THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16216, 20 May 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

4 NEWS AND NOTES

EAR-MARKING AS'D BRANDING STOCK. A report on the car-marking branding of stock was received I™ lll t"° special committee of the Board i<t Agriculture appointed to consider the method which had been devised b\ the .Live Stock Division of the Deputment of Agriculture. The committee, reported that they had visited homes Island in company with some omevrs of the Department, and had made an inspection of the sheep which had been ear-marked some eighteen months pieviously. on which the marks were very plain and distinct, and t-iougli at present incomplete they ivere or opinion that the system was one well .worthy of further enquiry and subsequent trial. The scheme was one that was capable of making a great_ many distinct ear-marks which were ot great convenience so far as the breeder of the sheep was concerned. The principal difficulty, however, appeared to be when the sheep changed ownership from time to time. This seaive v seemed to be fully provided for in the scheme, and it would render the adoption of the plan rather difficult unlesi it could be overcome.

LAND SETTLEMENT

DAYS OF RANCHING OVER

In the course of his address at tiie annual conference of the Taranaki Farmers' Union, the president said:— "It is very pleasing to note that the new Minister of Lands, the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, is reported to have said that the days of ranching in New Zealand were over. This sounds Lko a hopeful note on a question that is (f vital importance 'to all who take an intelligent interest in the wellare of this Dominion. If the days of ranching are over, I sincerely hope it means that the State has awakened and will see the advantage and profit that will accrue to this Dominion of proceding in I'eal downright earnest with a liberal -'and for settlement and assistance for settlers' scheme. I think that increased production in the near future is of the first importance .to reduce taxation after the Avar, and to help pay the war costs. To secure this all iand in occupation that is not being made productive should be resumed by the State and used for closer settlement whore suitable. I would point out that the Hon. Minister of Lands has a unique opportunity. The country is ready for an enormous increase in the number of its producers, the necessity has arisen for that increase, and tho world needs the produce. At the same time while asking that land settlement he pushed forward, it docs not mean just, to dump. men on the land and leave them thore to just exist. There must be means found to assist them to develop their holdings and bring them into a productive state with the lenst possible delay. In order to ensure a contented and prosperous country population. good roads, telegraph, telephone, and postal facilities should proceed simultaneously with settlement, and the terms of occupation should be such as to bear very lightlv for (ho first years. If ever a Government bad an opportunity to raise n monument to its usefulness it is the present Government—creating , a liberal and helpful lands for settlement scheme and assisting the settlers financially and sympathetically. I spoke on these lines at our conference last year, but the importance of tlie subject justifies repetition." JOTTINGS FOli FARMERS A W esterfield fanner savs that the rabbit-poisoning campaign in that district tnis season has been a wonderful success, rabbits lying about the fields in hundreds. One person in quest of skins picked up 300 dead rabbits in one plantation. There were also a good number taken from the river-bed.

Messrs Murray Roberts and Co. bavo shipped a' very fine consignment of cattle to Australia. The shipment comprised fourteen stud Hereford bulls from the studs of Mr C. A. J: Levett, of Feilding, Mr Bernard Chambers, of Hastings, and Mr Mackenzie, of Masterton. Mr John Moir, of Messrs Moreheads, Ltd., ut Brisbane, selected the bulls, which are considered to bo the finest lot of Herefords that have left the Dominion for some time.

"Some of the worst! land in Ha wee's Bay," was the remark of a returned solaier at Thursday night's meeting of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association, referring to an estate on which discharged soldiers had "been settled. He said that the conditions, which suited the sellers but not the settlers, made Jife a hard for the men. ''They are only hanging on till some other silly comes along,'' he added. "I am sorry for swearing," ho apologised, "but I feel sorry for the men who are losing their savings—and some of them have girls waiting." HAREWOOD. In _ the Harewood Hall on Thursday evening, the bandage girls held another social in aid of the fund for sending parcels to Harewood soldiers at the front. Several items were contributed. The net proceeds, including several donations, amounted to £11. The girls have up to date sent four parcels to each soldier (numberiug 30). The first two lots have already been acknowledged.

