THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16508, 28 April 1919, Page 5

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

ASHBURTON FARMERS' UNION.

The annual meeting of the Ashburton branch of the Farmers' Union was held on Saturday, Mr W. Oakley presiding over a moderate attendance. The balauce-slioet showed a credit balance of £1 16s 4d, The chairman's report detailed the work of the past year, and mentioned that farmers would have to co-operate to protect their own interests, more especially in view of the importance of primary productions. He was perfectly satisfied the Ashburton branch had not the sympathy 'of the farmers of the district, otherwise the mombership would be 800, instead of 80, as at present. Mr G. W. Leadley, who moved the adoption of the chairman's report, gave a resume of the most important work which had been done at the Dominion Conference, and the benefits which had been "conferred on farmers as a result of the deliberations of the Conference. Mr "VV. T. Lill gave a short report on the work which had been done at the Provincial Conference. Both speakers paid a • high compliment to Mr David Jones for the large, amount of good work ho had done in the interests of the farmers. Mr J. R. Simpson and Mr J. Brown spoke briefly on the question of forming branches in the country districts. The chairman's report was adopted. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Lill and Mr Leadley for the good work] they had dono at the Provincial and the Dominion Conferences. The following officers were elected: Committee, Messrs J. Brown, W. T. Lill, A. Moore. F. Frampton, J. AFleming, H. R. Gilmore, "\V. G. Gallagher, J. Williams, T\". Mcses, and G. \V". Leadley; delegates to Dominion Conference, Messrs VP. G. Gallagher and J. Brown. The appointment of chairman was held over till the next meeting. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS, Mr C- Branigan, stock inspector, Ashburton, states that a large number of farmers in the county have failed to respond to his request to take siniul-! taneoiis action in regard to a rabbit J poisoning campaign, and, consequently,!

he would be compelled to issug summonses at once.

According to a statement by the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, up to the present £2,500,000 has been expended in placing 1133 soldiers on 673,000 acres, which amount includes over £1,000,000 as advances towards the purchase of private and Native lands, general improvements, and stock, and erection of dwellings, otc. A total of 202,000 acres, is available for selection, while properties comprising 44,500 acres are. under negotiation with a view to acquisition. Dwellings purchased by soldiers under the Act numbered 414. "WAIAtT. On Friday evening the returned soldiers in Waiau held a reunion in the form of a dinner. About thirty soldiers and a number of guests sat down to a sumptuous repast under the management of Miss Knight, assisted by a number of ladies. The function was presided over by Mr E. P. H. Burbury. •During the evening the following toasts were honoured: "Tho King"; "The Allies" (proposed by Mr H. T. Beaven and responded to "by Mr G. W. Aldridge); "The New Arrivals" (proposed by Mr Green, and responded to by Privates Foster and Patterson); "The Navy" (proposed by Mr Knight, and responded to by Mr Burbury); "Fallen Comrades'' (proposed by Mr Brown); "Returned Soldiers" (proposed by Mr SunckeL', and responded to by Messrs P. Mors*, H. Dampier-Crosslev, and H. A. Nielsen); ''Absent Soldiers" (proposed by Mr Burbury); "Red Cross" (proposed by Mr Blacketfc, and responded to by Mr Beaven); "The Ladies" (proposed by Mr H. AV. D. Rogers, and responded to by Mr Polhill); ''The Lady Helpers" (proposed by Mr A. G. Creed, and responded to by ~Mr F. Clark). The proceedings were enlivened by items given by Messrs C. Burrows, F. Clark, H. Knight, V. G." Oldman, and H. W. D. Rogers. The success of the reunion was due in large measure to the energy of Mr A. G. Thompson, who organised it. CHEVIOT.

