THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16274, 26 July 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. OXFORD BOARD 01 ADVICE. At the last meeting of the Oxford Board of Advice correspondence from the Canterbury Commissioner in relation to the rccent snowstorm and its effect on the pastoral industrv was reaci, and considered. Consideration of the question revealed the fact that so far as the recovery of sheep was concerned, tbc work, as far as possible, had been done. It was averred that the nor-wester of Sunday, July 14th, by which there was a great thaw, naa probably mrant Iho saving of 20,000 sheep in the county. As the snow melted, the sheep were liberated. Consideration was given to tho appeals of meu who are wholly engaged in agricultural pursuits. The difficulty of deciding between men, and food, was accentuated. Farmers who do the greater part- of the work on their farms are called up, and it seems impossible that productivity can bo maintained should they go into camp. At the samo lime there are single men. with comparatively feiV reiponVibilities, who appear to have little diuicultv in securing exemption. It was considered that there should be a 'liore serious "combing-oitt" of single reservists before married men, especially those with families, were called up. Jt was decided to make representations on this matter. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS, The creation of one industry may sometimes mean the death of another (says a Taranaki paper). For instance, if tho dried milk industry were to take hold in this district, what would becomo of the pig-i aisi«£ business ? There certainly would ha no mills for raising pigs on, and weaner calves would have a shorter aliowanc© than usual. Tho loss involved in tho careless treatment of skins was emphasised in an appeal heard by the Jlilitary Service Board at Auckland. Skins, it was stated, were often sent to market blackspotted and otherwise defective through being dried on barb-wire fences, kept, perhaps for years in the leather, instead of being salted and sisnt regularly to market. Sometimes they were scored by the knife and stained by bad butchering and improper folding. If these points were attended to. it was 6tated, farmers would get double the money for their skins and hides. LITTLE RIVER. On account of the flooded state of roads, the annual meeting of the Banks Peninsula A. and P. Association lias been postponed until further notice.

OXFORD. .At tho fortnightly meeting of the Oxford Patriotic Committee, Mr D. Hawke presided. A motion of sympathy was paased to Mr and Mrs D. lilaiu in tho death of their son. Letters of congratulation were ordered to be sent to Mx*a Gilchrist oh her son, ;he late Private Harry Gilchrist, winning the Military Medal,. and to Mrs H. Simpson on a similar honour being conferred on her son. The committee decided to assist in forwarding the interests Of a returned soldier. AMBERLEY. At the annual meeting of the Amborloy branch, of Service League, tho llev. W. F. Knowles pro* sided. The report, which was adoptr ed, showed that a large amount of patriotic work, in addition to general work, had boon done. The League represented the . Canterbury Patriotic Fund in this district. The balancesheet, showihg a credit balance of JO4 9s lid, was adopted. A cominitteo of fifteen were elected, with power to add to their, number, also tho toilowing officers President, Itev. W. F. Xnowles; vico-prosident, Mr J. Harnpiss; treasurer, Mr G. L. Hicks; secretary, Mrs J. Hotchkin. HORNBY-ISLINGTON. At tho fortnightly euchro party in the Islington Hall, prizes were won by Miss McFaddeh and Mr A. Ward, the consolation prizes falling to Miss Carver and Mr R. Carver. SHEFFIELD. At the last meeting of the Patriotic) Committee, correspondence was read from several men on active service, acknowledging gifts. The secretary reported that the autograph quilt would be on exhibition in Messrs Strange and Co.'s window this week. Good progress had been made with the arrangements for the ball. Mrs and Mr F. Compton were elected members of the committee. >

ASHBURTON. At the last meeting of th& Hampstead Town. Board, Mr W. H. llobinson presided. The sum of £5 5s was voted to the Ashbiirtoh branch of the Plunket Society. The Lighting Committee reported that arrangements had been made with the Electric Supply Company to light the district, commencing next month. It was decided to erect additional electric street lamps, and to sell 15 old gas'lamps. At .the annual meeting of . the congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church) Ashburton, the Rev - . George Miller presided.. The session, in its annual report, stated that the membership was 372. The attendances at the Sunday services had been very encouraging. The Sunday schools attd Bible classes continued to prosper. During the year Sister Jessie had done good work. The manager's report showed that the financial position was most satisfactory. The various other reports were alfeo oonsidtred highly encouraging. The election of officers for the year was held over. Brief addresses on-the work of the Church generally during the year were made by the Rev. G. Miller, Sister Jessie and Messrs John Lane, W. J. ( Moore, Buchanan, and others. A toUSiCal programme Tf&s provided, and supper supplied by the ladieo. WAIMATE. The Wairiiate train, connecting With the South express on Wednesday, parted on tho down grade just out of the station, running along in two parts unnoticed by driver, guard, or passengers. A ganger near Frost's gavo the driver the signal to stop the engine, and just as the first part of the train pulled up dead, the second part came racing along and crashed into it. The guard's van was telescoped. There were about thirty passengers in the two carriages behind tho van, but nobody was hurt. The derailing of the tracks, etc., caused - a blockage on the line till nearly midnight, but ihe engine and one truck conveyed passengers to Studholms Junction to join the express. The automatio brake should have operated when the carriages bOcaime uncoupled, but for sotoe reason it did not. Guard Anderson was in the van when the collision took place, but escaped unhurt, though shaken. A branch of the Workers' Educational is being established hero. A provtekmal eomimtfe© has been' set up, with Mr Geo. Daah as Ohair&ati. It is exported to get tatarial glasses started next otftuftra, meanwhile thrto popular open nights ara feeing arranged, the first address -to be hy Mr Ga&sbell, of Timaru. The Borough Council has decided to observe Arbour Day by the frontage of the Town Hall . site, adjoining the Council Chambers.. Waituna refcidenta are to have a planting of war memorial trees in the school ground by parents of soldiers fallen in battle. The Mayor is arranging for a citizens' service of intercession and prayer

in connexion with the fourth anniversary of the Declaration of War. The Orchestral Society's concert on Wednesday brought in £40 fOr the Bed Cross.