THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15939, 28 June 1917, Page 4

THE COUNTRY.

NOTES AND NEWS.

RANGIORA

In the report of the gift sale, organised by the Rangiora Muady Liverpool Committee, it was stated that tho sheep for tho weight-guessing competition was given by Mr W. Parsons, whereas it was presented by Mr G. Mcintosh, of Southbrook. HORNBY. On Monday evening a concert in aid of the funds of St. J>ayid's Presbyterian Church was held in the Orange* Hall, and was largely attended. Tfle Rev. C. Murray, tho recently-appointed Modorator of tnc charge, presided, and Mr l' 1 . R. Charman (missionary) was also on the platform. Before proceeding with the programme, the cnairmau feelingly referred to the death of Private Jj'rank Collings, and a motion of sympathy with tnc relatives of flip deceased was carried. A splendid programme of vocal and instrumental selections was given by the following:— Misses Cooper (2), Coulter, Johnson, Kay (3), Messrs Aveiy, Burgess, Gilmour, Parlet. Mitchell and Simpson, and Master Miller Porrv. The accompaniments were played by Miss C-oulter and Miss Kay. LEBSTON. On Tuesday evening Mrs McMillan, wife of Mr Yvilliain McMillan, a wheelwright employed by Mr G. H. Ryde>, dropped dead at Nurse Brighton's Maternity Home, at Lecston, whore she had been for a fortnight. She was engaged in conversation with a doctor at tho time, and was to have returned to her home yesterday, having made a good recovery- The deceased, who came out from Ireland with her husband a year or two ago. was 26 years of ago, and leaves a daughter two weeks old. AKAROA. The executive of the Banks Peninsula Patriotic Association met in tho Council Ciiambors, Akaroa, on Tuesday afternoon, when there were present: — Messrs Geo. Armstrong (Mayor), J. D. Bruce, E. Hay (Pigeon Bay), J. S. Dodds, and T. Lcwitt. An apology was received from Mr J. R. Thacker. The chairman oxplained that the object of the mooting was to wind up accounts in connexion with the Easter Patriotic Carnival, and to consider the. best means of investing tho net proceeds until such time as tho money, or part of it, would bo needed. The hon. treasurer, Mr Dodds, submitted a balance-sheet that showed receipts £1685. expense*} £21. An amount of £27 was still to come in from one of tho Bays, and a sum of £50, balance held by a former committee dealing with patriotic matters, would also be paid into the Association's account, so that tho total credit balance availablo would be not far short of £1750. As tho Association had laid itself out to raise some £2000 by the effort, tho executive considered there was every cause to bo gratified with such a satisfactory result. After some discussion it was unanimously resolved that £1500 bo offered to the Aiaroa Borough Council at 5 per cent., at call. Messrs Bruce and Dodds were deputed to wait upon tho Council at its next meeting, to make the formal offor, and to add the necessary explanations. Tho executive then considered several ap.poals for assistance. With reference to that from the Christchurcli Plunket Association, on behalf of the "Hospital for Babies,"- members unanimously regretted that the appoal was outside the scope of the objects of the fund they had raised. A sum of £25 was voted to Lieut.-Colonel Deans, C.Y.C.. for comforts to bo supplied to our troopers in Egypt and Palestine. An appeal from the French Red Cross, on bohalf of Russian prisoners in Germany, was refused, with expressions of regret. Tho matter of rendering assistance, where required, to returned soldiers, was discussed at some length. Finally, it was agreed that tho Association would work in harmony with the Christchureh Centre of the Canterbury Patriotic Fund, so that there would be no needless overlapping of effort. The beginning of the week brought a seasonable spoil of wintry weathor, with cold southerly rains. The temperature has fallen considerably, and there is a slight smattering of snow on the tops of the range. . Tho midwinter month has not givon us overmuch rain this year, about 1£ inches having been recorded so far. with onlv three days to go. For the first half of the year the fall has bosn roughly 19 inchcE. as compared with 30 inches for tho whole of last year.

ASHBURTON. * The matron of Tuarangi Old Men's Homo acknowledges magazines and illustrated papers from the Rev. F. G. Brittain. Tho Military Modical Board commenced a sitting at Ashburton yesterday. During Dr. Russel R-endle's absenco on military duty in Samoa, Dr. H. Hunter has been appointed as medical superintendent at the Ashburton county hospital. A meeting of Executive Committee of the Ashburton County Second Division League was held on Tuesday evening, when were received to hold meetings at Mayfield and Hinds. The Timaru League wrote stating it was supporting other Leagues in getting' local camps established in the four centres for Second Division men.

Private E. Travers. who •recently returned . from tho seat of war, was accorded a "welcome home'' social by the residents of Mount Sorters. A short programme was submitted, and Mr John Morgan, after heartily welcoming the returned soldier, presented him with a framed illuminated address from the residents. A framed illuminated address was also presented to Mrs Doak for Private C. Doak, who was unavoidably absent.

The Fairton parishioners of St. Stephen's Anglican Chimh tendered a farewell social to the Rev. C. L. Sparrow. who has bee n appointed to the charge of the Methven district, and presented him with a handsome chair lor his study.

