THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15707, 28 September 1916, Page 4

THE COUNTRY.

NOTES AND NEWS. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. Iji a tour in the Poverty Bay distinct the secretary of the Agricultural and Pastoral Workers' Union (Mr C. Grayndler) was much impressed with, tho prosperity of the Native settlers. In ono settlement at Manutuke thero were about 300 of them on small holdings, with very eomfortablo houses. They lived well, aud their farms, thoupli they were small, had a prosporous look. Many of them, of course, supplemented their returns from the agricultural and pastoral holdings by shearing and such work in the season. KAIAPOI.

A social organised by t.ho "W.C.T.U. "w as held in their rooms on Tuesday ovenTaere 'was a large attendance. An address was given by Miss Tabart, of Cbristchurch. on "Tho Industrial Conditions of Women's Work." During ttie evening musical items were contributed bv' Misses Thornc, Goldthorpe, and Hosting, and a rccitation by Mrs Mills. A conlial vote of thanks was accorded 'Miss Tabart for her instructive address. MARSHLAND. The annual meeting in connexion with the Marshland Hall was hold on Monday, Mr J. Voss being voted to the chair. Mr W. J. Walter submitted the annual report, and presented the statement of receipts and expenditure. After all liabilities had been met, there was a credit balancc erf £1 3s lOd. During the year, needed improvements had been made to wio doors to meet the requirements of the insurance companies. .liter a short discussion the report and balancc-sbcct were adopted. The caretaker (Mr J. 11. Basher) was stated to have carried out his duties in a most satisfactory manner, and a special vote of thanks was accorded to him. The election of a Management Commit too resulted as follows: —Messrs W. J. Walter, Thos. Qtiaid, D. Goodc. J. Voss, L\ Basher, 0. Chisnnll, A. Wilson, Jos. Schimanski, and F. SeH'e. At a mooting of the Management Committee Mr J. Voss was elected chairman, and Mr G. Chisnul] secretary and treasurer. The chairman, treasurer, and Mr P. Basher were authorised to sijin c-hcqucs. It was decided to meet, bi-monthly during the summer months, and to grant the u.'-e of the Hull i'rec for public pa trio Lie -gatherings under the auspices <>i the Lady Liverpool" Fund or the local L'atriotie Committee. The secretary was directed to thank the Waimairi County Council for remission OI " rates. After discussion, it was resolved that, witii the exception of private local parties, such as weddings and card matches, no permits for the consumption of spirituous liquors on the promises be granted without the express permission of the Committee of Management.

■On Monday morning the scholars of tho Marshland School assembled in the playground to do honour to the celebration ol' Dominion Day. Addresses suitable to the occasion were delivered by Messrs I>. Goode (chairman of the School Committee), G. Chisnnll lexchairman), and J. Voss (headmaster). The flag wa s . saluted, three hearty cheers were given, and the rest of the day granted as a holiday.

AKAROA. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Good Intent Lodge was held on Monday, the IS .G. jjresiding over a very fair attendance. The district secretary wrote stating that tho district officers would pay their annual visit to tho Lodge on October 9th. A, sub-com-mittee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements in connexion therewith. With respect to certain ; returns forwarded to Wellington regarding Oddfellows on active service, it was stated that all the 1 medically fit single members of the Lodge had" en-, listed, the number forming 20 per cent-, of the total membership. One candidate was initiated. Sick pay was claimed for two brethren, and accounts for £o 2s 6d were passed for payment.. It..was resolved that Bros. Kearney and Robt. Brneo bo recoin-" mended to receive the Purple Degree at the forthcoming visit of the district officers. The committee of the Akaroa. Advancement Association met on Monday evenimr. Present: The Mayor (.Mr Geo. Armstrong). Messrs T. E. Taylor, W. H. Henniim, O. W. Thomas. H. Robinson, and T. Lewitt. Quotations from a number of newspapers in tho Dominion were received and considered. Eventually it was decided to advertise the attractions of Akaroa and its claims as a tourist resort in the Christ-church dailies, and in the other more important South Island papers. The treasurer reported that contributions to the Association's funds were coming in liberally. This wns regarded as a very gratifying indication of the citizens' faith in tho beneficial results cf the Association's work.

