COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17281, 23 September 1916, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Otra Correspondents.] ; , ' ■■;, HINDS. The Railway. has now completed the ereition of a new house for the stationmastor at Hinds. Tho building is well finished ahd up-to-date,'and is an acquisition to the township. The old house has been, remdved, and tho men are engaged in improving tho station buildings, and in .the erection of a porters' room. The Hinds branch of the Red Cross Society has Sent away £3 18s Cd for tho sailors' Christmas bags. The school children have sent away eighty-three articles for tho samo purpose, and since April have made 180 articles for the Red Cross Society. ■ ASHBURTON. ' A pear grown:by Mr W. Morrow, of Pendarves, was on .view at Ashburton yesterday. It" measured 16j inches round and weighed 21b 9io». At me opening coremony of the new Church of Christ at Ashburton' on Thursday afternoon, the secretary and contractor (Mr W. E. Olson) was presented with a travelling companion from tho congregatidn. _The annual social and concert in connection with the Ailenton Presbyterian ■, Sunday School was held in the schoolroom on Thursday evening, when the Rev G. Miller presided. The' superintendent (Mr W. J. Moore) presented the annual report, which showed that very satisfactory work, had been done during the year 1 . A musical programme was submitted, which hcluded several items by the children, and an address was given by the chairman. Miss Cox played the accompaniments. tlmuka. A gift sale and fete arranged by the Orari Patriotic Committee in aid of the Patriotic Funds was held in the Orari Domain on Thursday afternoon. There was a large attendance, including many visitors from the surrounding districts. The-sale was opened by Mr W. Nosworthy, M.P. During the afternoon a hockey match was played between the Patriotic Committee and the Orari ladies, resulting in it draw, three goals each. It is anticipated that the function Will result in the Patriotic Fund benefiting to the extent of about £l5O. CULVEKDEN. On Saturday evening a number .of the residents of the Citlverden district assembled in tho Drill Hall to bid farewell to Mr Tony M'Masters, of Balmoral, of the Eighteenth Reinforcements. Mr F. E. Croft occupied the chair and presented Mr M'Masters with a case of pipes