THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16289, 13 August 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES

CANTERBURY&HSEPOWKEIIS' UIsiOJN.

The committee, of the Canterbury Inowiffle^Som of Mt. Cook Station, which will de con sidered at the annual meeting of the 'to lay before our committee several matters of vitol mterest to sheepowners, one of wjlich is vising of ways and means for savi "S sheep within the severe snowfall areas in Canterbury, In my , ® ma e i committees of sheep men should be set up in all Canterbury counties yvith.n tho severe snowfall area. Their duties would be to confer together as to the following, and then report to the main committee, of the Sheepownors Union in the best mcane for'opetfng up the time of snow—are our snow-ploughs capable of improvement? . 2. Has the County Council done its. best to open up the roads, and isit fully seized of. its duty regarding the.j the ya jl wa y officials of our { branch lines the apphancos : for clearing these lines, so that even up to three nnd four feet ofsnowcouldbe cleared, and the linos fully utilised for getting the sheep down on to blacii country"? . . . . V 4. To make enquiries m America ana. Europe as to the most unrto-dat© means there employed for clearing roads and railways in time of snow. • . . There is no question about it,, it is the duty of our Sheepowners' Union to apply the best brains to the reduction ot losses during these periodical snowstorms. Sheep are our all in all. What could be gambled with a quarter of a century ago with a margin of safety it would be national insanity to trifle with alongside of a ivar debt of from 60 to 100 millions. We will have to progress in order to save the country from bankruptcy. Although comparisons are not always in the best of taste, I must give the MacKenzie Council credit for what they and the Railway Department accomplished ill the July stormThe Council had five teams out lmmediatelv, opening up the roads. The depth'would vary from two to four feet. Fortunately the Fairlie train was able to hurst its way out from the outset. In the first week, over 25,000 sheep were railed awny from Fairlie, and from other stations from five to ten thousand, besides soveral thousands by road. Tho County Council kept on keeping the snow tracks clear, in spite of drifting snow. Above all, the committees would require to put in their proper place a numerous class of imbeciles who. during the past five years, have ridiculed the warnings of experienced men as to the probabilities of the recurrence of those great storms.

ANNUAL REPORT. Tho report to bo presented at the annual meeting, this week, of the Canterbury Sheeoowners' Industrial Unipn of Employers records, with regret, the deaths of old and valued members in Mr John O'Halloran, and Mr Claude Sawtell'; regret is also expressed at tho decease of Mr J. R. Triggs, Conciliation Commissioner. Many members and many country employees have gone to tho front, and not a few havo made the supreme sacrifice; the committee expresses its sincere sympathy with the relatives and friends of those who have fallen. Tho membership can bo considered fairly satisfactory ;* at the end of tho financial year it stood at 1463, as compared with 1512 on Juue 30tb, 1917, u decrease of 48 for the year. The resignations received were dne, mainly to sheepowners, selling out, or retiring from sheepfarming. Amongst important matters dealt with by the executive wero the questions of taxation, the non-allowance of mortgages on land in ! the p-respat land and income-tax assess- | ments,-tbe disparity of chipping space l allotted to tho -Xortß and South Islands during the latter half of last year, the representation of the uniop at recent wool and skin conferences, and other important subjects, which are d#>lt with fully in the report. Tho shearing classes in connexion with the Christchurch Technical College and Technical schools in Canterbury had been, in present circumstances, well attended : 33 adult students enrolled in the classes conducted at Aldington, and 4900 sheep were shorn; at the Ashburton class 18 students (including four discharged soldier?) attended, and over 5000 sheep were shorn; tho attendance at the Termik-. r.ls'ss was eleven, and 2235 sheep shorn. At tbe wool-classing classes at- tho Christcburch Technical College, 120 students attended; and at Ashburton 52. Incorporated with the report are the reports fsam the directors and secretaries of the Chnstchurch Technical College, the Ashburton Tech-

