THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15696, 15 September 1916, Page 5

THE COUNTRY.

NOTES AND NEWS.

SEFTON DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING,

| The twenty-eighth annual genera] meeting of shareholders of the Sefton Mutual s Dairy Produco Association, Limited was held yesterday in the Sc*f ton Town Hall. Mr o. Barclay pro--1 sided, and there was an attendance of | about 30 members.

The annual report stated that during the year tho number -<ff suppliers to the factory had increased from 165 to 201. The total output for the year was 136 1-5 tons of butter, compared with 136 8-5 in the previous year. The averago price paid for butter-fat was Is 3d, against 12Jd for 1014-15. The cost of jaannfacturo of a pound of butter was 2.2 d. Attention was drawn to the fact that not- ( withstanding the substantial ' increase in the number of suppliers to tho factory the output of butter for the season waß slightly less than the previous year. To this fact was attributed the comparatively high cost "of manufacture. Referring to the coming season it was estimated that with the continued support of the increased number of suppliers, and the great improvement; ' in the weather condiHoas, tlio output would bo increased by nearly half, and ! the cost of manufacture would in conI sequence be reduced to something like I ljd per lb of butter.. I Tlio : financial report stated that on the year's • working a not profit of £641 10s- 3d ' was • made. Of this amount £198 17b 6d was written off as depreciation, and • a 6 per cent, dividend to shareholders, amounting to . £145 19s. was recommended. j Tho accounts showed that for the „-year ended July 31st, 1916, the total batter sales amounted to £18,892 12a 7d; £16.034 3s 4d was paid to suppliers, and' the expenses of- manufacture and - management amounted to £2828 2s 6d the principal items being —wages_ and salaries - £807 12s, cartago £357, • coal £351, salt, . paper, boxes, etc.. £288,- railage £207. Tho balance to the credit of profit 'and loss account at the beginning , of the year was £722 2s 4d. and at the end of the. year £1164 15s Id. /Tho : stock in hand was estimated at £1257 13s Id, and book- debts £1418 3s 9d, freehold property £1534 6s 3d, machinery and plant £2232 19s Bd. The paid-up capital was £2433 9s, and the bank overdraft-£2477 17s 6a. The chairman remarked that had the season been a normal one the profits would have been doubled. Thero was now grass in nbundanco, and suppliers might expect a good season. The overdraft shown • in the'balance-sheet was largo, but when the statement was made up. there wa s a large stock of butter in hand which had now been disposed of, wiping out the overdraft. • He moved tho adoption of the report and balancesheet. • ■ Tho motion was seconded by Mr T. J. Scott, and carried. Mr J. Barclay was re-elected a director and~Mr W. Hayes was elected in place of Mr G. H. McLean, who became ineligiblo owing to his ceasing to bo a supplier. Messrs J. Marshall and 0.. I. Jennings were re-elected auditors. On the motion of Mr' A. Boyco, it was resolved that a meeting of tho Leithfiold shareholders be oonvened to confer with the directors regarding the disposal of tho Leithfield • creamery, which is no longer used. On tho motion of. tho chairman, it was resolved to pay a. dividend of 6 per cent, on all paid up capital. Votes of thanks were passed-to the directors for their service, and also to the manager, Mr J. J. Henry, and l staff. JOTTINGS FOR FARMEBS. A Palmerston North resident who has just returned from Tar&naki, says there is not enough rennet in that province to see the bulk of the factories .'out till the middle of January. Some-years ago, Mr F- Davis, of Koputaioa, Manawatu, imported some Roscommon sheep from Ireland.. They are large-framed, but light in the wool, and have crossed well with other breeds. A big line of Roscommon . crossbred wethers, bred by Mr Davies, and sold at Levin yards last weok, realised £2 14a per head. The first meeting of the Dunedin committee which has been set up—comprising representatives of the various Fruitgrowers' Associations in Otago, tho Utago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, the Dunedin Horticultural