THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17247, 10 September 1921, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

THE MACKENZIE COUNTRY. RE VEGETATING ARID PARTS. Messrs F. E. Ward (Instructor in Agriculture), 1?. Macgillivray (Fields Instructor), nnd M. Dalziel (superintendent of Canterbury Collejjo lieserves) havo just returned from a visit to tho Mackenzie Country undertaken in connexion with the experiment of the Department of' Agriculture in connexion witii tiie revegetatlUjr of iho and localities in tho district ; a suitiiDlo grass mixture for tins purpoho is bemg sought. Experiments with this ooject in view were Degun in IUiO when a largo number of grasses and fodder plants were sown to test which would bost stand the climatic extremes experienced m the Mackenzie Country, 'the result or these earlier experiments indicate the following have best stood the test:— Tall oat grass, lucerne, cocksfoot, sheep's burnet,. Chewing's fescue, ana yarrow. These experiments were made on comparatively small areas; the experiments now being conducted are on larger ones! On the Wh&lebac.i expeniiK'ntal area tho white clover sown in 1913 shows excellent growth, and the plants have spread considerably both from seeds and by root development. * . Messrs Ward, Macgillivray, and Dalziel visited the Haldon and Grey s Hills Stations. At Haldon fetation about twelve or thirteen acres of grass mixtures were sown—eight acres being sown in an enclosed area, and the remainder in the open. The mixtures included Cocksfoot, tall oat grass, yarrow, poa • pratensis, sheep s burnet, danthonia pilosa, white clover, poa» colensoi, sanfoin, and Grimm luceine. Arrangements were made for sowing an area of one acre of a . similar mixture at Grey's "Hills Station; an area was* also sown at the Whaleback experimental station. Jottings for Farmers. In the course of his evidence in Canterbury Agricultural College, Linooln, said tltat the best way to eradicate Califorman thistle from infested around was steady cultivation. lie would plough the land time and again until it was clear of the weed. No grass for hay should be sown on ground on which Californian thistle was growing, and a farmer having clean land should not buy any lhay if therfe i was tho least suspicion that it contained the thistle. At yesterday's meeting of the Canterbury Education Boara, the Agriculture, Manual, and Technical Committee reported that the following were the prize-winners .in oonnexion with tb° potato growing competition, IVM-JL-One hundred and twenty schools competed. First, Mead, 731 points; second, Shirley, 660 points; third, Killinciiy, 609 points; fourth, Prebbleton, 600 points; 'fifth, Lyndhurst, 475 points; sixth, Xai Tapu, 467%>omts. T'ae Jtodurance was the heaviest cropper. It was grown at Mead and Killinchy. Arran Chief gave the next best yield. It was grown at Shirley and Prebbleton. / MARSHLAND. A social was held in the Marshland Hall on Tuesday evening, the building being filled to overflowing. The (hall was artistically decorated with evergreens and flags. The piusic was supplied by the Mutual Society's orchestra, under the baton of Mr "W. Wfiitely. Amongst those who gave items were Miss Everest, Air and Mrs G. Clemence, and the Masters Currie. The committee carried out their duties in a very efficient manner, under the dhairman (Mr F. Free.) and the secretary (Mr G. Chisnal). The duties of M.O. were ably attended to by Messrs A. H. Myers and A. B. L. Smith. KAIAPOI, Large entries lhave been received tor the inaugural novice tournament of the North Canterbury Sports Club, which is to be held at the Drill Hall, Kaiapoi, this evening. For the convenience of those who wish to return to Christchurch after t'he tournament, the late train will stop at Kaiapoi. Members of the Kaiapoi League Football Club entertained their lady supporters at a most enjoyable social evening in the .Drill Hall on Thursday evening. Over 160 members of the Canterbury Caledonian' Society were the guests of the St. Andrew's Caledonian Society at a social held in the Drill Hall last.evening. The visitors motored out from Cnristchurch, and were