THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16204, 6 May 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. COST OF WHEAT GROWING, j RETURN FROM A GOVERNMENT FARM. With a. view to throning some lipht on the much-debated question ot tho cost of wheat growing. the hllesmere County Committee of Advice to the - actional Efficiencj- Hoard re?ently asked the Lands Department for ft return ol the cost of wheat growing on the ljce»ton Soldiers' Settlement, formerly t.no property of Messrs Hoiiey Bros. lne information sought has been lurnisneU to the committee by tho C'omnii>sio" el of Crown Lursds, and by Mr\\ . ,//' who acted as honorary supervisor. Ino area sown in wheat was 93 acres, and the yield averaged 27 bushols to ins acre, which is considered to be at leasi. two bushels above the Ellesmere district average for the season just concluded. The statement is as follows: EXPEJCDITVKE. £ s. d. 58 Sacks aood wheat •• •• ('• H Ploughing, cultivating, and sowing crop, purchase cf wheat protector, cartage o£ seed wheat, ( and pickling of same Labour, olea-ning crock, etc. •• '!| /' '' .Spring rolling- iind liarrowiiig 1- 111 I'eapi'i?, atooking, and bintior twine .. ~ •• C( ! !? » Carting skea-ves to threshing mid IS •> Stacking straw, tving down, and covering bags • • •• 1 1 " 1 Sacks for wheat •• '/ ' . Threshing account •• "j F.o.b. charges on wheat •• -• -® _ ; Insuran-co on ciops •• ,!> .1 <> Haulage of grain to railway Government rcn! on '-' s acres at 35s Cd I'® * ° Land tax .. ... ' M* g Road rates .. •• •• Profit £530 13 U KKCIiIPTS. . £ s. d. Sale of 2426 bush«la SOlb mulm? _ wheat, at 5s lPd . •• Sale of 170 bushels 591b seconds. at 5s •• , •• 11 Sale of 33 bushels SOlb ecoJ wheat. .... at 5s lOd .. ■' * i 79G Sacks at 10id •• '' C Straw stacks •• 5 per ccnt, rebate on Government L . «S 11 0 rent •• •• " ! *933 13 11 It fillovild be stated thai M.r .H. Jamieson pave the use of Ins sind team of horses free of cost lor a .short time during the ploughing and cultivating operations. It is also worthy of noto that tho gross proceeds from the grass seed crop iiarvested on the Lecston Settlement amounted to £'-()- Ps 7d.

J OTTIISGS !•() It FA KM li US. •'lt is rather amusing that fit men should be left behind to produce butter which docs not reach the soldiers at the front or people in England," said Major Conlan. during cross-examina-tion at the Auckland Military Board last week of a dairy tanner who appealed for exemption on the ground of occupation. "Dairy fanners may even have to reduce their production ot butter in the near future. Farmers who are growing wheat are, in my opinion, much more essential than butter producers." April was a very dry month in Soutn Canterbury, less than an inch of rain falling (telegraphs our correspondent). This was just the state of affairs that was desired, as .it has enabled ploughing and sowing operations as well as potato-digging to go on without interruption, and it has also been very suitable for sheep on turnips. Though the shortage of labour is being felt most acutely farmers are doing ali they can in the matter of wheat-sowing. It appears, 'hoWever, that it will he impossible to sow anything like the average area in this cereal this season.