Society, and the Otago Expansion League —to organise the National -Apple Show, to bo held next yeaV in Dunedin, was held on Monday night, in order "to discuss with the Otago delegates to the ' New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation various matters in connexion with tho . show. It was particularly desired that ' the duties of the committee should bo defined, and that its position with respect to finance should bo made clear. In tho course of the meeting, thero ' was some discussion on the point who- ' ther tho annual conference of the Fruitgrowers' Association should not be held at the time of the National e>Eow, and in tho centre where the show is. held. The Fruitgrowers' Federation has decided that- it was advisable that the conference should bo held in "Wellington, for the reason that business trans- ' acted at it might be conveniently brought- under th© notice of the Gov- '

crnment. and, if the General Assembly should be in session, under that also of members of Parliament, but it was argued that various questions arising out .of tho show, such -as those relative to judging and the naming of varieties of fruit, should be considered by the conference on tho spot at the time of) the show. The opinion was strongly expressed at the meeting that it was . undesirable that the annual show should be utilised for the purpose of advertising particular districts, and also that it was advisable that judges should be appointed from outside New Zealand, it being mentioned that several fruitgrowers of standing in Australia would be j willing to act. 1 ' OXFORD. » At the monthly meeti&£ of the OxJ ford Senior Band of Hopfc, Mr J. R. - Clark presided, and thero was a good f attendance. Tho programme included songs,e recitations, and dialogues, also an address by tho Rev. Mr Foote, deal- ' ing with the effect of alcohol on the ' brain. ) HAWARDEN. j A social evening, to tender farewell . to soldiers of tiie Waikari and HawarL' den districts, who are ieavingv for tne f front, was hold in tiie Salvation Army Hall on Wednesday evoning, and de- . spite the unfavourable weawier, there j was a largo and enthusiastic gatlier- . ing. Dr. Little, on belialf of the Ba- . warden residents, presented It. , Allen, J. Alison, B. Hoban, G. Wattie, j and H. McDonald with a set of lruli- . tary brushes each, and spoke in eulogistic j terms of the departing men and wished [ them euccoss and a. safe return. The f chairman of the Waipawa County Cuoni cil (Mr R. Evans), on behalf of Waikari ; residents, presented Privates G. Wat- ! tie ? J. Glendinuing, and R. Allen with a ■ safety razor each, and wished them > good fortune and a safe return. Private J. Allison responded for himself ; and comrades. Mr Evans addressed the .gathering, and emphasised tho ue--1 cessity of every eligible man applying for and obtaining a certificate of regis- • tration. He also thanked parents for ' the sacrifice they wore making in giving, their song for a just cause. Atter 1 tho singing of "They are Jolly Good Fellows" and "Auld Lang Syne" cheers were given for tho soldiers and speakers. A song by Master Don Mcintosh was well received. Dancing was kept up till an early hour, tho music being 1 supplied by Mr Piercjj*. KAIAPOI. To aid the fund to obtain equipment for the Marama, a eucnro party and dance wa< held by the employees of Mr J. H. Blackwell's stores in the -Kaiapoi Drill Hall on Wednesday evening. The euchrc prizes were won by Mns F. Merrin and Mr A. F. Rollinson, I and tho consolation prizes by Miss At- , kinson and Private T. Drabble. Musical items wero'oontributed by Mrs A. Blakeley and Misses Blakeley and Thome. Mr Blackwell expressed satisfaction at seeing som c of the returned soldiers present and others who were going to the. front. A dance concluded the evening's Entertainment. Mrs AY. H. Crabtree, of Los Angeles, a daughter 1 of Mr Wni. vVeston, of Ivaiapoi, arrived on a visit to her, people on Tuesday, aftor an absence of fifteen years. Mr Crabtree for many years was accountant and book-keeper at the Kaiapoi "Woollen Mills, and. is now manager of a printing business in Los Angeles. BELFAST. . On Wednesday evening, in tho Belfast Town Half, Privates F. Sellers, A. Cater, D. Allison, G. Robinson, R. Wilson, J. Walker, and