THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16350, 23 October 1918, Page 8

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. WHEAT STATISTICS. OXLY OMD SET TO BE COLLECTED. (special to "the Fr.E?s. ( ) WELLINGTON, October 22. It has been arranged that only ote ee, ot wheat statistics ehall be collected this soason. The Wheat Controller- and -he. Government Statistician both collected statistics last year, and as they did cot _ requue cxactly the same information, the millowcers were put to a great deal of trouble. A lorm that will satisfy both departments is now being prepared. WEATHER IN SOUTH CANTERBURY. (srECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") TIMARU, October 22. Following a series of high winds, which gave a severe check to the pastures as well as to tho young grain crops, there was a ver} welcome change in Timaru yeitordav morning, when heavy rain eet in. For a time there was quite a tropical downpour. The roadways and footpaths about the town were soon awash, and the channels were quite unequal to the task of carrying away the water as fast as it fell. The very heavy rain lasted less than an hour, but ~ there "were intermittent showers all day, and they lasted well into t,he night . It,would be diffioult to estimate tho great value of tho rain. The subsoil was damp enough, but the winds had parched the surface eoil and were turning the crops a sickly yellow, while they had checked tho growth of grass to an unusual extent for this time of year. The ground being warm, there ehould new be very rapid growth. NORTHERN A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. The commitee of the Northern A. and P. Association met yesterday morning, Mr J. D. Wylie presiding. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mr D. A. Garland,. of Waiau, ill the_ loss of hia son, Sergt. G, A. Garland, killed in action. Mr N. W. Kindon and Mr El A. Jenkins were elected members of the Association. Mr G. Rutherford, of Springbank, forwarded a donation to tho Association's funds. The Ground Committee reported what had been done to the grounds and a motion was carried thanking Mr T. Leesh for supervising the work. j It was decided that the class stewards and members of the committee meet on tho grounds to attend to nccessary repairs and prepare for the show. _ . It was decidod to a&sist the patriotic committee if accessary. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. At last night's meeting of tho Canterbury Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Captain A. A. Johnson drew attention' to a mistake made in tho inspector"B report at the previous meeting of the society respecting tiie necessity for horses being examined for. disease prior to . being sold. The inspector said that amongstthe diseases it was 'nccessary to provide against were glanders and farcy. Thanks to the Dominion's 6tringent quarantine laws, said Captain Johnson last night,_ these diseases do not exist in the Dominion. OXFORD. Influenza is epidemic throughout the district, and the attendance at tho schools is seriously affected thereby. Extremely dry weather still prevails. There were occasional nor'-west showers last week, but nothing more than would wet the sur- j face, and any good effect they might have had was neutralised by the succeeding dry winds. Tho ground is hard and cracked, and fields are almost bare of pasture. Tho backward spring is having an injurious effect •upon the milk supply. A complimentary social was tendered in the Oxford Town Hall to Privates R. Garlick (M.M.) and W. Eggleston, returned soldiers, and to Privates Frank Ryde, A. Bennett, and W. Johnson, who were down on final leave. Mr W. Weld, vice-chairman of tho Patriotic Committee, presided, and made a presentation of a fountain pen to each of tho departing soldiers, and extended a hearty wclcome to those returned. SPRINGSTON*. . On Friday the Public Hall was' packed to the doors, on tho occasion of a send-off social to Privatee Len Blake'more, \V. .Brears, and G. Tyson. Tho first-mentioned was the only dno present. The programme was given by tho Tai Tapu Concert Party, in charge-of Gupt. McCnrtney. - Tho following. contributed" items Misses D. Netting-, ham, . Wright, Everest, Suckling, Yarr, Welsh, G. Andrew. Masters Iy. and G. Suckling. Tho last-named, a child of about three years, sang an appeal song, which brought in nearly £2. Bonee and Sambo amused tho audience. 