THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16310, 6 September 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

1 NEWS AND NOTES. AGKICULTUEAL STATISTICS. • The collection of the agricultural and pastoral statistics for 1917-18 are now nearly completed, anrl tho estimates have been made for the counties from which complete returns have not been received. The number of horses aro shown to bo 378,991, as against 373.600 last year; dairy cow's 797,569, against 777.439; total cattle 2,888.211, against 2,575.230; number of sheep shorn 23,60i,574, against 22.462 291 number of lambs tailed 11.243,802j against 10,745,386, total number of sheep on April 30th, 191S, 26,535.302, against 25,270,386, and pigs 208,269, against 283,770. It will be noted that all classes of stock except pigs show an increase, the latter having decreased by 25,501. The number of lambs dropped in 1917 were approximately estimated in December last by tho officers of tnc Stock Department to be 11,611,342, and as tho tailing returns show the actual total was 11,243,802, or a difference cf only 367.540, which was not a very large discrepancy considering the numbers dealt with. The area sown in wheat last season is piven as 276,877 acres and the yield 6,7b1,24fi. but as the threshing returns up to July 22nd show that only 6,265.205 bushels were threshed, the statistics now published were based upon growers' estimates, which have not altogether been realised. The area in oats for threshing is given _ as 153.399 acres, and the vield 4,785,391 bushels, but here again tho yield is given as half a million bushels more than the threshing returns showed cn July 22nd. No doubt more of the oats intended for threshing were cut into chaff. Tho barley crop was a small one, the area given being 19,289 acres, and the yield 572,061 bushels. Tho potato crop was given as 22,635 acres, yielding 97,944 tons. All theso crops were considerably less in area and yield than in 1916-17. Turnips and mangels wero also loss in area, but ryegrass and cocksfoot showed increased yields. HAPUKU DAIRY COMPANY. Tho annual meeting of shareholders of tho Hapulcu J>aiiy Company was held at Hapuku on Wednesday, -Mr H. Ciiisnall occupying tho chair. Tho directors 1 report stated that thero had been a falling off in tho nmk supply, 1,391,4721b being received as against 1,778,801 last year, tho cheeso output had fallen from /9 tons to 63 tons. Thirteen consignments had been made, a payment of Is 7d-per lb for butter-fat paid, and a dividend of 6 per cent, declared. Tho receipts for the year wero £6803 13s 6d, and tho expenditure £6925 3s sd. Tho report and balance-shect wero adopted. The retiring directors and auditors were re-elocted. Mr J. N. Flower tendered his resignation as secretary, which was accepted with regret. A bonus of £20 was voted to him. WAIAU. If weather conditions for July constituted a record for severity, surely August almost established a record for mildness. With tho exception of a [ cold snap or two of short duration, I the weather throughout the month was delightfully mild and springlike, aiii [all vegetation is bursting into life in consequence. Crops are coming away well", a good spring is noticeable in the j grass, especially in the young pastures,, and with a few more weeks' warm j weather.feed.should bo plentiful. A | large quantity of snow has disappear* I ed from the ranges, and in- .the main I frosts have been conspicuous bv their absencc. After several fine sunny days a change took place during SatI urday night, and on Sunday the sky | was overcast and threatening. About | 6 p.m. a light drizzling rain commenced to fail, and towards midnight developed into a heavy downpour. At 9 a.m. on Monday a iall of 1.39iu nad been registered. At a meeting of the Vi'aiau branch of the Farmers' Union, there were nresent: Messrs K. Pettigrcw (prcsiclent), Ayrton, Beaven, A. J. Dunbar, Iverack, Lee, Netting, and Scanlan. Correspondence was received from tho Minister of Public Works, regarding charges on the Culverden-Waiau railway, stating ho regretted that no reduction could be made, but an earnest effort would be made to have the line completed so that it could bo handed over to the Railway Department in time for next grain season. Tho president gave a very comprehensive report of the business transacted at the Provincial Conference, and, on the motion of Mr Ayrton, seconded by Mr Scanlan, ho was accorded a hearty vote of .thanks. Some discussion took place regarding the prices of wool, meat, and wheat, and a resolution moved by Mr Netting, and- seconded by Mr Pettigrew, "That this branch of the Farmers' Union is quite satisfied with existing arrangements as regards the commandeer of wool and meat." was carried unanimously. It was decided to approach telephone subscribers with a view to obtaining their assistant for the installing of a telephone in the overseer's residence at the railway station for the benefit of settlers in general. CHEVIOT. A five-roomed" house, owned and occupied by Mr and Mrs W. Bambridge, Jiinr was totally destroyed by fire last Y""£ay night. Tho insurances were £200 on tho dwelling and £150 on the furniture, both in tho State Fire Offiec. WAIKARJ. Mr H. M. Anderson presided at u