Hard things were said about opossums and rooks at tho Fruitgrowers' ■ Conference at Auckland last week. Opossums, it was stated, made severe ravages in orchards, and it' was decided to ask the Minister for Internal Affairs to withdraw tho protection order and to prohibit further liberation of the animals. The attack against rooks was led by tho Hawke's Bay representatives, * who suggested that power should be asked for shooting parties to enter properties and destroy rooks at nesting time. "In Hawke's 13ay," said cne delegate, "the rooks take 75 per cent, of the walnuts. They can strip acres of young potatoes—they can clear an acre, of maize before break-t fast. So far they had not touched applesi" "Let us declare war on rooks," said an Otago delegate. "They have not appeared in .Otago, but we must stand by Hawke's Bay. What is to bo said for the rook?".he asked. "Is he beautiful or useful?" A Hawke's Bay man said that the birds helped to keep down insects, but that hardly compensated him for having to plant his maize two or three times. It was mentioned that in Australia there were crow destruction boards, which paid two shillings a head for rooks. Professor Kirk said the question was: Did the rook earn his wages? If he benefited the farmer but lived on the horticulturist it was rather hard on the latter. It was finally decided to ask the Minister to remove protection over rooks. STAVELEY. At the bazaar held in the Stavele.v hall on behalf of the Springburn, Staveley, and Alford Forest Red Cross, the sum of £'280 was realised. The flag, which was presented by Mr W. Smith, brought £102. The committee voted 25 guineas to the Soldiers' Blanket Fund. HORSLEY DOWN. A very successful meeting was held in the A. and P. Association's Hall, at Hawai-den, -when Miss Tabart, of Christchurch, addressed the meeting on Red Cross work in general, and emphasise'! the fact that more workers were urgently needed to carry on this most necessary work. The address was much appreciated by the ladies, and Mi>-s Tabart was accorded a hearty voto of •thanks. During the afternoon Mr* Lance, on behalf of tho lady worker-?, presented Mr W. H. Evans' (who "was leaving for campj with a handsome wristlet watch, m recognition of his many services to tho Guild while manager of the Farmers' Co-op., at Hawarden, and wished him a speody and safe return. Mrs G. O. T. Rutherford also spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr EvansV nauy kindnesses to the. Guild. CLARIvVTLLE. In the school, Private A. J. Paterson was welcomed home by the residents of the district, who came out in forco to honour the ; r first returned soldier. Mr Menneer expressed the pleasure of the people in having Private Paterson home again, and presented him witu a gold medal, suitably inscribed. Private Paterson suitably responded. KAIAPOI. The 13th Regimental Band, under Lieut. Hopkins, played a programme of music in the Kaiapoi Drill Hal l yesterday afternoon. A collection taken up in aid of the Red Cross Fund realised £2. MAIREHAU. Last Thursday night the residents of Mairehau tendered a send-off social to Private A. Baker, who is leaving on active service with the 41st Specialists. A splendid musical programme 3 ' as contributed by Misses Hope, Emmet*, Palk. Marshall, Smith. Beck (2>, Knight (2), Gotterineyer. Parish, » oice, I Law, Mrs Sinclair, Messrs Angus,

Marshall, and Wilson. During the evening the chairman. Mr W. .1. Walker, on behalf of the residents, pre-, sentod Private Baker with a case of pipes with a silver plate bearing the following inscription: "Presented to Private A. Baker, from the residents of Maireh.iu. 25-1-18." In making tlie presentation Mr Walker referred to the prominent part the guest had taken in patriotic matters, being one of the original committee who formed the Maireluiu district. When Private | Baker rose to replv he was greeted with loud cheers, and the audience sang "For lie's a Jolly fiood Fellow.'' Dancing was indulged in, Mrs McMillan supplving the music and Mr •J. L. Parish acting as M.C. A verv enjoyable evening was brought to a close hy the audience forming a ring, with Private Baker and his mother in the centre, and singing "Auld Lang Syne."

LADBEOOKS. ' Mr W. Payne has been able to leave his room, although lie is still very weak. -Mrs Hughes, of Cheviot, is paying n. visit to her sisters', the MisiOvS Foster, of Ladbrooks. Good reports from local sportsmen arc to hand, and some large bags have been taken. • There is a slight lull in the potato market at present, there being no demand. There is still a demand for chaff, good prices being on offer. LINCOLN. The Lincoln Red Cross and Lady Liverpool branch will hold their annual meeting and gift afternoon in tho Druids' Hall, Lincoln, this week, when the balance-sheet will bo presented. The members of these branches have spared no pains during the year to do their share of good work in the interests oj' the soldiers, and their efforts have mot with good success. Ljeutonant-Colonel J,. L. Sleeman, 1.G.5., Director of Military Training, will address the meeting on Red Cross and other matters of interest. Afternoon tea will be provided by the ladies, a large attendance is looked' forward to, and all are heartily invited. The opening night of the Band of Hope was held in the Druids' Hall. Mr Withcll, the president, was in the chair, and the attendance was good. The following contributed -!tcms: Instrumental duet, Messrs Fuller and Goodman;-songs, Misses Violet Chapman and Dorothy Withell, and Master Bert Hapsley. A number oJF little girls sang a chorus, and Mrs Patterson-pa vj an interesting addross on "Gardens."