The annual meeting of the Wainui Defence ltific Club was hold in the Library. There was a fair attendance of members, and Mr J. Don ova a was voted to the chair. The report and balance-sheet referred to the work of a fairly satisfactory year, and showed a credit balance of £5 2s Gd. The election of officers resulted as follows:— Patron, the Hon. 1?.. Hcaton .Tlhodcs, M.P.; president. Mr Geo. Armstrong; vice-presidents. Dr. Oant-rcll, Messrs .T. Kenncdv. G. Muleork 1,. V,"right, •T. Gaskin,* D. Bates. H. Nihlett. J. H. Williams, L. J. Vangioni. H. Matson. T. Conway, and C. Maginncss; captain, Mr J. Donovan: Ticc-captain, Mr Warner: committee, Messrs A. Wright, P. Arsio'd, L. Hooker, W. H. Buck'nnd. and C. Wright; hon. auditor. Mr G. Murdoch. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded last year's officials. special mention being mode of T-'ne services of the club captain, Mr .7. Donovan, and of the secretary. Mr W. H. Buekland. Arrangements were made for the onenipT day, and sundry offers of spccial prizes received with thanks.

MAIREHAU. When tho district of Mairehau was named temporary officers wero appointed to arrange* patriotic functions and : anything pertaining to the benefit of tho district. Last Saturday night a public meeting was held, and tho following officers wero appointed:—Exccutivo, Messrs A. Barnc, A. Baker. A. Emmett, jun., J. Haughey E. Lango J. Parish, F. Small, L. Wilson, W. J. Walter (chairman): ha'l committee, Messrs A. Fuller, J. Punick, W. Gottermyer E. Lango, 31. Brown ; programme committee, Miss Low, Mrs Brown, : Messrs L. Wilson) A. W. Beck, A. Baker: refreshment committee. Me.ydames Baker, J. Parish. E. Briicgs, "W. Gottermyer. L. Wilson, J. Haughev, H. , Borgfeldt, Misses Brou n and McFad- | den, Messrs E. Fuller, B. Haughey, W. Fuller, and J. Erawlcy. The building that has been used for patriotic purt poses has been the old Avon Road Board office, which was kindly lent by tho Wainiairi Council. Owing to itsbeing too small to accommodate the crowd which attends these functions it ha& been decided to enlarge it, and tenders aro now being called for that purpose. Sir J. G. Ward has granted a slot telephone to bo installed here, and the cabinet for the 'phono is now being made, and the installation will take place in a few days. The public are to be congratulated on having tie good fortune to have presented for their hall from Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, out of their own house, a very handsome piano, in appreciation of the district being called after their daughter, Miss Mairehau Rhodes, now Mrs Button.

The ladies ox the district arc arranging to send Christmas presents direct to the following Mairebau boys on active service:—Corporal 11. Pcryman, Riflemen J. I!. Walter, A. Boakes, H. Brading, Trooper Rees, Drivers W. MeFadden. E. JJaker, \V. Toombs.Privates J. O'Connor. J. Brings, X. Wylie, A. Middleton, S. Harris. " As tho Mairehau district is not in the electric lighting area, it was agreed at the public meeting to write to the Waima-ri Coum-il asking if it were possible to extend the area to bring Mairehau into it. ASHBURTON. In the Baptist Church, Ashburton, on Tuesday evening, the Rev. H. B. Hughes gave' a lecture on his experiences whiie journeying by the All Red rout© to Canada. At a farewell social held r.t Watcrton, Private W. T. Pearson, who was homo on his final leave, was presented with a ease of pipes.