THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16362, 6 November 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

i NEWS AND NOTES. | MORTALITY .AMONG LAMBS. i The secretary of the Canterbury ; Shec-pownors' Union lias received tm> following letter, dated .November Ist, from Dr. C. J. Reakes, Dircctor-bene-ral of Agriculture:— . . , "I beg to acknowltxlgo the receipt or yonr letter of the 2<3th ultimo regarding the mortality which occurs among lambs in Canterbury every spring, i am communicating with the Director or the Livo Stock Division, asking hint to arrango for this matter to bo fully gone into with as little delay as possible, though at the same time [ have very little doubt in my own mind aa to the trouble, and think it is that known as acuto congestion of tho kidneys, which is really the result of over-nutri-tion. I am sending you an extract, from the 'Journal of Agriculture,' of September 30th, 1916, in which are some notes by myself regarding this trouble. I would suggest that you notify sheepowners who are losing lambs that they should make a point of examining tho kidneys of newlj--dead lambs with a view to ascertaining whether they are in the condition described, and I think von will find in every case that the kidneys are in this state. Tailing lambs, has, to my own personal knowledge, always had* the effect of at onco stopping tho mortality of lambs, the loss of blood which results evidently enabling th-» system to readjust itself. Another point is, that almost _ invariably, it is the single lambs which die. j I would also call your attention to the statement at tho* conclusion of 'my notes iegarding wool balls." JOTTINGS FOB FARMERS. At the sitting of tho Military Appeal Board at Rivcrton on Saturday, tho chairman, Mr Widdov/son. stated that tho Board had been informod that there was a great shortage of farm labour in Otago and Southland. All the men who •ipplicd for exemption on account of their inability to obtam men to work their farms were conditionally exempted Speaking to representatives of the New Zealand Fanners' Union at "Wellington, the J.'riino Minister said the Government realised tho importance of securing and maintaining a supply ol 1 fertilisers for tho Dominion. He and his colleagues were not losing sight"" of this matter. "We have got to keep our eyes on one- of the guano islands," said Mr Massey. "It is impossible to do anything more just now than remind the Imperial authorities of our desire, and watch events. I know you have been getting fertilisers from'some of the islands in the Red Sea, but I don't think that will bo necessary in the future.'' OXFORD. The annual meeting of shareholders of the Oxford Town Hall Company will be held in the Town Hall on Wednesday, 13th inst., at 8 p.m. CULVERDEX. Ths weather during last month was extremely unsettled, rain falling on 13 days, the heaviest falls being points on the 23rd, and 82 points on the 30th, with a total for the month of 2.42 inches, as against 2 inches in October last year. Shearing operations have been practically brought to a standstill, but yesterday a strong nor'-west breeze was blowing. A fairly heavy frost wa6 experienced on Monday morning, and a heavier one yesterday morning, causing considerabio damage to gardens and orchards. A few woe lis of settled weather is now looked for, as feed is still very backward on account of the cold weather.

On Friday evening a welcome homo sociai was tendered to; Captain L. R. Macfarlane, of Kaiwara, who has returned to New Zealand on furlough after four years' service in Egypt and Palestine. Owing to the unfavourable weather and tne prevalence of influenza throughout the district-, the attendance was affected to a small extent, but a good number of residents from all parts of the. : district assembled to "do honour to the returned officer. Mr H. It. Davison took the chair, and on behalf of the residents extended a hearty welcome to the guest of the evening, referring to tho fact that Captain Macfarlane had left with the otli Reinforcements, and had come through the campaigns on Gallipoli and in Palestine without a day's absence from his brigade, and congratulated liim on having escaped wounds or serious illness during that time. On behalf of the Reception Committee, Mr Frank Travers presented Captain Macfarlane with a silver-mounted tobacco pouch. The recipient, in expressing his thanks for the gift, referred briefly to the experiences of the New Zealand Brigade in Palestine, and expressed the pleasure that all shared in the.news of Turkey's surrender. Songs were contributed by Misses Travers and Louden, and dancing was indulged in until midnight, tlie music being contributed by Mesdames Davison and Hunter. Mr W. Mockett was M.C. MAYCTELD. At a largely-attended meeting in the Band Hall, lUayfield, presided over by Mr D Duff, a welcome home was accorded to Lieutenant C. D. Withell and Rifleman Young, and oach was presented with a neatly trained address. WAIKARI. On Saturday last Mr C. It. Craythorne motored a concert party to AVaiKari for tho purpose of raising funds for the local Red Cross Guild. The concert was considered to be one of the oest held m the district, and the fund benefited to the extent of about £17. xXuring the week a very successruj bazaar was also held for the Red Cross, and although the weather was very wet tne sum. of £,180 was raised. AKNAT. On Wednosday last was experienced a very severe thunderstorm, which did considerable damage to gardens and fruit trees.

