THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16290, 14 August 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES

CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. The monthly meeting of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury AgnctUtaral College "seas held at the College yesterday. Present: Mr H. A. Knight (chairman), the Hon. P. Buddo, M.P.> Messrs T. Blackley, R. W. I/xWiead, B. Tripp, and tho director, Mr R. L. Alexander. The director reported that he had taken further steps 'with regard to the procuring of an electric motor for driving a tree sprayer for orchard -work. Members of the Board expressed tho opinion that the motor, and the necessary wrrin<r would need to be fixed up ■without delay If it "was to be used for the present spraying season. Mr J. S. Guthrie waited on the Beard ■with reference to the receipt of tenders for the additions to the eastern wing of the college. Eight tenders "were received, all of which were over the estimate which had been put on the work by the Board's advisers. Tho tenders ranged from £3857 to £4450. After discussion, it was decided to give the subject a week's consideration. A sub-committee, consisting of the chairman, the Hon. D. Buddo, and Mr R. W. Lochhead, was appointed to deal with the matter. An application from Mr L. J. Wild for a motor-cycle to assist him in making a soil survey of Lincoln and the surrounding counties was deferred. Members of the Board considered that though a comprehensive soil survey of the Dominion would be a work probably of great nat : onal importance, it was not clear why the Board should pay for a portion of it. It was decided to join the Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association (North Island).

AMURi SALEYARDS CO

The annual general meeting of shareholders of the Amuri Saleyards Company was hold at Culvcrdcn. The secretary reported that 76,693 sheep, 6 horsesj and 655. head of cattlo passed through the yards during the year, as compared with 55,563 aheep and 4 horses in 1917.

It was decided to pay a dividend of 7J per cent. Tho retiring directors, Messrs G. Fulton and J.. Hoban, were re-elected, and Messrs Ollivier Bros, wcro reelected auditors.

At a meeting •of -directors held- subsequently, 3lr B. .Hampton was elccted chairman.

The directors decided to meet' at the 'yards and discuss the question of repairs, it having been pointed out that the yards required extensive repairs, amounting in. some parts to almost complete renewal. Mr Frank Travel's was re-appointed secretary to tho company;

AMUR I ADVISORY COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Amuri Advisory Committee to the National Efficicriey Board was held at Waiau, on Saturday. Present: Messrs T. Chapman (chairman), G. 0. Rutherford, J. Lee, H. T. Beaven, and P. Travers. Correspondence -was received from the Department of Agriculture, containing information regarding damage caused by snow, and advising the best method of dealing with stock. It was considered that the Government should have come forward with t.ho information eo*lier.

The question of a rebate on the railago of fodder for stock was also dealt with, and it was stated that robato should bo applied for through the Inspector of Stock, Amberley, or through the Advisory Committee. Tho case of ono reservist was discussed. This man (married, with two children) was passed and ordered into camp in November. On hearing the result of the medical examination the reservist, it was .'llc&ed, was given a fortnight's notice by hts employers. The committee expressed the opinion that. this action was most unpatriotic, and decided to make further enquiries into the case.

LE BONS BAT DAIRY COMPANY. At tbo annual meeting of the Le Bons Bay Co-op. Dairy Factory Company, Mr T. W. Barker preeided. The report • showed that 1,241,5051b of milk hud bren received, yielding 43,1131b of butter-fat, which mado.up into nearly 52 tons of cheese. The average • test was 3.5, tho. lowest for j many years. The quantity of niilk required to make one pound of cheese was 10.641b. The balance to profit and loss was £1753 Is. 3d. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Thos. Mcintosh, it was decided to pay out 9d per lb.for butterfat. making Is 9d per lb (absorbing £1616 14s 9d), a-; dividend of 2-J per ccnt. (£29 13s 6d). write off £100, and carry forward £6 13s 2d. In ans'wer to questions, tho secretary stated that the coal account had been vorv heavy, the actual cost' of coal at the" factory being £128 Bs. and,firewood £10. This meant that- it took about 16 cwt of coal for every ton of choose manufactured. This year tho directors had made arrangements for wood fuel which would j cost under £100. The two new rooms on tho manager's house had cost £114 10s Sd. The retiring directors, Messrs T. W. Barker and "VI . Maekay wore re-elected, and Mr H. W. Wilkins was re-elected auditor.

