THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16701, 9 December 1919, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. OXTORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. The General Committee ct the Oxford A. ami P. Association mot on Saturday. Tho president <*Mr Myers) presided. r.iid there were present Messrs D. kinwke, J. T. Perham. P.. Davis, A. B-uctor, \Y. J. Reed. K. Judsoa, H. !■", Hendrrsr::. •). Budge, I>. -Vncall, L. Meyers, T. i-rame, J. .UcCirath, . FC.IXV, W. HlgglhSull, J- i". *-' r °y: an< * I. iiiini. lor ac-sence. otid rocoi\iii irum J'-- »' • > *- T nuis< \ , l.r. \V llltor, 1» . V> . I'. C^OJKTI', tMirr. uiiu li. 1-. v» ilmju. Jt wa.« acvku i to .wtviu tne invitation to visit caiitorOuiy Agricultural LoJt'to on Uf..i'iuoor lot;i. It u.is agreed w -ivc j,earty support to txie rcci>uiiucn!lat:oa 01 tne j\aiMH:ra Association lor tae y completion of lae .-until Inland ->i.till il': 1 :i I».M'way, ruid also c[ that of the Mot liven i..u "1 i-xp. rimoiiuil ii.riii in Canterbury. iho Secm,:i.il Committee:; appointed 10 revise inc. schedule, pieicnuil tneir reports, winch wen: adopted. Beside.-* interpretations the following additions and aitei ;.ii 'ii.- '.•i-rr adeptcd : — llorse most <viitnblo tor transport. Tv t n! <.I 1.0.-M- n.|li.uM il.l to .. i. T(.ree-rj uarter draught. Bi-.-t mannered ha"k. Bc.it matched pair of hacks ridden l>y a ladv and a gentleman rider, n-ot iK-. , e>sanly the property of one owner, to he judged as a pair. In the fat sheep classes- —to allow a margin of one pound, but the average weight not to exceed the weight in the -chedule. In the tmro'nrcd section clash's for Ryelnnds were included, and in :dl breed-; el"«v^ s for r:rn. rw> (twotooth), ewo (other than two-tooth), - ram iambs. ami - ewe i«mus. In the cattle sections additional classes were made, in the Short-horns and Ayrshire—and provision was made for country exhibitors. In the competitions a class was added for the "best lady rider," also weightguessing of a fat lieast —dead weight. The report ol' the Ladies' Committee was approved. Jt recommended that, in order to allow more room for display of art and flowers tho fancy section bo displayed in a marquee. It also accepted special priz.cs from the W.C.T.U. and tho Dominion Compressed Yeast Company for special classes. In the Hoti.eo and Dairy Section classes were added t'■ i* Mudc!' 1 ! cake, Dolly Varden, and Napoleon cake. In tin- tiower t were added for asparagus lorn, three cactus dahlias, and three geraniums. In the fancy section classes were added for by girls under H>. and by girls over 16 and under 21 years. In the art section classes we re i.cirU-d for oil paintings, floral, from nature, and for'bovs and girls under 20. The follnn-uiT now ricibcrc were dec ted Mrs J. T. Pcrham, Mrs O. F. Howard, Messrs W . Uripnt, I'. Howard, F. Manson, 11. Neale. and Miss Heavisido. Tlie president and vico-prcsidents were appointed to collect special and with Messrs T. Horn and J. McGratU to allocate them. amubi a. and p. association. A meeting of tho committee of the Amuri A. ar.d P. Association was held on Saturday night, when there were present—Messrs P. K. Dunbar (president), Beaven, Banks. Brown Chapman, Duff, Higgins, Knight, Mckic, Mercer, Watson, and Aldridge (secreR. Bean, H. D. Crampton, D. C. Macfarlane, and C. Higgins, were elected to the committee. In view of the annual show, to he held on March 16th, the schedule was revised. ~ , The classes for draught horses, which had been dcletod from the last Show, were reinstated as follows: —Gelding, any age; mare, any age; gelding or filler three years old; mare or gelding that has nover won a first prior to time of entry, since attaining the age of two years; brood mare, any age, with foal at foot, best foal; brood mare, any age, with two of her progeny, yearling colt, gelding, or filly; gelding or filly, two years old; twohorse team, property of ono owner; three-horse team, property of one owner; four-horso team, property of out: owner; best artillery horse; marc or gelding, most suitable to draw 30cwt; niaro or gokling, most suitabio to draw luewt. In tho pony section, a class for best polo ponv was inserted. The section for cattle was altered to read as follows: —Best dairy cow, any breed, any age, in ealf or in profit; best cotter's cow, for owners not holding more than 5 acres; champion dairy cow: fat steer, any breed, any ago; fat cow or heifer, any brood, any age. In the sheep section, the class for three fat lambs, any breed, any -weight, was altered to threo fat liunbs, whitefaced, any weight, and a class for three fat lambs", black-faced, any weight, was inserted. The class for pen of fivo fat Lambs, not to exceed 421b, dressed weight, was similarly altered and added

In tho section for store sheep additional classes were inserted for throo morino ewes, Rordcr Leicester ram, Shropshire ram, and morino nun. New cliisstM were inserted in the section for seeds us follows: —Best sheaf linseed, and best samples of turnip, rape, and mangel seed, not less than olb to ho shown. In fruit a class for ncctarincs was added. A ladies' committco, consisting of ?»fe>danics Bnnhnr. Forbas, "Watson, and Misses McKio and Lunn, was set up to revise the sections for cookory, liome industries, and flowers. In school work it was drcided to asl: the head teachers of the "VTaiau, Culvcrdnn. Rotherham, TTnnmor, and Lyndon ?rhools to confer and draw up a schedule. It wps resolved that for the field competitions for soft turnips and manpels entries should close on the same date as general entries for the >ho\v.

