COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13905, 2 December 1910, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

JOTTINGS TOR FARMERS. The Department of Agriculture is at present considering a test for tuberculosis as applied to milk, the discovery of a chemist attached to a large English milk company. Objections to the tuberculosis test for cows are that the flow of milk is interfered with tbe animal being upset for a couple of days; moreover, dairy farmers are naturally reluctant to risk their animals being either condemned for or suspected of the disease. The new discovery claims to settle by examination of the milk itself the question of the freedom or otherwise of the cow from tuberculosis. Tlie new test has been submitted to tho Pasteur Institute, Paris, and, it is said, has been approved. Trafficking in Government settlement leaseholds is not confined to New Zealand. The same complaint is being made in New South Wales. The Minister for Lands (Mr Nielsen) disapproves of the transfers of settlement leases. A considerable amount ot trafficking has been going on for some rears, induced, no doubt, by the good seasons, and the high pnce tor stock and produce. It has been ascertained that in many cases settlers have sold out at big profit, the "goodwill" value of tbe lease being sometimes estimated at upwards of £1 per acre, and the total price running into many thousands of pounds. The Minister has issued a departmental minute on the subject. The discretionary power rests with him in approving of the transfer, and he now states that it will lie useless to submit any cases unless special circumstances prevail. By special circumstances is meant adverse circumstances, over which the owner of the settlement lease has no control. The mere fact that the proposed transferee would be a desirable settler will not in itself be considered a sufficient reason for approving of a transfer. AMURI. A general meeting of the Amuri Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Saturday, Mr W. O. Richards, vice-president, being in the chair. Correspondence was read from the Postmaster-General and Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., ro the use of tho old residence of the Postmaster for library purposes. The report of the Catalogue Committee was read, and their recommendations were adopted, with a few slight alterations. The date of the next show was provisionally fixed for March 21st, 1911. The Luncheon Committee's report was held over till the next ordinary meeting. The proposed new rules of the Association were then read, and after some discussion it was resolved that they should he considered at a special meeting. KAIAPOI. The installation of Bro. R. Wylie as Worshipful Master of the Southern Cross Masonic Lodge, Kaiapoi, took place last evening, there being a large attendance of visiting brethren from the city and country lodges. The ceremony was performed by the R. vV. Grand Master and Grand Lodge officers. The following were invested with the jewels of their resoective offices: —Bro. W. Nimmo, S.W."; Bro. A. Mitchell, J.W.; Bro. E. E Papprill, chaplain; Bro C. Hoskin, organist; Bro. A. L. Gray, secretary; Bro. R. Moore, treasurer; Bro. H. Mcintosh, S.D.; Bro. H. W. Farrar, J.D.: Bro. W. Jeffery, D.C.; Bro. F Gribble, 1.G.; Bro. P. Bate, tyler; Bros G. Templeton and L. Brighting. stewards. In consequence of tho death of Bro. J. Hoskin, who would have become 1.P.M., the visitors tendered their sympathy, and a resolution of appreciation of the lato Master's work, and condolence with his wife, family, and relations, was passed in due form. Th© banquet was shorn of its interest, no songs being given, and the speeches were of the briefest and most formal character, A meeting of the Kaiapoi Women's Christian Temperance Union was held on November 30th, when the election of officers took place. Mrs Harrison was unanimously re-elected president. Airs Soulby resigned the secretaryship after twenty-one years' service, and Miss Blaclrwell was appointed in her place. Mrs T. G. Blackwell was reelected treasurer. Sister Catharine, from the Addington Methodist Mission, gave an interesting address dealing with her work amongst the poor and needy families. There was a large attendance of members and friends. Many failed, in consequence of tho crowded audience, to gain admission to a concert and comedietta in aid of the Kaiapoi Presbyterian Church, on Wednesday evening. The stage of the Oddfellows' Hall was also rather limited for the principal items. Songs were given by Messrs F. E. R. Suggars, J. H. Blackwell, A. Ironside, and the Rev. A. Mitchell. The _irls of the Sunday school, as well as the boy Scouts, contributed some of the items. Mr C. Stewart gavo a display of club swinging. Character songs and five tableau representations, with the comedietta "Beauty and the Beast," afforded considerable entertainment, and the limelight effects produced by Mr Eagle added to the radiance of the scenes. All the items were loudly applauded. AKAROA. At a meeting of the Peninsula Horticultural and Beautifying Association, held on Wednesday evening, it was resolved to hold the annual Summer Show on January 2nd, 1911, and Mr Jno. Craw was appointed to judge the horticultural exhibits, and Mr F. J. Hill the cookery section. The secretary reported some £1-4 to credit. After discussion, it was decided to approach the Borough Council to build a retaining wall on the Wharf Reserve