THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15693, 12 September 1916, Page 4

THE COUNTRY.

NOTES AND NEWS.

COTR TEX AY A. AND P ASSOCIATION.

Tile monthly mooting of the C'ourtcnay A. and P. Association was hold on Saturday evening, the president (Air J. AY. Belgrave) presiding over a good attondanco

Correspondence "was read from Mr H. Overton in regard to tho Belgian Farmers' Restoration Fund; from the Ashburton A. and P. Association regarding horse parades and competitions, and from the Marlborough A. and P. Association regarding chow work in general.

Tii c president stated that Mr H. Overton iiaj visited tftc district in regard to tho lie Igi an farmers' 1 Restoration Fund, and that money and kind would be gladiv received through the local A. and I'. Association. it wan anticipated that a monster bale would be held ' n Cnristchnrch to dispose of stock, etc., find that stock "would be carried by rait to tho sale free.

It was decided to erect sanitary conveniences. the Ground Committee to meet on Kirwec sale day and arrange the site.

It was agreed to aek all judges at tho forthcoming show to furnish a statement of expenses. Permission was granted to the local Patriotic Committee and to the .Ladies' Hod Cross Committee to use the Association offices for the bandage classes. It was decidod that only the south room of the offices be used for such meetings.

Mr I{. McClelland wag elected a member of the As~oeiatiou.

Tho following spccial prizes and donations worn received:—Mr J. V/. Bel-gr.-ive, 10s <3d for best sample of sowi 1154 by girls under lo years, and 10s <id for best assortment of cooking for girls under 13 years; Mr W. J. Jenkins 10s (id for Shorthorn hull, and 10s Gd for Jorspy coir : Jarnian Bros., i's; Mr A. Robertson, £1 Is; Mr A. W. Colec, £1 Is; Mrs Syme, 10s 6d; Mr Symc, ICfe ocl.

Mr W. J. Jenkins was asked to give tl:o re-sult of the swede and mangelgrowing experiments which-iie conducted under the supervision of tho Department of Agriculture, but ho stated that he had been requested by the Department not to give information for publication. This fact elicited a good deal of criticism from members, who wanted to know -what was the use. of such experiments if they were to be withheld from tho public just at the time -when most farmers were thinking about sowing. One member in particular spoke very •strongly on the folly of red tape in this matter, and asked if the experiments were being conducted for future generations or for the present, as the result could not be tco widely known at the present time. ?.Ir Jenkins gave tho result of his own experiments, stating that what he had grown for himself excelled those grown under Government supervision, t!:n reason being that his own were grown oil much better land. One patch of 4 acres of mangels yielded 80 tons per acre, feeding oCO sheep and 10 bulls icr a fortnight. •

Mr Jenkin-s was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his information.

JOTTINGS F01t» FABMERS.

Tho Wainui Dairy Company's output has been sold at y 3-16 d per lb f.o.b. at Lyttelton.

Tho Pigeon Bay Dairy Company, Ltd., reports having sold tlxo whole of the reason's" cheesy at 9-Jd per lb f.o.b. at Lyttelton. It'adds, with some degree of satisfaction, that this constitutes a record for exported cheese.

A huge goose's egg is at present on view in a shop at Mataura. It ireighe lOoz, is' lliin in circumference lengthwise and Oin round the middle. The egg was laid by a goose at Mr T. Robbertson's farm*ne>r Brydone.

At a meeting of directors of the A karoo, Butter Company, Mr A. J. Turner presiding, it was agreed to sell the butter output for the next four months at Is o;\d per lb in bulk for oxport, an advance of 2Jd oil the highest price received last season.

A public trial of the Jolbert Light Oil Tractor was held on Mr Henderson'u farm at Oxford 011 Saturday, which attracted a la.jo number of interested farmers. It operated a. five-furrowed plough, setting out and iinishing, and at cultivating it was submitted«■to a good test, drawing both discs and harrows.

