THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16210, 13 May 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES

JOTTINGS FOK FARMERS.

The threshing returns to April show that 2,663,067 bushels of were threshed, averaging 3-5.41) buine per acre, and 1,894,<596 bushels ot oats', averaging 32.03 bushel's per acre.

It is noticeable (writes ' As l-1 ? 10 * J South Island correspondent or _ tji"Farmers' Union Advocate'') that Oaiifornian thistle, gorso, sweetbriar, an rabbits are on the increase owing to tno lack of labour to deal with them, so that the war is causing much of our land to deteriorate in more ways tnan one.

It looks as if there will be a reC number of clearing sales in laranaKi this year (says the New Plymouth "News"). This is caused by tho icarcity of labour, necessitating farmers going in for dry stock instead of dairying, and the calling up of the Second sion, the fit members of wlucn are making their dispositions in good time.

The Ashburton High School bovs who helped the farmers in the Ashburton County very materially with their harvest, are now busy engaged on tho potato crops during the holidays.

Rabbit-poisoning is being carried out extensively on many of tho back-coun-try stations of the Ashburton County with very satisfactory results. Poisoning will also be carried out in the lower districts at an early date. Farmers in the Wakanui district state that mu-e are very prevalent this season, and considerable damage is being done to grain stacks, and sacks of grain stored in the paddocks and granaries.

Mr C. Branigan, Government; Fields Inspector at Ashburton, on Saturday located seeds of Calitornian thistle m some cliaff v.-ith which he was icoding his horse. He at once referred the matter to the firm from which ho purchased the chaff, and found that the chaff was full of the noxious -weed. The whole consignment will now be returned to the farmer who grew and sold the chaff. WAIKARI. On Friday a visit of inspection was made to several sites for tfie proposed maternity home and casualty ward in Waikari and at Horsley Downs by Dr. Cheseon, District Health Officer, Mr W. S. Wharton, secretary to the iNorth Canterbury Hospital Board, and Mr J. J. Collins, architect to the Hospital Board, the object being to decide the suitability of a site, and to ascertain the cost oi the proposed institution, with water supply and drainage complete. A number of the residents or \V aikari have shown considerable public spirit in connexion with this proposal. Mr C. Troune has offered to surrender his lease on an Education reserve, if it is required; Mr 11. Evans has offered to give a good site of an acre or more, or, if another site is selected, ho is prepared lo give an area of land to assist in the drainage; and Mr I>. Lueey has offered to forego a promise of tlio first odor of some sectir.ns in the estate of the late Mr Townend.

RANGIORA, The anniversary services of the Rangiora Methodist Church were celebrated yesterday, 'l'he preacher for the day was the Iter. A. C. Lawry, chairman of the North Canterbury district, who took as his subject lor the morning service "God's Light on Man's Darkness," and for the evening service '"Life's Magie and Death's Crown," A special musical service was held in the 'afternoon, when Mr Ernest Firth, ol the Durham street Methodist Church, and a quartet party from his choir, gave a programme of high-class items, the Rev. A. C. Lawry also giving a short address, taking for his subject "The Sunbeams." Tlicre were Large congregations at all services, cspeciui anthems being given by the choir ander Mr I. T. Withers.

The funeral of tho late Mr W. H. Hawken, of Raiigiora, took place yesterday afternoon, and was very largei.V attended. The hoarse was preceded bv tho members of the Orange Lodge, Pride of the Boyne, No. ''i", of which the deceased was a member. The Rev. F. P. Feudal] conducted the service at the graveside. Mr Hawken, who was only 41 years of age., was at.his work up till Thursday last, when ho complained of leoliiig unwell, and after resting for a while went home. He died on tho following day from severo pneumonia. Mr Hawken leaves a young widow and child, for whom much sympathy is felt. KAIAPOI. The Kaiapoi Caledonian Society held its. first wniter social in the drill hall on Friday evening, when dancing and progressive euchre were held simultaneously. The winners of the euchro prizes were Mrs «T. TV. Drabble and Mr Tavendale. Musical items were given by Misses More, E. Dunn, and Mrs TUtlo.

The Kaiapoi Methodist Church harvest, thanksgiving servicos wero held yesterday, the Rev. W. Ready preaching both.morning and evening to largo congregations. Special musical items were given by friends from Christcluuvh. In the afternoon a musical service was held, solos being given by Muses Bessie Olds and Gwen Thompson, and Messrs Johnston and Blakeley.Mr Percy Brown, of Christchurch, presided at the organ.

