THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16402, 23 December 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

ASHBURTON FARMERS' UNION.

The monthly meeting of tho Ashburton Branch of the Farmers' Union was held on Saturday afternoon, Mr W. Oakley presiding. A discussion took place on the question of the farmers organising for their own protection in tho future and doing what they could to increase the attendance at the meetings of the branch.

Tho chairman remarked that it was almost hopeless to get a good meeting at Ashburton on Saturdays, owing to tho sales and other gatherings which took place. Hxs opinion was that meetings should be held in the country districts, where a good meeting could always be assured. Mr T. W. Lill remarked that there was no doubt about it the . farmers would have to organise or they would have to go under. They were at present living in a fools' paradise. The Government could do as it liked, and the farmers would be powerless for the next two years. The Government were throwing money about rccklesslv, _ and no one seemed to think of practising economy. Every time the Government touched the wheat question they made a mess of it.

ill- J. Copland said the Government could fix t-lio price ot" labour the same as they could fix the price of wheat. When ho started farming in 1877 he paid lOd a loaf for bread, and they had to work just as hard as they did now, and at much lower wages, and things were 110 worse than they were now. It was no use the Government fixing the price of one thing if they did not fix the prices oi' all. Mr W. T. Lill expressed the opinion that-the Branch might offer a prize at the next Autumn-Show of the Ashburton A. and I*. Association for any article a returned soldier might make and exhibit. He had seen some remarkable things the returned soldidrs had done, and lie would be, pleased to contribute towards a special prize for this object. Ho suggested, that the commercial value -of the article, should govern the awarding of the prize. It was decided to allot £3 3s to be forwarded to tho A. and P. Association for. the establishment of a section in the prize schedule for soldiers' handiwork.

JOTTINGS FOE FARMERS. A Levin resident lias just returned front a visit to Hawko's Bay. Ho relates that at a large shearing shed he visited tlio wholo board of thirty shearers was composed of Maoris, many of whom were accompanied by their wive*?, who acted as "pickers-up'' and did the work well. On leaving the shearing shed t-ho Lovinite noticed a small park of motor-cars, and inquired as to whom owned them. He was informed by the station-owner that the cars belonged to tlio shearers, who made the rounds of tlio stations at shearing time in their own motors. The visitor returned home convinced that the pakeha shearer is a long way behind in tlio raco of progross.

"My impression of the wheat crops is that they will bo up to the average this season if nothing goes wrong with them from this time forward," writes "Agri'cola" in the "Farmers' Union Advocate." "They will be very nicc to handle. There Tjill not be too much straw,'and they should be about_ the right length. Last season, it will be remembered, they were very tall, and very tangled, and the consequence was that tliey were difficult and unpleasant to handle. The oats, lam afraid, arc not going to bo a success this season. They are not looking at all well. Kvon the early crops of oats are not heavy/' CHEVIOT. Tho influenza epidemic is just about stamped out. The temporary hospital was closed on Saturday, and no fresh cases arc reported. Tlio weather is holding good, and several farmers will get their shearing finished before Christmas. Haymaking is in full swing, and honey extracting has started in the apiaries. I'or honey there will bo a heavy return, some contending that the snow was responsible for the great growth of white clover this year. The wheat nnd oat crops, more especially the wheat, are rather disappointing. Ono or two at Domett are certainly good, but taking the district as a whole it looks as il the land requires cither tnanuro or a rest before it will grow good cereal crops again. Settlers are gradually recognising that it pays to keep cows, notwithstanding the extra work, judging by the dozens of cans of cream that arc sent daily to tho different factories. LEESTOX.