LITTLE RIVER

A concert given by the Marist Bros.' pupils in aid of St. John's Church building fund, was held in the Town Hall, Little River. There was a very large attendance. Towards the end Mr J. Hartv, chairman, thanked the people for their courtesy in attending, and also the Roman Catholic parisnioners for taking charge of the children. A dance was subsequently held. The sum of £37 was collected, leaving about £30 to clear off the debt. ROLLESTON. A farewell social was tendered to Mr W. Kempthorne, jun., who is leaving Rolleston to reside at Kirwee. Mr Kempthorne, who is an old resident of Rolleston, will be much missed, as lie and Mrs Kempthorne have been very active in church, school, and patriotic work. Songs were given' by the following : Misses Pearce (3), Mrs Wallace, Miss Dalziel, Messrs Wallacv, Smith. Glen, and Davidson, and a recitation by Miss Rose McLaren. Mr J. Smith presented Mr Kempthorne with a set of carvers, and Mrs Kempthorne with a silver butter-dish. Refreshments were supplied by the ladies. DAIUTIELD.

On Thursday afternoou Mrs Boyle and Miss Tabart, of Christchurch, gave an address in the Kimberley Hall, oil Red Cross work, and . appealed f or honey and funds for prisoners of war, tilso woollen materials. There was an attendance of 60 ladies. Afternoon tea was provided. . At the conclusion of their remarks, both speakers were i.ccorded a vote of thanks. A collecting box was on the table, and when opened was found to contain £4. On Friday evening a dance was held in the Ivimberley hall, in aid of & ,,n ~ berley Miniature Rifle Club, part 'A the proceeds being for patriotic fundsMr Bettell, of Christchiireh, supplied the music, Miss Clements and Mr Manson playing extras. During the evening Miss Starkey gave two songs. Mr D. Mcßeath acted as M.C. •

• KAIAPOI. On Saturday evening. Mr L. Parnhani, son of Air \Y_ E. Parnbain, Kaiapoi, was badly burnt about the face, through ail explosion of acetylene gas. At Aaiapoi, on Saturday, "a footoall match between the liangiora and Kaiapot Cadets was won bv too latter by 20 points to 3.

On the Kaiapoi links, on' Saturday, a match for the president's trophy was played, the following being the best cards returned: A. Brown 5 ;m. J. H. Blackwell 3 un, W. Anderson, G. Terapleton, and G. Miller eacii '2 up. A sale of work and produce, in aid . e Methodist Parsonage Debt Extinction Fund was opened at the Drill Hall, by the Hon. D. Buddo, M.P., on Friday, and continued on Saturday afternoon and evening. There were large n» tendances on both days. The produce, fancy work, refreshments, and sweets stall, the side-shows and competitions, did good business, a sum of nearly £"200 beinij added to the fund. WAIMATE. Six and a quarter hours' sunshine was recorded on Saturday, and one degree of frost.

Tlie dog trials were concluded .it noon on Saturday. In Class three, huntaway, head, bring back and held in ring, the results were: J. L. O'Connor's Rock CO points 1, E. Russell's Hoy 33 points 2, D. J. Ounn's Skve 32 points 3, J. Me Aughtrie's Bandy 21) points 4, \Y. L. McKenzio's AYag 26 points o. J. McAughtrie won the Melt ae Cup for the competitor with the best aggregate. G. Russell's Roy was the best individual dog in the three classes. Russeli was aiso first among the district competitors. The youths' section in Class 1 resulted in a tio between Masters Judge and Adamson. They fought it out on Saturday afternoon, Judge winning the gold medal, and Adamson the silver medal.

The drapers, mercers, and clothiers have agreed to close their business premises during the winter months at 0.30 p.m. Mrs John Cameron has received advice that her eldest son, Sergeant Colin Cameron, is dangerously ill with typhus in the Australian Stationary Hospital at. Tel-el-lvebir. I;Ie left Waimate with the Main Body, and when !ast heard of was at the Jordan, in Palestine.

A good entertainment for the Red Cross was provided on Friday uight by Ashburton talent. Tho performers were: Mr and Mrs Chapman, Misses McEwan, Dohertv, and Smith, and Mr A. Todd.

Private James "Walton-Henry, of Lavcrcargill, aged '22 years, died of wounds in Boulogne 011 April 3rd. He was born in Southland, but received his schooling in Waimate. Major Francis, C.M.G.. Director of Base Records, is visiting Waimate.