COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14522, 26 November 1912, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

THE GRASS GRUB

(SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, November 25. This is the month in which tho flights of the grass grub beetles occur. It Is necessary to absolution of tho problem of dealing with the'pest, that the fullest details as to its life history should be known. The Government biologist, Air A. H. Cockayne, is therefore anxious to obtain information as to the exact dates on which the beetles are observed on tho wing in different districts. Farmers throughout the Dominion are asked to forward at once to tho Biologist any observations they may make.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS,

The weight-guessing competition at the Banks Peninsula A. and P. Asj sociation's Annual Show resulted as follows: —Fat sheep, W. Pettigrew, Pigeon Bay, and A. L. Williams, correct weight, 2021b, equal, first; fat bullock, J. McQueen, Little River, 8601b first, Mrs J. Parkinson, 8591b, second. The animal's weight was 8621b.

Yesterday a "Press" reporter heard excellent news of the year's prospects for the farmer. A man who lived in tho Upper Ashley district said that the sheep and lambs there were going ahead well, and had before them feed often knee high. Tho grain crops, and particularly oats, were very forward for the season of the year. Another man who had been about the Timaru district said that all thero seemed well forward, feed was plentiful and the crops rather more than pleasing. Mr Walter Parkinson, who had been judging at the Oami.ru Show, added that there he had seen.fat lambs which were remarkably good, better in fact than any ho had seen here. From what he had seen himself, and from what ho had heard ho had no doubt that those who were farming down ther6 had reas>oii to bfe than pleased. All three said that they had heard nothing of scouring owing to rank feed, as had been reported, and regarded such a thing as unlikely. It might exist m the case ct a few very young sheap, but certainly was not so general as to cause cooament.

TAI TAPU

A public meeting of Tai Tapu residents was held in the Hall on Friday, to discuss the new mail arrangements and the conveyance of passengers to and from Christchurch. There was a rather poor attendance, and Mr R. A. Forbes was voted to the chair. The successful tenderers, Messrs Clements Bros., of Halswell, stated that the new mail contract had not yet been settled, as they did not consider the traffic would warrant them in puttng on a motor-coach. They would rather withdraw their tender and see the present coach service continued. Tho present contractor, Mr Argyle, agreed to run an earlier service, leaving Tai Tapu at 7.45 a.m. and returning at 10.30 a.m., if time-table arrangements could bo made to suit. It was also decided to ask for an afternoon mail by coach from Tai Tapu.

* HINDS.

The annual concert in aid of the school prize funds was held on Friday evening, when there was a very large attendance. Squads of girls and boys gavo very creditable exhibitions of wand and dumb-bell exrecises and clubswinging. ' Action-songs, in costume, wero appropriately rendered by the children, and reflected credit on the teachers who had trained them. Miss N. Gibbs acted as accompanist. Songs by adults were given by Miss Rogers, Messrs T. L. Gibbs, S. Gibbs, and C. Gounion. After an excellent supper the room was cleared for dancing.