THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15486, 13 January 1916, Page 5

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. MEETING OF GOVERNORS. A meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury Agricultural College was held at tlie College on Tues- ? rG u? nt: "Messrs H. A. Knight, 15 G. Rennie, and Thos. Jjiackley. - Sir Rennie moved, and Mr Blacklev seconded, that Mr Knight be elected chairman for the year. The chairman reported that he Ji3d succeeded in obtaining feed for 1300 sheep, thus avoiding the necessity of buying any land. lhe Board had under consideration •, a PPucation from a parent for a diploma for his boy, who had gone to the front at the end of the second term of his third year's course. It was decided to hold over the application till the end of the war, and then deal _ with all students in a similar position. |

SLAUGHTER OF YOUNG CATTLE

~Mr George T\ itty, 31.P., has received tho following; letter from Mr C. J. Keakes, Director of the Live Stock Division .* ''Referring to our discussion in Wellington regarding the slaughter Ot young stock, and your desire to bo informed of any change made in the restrictions which have been in force, tho_ position is this: It has now been decided to remove the restrictions to some extent, and the position now stands as follows:—Young cattle under two years of age, depasturing on c U< txt n - a . n terbury, or in the counties of u aitaki and Waihemo, may be slaughtered for export, provided they a . r ® of sufficiently good quality to justify the classification of the* carcases under one of the three following classes in the Imperial Meat Supply Purchasing Schedule : —Class 12: Second fluidity beef. Class 13: Boning quality beef. Class 14: Boneless beef. All such carcases. if passed'and approved for export by the inspector, will be accepted for purchase on behalf of the Imperial Government at schedule prices. The maximum age for veal carcases, allowed to be exported on owner's account, will remain at nine months." I

JOTTINGS FOE FARMERS,

Tho president of the Malvern A and P. Association (Mr H. C. Townshend) lias decided to present a silver cup to the exhibitor who gains most points at the show on April 20th, in all classes, excluding those in the produce shed and stud sheep.

A well-known slieepfarmer informs the "Hawke's Bay Tribune" that the sheep-carrying capacity of the land in the North Island is fully half a million short of th 6 standard, due in a large measure to tho severe drought of last season. In many districts in the Wairarapa and Taranaki at the present time feed is going to waste for the want' of stock.

OXFORD

_ There was a large attendance at the Uxtord Town Hall on Monday night, when a farewell social was tendered to several men leaving with the 12th Reinforcements. During the evening an address was given by Mr L. Watson, who referred to the death, on the previous day, of Mr J. Sobman, a Ghurka, who was one of the friendly natives during the Indian Mutiny, and who was one of the natives who had saved tho Me (of the late . Sir Cracroft Wilson. As a riiark of respect io the deceased, the audience stood in silence. Presentations were made to Messrs H. Gilchrist, J. McGrath (absent), Howard Kippenberger. C. ]>. Roberts (absent). On Saturday afternoon Mr L. Bowman, Government. Apiary Instructor, gave a demonstration before a number of beekeepers at the apiary of Mr Plackatsch. As foul brood lias a# good hold m the district, steps must be taken to eradicate it, and Mr Bofrman proposed to show tho way. Mr Bowman, m the first place, gave emphasis to the value of the bar frame, and gave a demonstration of fixing in the founda-tion-comb, and showed the advantage of a full frame over one with but a small start of foundation. He next proceeded to) show how to handle bees pointed out the character of foul brood,' and gave instructions for its eliminaHe then showed how to transfer bees, and gave instructions as - to their treatment after transfer. The demonstration was very interesting and instructive, for which Mr Bowman thanked on the motion ot Messrs Burrows and Gardiner.

YALJ>HTTRST

A social was held at Yaldhurst, to make presentations to Corporal H. Bleasdale, Rifleman A. Adams, and •Private A. O'Callaghan, who are leaving for the front. After progressive euchre, prises for which were kindly given by Mr Waller, songs wore given by local and other talent. T*h e pre-, sident (Sir W. Johnston) presented a luminous wristlet watch each to Messrs Bleasdale and Adams, and with, suitable remarks wished them God-speed and a safe returu. Mr Witty and Mr Waller gave addresses on recruiting matters. Private O'Callaghan, who could not attend, was presented with his memento at the residence of Mr. H. E. Hall, chairman j of .the League. I

LEESTON

The quarterly meeting of officebearers of the Leeston Methodist Circuit was presided ove r by the Rev. A. i\. bcotter, of Sydenham. The statement of income and expenditure showed a credit on the quarter's working. Reports from Leeston, Irwell, and Brooksine indicated that Sunday school work was in a healthy condition. Mention was made of the impending departure from Irwell of Mr T. A. Morlanr). who had been superintendent of the Sunday school fo r some years, and a resolution or thanks and of appreciation of his services was carried unanimously. It was also reported that the Rev. A. N. Scotter had been appointed to represent t he circuit at conference nest ; month. Mr G. Skinner was appointed lay representative, with Mr W. Brooks as substitute. Last year's officers were re-elected. Resolutions of sympathy with t. Mr Jonathan Sowden and Mesdames Houston and Ramsay in their illness were carried.

ELLESMERE,

Mr F. W. Johnston, a member of the Canterbury Recruiting Board, waited upon the Ellesmere County Council at its monthly meeting in connexion with proposal to set tid local recruitin<* committees m the country districts. He suggested that a central committee should be appointed for the countv. and that sub-committees should be set up m different parts of the district. The Board was anxious, Mr Johnston said, that the country should be thoroughly covered. The members of the Council were aware that there was a fairly Sjtrong feeling in favour of compulsory | seryicc. but m the meantime it was [desirable that every effort should be ijiade to secure as many men as possible under the voluntary system. The Board felt that a good' deal could be done by means of a personal appeal, and d. willing to give every possible assistance to country committees. After some discussion, a strong committee was appointed, composed of three representatives from each centre in the county.

KOWAI BTJSH.

A large crowd assembled in the Kowai Bush Schoolroom to Bay farewell

to Rifleman Ashley Atkinson, of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. During the evening Mr C. P. Smith presented the guest with a wristlet watch from the residents, and on behalf of the Kowai Bush Social Club, of which he was secretary and president, with a safety-razor. Songs were contributed by Miss Kinnaird and Miss Edna Atkinson and a recruiting recitation by Miss Greta Atkinson. Music for dancing was supplied by Miss Molly Atkinson, Rifleman Atkinson, and Mr C. P. Smith.