At ii meeting of the Invcrcargilt branch or the Xew Zealand Fanners' Union on Saturday, a discussion took place regardiug dipping, and the following resolution was carried unanimously: —"That the practice of sellers, passing on their liabilities to buyers by selling their sheep at the time that dipping should be done, to as to oscapo ~ the exponse, is highly reprehensible, and this meeting considers that the original seller should be held, equally responsible in the case where the ultimate buyer is prosecuted."

Th c South Canterbury correspondent of the "Farmers' Union Advocate" says that there will be a good deal of grassing down to do, principally on account of the drought last year and the ravages of tho grass grub during the past autumn and winter. 'Grass seed is very dear to buy, and tho boecling •will be reduced in consequence. The land should be extra well worked to make up for this. It is*t o be hoped that the coming .summer will b P favourable to the growth and harvesting of a large area of grass seed. It will be all needed, as stocks arc completely run oiif. No_ doubt the prohibitive priecs now ruling for sheep -,rill induce farmers to turn their attention to saving hay and grass seed. To obtain the best results. paddocks intended for these crops ■should now bo-closed up, and they will be improved by a stroke of the tine or the chain harrows, particularly if there are many animal droppings about.

W'AIAU. / For the past fortnight in AVaiau drying iior'-wostprs iinv e prevailed, and

tile snow is fast disappear ing frt>m the hills. Farmers arc able to push, on with, their work, but th 0 . winds arc having the effect of removing tnc surface moisture from the soil, which is not conducive to growth. A nice shower on Thursday night helped matters somewhat, but a few more showers are required \to piomote vigorous growth in grass and crops. The weather, however, is ideal for lambing, and many strong, healthy lambs arc now to be been in the district.

Much o.f the timber for the "SYaiau Farmers' Saleyards, to be erected ou the south side of the river, is now on the ground, and the work of erecting the yards will shortly be put in hand. The effort inaugurated some months ago by the residents of AVaiau to obtain a doctor for the Arauri district, so as to Icsoen the disabilities under which many of the residents labour, have at length borne fruit, and in a few days Dr. Morris will take up his residence at Rotherhara.

f ho rails of tho Waiau railway arc slowly creeping towards their destination, and arc now within about three mile's of the site of tho station. The members of the Railway League, who have laboured so wholeheartedly in this cause for a number of years, can, therefore, look forward to the completion

(of the line at no distant date, and to tho reaping of the reward of their labours. '

OXFORD. » The weather during tho past week or so has been more or lees windy, the nor'-wester predominating. There have been several hard frosts, which have left their mark in the springing pastures. The land .'•> dry, and in good order for cultivation. Though the snow and wet weather retarded farm operations, •" farmers arc making such progress that they are likely to overtake the work. Teams are everywhere busy, and labour is 6cayce. A few hours' rain, followed by v,*arm weather, would bring grass and crops away rapidly. At tho monthly meeting of the East Oxford District High School Committee. there were present Messrs J. .J. Heaslcv (chairman!, Cook. Zimmerman. Johnson, Newman, and Dal ley. Tho headmaster reported that average attendance for the past month had been —primary 105, secondary 14. It was decided to send a letter to Miss I. Laycock, who had been relieving teacher in the secondary department for two months, expressing the committee's high appreciation of the manner in which <he had discharged her duties. Correspondence was received from the Board of Education intimating that the annual .inspection would begin on September 25th, and that the contract for the erection of a technical school had been let. A start has been made with th e building. Mr Heaslcv resigned his position on the committee mving_ to leaving the district, and his resignation was accepted with regret.