On Friday night the children assembled in the scnool ground to rejoice over the surrender of lurkej. Tiio school band contributed selections until darkness sot in, when a monster bonfire was lit. l<ady well-wishers provided supper, and the singing of the National Anthem ooncluded a very enjoyable evening. The withdrawal* of Austria was fittingly celebrated at the school.

RAKAIA. A patriotic meeting to celebrate the surrender of Austria -was held in tho Town Hall on Monday night. The Rev. E. Blakiston presided over a fairsized gathering. Tiie speakers were tho Rov. A. Morrison and Messrs 13. Mo r»i aniara, chairman of tho Soldiers' Entertainment Committee ? C. Tucker, and J. Penny. Musical items were contributed by Mesdames Haydoek and Sharman, Miss Penny, Messrs R. Ford, L. Oakley, C. Evison, the R«v. A. Morrison, several schoolgirls, and a chorus party. Mr J. Penny hit the popular spirit right when he suggested that Mr C. Tucker and ho should be sent home along with Mr Massev and Sir Joseph Ward to sit at the peace conference and carry out the wishes of .the Rakaia people in regard to the disposal of the Kaiser. Tho proceedings ended, with the singing of the .National Anthem. Sir Tucker subsequently stated that his promise still held good—that he would lend his hall for a patriotic dance oil the declaration of peace. A nor'-wester came up yesterday morning. and blow all day, increasing 'at night to half a galo. Contrary 10 the usual experience, the wind last night was very cold. ASH BURTON". ' At the Magistrate's Court yeitorday,

before llr !W. T\ . W lute, J.P., a statutory iivst offender was fined £1. During tho month of Octobor C 37 snoop, 9a cattle. 2 "calvcs, and 37 pics wore slaughtered at the Ashbnrton abattoir.

- j akanui Road Board met on Saturday. .Mr James Bruce presiding. Permission was granted A. Dynes to erect swing gates on the public read fronting U.S. Tho offer of Mr Joseph Cairns, Elgin, for tho lease lor seven years of a four-acre reserve at a yearly rental of £2, was accepted. GREENDALE. A very largo congregation assembled at tlio Orange Hall, on Sunday morning, on the occasion of the memorial service to tho late Trooper Frank AY. Rudd, son of .Mr J. D. Rudd. who recently died of sickness in Palestine, iho service, which was a very impresSl vo ? ue . war, conducted by the l?ev. A. H. Lowles, of iho Methodist Church, of which die late Trooper Rudd was a member. At the conclusion of tho service the congregation remained standing, while tho organist, Mrs J. \Y. "\Varthe "Dead March'' in 'Saul."

On Sunday afternoon the local Orange Lodge neld a parade and church service in the Hall, which was fairlv well attended. Thj service was to have been conducted by tho Rev. C. E. "Ward of Christchuvch, but owing to sickness' he was unable to attend, and it was taken t? Smith, of the Greendale Baptist Church. The qualifications ?r 'il l Orangeman were read by Bro. AI. P. Cooke. Mrs ,J. W. Warren acted us organist. Bro. ,T. W. "Warren thanked tho Rev. E. E. Smith for taking charge of the sorvico at such short notice, as it was not until Saturday that it was known that the Rev. C. L. »\ ard would bo unable to attend.