SOl/THBEIDGE. The Scuthbridge Town Board met on Thursday evening, Mr J. S. Chapman presiding in the absence of Mr C. H. Piper. The clerk of the Ellcsmoro County Council wrote stating that the town district's contribution for hospital and charitable aid purposes for the cur- , rent year would be £37. TMsciission on this matter was deferred until the next meeting. The. Workfc Committee reported that the water-races were in a bad condition, and required cleaning as soon as possible. Efforts to secure labour for this and other work had been ttnsuccessfnl, but it was hoped that there would be some casual labour available shortly. The chairman -of the Hall Committee undertook to look into sicomplaint regarding the street lighting. It was stated that the ! lamps were old, and were not fit for j much further use. and the hope was expressed that before very long electricity from Lake Coleridge would be made I available for lighting purposes in the j district. Attention was drawn to the j fuct that certain ratepayers had failed I to clear gorse, etc., from their front- j ages, in spite of orders served upon them. It was agreed that if the work was not done during this month other | action would bo taken at nest meeting. ■

LEESTOX. On Thursday evening the Leeston Orchestral Society, under the conductorship of Mr J. T. Maciecdsmith, gave a successful concert at the Leeston Town Gall. There was a good attendance, home very enjoyable pieces were given by the orchostru, and songs were sung by Misses Loinas. Ttamsev, and Headerson, and Messrs Dcr.n, A. Bayliss, and C. Thompson. Master Harry Austin contributed two cornet soles" After tlie concert a dance was held. Mrs Donald, Mies Thompson, and Mr C. Thompson supplying the music.

DUXSAXDEI.

The annual meeting of residents icr the election of a management committee for the Hall nnd Librarv was presided over by Mr F. Lill. The balancesheet showed a credit, though there was a debit on the last year s workingSocials held last winter had been tho means of augmenting the Lady LiTer-

pool Fund to the ©stent of over £15. It was decided to continue the eocials this year. _ The following were elected a committee:—Mesters F. I#ill. John. Walker. F, E. Owors, H. A. Brown, A. J. bheat, James Wraight, J. H. Skinner, and F. T. Clavdou.

The annual social to wind up the croquet and bowling season tpok placo in tne Town Hall on Thursday evening. Progressive euchre was played, and the first prizes were won by Mrs "\V. A. McMillan and Mr C. A." "Wright. The ladies of the croquet section provided supper ; after which a dance was held, for which Mrs Delargey and Misses Lill and Stewart played, while Mr H. F. Wright was M.C-. The croquet players presented Mrs C. A. Wright", who has left the district, with a silver sugar bow], and the bowlers gave Mr Wright a_ case of pipo?. The croquet competition prizes wore presented as follows:— Singles: Mrs A. McPherson 1. Mrs John Walker L\ Mrs 11. F. Wright 3. Doubles: Mrs N. J. Brown and Mrs James Walker 1. Mrs H. F. Wright and Mrs W. 11. McMillan 2. ASHBURTON. A meeting of the committee of the Ashburton A. and P. Association • was held on Saturday afternoon, the president, Mr I'\ Frampton, in the chair. It was decided t-o send a letter of condolence to 'the friends of Private C. G. Maconachie, who was recently killed in fiction. Letters wore read from various judges at the recent show, several of them expressing the opinion that tho show had been one of high merit. The president (to bo elected at the annual meeting) and the secretary were appointed to attend as delegates to the agricultural conference. Mr Wm. Beard was elected a member of the Association. A donation of .£.'!) 2s was voted to the Ashburton Technical School Association.

The fortnightly meeting of tho Loyal | Ashburton Lodge Independent Order of Oddfellows (Manchester Unity) was held on Friday evening, when N.G. Bro. J. S. Wilson presided. Three candidates were initiated into the Order by the lecture master. Bro. It. Page, and*three proposals were received. The trustees were empowered to invest as much as possible in -war bonds. Th-o following nominations were received: —N.G., Bro. JX Russell; V.G., Bros. Harvey, Byrom, and Garrard; L.S., Bros. Byrom and Mason. TEMUKA. The annual meeting of the Temuka Floral and Horticultural Society was cH * n e^rs W. J. Evans and Co.'s offices on Friday evening. The balancesheet showed a credit balance of £10 lis 9d. Tho following officers were elected: —Patrons, Revs. A. H. Xorris, 0. Macdonald, J. W. Griffin, Rev. Father Kerley, Captain Hawkes, J>r. Hastings, Messrs C. J. Talbot, M.P., A. Frew, J. Orford, D. Grant. W. J. Lvans. G. Carpenter, Mfiscknics J. Guild, A. R. Guild, A. Hope, can., and W. Mcßride; president, Dr. Curtis;; vice-presidents, Messrs G. Carhvriglit, L. Cooper, Buzan, and Mrs Coomb's; hon. secretary, Mrs E. James; hon, treasurer, Mrs C: J. Bilton: committee, Metjsrs '1. Gunnion. G. Judson, F. Morris, A. C. Watson, F. Dailev, 11. Robinson, F. A. Jcynt. M. 11. Hamilton, Mesdames Beri, C. J. Bilton, E. James, and O. Bates. It -was decided to hold a spring show in September.