JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15267, 1 May 1915, Page 6

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS

Messrs Duncan and McCulloch, of the Agricultural Department, visited Ashburton on Thursday, and, in company with Mr J. Tucker (chairman of tho \shburton High School Board of Governors), Mr W. T. Lill/ and Mr C. Branigan (Fields Inspector), inspected the 120 acres of land which tho High School has'under offer from the Government for an experimental farm. Messrs Duncan and McCulloch expressed themselves as favourably impressed with tho suitability of the land and its location for an experimental..farm, and.it is hoped that at an early date a definite reply will bo received from the Agricultural Department. KAIKOURA. MrGayford c engineer, who has done good work-as resident supervisor-of tho Hapuku River bridgo construction works, has been transferred to Napier. He is to be the superintending officer over tho larg e railway bridge at Tho Spit. ■ , Highly beneficial rain fell on Tuesday and Wednesday, and happily, tho accompanying fall of snow on the frojc country was, comparatively, very light. Should no sharp frosts follow, pastures will b o vastly improved. A good deal of ploughing is being done. The 10th Regiment went into camp at Kiucaid Downs—some seven mites out of town —on Wednesday. -An interesting addition to tho Kaikoura District High School Technical Classes, collection has just been made by Mr R. T. Pope, chairmaii. He obtained from Claverley, part of a "hermit's" fleece —that of a halfbred — the total weight of which was 371b. It represents six years' growth ; the staple exceeded seventeen inches in length in .parts. - HANMER SPRINGS. The Tourist and Health Department has decided to keep the massage rooms open all the year round. Visitors to mc "Springs" during the -winter monuis will therefore be able to get massage and other treatment as usual. . OHOKA. At tho first annual meeting of tfie Ohoka Public Hall subscribers. Mr E. Lord, chairman of the trustees, presided over a large attendance. Hβ presented the balance-sheet. which showed assets £480. and liabilities £170. This -was considered very satisfactory for tho first year. Considerable discussion ensued about the prices charged for hiring the hall, and it was decided to reduce a. number of the items. The Social Committee was reelected. Mr W. Poninghaus being reelected chairman. DARFIELD. There was a fall of .38 inches of rain on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, followed by-a very heavy hailstorm on Thursday, afternoon, the total fall for the two days being 63 points. The total rainfall for April was 96 points. A strong nor'-wester blew for several hours yesterday, melting the snow on the mountains and making -weather conditions much milder. Owing to the large increase in the number of subscribers on the Darfield Telephone Exchange, it hat been found necessary to instal a new switchboard, with double the capacity of the old one. The work was completed yesterday, and is giving every satisfaction. A special meeting of the GreendaleMalvorn Methodist Church Circuit -was held in Darfield yesterday, to consider the matter of erecting a residence at this end of the district. It was decided to go on with, the work at oncej and erect a house at Greendale. The Darfield Football Club plays the first match of the season against Dun**ndcl. at Darfield to-day. So far

it has not been found possible to make any regular sub-union fixtures, as some of the clubs cannot raise a team, owing largely to tho number of members who have gone to the war. TEMUKA. Nominations for seats on the Teniuka Road Board, rendered vacant by retirement by rotation of Messrs jouu Ta.lbot, D. Grant, and G. W. Armitage, closed at noon yesterday. The nominees were: —Messrs G. AY. .armitage, J. J. Ellis, Donald Grant, J. J. Nolan, and Guyon A. M. Macdonald. The election takes placo on May 7th.