COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14821, 12 November 1913, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS AND NOTES.

CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL i CXiLEEGE. _ i

MEETING OF GOVERNORS. i The monthly meeting of *h* Board i of Governors "of Canterbury Agricul- i vara! Goiiqgß was hekl io. Chnstchurch yesterday. Present— Tho Hon. E X C J SJievww (chairman), aad Messrs H. A. Knight. T. Blackksy, R. H. Rhodes, J. Deans, M. Murpby and R. E. Alexander, the director. A letter was received from the Dβpartiaeut of Agriculture with regard to tho application made by the Board for some consideration from tho Rail-way Department for nioiabura of the stnff of the College who travelled about giving lectures aud other instruction. Thy letter stated that ihe Secretary *<> r A« ri ~ culture would be p.oasod to go into tho matter vitli tho Kaihvay Departnient. . . Two applications we.ro recei.veci tor liio two inatrieulatiou scholarships offered by tl>« llourd, aod it was resolved that Messrs N. M. Pobon and M. M. C-oopiT be awarded tho .<»cholarlt -vv-us .innounced that Formers.' Day would be heJd on December Ibth. and that a epecLal leaflet would bo sent out with each invitation so that the visitor* would know exoctlj what was being done and what they wanted to see on tho farm. „ » _ ~, Accounts amounting to v« u» ■,rere passeti for payment.

JOTTINGS FOB, FARMERS. j

There was. a sudden change in tin? weather at Ashburton early yesivrday | afternoon, and shortly before thr±-<> o'clock heavy rain set in. j

Tho bheep guessing competitioa at tho Raugiora Show resulted as under: —T. Methcrell, Lobnrn, 148ilb 1; W. A. Banks.. Tho Peaks, 1491b, 2. The correct weight was 1451b.

At the Northern A. and P. Show the special prizce for draught entires travelling the district were awarded to N. Cook's Ruby Blacon and J.. D. Wyllie's Masseur.

Large supplies of cream iWe coming to hand at the Ashburton Dairy Factory, and the amount of butter made during tho month of October was 22001ba in excess of that for tho corresponding month of 1912, and as great as that for tho month of December last year. This is duo to the increasing interest taken in dairying in the Ashburton district.

A dry summer was predicted this year for South Canterbury (writes our Timaru correspondent), but up to the present tho weather prophets have been hopelessly out of it. The season so far has neen a wet one. There was a sudden change again yesterday, from brilliant eanshino in the morning to adriving rain in the afternoon. During the past fortnight tho weather has been vory erratic. Tho grass and crops are making rapid growth; feed is very plentiful, and stock is looking well. Tho recent rains . will give the root crops a good start. Shearing is now in full swing, but tho frequent rains are causing delays at the shearing sheds. Generally speaking, lambing percentages are high, one hundred per cent, being not at all uncommon, whilo in some fairly large flocks up to 160 per cent, has been recorded.

KAIAPOI.

Instructions have been given by tho Defence. Department to have the Kaiapoi Drill Hall painted and repaired. The hall hns been placed under the control of a committee comprising Captain H. B. "Wheeler (area officer). Cnptains L. Conlan and H. Oram. The suggesttion made some months ago that the Mayor and one or two of tho public should bo associated in the management may possibly be to later. At the monthly meeting of the Kaiapoi School Committee on Monday all the members were present. Tho Education Board staged that the question of drainage would receive attention, and that thirty dual desks had been supplied. Tho resignation of Miss Barnard as pupil teacher was received. A subsidy of £27 Is towards improvements, for which an equal amount had been collected, was received. Tho number of scholars on the roll was 443, and tho average attendance 354, and in tho High School 19 and 17 respectively. A "strike" was the cause of the adjournment of the Maori Land Court at Kaiapoi on Monday. Abont midday the interest of tho Natives in the Court had dwindled till there was no responeo when some of the cases were called, and the judge was informed that the Natives who wished to strike the winning hoi-ses at lticcarton would not return till Wednesday. Thereupon the Court was adjourned till to-day.

80UTHB1UDGE

Tho special prize list tor tho Southbridge Horticultural Society's Annual Show, to bo held on January Bth, has reached a sum of over £33.

LEESTON

An oxamination in connexion with the Trinity College of Music was conducted at the Leeston Convent last week by Mr Henry St. George. All the pupils were successful. The list is as follows: —Senior Division: Mildred Prosser. Cl: Junior Division; Nellie Holloy (honours), 86; 1-aurol Doyle {honours), 84; Mary 73; Mary McCartin. 76; Olive Prosser (violin), GC; Amy Prosser (violin). OS. Preparatory Division: Sarah .McCartin (honours), 87. First Step 3 Division: Julia MoMahon (honours), 82. The executive of the Leeston Beautifying and Township Improvement Association met on Monday, the president (Mr John Barnctt) in the chair. The Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes wrote, forwarding a cheque for £50 "Uwrards the purchase, of Market squaro as a reserve for tho people of Loestoiu The secretary reported having conveyed the thanks of the Association ■to Mr Rhodes for his munificent gift. Mrs J. R. Hewland wrote, stating that as she had left the district she would not be able to tako an active part in the affairs of the Association. Sho desired to remain a member, and enclosed her eubscri]*tion for tho current year. Miss Harper resigned her position as a member of tho executive owing to illness and to departure irom the. district. The secretary was directed to thank both ladies for the interest they had taken in the Arcociatiou. The clerk of the Elfosniere County Council informed the Association that the Council would tako over control of Market square, and also tho property in trust for the people of IfCeston, when it was made free of debt. The EJlesmcre. Domain Board ■ wrote, stating that it could not make a grant towards tho purchase of the equaro.

ASHBURTOX.

The slow train from Timarii wae one hour and t«jn tnintittti lnte arriving in Ashburton yesterday morning. The del.iy was caused by a derailment near Washdykc.

In connection with the Trinity College of Music, London, examinations, conducted in Ashburton by 3lr H. St. George last Friday, candidate* were presented by the Sisters of the Missions, all being successful:— Associate: Dorothy Owen (A.T.CX.); associate (practical work), May Kuigley; certificated pianist. .Mary Soal; senior grade, Ellen Hanaralian; intermediate, Anna Bradley and Ella Langley; preparation. Ellen Brophy (violin); Mary Cuoneen and llona \\ewman, pianoforte; first eteps, Biwi Campbell and ilary O'Grady.