THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16068, 26 November 1917, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

ex-pupils of the Ashburton High Schools. Miss A. Hardy was accompanist. After the concert a (lanco was held, in aid of the Y.M.C.A. funds. The music was provided by Miss B. Downie and Mr W. Rankin, and M. Timings and L. Weaver were M.C. s. OKAIX'S BAY. Private Henry Pidgcon 33rd Reinforcements, was entertained by the residents of Okain's Bay, on Thursday evening, and presented with a set of razors. Private Pidgeon is a brother of tho late Hector Pidgcon, who gained the D.C.M. at Gallipoli, subsequently dyinrj of wounds. ASHBURTOX. Report? to hand state that the frost on Thursday night was very severe in the Mitchnm district, and that potatoes. tomatoes, and French beans were badly cut. Privato R Xealon. who is home on leave, was farewelled by the Catholic j parishioners of Ashburton, on Friday j evening, and Privato W. Lennon wo I- ■ coined home. Dean J. J. O'DonneU, who presided, made a presentation -to tho departing soldier, and extended n welcome to Private latnioh. A lengthy vocal and musical programme was contributed, aud supper was provided by the lady members of tho Catholic Rvu Cross branch. " The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge 1.0.0. F., M.U.. was held on Friday Evening, when Bro. Robert Page presided. The following nominations were received for the respective offices: X.G., Bro. J. S. Wilson; V.G.. Bros. D. Russell, A\ . Garrard, and F. Halliburton; olective secretarv, Bros. A. Bvron and I>. Russell. Bros. F. Pritchard and L. Christmas were appointed to attend a special meeting of the 8.M.C., to bo held in Wellington shortly. TEMUKA. Thrco youths, who have been fined more than once for not attending parades, were taken to Ripa Island on Friday. '

for the hall. The ladies of the Patriotic Society thought that before the card matches finally ended it would be interesting to challenge the male members. Consequently a challenge was issued and a very exciting game ensued, which resulted in a win 'for the men, who have challenged the ladies to another match on Saturday niglit. During the evening a very pleasing .little ceremony took place, when the chairman, Mr "W. J. Walter, on behalf of the Society. presented Miss K. Haughev with a gold brooch in recognition of the valuable'services she had rendered in playing for all the dances during the season free of coft. The ladies who have been playing in the card tournament at the public social tendered to Private Briggs, presented him with a silver match box. in appreciation of the splendid sporting spirit ho had displayed in the matches until ho went into camp. The presentation was made on behalf of the ladies bv Mrs H. Borgfeldt. SEDGEMERE. On Thursday evening a very successful combined concert and dance was held in the Scdgemere liall in aid of the funds of the Southbridge Red Cross Branch. Songs were sung by Mrs W. Lochhead, Misses Ethel Gordon, Rita Ramsay, Bae Oppeiiheim. McGee, and Kilbride, and Messrs P. J. Erc-leton and G. M. Lochhead, Miss Eva Thompson played a pianoforto solo, ducts were sud.e by Mrs F. H. Barnett and IMiss L. Kilbride, Mr and Mrs Barnett, and Misses Oppenheim and Ramsav, and Mrs Barnett played several violin solos. The accompanists were Mcsdames Barnett and Eccleton, and Misses McEvedt, Kilbride, McCormick, and Holley. Mr J. T. chairman of tho Hall Committee, who presided, rcfered to tho recent victories on the Western tiattlo front, and hearty cheers were given for the Empire's soldiers. The ladies provided supper and Mrs Lambie played for the dance. Mr Le Comto was M.C. LEESTON. Superintendent T. J. Ramsey presided over the annual meeting of the Leeston Volunteer Fire Brigade. A resolution of sympathy was carried with Mrs MtiManus in tho loss of her son, ivlio was recently killed at tho front, and who for a number of years was a rery enthusiastic member of the Brigade. Tho resignation of Fireman _L. J. Walker, who is leaving tho district, was accepted with regret. The report stated that the Brigade's roll of honour contained the following names : —Firemen T. Redmond (killed), J. B. McManus (killed), E. Anderson, J. H. Jones, H. D. Jones, G. S. Taylor, F. Stevens, B. Savage, T. G. Harper, W. C. Halliday, E. W. Donald, F. H. Perkin. The balance-sheet showed a substantial credit, a good proportion of members having qualified i'or capitation. It was decided to procure nil honours board for tho fire station. Officers were elected as follows: —Superintendent, Mr T. J. Ramsey; firs& foreman, Mr G. Rodgers; second foreman, Mr J. Southen; first branchman, Mr H. H. Workman; second branchman, Mr Geo. Hoskin; engineer for chemical