Jottings for Farmers.

The British sailorinan is recognised as a "Jack of all trades," hut ho was rather an astonished Invercargill labour ; ageut who received a nvjuest for a j position as ploughman by a man o' war's man in full uniform the other j day (says the "Southland Times"). But j evidenoe was soon forthcoming that the j applicant was an experienced man with | tue plough, and. as a result, ho was placed bv the agent who, by the way, is himself an ex-Navy man. Under tho influence of skilful hints the full story was told by tho sailor who explained that he had been sweeping the seas for mines for four years at thirteen shillings per day (seven shillings extra is (liven as "danger iny" for this work). His discharge, which he produced, showed that he had u month of leave yet before him with a froe railway permit. "But I have enough of travelling and ain glad to be hack in the be: t country in the world.'' ho stated. Si") he starts work behind tho plough —just four days after his arrival iu New Zealand. The goodwill of Dipton fanners towards the four soldiers now located on Campbell's settlement was demonstrated on Thursday, when 31 teams turned out to do a day's work (says the "Southland Times"). The teams consisted of four, five, and six horses, and the implements comprised fivo sets of di.-.c harrows, four sets of tine harrows, and one drill. The teams were divided into two different lots. The first, made up of 23 teams, ploughed 31 acres, disc

tarrowod the whole area. and ?owvd ' .acres in oats. Tho st-i<->Tvi lot. in 1 vi.ioh there wore S to ims. di*c plnir.hed W acres. The whole turnout, of "nor-o< vas in splendid rendition, and retlectod lie prosperity ot the district. Tho adics of t'ne district supplied an .u»uivtmce of refreshments. KAIKOURA. A cricket r.iavli was played ft'. Satltdav K..:wfen tonrr.s chosen ! y Messrs I'cnncr and Ilayward. The former cam scored f.t, and the latter IdO. A sale 07" work iras held on Friday, n aid ut the Presbyterian Orphann::e nd Mission Fund. Tho Drill Hall was •rowded, and, as a r-. ot the oifort-s ■>f the committee, a s-übst-an* ial >nni ;v\s ra'wd. Ir. the evening tho "Digger Pierrots" gave a concert, which was Tineh enjoyed hy the hugo crowd present. Tho following tolo<rrarn ha? heon received by Mr 0. AV. Forbes. M.l'.. from [ho Minister of Marino: "In reference to the tltV.O vote for tho fishermen's aoat harbour at K.dkoma. 1 iind. on making enquiries, that t Public Works eng'iicor at Nelson has now in hand the matter of making the necessary survey to enable it to bo dccid.'d \.s to tho work required, and a.< soon is his report is reco : vod you will he further communicated with." OXTOKD. At a special meeting of tho Oxford SV.C.T.I'., a resolution w:is passed, expressing sympathy with M Buiin m !ier idnoss. Mrs Ij. Anoa.ll w;is presented witli ,i W .C.T.I . btulgo a.s a memento of her eonue-xion with the Oxford Union. Several members spoke in appreciation of tho good work done >v Mrs An call and expressed regret at Her leaving tho district. Mrs hippeni>ergor road an interesting report of tho Provincial Convention l ehl -n I< V - trlton. Prayers wore offered for llio success of tin . ■>' meriin K closed with tho Bonediction. EAKGIOEA. Yesterday afternoon tho ladies of tho Methodist Church Guild and the_members of the choir, entertained Miss M. Josling and her brother, Mr S. Josling, who aro leaving to take up their residence in Christchurch, at a _ farewell social. Tho Rev. J. Guy presided. An excellent programmo of songs and recitations was given. A competition was won by Miss Partridge. On Ixdialf ot tho choir, the Rev. Mr Guy presented Miss Josling with a hand-bag, and expressed tho regret of tho members at losing such an old member. Avers I'tul others also spoke, after which Miss Josling feelingly replied, expressing her regret at having to leave Rangiora. KAIAPOI. Tho monthly meeting of tho Kaiapoi District High School Committee wa? held last night. Present: Messrs P. Dunn (chairman), Hirst. Trustruni, Howarth, Hopkins, Rcvell, and Hanson. Tho chairman reported that a canvass had been made, with a view to ascertaining the ntimher of pupils likely to attend tho secondary school. 