THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15396, 29 September 1915, Page 4

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

THE DRY SEASON

RAINFALL AT LINCOLN COLLEGE

AVe have been supplied by Mr Wild, meteorologist at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, with tho following records of rainfall, as showing how far short ire now are of an average supply of moisture. The average rainfall from January to September (inclusive) is shown to be 19.97 inches. The 191-j rainfall for the same period is 9.44 inches. In no single month this year has the rainfall come up to the average.. That for August is the lowest ever Tecordcil for that month. The total from October Ist, 1911, to date, is 11.91 inche?.

! It will be noted that the rainfall at | Lincoln during .the last nino months is I over half an inch less than the amount recorded during the. same period by the rain gauge of '"The Tress" Office, and this is accounted for by the fact that we have had a number of light easterly rains that did not penetrate far inland. The rainfall recorded at Lincoln College is as follows:— Arerago Month. 1883-1913. 3!>W. 1015. January .. 2.C4 2.0G 1.95 February .. I.TI I.W 0.84 March .. 2.KJ 1.55 1.85 April .. 2.05 2.54 1).55 May .. 2.27 1.31 1.21 June .. 2.4.1 I.M 1.10 July ... 2.79 0.52 0.57 August .. 2.05 0..*.i O.:tS September .. 1.1)1 0.63 0.69 (to 27th) October .. J. 70 1.H7 November .. l.!)S :.9m December .. 2.2 a 2.1-2 05.56 20.95 9.41 - OXFORD. Rain is very much needed throughout the district. Tho lack of subsoil moisture is'shown in the slow growth of tho crops, which are making little progress. Though helds are green, pasture is scanty, and the outlook is not | hopeful. ! The children of the East Oxford District High School gave a most successful concert in the Town Hall on Friday night. The hall was crowded, and tho Rev. J. E. Holloway presided. Contributions were given by every section of the school, and were highly appreciated. Thanks were expressed to the teachers for the excellent entertainment provided, and to Mosdames ileasley and Uagloy for tho great assistance thev had rendered.

Dominion Day was celebrated at the East Oxford District High School on Monday morning. At 9.30 the children assembled in the playground, saluted the flag, and sang the National Authem. The Rev. J. Holloway gave a brief address on the fiignificauce "of the day, and the important place tho children had in the making of the nation. It was suggested that, in order to help New Zeaianders who were fighting at tho Dardanelles, the concert which was so successful on Friday might be repeated in aid of tho Itcd Cross funds.

On vSaturdav night a ui«oting of ratopayers of the Eyre and Cooper's Crcok water-race districts, oonvenod by the Oxford County Council, was held in the Coronation Hall. Mr D. J Lawks, chairman of the County Council, presided, and there was a fair attondanco of ratepayers from tho Eyre district, but few from thn Cooper's Creek district. The chairman" explained that the purpose of tho meeting was to consider the advisability of using the surplus water of tho Cooper's Creek district to supply the deficiency south of the Eyre, lb was believed that there was sufficient for the purpose. Mr H. Campbell pointed out how. in his opinion, thin needs of tho two districts should bo supplied and conserved. He recommended "that tho dam be tested, to see whether or not it could be made waterproof, that there be but. one intake, and that a diversion be mado of all surplus water which, being trapped, now goes to waste. It was suggested that tho Cooper's Creek watcr-raco district could lie enlarged to embrace part of tho Eyro district, or a special subdivision be declared. The general opinion was that if the County Council had full control of the water supply, it should exercise that control in the interests of an great a part of the district as possible. On tho motion of Mr Campbell and Mr J. Cross, it was unanimously decided that the Council make a test of the rock in Cooper's Creek, and get an estimate of tho cost of repair, and of constructing the necessary races, etc., to supply the district as suggested.

lUNGIORA. At the Ttangiora Library and Debating Society's meeting on Monday evening, Mr It. Ball contributed a "very interesting essay on Robert Buchanan, poet, novelist and dramatist. The committer) afterwards met and arranged to entertain the lady members and their friends on October 11th, and Messrs 11. Ball and H. 1/. Paterson promised prizes for competitions. WADDIXGTOX. Tho Waddington (school children assembled nt 10 a.m. on Dominion Day, saluted tho flag, had a short address from tho headmaster, and sang tho National Anthem. The rest of the day was spent in a Nature-study ramblo to tho Waimakariri. Mrs W. J. Jenkins very kindly entertained the children at afternoon ten, and Mrs ,T. Ferguson mot tho party on tho homeward journey with amnio conveyance, .so that altogether a very onjoyablo day was spent. SOTJTHBRIDGE. On Friday evening, a large and representative gathering mot in the Town Hall to do honour to Messrs L. Andrews and W. ltawlings, who until recently have filled the respective positions of local stationmnster and porter and relieving guard for the past five years. After a lengthy toast list had been gone through, Mr J. Stony, who proposed tho health of the guests, called upon Messrs T. B. Howson and E. J. Cowan to present each with a substantial purse of sovereigns. KOWAI BUSH.

On Monday (Dominion Day) a very pleasing little ceremony took place in the Kowai Bush School-ground, when a large Union Jack, presented by Major Johnson, was unfurled. After all honour possible ha<l been done to the flag, short addresses were delivered by Major Johnson and Messrs Russell and Atkinson. Light refreshments were provided by the ladies, and a sports meeting was sultfequently held. A concert in aid of the lied Cross Fund -was recently given by the schoolchildren in tho schoolroom* The items included a tableau. '•Britannia," and & number of patriotic tongs. Great credit is duo to Miss Walker ioi the trouble she took in training the children, and also to Miss N. Johnston, who attended the practices and conceit as accompanist. I>unug the interval an auction sale took place. Mr F. A. Atkinson acting as auctioneer. A cake given by Miss Evans, after beiner sold several times, realised £8 10s, a doll £tf 10s, and several other articles brought the total up to £10. Altogether £33 was collected. After supper a dance wis held.