engine, Mr W. Wilson; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. B. Purser; auditor, Mr J. H. McMillan. DOYLESTON. The residents of Dovleston turned out in force on Thursday evening to fatewell Private V. Douglas, who is shortly to leave for tho front. Before *he social started, Mr W. O. Rennie, who presidecj, moved a resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the following soldiers who have recently made the supreme sacrifice: Sergeant Colin J. A. McLachlan, Privates John O'Boyle, W. Robb. and Walter Carter. Those presteiit stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of thft fallen soldiers. On behalf of his Doyleston friends, the chairman presented the guest with a case of pipes and wished him God-speed and a 3afe return. Mr and Miss Chappell played for the dancing, and the latter provided supper. PORT -LEVY. A card party and social was held on Friday night in Mr A. R. Fleming's wool-shed, Port Levy, to bid farewell to Private R. Jennings, who is on final leave. Mi- J. E. Fleming, on behalf of tho residents of the Bay, presented the departing soldier with a well-filled money-belt, as a mark of the esteem in which he is held in the district. The card tournament resulted as follows: Ladies', "jVlrs J. Read, first prize; Miss Edwards, booby prize; gentlemen, Private Jennings, first prize; L. Radford, booby prize. Musical items were contributed during the evening by Mrs Ruru, Miss Edwards, and Mr E. Plankin. The dance music was provided by Mr C. Pope. Mr J. Gardiner acted as M.C. ROLLESTON. Crops are looking very well on some farms, but rust . has sho.vj itself, especially in Dun oats and bartons. Tho wheat crops seeni to be more or less affected but with a good heavy downpour of rain conditions would improve. ' Potatoes are looking healthy, although the late frost nipped them slightly in some parts of tho district. Farmers are busv hay-cutting in some cases. Tho lambing season is over, with about the usual average. Prospects, so far, arc promising. j A social .was held in the Rollestou school on Thursday to bid farewell to Privates Crimins and Ashton. Mr Gilmour presided over a good attendance. Songs were given by Misses Maun, Dalziel, Turner, Messrs Wallace, Barry, Stuart, Collie, and the schoolboys, and recitations by Mrs Briley and Mrs W. Kempthorne, jun. Mrs Wallace presided at the piano. Mr Wallace, on behalf of the residents, presented Privates Crimins and Ashton with a medal and holdall each, and on behalf of the railway employees handed Private Crimins a case of pipes and Private Ashton a soldier's outfit., DARFIELD. Mrs H. R. Smith's talented Pora Pom Pierrot Party will give a concert here on Friday next, in aid of the Lady Liverpool Trench Comforts Fund. Tho local branch will run a cake stall and home-mado sweets will also be on sale. No amusement tax will be charged. RAKAIA. On Friday tho Rakaia Soldiers' Entertainment Committee made presentations to Privates Corkill and L. Richards, who were homo on final leave. The presentations were made by the Hon. C. A. C. Hardy, and consisted of soldiers' hola-alls. A parcel will also bo forwarded to Private J. Santy, who was unable to attend. A silent vote of sympathy, the audience standing, was passed with the relatives of Rakaia boys who have recently made the supreme sacrifice. Hearty cheers, led by Mr F. C. May, wcro given for Sir Douglas Haig, and all his men. After several weeks of anxious preparation. a concert was held in the { Rakaia Town Hall, on Friday evening, j for the purpose of raising funds to inI stall an adequate water supply at the I school. The function was a complete j success, and realised £14, clear of ex- ! pensos. The money raised will carry i subsidies from the Board and from the : Department. For the success of tho j concert great credit is due'to Miss J. j Jlardie, who trained the school chil- ! clren, and to Mr C. Evison. -who organj iscd a minstrel party of ex-High School pupils. Mrs R. Breach trained a squad ! of girls for scarf drill. / Tho district | engineer gave permission for the Rakaia ; bridge to bo open for the night, and ! this enabled mnny Mead residents to : attend. The programme -was as folI lows: Pianoforte duet, Misses Hardy and Tucker: songs, Messrs Cairns and Rankin: duet, Miss Tucker and Mr Ford: coon song, Miss Freda Edwards j scarf drill, coon 6ona, and a fish-wives' song by school children; patter by Evison and Stewart; and a i nigger minstrel troupej by tho Rakaia