J. ltasmussen, who are leaving with th 0 18th Reinforcements, were the guests of the residents at a progressive euchre' party. Mr Jas. Johiw, on behalf of tho residents, presented Privates Sellers, Cater, Allison, Rasmussen, and Robinson each with a safety razor. Private "Wilson with a wristlet watch, and Private Sellers with a sleeping-bag. Mrs A. Brown and Mr Bent won the euchre prizes, arid Miss Rogers and Mr Guthrie the consolation prizes. The- winners handed their prizes to Mr JoSns to auction in aid of the Red Cross funds. Each article was sold a numfer of times, and the Red Cro&3 will benefit to tho extent of £4. SOUTHBROOK. The monthly meeting of the School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. -Present—Messrs C. R. Thwaites (chairman), S. Kirk, A. Mcintosh, W. Hamilton, W. Frazer, J. Maynard, and H. Robinson. . The headmaster report-ed-a roll number of 145, with an averago attendance of 132. The Inspector's examination report was to hand. It showed that good progress had been made in each department of the school, and-the committee passed a motion congratulating the teachers on the results. It was reported that a spray pump for disinfecting tho school had been procured to he used frequently during the summer months. It was decided to grant a holiday on Dominion Day if other schools were closing. With a view of overcoming a technical difficulty 4}ie headmaster was requested to receive any pupils from other schools, so long as the parents were desirous of their ooming,. without the necessitv of first consulting the committee, wfiich was „ prepared to take all responsibility of 'any such action bv the headmaster.* A farewell social was hold in the Southbrook Coronation Hall , on Wednesday, when the residents entertained Privates C. W. S- , Loffhagen and E. Dench, two , members of the 18th Reinforcements < who were down on final leave. M r B. i D'Auvergne occupied the chair. Pro- i gressive euchre occupied the first part ( of the evening, the winners being Miss ; i W. Roes and Mr T. Barber. Tlio chair- j • man presented the guests with a sol- j i dier's companion, on behalf of their :< friends, and on behai;' of the local Red ! s Cross Committee with uuderclothing j (

ly and comforts. Dancing followed to >o music supplied by Misses A. Mehrtens is and A. Martin. e AKAROA. 5S A public meeting was held in the ic Council Chambers on Tuesday night to >f) consider the general question of rais- | y ing money for patriotic purposes. The . 13 Mayor (Mr Geo. Armstrong) presided d over a representative attendance of the ( s " citizens. As the chairman rointed out, • tho town has, so far. responded nobly !° to the various calls made upon it, Mifc 5 s it was felt the tinio had arrived when thn whole matter should be placed on 10 a sound business footing. Informal discussion followed for some time, and eventually it was decided to form an association to raise and control funds s- for patriotic purposes. Tho following 'were elected ofheers: —President, iVU id i Geo. Armstrong; hon. secretary, Mr (d 1 Thos. Lewitt; hon. treasurer, Mr J. S. so i Dodds; committee Messrs J. I>. 1- Bruce, E. E. Le Lievre, Geo. Checkley, (0 A. R. Munro, and G. W. Thomas. To secure sympathy and support from the neighbouring hays, certain of the officials undertook, in company with a j. Party of entertainers, to visit them, and hold meetings on dates to be fixed r " later. A deputation of three members 1C was appointed to wait upon the County i y Council and urge tho claims of tho Association. Lastly, it was agreed that a 0 threat patriotic carnival should be hold r ~ on «v- convenient Thursday in January next, when the town would bn full of *'• visitors. Preliminary arrangements ? > were mado, and tho meeting adjourned , l " for a fortnight. '9 "Our Day," September 2flth. is to ;d receive due attention in Akaroa. At 10 a meeting held last Tuesday, Mrs Geo. *7 Armstrong, the president of tho ladies' rl Red Cross branch, besought tho men fc ~ not to let this appeal pass unnoticed, a though she had not forgotten the mag- ? nificent response made by Akaroa a f- fortnight ago.on behalf of the Refl •J Cross Fund. Several schemes were pro- " posed whereby a plentiful