The Cheviot Soldiers' Committee met on Thursday. Present: Messrs Barnes (chairman), McKenzie, Laugesen, Hunt, llentoul, Scott, Willis, and tieeson. Mr Willis moved, Mr Hunt seconded, and it was carried: "That this meeting of the Cheviot Soldiers' Committee takes strong exception to the lax attitude of the Cheviot County Council with regard to the proposed cottago hospital, more especially as a resolution was passed at a public meeting urging the Council to go on with the scheme-imme-diately, and the chairman and three other councillors wero present at such meeting." Mr Hunt moved, Mr Laugesen seconded, and it was carried: "That this meeting of the Cheviot Soldiers' Committee protests against the action of the Cheviot County Council, in not giving preference of employment to returned soldiers." It was resolved j to hold a welcome home social to ten returned men in May. The Cheviot Chess Club met last week, Mr llentoul in the chair. Messrs Hunt, Fletcher, and llentoul were appointed a Management Committee, and J)r. Saunders and Mr J. 0. Chapman a. Handicapping Committee. Subscriptions were fixed at 7s 6d. Mr Fletcher j was appointed hon. secretary. | OXFORD. • Anzac Day was observed in Oxford by the closing of the schools and the places of business. A memorial servico was held at 11 o'clock in the Coronation Hall, at which there was a representative attendance. Mr Lewis presided, Rev. I). Rankin, and F. E. Foot each gave an address, and the officers of tho Salvation Army also took part. Tho anniversary tea meeting of tho Oxford Baptist Church was held on Good Friday, at which thero was a very large attendance. The public meeting was also well attended. Mr F. Every presided, and addresses were given by Messrs Foot, Lewis, and Bunu. "Musical items completed a very successful meeting. In the Oxford Town Hall on Wednesday night a complimentary social of welcome was tendered to Lieutenant K-. Henderson, and Privates W. Hodgetts, Stephen Smith, L. Hawke, L. Mehrtens, and A. "Winter. There was a large attendance, and Mr W. Weld, vice-chairman of the Patriotic Committee, presided, and gave an address of welcome. rangiora. ; The anniversary services in connexion with the llangiora Methodist Church were held yesterday. The preacher for tho day was the Rev. W. lleady, of Kaiapoi, who took as his subject for the morning service "A Heroic Nationbuilder," and at the evening service "Christ the Puzzle of the World." At a gathering held in the church in the afternoon Mr lleady gave a talk on Billy Sunday, tho eccentric evangelist. Special music was given by the choir, Mrs T. Withers and Mr C. F. Ayers being tho soloists in tho anthem, "The earth is the Lord's and tho fulness | thereof." MARSHLAND. His Lordship Bishop Julius was present at Divine service in St. Mark's Church, Marshland,, on Thursday evening, and administered the sacramental act of confirmation to four male and three female candidates presented by the vicar, the Rev. T. M. Curnow. His Lordship's address, based on 11. Timothy, 1.-6, was of a very homely and practical nature, and was listened to with rapt attention. Suitable hymns were sung, Miss Matterson acting as organist. A memorial tablet in remembrance of the late Mrs Ruby Ferguson (nee Sands) was unveiled at St. Mark's Church on Thursday by Bishop Julius in the presence of relatives and friends. The deceased had. previous to her marriage and removal from the district, taken a prominent part in the work of St. Mark's, and was highly respected for her sterling character. A public meeting was convened for Saturday evening last to discuss matters in connexion with a war memorial, but on account of the sparse attendance, it was decided to adjourn till towards tho end of May. GREENPARK. A meeting of the Provisional Committee of tne Greenpark hall was held in the schoolroom on Friday evening, Mr F. Hubbard presiding. The canvassers reported a most encouraging response to their appeal, the sum of £426 17s being promised. Further prospects made it likely that £500 would be forthcoming. It was resolved to proceed with the project, actual building operations not to begin till after the winter. Messrs Frederick Hubbard and Edward Yarr were elected trustees, and Mr H. Everest was appointed a member of the committee, and Mr J. B. Fleete treasurer. The meeting expressed great dissatisfaction at the Railway Department not acceding to the district's earnest appeal for new stock-trucking yards. SOUTHBRIDGE. Mr H. J- Sutton presided over the montlily meeting of the Southbridge District High ochool Committee. A letter from tho Board of Education in regard to the coal supply for school use was duly considered, and the secretary was instructed to furnish the information asked for. The chairman and treasurer wcro appointed trustees for tho technical calsses fund. It was decided to call tenders ior the grazing rights (sheep ouly) over tho school ro- | creation ground. Appreciation was expressed of the good work done by Messrs M. Twiss and W. J. McEvedy, members of the lato committee, in connexion with the recent school picnic. The following resolution was carried.— "That in the opinion of this committee the Board of Education, when providj ri T a new secondary room, should, if possible, build the room separate from J;