n.ical School, and of tbc chairman fcnd | ope of the directors of the Temuka j Technical Schooi. The report, of the North Canterbury Woolgrowers' Com- j mittec. is al.o included, and appended to it, is a report frorn Mr A. Boyl«?. chairman of the Chrittchurch Woolbrokers' Association, on the working of tbo wool requisition scheme in Canterbury. Mr Boyle wrote: "I mav at onee say that on the whole 1 consider the scheme has worked very well indeed. It is a pleasure to report that last season's clip showed a marked improvement in condition, etc., as compared with that of 1916-17, 3nd that mainly on this account there was a notice'able appieciation in the average prices per pound and per bale last -car. On this basis a range of even values was maintained, and especially so for clean ■well-classed wools of good quality. It is reasonable to suppose that difference of opinion as to values will occasionally arise between brokers and the Government representatives, but such differences for the most part were* easily adjusted, and that without growers' interests being in any way prejudiced. I would like to take Ibis opportunity of emphasising the paramount importance of careful classing. There is but little to warrant thia remark as regards large clips, most of which are carefully and scientifically put together. More, however, might be dono with many of the small clips in the matter of grading or classing, and I feel sure the results weuld trW repay the extra cost and labour in this connexion. Even supposing that close classification with the small woolgrower meant more single or. two-bale lots, this, under the present system of "grouping'* or "lotting" smftU lines of even quality wool, won Id _be no disadvantage to the owner; in fact, it would reverse. ithout minimising to® advantages of careful classing _ under the original methods of realisation, it is even more important under the pr®" sent system, where a slight irregularity in qualitv affects the selling pricQ considerably. I "would like to say, in c ° n " elusion, that while abnormal prices ior occasional choice parcels of wool as obtained under public- competition m previous years may be less m evidence now, the general range of price 9 is, on the whole, more even, ainL for tne most part eminently satisfactory. The balance-sheet shows a bailee t° credit on general account of £llod l»s, and on the Sheepfarmers' labour Exchange account. there is & balance to credit - of £372 2s sd. Referring to the Labour Exchange, tho report states that the business done was about the same as that of tne previous year, and increase in the returns can hardly be expected m present circumstances. Large numbers of a classes of country' workers, including many farmers' sons, have gone on active service, and consequently farmers and pastoralists have had to essential work as best they could under tho present abnormal conditions, also to face higher wages and ▼wy con " siderab'.o increases in tho cost or supplies and material, etc. For these reasons, work in connexion with improveinonte has, in many instances, boen deferred, but will, no doubt, be carried on when normal conditions have been restored. 191(>17 1£>17 .i 3 General farxa, st&tion and abed handß .. ' •• 270 ISi Ploughmen .. •• » | iOB Showers .. •• <» Milkers •• ;; ™ 1 OOOKA •* * c«» in Married Couples Crooma, gurdeners, iouseabouw, Shepherds '* "• 1049 10« KAIKOURA, The weather conditions hare are springlike, and the snow is fast vamping from the surrounding lraific north v-as blocked on Friday, but the road is now clear. The South road is available for traffic, both by way of Parnassus and Cheviot, though the Greta ford has to bo negotiated with. Local fishermen have had a bad time for the past three weeks, and havo not yet been able to resume operations Thero has been no fish on the local jnar.Tset for the month. •. . A good many sportsmen are passing through Kaikoura for Nelson and Blenheim,: eh rou,te for Christchurch-

LEAMINGTON. : On Wednesday evening last, at his homestead, Mr __ John Fitapatrick, of X«ammgton, Cheviot, entertained Pilots A. Cooper and A. Fleming, who are embarking tor England shortly to complete their training with the Royal Flying Corps. After a {Sumptuous supper had been partaken of, the host referred to tho many good, qualities of the guests, and presented each with, a anlaJi token_or the esteem in which he held them. The recipients briefly returned thanks to Mr Fitzpatrick for his gifts and the kind things he Ji&d said of them.

OXFORD. The Oxford Town Hall was <"* Sunday afternoon when a public meeting was hold to support the recommendation of the National Efficiency Board in regard to the abolition of the liquor traffic. Mr . Percy Fiehe r presided. The Rev. F. E. Foot gave an address on the moral issues of the drink traffic. Tho Rev. Mr Every spoke on the oconoinic aspect, and gave interesting information in regard to the prohibition advance in Canada, particularly in regard to Saskatchewan, from which province he had only recently arrived. He moved the resolution, which was carried almost unanimously, nearly the whole audience supporting it, and -only one or two hands being held up against it.