supply of tne 3 * "needful" might reasonably be ex--5 pected. Finally it was resolved to 5 " open "week-end" provision depots on ir three successive Saturdays, tho gross proceeds from which to be applied to l3 * the fund. The Christy Minstrel Troupe c * undertook to spend one afternoon in ' s costume and canvass tho town from 3 - end to end. . IS Privates John Bruce, Cecil Rhodes, P and Ernest Woodill. members of well--6 known Akaroa families, are down from Trentham on final leave. The firstnapied, the eldest son of Mr J. D. Bruce. County Chairman, has, for tho t last few years, been farming a block c * of land in the Wanganui district. At 'f tho outbreak of the war he had wan 0 him in partnership his second brother, L - Malcolm, who laid down his lifo in -ue y Empire's cause at Suvla Bay. 1 1 j Recently there has been formed hero - "Tho Akaroa Advancement Association." Its main object is to popularise ■■ the town to such an extent that a » steady stream of visitors will be main- ;■ taiued throughout the year. At preJ sent our charmingly-attractivo seaside 0 borough draws its visitors by the - hundreds in the summer time, and at ( times the accommodation of the town, I '» ample'though it is, has been severely - overtaxed. Akaroa, moreover, lias ad- " vantages that fully justify its claim to - be recognised as a pleasant winter re- | e sort-. To make these advantages more :1 widely known, to improve upon them, 3 and to introduce pastimes that appeal " to the winter sportsman, are some of the aims tho Association wishes to see realised. At its first meeting tho Association appointed an iniluentipl com- - mittee to consider ways and means and j > to draw up some practical proposals. | . This comm»tteo consists of the Mayor "j , 'Mr Geo. Armstrong), and Messrs T. j - E. Taylor, AV. H. Henning, H. Room- | - son, A. J. Turner, R. Shepherd, and . T. Lewitt. It met on Monday night . - n the Council Chambers, the Mayor j , being in the chair. Mr T. Lewitt was J - elected hon. secretary, and Mr R. j 3 Shepherd hon. treasurer. Tho latter j 1 stated that a canvass of the town had s resultpd in some £40 being collected, 3 and as the Borough Council had made - the Association a grant of £20, there - was already the nucleus of a fund with 3 great possibilities.before it. It was 3 agreed that there should be a nominal i - subscription <)( os per annum. The ' 1 meeting discussed/various suggestions brought forward by mei»bers. It is j highly probable that before Ibng some j of these will he given a practical solu- ! i tion. Altogether tho committee felfc | • quite satisfied with the prospects out- • ' lined. Details will be made pu-—c lator on. LE BOX'S BAY. Spring weather is being experienced 1 here, and some of the evenings aro ■ balmy a-s December. The grass is growing steadily, although an occasional shower would improve the surface. Tho cheese factory opened on Monday last, and thoso who were able to shut up for grass in the late winter are now re- j . warded with an early and fairly strong growth. i Last Thursday a concert and dacce , was held to augment the funds of tils ( local Red Cross Branch. There was a ' large attendance, and a fairly long pro- " gramme of musical items, assisted by a few "nigger" contributions, wei-c , much enjoyed. A New Zealand ensign, ( worked by the Misses Leonardo and j vPetterson, was put up for auction by Mr L. Mcintosh, and realised £31 7s j 0:1, the fin.il sale being to Mr F. Leonardo at £6 10s. A novel guessing i competition resulted in a great surprise j for the entrants. Four young ladies, •> well-known to the audience, were dis- • guised and seated on tho stage. The correct names, and order of sitting were f to bo entered by the competitors. In e full view of the audience every one ' 'could pick them quite easily. Thesur- : prise exhibited on the faccs of .the guesj sons was worth beholding, when they j were told that out of eighty _ guesses | only one was correct. A enshion pre- i ! sen-ed by Mrs T. Baker brought £1 18s e j 6d. and violets and lollies gratuitous*? t

