THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16309, 5 September 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

TEMUKA GERALDIXE A. AND

r* ASSOCIATION.

Tho eighth annual meeting of the Temuka and Geraldino A. and P. Association was held on Tuesday, Mr F. Charles presiding. The report and balance-sheet (already published) were adopted. Tho election of officers resulted. as follows: President 1 , Mr Or. "Ward; vicepresident, Mr M. Charles; treasurer, Mr G. W. Armitago; auditor, Mr H. Bell. Various committees were appointed.

The New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders' Association offered a gold medal for a class of Jersey heifers. The offer was accepted. Mr C. Pearce wrote asking that provision bo made in the catalogue for ladies' fancy work and painting, and offering two prizes lor the painting class. Mr Maddrcn offered to supply the prizes for the fancy-work class. The offers wero accepted with thanks. Mr F. Charles said Mr J. Brown would give £3 3s to tho special prise usually given by Mr J. J. Cotter for best "jumper on the ground, provided a wire fence jump wore included. The matter was referred to the Horse Committee. JOTTINGS FOK FAKMERS. % Mr W. P. Sterieker, of Sutton Farm, Timaru, writes: Tho rainfall for last month was 2.91 in. and for the corresponding month last >car l.OSin. The average for August over a period of 30 years is 1.29 in. CULVERDEN. A farewell Bocial and dance was tendered to Private D. Q. Rutherford, of the 43rd in the Amuri Hall. Mr H. It. Davison presided over a good attendance of residents from all parts of tho district. Ihiring the evening Ml- F. Travers, on behalf of tho Send-off and Reception Committee, made a presentation of a money-belt and soldier's wallet, which, in tho unavoidable absence of Private Rutherford, was accepted on his behalf by his brother, Mr G. O. Rutherford. The music was contributed by. Mesdamen Hunter and Davison, ami Mr F. J. Scott acted as M.C. Heavy rain set in at Culverden on Sunday evening, and continued throughout tho night, and also during Monday, although not so heavily. It came on heavier again on Monday evening and rained pretty steadily throughout tho night. On Tuesday the sun got through tho clouds, and by midday there seemed a good prospect of the weather clearing. Tho ground is covered with water in all directicns, and stoppage of farming operations has been caused throughout the district. Lambing is now general, and a spell of fine weather would be greatly appreciated to give them a favourable start.

# LEESTON. At iho monthly meeting of tbe Lceston School Committee the headmaster reported the roll number to bo 85, and the a vera go attendance 75. The weathor conditions accounted for tho low xverage. Permission was granted to the Ellesmero Technical Association to use art old unusod classroom for a woodwork class, on the understanding that the Toonrt. was kept in good order mcl oovereil by insurance. After considering a letter from the Canterbury i>ranch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, it was- decided to support tho request made that the Education Department should disregard the attendances recorded for tho weeks during nhich abnormal weather conditions were experienced. It was also agreed that a great injustice was done by the operation of the War Regulations iu regard io staffing, they operated in scmo schools, SOUTHBRIDGE.. . Yesterday, 71 cakes for Southbridge soldiers serving at the front, made by the women of tho district, were baked in the local bakehouse. DARFIELD. Tho Bed Triangle Concert Party will givo a concert in the Darficld Hall-On September 6th. 1 RANGIORA. Mr James Coates, secretary of the Rangiora Fire Brigade, who is going into camp on Monday, was entertained at a card social in the club room last evening by the members p.r 4 honorary members of tho brigade. TAKAMATUA. , The ladies of Takamatua organised a most successful "Hard-up" dance iii tho Akaroa boatsheds on Friday last, when there were thirty-six couples in the grand march, all in "hard-up" dress. Tho spscial prizes for best costumes were won by Miss Winnie Shephord and Mr 31. Shepherd. Tho Takamatua ladies are to be congratulated on tho excellent arrangements they made for tho dance. xho not proceeds were £12 lis, "and this sum was handed over to tho Akaroa branches of tho Red Cross and Lady Liverpool Funds. GRjEEZS"I>ALE. At the annual meeting of the Greendale Red Cross branch, the following officers were elected: —President, Mrs J. W. Warren; secretary, MiES A. Shipley; treasurer, Mrs M. _P. Cooke; committee, Mesdames J. W. Warren, M. P. Cooke, F. Cullen, H. (7. Sandford, and the Misses Ingley, A. Shipley, and B. C. Wilson. The financial statement showed a substantial credit balance. Four hundred and one. tins of comforts had been forwarded to the Lady Liverpool Depot, also donations amounting to £10 Bs. The school children had made 242 articles during the year. HINDS. A well-attended meeting was held in the Hall on Tuesday, in connexion with tho "Our Day Appeal.Mr A. McKenzie occupied tho chair, and'explained in detail the object of tho meeting. It was unanimously decided to make a liouse-to-house canvass, as the season was unsuitable for organising a feto. The following wore appointed collectois: —Messrs D. Shaw, G. McKeage, H. Wills, A. Moore, L. M. Noble, J. M. Hampton, C. L. Hansen. Mr J. Cook was appointed secretary. The Railway Department is erecting a house for the ganger, to replace the antiquated structure tnat has served for nearly forty years. Lambing has commenced in* this district. so farmers are exceptionally busy. RAKAIA. Prior to closing the school for the usual term holidays, the Rakaia schoolchildren held a penny concert, at which a good number of parents were present. The sum of one pound -was raised in aid of the school library. Quite an event- in Rakaia on Saturday night was tbe opening of a local picture show. It is some three years since a former similar enterprise went out of the business. Tho organiser of the now venture was rewarded with, a bumper house for the opening night. Mr Arthur Smith, of Rakaia, who served some years in the British Army, part of the "time in India, has been passed as fit for active service. Mr C. C. H. Evison, who is a South Africau war veteran, has been for a so;ond time during tbe present great war, rejected, after being in camp for a time. Mr F. C. May. agent for the Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., proceeds •to cams on Monday next.

ashburton. Mi* H. Knox, who haa boon associated with the Tuarangi Old Men's Homo, Ashburton, for tho past five years, and who is leaving for camp on M<?nday next, was presented with, a wristletwatcli by his fcllow-omployoos. .. At the conclusion of tiie stock sale at Ashburton on Tuesday, tho auctioneers and stock agents entertained Mr Cecil May, who for many yoars has been auctioneer and agent for tho NewZealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., at Rakaia. and who is leaving' for camp on Monday next, and •wished him success and a cafe return. Tho monthly meeting of tho W.C.T.U. was held on Tuesday, Mrs W. H Robinson presiding. Tho _ matron of the St. Helen's Home, Ghristchiirch, wrote stating that the nurso appointed to Ashburton would arrive this week. Tho superintendent of_ "Sabbath observanee'' wrote, drawing attention to tho prevalence of Sabbath desecration, and requested members to seek to influence the younger generation to honour "and obey God's laws. Tbe arrangements for the sond-ofF to tbc men going into camp on .September ytn were left in the hands of the Social Committee. Mr J. Bclshaw addressed the meeting on 'The Need of Encouragement 4n Xteform Woik, Mr Havward, Alnance organiser, also | spoko on tho work of the campaign.