THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15395, 28 September 1915, Page 4

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. KAIKOURA A. AND P« ASSOCIATION. The committee of the Kaikoura A. and P. Association mot on Saturday, Mr Edmond Parsons (president) in the chair. It was decided to ask tho County Council to appoint tho following to the Agricultural Committee: Messrs James Boyd, S. Andrew, H. Chisnall, J. G. Garrett, T. Harlo, H. Corner and E. Wallace.

Sub-committees wero appointed as under: —Stock: Messrs G. D. McDonald (convener). T. Harlo, J. Kerr, J. Robertson, A. J. Gray, A. P. Robinson, H. Comorj A. Evans, H. Montague. and I. McGregor. Ground: 'Messrs 11. H. Monk (convener), J. H. Walter, £. "Wallace, A. Bovd, J. G. Garrott. J. Johnston, sen., l''ranK Smith, H. Chisnall, T. Harlo, 11. Comor, and A. Evans. Produce : Messrs James Davidson R. T. Pop©, R. 11. Powell, W. E. Richardson, G. Stevenson, i*\ H. Flower, S. Andrew, and G. Shields. Competitions: Messrs J. Robertson (convener), Frank Smith, JG. "Wallace, J. H. "Walter, E. H. Workman, and J. G. Garrett.

Schedule: Messrs D. G. McDonald (convener), R. H. Monk, J. Davidson, J. Robertson, A. Boyd, J. H. Walter, W. E. Richardson, R. T. Pope, T. Ilarle, Jnmes Kerr, and J. G. Garrett. Accounts: Messrs McDonald, Robertson, and Gray. Results: Messrs Davidson, Stevenson, and H. Chisnall. Measuring steward, Mr W. E. Richardson; marshal, Mr R. H. Monk, with Mr A. Evans as assistant marshal. AMURI A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. Tho adjourned annual meeting of tho Amuri A. and P. Association was held in tho Library Hall, Waiau, 011 Saturday aftornoon. There was a good attendance, and Mr li. T. Beaven. vicepresident, was voted to tho chair. The balance-sheet, showing a credit in hand ot £76 14s 4d (of which £7 lis (3d was to the credit of the dog trials), was read and adopted. A letter from the secretary of tho New Zealand Council of Agriculture in regard to tho probable shortage of labour at harvest time was helcl over. Many members considered that although inereasetl areas were put. under gram crops, the dry season was having such a detrimental effect that extra labour would probably not be required in tho district. In regard to the circular letter from the. New Zealand Council of Agriculture, asking that Agricultural Committees be set up in the various districts, it was agreed to call a public meeting under the auspices of tho Association and of tho Waiau Farmers' Union, to sot up a committee; also to obtain the services of some officer of the Agricultural Department to lecture at v tho meeting on the experimental work likely to be undertaken. A voto of sympathy was passed to those residents in the district who have lost relatives at the seat of war, and to tho wounded.

The flection of officers resulted as follows:—Patrons. Messrs \V. A. Banks, M. Bethell, Thomas Chapman, G. W. Forbes, M.P., G. Gould, G. Fulton, 1). Rutherford, G. 0. Rutherford, W. 0. Rutherfordj B. »Seth-Smitli. and Captain J. A. Northcote; presideut, •Mr IJ. T. Heaven: vicc-presidents, Messrs F. S. Northcoto and John Little; treasurer, Mr V. G. Oldman; secretary, Mr T. 31. Marr; committee, Messrs James Brown, E. P. H. Burbury, J. Kennedy, I). A. McKie, C. Netting, K. Pcttigrew, L. J. Pulley, W. J. Smith, A. J. Sunckoll, and the officers ex officio. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the outgoing committee and officials. It was agreed to meet on tho last Saturday in each month. vSCARGILL FARMERS' UNION. At the last meoting of tbo Seargill branch of tho Farmers' Union there wero present:—Messrs J. Cameron, W. Leach, W. F. Pannett, J. H. Jones, T. Roberts, D. Davie, W. Harrison (chairman), and D. Patterson. A motion of sympathy with Mrs Overton in the loss of her husband, killed in action, and all other residents of the district who have lost friends arid relatives in the war,, was moved by 'Mr J. Cameron, seconded by Mr Jones, and carried in silence, members standing. Mr Pannett proposed:—"That wo are in sympathy with the movement to assist our Allies, and pledge ourselves to help as best wo can, and form ourselves into a oommitteo to canvass the district when the time arrives."