> given, helped to swell tho funds, which s at the close amounted to over £44. MARSHLAND. Tho -monthly meeting of the Marsh.- ' land School Committee was held on > Monday. Present —Messrs I>. Goode ■ i (chairman), P. Basher, G. Chisnall, J. i . Boloski, W. Lange, and I' 1 . Free. Ail 1 apology for absence was received from s ( !Mr \v . Blank. The master reported ,■that, in consequence of another out- ' break of scarlot fever, tho average at- ; tendance for the past four weeks had i boen only 106, out of a roll number of i 137. Tho Assistant-Instructor in AgriI culture had expressed himself very high- [ ly pleased with a visit ho had paid to the school. A pared of comforts for soldiers had been forwarded through the ; local branch to the Lady Liverpool Fund. On tho suggestion of the head- . teacher, the system of damp sweeping was approved, and arrangements left in the hands of the chairman. During? last week, the school was disinfect- | ed by officeis of the Health Depart-' , nient. ua Tuesday evening, a farewell social was tendered by the residents of tho district to Rifleman J. Schimanski, of | the Seventeenth Reinforcements, who is home on final leave; Privato S. Cox was , also present by special invitation. There was a very large attendance. tii© hall beiii" inconveniently crowded. Mr j 1 W. J. Walter presided, and addresses , were given by the chairman and Messrs . D. Goode and J. Yoss, all wishing tho guest God-spoed and a safe return. | Ihree hearty cheers were given, and 1 the aiidienco eang, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Tho music for the • dancing was supplied by Mr H. G. > Jones, and Mr v. Hams acted in tho ; capacity of - M.C. Special reference was made to the groat sacrifice shown • by Mr and Mrs G. Cox in allowing both jof their sons'to go to tho front in vex- •• ception.il circumstances. Opportunity was taken of the gathering to unveil a photographic group of ■ six soldiers on active service, namely, i Privato J. Lange (9th Reinforcements), Privato D 1 Radcliffe (9th Reinforce- ■ ments), Private C. Roper (11th Reinforcements), Private H. JDass (11th Reini forcements). Private F. I>avis (12th Reinforcements), and Private E. Baker . (14th Reinforcements). The honour of performing tho, ceremony was entrusted to Mrs Thos. Wilson, an old resident of the district, who has one son in the firing-line. RAKAIA. The monthly meeting of the Rakaia branch of tne W.C.T.u. was heid in the Methodist Church on -.Thursday afternoon. Mrs Boag presided over a very fair attendance, feome members doubtless were precluded from coming in from the country by the bitterly cold wind which prevailed. Mrs 1 Breach, seur., delivered an address on the Cradle Roll. Mrs Boag read papers on _ Anti-Shouting and Sis O'Clock .Closing. Four new members were elected. Mrs Hopwood was appointed secretary, and Mrs Judkins treasurer. A large number of White Ribbon badges was disposed of, and it was decided to secure a fresh supply ! of literature. i Tho weather has been very changeable of late. Wednesday morning saw a hot nor'-wester, and late in tho afternoon light rain sot in. Yesterday I morning was ideal, but tho weather changed to cold and a most piercing wind blew. x ASHBURTON. A social in conuexi.on with the Lauriston Jfresoyuman C'nuicn was lieid in tho bciioouooin, ',vuen two He v. W. I T. Todd presided. A most enjoyable I prograauuo was submitted by xneuds ■j from. Rakaia. Rerresnments were proj vided by the members of P.M.M. W. I There was a large gat-nering at the • Tinwald Hall on W cdnesday evening to . bid farewell to -.Messrs Rounirco, j Bishop, Naish, and Thompson. Mr , T. Williams presided, and Mr I>. TipEett presented each of the soldiers, on ohalf of the residents, with a safety razor. A concert programme was submitted, and a dance was held. At tho monthly meeting of the Ashburton branch of the W.C.T.U., Mrs F. Oldrieve presided. A vote of sympathy was passed with Mr and Mrs i F. Frampton and family in tho death of Corporal L. H. Frampton, who was killed in action, also with Mrs W. Reid I in the loss of her brother. It was i decided to hold the annual meeting on I the second Tuesday in October. Mes- | dames Frost and McEwen delegates to • the recent Convention held at New Brighton, submitted their reports. Mrs W. K. Watson was unanimously elected I president for the ensuing year, and Mrs W. T. Lill, secretary and treasurer. The annual meeting of the Aehburton Motor-Cyclo Club was held on Wednesday evening, Mr W. H. Amos presiding. The balance-sheet showed the club to bo in a good financial position. The report- stated that out of I 50 members 12 had enlisted, and been accepted for active service. It was decided .to keep theso members financial until their return. