THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17402, 13 March 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

CANTERBURY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

annual report. The annual report of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Associa ion for the year 1921, states that the bal-ance-sheet shows a credit balance o £369 3s 6d, which has been carried to the capital account. The of the Association stands at 11<4> up of 882 annual members and Edi members, and the committee takes opportunity of urging upon the m - bers the necessity for a substantial increase in these figures. The commi tee has considered very carefully and ii y the question of moving the sheep pen to the new site by the sheep paddoct . Estimates for the building of the pen were aver £SOOO without any cover, and in the vicinity of £7OOO with only one third covered, and it was considered that the building should be postpone until this year at least, m the nope that the work could be carried out at less expense. With the probability or a Royal or National Show being held in Christchurch next year, a special effort must be made to carry out much-need-ed all-round improvements to the know Grounds. It has been decided that the time has arrived when the D' aU 6, Horse Stud Book and the Clydesdale Societv's Stud Book be_ amalgamated, and the amalgamation is now_ in progress. The new publication is being published by the Clydesdale Society, and all entries received by the Association and paid for will be included. An endeavour was made to carry out a series of lectures on subjects of interest to the farming community during the year, but the support given the movement was poor. It is hoped, however, that the incoming committee will again take the matter up and that the members Tvill show mora interest. Die Association's Show was held on the loth and 11th November, and was undoubtedly a success. Many visitors from all parts of the Dominion expressed the opinion that it was one of the best, it not the best, shows yet held in the Dominion Jottings for Farmers. A visitor to Palmerston' North, who has just completed a tour of both islands, told a "Manawatu Times" representative that the slump is being more severely felt in the South than in the North. In his opinion the most prosperous centre in the North Island at the present time is New Plymouth. "The writer evidently forgot to tell (says the "Manawatu Times'') of the money pouring into the grain-growing areas of the South this year, and also of the fact that, generally speaking, land is not so dear in the South as in the North, and that the farming community inthe South, to whom the towns look for the ready cash, are not nearly so hard pushed as the battery of speculating dairymen around New Plymouth. Some people who make flying tours of the country will try to tell the reporters any old yarn."

.Two more cases of reduction by mortgagees of mortgages over farm lands in Taranaki are quoted by the ' 'Eltham Argus," which discovered the original example of a process which may became commoner if bad times continue. In one instance the mortgagee reduced the amount of the mortgage by £I2OO. In another case the price at which the land was sold was reduced from £IOO per acre to £65. For obvious reasons names and localities are not published.

A correspondent of the Marton ' Advocate" says :■ —The new discovery that wheat straw—now almost» drug on-the ; market, and great heaps of which are lying in many be converted into as good a fertiliser as the product of the farmyard, has stirred up vivid practical interest in farmers and gardeners. The gist of the discovery is that certain minute organisms under suitable conditions will bleak up straw, digest it as it were, and surround it. with a sort of sticky jelly. Practical difficulties have been overcome, and it is now possible to treat straw in bulk. The product looks like farmyard manure, and may produce at least as good resultß. SOUTHBBIDOB. ' A well attended, and enjoyable social evening was held in the Town -Ball on Thursday evening,in connexion with the forthcoming Churcn of England bazaar. A large number or ladies' and gentlemen took part in a euchre tournament, the first prizewinners being Mrs M. Horner and Mr J • H. McErlain. Consolation prizes were awarded to Mrs J. Beamslev and Mr Alii. Cant. After supper,' dancing tooK. ■place to music supplied by Mrs rDelargey, Mr R. Hampton being M.y. The social was held in aid of the J 111 ? , stall. At a meeting of the vestry, held on Wednesday night, -it was decided to hold the bazaar on Thursday, April 6th. LEESTON. At a congregational meeting of the Leeston Presbyterian charge, presided over by the tßev. E. W. Walker, it was decided to have electric light installed iji the church, parish hall, and manse, and to raise the necessary funds bv ft canvass of church members and adherents. Messrs R- M. Robertson and H. J. 'Gray were appointed to interview tht people. In connexion with the visit of the Rev. Frank llule, it was decided to give the whole of the collections at Leeston, Lakeside, and' Killinchy services, with the exception of the envelope contributions, to the orphanage fund. The annual meeting of tlhe congregation having decided that the tea meeting and concert should be revived in the interests of the social side of church work, it was decided to hold the function on April 6th. The Rev. E. W. Walker, who has had a respite from preaching work for a few weeks owing to a tlhroat' affection, stated that he hoped to be able to resume preaching shortly. Many complaints are being made in the Ellesmere district concerning the new regulations issued by the Government in reference to technioal classesA great deal of effort has been nut into tlhe work of building up classes in various subjects by tho Ellesmere Technical Association, but owing to the new regulations most of the classes will have to be _ discontinued. The_ prevailing opinion seems to be that if the classes are allowed to lapse for a while it will be very difficult to work them up again. A sum of over £2OO was raised in the district last year by voluntary contributions fcr technical education purposes. Good progress is being made with hoiis-wiring work by a number of gangs working in Leeston. They are endeavouring to get as many places finished ns possible before April Ist, on whitfh date the electric current is to be turned on.

EAKAIA. The balance-sheet of tho Rakaia Miniature Rifle Club shows-that, despite the heavy expenditure on prizes, tho club ended the season with the substantial credit balance of £l7 2s (id. The actual cash handled was £152 12a lid. The principal items of income were: Donations and subscriptions, £l3 12s 6d; sale of ammunition, £43; and entry- fees £ls 14s' 6d. On the expenditure side the chief items were: Purchase of rifles, £lB ss; ammunition, £23 3s fid: trophies, £29 15s (3d; rent, £l3 8s: and car hire, £9 12s 6d. The total value of the trophies presented was about £W. For the coming season, which opens shortly, tho club has a valuable equipment, and from the frequent enquiries made as to the date or thews appears to Ua every prospect of another good year.

DOME. The annual balance-sheet of the Dorio Miniature Rifle Club shows a h«iJthy position.,. The club was formed on AprU 30th, 1921, and ended the season with a membership of 97, equipment about £2O, and a credit balance of 7s lOd. The principal items of income were : Donations, £l4 lis 6d; subscriptions, £2l; sale of ammunition, us sd; and entry fees, £9 17s. The o.uof items of expenditure were: Purchase or rifles," £22 los sd; ammunition, £23 14s 9d; trophies and medals, 13s 6d; rent £3 os: and car hire, £b 13s 4d. For the coming season the prospects are decidedly brigjht, as th€> interest in the club is very keen.