THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16215, 18 May 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES

TURN IP AND RAPE SEED,

WARNINGS OF A SHORTAGE

(.PHESS ASSOCIATION TEIjEGKAM.)

WELLINGTON. May 17

The Board of Agriculture, after going exhaustively into the question of tho supply of turnip and swede seeds, decided to issue a warning to farmers that there would probably be a shortage for the 1918 sowing, and to make n suggestion that they should reserve portion of their crops for seed purposes. The position in regard to the L9IS) supplies was still doubtful, but it seemed extremely j)robable thap Great Britain would be short, and attempts were being made to iiersttane merchants and farmers to grow at least a thousand acre:- of turnips for seed purposes, to be harvested about next December or January. So far as rape was concerned, there appeared to he a better supply in store to fulfil 1918 requirements, but there was every indication that the 1919 supply would have to be largely mado up from locally produced seed. The : Board resolved to -write to the Minister of Agriculture stating that it' considered that the prospect of growing sufficient wheat for next season was being seriously endangered by the uncertainty prevailing through the Government not gazetting the price to bo paid for next season's crop. It was also decided to recommend that the Government should tho procedure established by the British Government in guaranteeing, a lair prim for a {eri)V of.yeays, to ensure a sufficient quantity of wheat being grown to meet the requirements of the Dominion.

ELLESMERE EFFICIENCY

COMMITTEE

A meeting of the Ellesniere County Committee of Advice; held at Leeston on Thursday, was presided over by Mr J. Boag, j'un. On tho motion of Mr Stoi-rv. a_ resolution of sympathy with the chairman and Mrs Boag in the loss of their son, Trooper J. W. Boag, who recently died of wounds in Palestine, was carried. Tie secretary suggested that the Defence authorities should _bo asked to have supplies of exemption forms for Territorials left at all post offices. The suggestion was approved. Having received notice to proceed to camp next Monday, the secretary, who is: a. member of Class A of the Second Division, tendered his resignation as a member of the committee and as secretary. On the chairman's motion a resolution was carried, placing on record the committee's appreciation of Mr Inwood's work.

METHVISX. Dr. H. Chcssou, District Health Officer. will visit Met liven next •week to confer with the Mount llutt Road' Board, in regard io sanitary by-laws for that district. ' AIAIREHAU. A memorial service wab held in the Muirchau Hall on Sunday afternoon. wi memory ol : the ]atu Private J£. J. McFadden, who was recently killed in action. The high esteem in which the deceased soldier was held was shown by the large congregation, the building being filled to its utmost capacity. The Kev. D. 1). llodger, of Papanui,, conducted the scrvice, preaching an impressive and appropriate sermon, his text being Matthew, ix., 18. Suitable hymns vrere sung nt the conclusion of the service. The "Dead March" was played by the pianist, Mrs AY. JWalter.

SEUWYX. The stationmaster at Selwyn will be withdrawn after the close of business on th(; i>tli iu.st., and after that dato Selwyn wilL bo worked as a flag station. Any goods not removed before the 2-">th inst. will be bold at owner's risk. KAXGIORA. A most enjoyable social was given on Thursday evening by Messrs I'ctrie and -Stalker, at- Colustre-am, lta-ugiora, to wt.-lcome home Mr Skinner and Mr Quiun. Over a, hundred guests were present. During the evening the soldiers were each presented with a pipe, bongs were contributed, and dancing was indulged in till the small hours. I lie annual meeting of the croquet section of the llangiora > Bowling, 'jennu, and Croquet Club was held on Ihnrsoay. Mr .E. Barton was in the chair. The report stated that out of seven inter-club matches played, four were won, and that nine afternoon tournaments were .held during the season. Ofhcers for th-> year were elected as follows: President, Mrs G. Gibbs vfordin; secretary, Mrs J. Golding: committee, Mesdames Ambrose, Jennings, Springer, Efford, and Shankland. Ladder Committee, Mesdames Josling, Jorum, and Jennings; representatives on the General Committee. Messrs AV • E. Barton and J. 0. Josling. Votes of thanks to the retiring officers -were passea. TEMUEA.

The annual meeting of the Soutlx Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was held on Thursday, Mr F. J. Millton presiding. The "report and balancesheet, the latter showing a debit balance ,>f £8 l'2s 7d, wero°adopted. M 1" Pigotts motion (previously reported) attvetiKi: the method of olefin# I'icniwas carried. Officers were elcctea as follows: President M r H. Goodwin : vice-president, Mr J. S. JRutherfojdj

Mr H. Finch: auditor, Mr A\ . D. lie veil: council. Timaru and Levels Counties. Messrs H Goodwin, A. E. Lewis. J. E. I'igott. '0. E. Stiekmgs. A. 31. Jameson : Geraldiho County, Messrs F. Blackroore, A. E. Benn, H. T. Clinch, G. A. M. Macdonakl, and F. J. MHlton. It was agreed that a memorial of some sort to the lato Mr J. 11. liayue should bo provided. ASH BURTON. In the Orange Hull, on Thursday evening, 3lr W. C. Smith, lor the past eleven years head auctioneer for the local branch of _ the Farmers' Co-op., but who has retired in oraer to go on the land, was met- by a representative gathering of his late business associates, anu presented with two easy chairs as -.y mark of their esteem. At a sitting of the Juvenile Court yesterday, before Mr V. G. Day, S.M., two boys appeared on a charge ot committing mischief by burning a stack containing about six tons of hay, valued at £l(j, tho property of Frederick 11. Kennard, of Hampstead. The parents of the boys stated they haa defrayed tho cost of the damage done, and tho case was adjourned for three months, when a report as to the boys' behaviour will be furnished.

The members of the Eighth (South Canterbury) Regimental Baud assembled in the Arcadia Tearooms, on Wednesday, and made a presentation of a silver-mounted oak salarl bowl to Lieutenant M. W. JJ la tli way to, officer in command of tho local Defence office, who was recently married. Songs and recitations were contributed by Messrs Searle, Darling, and G. Willcrs. Complimentary reference to the bandmaster's and drum-major's manner of conducting tho Band's business was made by tho military officers present. WAIMATE. The Hannaton school concert, was held on Thursday niglit, and was a decided success. Mr William Lindsay presided. Songs were contributed by M isses Mechan, Brien, Crawshaw, Messrs Wotherspoon, P. Hunter, ana others, and Mr Brohan gave some stepdances. Mr E. T. Hamilton, of tho Union Bank, resumed duty yesterday after six weeks' leave. Mr Chanwin has been .acting as teller in his absence. Eight and a half hours' sunshine were recorded yesterday, and t degrees ol frost. The Xavy League lia< decided to hold a Sailors' Day and organise a street collection.