THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16325, 24 September 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. i JOTTINGS FOU FA.RMEB3. Saturday's IXiuodin "Stur' ofi}"® 1 The prolonged c,pe»;a of V/ot wuaihar m t New Zealand tins aua&oa aro ourUUUns j the sowings ol whoa:.. Farmer,, who t havo had land preyarod unii »«« J bought for this the most valued of tho a white crops, and havo postponed too sowing from timo to time, ill tho P oi the soil drying, are now prepaririiS , to put in oats instead. Oate may. b safely sown in Otago and Southland up i to the end of September The proba- . bilito.es aro that in.1919 wo shall be j hMTOsting more oats and wheat < than estimated, but wo may be thanktul that wo havo the oat s crop to fall back > on in such an aberrant season. - WAIAU. ; A concert and dance, organised by ■ the Patriotio Committee, in old of the Lady Liverpool Fund was held in the . Coronation Hall on i nday night. , H. T. Beaven presided, and there was a verv fair attendance. A short procrlmme of vocal and instrumental . items was contributed,, as Jg strumental trios, Messrs .GiMs. Mo ( Brvde and Master Jas. Mcßryde, pianoforte duet, Miss Ada and Master J. Mcßryde,; pianoforte Koto, Miss T. Mannion; violin solo, Mr Mcßryde, duets. Mesdames Aldndge and McBryde and Miss Alice Douglas and Master Jack Mcßryde; songs, Mr Rogers and Mrs Mcßryde. After supper, which was provided bv the committee, the hall was cleared for daucing, which was kept up till 1 n-" 1 -. the - music being supplied by Mr Mcßryde ; and Master Jas. Mcßryde. the evening the sale of button-holes by Misses Mona Douglas, and _Doris Creed brought in.£l 5s lid, and the net proceeds will amount to between £10 and : £ll ' . . The annual meeting of the _ Amuri , A. and P. Association, convened ror Saturday afternoon, was very poorly - attended owing to farmers finding, it necessary to avail themselves of every possible moment of fine wep-tlicr, ana ■ the meeting was adjourned to October i 19th. kajkotjra. ' ■ ' Mr L T. Ay son, Chief Inspector of Fisheries for the Dominion, is at pre-, sent in Kaikoura making enquiries m leference to slip tor fishing and .oil launches m South Baj. His recommendation will be passed on to the Minister of Marine for final doMr Ralney, district engineer, is inspecting the roads, nvera, and bridges with a view to preventing blockage of traffio- south and north m rough wea- , iury returned a verdict of lieart failure in connexion with tho death o* Margaret Williams, aged 2L who died suddenly on Thursday. Mr James Davidson acted as Coroner., CHEVIOT. The Spotewood Red Cross Committee held a most successful social on Friday evening. Several vocal items were riven, aid dancing was indulged in to the early hours. During the evening Mr Chas. H. Willis conducted an- auction, the lines submitted considerably to the proceeds. In all, t,ri was obtained for the fund. Private Barnes acted as M.C., OXFORD. The Oxford Town Hall was well filled on Saturday night, when a lantern lecture on "Canada and the Canadians was given by the Rev. F. C. Every. The.pictures were excellently exhibited, ppd the lecturer held tho attention of tho audience for two hours as he described tho country with its great activities and potentialities. At the conclusion he received a liearty vote of thanks.' The proceeds of tho lecture are in aid of the Copper Trail and Prisoners of War Funds. Dominion Dav was celebrated at the Oxford D.H. School yesterday morning. There was almost a full attendance, and the scholars assembled around thp flag. An eloquent address was given by the Rev. F. J3. Foot, who explained the history of the flag and detailed what we as a people owed to it. As the , flag stood for freedom, and men of ali pvrts of thd' JEmpire were fighting for its maintenance, the pupils should determine that they would oualify themselves for the great duties that would devolve upon them as citizens of the Empire. _ The flag was then saluted, the National Anthem sung, and the school dismissed for the day, Very variable weather has ruled during the past week, and as a result there has been very little-growth. Indeed, spring seems less forward