'During the interval, Mr J. W. Kime (chairman), assisted by Mrs Kime, presented to Privato Len Blakemore the. district gold medal, .wishing him Godspeed and a speedy return. Apologies for absence were received from the Revs. Wilkinson and ' J.' Harris, who were to have addressed the gathering. Tho accompaniments were played by Misses Suckling and Welsh. On Sunday evening there was a largo congregation at the Methodist Church, when the Rev. J. Harris ' conducted a r memorial service to the late Rifleman' Francis N. Matthews. The preacher delivered an address from the text, "Greater Love Hath no Man than this, That He Lay Down His Life f or His Friend." Tho members of the Ethelbert Lodge were present. At the close the "Dead March" was played by Miss. Dent. The influenza epidemic is* making itself felt in the Springston district, every household being affected. Tho, school was closed . at midday yesterday on account of tho headmaster being laid up, and only about onequarter of the children being present. HALSWELL. At the fortnightly euchro party and dance, held in the hall, there was a good attendance. The prizes wero- won by Misa Elsie Narbey and Mr W. L. Wright. Mr Bettel was pianist for the danco which followed, .and Mr W. Wilson M.C. It is with regret that residents learn of tho dangerous condition of Corporal-E. J. Moyna, recently reported wounded at the front. It is only a short time since lie was first wounded, having then remained with his unit and gone back to the firing line. On Saturday afternoon the children of St. Mary's Anglican Sunday School were entertained by the vicar, tho Rev. C. C. Oldham, at a party in the Domain. The children assembled at 2 p.m., when they eang the hymn "There is a Happy Land," and the vioar offered, up a prayer of thanksgiving. The afternoon was taken up with various games and competitions, which were very keenly contested by the voungatere. The prize list i» as follows: —Miss Guitiey'e class (girls): Violet Smith 1, Esther Cox 2; (boys) Charlie Sparks 1, Tom Wilhelm 2, Charlie Pike 3. Mies Campion's class': Ethel Clark 1, Myrtle Cox 2; boys, Austen Watson and Arthur Wright equal, Jack Pike 3. Mrs Oldham's class: Jack Wright 1, Iris Pike 2, Emily Irving 3. Consolation races—Miss Guineas class: Clarence Brooks 1, .Ella Sparks 2, Alex. Nicholl 3. Miss Campion's class: Maurice Aldridge 1, Doris Irving 2, Freda Kidder 3. Upper class: Leslie Clark 1, Lillian Smith 2, Ivy Cox 3. Teachers' raoo: Miss Guiney 1, Miss Fitzgerald 2.' FERNSIDE. Tho residents of Fernside assemblod to do hononr-to Private P. Noonan, of the 46th Reinforcement. Mr W. Smith presented tho departing soldier with a soldier's companion. A progressive euchre tournament was played, the prize winners being Mrs S. Mcintosh Mid Mr Stevens. The proceedings terminated with a dance, the music being supplied by Mr S. Fleming, Miss Fleming-, and Miss Dobaon played extras. KIMBERLEY. Although excitement in connexion with tho Kimberley-Darfield "Copper Trail" is dying down, much satisfaction is expressed over the results, children, young people, and residents having pulled well together, and done their utmost to obtain the largest sum possible, for 'The Boys-". When the flags were called in the sums raised by each district were:—-Kimberley £220,17s Darfield the final results giving Kimberley £227 and Darfield, as published, £215. _ Kimberley numbers, less than thirty-six families, but baa given £7o instead of the £50 guota allotted it. The local Red Cross, which now coats £3 weekly, wili soon us© up tho surplus. HINDS. After a drying nor'-wester, which lasted a week, rain fell yesterday morning. It will do much to freshen up pasture and to help the crops which were just beginning to leel the effect of the dry weather. The railway department is having able improvements and repairs effected at tne Hinds station, and is contemplating buildinganother house for a surfaceman. There was a fair attendance at the annual meeting of the Hinds Hall Corporation. J4T J. M. Hampton occupied the chair. The secretary presented the annual report ana pai-ance-sheet, which showed that after reducing charges to half price for entertainments for patriotic purposes, the hall was just payi g its way. Tho following committee was <- lcc ~ cd:—Messrs J. M. Hampton (president) J. Cook (secretary), A. McKenzje • Paterae, J. Elms, H. Wills, H. J. Millen, W. Beanie, S. Wateon. A hearty

■vote of thanks was passed to the secretary for the excellent manner in which ho had performed his onerous duties. The president expressed the opinion that the district was fortunate in having a person who worked bo hard for the public good.- A vote of thanks to Mrs J. Farrell for her efforts in raising money for' much needed improvements, was also carried. KAIAPOI. A meeting of tho Ladies' Pjtriotio Committees was held in the W.C.T.U. rooms, yesterday, Mrs J. H. Blackwell presiding over a very largo attendance. Opportunity was taken" of saving good-by© to Misses A. H. and F. C. Iliatt, and on behalf of the various committees, Mrs Blackwell presented them each with ft leather hand-bag. During the afternoon songs were given by Mesdames Crawehaw. Day, and Miss P. Pamham. Miss V. Featherston presided at the piano. ■ On Monday • afternoon Misses A- 11. and P. C. Hiatt were the gnests of Mrs Holland., at the Vicarage, KaiapoL After threatening all day, a steady and welcome rain set in about 4.30 p.m. yesterday, RANGIORA, Steady rain set in yesterday afternoon from the north-west, and* was welcomed by tho largo number of formers visiting tho sale. MARSHLANDThe Marshland Hall was woll filled last week on the occasion of a social gathering held in aid of the funds of Nazareth Home, Mr Wm. Myers was M.C., and Miss Doherty supplied tho" music for the