the present school, as tho studies of' advanced pupils can be more satisfactorily carried on in a separato building." The committee was of opinion that when the preparations for Ponco celebrations -were being made, every . effort should be mado to make the occasion a children's dav, so that the j children would remember it all their lives. Mr Rowe made a suggestion that at the nest meeting the question of a school Roll of Honour should bo fully discusscd. SEBGEMERE. * To commemorate the complete liquidation of the hall debt, the Sedgemere Hall Committee entertained subscribers to the building fund at a social on Thursday evening, at which there was a very large attendance. The evening was spent in dancing, tho ladies of the district providing an excellent supper. Mr J. T. Parker, chairman of tho Hall Committee, in the course of a short speech, said that it was at first thought that if the committee was able to raise enough to put up :i. shell of a building, costing about £200, it would do very well, but the response to tho appeal for subscriptions had been so generous that, instead tliey wero ablo to erect a building costing £500. The Sedgemere people heartily appreciated the help given by residents: of other parts of {.ho Elle.sniere district. Mr TV. E. Sillies made a suitable speech on behalf of the visitors, thanking the residents of Sctlgeuiere for their hospitality. LEESTOX. Tlio children attending the Leeston School wero addressed by tho Rev. P. Jones, on the eve of Anzau Day? upon tho landing of the Allied forces 011 the Gallipoli Peninsula. The headmaster (Mr A. W. Green) thanked the Rev. Jones for giving the. address, and hearty cheers wore given for the Anzacs. At the master's request, the Rev. Jones presented four certificates from tlu> Navy League for prize essays sent by A. Stringer, M. Brown, Edna Clausen, and Millie Free, and other prizes won by A. Green, P. Townshend, and E. Jaekman. SHEFFIELD.

A very largo number of lady members of the Presbyterian Church, together with other friends, met at the manso to bid farewell to Mrs J. Gillanders, who is leaving the district. Mrs W. J. Baxter presented Sirs Gillanders with a beautiful handbag, and Mrs Innes, in a very pleasing little speech, made reference to her sterling qualities) and to tho loss the district was sustaining by her departure. During the afternoon there was a competition, which was won by Miss Annie Baxter. Musical items were given by Mosdames Smellie and Bradley, and Misses McMillan and I. Johnston. Afternoon tea was dispensed on the lawn. Anzac Day was commemorated at tho Waddington School, where the children gathered, and were addressed by tho Revs. TV. P. Hughes and J. Johnston. After saluting the flag and singing the-National Anthem, tho children were dismissed for the day. In tho evening tho Sheffield Hall was filled to hoar the free concert given by the recently-formed Sheffield Orchestra, and Choir, under the leadership of Mr G. Wright. The first half of tho programme was sawed, and tho second half patriotic. During the evening Mr TV. Jenkins, president of the Patriotic Committee, welcomed homo tho boys recently returned, of'whom there are now a fair number. The last of tho souvenirs were presented to James Johnston (Flying Corps), John Jebson, , and Fred Hilton. The total number presented is 99. Tho ladies of the district presented a flag for the uso of tho district for patriotic purposes and dtlier suitable functions. The flag was handed to Mr Jebson, he being tho longest resident in the district, to tako charge of. The sum of £-1 los was collected for the Returned Soldiers' Building Fund. AKAROA. At tho last meeting of tho Akaroa- i Wainui Road Board, held at Duvauehello, the chairman (Mr Geo. Armstrong) said they were losing the ser- : vices of thoir temporary clerk, Mr W. G, Black. For over eighteen months ho had filled the position -with conspicuous ability and success. Tho chairman's remarks were endorsed by 1 Messrs W. Warner and IX McKay, and ' as a token of its appreciation, tho Board voted him a special 1 war bonus . of £15. Before, tho meeting closed, the chairman thanked members for their work during tho year, and for the very cordial support they had always been ready to . give to' him. They wero closing the year with a credit balance of nearly £900, but there wore many urgent claims on it for metalling roads, etc., before tho winter set in.