accompanied by tie pipe band, which provided music for tfte Grand March and Highland dancing. Fraternal greetings were exchanged by the presidents of the Societies, Mr E. B. Simpson (St. Andrew's) and Mr C. S. Thomas (Canterbury). An enjoyable time was spent dancing to music played by tho Kaiapoi Orchestra. During the evening an excellent exhibition of Highland dancing was given by the ppipils of the St. Andrew's Society's Highland dancing class, and musical items were contributed by Messrs A. Baker, G. and A. Hirst. HAWARDEN. A concert was held iu Hawarden Sales Hall in aid of the local Sunday schools which are being organised in connexion with Uhe Church of England, and to help parents, by means of literature, etc., when their children are beyond the reach of a Sunday school. The total amount raised for this object is over £47. Four Sunday schools are already established, and other adhools and Bible classes, it is hoped, are to follow. S OUTHBEUJOE. The monthly meeting of the Southbridge Town Board was presided over by Mr J. C. Free. An offer from a Chxistchurch firm to put down asphalt footpaths at £9 10a .per chain was declined, the price being considered too high. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote "thanking the Boarcl tor re-forming and metalling Broad street, leading to Homebrook settlement. A

cheque won la bo sent to the Board asf soon as the work was passed by tho Public Works engineer. The \\ orks Committee reported that 147 cubic yards of shingle had been carted on to the roads from Kilbride's pit, and cubic yards from O'Boyle's pit Two leaking water-races required attention. Improvements to the road at Flood's corner were authorised, and the clerk was instructed to serve a goree-clearing. notice. Messrs McCann and Brougn's tender of £3O l-3s for painting tlie Town Hall, and Mr J. Heybourne's tender of £l4 for painting the Board's office and library were Tho clerk was instructed to call applications j for tho position of ranger and pound-1 keeper, and for the annual race clean- j inpt. The annual balance-sheet was considered and finally adopted, and the clerk was instructed to have it published for general information. RANGIORA. By special request the concert recently given by tho pupils of the Convent was repeated on Thursday night. There was a large attendance, and all the items were well received. The triennial visitation of the Presbytery's conimi;s : on to tho Presbyterian Church took place on Thursday evening. The members of the commission were the Hevs. J. V. Jaeobsen and J. D. Webster, and Mr C. Ogilvie. After meeting with the ''minister (the Rev. W. H. Howes), session, and managers, and putting the prescribed questions in order to ascertain the spiritual and temporal condition of the charge, the commissioners addressed tho congregation, which was well represented. Mr Ogilvie made an appeal for literal support of the Sustentation Fund to enable adequate stipends to be paid to those working in tho Church's outfields and Home Mission charge'.-i throughout tho Dominion. The ministers, in their addresses, warmly commended the minister, office-bearers, and congregation for the flourishing condition of the*church. They specially appreciated the work being done amongst the young people, and the liberal contributions to the support of the children's hones; and complimented the choir upon its proficiency, under tho leadership of Mr G. Gibbs Jordan, church organist. During the evening the I'ihoir sang two anthems, and Mrs Jordan and Mr 0. Keif sang the duet "The Divine Petition," from Stainer's ''Crucifixion." LAKESIDE. Tho Lakeside schoolroom was filled to overflowing on the occasion of a farewell social to Miss Bella Lambie on the eve of her departure from the district. The two rooms were beautifully decorated—one designed as a drawing-room and tho otJhor transformed into a ballroom. Mr J. Anderson was M.C., and Mrs R. Lambie and Miss Alexander supplied the dance music. Songs and gramophone selections were given, and parlour games were indulged in. Mrs T. H. Overton, on behalf of the ex-Red Cross branch members, presented Miss Lambie with a beautiful silver-mounted