THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16053, 8 November 1917, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NOTES AND NEWS.

CATTLE THIEVES AT "WOKK.

(fkou oub owx CORRESPONDENT.) SYDNEY, October 31. Reports from various country aistriets indicate that the cattlo thief is at work, to a greater extent than has been known for years. Somehow, ono associates cattle-stealing in Australia with the days 01 Starlight and the iielly Gang—though why, it is difficult to say. Recent instances buggost that it is just as easy to steal cattle now as it was oU years ago—and a good doal more proiitable. There are two reasons offered for tno increased cattle thefts. The . 0l course, is the high prices being obtained for cattle. A man can get as much, for ten good steers as lie could '_° r twenty a few years ago—and it is to steal ton than twenty animals, lne other reason is that the voluntary system of enlistment in Australia has naturally taken away the best class or men, including tbo good and trustworthy tvpe of station hand, and lias left the rogues and scallywags. Pastoralists complain bitterly theso davs or the lack of dopeudabio servants, borne of the stories suggest that, given plenty , ot cheek, it is not to difficult to steal attle as might be (supposed. I Ono well-known squatter, who lives near a country town, decided to sell eight fat bullocks, and had them brought into the homestead paddock. They were about for a day or two, and then they disappeared. The most careful search failed to discover the slightest trace of them. One day, in another country town, there was a big cattle sale, to which, stock was brought from all parts of the district. A farmer, whose land is partly -within the municipal boundary, brought in two bullocks, and left them in the hotel yard while he had his dinner. Aftor dinner, and a game of billiards, tho farmer went for Ids bullocks, to take them on to tho saleyard. They were gone. Ardent enquiries in every direction disclosed no trace of them. Tho farmer dashed off to the policostation. The sergeant and.the one biack tracker were away on a man-hunt. Tho only policeman available made a frantic inspection, but every road and lano in and about the town hold strings of. cattle, and half the cattlo corresponded to the description of the missing beasts. Those two fat bullocks were never heard of again. Thero is another story of a young English squatter, who was interviewed, one day, soon after settling down, by two men passing with a string of cattlo. They offered him the animals at a fair price and he bought them, thon and there. The point of the story really lies in the remarks made by the Englishman's head "stockman, who cam© in from , the run a few hours later, and recognised in tho newly purchased beeves a small mob he had just been searching for. The Englishman had bought liis own cattle.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

