THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15604, 31 May 1916, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

am era A. and r. association

The monthly meeting of the Amuri Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Saturday. Present:— Messrs Heaven (president), Oldman, fottigrew, Smith, Sunckell, Tsetting, and Iviarr. . 'I'hc president was appointed delegate to tne Conference of Agricultural Societies in Wellington in July. It was agreed to forward the following remits:— That the attention of the Conference be called to die impurities in fertilisers, whereby weed seeds are spread over farm?. That the Conference endeavour to have the tare on wool sold abolished. That the Conference endeavour to get T.hc tare on frozen mutton considerably reduced. Mr Sunckoll was appointed delegate to the conferencc called by the Canterbury A. and P. Association regarding lk-igian farmers. It was agreed to support the Northern A. and P. Association in its endeavours to secure an experimental fnrm near Baiigiora. JOTTINGS FOB FARMERS, The sheep returns for South Canterbury this year show a marked decrcaso as compared with last year (says our Tirnaru correspondent). A number of prosecutions are pending against fcouth Canterbury sheen owners for exposing lice-infected sheep for sale. ■. KAIAFOI. The Borough Council has convened a nublic meeting for .Friday night of ratepayers and others interested m the harbour improvement scheme, when the provisions of the Harbour liill will be lulJy explained. TAI TABU. . Twenty-eight shooters took part in a patriotic hare drive on Thursday, hold under the auspices of the Tai Tapu Gun Club on tho property of its president (Mr 11. M. Morton). Hares were not very plentiful, only 61 being shot. Tho«o were delivered at tlio Islington Freezing Works next morning by Mr Morten. The shooters were afterwards entertained by Airs Mortcu, after which tho host and hostess were thanked by Messrs F. Hubbard and R. Macartnov, ou behalf of those present. Mr and Mrs J.. F1 Watson and family, who are leaving the district for Brooksido, whore they have purchased a farm, wore given a public send-off at the Methodist Schoolroom on Friday evening, when a large number of friends were present, the Rev. Metson presiding. Songs were contributed by Mrs I. Philpot, Mrs Jas. Anderson, Misses E. Suckling and E. Parrett and Mr L. Perynian, recitations by Misses 1.,. Yarr and Greta Andrews and Master F. Andrews. Valedictory speeches were delivered by Messrs_ R. A. Forbes. H. E. Perynian, J. MacKenzie, F. Hubbard, and Gilmour., and -a written appreciation of the guests was forwarded bv Mr H. Parrett, who was unable to attend. On behalf of the residents, the chairman, after an appropriate speech, presented Mr and Mrs Watson with a silver tea sorvicc. Air T. 0. Morgan, on behalf of the Bible class, presented Miss Ella Watson with a trinket-box ar.d Miss Annie Watson with a writingease. On tho same occasion Mr .L. 1 obick, who is also leaving the district, was the recipient of a fountain peu from the members of the Bible class. L. Pervman made the presentation.

... COALGATE. Very heavy; i*ain has been experienced "hero since Saturday ni<*ht, and tlio Selwyn River is very high. The rainfall registered on the Government rain gauge up to 8 a.in. on Monday was 2.48 in.

HORORATA. The Plantation Board is putting a •sawmili in the plantation at the east oud of tho district, to cut tho whole of the timber out, as the big wind in ' October, 1914, blew many of the trees down, and loosened the remainder. It is estimated that it will take three years

to clear the lot. . - : The Government has purchased a*site | in the district for a transformer station, and it is hoped the district will get some benefit froni the electric line that runs through it. kowaTbush. On the evening of Empire Day a concert and danw was held in tho Ivovai Bush Schoolroom, promoted by i, the pupils in aid of the Tawera Patriotic Fund and soldiers' orphans. An excellent programme of part-songs, nursery rhymes, coon songs, showing splendid diligence on the part of the i pupils, was cone through. Two songs; contributed by the vicar, the Rev. j L. Knight, a recitation by Mr G. "Williams, and an address by Mrs Stevenson were thoroughly appreciated. The accompaniments were played by Mrs P. 11. Johnson. Mr Knight presented ■Miss Ruby Gold with a book as a reward for selling tho largest number of tickets. He also presented to tho school children, on behalf of Mrs P. H. Johnson, a handsome picture, as a reward for their euergetic efforts in making i tho concert a success. An auction sale | conducted by Mr G. "Williams swelled ■. the funds to the extent of £41, the I main items being tw 0 flags presented by the school children. The New Zealand. ensign was purchased _Mr P. Johnson ior £21, and tho Belgian flag by Mr C. P. Smith for £2 los. Cakes ; from Misses Ethel and' Rubj Gold, honey and d'oyleys from Mrs W. Atkin- J son, sweets and a pumpkin from Mrs W. Jenkins were also sold. The net proceeds amounted to £53 6s. Three hearty cheers were given by the chii- ■ dren for Mrs Johnson, their teachcr, ! Miss Walker. Mrs Stevenson, Mr I<. I Mr G. Williams, and Mr A. Johnstone, tho chairman. An excellent supper was provided by the senior ! giifs. A dance followed, the music j being supplied by Mise Dalby and Mr C. ]'7 Smith.