COUNTY CENTRES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8690, 16 October 1913, Page 7

COUNTY CENTRES.

NEWS AND NOTES

(From Our Travelling Reporter)

RAKAIA

The Countryside.

Agriculturists in the Rakaia district, in common with those in other portions of the Ashburton County, are experiencing a very successful season, and at the present time the district has a very prosperous-looking appearance. The lambing has turned out better than for many seasons past, and practically all tlie percentages so far recorded* have been up to 100, many flocks showing a return as high as 120 and 130 per cent. The lambs, in addition, are well forward, the favourable weather generally experienced having enabled them to grow Avell and strong. Spring crops are making vigorous growth, and those which have not suffered as a result of the depredations of small birds are doing well. One district farmer told a reporter that he had never seen the small bird nuisance so bad before. He said there was an alarming number of the feathered tribe to be seen, and, spite of the factthat trappers liave been doing good wbrk, the birds do not .seem to pet fewer. He stated that■■ they were working havoc with many crops, and he instanced his own case. On September 11 he sowed a 25-acre paddock, but the birds had eaten it clean out. He had been compelled to sow again, and the second crop, which had got well forward very quickly, had also suffered, though not to the same extent as the first.

A good many potatoes are being sown, and the total acreage is far larger than last year.

The dairying industry has not been taken up very extensively by farmers in the Rakaia and adjacent districts so far, but there are evidences that the number of suppliers to factories is on the increase. Most of the cream is sent to Christchurch.

"Whilst there is a fair amount of moisture in the .subsoil, farmers and agriculturists would welcome a few hours' rain. The surface of the land is very dry. Complimentary Social. The complimentary social tendered by the parishioners of the Roman Catholic parish of Rakaia to the stallholders, assistants, and workers in the recent "Grand Spring Festival" was a decided succ&ss. There '♦was a largo attendance, and the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, of Methven, presided. A very enjoyable programme of vocal and instrumental items was provided by local talent and visiting friends, and a dance was afterwards held, most of those present at the social taking part. Mr D. Brown officiated as M.C., and music was supplied by various ladies and gentlemen: Supper was handed round and the function was concluded at a late hour, v Lodge Meeting. The Loyal Rakaia Lodge of the 1.0.0. F., M.U., held an ordinary meeting last evening, when Bro. T. Burns presided. A large amount of routine business was transacted, and it was decided to contribute to the Ashburton Friendly Societies' Council so as to enable members to participate in the benefits available under the arrangement between the Council and the Ashburton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in regard to hospital treatment. It was also decided to join with the other Friendly Society lodges in Rakaia in a church parade at St. Mark's Church on Sunday week. Presbyterian Church's Annual Soirea. The annual tea meeting in connection with the Rakaia Presbyterian Church was held in the Town Ball on Tuesday evening. There was a large attendance, and the hall was quite full. An abundant supply of refreshments was supplied by the ladies, and proved to be ample for the tea and supper. After the tables had been cleared, a concert and public meeting was held. The proceedings were opened with' devotional exercises, and the chairman (the Rev. W. T. Todd) extended a cordial welcome to those present. He apologised for the absence of the Ttev. H. N. Wright (vicar of St. Mark's Anglican Church), who had gone to Christchurch to attend the Synod. Mr Todd referred to the; two building schemes in which the congregation was interested, and said that he felt sure they would raise the £230 required before March 31, 1914, to secure the £100 already donated towards the liquidation of the manse debt. The sum of £55 had been contributed by the congregation to the "Every Members' Campaign," which had for its object the raising of £11,400 for buildings, etc., for the Canton Village Mission- i i i'r i i. Appropriate and helplul speeches were given by the Rev.;, Messrs. G. Lindsay (Southbridge) and C. Murray (Sydenham), and were attentively listened to and with much appreciation, The following musical and elocutionary programme was gone through: Songs, Mrs Allan, Miss Payne, and Mr H. S. Gardner; part songs, by a glee party under the leadership of Mrs .Todd- recitations, Cathie Stewart and Irene Todd; action songs, by the Sunday School children (trained by Mrs Todd and Miss .Tucker). A comprehensive vote of thanks was proposed by the chairman and carried by acclamation. . The gathering was very successful, and the pronouncing of the Benediction by the chairman brought the proceedings to a conclusion, j General. The petition: in connection with the proposal to establish a Town Board in Rakaia is still being circulated, and has been favourably received by the majority of residents. The rabbit fencing round the sports reserve in the township has now been completed, and residents speak favorably of the Domam Boards action m erecting it and thus improving one comer of the township- The appearance of the reserve has been considerably enhanced thereby.