At tho last meeting of the Akaroa. Boating Club, the resignation of Mr Geo. Checkley as one of the club's trustees, was received with regret. The election of another trustee was deferred until the first general meeting. It was reported that the recent dance in aid of the club's funds had netted neairly £10. The children attending the Takamatua School were given their annual treat on Friday. Their needs were attended to by the members of the School Committee and Miss Dearsley, their teacher. When the sports were over, youngsters and adults assembled in the ■schoolroom to take part in a short Anzac Day service. The gathering was addressed by Mr Geo. Armstrong, Mayor of Akaroa, who exhorted his hearers, the young l'olk especially, to never neglect commemorating Anzac Day in the right spirit. The committee of the District High School met on Thursday. It was resolved to close the school for tho term holidays on May 2nd, and reopen on May 19th. The committee met some members of the High School Board, and discussed certain phases of the hostel question. Members of both bodies agreed that the best way to raise the roll number of the secondary department was by having a hostel, under efficient management, whereat the girl boarders could take up their domestic science course, and the boys a portion of their rural course.

The committee of the Akaroa Football Club met. on Thursday, Mi* C. Hall presiding. Arrangements wero mado to play a return match with Little River on May 3rd. It was resolved to enter one team for tho Peninsula Banner competition. A strong sub-committee was appointed to organise and carry out a series of social gatherings, the net proceeds to go towards defraying travelling expenses in connexion with Banner matches. Mr Curry was deputed to act as secretary during Mr Bruce's absence in the North Island. Four new members "were elected. The committee accepted with thanks tho. offer of Mr and Mrs McKillop of a trophy, to bo awarded at the committee's discretion, at the close of the season. The Technical School managers held their first meeting this year on Thursday night, when Mr J. D. Bruce presided over a full attendance. Mr A. It. Munro was elected hon. secretary, and Mr J. S. Dodds hon. treasurer. Arrangements were made to commence classes for adults in woolsorting, wood- . work, mechanical drawing, and dress- j making. Last year's results, war cir- | cumstances being considered, wero regarded as satisfactory. CHERTSEY. The Chertsey Hall was weil filled oil Friday night,* when a concert anu dance were held in order to raise . to build a shelter shed at the public school. Most of the items were provided by the school children, and were very well received. "Little 80-Peep and "The Sunflower" were items which called forth a great deal of applause. In addition to the children's iteins, It. Kailiday sang, and also played a violin solo and Miss T. Behrens savo a ,

