COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14409, 17 July 1912, Page 12

COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS

Owing to the «onfcinued wet weather the "Ellesmere ploughing match, which was postponed from last Thursday vt> to-morrow, has been postponed indefinitely-

Mr Thomas Clement, of Netherton, Renfrewshire, Scotland, has presented a purebred yearling bull from his wellknown herd of Ayrshires to the settlers of tho Rongokokako district freo of all expense. The Rongokokako cheese factory directors are to act as trustees ior the animal, and will make all arrangements as to housing, feed, etc. Tho bull was selected by the New Zealand Government representative.

Mr D, Jones, organising secretary to the Reform Party, mentioned in conversation with our Timaru representative yesterday, that in . travelling up and down the island he had conJa to tho conclusion that the area of wheat sown this year was much smaller than for some.years .past, and the recent rains would delay farm work-so that still less than was intended would ba sown. He predicted that wheat would be. dear next year, and that wo would have none for export.

Under date of Juno 7th our London co-respondent writes:—Mr H. C. Cameron, Produce Commissioner, who is a member of-the Council of the. ColdStorage International Association, attended a meeting of tho. Council in Paris this week, when arrangements- for holding a conference were considered. The French Government declined to give official support to such a conference, so it was decided to approach the British Government, and endeavour, if possible, to make London the venue. Failing Groat Britain, Italy may be induced to give the Conference official patronage. At the London wool sales in November a new rule, suggested by the Wool Buyers' Association, that farthing bids up to 10d be accepted, will come into force, having been approved of by tho Associated London . Selling "Wool Brokers. ■ •

Snow commenced to fall at' Mothven at 8 p.m. on Monday, and on Tuesday morning the ground was covered to a depth of nearly two inches; a lot of rain has fallen during the last week or so, and consequently the soil is very wet, so much so that ploughing and general farming work of a similar naturo is entirely suspended. But taking tho winter on a whole up to tho present, farmers have very little to complain of. Tho late rains hare been oxeeedingly warm and , mild, and stock have not suffered in tho least, and are at present looking well. Feed also is abundant. Fat and storo sheep nro bringing good prices, and tho demand for good crossbred breeding ewes or wethers, with good mouths, is exceedingly keen. Storo cattle also arc- being eagerly sought after, especially steers and heifers from eighteen months' to three years old, and a mercantile firm which has an agency at Methven, lifts a buyer for some 300 head, and are prepared to pay a good price.. The grain market is in a very weak condition at present, and prices quoted on trucks, Methven, are merely nominal. In consequence of this farmers who are still holding grain are not inclined to accept present values. This being so, the volume of business doing in cereals is very small. Some farmers say that next month when lower freights aro ruling, that prices will improve, but merchants are not optimistic, and are rather inclined to think that prices will not improve.

KAIAPOI

The quarterly meeting of tho officebearers of tholtaiapoi Methodist Church held last Thursday, was well" attended, and the Rev. A. Mitchell, superintendent of tho circuit, presided. Tbo statement of income was £123 19s, and expenditure £136 2s 10d. Owing'to many wet Sundays tho collections had fallen off.' Tho Sunday schools and Christian Endeavour Societies of the Church had been well kept up. Tho report of tho Foreign Mission Fund for tho Dominion, showing an.advance of £400, was considered very satisfactory. Owing to the Waihi strike the-income of that circuit had suffered, and it was resolved to contribute ono per cent, to assist. A sum of £3 14s collected for the British strike relief funds having come in too late to be forwarded, it was resolved that the amount be paid-to the Coal and Blanket Fund. Mr J. McArthur and Mr Gordon Blackwell were elected secretaries and treasurers to tho Home and Foreign Mission Funds respectively. It was reported that till local subscriptions' to the _ Methodist newspaper were fully paid. It was reported that a Commission would shortly sit to deal, with the, boundaries of Kaiapoi and contiguous circuits, and those interested were requested to prepare statements respecting the same. f - FRENCH FARM. A most successful euchre party and dance ,was held in tho schoolroom, French Farm, on Friday, in aid of the prize fund, and despite the inclement weather about eighty persons wero present. The - ; prizes for the euchro match wero won by Mrs W. Warner and Mr W. Warner, whibt Miss Hilda Fergus and Mr Payne wore the recipients of the "booby , . , prizes. After supper dancing was indulged in till an early hour. v ICIRWEE. A smoke concert. was held in .'th«f< Kirweo Hotel on Saturday, night for tho purpose of bidding good-bye to the stationmaster, Mr W. Goitgi, who is being transferred to another district; Mr D. It. Hutchison occupied the chair. During the evening Mr Gough was presented with a purse of sovereigns from the residents, and also with a travelling rug, which was a special present from Mr James Gough, Mr W Gpugh suitably responded. Songs were given by Messrs Hutchison, J. Riordan, Thomas, F. Narbey, sen. , . Burns, and ■J. Hartle. ,"Mr F. J. Narbey pJay-ed the Accompaniments. Several toasts were also honoured.