The motion was seeouded by Mr Leach and carricd.

Tho action of the secretary in communicating with Mr MacTagjgart with a view to getting him to visit the district and give a lecture to farmers on the benefits of lime and how to use it, was approved. ' Mr Pannett proposed:—"That this meeting of tho Scargill branch of the Farmers' Union requests the executive to urge upon the Government the necessity of using the utmost expedition in I proceeding with their enquiries regardping tho making of munitions of war in New Zealand, or in otherwiso providing the same." The motion was seconded by Mr Lcach and carried. CUST. The employees of the A 1 Flour Mills, Cust. held a social gathering to bid farewell to Mr Roy Hawker, one of the staff, who has joined tho Ninth Reinforcemcnte. Tho large No. 3 Granary was cleared and tastefully decorated and lighted with electric light, making a very pretty room. There was a Very large gathering of friends. Tho programme consisted of songs, recitations, stop dancing, and dancing. Mr R. GanJner actcd as 31.C. Oil behalf of the men, Mr Gardner presented Mr Hawker with a purse of sovereigns and also a miscellaneous parcel, the gift of Mrs Gardner.

GOVERNORS BAY. Tho ceremony of planting two oak trees in the Governor's Bay school grounds, in memory of two ex-pupils, Privates Samuel Manson and Ernest H. Manson, who recently fell at the Dardanelles. took place on Thursday afternoon. There was a large gathering of residents and scholars. Mr W. Cowlin and Mr W. A. Carpenter delivered short addresses, and tho pupils sang patriotic songs. All those present took part in the planting, and when completed a move*was made to the Ecbool, and the Union Jack was hoisted and saluted. The singing of tho National Anthem brought the ceremony to a close.

AKAROA. The installation of the W.M. and the investiture of the officers of Lodge Phffinix, AkaToa. No. 43, was held on Friday. Several members of the Grand lodge were present, and M. Wor. Bro. J. Thornton acted as installing officer. The folio-wing officers were invested:— W.M.. Bro. T. Masefield; Bro. B. "W. Hemning; S."W.. Bro, A. Gray; J W.. Bro. J. Kerridge; Chaplain, Bro. J. R. Newton; "D.C.. Bro. T. Penlington; 1.G.. Bro. VT. Jaoobson : Tyler, Bro. J. R-. Whithanx; SJ>., Bro. F. Armstrong; J.D.. Bro. T. McKensie; Treasurer. Bro. T. E. Taylor; Secretary, Bro. A. H. Julius. GLENTDNNEL. A very successful concert in aid of tbo Serbian Fund, was Riven bv the Glentunnel Girls' Club, on Friday evening. Tho two principal items woro the cantata. "Soot and the Fairies," and tho dialogue. "The Magic Pin." In tho former tho principal characters

wcro filled by Misses H. Bell, I. Hill, A. Weastell, and P. Willis, and in the latter the leading roles were taken by Misses R. Smith, M. Dickie, L. Ait-ken, L. Griffiths, M. Marsh, N. Macgregor, and I. Hill. Chorusos wore also sung by tho members of tho club; recitations were given by Miss M. Dickie. I. Campbell, and M. Hill, a. pianoforto solo by Miss A. Weastell, and Miss Lyrist Aitken sang Tho Rod Cross Song," and by it the Red Cross Funds will benefit by £1 5s 6d. Tho concert was concluded by tho "March of tho Allies" and the singing of the National Anthem. Great credit is due to Mrs Allard and Miss "L. M. Jones for the timo they havo spent in coaching the girls. GERALDIXE. Mr W. Webster, who has been chief clerk in tho local post office for a number of years, died on Sunday last. He had been unwell for some time, and underwent an operation last "vvoeK. Much sympathy is expressed for his widow and fivo children. Shearing has oommenced on some farms in this district. The rain fctili holds off, but the crops are looking well, though many complain that they have to cart water for stock and household.