AMBERLEV. The members of the imbcrley Town Board the employees presented Mr F. G. Lewton, the retiring chairman, with a pipe in case and tobacco pouch on Thursday evening, in recognition of his services as chairman to the Board for the past eight years. Mr Lewton, who is not seeking ro-ojcetion, suitably acknowledged the gift. { BROOKSIDE. A very successful and enjoyable entertainment iva.s given in the Brookside School on Friday evening bv Mr" and Mrs Brewing and family, of Chiistcliurch, in aid of tho Red Cross and Lady Liverpool Fluids. There was a large and appreciative audience. Tho first part of the programme consisted of the sketches "High Life Below Stairs," "David and the Waiter" (Dickens), "Mrs Poyser Her Say Out" (George EJiot), and "Boats at HOII3* Tree Inn" (Dickens), and recitations by the Misses Kathleen, Muriel, Elsie, and Florence 15 re wins, all given in ' excellent stylo. Tho second part consisted of pictures from thp poets, and included Longfellow's "The Old Clock 011 the Stairs" and 'Maidenhood,'' Hood's "The Song''of tho Shirt," Whittior's "The Barefoot Boy" and "Maud Miiller," and two other well-known pieces, "Old Age, and Youth" and "Darby ..md Joan. - ' The pieces were recited by Miss Muriel 13rcwins. The members of the party wore accorded a hearty vote of thanks, 011 tho motion of Mr J. Cunningham (chairman of the Ellcsmere County Council) who presided. Tho visitors ! were motored out from town in a car belonging to Messrs Adams,, Ltd.

ELLESMERE. Some of tho stock-owners in the Ellesmerc district have lately been interesting themselves in a proposal io eecuro the services of a resident- qualifier veterinary surgeon for the district. Mr D. H. MacHattie, M.R.C.V.S.. resided at JLceston until niter the outbreak of war, when lie was engaged by the Government to undertake work with the Expeditionary Eorco. Mr MacHdttic is stili in j£gypt, and it i s understood that he does not intend to return to the Ellesmere district on the termination of'his present engagement, unless tho stock-owner* form themselves into an association an ( i make up n guarantee of £400 per annum. . A mooting was licld at Lecston on Thursday, under the auspices of the Ellesliiere A. and'P. Association, the president (-Mr E. G. Hubbard) presiding over ;i small attendance.' The chairman read 'portions of an agreement made between the stock-owners of JJalclutha and the veterinary surgeon there. A considerable amount of discussion took place, and it wag finally •agreed that Mr MacHattie. should bo written to and told tliafc an effort to form an association and to make up a guarantee had failed, hilt that the stock-owners would be quite willing to give him their support if ho dccidc c l to return to Ellesmere.

BROADFIELD. The annua] meeting of shareholders of tbo Broadfield Shearing Shed Co., Ltd., tvas held in the Schoolroom on Saturday evening. Mr H. Paterson presiding over a fair attendance. The annual report showed a falling-off in tlio shearing returns, duo no doubt to the very dry season, hnt the returns from crutclung and dipping wore about the same as in previous years. The balance-sheet, which -was read and adopted, .showed a credit balanco to profit and loss account of £95 10s Bd, and a debit balance at the bank of £47 ISs Id. The following Tvcre elected directors for tjie ensuing year:—Messrs H. Paterson (chairman), F. Cunneen, E. Cunneeu, F. Carpenter, F. Campion, T. Heuloy, J. Henley, and P. Ryan. Mr P. H. Labattr vraa re-eleCTed auditor.

AKAIIOA. The annual general meeting of the Akaroa Horticultural and Beautifying Society w„os held in tho Council Chambers last Thursday night. The Mayor (Mr Geo. Armstrong) presided over a very fair attendance. The report and balanco-sheot stated that, in spite of an unusually hot and dry summer, the year's work could be regarded as highly satisfactory. There was a credit balance of 14s. The report and balancesheet were adopted, anj hearty votes of thanks were accorded to tho outgoing officers. For tho ensuing year th« following were elected: —Patron, Hon. K. Heaton Rhodes, M.P.; president, tiie Mayor (Mr Geo. Armstrong); vice-president, Mr .Jos. Armstrong; lion, treasurer, Mr C. AY. Leete; hon. secretary, Air Frank G. Armstrong; and a working committeo of twenty members. It v;as agreed to hold the two shows during the season, the first, the Eose Show, on a date in November to be fixed later on. .the second, the Summer Show, ou tlie first Thursday in the New Year.