than it was a fortnight ago. On Wednesday a cold blizzard blew, and was followed by a very hard frost. , On Saturday a nor'-wester blew, followed in the evening liy heavy rain. .47 inches being recorded. Fortunately this rain was rather warm than otherwise, and, followed by-a sunny day, there was a perceptible spring in the grass. Rain fell again on Sundy night and -yesterday, though cloudy, was warm. There is very little feed for stock, and in some places there is every indication of hardship, both past and present. At the fortnightly meeting of the Oxford Patriotic Committee. Mr W. presided. It was" decided to send letters of. sympathy to the relatives of Privates L. F.. Tritt and H.Garlick (wounded), apd to the widow and family of the late Mr H. SmithIt was decided to arrange for d visit from the Canterbury - Patriotic. Fund Executive. In regard to sick and convalescent soldiers visiting the district, it was agreed that the matter of their «ntertainmept be left in the hands of the chairman. Mr Seed, who is about to leave the district, having taken a farm, tendered his resignation as a member of the committee. It was der aided to accept the resignation with re-

gfet, but tliat Ji? biioUW oilier tiii two l ' iU year. Scvcrr.l sjambcr* in terms ot' ccran.cntitttion ef the many valuable services Mr Seed lifid, r«^>" erea us a member of the oommii-iet?, Alf Alf. Stubbs tfskwi to bo lateral e» hj* duties as operator of the picture*. 16 was decided to place on veeoi'd the valuable resistance Mr Stubbs hod rea* dercd to tho yicluto oaiurpris«j, and to ask him to iiold offlco until £ tuieCesaai' could bo secured. . it i?as decided to have a special picture (lisglfty £or the Our Day Fund. CUST. On Friday afternoon the scholars of the Cust school and their parent® met tD farowoli Miss Treacy, mistress for tie past three and a half years, who ha® been appointed mistress at tne Doyloston school. Eulogistic reference was made by Messrs Coombes, Cowans, and McKeuxio to Miss Treacy's good qualities, and Mr Coombes (chairman 01 committee), on behalf of the parents* presented licr with a gold bracelet, ana with a jewel case on behalf of til® scholars. OMIHI. A moot in a to discuss the matter of a cottago hospitnl at Wnikarl, the erection of which is strongly opposed in the eastern ridings of the Waipara county, was held on Thursday, Mr Brown presiding. The opponents of the scheme, if the Council would take a referendum, are prepared to bear the expense of the issue if decided against them; ehould it l>e carried, tiie supporters of the hospital to defray the cost of the poll. The meeting was addressed by Messrs T. Roberts, r«. Campbell, and W. Leitch. Mr D. Doak, representing the Waipara riding of the Council, was invited to resign end contest the scat on the hospital issue. Mr Doak made a vigorous reply j after which the following resolution was carried unanimously: "That this meeting of ratepayers is strongly in favour of a general referendum of the county, with reference to the proposed Wailrari hospital." SOUTH MALVERN DISTRICT. , A company of young xnon calling tbemselvsy "Thd Wnybaaka," gave tho if initial eoncert ill the Coalfiate produce Hhetl on Friday lost. The oanos;-t won in aid of tho "Our Day" Fund, and tho proceeds, about £13, 1 will go towards liquidating tho Hoine--1 bush riding's yuota of £120. Songs 1 were- given by Messrs M. Harwood, ; Jas. Charles," C. D. McGarry, Johp 1 and Thomas Simpson, and C. I'earson; > recitations by Messrs C. Griffiths and • It, Wills, and a pianoforte duet' by 1 Masters Harb and Parker After tne i concert was indulged in till a I late hour. The accompaniments wore : played by tho Misses Pearson and Mitchell, and the music for the dances by' Mrs J. Jewell and Miss H. W. Brown, and Messrs Jewell and Jugger- , naut. A retiring collection was taken at the Glentunnel Presbyterian _ Church on p Sunday, in aid of the district's Copper Trail Fund. The amount contributed 3 m was £3 7s. I The weather during.the last few days has been A r ariable, nor'-westers, chang- ~ ing to son'-westecs, being of almost " daily occurrence. The rainfall for the ' 48 hours ending 8 a.m. yesterday was •10 points.