A film, illustrating a novel and improved xuctjjoti or cultivating Uio suii, was bpecialiy suown at tuo Jjioeiiy Picture j.neano yesterday belore an audience oi lniereoteu spectators. '.Iho implement, Uuonu as vac uace Over li»ler, is atutcned 10 a plough, and a motor rapiciiy revolves a set of knives, waicu tnorouguiy pulverises tms wnole furrow as it is.about to bc turnexl. over, liius .tuo plougniug,. and harrowing is done moiie operation,ieavin<r tho soil roaay for sowing. Ilio implement was tirst snowu at work at Jiuamar, Wellington, with Sir Josepn Vvard 011 the driver's seat, and tnen followed a sot of pictures showing it at work under American conditions. Mr J. B. Uiarkson explained tflat it is intended to import the tiller, and havo it adapted to colonial pioughs, which aro more suitable for the class of land upon which tho improved cultivator is likely to bo'most used. Among those present at tho pictorial demonstration yesterday were Sir Joseph Ward, his Worship tho Mayor, Dr. Thacker, and Messrs L. M: isitt and H. U. 1/11, M.i'.'s, Messrs T. Biackley, member of the Canterbury Agricultural College Board; A. Macpherson, Fields Supervisor for tho South Island 5 A. S. Orbell (Otago), Geo. Scott, jas. Storey, H. B. Sorensen, H. Bloor, farm manager at Bunnyside Mental Hospital. The implement will be on view at tho show, and for three days will be seen as 111 operation at several of the picture tneatrcs. Our Punedin correspondent telegraphs :—The bulging stock oi meat held by tho New Zealand Refrigerating Company in their Burnside stores is to be almost at once relieved of 28,900 freight carcases, shipping space having been found for that fair-sized consignment. It is some timo since theso works got such a relief. The last lot put out numbered only 8000 carc-asos. The secretary of tho Canterbury Sheepowncrs' Union announces in our advertising columns tho dates on which shearing will commenco at various sheds. A meeting of the General Committee of the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union will bo held at noon "to-day on the Show Grounds, to consider the following matters: —Shipping space, minimum weights for freezing, and woolgrowers' committee. MARSHLAND. A lecture on the Hoiy Land, illustrated by a number of magic lantern slides, was given recently in the Marshland Methodist Church by the Kov. i 3. P. BlamireSj who paid a visit to Palestine some years ago. Tho views and descriptive matter proved very interesting and instructive to the audienco, who responded liberally to a collection taken up in aid of the Methodist Institute at Featherston Camp. During an interval Mrs Blamires sang a solo, and a returned soldier showed several slides of incidents connected with the fights against tho Senussi Arabs at the end of the year 1915. A meeting of the Marshland Hall Committee was held on Monday evening. Present —Messrs J. Voss (chairman), G. Chisnall (secretary and treasurer), W. J. Walter, F. Rogal, A. Wilson, and J. Boloski. A voto of sympathy with Mr and Mrs J. Boloski in their recent bereavement was carried, members standing. It was resolved to grant the use of the hall free up to 11 p.m. for a concert, which is being organised by the Ladies' Patriotic Sewing Guild, for November 28th. The question of augmenting the funds of the committee was discussed, but it was agreed that it would be inopportune to do anything in this direction at present. WADDINGTON. Tho anniversary services in connexion with the Waddington Methodist Sunday School were field on Sunday, when tho Rev. J. Cocuer conducted the three services, which was well attended, particularly that held in the afternoon. Mrs Miliar presided at tne organ, and Mr Ncwsome and Mr F. Newsome assisted capably with violins. The church, was beautifully decorated by the children with floral emblems, texts, etc., and the services were each interspersed with several suitable recitations by the scholars. Mrs Millar was responsible for the musical training of tho children, whose per*

formance was decidedly creditable and very pleasing; as was also the elocutionary effort under the careful coaching of Mrs Hiitcn. The cclcbration was continued on Monday night, when the usual tea meeting was held, followa v<?l 7 interesting programme bv the children. KAIAPOI. A social was hold in the Kaiapoi Methodist schoolroom on Tuesday evening to welcome the lie v. W. Ready, who has recently returned from active service, and taken up temporarily the work of the Kaiapoi Methodist Circuit. •Opportunity was also taken to bid farewell to Sister Constance, who, since the death of the Rev. P. W. Fairclough, has carried on the social work of the circuit. Mr W. E. Parnham presidc-d over a large attendance. Speeches of welcome were delivered by the Rev. A. C. Lawry, chairman of the district. Messrs R. Evans, J. H. Blackwel], and s. Meneer. A presentation of a Kaiapoi rug was made by Mr C. Bennett to Sister Constance as a mark of appreciation of the good work she had done in the district. An enjoyable musical programme was given during the evening, and supper served.

