COUNTRY NEWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 156, 7 August 1914, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From Our Special Correspondents.) ANNAT. The fertility of the soil in this district is well-known, and its suitability for all kinds of crops, but a striking example has just been afforded us. Some time after Christmas Mr John ; Watson cut a nine-acre paddock of • clover, and it yielded over two tons of ,' hay to the acre. The paddock was then shut up and three months later cut for seed. This has just been threshed, and has resulted in the magnificent yield of a little more than a sack to the acre. On Saturday last the Tawera Gun Club held their fortnightly "shoot" at Annat. The match was a twelve-bird one, and there were eleven competitors —Messrs G. Field, A. Rutledge, and -C. Irvine tieing with seven birds each. In the shoot-off Field and Rutledge again each succeeded in bringing down his bird, but in the final Rutledge missed, Field thus gaining the prize for the second time in succession. On Monday evening the usual monthly meeting of the Malvern Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 7, was held,"there being a good attendance. One new member was proposed. The result of the collection by Orangemen on behalf of the Ulster Defence Fund was very gratifying, people having given liberally. Together with the. surplus proceeds from the concert and dance held on July 17, between forty and fifty pounds will be sent to swell the fund. On' Tuesday evening the monthly "long night," in connection with the Annat Social Club, was held in the Orange Hall, but, despite the lovely evening/there was only a moderate attendance. WAIAU. The rainfall recorded'at the Waiau Post Office for the month of July showed it to be an exceptionally dry winter month, only .42 inches being recorded. Rain fell on seven days, the maximum fall of .15 inches being registered on July 19. A slight shock of earthquake, or rather what appeared like two shocks, one quickly succeeding the other, occurred at 9.30 on Wednesday evening. The bachelors of Waiau recently gave, a ball, and the '"spinsters returned the compliment with a splendid function on Wednesday night No trouble or expense had been spared to make the Rink Hall attractive, and the supper provided was of the very best. The music was provided by Wells's Band, and was exceptionally fine. Dancing was kept up.till the early hours. GREENDALE. The weather in this district has been remarkably fine for this time of the ; year. For the last six weeks we have ; had practically no rain at all. The ; land is in splendid order now, and farmers are losing no time in getting the ; last of their grain crops sown. Feed is '' very scarce just now,' except'-turnips, which are standing more feeding than I was anticipated earlier in the season. I All the autumn sown crops are looking ] very well on account of the fine ] winter. Last Friday night the Greendale . Cricket Club held a -very successful concert in the Orange Hall, the proceeds ' of which '\vere in aid of the Open Air j Fund, which benefited to the amount 6f 1 £5. After the concert a dance was held ' in aid of the club. Mr T. W. Adams ••■ was in the chair, and those contribut- ' ing items were:; —Miss F. Mills, piano- ' forte solo; songs by Miss M. Rudd, Mrs ' Watson and Messrs J. Cule, Burt, Mene- ' laws, Perry, and Dixon. Recitations by Mr W. Nelson, of Hororata. Master L". and Miss' Westwood gave several Highland dances. Mr R. Woods acted ] as accompanist, and also played the J dance music. -The members of the club j wish to thank the ladies for their ; as- 1 sistance during the evening. Many I thanks are due to Mr W. Dean (hon. ! secretary) for the way he carried out his duties. Mr F. Cullen acted as M.C. '