SOUTHBRIDGE. Mrs Lindsay, wife of the Rev. G. Lindsay, who* is leaving Southbridge to take up her residence at Fendalton, Mr Lindsay having decided to retire, was the guest at an afternoon given by the members of the Southbridge Red Cross branch on Thursday. Mrs Lindsay has been associated with the branch since its formation, and the feelings of deep regard felt by the members and their regret at her departure were expressed in neat speeches made by the president, Mrs Wishers, Mrs Abbott, and Miss Cryer. Mrs Lindsay, whoso two sons wont to the front as medical officers in 1914, feelingly acknowledged the sentiments and good wishes conveyed by the three speakers. After tea was served musical items were given by Mrs W. Lochhead and Misses Abbott, Thompson, and Hannah. ELLESJIERE. The North Rakaia River Board has arranged with Mr J. IX Campbell to repair the protective groyne on the island side of the Rakaia river, -which lias been damaged by floods, and the work is being put in hand immediately. A good deal of scooping of shingle is necessary to make up the embankment to its original height, and it will requiro about 200 barrels of cement to _ repair tlio outer end of the groyne, which lias fallen away through scouring. KAITUNA AND BIRDLING'S FLAT. A meeting of the Ladies' Guild was held on Friday. A cheque was received for £30 0s 2d, being half tho proceeds of the concert. A vote of thanks was passed t-o Mr L. Hart and his company, also to the members of the Kaitunil Girls' Guild, and the ladies who made tho concert such a success. The secretary had £12 7s Gd sent in by members who wero unable to be present at the concert. It was decided to forward £2 to tho Red Cross Honey Fund, £8 to the Liverpool Trench Fund,, and the balance to be spent on material to be made up bv the Guild. LITTLE RIVER.. A social and dance given by the young ladies of Little River was held in the Town Hall. There was a good attendance. The proceeds, amounting to nearly £7, will be given to the fund for sending parcels to our boys at the front. Much of the credit for tho success of the evening is due to the secretary, Miss Fairy Vanstone. AKAROA. The directors of the Akaroa Co-op-erative Butter Factory met on Saturday. It was decided to pay Is 4d per lb for butter-rat supplied during March and April. Mr J. R. Thacker, of Okain's Bay, was nominated for a seat on the directorate of the South Island Dairy Association. The manager reported that though the season was Hearing its end, the supply had been very well maintained. It was expected that the end of this month would close the season. It was decided to communicate with certain firms regarding the supply of butter boxes. DUVATCHELLE. A meeting of the directors of tho Peninsula Snleyards Company was held at Duvauchelle on Friday. Messrs Dalgetv and Co. wroto accepting the terms proposed for the erection of an office at the yards. It was decided to

call for tenders for the erection of more offices and telephone accommodation. Tlio secretary reported that last sale day, April otn, there had been u record entry of cattle, 778, the yarding fees for which had amounted to £27. It was resolved to increase tho pen accommodation by dividing ten of the largestpens.

METHVEX. At the Methven parish meeting, the following officers wore elected: —Wardens, Mr W. Morgan and Mr St-anley Smith; vestry, Messrs AY. Cook, W. J. Dickie, M.P., T. Doherty, J. Hibbs, F. Horsficld, W. 31. Hynam, E. Mahood, E. Thomas, G. Vaughan, and E. Watson. There was a credit balance on the year's working which was considered highly satisfactory especially when so many changes had been made in tho clergy officiating during the year, and great crodit was stated to be duo to the present locum tenens (the Rev. C. L. Sparrow, 8.A.). The recommendation of the vestry that the Rev. C. L. Sparrow should be permanently appointed was upheld by the parish meeting. ASH BURTON. M r W. .Smith, who for eleven years was head auctioneer at the Ashburton branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Co-opera-tivo Association, was entertained at afarewell social by a large gathering of his fellow-employees and numerous other friends'on Friday night. An enjoyable programme of vocal and instrumental music was given, and Mr Hnntcr. manager of the branch, presented Mr Smith, on behalf of the employees, with a gold watch, speaking very highly of Mr Smith s long and faithful services to the Association, and tho esteem in which he was held generally. Mr J. Brown, a leading farmer of the district, on behalfof himself and Mrs Brown, asked Mr Smith to accept for himself and Mrs Smith a silver soup dish, ivith their best wishes for their future happiness a~d ed°tiianl"' .Sroith. suitably return-

LAGMHOH. On Friday afternoon the residents of Lagmhor met at the school grounds, when the opening of the new school, which has recently been built on the land given by Messrs Buckley and Cow, was celebrated. Mr W. Horrell presided, and addresses were given by Messrs James Cow, Joshua Tucker, and others. Mrs James Cow declared the school open, and stated that although the accommodation was onlv for 30 there were now 31 scholars on the roll. In the evening a social and dance was held in Mr J. H. Muirhead's woolshed, and a collection taken up in aid of the school funds realised £7 7s.

