THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16219, 23 May 1918, Page 8

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION. (fkess association telegram.) WELLINGTON, May 22. A deputation from tho Agricultural anrl Pastoral Workers' Union waited on tnc Acting-Minister of Labour to-day regarding accommodation for shearers and otilers at many of tho country stations. The dei-uialion described the conditions as disgrace!ill. Mr Herrics replied that, acoording to the ireports received, improvements had been effected in tho sheds which had been tho subject of complaints previously, and assured tho deputation that tho Labour Department was really anxious to carry out tho law as it stood. Ho believed the Department had endeavoured to compel tihe employers to observo tho law. All the stations mentioned would bo inspected, and, if possible, improvements made. Proposals for an amendment of tho Act would bo submitted to Mr Massey, with, a viow to action being taken. JOTTING 3 FOR FARMERS A line of 21 fat lambs, sent to tho Belfast Freezing Works by Mr P. Gillon, Greenpark, ranged in weight from 4f)lb to 761b, 20 of them averaging 61.31b. Free passes ar© a standing grievance to tho people who do not have them. Mr Robertson, at the Manawatu A. and P. Show meeting at Palmerston North, pointed this out. Ho wanted to know the number of complimentary tickets issued. "I hear factory managers are given free tickets. Why does the man who milks tho cows havo to pay, and tho man who makes the butter get in free?" he asked. It was pointed out by tho president, Mr J. M. Johnston, that these courtesies must "bo extended to certain people, such as presidents of other associations, mayors of neighbouring towns, Press representatives, judges, Agricultural Department officials, and factory managers who are exhibiting, etc. It was dono by _ other shows, and they reaped a large indirect benefit in tho way of advertisement. Tho total complimentary tickets issued for the National Dairy Show was 293, and tho Spring Show 303. In his run through the North Auckland district recently, the Hon. D. H. Guthrio, Minister of Lands, traversed an area of over 6000 sauare miles, carrying a population between 60,000 and 70,000, including 2500 tenants of the Crown. In conversation with a representative of the Wellington "Post" Mr Guthrie remarked that there was much valuablo land in the Far North that was only partially developed, and there were also very extensive areas of poorer land which would require careful scientific treatment to make it as productive as it should be. If it was properly worked, there was ample evidence that this comparatively poor land could be brought into satisfactory production. The absence of railways and r;ood roads was retarding prosperity. Money spent judiciously for this purpose would certainly give a good return. WAIATJ. Tho monthly meeting of the Waiau Patriotic Committee was held on Monday night, when Mr H. T. Beaven presided over an attendance of twelve members. were received from Messrs XJce, R. McKio, Mcßryde, and Rogers. A long letter was rogd j from Mr R. B. Dalley, Oxford, ort pat- ( riotic business, and a vote of thanks I was passed to' him for supplying the , information asked for. It was resolvod that this committee approach the Government with a view to its acauiring Innd in the district for returned soldiers. and tho secretary was fnstructod to forward tho resolution to Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., for transmission to the proper quarter. Tho secretary was further instructed to mnko enquiries as to the possibility of obtaining representation on the exocutivo of the Canterbury Patriotic Frnd, and ; t was rosolved that all members of this committee be nominated as membrvs of the fund. A sub-committee, consisting of the chairman, secretary, tho Rev. Thomson, and Mr Netting, was Fet «p . to attend to anv necessitous cases in tho ■ district, and Mrs Thomson wis re-an- • pointed district lady ■visitor, to report | to the sub-committee. Mr ,T, Davios ; was added to the committee. | TUAHIWI. j On Tuesday evening, practically all i the residents of Tuahiwf, bosidos numer- ! ous outsiders, assembled at the hall to ; say farewell to Mr and Mrs T. Eder, ! who are leaving the district after a re- ; sidence of about twonty-five years. Both Mr and Mrs Eder's hard work and # sterling qualities, especially in patriotic afrairs, had gained for thorn

j many friends, and these took _ advantage of the occasion to pay fitting tribute*. Mr Te Hau Korako, oti behalf of the residents, presented Mr Eder with a travelling rug, and Mrs Edcr with a silver teapot. Among the speakers wore Mrs Korako, Mrs Crofts, Messrs Barrett. Andrews, and Taylor, and the Her. Harding. Mr Edor suitably responded. A very enjoyable evoning wa3 spent, dancing, interspersed with mucifil itoms, Boing indulged in til! midnight. HALS WELL. j The School Committee met on Menday evenir.2, 3lr TV. L. Wright (chairman) presiding over a full attendance of members. The question of raising the fees o r , the caretaker was considered, and it was agreed to add 30s more