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows:— Patron. .Mr John Grigg; o resident, Mr. W. H. Amos; vice-presidents, Messrs Galbraith. C. J. Harper, G. H. Carson, R. Johnston, and J. E. Rule; secretary and treasurer, T. J. Wakeham; committer, Messrs Bailey, Nicolls, Healey, G. Chambers Betteridge, and Dallev; captain, f Mr G. Nicoll; auditor, Mr W. H. Little. Mr E. F. Hinds gave a trophy to be competed for during the coming season, and Mr W. J. Dalley a trophy to the member introducing most new members during the year. The opening run was fixed ; for September 28th. A programme of sports was arranged for during the season. IN SOUTH CANTERBURY. A correspondent writes: —North-wes-terly winds and hot sunshine again baked the country during the first days of the week, but following half a cale on

Wednesday morning, a steady rainfall set in over most parts of South Canterbury, and has oncoumged all kinds of vegetation into a speedy growth. Tho grass lands everywhere have been freshened to a vigjorous growth, and are rapidly losing tho brown, wintry appearance they havo borne tho past few months. On the Asuourton plain's and south to tho Rangitata, by Belfield, Orari bridge, and elsewhere, tho harm caused by the grass grubs is very great-, but in the places the rain nas evidently improved tho outlook, and it is hoped the- damago may bo less than wa3 .anticipated. One great wheat field came under particular notice, where the presence of grubs was revealed in large patche-s of sicklylooking corn, but examination showed that not all the roots had been eaten through, and given favourable conditions, the crop may yet do well.

The lambing season is now becoming general, and so far as it has gone, the reports from the fiockowners are very satisfactory. In the Orari, Geraidine, Kakahu, Woodbury and Pleasant Valley districts, the eailiest lambs have done exceptionally well, and if ordinary good weather prevails for tho mid-sea-son, high percentages aro to bo expected. At this time the old warning, <; tio up your dogs at night," cannot be too widely circulated, and for a case 'in point a friend writes mo to-day from Rangitata: "Last night some stray' dogs were loose upon my land, and in consequence I found twenty-six dead lambs thig morning. As those lambs ought to have been worth a jx>und a j head, it makes one think seriously." Nowadays, when travelling through j the countiy,. it is usual to see garden- ! owners everywhere busy at the work of nutting in new crops, and planting their ,'extent of land to tho best advantage. The withered crops of last year are ; dug out and cast asido, and here again | is a thing which may be worth remembering. . It is likely enough that among the rubbish there may be a lot of old "scarlet runner" bean roots, and these should be burnt or placed whero there 'is no chance of a hoise finding thorn. The horses wil] eat the roots readily, bat all the same the result will be'disastrous for the roots are, "deadly poison" to all horse-kind. Rabbits aro noticeably fower on the South Canterbury river beds, where shooting parties have already grumbled at a scanty bag at the end or "a day out," but on certain of the back country stations the pest has increased enormously, and the proper poisoning season is vanishing very quickly. The will to poison is not lacking among the landowners, but the great and everincreasing difficulty is to find the hands to do the work. In present circumstancos, it is, often a matter of leaving one job until the next is finished, and the problem ahead is not easy of solution. The yQung corn crops have been helped most conveniently by tho recent rain, and on the whole tne prospects for next harvest are more than usually satisfactory. Both wheat and autumn-sown oats are making good progress, and at the moment of writing"'there is little fault to be found with either the agricultural or pastoral outlooks.