a musical instrument. Solos were contributed by Jfc W. H. Nicholson and Mr 3 W. J. Campbell. CHETCOT. A meeting of the Cheviot Soldiers. Committee was hold oil Thesday in the library, Mr C. rSarnes presiding. Strong except.on was taken to the tone of the comment that had appeared in a newspaper on a Bpeecii by a soldier when responding on behalf of himself and his comrades at a farewell given by the committee. The Revs F. Sampson and J. Parlano and Messrs Scott and Rentoul wore appointed a committee to consider the maiter of register.ng under . the War Funds Act. A letter .was received from the secretary of the Cheviot Patriotic and Red Cross Ladies’ Committee asking tno Soldiers’ Committee to take over the local roll of honour. The request was complied with, the committee expressing its appreciation of the work done by the ladies' committee in the past-