A meeting of lied Gross workers who were associated with the catering at the Ellesmere Jshow, was held at the residence of Dr. Volckman, Leestoil, Mrs Yolekraan presiding. A statement, presented bv Mr S. Bongard, who acted as treasurer, showed receipts totalling £144 Us «Jd. After paying expenses there was a balance of £100 for the Ked Cross Fund. lliis was _ considered very satisiactory. Mrs \ olck--111 an entertained the ladies at afternoon tea. DIWSANDEL. Mr H. F. "Wright presided over the animal meeting of the Dunsandel Sports Association, "it was decided to hold a picnic sjjorts on New Year's Day, and Messrs H. W. Pascoe, D. McPherson, James AVraight. W. Stephens, and 11. A. Brown were appointed a committee to supervise the races. OHi- . cials for the day were appointed. The ( following officers were elected: Pa- j trons Hon. It. Heaton Rhodes, Hon. C. A. C. Hardy, M.L.C.. Messrs "\\ . J. Dickie, M.P., 0. Slu-at. and J. S. Boa;;;

president, Sir H. F. Wright; Mr H. A. Brown. KAIAPOI. The workers in connexion witli tlio influenza epidemic assembled on Saturday and liad tlieir photos taken, niter which they were entertained to afternoon tea, by tho Mayor and Mrs Blackwell, at tho" Kaiapoi* bowling green. After church last night at Kaiapoi, the members of the various choirs combined and went carol-singing. UOLLESTOX. The crops in tho Rolleston district are looking well, especially the grain crops, and if favourable weather ensues the yield should be considerably more than tho average of tho last three years. Several paddocks oats will be reaped before the New Yoar. Tho oat crops are especially free from smut and rust this year, and have a good length of straw. Tho earliest crops of wheat will not bo ripe for another month or so, but all crops are looking well with a good length of straw. Hay crops arc rather thin, as farmers liavo been short of early feed and have fed their paddocks rather bare before shutling up for hay. White clover is looking very promising, and should yieitJ some good returns. Early sown potatoes are looking well, but late planting shows a stunted appearance. Pears arc ouiy in small area, but if rain, which is badly,needed, falls soon, there should be good returns. GOVERNOR'S BAY. On Thursday afternoon the parishioners of St. Cuthbert's Church, Governor's Bay, held a social gathering in the Allanciale Hall, to welcome their new vicar, Rev. AY. Styche, and Mrs Stvche. There was a largo attendance present. Mr W. Cowlin (vicai s warden) and Mr W. A. Carpinter (vestryman) welcomed tho vicar and Mrs Stvche on behalf of the parishioners. The vicar, in response, thanked tho parishioners for their kind welcome, and trusted thu-t his stay in their midst would be both pleasant and profitable to his work. . Tho Horticultural Society availed themselves of tho opportunity to make a floral display, as they were unable to hold their rose show owing to the epidemic. All the tables were well filled with a varied collection of cut floweis, which made the hall very gay. Miss Bradley, Charteris Bay, staged an excellent collection of hardy perennials and other flowers. Mr Orton Bradley made a fine exhibit of Japaneso maples, which was much admired. Mr H.- H. Choinondeley also staged a very largo collection of hardy flowers. Mr W. A. Carpinter had a choice collection or sweet peas, and many others brought exhibits of cut flower's. Mrs "\V. Harris and Mr F. Tapley showed several dishes of beautiful cherries, and the gooseberries and other fruits shown by Messrs M. J. Gilpin and C. E. Itaaclilie were very fine. A large collection of eai'ly vegetables was shown by Small Bi •as. RAKAIA. For a long time past tho South Rakaia Road Board has been ondeav,ourmg to arrange with, tho Ashburton County Council to have several muchused water-race crossings bridged, particularly two near the old vicarage and ,0110 near tho Kaleyards. Tho Board seems unfortunate, however, for after negotiations with tho Council were completed the manufacturers of the necessary conciete pipes wrote to say that on account of tho shortage of labour it would bo quite impossible to supply tho material for some considerable time.