a*- speedily as possible, and to have it laid down in lawn, shrubs, etc., also f_at a visit of inspection be paid to L'Aube Hill, with a view to beautifying the Tcservoir site. The question of approaching the Government for a subsidy towards a Coronation Memorial was reserved till a later date. Tlie departure of IV* r David Gillies from the Peninsula will be a serious loss in musical circles. During the past year he has acted as honorary conductor to the Amateur Orchestral Society, and has done much to place the orchestra on its present satisfactory "condition. Mr Gillies intends taking up his residence in ChrL-.tchurch, where he will resume his profession. A very excellent programme was given at the concert of the Akaroa Amatenr Orchestral Society, and met with very hearty appreciation of a large audience. Under the baton of Mr David Gillies, the Orchestra rendered selections from "II Trovatore," "Barber of Seville," "Guy Mannering," and "'A Midsummer Night's Dream" excellently, whilst the vocal items were supplied by Miss M. Hall (Christchurch), and Messrs Gill (Christchurcb), T. Taylor, and G. Ross, all of whom had to respond to enthusiastic recalls. GERALDINE. A very successful sale of work, in aid of the building, fund of the Geraldine Presbyterian Sabbath School, was held in the Drill Hall on Wednesday. There was a very large attendance during the afternoon and evening, and practically everything was so!*i out before the day closed, nearly £"80 being realised. The hall was thrown open at mid-day to accommodate the country people, who were in town for the fortnightly market, and the ladies of the refreshment department were kept busy supplying their numerous customers with luncheons. In addition

to the nsual stafls there was a Christmas Tree and Bran Tub for the children, and a shooting gallery and various competitions provided amusement during the evening. A promenade concert pt vocal and instrumental items was aiso an attraction, and the Geraldine Brass Band save a few selections outside the hall. ASHBURTON". A good deal of interest was taken yesterday at Ashburton in a poll of the ratepayers with respect to the proposal to raise a loan of £650 towards the erection of suitable municipal swimming baths. Very keen interest h now being taken in Ashburton in the useful art of swimming, and a number of enthusiasts aro especially anxious that every boy and girl attending the various schools should be given an opportunity to learn. Th. present dressing rooms have certainly been in a very dilapidated condition for a considerable time, and it is argued that the present baths do not provide sufficient privacy for females, while the water, which is brought in from the Ashburton river, is' often in a thick muddy condition. A donation of £100 has been promised by the Ashburton County Council, either towards the erection of new baths in the Domain or the improvement of the present baths, ana it is e-i-iniated that with an nddi' ional £6-t0 up to date nnd satisfactory aciommodation for all s'winimeis and bathers can be provided. The poll resulted as follows: —for 118, against -56, informal rotes 8. At the weekly meeting of the Ashburton Young Men's Catholic Club. Father O'Hare presided, and the Bey. Dean O'Donnell paid a visit to the club. During the evening Father O'Hare presented to the club's library fourteen handsomely-bound volumes of the New Popular Encyclopedia, for which he was accorded a. very hearty vote of thanks. At a meetinp of the Ashburton Ministers' Association further arrangements were made in connection with Dr. Henry's visit to Ashburton towards the end of January and in February. A weekly united prayer meeting was arranged for. The resignation of the secretary, the Rev. \V. E. Lambert, was accepted with deep regret. Following are the vital statistics for Ashburton for November : —-Births 29, deaths 11, marriages 13. The figures for the corresponding month in 1909 were:—Births 26, deaths 16, marriages 17. i There was a very large gathering at the Ashburton Masonic Hall on "Wednesday evening,, when the installation of Bro. Colin Campbell as Master of the Thistle Lodge, No. 113, N.Z., and the investiture of officers took place. Both the Thistle Lodge and the Ashburton Lodge (No. 1811, E.C.) were strongly represented, and there were many visitors present representing lodges in various other parts of Canterbury, as well as lodges outside of Canterbury. The ceremony of installation was impressively performed by the M.W. Bro. F. C. Binns, P.P.G.M., and P.G.M., assisted by Provincial Grand Lodge officers. The following officers for the ensuing year were invested by Prov. G.S. Worshipful Bro. F. C. B. Bishop:—LP.M., Worshipful Bro. A- Long; Deputy-Master, Worshipful Bro. J. Mellor, P.M.; S.W., Bro. H. Mercer; J.W.. Bro. F. H. Knight; chaplain, Worshipful Bro. S. Moore, P.M.; treasurer. Worshipful Bro. G. Meddins, P.M.; secretary, Bro. H. Curson; S.D., Bro. C. iS. Johnston; J.D., Bro. S. Crooks; D.C., Worshipful Bro. T. Williams, P.M.; organist, Bro. H. A. Gates; 1.G., Bro. E. W. Carlale: stewards, Worshipful Bro. kS. Rountree, P.M., Worshipful Bro. J. Harris. P.M., and Bro. E. Dale; tyler, Bro. Charles Beech. At the close of the ceremony the Installing Master, on behalf of the Lodge, presented the 1.P.M., Worshipful Bro. A. Long, with a very handsome Past-Master's jewel, in recognition of the valuable services he had rendered the Lodge. A successful banquet was afterwards held.