THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16516, 7 May 1919, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

The Invercargill correspondent of the "Otago Daily Times" states that unless the weather takes a change for the better quickly the prospects will nob be too promising for Southland farmers. In conversation with a man possessing an intimate knowledge of the ruling conditions a reporter was informed that probably more than 30 per cent, of the oats grown in the district was still in stook. Another man informed tho reporter that ho had cut 50 acres only last week. There is also a shortago of feed, and flio turnips are not so good as usual. Generally it looks as if farmers are going to experience a • trying season. | The attitude of fanners to politics was briefly discussed by tho committee of tho Auckland branch of the Farmers' Union last weok. A remit from the Taneatua branch to the annual provincial conference was received, favours the , deletion of the rule of the union debar- j ring political action. Another from the Huntly West branch advocates that the farmers should form a political party to piotect their interests. Mnjor D. H. Lusk said the Fanners' Union should take a great deal more interest in politics than it did at present. He hoped that at the next election every farmer would see that ho supported men. independent of party, who would further fVi"- interests fid the tvospemy or tho country. The committee decided to support both remits. WATAU. | The Coronation Hall was crowded to ; overflowing on Friday evening, when a I ~ welcome home was accorded Privates F. ' Beaveu, I\. Foster, and E. Mitchell. Mr F. W. Burrows occupied the chair, and speeches of welcome were delivered; by the Itev. Canon Smith and the Rev. J. H. Thomson. Mr F. Foster, father of Private Iv. Foster, suitably repliod on behalf of the "boys." During the evening instrumental and vocal items were contributed by Mesdames McBryde and Templeton, Misses Coles, Douglas, and Mander, Messrs Line, McBryde, and Yule, and the Burrows family. After refreshments had been ■ handed round by the ladies, the hall was ] cleared for chlncing, the music being ' supplied by Miss Hadler. Mr H. C. Watson officiated as M.C. The Waiau Football Club opened the ■ season on Saturday afternoon with a match East v. • West. Each side put a• i full team in the field, and a very even i game resulted. For East, Smale and Nelson each scored a try, and for "West) I Hill and Smith did likewise. None of 1 these tries was converted and the game ' ended in a draw—6 points all. • Mr G. 1 Vi. Aldridge officiated as referee. Most j of the players were naturally much out of form, but towards the end some * very fair play was shown, and with a 1 few more practices it should be possible £ jto pick a solid fifteen. All ihe : players are very keen, and it is to be i ; hoped that the sub-union will be resur- - rected. At the conclusion of the game * afternoon tea was provided by the lady v : supporter.-, of the club. " I ! WAIKARI. c ! A meeting of the Peace Celebrations \ ; Committee was held in the Council c : Office, Waikari, Mr 1?. Evans, county c chairman, presiding. The secretary, Mr 5 1-indsay. reported that arrangements \yore !>eing made for tho transport of 0 ■ The Peaks, Medbury, Mason's Flat, and s J Horsley Downs school children to

I Hawarden, where they would join the ' procession. Sir Geo. Clifford had lent his motor lorry to bring tho Greta chjldren to Waikari, and a special train, was being negotiated for to bring tho Scargill, Omihi, and Waipara school children. Mrs Blunden reported that the ladies had arrangements well in hand for the luncheon to the returned soldiers. The chairman stated that in addition to the soldiers' luncheon, food, would bo provided for tho children, and also sweets, flags, and toys. A letter was received from the secretary of Derry's Band stating that they wouldl be at Waiau on the Monday, and would give their services at Waikari on the j Tuesday for £20 and expenses. The i Sports Committeo reported that tho arranging of the programme was well in I hand, and that tlie sports should bo held in Mrs Allen's paddock. Owing to the difficulties of transporting the people andi tho necessary furniture, it was resolved to hold tho sports in -the school paddock. It was resolved to give first and second prizes for best decorated car, vehiclo, and bicycle. j . SOCTHBROOK. j Mr R. Pawsey, who has sold his farm and is leaving the district,® was presented by tho residents with a dinner set. The presentation was made by Mr A Mcintosh, who expressed the. good wishes of tho residents for Mr and Mrs Pawsey's future wolfare. I RANGIORA. Tho ordinary meeting of the Eangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade was hold on Monday, Superintendent A. K. Tyler presiding over a good attendance. Tho resignation of an honorary member was received. It was decided to hold tho annual meeting on May 28th. Tho following resolution was carried unanimously:—"That the Fire Brigade expresses its regret at the Fire Board's proposal being turned down by the ratepayers, and that tho brigado ask the Council to provide an up-to-date plant." • j S W ANNAN OA. A social was held in the Swannanoa Hall on Friday, when a welcome home was extended to Trooper E. R. Verrall. Mr W. Kelly, who presided, presented tho guest with a gold medal, and Miss Ina Petrie pinned it on his uniform. After the presentation dancing and singing wore indulged in, the music being supplied by Mrs H. Winter, Mrs C. Leach, Miss Rita Winter, and Mr W. Knight. Before supper Mr G. Begg presented Mrs H. Winter with a cameo brooch in recognition of her services as musician. She was also presented with a bouquet of beautiful roses by Miss Marjorie Mcintosh. Mr R. Grant made an excellent M.O. LITTLE RIVER. At the monthly meeting of tho Little River Advancement Association, Mr T. Thompson presided over a good attendance. The secretary reported that ho had forwarded particulars of a property to tho Minister of Lands, with a view to purchase for a soldiers' settlement. Mr D. Richards proposed that the Hon. C. A. C. Hardy be approached with reference to the erection of a post office at Little River. It was resolved to take stops with regard to establishing a monthly stock sale. It was agreed to write to the Minister of Native Affairs with regard to a suitable water supply for the Maoris. It was resolved to seek several small improvements to the railway station. The secretary was instructed to make enquiries "with regard to establishing home nursing classes. The vice-presi-dent. Mr T. Thompson, read a paper on soldiers' settlement, after which a < general discussion ehsuod. On the < morion of Mr D. McLean, a hearty voto < of thanks was accorded to Mr Thomp- i son for his paper. j The rainfall at Little River for the i