I The monthly mooting of the AshburI ton Borough School Committee was hold on Tuesday, Mr W. G. Hillier presiding. The Director of Education wrote stating that the application for reasonable representation or, the Canterbury Education Hoard would receive consideration. It was decided to inform tlio Board that the committee had no land which could ho utilised for growing cereal and root crops. The headmaster reported that the average attendance for the month was 381 at the borough school and 141 at Allonton, the roll numbers being 421 ard 151 respectively. Regarding the nnestion of a new school, it was decjded to ask Mr Nosworthy, M.P., to use his influence to have a new school of eight rooms erected in Ashburton. , The monthly meeting of tho Ashburton High School Board was held on Tuesday. Mr J. Tucker presiding. Tho headmaster reported that the arerago attendance fo r the month was 139 5 or 94.2 per cent, of the roll number. Two old bova of the school, Privates G. H. Campbell and 8. J. Gndsell. had fallen m battle jn the recent fight at Messines. It was decided to apply to the Education Department for a grant to provido material for the agricultural laboratory. It waß decided to ask the Minister of Agncralture what procedure the Board would h3vo to take to obtain the necessary legislation to constitute the school an agricultural and domestic high school. Permission was granted Mr J. McCausland, Lismore. to build a motor shed on a reserve leased by him. Mr W. IT. Walters was elected to represent

the Board on tlio Technical School Board. Messrs R. Galbraith and \V. B. Denshire were appointed a visiting committeo for the ensuing month. <■ TEMUKA. At the annual meeting of tho Tetnuka Municipal Brass Band tho Mavor (Mr A. Frew) presiding, the annual report and baJanco-sheet, the latter showing a credit - of £10 0s 3d, were adopted. The following office-bearers were elccted:— President, Mr A. Frew: vice-presidents, Councillors and the past vice-presi-dents; conductor. Mr W. Jackson; bandmaster, Mr \\*. J. Benbow; drummajor, Mr C. Hollands; secretary, Mr W. Carpenter; sergeant, Mr It. * Benbow; corporal, Mr A. Duggan; treasurer, Mr C. Burtenshnw; custodian, 31r G. Nottingham; librarian, Mr S. Burtcnshaw; committee, Messrs A. Anderson, A. Findluy, G. Nottingham, C. Burtcnshaw, \Y. C. Benbow; auditor, Mr F. A. Joynt.

On Tuesday the' Temuka Citizens' Miniature Rifle Club held the second o( a three-nights' shoot, tho following being tile highest scores:—S. Iligginbottom, V. Nicholas, 11. Moore, and J. Burns each 69. i The Temuka Territorial Miniature j Rifle Club held their weekly shoot on Tuesday, N. Phillips being the winner j of the trophy. j THE GERALDINE DISTRICTS. j Signs of the mid-winter season aro now set everywhere upon the country, and the usual weather programme consists of some warm, bright north-west-erly hours wedged in between a raw morning and a frosty night. The ram in the low country, on Sunday, led to a heavy snowfall along the hills, which are thickly coated for a great part oi their height; bu: no loss of stock is anticipated, as mustering operations were nearly completed and most of the sheep have been brought down to thc>r winter quarters. Generally speaking the news from the hill ruus is good, and tho stock aro in excellent condition. It is reported that wild pigs are again fairly plontiful in the back country, near the Waihi and Four Peaks, and the scow is driving them to the lower slopes. In spite of the vigorous growth which occurred in late autumn, it is becoming evident that tho feed supply is not any too largo for winter needs, and on the lighter ground near Orari, Rangitata, and Arundel, there is little to be seen on tho grass lands and paddocks. Above Geraldine and about "Woodbury and the Four Peaks settlements, the supply is more plentiful, but though in June it is usual to find bare paddocks, this year the fields almost everywhere appear to bo browner and more empty than usual. Fortunately the lato feed crops generally did well, and these are coming in most usefully. " Also tho late-sown turnips have turned out better than was expected, but still there is an all-round shortage, and tho root crops are being cleared out very quickly. In many places tho damp weather and frosty nights are causing the turnips to rot in the ground, and in some cases tho loss from this reason lias made it necessary for the farmers to sell the crops instead of holding them for their own later requirements. Near Orari bridgo wo wero shown a field where only about one root in thrco or four remained whole.

yihis .year, to jtidge by the frequent complaints of their mischief, both animal and insect pests of sorts appear to bo unusually active. Hares on the tnrnips and grass grubs in the paddocks seem tho chief evildoers, and certainly tho damage caused by the grubs is plainly marked on the grass lands, and especially on old pastures, where some of tlio destroyed patches are acres in extent.

The ordinary winter farm works are fairly up to time, except the sowing of "May" wheat, which even now, at the end of June, in some cases is. not yet finished. Ploughing and sowing still goes forward at every opportunity, and though tho heaviest' land is rather too wet, tho rest is in good working order. As time goes on the scarcity of hands grows more noticeable, in almost every country occupation, and apparently next harvest will be a busy time for everybody. The" young wheat crops and antumn-sown oats are nearly everywhere making good progress, and' the agricultural outlook is fairly satisfactory.