COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13907, 5 December 1910, Page 9

COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

OXFORD,

j Our AVest Oxford correspondent ; writes:— Although the weather has I bsen favourable for the shearing as I well as to the rearing of lambs, it has j b.en dead against the crops all through i the summer. A faw showers and dull, i nights have caused them to head in iii a InH-hearted manner; some of them may bo put down as partial failures, and others ns absolute failures. j Attempts huvc been made to recoup ! the losses by feeding off, reploughing, I and discing, and sowing rape or turnips; but even in this the farmer inlets with misi'ortuno in the shape of absence of moisture, and the übiquitous turnip fly, some of the seed never germinating at all, whilst in other paddorks it was destroyed by the causes j mentioned. Fortunately it is not too I isiK? to resow, as many intend to do, i and they are more than likely to bo suc-crsstul, , as weather conditions are generally favourable to autumn growth. Glowing reports are heard everywhere oi the pecentage of lambs and their i sturdy growth under fine weather con- ! ditions. Good news also comes from our creameries; the milkers seem to have responded to the fine weather, notwithstanding that feed is none too plentiful. Shearing is practically over, and there are only the stragglers to come. So complaints are heard, except of the lightness of the -wool on account of the absence of yolk, caused by tho constant dry winds. In other respects, such as quantity nnd quality, it is satisfactory. No difficulty was found in getting shearers in this district, and the relations between employer and worker were harmonious. KAIAPOI. At the Kaiapoi Itiflee and Cadets' camp a church parade was held yesterday afternoon. A large number of civilians also attended the service, which was held in the open air, end was conducted by Chaplain-Captain A. Mitchell, Tho music for the hymns was played by the band. The Chaplain, in his address, urged that tlie nation had to bo prepared for defence. Security and strength lay in their preparedness. Lst them be true to the country and worthy sons of worthy father* Let thorn all do something to maintain tho greatest Empire, and tho Government whioh possessed the greatest freedom under the sun. Nations would not venture to attack if the Empire were prepared and if people were imbued with the spirit of the Maori warrior -who, on a memorable occasion, in reply to a demand for surrender, declared "We will fight on for over and ever." LINCOLN. A successful floral fete, projected by Mrs Alexander, of Lincoln College, wart held ih the Druids' Hall, Lincoln, on Friday night. Invitations to supply flowcra met with a gratifying response from Lincoln, Tai Tapu, Greenpark, Motukarara, ' Springston, and other places, including the West Coast, and even the North Island; Mr R. Nairn, of Christ-church, lent some beautiful exhibits that were greatly admired. These comprised some magnificent roses and pot plants. The various exhibits included riiany lovely specimens of pelargoniums, geraniums, Japanese irises, gladioli, and sweet peas in abundance, and had been tastefully arranged on stalk in the centre and round the hall, under the direction of Mr A. E. Lowe, of Tai Tapu. In" the evening an enjoyable programme of music wae provided, pianoforte duets being played by Misses Bartrain (2) and by Misses An--deredn-and-Scott; Mrs C M. Suckling gave a recitation, and songs were given by Mr J as. Macintosh and by seveval of the Lincoln College students. One college student gave an interesting display of dumbbell exercises; others gave instrumental selections on piano and violin. In proposing votes of thanks to all who had contributed to the success, oi the evening, Mr R* Wi Lochhead fiiiid that there had not been such a successful floral show in Lincoln for many years. He remarked that everyono far aiid Deal' and of all denominations had contributed exhibits most willingly. The proceeds are in aid of the Lincoln Presbyterian Church Bazaar. GREENPARK. The annual picnic ih connection with the Greenpark school was held loet Thursday, when the pupils, accompanied by their teachers, parents, the echool committee, and friends, proceeded to Simmer by tramcar. After a substantial repast, the youngsters Sd6n scattered to explore the various means of enjoyment, most of them indulging in a good paddle in the sea. The patient, if somewhat slow-paced, donkeys, the exhilarating merry-go-roUnd, and the billowy ocean wave were largely patroi'jsml. After afternoon tea, the party returned to town, en rjoute for home, after having spent a delightful day. GREENDALE. During the past fortnight the crops in the Greendale district have made a, great improvement, and given favourable weather there wi!l be some very fair yields of wheat. The oats for the most part were too far advanced to improve very much, and the yield will be very much below the average. Tho birds havo been very destructive in the early onts crops, and'as they seem to be very plentiful, they will no doubt take a hoavy toll in the various crops, The potato crops are looking extremely well, the recent rains coming at just the right time to give them a vigorous growth. ASHB"URTON. At the meeting of the Ashburton County Council on Friday, the chairman (Mr John Lambie) reported tnat a letter had been received from the Mount Hntt Road Board, calling attention to the recent drowning of a child in the main water race, which, rune through the town of Methven, and the number of narrott escapes which had occurred through the dangerous nature of this open race. Tne Chairman said this was a very serious matter, and the sooner something was done to minimise the danger the oetter. He suggested that the members of the Council should visit Methven on Monday, and invite the Mount Hutt Road Board and others interested to meet the Council at the water race and decide on some Course of action in respect to minimising the danger now existing. The chairman's suggestion was Unanimously agreed to. At the adjourned annual meeting of the Ashurton County Council, on Friday, the chairman (Mr John Lambie), before retiring, read an interesting summary of the principal undertakings of the Council during the two years he had been chairman. Mr John Gngg then, moved* and Mr C. J. Harper se-conded,-tl« at Mr Lauibie be re-elected chairman. Mr Harper referred in complimentary terms to the manner in which Mr Lambie had discharged the duties of chairman -. Hβ had been very painstaking and tmtient, and had conducted the business remarkably well.

Mr Hugo Friedlander, in cordially endorsing the remarks of 3i.r Harper, said he did so with very great pleasure indeed. The renbrt of the business which had been transacted during tho past two years spoke for itself, and showed that the chairman had, a full and keen grasp of all tho business and the transactions of the Council. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Lambie, on resuming the chair, cordially thanked the members for doing him the honour of re-electing him chairman. Ho would, as in the past, do his best. At the meeting of the AshbuYton County Council on Friday, the concrete bridges for stock and motor car traffic, which the Council had recently erected over several of the main water races, were highly spoken of, and Mr Hugo Friedlander remarked that much credit war, dur to tho gentleman who had designed the bridges. Mr Thomas Bullock has mnde an offer of £'2j towards the construction of new swimming baths at Ashburton, provided the Amateur Swimming Club ajzrees to ccrtaiu conditions he has suggested. TINWALD. On Thursday evening Bishon Julius held a Confirmation Service :n .St. Andrew's Church, Tinwald, when riftoen candidates were presented by the vicar, the Rev. B. G. Fox. After the Confirmation the Bishop preached from the text, "If any man will confess Mc boforo men him will I also confess before My Father in Heaven/ At the conclusion of the service the Bishop formally instituted the Tinwold branch of the Church of England Men's Society. Eleven men were admitted to full membership, and received their badges, after which the Bishon addressed them on the rule of life ofthe Society.