"WOOI>END. A very successful plain and fancy dress bail was held in the W.oodepd Hall, in aid of Christmas parcels tor local boys on active servico. Tier© was an excellent attendance, and tne sum of £32 os 9d was raised. Iho hall was tastefully decorated m%a flags and greenery, and as most of the dancers were in evening dress the hall presented a very gay abearance. The music was supplied by tne Misses Eaer, "Messrs A? Shcnherd and A. Smith acted as M.C. Prizes for the best fancy dresses vrer© won bv Miss M. ©talker and Mr H. Joyce. '

LADBROOKS. The weather during the past week has been wet and cold, putting a stop to all farm work. Fine weather at present is badly needed, as the season is getting on for sowing, and there i 3 a considerable acreage yet to be sown in grain. There is a keen demand for potatoes) owing to the reccnt rise in the market. The majority of the local farmers sold in the early" part of tho season, owing to the blight, and there are very few ootatoes left in the district. Merchants i are offering £7 10s per ton for table ! potatoes. A large quantity of seed« potatoes has been sent* forward during the week at- a good price. Feed is very scarce here just now causing a big decline in the dairying returns. , The following residents have Teeeived ( letters from their sons at the front, and ; in all cases tho reports are favourable and cheering Messrs Payne, Pinkering, Gabltas, McDrury, Colman, Small, "Woodward, Troit, and Campion. Mt Thomas Campion, an olu And respected farmer of Spring road, Broadfielde, passed away last week. Tho deceased had been a sufferer for some considerable time, and his death was not unexpected. He leaves a widow and 'grown-up family. Mr O. Roscoe is leaving Ladbrooks for Mavfield, having taken a position with Mr Lillv, a large farmer in that district, his object being to learn farming in all its branches. Mr \V. Rovro has arrived, and taken over the management of Messrs W. B. Clarkson and Sons' farm. Mr A. Stone, the lato manager, having left to talco up the management of a large farm in the Oamaru district. Tho Ladbrooks Methodist Church heltt

revival meetings from Tuesday till Friday. Owing to the inclemency of tho ■weather the attendance was not large. The Rev. B. Metson was the preacher. The services were greatly appreciated by those who were present. Mim Bussell has arrived and taken up her duties as lady teacher at the Ladbrooks school, vice Miss White, who has been transferred to Ashburton. Mr W. 0. Trask, son of the local railway officer, is still in the Coronation Hospital, and is making 6low progress towards recovery. . Mr F. Hill, jun., of the Lincoln rail, way staff, is being transferred to Lyttelton at an early date. Mr Hill wiU be greatly missed in Lincoln, especially by the Young Men's Club, the establishment of which is due'to the great energy shown by him.

AKAROA. Socials 'were held in the' Boathouse on Thursday and (Saturday nights in aid of the Lady Liverpdol Comforts' Fund. The attendances wero good, and the fund benefited to a considerable extent. RAKAIA. The Rakaia schoolboys were very disappointed last week, as owing to the outbreak of diphtheria at Dupsandel they wero prevented from taking part in the proposed seven-a-side football tournament at Dunsandel. . TKe committee recently formed in. Sakaia to further the National No:ense Campaign has secured the services - of the- Rev. J. • Paterson, of Christchurch» to address a meeting in the .Towft Ball this week. ' . The Rakaia Sdfi&ers' Entertainment Committee intend holding another of their periodical socials this week, to say farewell to Private Cromie, now 4own oik final leave. . The new map which has just been issued of the Selfryn electorate shows the territory to be of a most irregular shapo, A distinct salient has Been made at one corner, in order to include Chertsey in the electorate.' Tne Rakaia Horticultural Society has just issued their schedule of the forthcoming spring and. autumn shows. A few alterations have been made in the classes. The membership list shows 278 nAmes, and 15 members are at the I front.

POBIE. A social in aid of the Lady Liverpool Comforts' Fund Tvaa held in the Ardamijie Hall, on Friday Right, The function had previously been postponed on account of the fancy dress ball at Bakaia, and on Friday the inclement weather interfered with the attendr ance. A guessing competition was won by Miss 0. Harrison. A sons was sung by Miss Kingsbury, and Mr D. G. McKie gave a recitation. The dance music was supplied by Mrs W. Harrison. A number of gifts for soldiers was collected.

ASHBUBTON. Mr Argyle, prior to leaving Green* street, was met by his friends, and presented with a purse containing a sum of money. A public meeting, to discuss ways and means of raising Ashburton's quota of £4000 in connexion with the Dominion appeal on behalf of the -British Bed Cross Fund, and an effort to raise funds for the local Bed Cross, was held at Ashburton on Saturday. Tho Mayor (Mr B. Galbraith) Messrs Ferriman, T. Bullock, John Grigg, W. T. Lill, and Miss McKee spoke, and the Mayor's motion to tho effect that the money be raised by direct appeal, was put and carried: The matter of arranging for the establishment of committees was left in the hands of the chairman and Mr John Cairns.

In tho back country of the Ashburton County, the recent snow was very heavy. . Approximately 13 inches fell at Mount Potts' Station, and 16 inches at Mesopotamia. It is stated that hares died in large numbers, being unable to migrate to t"ho lpwer levels.