THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17291, 1 November 1921, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

METROPOLITAN SHOW. ' DRAUGHT HOSSES AND CARREERS' ENTRIES. At the Canterbury A- and P. Association's show grounds, at Addington, preparations for the Metropolitan §how, which takes place nest week, are in a forward state. As compared with recent years the permanent building? will, this year, present a brighter appearance as they have been painted, a necessary work that had to be postponed during the war period. The stalls, boxes, and sheep pens hare been cleaned and sprayed. The entries in the draught horse classes this year are the same as last ye?.r —93. In the carriers' classes there is an increase of 10—50 this year as compared with 40 in 1920. Regarding the total entries for cattle this year—3s2—it is noteworthy that with the exception of the entries for the International Show of 1906 (held during the International Exhibition) they constitute a record as far as the Canterbury A. and P. Association is concerned. The entries in 1906 totalled 389. WAIAU. As a contrast to what has pertained for the greater portion of the month, fine warm weather was experienced on Saturday and Sunday, and a continuance of similar condition for a -week or two would greatly benefit the pastures. On the stiff clay lands in parts of the district, too, a few weeks) of warm dry weather would be especially welcomed by the farmer, as all team work on these lp.nds has been at a standstill for several weeks owing to the waterlogged condition of the soil. Shearing is just commencing in the district, and the sheepfarmer in common with the shearer will be anxiously perusing the weather recast. As a Government Experimental Lucerne Plot is to be sown in the township, after the great amount of correspondence appearing in' the daily papers on lucerne growing, the methods pursued will be followed with- considerable interest. Several in the district have already tried growing this plant, and there appears to be no great difficulty in Eecuring a good strike and a very fair return, without much attention after sowing. It is noticeable, however, on one smali stand in the township, which has been down for seven years, that though it comes away very early in the spring, and produces a luxuriant growth in the earlier part of the season, gives practically no return after the New Year, though at midsummer the ■d' 3 " tance to the water is only 12ft. 6in. No doubt when the Agricultural Instructor is in the district he will be able to supply an explanation. Tile large Rink Hall in the township has recently changed hands, and is being thoroughly renovated, and seating accommodation provided. This will fill a long felt want; as, for a considerable time past the Coronation Hall has proved much too small for manv social gatherings held there. The latter building, however, is to be enlarged as soon as the finances warrant the work being put in hand. A cricket match between teams representing the southern and the western portions of the district was played on vhe Domain on Saturday afternoon, and after an interesting game, resulted in a win for the West, who scored 107 runs for five wickets to their opponents' 100. A team from the township visited Rotherham to play a match against the Rothsrliam team. This game resulted in a win for Waiau, the scores being: Rotherham 21' and 41, and •■Wa?aix $4 and 50. . V. AMBEKLET' • On! Saturday. evening a card match between the members of the Druids' Lodge and the Oddfellows' Lodge was played and resulted in a win for the Druids by 14 points, after a very keen and exciting game. At the conclusion, of the evening, Mr H. Dwan, on behalf of the Druids, thanked the Oddfellows for the manner .in which the members of his lodge had been _ entertained and for the sporting spirit ni which the match had been contested. Mr V. Rhodes suitably responded on behalf of the Oddfellows' Lodge. A meeting in connexion with the formation of a Golf Club in the Amberley district was held in the Towiußoard office on Saturday evening, when Dx. 1. T Thompson presided over an attendance of 21 enthusiasts. It was decided to form a golf club, the membership for which was fixed at men £1 Is, ladies 10s, and members under 17 years ,ss. Mr C "Wylde-Browne was elected secretary and'treasurer. The following were appointed a committee to view and secure suitable ground for, golf links. Miss Bain, Messrs Wylde-Browne, Frew, McWhirter, Oxley, and Dr. Thompson. A general meeting will be held in three weeks' time, when the committee s report will be read and officers elected for the ensuing year. BANGIOBA. A parade of the St. John's troop of Boy and Girl Scouts was held on Sun day morning -at St. John s Chut eh, a was addressed by the Rev. J. H. Fevon tli e sermon being m the nature of scout catechism. It proved ve y structive. After , the sermon nme "tenderfoots" were admitted as tun scouts., SPRINGSTON. On Thursday evening th e Ellesmere school children, under the direction ot, Mr Doubleday, gave an entertainment in the Springston Hall to a crowded "house. The plays, tableaux, songs,, etc. were much appreciated by tne audience. During the interval between .the plays, etc., the following gave items: —Misses L. Chamberlain, Ivy 'Mutton, Eileen Ryan, Gwen ®yan, Messrs A. Mitchell, A. Smith, R. li/lford, N. Chamberlain, and lonuinson. atfrs Quaife, Mrs Ryan, Misses E. Chamberlain and I. Tunmer -acted as accompanistes. At the conclusion, very heartv vote of thanks was accorded the performers. Supper wws handed round and a dance held, the music being supplied by Mr and Mrs Quaife. BALCAIRN. On Fridav, the- Baloairn Scouts held a, social and dlance in .the Balcairn school. The proceedings began with a parade, and the singing of the National Anthem, after which the Scoutmaster, in introducing the Scouts, gave short explanation' of the objects of the organisation!. The music for the evening • was provided voluntarily by a number of local friends, and, also tor. several d-ances by a Jazz Scout Baaia of 25 kazoos, a kettle-drum, and a triangle. Between the dances items were given by the boys, being chiefly specimens of Soout work. During the supper interval, a Troop Committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs J• A'ltzpatricb, H. Hurley, W. Dermott R. Ashby, and H. Jamicson. The following were appointed a Troop Committee for the Girl Peace Scouts, and the Fairy Soouta: Mesdames Dermott, Hurley, Habgood, and C. Smith, and Miss Dron.. Mr J. Fitzpatnck presented the certificates awarded by tne Navy Leaijue for essays written by we school children on ''The- Story of the Emden." pAUTt T«Ti. A series -of- euohre tournaments and: dances was concluded on Friday evening, with a haxct-up dance. There was a fair attendance, and good competition among the gentlemen for a special prize far the begt hard-up dress, which was won by Mr S. Bishop. There was no competition for. tbe ladies' t>nzfc-

Songs were contributed by Mr and Mrs Leamaoi, Miss Jonea, and Mr Yorgen&om. Titte m/usic was supplied by Lear man's band. Mr Toon played an extra, and' Mr Blain acted as M.C. ,Mr Holmes, on behalf of the committee and residents of the'district, presented a pipe aid case to Mr I. Bishop, who has acted as secretary, and worked in other waya, to make the social's a suc-