month of April was 4.26 inches. Rain felj on nine days, the maximum fall being 1.84 inches, on the 9th. AKAROA. At a special general meeting of shareholders of tho Peninsula Saleyards Company, Mr R. Latter in the chair, it was unanimously decided to recommend the directors to increase the capital of the company by issuing 150 more shares. The amount so raised will bo devoted to the extension of the saleyards. Mr W. G. Black, acting-clerk, Akaroa County Council, who had such a narrow escape in the recent fire at Duvauchelle, is still snffering severely from shock and exposure. The_ worst feature of his case is that he is still bereft of the powers of speech and hearing. Mr Black was, this week, to have taken up a position with a legal firm in Christchurch. RAKAIA. A social gathering was held in St. Mark's schoolroom, as a conclusion to tho activities of the Red Cross Society. Mrs Boag occupied the chair, and a musical programme was rendered by Mesdames Gordon, Sharman, Penny, "Webb, and S. Holmes, Miss A. Hardy, and Miss Holmes, of Timaru. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the ladies who provided the afternoon tea, and to the secretary and treasurer, for the work they had done for the society. Mrs Blakiston paid a tribute to the work done by the president, Mrs Boag, in holding the interest of members in the work, and to the collectors for their monthly rounds of visits. Owing to the rough state of the South road through the Rakaia township, an increasing number of cars aro keeping the road to the left after crossing tho bridge. _ Though not properly formed, this is really the most direct road. In eight days a rabbit-trapper recently sent from the Bankside station 642 rabbits, receiving at five shillings per dozen,o£l3 7s 6d, in payment. It can haidly be doubted that on somo areas the trappers are doing better than the landowners. In' the main room of the Rakaia school the.open fireplaces have be?n discarded in favour of stoves of the American type, with an iron chimney-pipe passing up through the room. They are proving very satisfactory, and should reduce the committee's coal bill considerably. Just sis the early tvain from-Aslibur-ton came into the Rakaia station on Saturday morning a gig containing two young ladies pulled up at the crossing. At the same time the back strap of the harness broke. With great presence or mind one of the ladies jumped out and caught the shafts almost before the horse realised .that anything was amiss. The locality was a. very dangerous one for trouble to occur. On Sunday the Rev. F. Rule, agent of the Christchurch Presbyterian Social tServico Association, took the. Presbyterian services at Rakaia, and Chertsey. For the work in connexion with the Orphianage, Prison Gate, etc., he received support to the extent or £2A. The Rakaia branch of the 1.0.0. F., N.Z., has decided to celebrate the centenary of the Order this month by a concert. P.G. Bro. Talbot, M.P ; , D.D.G.M., of Temuka, has signified his intention of being present. A committee of young peoplo will organise a danco to follow the concert.