WILLOWBY. A public meeting was held in tho Willowby Methodist Church for the purpose of welcoming the Rev. Samuel Bailey and family, formerly of Otautau, to the charge of the circuit. Mr W. T. Liil, the circuit representative to tho recent conference, presided, and on behalf of the Willowby congregation, extended a cordial welcome to Mr Bailey and family. Addresses of welcome were also given by Messrs Joseph Watson, W. Harding, W. W. Harding, Jewell, and H. Wells. TEMUKA. At the annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Peter's Church, Temuka, the vicar, the Rev. A. H. Iv orris, presided. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £47 2s Bd. Mr G. W. Armitage was re-elected vicar's warden, and Mr Leslie Talbot parishioners' warden. Tho following vestrymen were elected: Messrs Gapper, W. Berry, J. W. Barker, F. Sanders, W. P Routledge, G. Langford, I. Scowen, C. Storey, and Dr. Curtis. It was resolved to recommend tho Synod to extend the franchise' to women on the same basis as men. The vicar urged the claim of St. Saviour's Boys' Orphanage, Tirnaru, and suggested, that a depot should be opened at Temuka for the receipt of gifts and produce, of which Mrs Sanders undertook to take charge. AYAIMATE. At the annual meeting of tho British and Foreign Bible Society tho following officers were elected: President, Mr J. I. Hayman; vice-president, Mr A. 11. Elkin; secretary and treasurer, Mr P. Russell; assistant secretary, Mr D. Watson; committee, Messrs R. Meredith, E. Bnnnerman, F. Rusbatch, Mesdamts Block, Nind, and Gatehouse, local ministers, and Adjutant Bladin Dr. Chesson, Public Health Officer, after visiting the Waimate Hospital, recommends that a new building be erected without delay on a site in the paddock northward of the female ward of the general hospital. The South Canterbury Hospital Board, afc a special meeting after conferring with Dr. Chesson, iesolved by (i to 3 to fall in with the Christchurch Board's scheme for extensions to the Consumption Sanatorium at Cashmere, this Board to undertake its proportion of interest and sinking fund. GERALDINE. A special meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council was held to elect a Mayor in succession to Dr. Paterson. who has gone on military service as a medical man. The DeputyMayor, Mr T. Sherratt, was in the chair, and Crs. Sutherland and Patrick nominated Mr B. R. Macdonald and Messrs Bagrie and Kennedy nominated Cr. E. O'Malley. A warm discussion ensued, the supporters of Cr. O'Malley urging that a councillor had a prior claim, and the others saying that the expense of an election would be saved by returning an outsider. Mr Macdonald was ultimately elected on the casting vote of the Deputy-Mayor. In l the election of four members of the Geraldine Road Board more than ordinarv interest was taken. The result was the return of Messrs Bennett, A. Wilkinson, Paterson, and Ley, the voting fairly close.

FARMERS AND THE WAR ♦ j THE LABOUR QUESTION*: {SPECIAL TO "THE TRESS.' 1 ) TDIARU, May 4. The ninth Provincial Conference of the Fanners' Union for the South Canterbury district was held in Tinir.ru to-day. The president (Mr John Talbot) gave a lengthy review of the wheat question, and ury< j d farmers to sow as much wheat as their depleted ranks would allow. Mr Talbot also referred to the proposal to conscript labour, and said that so far as farm labour was conccrned conscripted labour would bo very little vise. (Hear, hear.) There was a question which he felt some reluctance in dealing with, anil that was the calling up for military service of so many farmers and farm workers. This was the most serious matter they were faced with as far as agricultural production was concerned. It was not too much to say that tho depletions that had already taken plac* had paralysed the grain-growing industry to a most serious extent, and other farm work was falling into arrears for want of labour. He was speaking to a gathering of farmers who knew and fully appreciated the seriousness of the war question and would put up with any inconvenience in order to help the military authorities all that they possibly could, but they were now faced with a problem of the most serious kind in regard to production of the farm.

Mr Bitchener said now that mnrried men were being taken, the Farmers' Union should not say anything about keeping their men back. Farmers would just have to-get along as best thev could.

Mr Butler, president of Tho Point branch of the Union, said that Mr UitclHrtief- had-expressed the opinion of The Point branch, who were also strongly of . opinion that the sine die adjournments should be carefully reviewed, as it was better to send single than married men. Sir C. J. Talbot, M.P., endorsed these remarks on behalf of the Fairlie branch of tho Union, and added that there was a good deal of feeling concerning tho exemptions which had been given to high country musterers. Far too much stress had been put on-the value of the work of these nien, a good many of whom could quite safely be sent to , the war. (Hear, hear.) j

Mr W. H. Orbell endorsed •Mr Bitchener's remarks, but added that there was need for reviewing the sine die adjournments. The president said he did not wish to say one word to embarrass the military authorities, but they had the fact that no other Dominion was sending its married men, or even conscripting all its single men, and the other Dominions were eaually interested in the war with New Zealand. If New Zealand had fallen behind in its duty in any respect the position would be different, but it had not done so. Mr Talbot was unanimously reflected president for the ensuing year.