TAI TAPU. The Ellesmere Lands Drainage Board met at lai 'Japu on iuesciay, when tnere were present: Messrs Morten (chairman), Osborne, Miller, Peryman, Macartney, and Hubbard. In accordance with the chairman s notice of motion, the following rate was levied: River area, class 1., 14-32 d in the £; 11., 11-ifcd; llj. t 7-b2d; Lake area, class 1., «-a2d; 11., 3-3-d; 111. 2-32 d. i'iie report stated that the dredge had roachea the railway bridge on tne old river at Motukarara, and it was agreed to have it shifted to the lower side of tho bridge as soon as possible. Also that Lake Ellesmere is now registering _lft 6in on the gauge, flaving risen 2'J inches since the cutting closed on August 30th. The inside of the culvert being comparatively free from shingle, tho clerk was instructed to tako steps to start the water through as soon as the weather is favourable. "Guy Fawkcs" day was well celebrated by some Tai Tapu boys this year. Masters D. Suckling, J. * and F. Andrews, after some route marching, succeeded in collecting £3 3s for the Red Cross Fund. ELLESMERE. In response to numerous requests, Mr John Cunningham, wjio iias beon cnairunui of tne iiulesnierc County Council lor tlie last few yeais, and who announced tlirouga the daily papers on iuonuay tnat Ju; was not, *seeKing reelection, Jias consented to be a caudiUiUc for election as one of the inveli Riding representatives for a turtner term. Lieut—Colonel Volckman, N.Z.M.C., of Leoston, who has been serving as a member of a Medical Board in Otago during the last lew weeks, has returned to Leeston. Dr. Withers, of tiouthbridge, who has been covering the whoio county curiae Dr. Yoiciiman's absence, has been ordered to rest lor a month, owing to the strain of overwork. Sixth Standard pupils from all the Ellesmere county scnools will be examined lor proheiency and competency certificates at Leeston on the 14tn inst. by Mr Owen, ono of tho Canterbury .board's inspectors. A very large number of people attended t,he funeral of Edward Henry ("Teddy"), only son of Mr and Mrs M. Riordaai, of Doyieston, wnicii took place on Monday morning. Requiem Mass was celebrated at tho Leeston Catholic Cnurch, and tho burial service was conducted by Rev. Father Hoare. LE BON'S BAY. _ j Tho showers experienced lately have improved tuo tace of the country, rich pasture being in evidence everywncro. All stock are doing weil, and tne prospects for tne wool, clip aro most promising. Owing to the ji equent showers siiearnig has just commenced, and tno wool appears io be good in quantity and. quauty. The su,ipiy of milk at tno iftcwny is on tne increase, but probaoiy owing to the amount of moisture in tno g»aj.s, tho buiter-iat tost at present is lower tnan for some years past. CULVERDEN. There have been several changes in tho staff of the Culvcrdon railway station recently, Mr R- E. Fisner naving boen transicrred to Christ church last week, and replaced by Mr E. A. Rodgors,' of tno Onristehurch goods department Mr G. Hill then received notice of transfer to Waipukurau, and left Culverden on Wednesday, his place being taken by Mr W. Cunningham. Tho departing members each received a gift from their fellow-members, Mr Fisher being presented with a shaving stand, and Mr Hill with a set of brushes and a tobacco pouch. The presentations were made in cacn instance by tho sta-tion-master. ASHBURTON. Tho Ashbmuw uany is now iuanuiuccuring twee tons oi butter uiiuv at tne central factory. 'lne returns at tne JSiackoridge Cneese factory for October snowed that tho supply of milk was doublo that received tor tne corresponding month last year. This is no douot caused by the present season being particularly iavourablo for dairying As a son of Mr Hay Smith -was driving round tho corner of Tancred and East street, Ashburton, yesterday morning, the horse shied, and then bolted. Tho driver was thrown out, and the horse and trap then collided with a telephone post and smashed the telephone box at the motor-car stand. The driver oscaped without injury. A cold 6nap was experienced at Ashburton on Tuesday night. Aftor blowing from the north-west throughout the day, tho wind veered round into the south-west about 10.30 p.m., and blew a hurricane, bringing with it clouds of dust, and the atmosphere became very cold. Although heavy clouds gathered in the south-west no rain fell until about nine o'clock yesterday morning, and then only enough the surface of the soil. The wind changed again into tho north-east, and a fine day followed, although some heavy clouds were visible. GERALDINE. At a meeting of the Borough Council it was agreed to purchase a motor chemical fire-ongine, provided £100 was contributed in the town, and this amount is said to bo assured.