THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15773, 14 December 1916, Page 2

THE COUNTRY.

NOTES AND NEWSc -ar. GEOLOGY OF ASHLEY COUNTY, M r R. Speight. Curator of the Canterbury Museum, lias just returned from a rapid survey of the geological features of the front portion of Ashley County. Cars and hospitality of land owners along the route were placed at his disposal, and a good many localities were looked at. The geology of the county has not yet received much attention, and promises to be of interest, as it shows on a lar<ie scalo the upper members, or gravels, of the tertiary series, whose lower members, or limestones, are seen prominently at Waipara and Weka Pass. On the first day Mr Herbert Brown took the party to the Grey district, and both branches of the Grev (the western under the guidance of Mr George Parsons) were viewed as far as the calcareous deposits, the gradual change through intervening beds from hu< T e ancient gravel deposits to limestones further up the rivers being clearly shown. On the following day Colonel Millton conveyed the party to the White Rock district, where, under the guidance of Mr William Mack intosh7 the well-known outcrop of lime* stone at White Rock was observed, and then its reappearance at sections along the Okuku river. The White Rods limestone has received some attention from v thc State Department of Agriculture, but is considered rather far from the railway for practicable working. If coal were found in the vicinity, however, the aspect of the question would be altered, and Mr Speight explained w.hece, if a bed existed, ii should bo looked for. The Okuku and Garry districts, differing widely from Loburn, and showing rather the general features of the fan formation of the Canterbury Plains, were then traversed by the main road, and a. stay for the night was made at Birch Hill. Next morning Colonel Millton took the party along the Washpool creek sections, where the beds are nearly horizontal, and the old gravel becomes again conspicuous. The Glentni was then reached, and here the party was met by Mr O'Halloran, and conducted along the striking sections displayed by the decplv-'cut creek. Sands, with shaly deposits, and .shallow coal seams, and cffom-cence of sulphur and alum were conspicuous, and an interesting find of volcanic rock was made. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. A large number of boys, sons of farmers, who are attending the Christchurch "Boys' High School have applied for leave from the annual cadet training camp at Waddington 021 the ground that their parents urgently required them in the harvest field, as haymaking is in progress. The "Grey River Argus 1: las the following:—At Preston Yards on December 11th a very large stock sale was successfully conductcd. Among the lots offered was a fine line of five Holstein bulls from Christchureh, which made 120 guineas in all. Farmers on the West Coast are beginning to realise that it pays to breed from pedigree stock. These bulls ranged from 'J tu 13 months old, and were ;he property of Mr George Gardner, Medbury. A Mastcrton labour agent informed an "Age" reporter on Monday that he had been able to satisfy all demands for agricultural labourers where the wages" offered were anything within the mark. "Of course," he said, "some farmers are only offering 30s a week for ploughmen, and as a consequence the positions went a-begging wheu jobs were open at £2 a week." He expressed the opinion that ample labour could be obtained if farmers were prepared to pay for it as other industries were. SOUTHBRIDGE. The committee of the Southbridgo Horticultural Society net on Monday evening, Mr C. H. Piper (president"), occupying the chair. The District High School Old Pupils' Association undertook to run the refreshment booth and sweets stall at the next show, provided the proceeds were given to the Lady Liverpool Fund. The offer was accepted. It was decided that the proceeds of the show should be divided between tho two local Red Cross organisations. The following judges were appointed :—J?ruit, flowers, and vegetables, Mr R. Nairn.: industrial work, Mrs Nairn; produce, Mrs S. Weavers and Miss Washbournc.

Miss S. M. Withers, daughter of Dr. Withers, who recently entered the nursing profession at Christchurch Hospital. was entertained at a social evening by the congregation of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Southbridge, and presented with a gold wrfstlet watch. The Rev. Mr Lindsay made the presentation, and referred to the active interest Miss Withers had taken in all branches of church work, but particularly to her services as Sunday school teacher, organist, and member of the choir. Messrs A. McPherson and G. F. Simpson also spoke in complimentary terms of Miss Withers, who made a suitable reply. During the evening Miss I. McPherson played a pianoforte solo, and songs were sung by Mcsdames Loclihead and McDowell. Misses Moore. Withers, and Hannah, and Messrs C. Thompson and W. M. Gabbie. Supper concluded a pleasant evening. LAKESIDE. At a meeting held about three months ago, the residents of Lakeside decidcd to make a big effort to secure a public hall for the district. A well-known resident premised to advance a sum of £200 free of interest for two'years, and it was thought that if the Lakeside people subscribed a further £150 it would be possible to erect a suitable building. The district was canvassed with satisfactory results, but the Hall Committee thought that, as lengthy New Zealand casualty lists had been published since the public meeting referred to, an<J as tiie Military Service Act had come into force, it would be wise to again consult the residents before proceeding with the proposal. For this purpose a public meeting, which was well attended, was held in the schoolroom on Monday evening. Mr H. Schnelle. who was appointed chairman, explained the position at some length. A good deal of discussion took place, and it was eventually decided, by a majority of 34 votes to 8, to proceed with the erection of a hall as soon as possible. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Messrs J. D. Campbell, R. Patterson, and H. Schnelle for the canvassing work they had done, a sum of £174 4s having been promised, while some of those who had been interviewed had- stated that they would give further assistance later on. The following were added to the Hall Committee: —Messrs J. D. Campbell. R. Patterson, F. McCormick, H. Winchester, S. Graham, and John MeMahon. Mr Patterson intimated that the lady who had undertaken to advance £200 to enable the hall to be built had expressed a desire that the building should be a substantial one that would serve as a permanent memorial to the soldiers who were taking, part in the war. In the event of her wish being complied with, tie lady would he prcparetr to extend her offer.

The offerings at St. Stephen's Anglican Church on Christmas Day will be aiven to tht? starving Be'gian children's fund. Mr F. Ferrimau, wlio for many years has taken a very keen interest in Use welfare oT I>r. Barnardo's Homes, and who has been instrumental in forwarding many substantial contributions, is now mating a special appeal in aid o f the finances of the institution, and he intends, in the course of a few days, to cable Home £'100 as a Christmas offering. There are now over 4500 old Barnardo boys, not 400. as 1ously reported, serving in the Army, Navy, and mercantile marine.