NOTES AND NEWS. RANG 10RA FARMERS' UNION. \ meeting of the oxecutivo of tho Raneiora branch of the Fanners' was hold on Saturday, Mr TV. A. 131. -ks presiding. „ A motion of sympathy with jVlr J. "• 3>oak in the loss'of his son in action was carried in silence, members standing. The secretary was instructed to wnte to the Commissioner of Taxes, enquiring if tho mortgage tax lias becomo extinct ; also to point out that a number ol mistakes have been made m his department- in regard to the amount claimed for land tax. _ An invitation -was received from the directors of tho Lincoln Agricultural College to visit tho institution 0 n "farmers' dav." It was decided that as many members as possible shoulct accept' the invitation. The following motion was carried "This branch is of opinion that a paid organiser should be employed to devoto the whole of his time in tho interest of the Union amongst the farmers; unless some sucli step is taken tho future of this branch is doubtful." It was decided to write to the secretary of the Union that.all threshing combines should bo inspected onco a year. ASHBURTON FARMERS' UNION. The monthly meeting of the Ashburton branch of* the Farmers' Union washeld on Saturday, Mi" G. W. Leadley presiding. ... A letter was received from tho director of Lincoln College, stating t that "Farmers' Boy" would be observed on December 18 th. On the motion of Mr TV. T. Lill, it was decided to write to tho Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture, pointing out that there was likely to be an early harvest, and it was highly advisable * that a supply of sacks shouldbe on hand early in January. The chairman suggested that the Government should be asked to allow 2001b sacks to be used this harvest. If this wero done, it would save at least between 600,000 and 700,000 sacks. Mr Lill brought up tho question of the draft of lib per cwt on wool. He understood the Imperial Government paid for the net weight, and he would like to know, who got the value of tho extra lib whic'.i was deducted from the seller. It was dccided to write to the Government pointing out the unfairness of tho deduction. The chairman stated that ho had written to tho American plant breeder, Luther Burbank, asking him if he would recommend a new oat for New Zealand, as they now grew a lot of oats for green feed. In reply he had received a report of a new breed of wheat known as "Burbank wheat," as well as a report of a new oat known as "Eclipse oat." The present price/of the Burbank wheat was £00 per bushel. The chairman suggested that each member should subscribe £l, send for some of the seed'of the "Burbank wheat," and present it to the High School Board of Governors for use on the Ashburton experimental area. The chairman was asked to communicate with Mr J. Brown, Director of Agriculture, asking him whether the Agriculture Department would take the matter up. Members agreed, if tho Government did not take up the matter, to subscribe privately and send for some of the wheat and oats. SUPPLY OF SACKS. On Saturday the members of the Ashburton Farmers' Union interviewed Sir Joseph Ward at the railway fetation on harvest matters. Mr G. TV. Leadley pointed out that the coming harvest was likely to bo early and bountiful, and owing to the scarcity of labour farmers would want to thresh as much out of the stook as possible to savo stacking, and a supply of sacks would be required early in January. He asked Sir Joseph whether it would be possible to arrange for a New Zealand bound boat to call at Colombo. Sir Joseph Ward renljed that shipping was controlled by the British Shipping Ministry, and the New Zealand Government could not make any arrangements as suggested by Mr Leadley. He fully realised the importance of what Mr Leadley had said with regard to an early supply of sacks, and on his return to Wellington he would go fully into the matter and make rep. resentations to the Home authorities. SOUTHBROOK. The children belong to the South- ' brook Branch of tho Young Helpers' l_ League, wero entertained by the presi- | dent, Mrs T. J. Withers, and the sec- | retary, assisted by a few friends, in I the grounds of the Methodist Sunday School 3 on Friday afternoon. Various games were played, and refreshments l were provided by the committee. The Rev. T. Guy gave a very interesting j address on the history of tho Barnardo J Homes. The sum collected by the chilj dren during the year amounted to £6 | 10s 3d. The best collections were mado I by Ewert Chatterton 17s 9Jd, Iris Dog- | gctt 12s 6d, and llobson Thwaltes 1-s lid. MAIREHAU. The euchre matches which have been held for some months past by the Mairehau Patriotic Society were* concluded eights ago, when the prizes for the last series urrc won by Mrs Langc and Mr J. Parish, the "booby" prizes j going to Mrs J. Parish and Mr Moore. A cushion, presented by Mrs H. Borgfeldt Was won by Miss McKeown and realised £3 6s. which money wiil be handed over to tho furnishing account