LINCOLN. Tho fortnightly dance given by the members of the Young Men's Club was held in the Druids' Hall on Saturday evening, and was well" attended. The music was supplied by Mr Poller, an extra being pkyed by Miss Gdodman. Mr F. Hill was 51.C. Refresh; m,ents were provided by the ladies. i AMBERLEY. . | The Canterbury Jockey Club has notified the Amberley Breeders' Association of its intention to offer at tho anntial show- special prizes for horses moist, suitable for mounted nfle Work, to be owned and ridden by members of the -New. Zealand-Defence Forces, in Uniform. > As a doubt has been -expressed, regarding the reading of the schedule in the classes for two-year-old : heifer and yearlings, the committee have decided to date the births from July. RANGIORA. At a meeting of ratepayers in the Rangiora riding of the county it was agreed to ask tbe Council to pay the Red Gross "Our 'Day" - quota —about £400 —out of the rates. KAIAPOI. A very interesting lecture, entitled, "Jn the Trenches With the New Zealand Boys," was given by Chaplain Walker, in the Methodist _ Sundayschool last night. A collection was taken in aid of tho Camp and Trench Comfort Funds. TUAHIWI. A largely attended meting of those interested in tho Maori Soldiers' Day Appeal was held in tho Council Chambers on Sunday, Mr Teliau Korako presiding. tyrs Mutu, of Wellington, outlined the scheme as proposed by the Maori Lady Liverpool Committee, and stated that permission had already been obtained from the Mayor cf Cliristchurch to liave Friday, November 29th, set aside for the Maori soldiersIt was unanimously decided to assist with the movement, and &n executive committee, consisting of "Messrs Korako, Pitama, Teaika, and Andrews, was appointed to confer with representatives from Port Levy, Rapaki, Little River, and Taumutu. > Strong committees were also formed to arrange for stodring the 6talls, and for concert parties. The function will be entirely Maori in character, and ail goods offered for sale will be of genuine Maori workmanship. ' ' MARSHLAND. On Thursday evening tho congregation of the Marshland Methodist Church entertained Gunner Leslie Wilson at a farewell social, when he was presented by the Rev. W ; C. Oliver with a money belt and shaving mirror. RAKAIA. The weather clerk has proved most unkind this year to the Rafcaia Ladies' Hockey Club. Every, watch hae nad to be played in the rain, and when, an evening was selected for • a dance it proved to be the - worst night for weather that there had been for weeks. At the last meeting of the South Rakaia Road Board Mr J. Sowdon waited on the Board, and asked that the street bo jtormed leading from his gate to the railway line. It vaa agreed to do the work, and drain the storm water into the sump near Mr White's large shed. Two Rakaia motor-cyclists met with an accident last week, whilst on tho road towards Greendale. They were travelling at a fast pace, one behind the other on a narrow track, whan the front cyclist slowed up to cross a stream./ The rear man collided with the leader, and both were thrown off. Though they- were not seriously hurt, their c'othes wero badly cut about. Many flags were flown at Rakaia yesterdav in honour of Dominion Dav, though, with the exception of the bank, the oav was not. observed as a holiday I by tho' business people. Some of the ■schools-in the district were closed, and so&e remained. open. Although no definite allocation has been to the .Rakaia district of the ; share to be by it of. tie £400Q required for the Bm Cross Copper > Trail from the Rakaia river to the Raneitata, yet the Rakaia Society have . set for themselves £409 as their goal, : and it is expected the; bigger part of this will be raised by donations. A successful Rakaia bird-tr»pper stated Yesterday that his catches this ' year had not been so numerous aa last ' season. This was not due to a scarcity

of birds, indeed, he was of they were more numerous thim ever, but there were not bo many stands available, as there had not been so much chaff-cutting and thre£ung this year. The birds were trapped on the lita of old-stacks, especially where the crop had contained a good deal of fathen, of which they were very fond. Although" sparrows were numerous in the township, and near stables m the country, yet they were very shy, and no S catches could be made in those pl The'Rakaia school appears, to be growing once more. The average attendance for the past week, 130, has not teen reached nearly three years Pr !Tmovement is on foot in Rakaia to hold & patriotic sports meeting nest month. It is many years since a sports meeting was. held in . but very strong swimming,, football and athletic clubs once flourished. The monthly meeting of tbe Rakaia branch of the W.C.T.U. was held m St. Mark's schoolroom. Mrs p-e sided over a fair attendance. The re ports from the various ladies empioyed in the canvass for signatures to the petition for a licensing poll were received and showed that exceptionally good progress had been made. It was decided to endeavour to secure a full attendance for next meeting, when newly-joined members will take part m tfoT initiation service. lt was also agreed to invite Mrs Lill, of Ashburton, to deliver an address.

ASHBURTON. .WSSiSftS.'Se The Borough Council, the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, the Technical School Board, the Masonic Lodges, and other bodies, were officially represented. Special prayers were offered up, and hymns and Psalms sung. ;dr Wrieht paid a tribute to the Christian life led by the deceased, and eulogised hia public work. At the conclusion of the service the Rev. Mr vicar of Tinwald, played Chopin's "Funeral March " WAIMATE. • • Mr C. E. Torlesae was presented on Saturday evening in the Borough Chambers with an illuminated address, and a sum of money, from the clients of the Union Bank, of which he has be«n manager for 8* years, also with a gift for Miss Torleese. He begins his duties as manager at Timaru to-day. A lecture on lucerne culture was given by Mr A. Macphersoif, Government Fields' Director, on Saturday night, under the auspices of the Farm, .ere' Union, and was well attended. Mr Alfred Garland presided, vote of thank 9 was acoorded the speaker at the conclusion of his address. Mr and Mrs Symes were farewelled by the Douglas settlers last week. Mr E. Neill handed Mr Symes a cigarette case and a suit case, also a gift for Mrs Byrnes i . The CaledoAian Society has decided to hold its usual eports meeting on Boxing Day. Mr Alan Macphereon was re-elected president, Mr. Andrew MoLanghlan senior vice-president, and Mr W. C. Brydon junior vice-president. Mr John Ross, one of the original members of the "Waimate Society, was elected an honorary life member.