dance. Mr W. E. Simes sold- by auction two sheep and a haw, which realised £3 4s. During tho evening several competitions wero neld, tho winners being Mrs Ashton (ham), Mr M. Faulls (Planet Jr. onion lifter), and Mr F. Kcsteven (cushion). Miss Wacked entertained the company with songs and a recitation. Tho Rev. Father Seymour, in a brief speech, thanked all who had assisted to make the gathering a success; .... The Patriotic Society has decided to givo a welcome home next woek to Private Ernest T. Hawken and to unveil a photographic group of six- soldiers. _ Mr D. Goode, chairman of the School Committee, has been opcointed . the committee s delegate to the School Committees' Association . . „.. The Marshland School will closo on Friday 1 for the usual weeding holidays, which will extend over Carnival week, YALDHURST. Mi6S McDonald's Concert Party gave an en--1 tertainment in the schoolroom on Monday night in aid of tho "Our Day" i und. _ All tho items were thoroughly enjoyed, especially tho dancing of the juvenile members of tho party. Unfortunately Yaldhurst is getting m6re than a fair share of the present epidemic of sickness and consequently the audience waa not so large as expected. During tho interval Mr ,W. E. Simes, of Christchurch, sold by auction a handbag gi\ en by Mrs T. Cox. which was finally knocked down to Mr J. Nicklaus at 32s 6d. At the finish the counting of the pins for tho hand-paintwl cushion given by Mrs P. Kelkr, took place and resulted in Miss Joan Johnston winning with a guess of 97. Refreshments were th«i served bv tho Red Cross workers. Mr if. Keller, on behalf of tho Red Cross Workers, thanked the party for once ffiorocommf out ard helping tho cause. Mr W. .E. Simes replied on behalf of the party and Ranked the ladies fo r providing refreshments, also Messrs P. Kavanagh and J. lc^ au lf° r convoying the'party to and . from town. Dancing then followed, the music being supplied by Misses M. Tisch and P. Dawson and Messrs J. and L. Thomas. A most successful evening resulted in about £1- being raised. SEFTON. At the monthly meeting of the Sefton Dairy Company it was decided to pay a bonus of--2d per lb on all butter-fat supplied between August Ist, 1917, and July 31st, 1918, bringing the total payment for the season up to Is 7d per lb for butter-fat. The factory has made , wonderful strides during the-post four vears and now turns out 220 tons of butter per season as again 136 for tho year ending July, 1314. CHERTSEY. Private Charles Kellec, who left Now Zealand with some of tho earliest troops tour years ago, received a hearty welcome home on Friday in the Chert f y Hall. He has been granted a short furlough and is soon due back again, in France. There was a good attendance, and on behalf of Chertsey. admirers Mr. F. Ironsides presented Pnvato Kollec. with a pipe and tobacco. Songs were sung by Mrs T. Behrens, Miss B. Downio, and Mr J. Behrens. Tho. dance musio was ployed by Miss B. Downio and Messrs W. Rankin and J. Behrons. RAKAIA. At the .various. Presbyterian churches thrtmghout. the RaJtaia charge the annual Youth of th© Church services were held on Sunday and were very well attended. . Tho corner by tho-railway crossing at the north end of tho. Rakaia bridge has always been a dangerous corner to negotiate on aocoant of the slope of the track and the looseness of the shingle. An accident reoently oocurred here there have heen aerveiaj narrow escapes on. the port of motorists and some hoys managed to open the posting-box in Brougham street, and the postal authorities were notified by telephone. Possibly there may be some connexion between this incident and the xeccnt theft oi a bunch of keys from a postal official engaged in clearing such boxes. ASHBTTRTOX. Muck needed rain commenced to fall shortly aftor nine o'clock yesterday morning aM continued up till midday when it cleared, off, and the sun shone again during the afternoon. Although tho fall was not very heavy it will help matters very materially as it was a warm rain. Between 10 a.m. and 11 a-m. 34 points of rain fell, the total for the morning being 38 points. The Ashburton Technical School Board has appointed Mr Jame3 MoCormick shearing instructor and janitor. The shearing class will commence next week, six pupils having already enrolled. A plentiful supply of sheep * of the north branch of the Ashburton river at the Ashburton Gorge, as a means of supplying Ashburton with electrical energy was brought before the Ashburton Borough Council ou Monday night by Cr A J. Grigg. He pointed out that tho Ashburton' Gorgo was only S from Ashburton, and was fuUy 1000 feet higher. The suggestion wm referred to the Lighting Committee for a report. TEMTTKA. A concert in aid of the Navy, to ™ givon in the Dominion Theatre on Monday. There was a large attendance and solos were gS by Mcsdtuncs Talbot Cameron, and Mra. Chapman, monologues by Mr Philips, and three small boys . Bang an appeal song whilo the flag was being taken round. Th Temuka Ramblera provided the en "iife *p.ll «! to downpour of rain commenced at 0.30 a.m. yesterday and was much appreciated.