THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15487, 14 January 1916, Page 5

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. "WORKERS FROM AUSTRALIA. PERMITS TO BE GRANTED. Advice has been received by the secretary of the Wellington Slaughtermen's Union (Mr M. J. Reardon) from the Federal Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. H. 3bihon), that instructions have been issued that slaughtermen and shearers desiring to come to Xeu- Zealand to follow their Ordinary avceations for the season shall be granted permits to leave the Commonwealth. Mr Reardon wrote to the Federal authorities recently, pointing out to tfiem that the refusal cf permits to men in the habit of coming to .New Zealand every season would tend to embarrass the meat companies fif the Dominion when the slaughtering season was at its height and labour was in keen demand. Up to the present there has been no shortage of labour in the slaughtering trade: at least, so far as Wellington is concerned. None of the works is really very busy just yet, ' mainly owing, it is stated, to farmers keeping their stock back, sincc they have ample feed for them. CROP STATISTICS. (rRESS Assocr.mov telegram.) WELLINGTON,. January 13. The latest returns of crops for threshing include the following figures for the Dominion:— , Acres sown Acres sown 1915. 1914. Wheat ... 333,233 229,600 Oats ... 379,869 287,561 Barley ... 29.803 18,347 Maize ... 7.229 5,477 Peas ... 10,041 13,304 JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS, Tho country round Little River and Motukarara is absolutely burnt up. Xliero is no sign of green anywhere except on the lake flats, where there is splendid feed. The crops round Lincoln are short in the straw, and the ears are not well filled. Mr S. Clifton, New Zealand Commissioner of Trade at San Francisco, writing to Mr A. Macpherson, of the Fields and Experimental Farms Division of tho Department of Agriculture, on December 13th last, says:—Tho silver beet in the plot on thci Exposition grounds is attracting great attention. It provided the green food for the sheep sent from New Zealand to the Exposition. There is quite a lot left still, and I am proposing to Professor Thorpe, of tho University Farm. Davis, California, to make some selections for seed purposes. The long-continued drought in North Otago has had a very prejudicial effect stock of every class (says the ."North Otago Times")- This is very apparent in the early drafts of lambs that are going forward to the .freezing works. Most of them are far below expectations, and in the majority of cases they are being graded as second-class quality. The better condition of grazing in the south is attracting stock-owners of this district, and several well-known farmers have recently railed large numbers of ewes and lambs to southern districts. / MARSHLAND. On Monday, in the Marshland Hall, a farewell social was tendered to Mr Sidney Cox, who is leaving for Trentham shortly. The proceedings were of a very enthusiastic nature. Musical items were contributed by Miss Cocker and Messrs Basher, Blackburn, Laker, and L. Wilson. The chairman of the Patriotic Committee,. Mr W. J. "Vy.alter, referred to "Mr Cox's enthusiasm 'in district affairs, (especially in . the Marshland Cycling Club, and wished him every luck and a safe return. Mr Poison also wished-Mr Cox bon voyage, referring to him as a fine type of the old boys of the Marshland School. Hearty cheers were given for Mr Cox,. and for his parents, who have, now sent both their boys to the front. Opportunity was taken to - unveil a photograph of men now at the front, namely, the Rev. W. Grigg, cand Messrs Bert Boakes, A. Rees, A. W. Forsyth, C. James, and W. Jackson. The unveiling ceremony was performed by Mrs T. Quaid, hearty cheers being given as the flag fell. " KAIAPOI. : Last evening, at the Kaiapoi Volunteer Fire Brigade's rooms, a welcome home was extended to Private H. D. Cooksley, he having been a member of. the Brigade for 9omo years before going to the front with the Main Body. There was a large attendance of firemen, and returned _ and departing soldiers. Mr J. A. Mealings, Superintendent of the Brigade, occupied the chaiir. The toasts honoured .'wore :r-"Th©.' King," "United Fire Brigades' Association,'' "Navy and Army," "Our Guest," "Kaiapoi Borough Council," "Kaiapoi Volunteer Fire Brigade," "Returned and Departing Soldiers," "Members of the Brigade at the Front." "The Ladies," and "The Press." Ihiring the evening p. presentation of a five-years' service medal was made to Fireman H. D. Cooksley. Songs .were contributed by Messrs W. Fuddle, A. Pearce, C. W. Eyles, F. White, L: Pearce, A. Hirst, F. Shaw, V. Hirst, and J. Brown.