A meeting to wind up afftlirs in connexion with the Patriotic Carnival held in the ttnknia Domain took place in the Oddfellows' Hall. Tho meeting luid been much delayed on account of tho iniluonKa rpidemie, and even now permission could not be obtained from tho authorities to use the library lor the meetings. Contrary to expectation, tho meeting, instead of being a twenty; minutes affair, developed into a warm- and lengthy discussion. Mr B. McNa'mara occupied the chair, and a vote of condolence with the relatives of those who died in the epidemic was passed in silence, members standing. The balance-sheet presented showed a profit .of £211 18s 9d. The chief items of-income were: Gate money £50,. luncheon booth; £47, ice cream stall £27, ■ sheep-gcueSsing £11, shooting gallery £4. salad bowl competition £3, Aunt Sally £2, sheaf-tossing £4. concert party £12, Punch and Judy show £5, baby show £2, bowling alley £9, dance £10. The item Paddy's Market £17 3s od was disputed, but it was subsequently found that the secretary's (statement was quite correct. lho original motion as to tho disposal of tho proceeds stated that they should be "in aid of the Red Cross, and' Lady Liverpool Funds.". Although not expressly stated, it was always understood by Mr J. Sowden, tho original promoter of tho carnival, and others interested, that it was to be an even division. At the final meeting, however, a determined effort, led by the llev. E. In. Blakiston, was made to secure a larger share for the Red Cross. He wished to first pay the lied Cross £88 given by them to the Our Day Appeal, and then divide the balance evenly. The, attempt failed and, after a heated dobate, it was decided to divide the £211 18s 9d evenly, a proviso being added that none of the money should be used outside Kew Zealand.

'"At the recent meeting of the South Tiakaia Road Board, another letter fro'nl the Canterbury Progress League was read, asking tho Board for financial and other support. The subject had been before the Board previously, and now, as before, tho letter was merely received. ASHBURTOX. There were four influenza patients in the Ashburton county hospital on Saturday, and four in the Methvcn hospital! Four wero discharged at Methvcn on Friday, and it is expected tho institution will be closed to-nigjit. The patients remaining will be removed to the county hospital. The enforced school holidays in tho Ashburton county have been put to good uso by several school-children. One boy, who had to travel L'O miles, brought in 2000 birds' eggs, while a girl had a tally of 1300. At the monthly meeting oi the Ashburton County Council on 1* riday, Cr. A. Drummond. asked tho chairman to consult with the heads of local bodies, asking for a conference to fix the speed limit for motorists throughout the county. In tho course of a short distance' Cr. Drummond stated the limit was from 10 to 15 miles, which was very trying to motorists. The chairman promised to consider the matter. Cr. Drumniond also brought up the matter of erecting sign-posts throughout the county. The chairman stated that the matter was ono for local bodies, who in the past had found it difficult to maintain these Boards owing to so-called sportsmen using them lor targets. A meeting of tho committee of the Ashburton "Our Day" appeal was held on Fridav evening, when the Mayor (Mr It. Galbraith) presided. The bal-

ance-sheefc sliowcd receipts amounting to £305S 15s 2d, and expenditure £17 13s sd. Tho amount over the quota for the Ashburton county was £321 13s 7d, and it was agreed to forward the full quota to the Christchurch centre. and retain the balance for the use of "the local lied Cross. A meeting of car owners who assisted iu connexion with the recent epidemic was held at Ashburton on Friday evening, when about- 25 owners wero present. Mr R. Galbraith presided, and expressed his appreciation of_the good work done. Ho announced that the Government had stated that it would bear the cost of petrol, and itwas decided to put in a claim, all claims to bo handed in and forwarded to the Hospital Board. It was agreed that the invitation to spend a day at Lon£bcach from Mr John Grigg should be availed of on tho first Thursday in February, and the following were elected a committee to arrange details: The Mavor (Mr K. Galbraith). Messrs K W. Watt, T. J. Hunter, J. H. Rule, J. H. Tucker. AY. Searle, and C. AY. Allard. . % Mrs Mcßohan has received from her friends in the. Mayiield district a framed memorial, signed on their behalf bv Mr 13. Duff and Mr J. Lllery, expressing sympathy with her at tho death of her son. Sergeant James McRohan, who was killed in action m Franco on May 26th last.