A BOON" TO FARMERS. As the outoomo of tho widespread interest that has been aroused by tho screening at Crystal Palace this week of a motion picture showing an ingenious plough-lift at work, arrangements have bccu made to hold two public demonstrations of ploughing at Avonhead this week, when tho cleverlyconceived attachment will be put to practical tests. This should afford a. favourable opportunity for farmers and visitors • to Christchu'rch. of inspecting what is known as the Efficiency PloughLift, which is adaptable to any ordinary' plough, practically without increasing its weight and at trifling cost, in actual operation. The company responsible for placing the invention on the market will demonstrate its remarkable utility in a series of trials on land adjoining the residence of Mr Geo. Witty, M.P., at Avonhead, on Thursday (to-morrow) and Saturday mornings, commencing at 10 o'clock. Since it is claimed for this simple attachment thai -t is capable of materially increasing trroouction, reduces cost, and to a very mrye extent overcomes the difficulties of securing efficient agricultural labour, farmers cannot afforo to neglect this opportunity of seeing the Efficiency Plough-Lift undergoing practical tests" 1

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. The small bird nuisance is very bad in the Ashburton county. Owing lo the shortage of poisoned • grain, v'ery little poisoning has been done, and the birds are certain to take a heavy toll of the cereal crops this season. CHEVIOT. The. Education Board has secured a new site for the school, and has made application to the Department for a grant towards the cost of removing the building thereto.

CULVERDEN. On Friday evening a dance, promoted by the young men of Culverden, in aid of the local branch of the Red Cross, was held in the Amuri Hall, Culverden. There was a fair attendance, in spite of the wet night, and a very pleasant e/euing was spent. A guessing competition was held, and the prize (silver

and oak biscnii barrel) was won bv Mrs Erikson. Mr Tom Swaney was My> and the music was provided by Miss Hadlcr. Sapper wa« provided, ana dancing kept up vigorously until midnight. • On Saturday e v cnmg, at a meeting of the Social Club, a presentation was made to Private E. Miles, of the 43ra Reinforcements, who was down on leave from* Trentbam. The gifts included a. set of military brushes, from the residents, a pipe from the Social Club, and a money *oelt from the employees of the Public "Works Department.

LINCOLN. In spito of the inclement weather, there was a large attendance at the fortnightly social held under tlio auspices of tho Lincoln Young Men's Club. The following supplied * the music: —- Miss E. Goodman, Messrs A. Fuller and H. Kichcs. Mr F. Hul was M.C. Refreshments were provided by the ladies. At a meeting of the Lincoln Plunket Society the attendance was good. Tho ladies "from Springston jjrovided afternoon tea. , At the last meeting of the Band oj Hope, Mr Witholl presided over a good attendance. The following items were given:—Pianoforte duct. Misses May and Bernicc Taylor; songs, Mesdames Mclfarland and Patterson, Misses Taylor, Keast, and Anderson; recitations, Misses Rhona Greaves, Ivy Cox, Berman Thompson, Doris Chapman, Dorothy Withell, and (Master Len. Bush; dialogues, Misses May Hill and Mr Chapman, Elsie Coles and Cissie Mcintosh. A number of gramophono selections were given by Master Clifford Wilson.

BALCAHtN. ' A social was lield on Friday evening to raise funds for tho soldiers Christmas parcels. A cake, given by Mrs James and Miss Dron, was raffled, and realised £2. A keroseno stove, given by Mr Noble, brought in £1 4s 6d. Altogether about £9 was raised. Dancing was kept up till an early hour to music supplied by Hanna's Band. Messrs E. Sutherland and J. Fitzpatrick acted as M.C.'s. KAIAPOI. The monthly meeting of the Kaiapoi District High School Committee was held on Monday night. Present: Messrs. J. G. Yellowlees (chairman), R. Johnson, R. Dunn, R. Sewell, J. Hirst, A. R. Pavitt, and H. Trustrum. Tho Board of Education wrote appointing Miss J. S. Stranc assistant-mistress, and notified that the school would be examined oji August 26th by Mr Hardie. .The headmaster reported tfye 'roll number to bo 429, with an average attendance of 358. The annual grant of one guinea was made to the technical classes. A vote of condolence' was" passed' with the" relatives of tho late Mr A. G. Ashby, a former chairman of the School Committee.

