THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16299, 24 August 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

JOTTINGS FOB FARMERS.

-At the ■weekly Bale of horses at Ra<- i kaia yesterday," competition for utility horses was anything but keen. A quartet of useful-looking animals who had just completed plonghing 100 acres were sold for £3. This modest sum also included collar, hames, and winkers, which was almost the value received for the whole lot. KAIKOURA. A sitting of the Magistrate's Court was held hero on Thursday, when Mr T. A. B. Bailey. S.M., . presided, ho having taken over magisterial jurisdiction of Kaiapoi. Mr George Benner, J.P., welcomed him to the district, as did Mr Mclvor, Mr Bailey returning thanks for the cordial reception accorded him. A largo number of settlers a/id business men attended the Drill Hall on Wednesday night to bid farewell to Mr D. G. McDonald (Messrs Pyne and Co.'s representative), who proceeds to Blenheim this .week to take over the firm's agency there. Mr Monk, in proposing the toast of "Tho Guosty' paid a. tribute to his business capacity and interest in patriotic and charitable work, and hanifd him a gold watch and albert? from the residents of the Other speakers eulogised Mr McDonald's good qualities, .and wished him every success in the futuro. The recipient suitably replied. The plans for tho proposed technical school for Kaikoura show that the Education Board intends building not only for the present but for the futurel Reinforced concreto is tho material specified, and the front elevation presents a decidedly imposing aspect, tho dado being finished in smooth cement and the upper portion in '"rough-cast." sion is made for a lobby six feet wide, which gives access to two class-rooms, each 30ft by 10ft. One of these is intended for classes in cookery and dressmaking, and fuli provision has been; made for hot water, sinks, cupboards, etc., so that housecraft can bo taught under ideal conditions. The other room is designed for woodwork and science, and is as fully equipped as tho other. Lighting and ventilation have been given great attention, and the Board's architect is to be congratulated upon the handsome design he has produced. The building will stand on the highest part of the playground, and when completed will materially add_ to the appearancc of the east end of Kaiboura. SHEFFIELD. At a. meeting of the Sheffield branch of the Plunket Society, the secretary reported that a sum of £5 5s had beenraised on "baby'' afternoon. The monthly visits of the Plpnket nurse were much appreciated. Mesdames "Walker and Mills were proposed as members of tho committee. There was a good attendance*at tho fortnightly meeting of tho Patriotic Committee. Correspondence was received from tho Red Cross Centre acknowledging the receipt of the quilt, j and stating that it was being forwarded ! to Hornehurch Convalescent Hospital. The matter of the. "Red Cross kitchen'' was left in the hands of the ladies or the Red Cross branch. It was repoited that there had been much larrikinism at the last social. Votes of thanks "were accorded Messrs Gray, and Atkinson for supplying the music for tho social. Arrangements were made for a hare shoot on the property of Mr G. Gray.

RAKAIA. A crowdcd house greetcu Mr F. C. Raphael's concert party on Thursday night. The takiags at the door amount ed to £40, and as a result of a stirring appeal made by Mr Joseph Hamlet on behalf. o£ the-"Our DayV Fund, £22 17s 6d was collected, the evening thus yielding the. handsome total of £62 17s (3d. The concert was the 152 nd given by Mr Raphael's clever little company, which to dato has raised over £17,500 for various patriotic funds in Canterbury. Mr Fred W. Dennett, of Mr Jack Waller's "Look Who's Here" Company, was one of the party, and his piano solos were a revelation to the audience, who expressed their delight by insisting on several encores. The programme included tho following items, all of which were enthusiastically received: —Song, Mr Allan Shrimpton; song, Miss Aileera McDavit; concertina, eolo. Mr Colin Campbell : comedy song, Miss Corallie Stanley ;~conjurinp, Mr Leslie Cookson; comedy song, Mr F. W. Barker; ballad! horn solo, Mr F. C. Raphael; comedy duet. Miss Corallie Stanley and Mr F. W. Barker. The pantomime farco "The Chemist's Mistake" was played by Messrs F. C. Raphael and i)\ W. Banker, and was greatly enjoyed. Miss Lilian Harper's services as accompanist for the evening were' greatly appreciated. The party was motored out in cars provided by Mr Joseph Hamlet, Mr H. \V. Aker (Buick Sales Company), and J. H. Pedder (Universal Motor Company).

ASHBURTON. Tliero was a large, gathering at tho gift afternoon in the Anglican Sunday school oii Thursday, under, the auspices of tho local brancli of the British and Foreign Seamen's Institute, in connexion with the. Sailors' Christmas Comfort appeal. An excellent programme, arranged by Mrs H. N. "Wright, v.'ns submitted, and all the. stalls did good business. A liberal response was made to the appeal in both money and comforts. Amongst those present were Mr .and Mrs Booth, of the Seamen's Institute at Lyttelton, and Mrs Blunt, of Christehurch. At a subsequent meeting of the branch, Mrs D. Wood was elected president. A strong committee was set .up, and a- number of new members were enrolled.