to tho present amount, making tho re numeration £17 10s per annum. Th< general opinion regarding taking pvei charge of the library ivas that a nicet ing of subscribers should appoint «' committee of control. Provision foi fuel for tho' coming winter was math and the nicotine adjourned. Tho ordinary meeting of tlio ?"at riotic Committee was held on Tuesday evening, Mr E. Paterson occupying th< chair. The last concert by tho Aut< Pierrots proved very successful, anc another one by tho Burgeon Company if procurable, was left in tho hands o: Mr Paterson to arrange. Mr J. Mur ray, treasurer, sent in 'his resignation and Mr M. Hodgen was appointed tc I tho position. A euchre party and dancc, in aid ol I the Hall piano fund, was held in the 1 Public Hall. There was a large attend ance, and keen competition. Miss M j Malone.v von the lady's prize and Mi | Wood tlio gentleman's. Consolutior ' prizes were not awarded. Supper was then handed round, and the floor cleared for dancing, which was kept up till 1.30 a.m M music being provided by Mrs Guiney and Mr Lcggett. Mr W. Wilson was M.C. The lighting v.-as the 1 only drawback to tho evening's enter- • tainment. Japanese carbido was provided, but tho lights several times went out, leaving tho dancers in tlu dark. WADOXLNGTON. Anniversary services, which wore rerv woll attendod, were held at the i Methodist Church on Sunday. The | services were conducted by tho Rev. Fowlds, with special music by the choir. In tho evening a solo was sung by Miss G. Lord. On Monday tho annual tea was held, the attendance beina 1 exceptionally good. During tho eveni ing a concert was given by Missos R.udd (2), Sealev (2), Lord, and Newsome, the Rev. Smith, nnd Mr D. Millor. .Addresses wero given by tho Rovs. "\V. Hughes, J. Johnston, Smith, and ; Fowlds. and Messrs Jebson and Hawk. Mr Jebson specially roferrcd to . tho loss tho church would sustain through the departure of Mr F. Hilton for | camp. I SHEFFIELD. At the last meeting of tlio local l branch of the Plunkot Society, Mrs H. | A. Knight introduced Mrs Chilton and I Nurso Maclcio, who gave addresses on the work of the Society, and the benefits" to be derived therefrom. A hoart.v voto of thanks was accorded tho speakers, on tho motion of the Rev. J. Johnston. During the afternoon a number of articles made by members of tho local committee wero sold, realising nearly £5. Afternoon tea was provided by tho ladies. MOTUKARATTA. A very pleasant ovening was spent at tho residence of Mr and Mrs Harris, Motukarara, on Monday night, to welcome homo Private Leicester Harris, who has just returned from the front, suffering from slight wounds and sliollslioek. He enlisted an:l sailed with the 24th Reinforcements as corporal, and was wounded in Belgium. Cards, music, and dancing were indulged in uitil a lato hour, songs tafeing given by Mrs Ronnie, and Misses Wright, Harris, Fallow, and Wheeler. OKAIN'S BAY. Last week, whilo workmen wore mending the road near tho Okain's Bay wharf, they unearthed tho skeleton of a Moori. Tho body had evidently been buried in a sitting position, and was that of a man considerably over 6 feet in height. The bones were in a good state of preservation, and, according to the teoth, the Maori was about 30 years of ago.

WAIMATE. Tho County Conncil yesterday voted £100 to tho Sailors' Day Fund. Tlio Waimato total now stands at nearly £300. Tho Cbunoil visited Knottingly Park in response to a deputation from the Advanco Waimato Association, requesting improvements to tho road and bridge approaching the park. The Association decided on Tuesday to visit Kelcey Bush to-day week with a view to formulating a plan of improvements to Boroughs Hill Park of 300 acres. Notice, was given by the chairman of the County Council yesterday to move, at the next meeting, that nil county roads be closed to traction engine traffic from July 4th to September 4th. Tho Council was not unanimous on the question. Cr. Whatman stated that 230 tons of prcdiico wa.s awaHin-r transport from Waihaorunga before the winter, and there was no chance of procuring haulage if tho roads were closed. Tho Waimato Kod Cross Committee* on Tuesday deeded to Tote £100 to the Prisoners of Fund, Christohurch. The office-bearers of the Methodist Church and choir members entertained the choir secretary. Miss Crawshaw at a banquet on Tuesday, tho Rev. A. N. Scotter presiding. Tho chairman presented the guest with a imit-case on the occasion of her impending derarture to tako up a position in tho Lawro%u ' Dlstrict ?'Ph School. | Thero was 4T> niinutes sunshine yes', terday and 3 degress of frost. j