1 lie requisite number having boon guaranteed, a letter had boon sent to tho Education Board asking that tho secondary department bo_ continued. With reference to providing additional playground accommodation tho chairman renorted that Messrs Andrews. Banks, and Spcn. ccr, of tho Kdueation Hoard, had inspected the site proposed by the committee, and wore of opinion that it wa.< a most suitable 0110. A letter was rooeived from tho Education Board enclosing applications for the jiosition ol headmaster, and the committee recommended that Mr R. A. Malcolm b< appointed. It was decided to hold ovoi tnc filling of the vacancy 011 the committed, caused by the resignation o Mr l'nvitt, until next meeting. Tin headmaster reported the roll number; to bo: Primary 415, secondary 14, witl average attendances of 330 and 11 10 speetivoly. PREBBLETON. On Thursday evening an enjoyabh tea meeting, followed by a concert, wahold in tlio hall, under the auspice; of tho Methodißt Cliurcli. A large number of people sat down t-o tea at tho bountifully supplied tables, and tho hall was also woll filled for the ronccrt. The programme was as follows:—Recitations, Miss Mavis Ritchie and Mr W. Jones; songs, Misses S. Down, li. Cade, Mrs W. Fehsonfold, Messrs D. Bishon, K. Down, MoredithKaye, and Hesvthoote Garland; instrumental selections, Miss Dohii, 'Mr E. Down, and Mr Fehsenfeld. Particularly pleasinp were tho selections given by the Addington Union Orchestra, which recoived a most enthusiastic recert'on. The annual picnic in connexion with she public school takes place at Sumner on Thursday no\c. l'ne members of tho committee have boon energetically canvassing tho district in order to sccure funds with -which to provide prims for tho children's raeos and other attractions, and given a fine day tho picnio should bo a pronounced success. The Brass Band, under the baton of Mr S. Cooko, delighted a largo numßfcr of residents by giving a programme in the village squaro. On every side, was heard the opinion that the band has made very crrditablo progress since its revival about a year | n&°-

HAIiKETTA reunion of returned soldiers and a welcome home to iScrgt. L. took placo ill the schoolroom on 1" ndny ovening, there being a very large attendance. IJ,:fore co.nineneug tuc programme Mr 11. Hayes said he thought it only right that tiio gatiiering should pay a tribute to the two men of t.ie district who had made tho sunreme sacri6ce. Ho then moved a resolution of sympathy wt.U their relative's, and also with Mr Hack, in tho loss of his sistei, who had died that morning. The resolution was carried in silcnco, all standing. Dancing was then indu.gcd in to music supplied by Mr Dunn, ox- t tras Ining plavid by Mrs A\ . Hayes and Miss Thomas." Mr It. J laves actod as M.C. During the evening the chairman of the Ualkett Social Committee, in tlie unadvoidable :ibseneo of Mr 1 Rove 11, said it had fallen to his lot | to inako a small presentation to Ser- j roant li Hack. He said that feer- i Scant Hack left New Zealand with ; the Seventeenth Reinforcements and j saw considerable fighting in I'ranee, , where ho was wounded. He was invalided to Eugland, ;ind after a long spell in hospital lie wsi.s promoted to a position on the Instructional C>tafl. a position he held until his return to ] New Zealand. The chairman then ask- J ed Sergeant Hack to accept a gold I medal, suitably inscribed, as a small ' token from the residonte of Halkett. | Tho recipient, in the course of his reply, said that although he did not enlist from Halkett, he was very pleased I to be able to say that ho hail been ' treated just as Veil as tlie rest of tlie local hoys. He wished to thank the residents for their kindness shown to him wiiilc away at the front, and also for tlie beautiful present he had ro ceived. Mr Wilson then .stepped forward, and said that he had ;i very pleasing duty to perfoim, and that was to make a small presentation to chairman of the Ilalkctt iSocial Committee, 'Mr It. liayes. I'jver since th<-' j inauguration of the Halkett Patriotic ! Committee, so'i'.i- five years ago, Mr Hayes had spared neither time ivor expense to further the work oi his (->iini mitteo. On behalf of t,h" Halkett. Social Committee he had much pleasure i. in asking Mr Haves to accept a ca*e of pipos. 'Hie recipient suitably responded. Supper was tlicn dispensed i' in the adjoining building. Tho waits ■ were neatly decorated with evergreens, 1 and tho tables with summer flowers, s The decorations vero very efficiently • carried out. by the ladies of the district, to whom much credit is due, and to whom the llalkett .Social Committee , is greatly indebted. After supper the I chairman proposed the toast of '"I"° s Returned Soldiers." liis remarks ocing supported by Mr R. Roper and Mr