The section of railway. Rakaia-Chert-sey, appears to liave had more than its fair share of thrills recently. The series began "with the evening train from Christclmrch being pulled up within a few feet of a traction-engine and outfit at a railway crossing, then a mail was cut to pieces by the express, fallowing which a collision in the ltakaia railway yard resulted in the destruction ot sevor'al hags of wheat, and, lastly, cam© the breakdown of the express engine on Saturday! The quarterly meeting of the South Rakaia Domain Board was held on M~nday. There ware present—The Hon. C. A. C. Hardy (chairman), and /Jessrs T. Black ley. J. McLean, T. Morland, and A. J. Magson. It was stated that a grant of £30 had been received from the Asliburton County Council. This was included in the total balance of £148 15s 6d. The following accounts were passed for payment: Donation to Bowling and Tennis Clubs as part share of caretaker's salary, £30; pavilion repairs and additions, £5 4s 2d; labour, £7 4s 9d. It was decided to paint the old pavilion and the bathing sheds. The chairman stated that instructions had been given to havo tho swimming bath drained, with :i view to having it thoroughly cleared of weeds. A deputation | from the Bowling Club, consisting of Messrs J. Sowden and H. Haydock, waited on the Board to solicit financial assistance towards the building of a pavilion to serve the Bowling, Croquet, and Tennis Clubs. After tho deputation hrfd withdrawn, the Board agreed to vote the sum of £80 towards tho scheme. The meeting then adjourned to the Domain on a visit of insi>ection. The site for the proposed pavilion was first inspected and approved, and it was agreed that several very large pine trees alongside the croquet' lawn should bo cut down. In anticipation of Peace Day, the Domain is being put in thorough order, and members exp essed themselves as well pleased with tho tidiness of the grounds and with the good order in which everything was found. The employment of a caretaker seems to have been amply justified. It was agreed to have' the large hedge round the swimming pond cut, and to have repairs effected at a dangerous spot at tho rear of the bathing sheds. The nile for the bonfire was seen to be practically complete.

ASHBURTON. Tho annual meeting of tho Wakanui Road Board was held on Saturday, Mr J. Bruce presiding. The annual report extended the Board's deepest sympathy to the relatives of soldiers who had been killed in action. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £44 12s Bd. It was decided to hold the ordinary meetings on the first Saturday in each month. The annual meeting of tho Longbeach Road Board lapsed for want of a quorum, and the ordinary meeting was held, when Mr W. T.' Lill was reelected chairman. The Canterbury Progress League's letter in connexion with the proposed extension of tho hydro-electrical scheme throughout the county ivas held over for consideration at the next meeting. A deputation from the combined School Committees in the Longbeach district waited on the Board with regard to a sports gathering for children at a suitable centre in the district in connexion with the peace celebrations. A grant of £~2 was made Towards the expenses of such a gathering. It was resolved to strike a rato of 5-lSd in the £« '

Tho annual meeting of the Upper Asliburton Road Board was held on Saturday. Mr Joshua Tucker presiding. Tho report showed that the financial position of the various wards was _ as follows: —No. 1, credit £112 6s sd; No. 2, credit £174 Os 10d; No. 3, cr#dit £610 Ss lid; No. 4, debit- £113 6s Gd: Xo. o. credit £635 16s 9d; No. 6, debit £620 14s. The opinion was expressed that the time had arrived when a more suitable system should be adopted for dealing with the water supply along the Alford Forest road. It was agreed that it be a recommendation to the new Board that traction-engine owners, when returning empty from tho station, should traverse tho newly metalled parts of the road, the Board supplying the ooal, etc.

At a meeting of the Asliburton branch of the Canterbury Automobile Association, delegates were present from Christchurch, and explained that it was intended to call a conference of South Island motorists to discuss matters relating to roads and speed limits, so as to bring thom befom the Dominion Executive. It was lioped that tho conference would awaken interest in questions which wore vital to motorists. The Minister of Internal Affairs was bringing down a Local Bodies Bill Which would be submitted to the Dominion Association before being presented to Parliament. If the Government would not take over the control of the main arterial roads, thev must do as had been done in England—form a Board of Works, and the tax from the motor-car owners would be spent through the Board directly on the roads. It. was agreed that the tax should be on covers.

At a meeting of tho Ashbnrton Rucby Union, a communion Hon was received from the Mayfield Club, stating that it was intended to enter two team's for the seven-asido compositions to be held later in the season. The Ashbnrton Club entered on© senior and one junior team in tlif competitions, and the Hitih School Club entered one team in the junior contest. Tho Ttnkaia Club intimated that it would enter "■ senior nnjl p junior team in the competitions. Tho Canterbury Rugby Union intimated thH it had been decided to rail a conference of all affiliated sub-unions with_ a view to goinsr into matters in connexion with country football. TEMUKA. A. meeting of the Temuka Peace Celebration Committee was held on Monday evening. The secretary reported that the Road Board had granted a further sum of £5. Satisfactory reports were made in regard to the various arrangements. The financial statement showed that the funds available amounted to £126 lis <3d, while the sum allocated •was £225. It was decided to arrange for a procession in connexion with the religious service, and also for tho planting of an oak tree as soon as tho procession entered the park. Several fresh cases of influenza are reported to have occurred in Temuka, some of which aro of a serious type, children being included among tho sufferers. Two cases were sent to the Timaru Hospital last and on Monday four fresh cases woro report?d. The local medical men have arranged for a supply of preventive vaccine, and the doctors will inoculate persons as soon as the vnccino comes to hand.