I • AKAIIOA. An ordinary meeting of the Loyal | Good Intent Lodge was held on Monday, when Bro. David Fyfe presided over a rery fair attendance. An apology was received from the N.G., Bro. O. AV ■ ■ Le«te ; on account of illness. Word was received that the district officers wouldpay their annual Tisit to tho ledge next month, and a. sub-committee, consisting of .Bros. C. AY. Leete, A. J. Parris, T. Laurence, and F. Davis, was appointed to* make the necessary arrangements. Sick pay was passed in respect of five brethren. It was reported that Trooper Cyril Dierck, who left with the Main Body, had returned invalided. The billiard tournament that has been running through the winter months was brought to a closo on Saturday night, when T. Lo I'ievrc and D. McLenagliau played off tho final. Both players started with a handicap of 30 in a. gam© of ,200 up. For a time tho scoring was fairly oven, hut Lo Lievro gradually forged ahead and ran out when his opponent's, score stood .at 161.

• RAKAIA. ; The month of July saw considerable cutting-up of the roads duo to tho incessant rain, hail, and snow. The road from Dunsandel is stated to bo very bad, and the Cliertsey road has been none too good in places. Tho return of finor wcathor, however, will doubtless havo a beneficial effect. The small birds nuisance shows every promise ofcausing 'considerable trouble during the coming summer. This year very Tittle poisoning has been dono in the district, and poisoned grain is now practically unobtainable. It is an illwind that blows ho one good, however, and the small boy will doubtless reap a. rich harvest even if the farmer does not.

TEMT7KA. Tho Temuka and district members of th*e 41st Reinforcements and their friends wcro entertained at luncheon in tho Drill Hall, "Temuka, on Monday, by the ladies of the Temuka Patriotic Entertainment Committee. After luncheon the men were addressed by Mr'Gunnion, Mr McDonald (Mayor of Geruldine), the lie v. McDonald, and Mr J. Conolly. After the singing of the National Anthem and "They aro Jolly Good Fellows," - tho men m'archcd to tho station, headed by the brass band. Tho Temuka Patriotic Orchestra played selections during tho luncheon. At the station the men were addressed by Mr C. J. Talbot, M.P., the Mayor (Mr A. Frew), and Major Kennedy. Mr H. Torepe's troupe of Maori ladies sung their farewell hymn, and as the train steamed' out cheers were given for the men.

WAIMATE. Knox Church has inducted the R?v. J. iE. Hutchison and ordained Messrs Jas. Fulton, E. R, Kingsbury, and John Murray as elders. At the School Committee's picture benefit for the prize fund, £23 iras cleared. A spark from a chimney at the Criterion Hotel got beneatli the ridging and ignited a sparrow's nest. The ceiling was set on fire, but Mr Perry, the licensee, extinguished the blazo with a pail of water. Mr G. Bell and the Rev. R. S. Gray addressed a meeting of 300 people on Monday night on the question of prohibition with compensation. The Mayor (Mr Geo. Dash) presided. Votes of thanks were accorded the speakers on the motion of Mr Tho.s. Brown, president of the Temperance Reform Union.

At a combined meeting of the Lntfv Lirerpool Commilt.ee and the Red Cros«; Committee in connexion with the Patriotic effort at the coming A. and P. fehow. Mrs Fred Jones was appointed to take charge of the flower stall. Mesdames Barclay and Ruddentlau of the refreshments stall. Miss Lily Manchester of the sweets stall. Mrs Bastings of the soft drinks and tea stall, and the Junior Red Cross of the >vork stall.