THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16363, 7 November 1918, Page 5

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. SHEEPOWNERS' UNION. Tho annual meeting of the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union is to be held to-night. In addition to the ordinary business, matters of great importance to sheep-farmers are to bo discussed, including the question of the wool commandeer. BROUGHT CONDITIONS IN AUSTRALIA. (rEOM OTTR OTO CORRESPONIIEOT.J SYDNEY, October 30. It was a dry winter and it promises to bo a drier summer, and gloomy reports are coming in from tho country districts. It will bo remembered that, up to August last, drought conditions ruled in noarly all the big farming districts, and there was much anxiety everywhere. Then, in August, just in time, came abundant : rains all over the State, and the situation seemed to bo saved. Tho weather did not go on from there in its customary manner. "Gradually drought, conditions settled down again, and now the farmers nearly everywhere are dis- j mally contemplating. the future. The position in Bathurst is typical. The big drought /year here was 1902, when tremendous losses were sustained, and the rainfall for the current year in i this district is so far 14.84 inches, which is exactly what it was at this .time in 1902. The crops arc thin and light, and already beginning to turn « sickly yellow under a merciless sun, the stock is suffering, and tho lambing average is poor. Sheep are dying already m places, and the wool clip will not be a good one. Tho dairying industry is feeling the strain severely. It is noticeable, by the way, that tho crops on Tallowed land are strong and vigorous in comparison with those on unfallowed areas. In some cases only a fence separates the two. Some districts report October a s the driest -month for 30 years. Tho only people who are not raising lamentations are tho fruitgrowers. Some, indeed, openly pray for more fine weather, Their crops promise excellently, and the cc®tinned dryness has rid them of the host of pests which, at this season of tho year, usually mako fruitgrowing a perilous and distracting occupation. HANMER SPRINGS. Influenza is prevalent in IDanmer Springs, numerous cases being reported. It was probably brought in by someono recovering- from it. KAIAPOI. A very successful concert wag given by Mr_ Gladstone. Hill's party on Tuesday night, in the Methodist Sunday School, in aid of the. school funds. A collection,taken up in th© room amounted to £2 ss. At tho conclusion of the entertainment a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the performers. At ..band practice on Tuesday night Bandsman Sergt._ Hoskin, who is leaving on Friday to join a ship at Dunedin, was presented by the members of the band with a safety razor. In making the presentation Bandsman J. Wylie wished the departing member every success, and hoped that ho would always look back "on the good times ho had had with the 13th Regiment Band.

LEESTON. Mr J. H. Stringer presided over tho monthly meeting of the Leeston School Committee. Tho headmaster reported tho roll number to be 92, and tho average attendance 86. Members commented upon tiie satisfactory average. Mr Rhodes reported that, together with, the chairman, he had interviewed the Inspector on tho occasion of his recent visit, and brought under his notice various'matters affecting tho school. Tho secretary of tho Education Board wrote, stating that tho painting of tho school, repairs, and water supply question would be considered by the Board at its meeting on Wodnesday. Ihe Leeston Swimming Club intimated ts willingness to contribute 2s per member for tne use of the bath during the current season. It was decided to endorse tho resolutions passed at a meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Educational Institute last Saturday, and to ask tho Hon. C. A. C. Hardy to support the representations to bo make to Parliament shortly. Tho headmaster reported having met the Board a architect at tho school last week, had been agreed that tenders should oo called for pulling down an old unused class-room and for erecting fresh weather boards. Tho committee decided to re-erect tho room as a shelter shod ana open-air class-room. A four-roomed nearly new house, toeother with washhouse attached, per longing to David Aiken, and occupied by J. H. Lloyd, was totally destroyed by fire on Tuesday. The outbreak occurred in the back portion of the house, and the inmates had just sufficient timo to get out the front way with a few articles of clothing. The J ire, Bngade turned out .promptly, but the flames had too strong a hold, and tho firemen turned their, attention successfully .to saving a house adjoining. The destroved building was insured for ±-oUU, andtho contents for £100. Both owner and occupior aro heavy losers. balcairnv \ nartv of boys and girls, under thechargo of Mr O. Beere, on the evening of November ,sth set out with Guy Fawkes on a houso to bouso visit singing patriotic. songs. Hie ° j lectcd £2, the children decided to hand over to tho loealßed Cross branch. Mrs H. Jameson provided supper for tho party: . ASHBURTQN. , • About 35 business uiori met on "Wed-" nesday evening at Ashburton to consider tho best means of supporting tho British and .Foreign Biblo Society s work among tho soldiers and sailors of the Empire. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. I°. H. Spencer and. the Rev. A. T. Thompson, organising secretary of. the Society in New Zealand, it was dccided to re-establish a local; oranch, and the following officers were elected: —President, Mr J. Lane; secretary, Mr D. Gunn; treasurer, Mr F. Ferriman; committee, Messrs C. H. JELarle, W. C. Childs. C. Hicks, and A. Hopkins. Later a public meeting waa held in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, when Mr J. Lane presided. Further addresses were given by the visiting ministers, and a collection was taken up on behalf of tho Society.