gathering in the billiard room of the Great Northern Hotel on Tnesdsiy ovening, when Dr. Little was presented i Tuth a roll-top desk on the occasion of his return to Waikari. Mr R. Darrock, in making tho presentation, said he had known Dr. Little for the last twenty-three years, and because of his unselfishness and his readiness to do his utmost to_ relieve the suffering at all times, he found it very difficult to class him; the only class lie could associate him with was that of tho late Rev. AV. R. Campbell. Mr Cadman said all knew the strenuous life Dr. Little had lived, and he. hoped iu the very near future, by the. erection of the hos- j pital, the Doctor would get some re- i lief and assistance which would save him a lot of travelling and allow him to have leisure he was certainly entitled to. Dr. Little, in returning thanks, said that although he had had opportunities in cities he liked the country, and although he was not so nimble as he was when ho went to Amuri twenty-three years ago, he still was not much past the ■prime of life. While, he did not mind jumping a fence then, he preferred to open the gate now. MARSHLAND. A meeting of the Management Committee or the Marshland Hall was held on Monday evening last. There were present: —Messrs J. Voss (chairman), T. Quaid, J. Ilannan, J. Boloski. G. Chisnall, and F. Rognl. Two applications for reduction of rent were considered, one being agreed to, and tho other declined. It was reported that some damage- had been done to the back portion of tho building through the sinking of the concrete foundation. The annual meeting for the election of a new committee was fixed for Monday, September 23rd. Mr H. McMillan 'was appointed to audit the year'-, accounts. It was agreed to risk tho AVaimairi County Council to remit the rates for the current financial year. 1

LITTLE RIVER. A send-off to Mr nnd Mrs Gilmau nnd family was held in tho Town Hall, Littlo River, on Tuesday. Though the woather was bad, thoro was 11. largo attendance. A presentation of a purse of sovereigns to .Mr Oilman from the general public was made by Mr Coop; a' writing-desk from tho Church of England congregation by tho Rev. Maclavorty, and a fountain-pen from the school children by _ little Miss Colombus. A presentation to Mrs Oilman from tho Girls' Friendly Society of a hot-water jug and tray from tho Girls Friendiv Bocioty, was made by tho Rev. Maclaverty. All the speakers eulogised tho good qualities of Mr and Miu Gilman, and wished them luck in their new home. Mr Gilman has been headmaster at the Little River School for eleven years, and has been a most efficient and popular teacher. He has at all times taken a prominent part in all movements for the good of the district. Mrs Gilman was also prominent in all social movements, taking an especial interest in the work of the Girls' Friendly Society. Both Mi and Mrs • Gilman: will be : much, anisscd in the ' district,""••During, the evening items were given by the school eniidr ™Mi* Biulivant, Mrs Fletcher, and Messrs Brown, Fletcher, and Skippei. ASHBURTON. "While Mr D. Morris was working a team on Mr H. AVills's propertv ft Hinds yesterday morning, the plough, overturned, striking him on the right lee and breaking it just above tiio nnlcle. He was admitted to the Ashburton county hospital. The executive of the Ashburton Second Division Lcaguo has received a rerJy from Sir James Allen, Minister of Defencc, in regard to tho League s request for an enquiry into _ the treatment of the late Bombardier J. _}\ • H. Watson at Hanmer Springs. Ine Minister declines to grant an enquiry, and refutes the allegations made. At the Wakanui Good Templars Lodge meeting on Tuesday last, £«>• J. Buttcrick gave a lecture on How to Make Farm Life Attractive." He eriticiscd the farmers for- their faults, which, lie declared, were many. Ho advocated shorter working hours, better accommodation, and better provisions for healthful recreation. Farming he 6aid, was the best business on the' face of the earth. lie advocated that the Government should <sond capable lecturers regularly througnout the country districts, as farmers as a class needed enlightenment. Bros. F. Frampton, A. Wilson, G. A\. Andrews, and W. Buttcrick, complimented the lecturer on his address, and he [was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. TEMUKA. At a special meeting of the committee of the Temuka Floral and Horticultural Society, it was agreed to hold the spring show this month, and to adopt last year's schedule, the profits to go to the Red Cross. It was agreed to have two embroidery competitions, an afternoon tea stall, and sale of cakes, produce, etc. A donation of £1 Is and other donations, . were promised. The Patriotic Orchestra is to be asked to supply the music. W AIM ATE. The Otaio riding bye-election, consequent on the death, of Mr R• Rhodes, chairman of the Connty Council resulted: H. B. S. Johnstone, ioC votes; P. F. O'Learv 132. The Waimate Hospital Committee on Wednesday decided to purchase stocks of manchester goods a year ahead. The return of patients showed 'Jo renin min" at the end of tho month, as compared with 28 at the beginning ol the'month. Three soldiers had heen discharged, benefited, and six soldiers iemained.