.During August the little seaside resort did very fine work in connexion with certain of the patriotic funds. Early in the month an operetta netted £-50, the hulk of which was handed to the Lady Liverpool Fund. A week later a fete realised £300 on behalf of the naval dependants. Two weeks afterwards a Christy Minstrel Troupe, aided by the sale of a famous pet lamb, cleared £190 for the Red Cross. Emboldened j:y the sitccess of these functions. an ( ] remembering the financial results of two outdoor fetes held last year, the town is now projecting n ivfonster Patriotic Carnival, to he held •some time in- January next, when the tourist season will be at its height. The Mayor lias convened a public meeting for Tuesday next for the purpose of making the preliminary- arrangements. DUVAUCHELLE. A public meeting of ratepayers in the Akaroa County was held at Duvauchelle. on Saturday to consider the question of whether motorists should be allowed to'use the roads after sunset on at least one night in the week. Mr J. I>. Bruce, chairman of the County Council presided over a large and representative attendance. Tho chairman explained that at its last meeting the County Council ha<j practically decided the matter, hut as two of "the Koad

Boards in the district had asked that certain of the roads should be exempted, it was deemed advisable to convene a public meeting whereat the matter could be considerod in all its bearings. Tho Automobile Association wrote urging the ratepayers to. consider tho legitimate claims of motorists and the progress of the district generally. A lengthy discussion followed the moving of a resolution to the effect that no roads should be exempted. Its opponents pointed out the dangers t 0 be incurred if motors wcro permitted to use any of the roads at night time. They insisted strongly that night travelling should be confined to the main road alone. Eventually the resolution was carried by a majority of one. It remains for the. County Council to ratify thiV, and to make tho nccessary bv-hiw.

ASHBURTOX. Nine nominations have been received for the live members to represent the Tiuwald Town Board. An election will be held on Wednesday, September 20th. Four recruits Jcft by the first express for Timarn yesterday to undergo the preliminary X.C.O. examination. [ The monthly meeting of the Longj beach Road Board was held on Saturday. when Mr V.\ T. Lill presided. Tho Ashburton County Council wrote stating that future applications for waterrace extensions would hav e to be approved by the Road Boards interested before being finally sanctioned by the Council. Mr F. Sole wrote asking the Board to suspend in connexion with th e making of an outlet to the Ford-Middle Park road. The matter was left in the hands of the Surveyor to see what temporary relief could be granted. Mr S. Strange was granted permission to piac 0 a culvert across Terrace road. The attention of tho Board was called to the state, of Lower Terrace road, and it was agreed to attend to the matter at the first j availably opportunity. It was resolved to invite tenders for the use of n traction engine for grading the roads in the district. It was decided to form and shingle GO chains of Hinds River road, and to call for tenders for tho work.

TEMI7KA. .At the Temuka Presbyterian Cliureh on Sunday morning a memorial service to tho memory of tho late -Mi' Isaac ■Smith, superintendent at the Temuka I'lesOyterian riunday School for the past 36 yearn. was held. The •Her. C. Macdouald preached a very impm-vive sermon, taking his text from Rev. l-l-L'3: "'And f heard a voice from Heaven .saving unto me, write, biassed are. the dead which die in too Lord from henceforth; yea. .snvetli the Spirit that they mnv rret Irom their labours, and their works do follow them." Th e preacher paid a glowing tribute to Tlie departed elder, whose life, ho said, was ono of strenuous tservicc for the blessed Master.

HOOT KNOT. to Tit:: kditoii Oi- ■'riu: j'uess."

Sir, —About a week ago there appeared iji your paper an extract from tho Melbourne "Agn : ' regarding root knot in fruit trees imported froiir Australia. This cxtraet states that Mr Brittlebank. an officer of the Department of Agriculture, visited .New Zealand, and proved to the .satisfaction of the New Zealand experts' that the trees were not infected with disease. This statement is in such contradiction to tho true facts of tho case that .w 0 trust you will <rive publicity to this correction. Mr T. W. Kirk, chief of the Horticultural Division of the New Zealand Department of Agricultures, aud his assistant, Mr W. Campbell., are still of opinion that the trees are diseased, and, further, we arc informed "that careful bacteriological tests were made with the trees in question in tho presence of Mr Urittlebank in Dunedin, and proving beyond doubt the presence of "bacteria tuiuafaciens," the germ of ono of the deadliest of fruit treo diseases. The extract you published has nl«o appeared in several other Xoff Zealand newspapers.—Yours, etc.. ED. IVORY, JUNJR.