1 song. After the concert supper was served and the floor cleared for dancing, tlie music lor which was provided by Mrs Havdock, Misses Dowme and Haydo;!;. and Mr "\V. Rankiu. Financially . tht> function was quite successful, as 'wi r h the Board's and Department s such ; jidics it is expected the ?imoi}ut raised •will suffice. RAKAIA. On Anzac night there was a small attnn'iance at the combined memorial serSoo hohl in the Town Hall. Tho Rev jc X Blahiston delivered a suitable address' and the Rev. A. Morrison read from the Book of Judges the account of C.idcon and his three hundred warriors overthrowing the hosts of Midian. ASHBURTOX. The Mouni Soiners train did not arrive in Ashburton until 12.30 p.m. on. Saturday, owing to a truck being derailed about Wester field. ' Owin-v to the severe trosts and the chorta«T(? of feed, the milk supply at the Stavelev factory has dropped concidcrablv and tho factory will close down about the end of nest month. The output of cheese for the year will about 170 tons. a meeting of the directors of tho fit iveicv Dairv Company, a resolution v;»V unanimously passed expressing -the opinion that as the dairy industry had erhslantinllv increased in the Ashburton Countv, it should hare direct representation on the Lyttelton Harbour Bonr*. A similar resolution was carried liv the directors of the Asliburton Dairv "Commnv on Saturday. . The Tinwald Town Board met on Inflnv. Mr F. V\ 7 illiams presiding. iho Raiiwavs Engineer wrote stating that, tlie maintenance of the pi no culvert fronting the goods shed was beyond the iurisdiction of the Department. It was decided to remove tho culvert and leave the drain open. Members decided to oive the Canterbury Progress Leagues remits hearty support; also to support the Balmerston North Chamber or Commerce resolutions regarding nont highways and their control, iiie Board decided that it could not undertake to carry out what it considered was departmental work in connexion with the re-valuation of the district. It was resolved to give notico to strike a general rate of Id in the £• •V meeting of tho Ashburton County Teachers' Institute was held on Saturduv, the president (Mr A. L. Moore) in "the chair. Mr C. T. Aschman, of tho Training College Cliristchurch, «avo an interestmg and instructive ad-

(Ires* on the position a child, as an individual, should occupy in the school and the problem of teaching. . The addross evoked au interesting discussion, and Mr Asclnnan was accorded a rot© of thanks. HINDS. The annual meeting of (the parishioners of St. Luke's Church, Hinds, was hold in the hall, when, there was a good attendance. Tlio vicar, tho J. F. Feron, occupied the chair.* His report dealt with the progress of churchwork in the district, which was in a satisfactory state. The churchwardens report showed a credit balance ox lis, and that {subscriptions were com- | in"- i n frcelv. After <tlio usual votes ot thanks, the'following officers were electeel: —Messrs J. Scales and J. Cook (churchwardens), Beckley, Cottain, Hampton, Jaine, McCleary, Mulligan, Noble, Rogers, Thompson, Williams (vestry). | geraldine. On Friday the statutory meeting of tho Geraldinc* Co-operative l>airy Company was held. Mr Campbell The reports showed that since October last 70 tons of lirsrt-grade cheese had been turned out, and 15 tons of butter the formor valued at £7000 and the" latter at £2100; that the financial: position was sound, and that the prospects for next season were very promising. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring directors and the manager, Mr J. Craig. Th© election of directors resulted as follows: —Messrs I>. Wilkinson, A. Cruickshank, W. Turner, A. Hodson, W. Hawlie, H. Smith, F. Richards, and S. Gale. _ A half-holiday was observed'hero ml honour of Anzac Day, and there were special services morning and evening at tne Anglican Church, Canon_ Staples Hamilton delivering appropriate addresses. The evening service- was largely attended. The Returned! Soldiers' Association held a dinner in the Crown Hotel, at which, about 70 were p'resent. Major Hutton was in th© chair. The following toasts were honoured: —"Tho King," "Our Fallen; Comrades," and. "The Navy and Army." The soldiers also held: a ball in the Drill Hall, which was decorated by the ladies. There was a large attendance, and the function was deemed; a great success. WAIMATE. At. the annual meeting of th© Waimate branch of the Farmers' Union, the retiring president, Mr Thomas Manchester said the Government should; have fixed the price of fowl wheat as well as milling wheat. Mr John. Bitchener was elected president, Mr J. H. Milne vice-president, and Mr AV. F. Cheverton treasurer. The old committco was re-elected with th© addition; of Mr James Mac Master. The mcdical practice of 3>re. Barclay and Cruickshanks lias been purchased by Dr. Stuart Scoular,.a New Zealander recently back from three years' active service, and formerly senior house surgeon at the "Wellington Hospital.