Wilson. .Servant A llniston aud Fii- ' vat" V. 1)a vi> iv-ip-nded. The toast o! tho ■ • ci Jialketi' v.i- then nropoped bv Srf!i';i'U liulsion, ;uio n sjKmdcd to by .Mr 11. 11 aves. Dancing *va.s kept up til: tii? early r>" «•: t morning. WOODEIO). To n ilot-k n:.'~c:u.>d to i!i<- Wooden t 1 Methodic ( liiiir!-. :'»riv years ago. last .vrek \w;s attach.d .i hr.i.» unlet beai.ng ihf inscription : - "This •lock was ptv«i ntod by James lait-lo hi :oving memory «>t" in- lather a* l '' notitfi. who died at l.angwat hbv. Cumhcrlard. ISi I *'. TAIN SLOW. Ono ni tho most siuo.'ssnd socials L -vcr licit! in 'Winslow p'..uo in the j .:fhcolro<i"i on Friday evening. vonll ten;? were eiven by the schoolchildren in.lor th.' guidance of tho local tc*«.her. Miss Davidson, and Mrs GifTord pave several soup. After -upper had boon . erved a dance was hold. WINCHMOKE. The monthly meeting of the A\inehmnrMiroensiroot. branch of tae \V ( i 1". was held in the W inehmoro .-iMin-h Mrs Robinson presiding. The member* divided to contribute toward die expenses oi sending Mr« Don, dominion president. as delegate to the Convention, to he held m Ixmdon next v ca r. Ti c < ongratulations of •bo Union wore conveyed to the secretary <Miss McKay) on thu honour recently conferred upon hor brother in !>ciiiu awarded tho Military Modal. Th** •lection of officers res tilted as follows: — President. Mrs Robinson (ro-olected); secretary. Miss M Kay: treasurer. Miss I'rebble"; vice-presidents. Mesdames Prebble. Glassev, and Mcllroy. MOUNT SOMERS. At the last meeting of the Mount Somcrs lioad Hoard Mr \\ . 11- Turton presided. Several repairs were authorised to be done. Iho chairman stated that no applications had been received for the position of stock ranger, and as there were so many complaints of straving stock, it was decided to take e.'al proceedings aoain.-t owner? of any straying stock. The contribution ot "1(H) towards the cost of creation of the Soldiers' Memorial Hall was confirmed on condition that the names of all the soldiers from the Mount Somers Ro;id 'Vstriet. "tvere inscribed on the memorial roll. ASHBURTON. Mr It. > Forsyth, who is leaving Ashburton to lake charge of the rimarti branch of tho National Mortgage and Agencv Company's business, was ontortaniod* at. a public gathering in the Theatre Royal last night, and .presented with a Wedgwood dinner service and n complete sot of stainless cutlery. During tho course of tho evening, various sneakers referred to the groat business ability Mr Forsyth had displayed during ins four years' lesidenco in Ashhurton, to tho ouiet and liberal manner in which he had given his s n P" port to any movement for the good of the town, *to the valuable services he liad rendered as a memlxT and an officer of both the Ashhurton County Racine CI ill, and the Aslih'urton Trotting Club, io his active part in tho formation of the Ashburtou Amateur Athletic Club, as well as to other forms of sport. The* various s)>oakcrs wished Mr cuia Mrs Forsyth and family every success and happiness in their new home. Mr | Forsyth warmly thanked the gathering for its handsome gifts, and kindly expressions of goodwill. Ho was sorry to lcavei Ashhurton, but ho should carryaway with him tho most happy recollections of his residence amongst the Ashhurton people generally. TEMUKA. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr H. K. Gar>per. ,T.P.. Gordon Alexander Gillespie (otherwise Kennedy'), was charged with forcing a of £'10 in the name of J. W. Blacklor, Pleasant Point, and also with •itterin" the same. On the application of Sergeant Tonkinson, the accused I was remanded to Timuru.