THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15536, 11 March 1916, Page 6

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Mr John- gardener on the Courage Estate, Seadown, has been netting remarkably good results on the soils' there, and in spite of the drought, his cucumber.-, grown out in the open, without any glass., nre particularly good for • the conditions. Une of them i s 19 iuches long, and sti!! growing, having grown two inches since the rain of last Sunday.

Regarding the disease that ii .attacking horses in the South Island just. iiow, the "TVairarapa News'' ha*. been informed by Mr S. Aiteheson, who has had a large' experience, that it is not by any means new. He says that, to his knowledge, it has been known over thirty-five years. It is. caused through the 'animals drinking impure water, such as is to be found in partially clried-up ponds, and that is why it is being noticed in the latter part of summer. If the horses arc removed to another paddock, and care taken that there is a good supply of pure water, the disease will disappear in about two davs. The. cure is simple, and as it is of * importance that the numerical strength of horses should be conserved at this time. Mr Aiteheson is anxious that farmers interested should hear of it at a time when the knowledge is required. CHEVIOT. Favourable rains have fallen here during the week, and the growth of grass north-wards of Tipapa is nothing fess than phenomenal. This great growth extends right to the Clarence Bridge, and has put all the coast farmers in good heart to face the winter. Rape and turnips are growing to such an extent that farmers who feared a hard winter and sold hundreds of their sheep; only netting Is (3d per head after paying expenses, are now lookius for stock to keep 'down the. rape. The strong second growth of the turnips and mangolds will not. tend to great durability' in the mangolds, but for feed purposes the turnips will not suffer. OXFORD. A largely-attended and successful social was held in the Oxford Town Hall on Monday night, to bid farewell to Messrs C. F. Bassett. A. Vallance. R. Bonish. G. A. Ivory, and C. H. Eley, members of the 14th Reinforcements. Mr J. Wells (chairman of the County Council) presided. An eloquent and inspiriting address was given by Mr TV. TVeld. who, on behalf of the district, made a. presentation to each -of the departing men. Mr Bassett responded on behalf of his comrades. The monthly meeting of the Oxford East District' High School Committee was held on 'Monday ni.ght. Present— Mr.R. ,B. Dalley (chairman), Mrs Heasley, Messrs Cook, Beere. and Newman. The headmaster's report showed the average attendance ,to be—primary 110, secondary 15. A suggestion was made in regard to cleaning. the school, qn hygienic principles, and it was decided to. accept, the recommendation. Miss Grace was thanked for a garden seat she had provided for the use of the girls of the secondary department. The erection of a shelter shed ivas considered, and it was decided to ask the Board of Education for estimates. The Board of Education reported that it had been decided to provide single desks for the secondary department. LEESTON. The annual meeting of the EllesI more Brass Band was held on Tuesday \ evening, the president, Mr C. Fisse, presiding. The. report stated that the band bad experienced a. fair year. Three stats were to be presented—one. to Bandmaster Baylis for twelve years' service, one, to Bandsman Boyle for six rears' service, and one to Bandsman JSmythe for three years' service. The balance-sheet showed receipts amounting to £52 l'is lOd. and expenditure .£4B 6s Bd, leaving a. credit of £14 6s 2d. Officers were elected as follows: — Patron, Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes; president, Mr C. Fissc; vice-presidents, Messrs J. CI Free. F. B. Clausen/.J. H. McMillan, S. Gibson. J. TV. Hammond, T. H. Overton; T. Gilbert, J. Barnett, A. T. Robertson, and Dr. Yolckman; bandmaster, Mr A. Baylis; .secretary, Mr F. H. Perkin; sergeant, Mr G. Harner; corporal. Mr E. Boyle; lance-corporal, Mr A. Thornton; custodian, Mr C. Everest; committee, Messrs F. Townshend; F. H. Barnett, C. Everest, and Smythe. On account of the finances not heing as strong as» usual, owing to the war. the bandmaster and secretary declined to accept more than half the usual amount voted to them for services rendered.

A most successful concert and dance was held in the Leeston Town-Hall on Thursday evening,, under the auspices of, the Lady Liverpool Committee. The function .Was promoted for the purpose of obtaining comforts or' delicacies for the soldiers at the front, and each person was asked to bring a gift, such as jam, pickles,. condensed milk. Bweets, and so on. A • splendid collection of gifts was displayed on a large .table in the ante-room of the halJ. A most enjoyable concert was given by local talent, comprising songs by Mesdames S. H. Ba'rnett and Cradock, Misses Blacklcr, and Kilbride, and Messrs G. MeLachlan. Thwaitcs. L. Opnenheim, and W. A'. Mansell, a trio by Mesdames Jones and Cradock and Mr Mansell, a duet by Mr and Mrs.Barnett. a piano solo by Mrs Jones, and humorous items by a visiting professional, Mr Henri French. .The ladies provided an excellent supper, after which the dance was held, the music for which was supplied by Mrs J. F. Donald. ASHBTJRTON. Before the rising of the Court at Ashburton yesterday, Mr V. G. Day, S.M., remarked that as Senior-Sergeant Emerson was leaving on promotion to Wellington, hewouldlike to express his high appreciation of the admirable manner in which the sergeant had discharged his many duties while in Asliburtop and. the valuable- assistance 'he . had always given the Bench and the members of the Bar. He also warmly congratulated him on his promotion. Sergeant Emerson thanked his Worship for his kindly remarks, and said he also had to thank the Bench and the members of the Bar for the consideration thev had always shown.him.