oak photo-frame, and Mr W. J. Nairn, on behalf of other friends, presented the guest with a gold brooch set in pearls and aquamarines. Both speakers referred in complimentary terms to the work done by Miss Lambie during t'he war period, and at various social functions, and assured her she -ifould carry with her the best wishes of all present. The evening concluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." LADBEOOES. Rain is needed very badly for the Cfops, which are at a standstill. Large quantities of chaff, lucerne, and potar toes have been sent forward during the week. There is a keener demand for chaff. . A concert and dance in ,aid of the Town Hall Piano Fund was _ held on Tuesday. A party from Chrlstchurch. supplied the programme,- every item being reoeievd with applause. During the interval, Mr Gabitas (chairman), moved, .a hearty vpte of thanks to the tii tEe 'car owners who conveyed them out gratuitously. The motion was carried by acclamation. A dance, for which the mqgio was/supplied by Mrs Schultz, Mr Gabitas officiating as M.C., was subsequently held. The Ellesmerd Dairy Farmers' Association are convening a meeting of local dairy'farmers for the purpose of ( discussing cream grading and payments for butter-fat according to grade. Also herd testing, and other items of interest to dairy farmers. HOBOBATA. • A very successful concert was held in the Hororata Hall by the school children, in aid of the Hall Curtain Fund. Credit is due to Mesdamea Critchley and Barrett, who organised the concert and trained the children. The curtain, which was badly needed, is of dark s&xe blue linen, beautifully embroidered, so, apart from being useful, is also ornamental, yhe programme opened with speeches by Mr Ironsides and Mrs Critchley, thanking the mothers and all who had helped to make the concert a financial,sue- j cess. The following is a list .of the items: "Sailing on the Good Ship Sunshine," Miss Kerr and Chorus; "Eight little Mothers," the infants: duet, Miss Ruth Derrett nnd Mis 3AMatheson; recitation, Rena Barrett; cooking lesson, girls; "Uncle's Farm! Yard," boys: Gavotte, girls; song, "Mickey," Miss N. Tate and Chorus; violin solo, Mr Scott; "Dixieland," Miss P. Critohley and Chorus; "Diilcie's Dream," Miss M. Oliver and in"Me and My Gal," Muriel Kerr and Ruth Derrett with Chorus. The second part of the programme was a play cleverly acted by Mrs Critchley and "her party. WAIKABI. Tho monthly meeting of the Oddfellows' Lodge, held on Tuesday, was well attended. Bro. A. L. Muller presided. Two new members were initiated, and a candidate proposed for admission. It was decided not to hold the annual ball this season, but to have social evenings dnring the summer months. It was also arranged to hold a church parade shortly. GOVERNOR'S BAT. The orchestra of t)he adult associates of the Boys' Athenaeum, Governor's Bay, gave a delightful concert recently to a large- and appreciative audience. Mr Cecil Manhire presided. Besides a variety of orchestral selections, instrumental soli were given by Messrs F. Tapley (violin), W. Newstead (cello), C. Crow (flute), H. Crow (clarinet and violin), and J. Manhire and F. Newstead (violin duet). Vocal items were contributed by Mrs F; Small and Mrs D. Colley. Two comic action songs by the Juvenile Choir did much to enhance the success of a very pleasant evening. ABHBURTON. At tho Ashburton Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., Nelson Joyce, a youth of 17 years, and for whom Mr G. H. Buchanan appeared, pleaded guilty to stealing a Dorse cover, bridle, and halter, valued at £2, the property of James Bell. Accused was admitted to probation for two years. Mr D. P. Garrick, who has been manager at the Fairfield freezing works for over eleven years, and who is leaving to take up the position of manager at tfha Belfast works, was entertained by the staff and handed a silver tea-set and salver for himself and Mrs Garrick, a-9 a mark of their esteem. The combined Ashburton and Fairfield Fire Bri-' gades on Thursday night entertained Mr Garrick and presented him with a goldmounted fountain pen for himself, anda pair of vases for Mrs Garrick.