THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17430, 15 April 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Farmers. Tho championship cow at. the Sydney Centenary Show was a Canterbury-bred Shorthorn. She was bred by Mr Thomas Doughty, of Methven, and was purchased at the Canterbury A. and P. ©how four years ago by Mr Fred Fairey, of Nelson, who sent her over, accompanied by a prize-taking Hereford bullock bred by Mr Frank Moore, of wanganui, to compete in the fat cattle sections. This is the sixth occasion that Air Fairey hae competed at tho Sydney Royal, and as the competition on this occasion was reported as certain to be keen, his success was an achievement of note. In the Laghmor, Westerfield, Mayfield, Lismore, and Maronan districts feed for stock can be seen in abundance on all side 6, and with thousands of acres of turnips, the prospects for all stock wintering well have never been brighter. At the back of the ranges the outlook, however, is far from cheerful, and just now feed is very scarce, owing to the luck of rain. Fortunately the runs are lightly stocked. The low price of stock just now is adversely affecting the stamp of bull bought by small cWrvmen. At the Supreme Court at Wellington on "Wednesday, a witness stated that he had paid only £2 for a bull. With calves not paying for the rearing, a. pedigrea bull, or, indeed, any particular ca.ro in the choice of n bull, waa unnecessary. "The_ bull, then,'' said Mr Justice Hosking, "is merely bought for the purpose of bringing the cow into milk?" The witness agreed, stating that ho intended rearing no more calves. Yet another requirement in political candidates has been discovered (states the Auckland "Star"). Several farmers in To Awamutu were discussing tha various candidates for the Waakato seat at the next election. After a review of policies, none of the farmers concerned seemed to find any particular fancy for any of tho candidates. Finally, oiio of the made a decisive discovery. "So-and-so is a Jersey supporter —he will do me!" And they were all evidently of the same opinion. .The fact that the application of scientific methods in farming handsomely repays the fanner has frequently been emphasised, and the experience of a Manawatu dairy farmer during the present season aives further point to the statement. The farmer in question recently stated that in spite of the low prices realised for butter-fat early in the season, his milk dheque this year would be almost as large as that of last, He has been testing his herd for some years, and judicious culling haa increased the average yield of his cows. KAIAPOL An alarm of fire was given at Kaiapoi at about midday yesterday, the outbreak occurring in a shed at the side of Mr F. Clark's premises in Charles street. The fire was suppressed before any serious damage tvas done. A cricket match was played at the Kaiapoi Park yesterday afternoon between the butchers and freezers of the Kaiapoi Freezing Works. The result waa a win for the freezers by 91 runs. The freezers made 28 and 137; butchers compiled 43 and 81. con. The billiard tournament was won by J. Mackenzie, the runner-up being R. Good. Mr Johnson, in presenting the tfophy, a pair of military hair brushes, said he lhad received great pleasure from watching the games, ana hoped that in future two prizes would be given. Mr Mackenzie suitably replied. PEEBBLETON. The football : club ppened the season last_ Saturday with a friendly match against- Riccarton, which ended in a draw, neither side scoring. The local club has been strengthened this year by a number of players from Halswell, where a sports cluo has been formed. The football players, not being strong enough to go on their own, have cast in their lot with the Prebbleton Club. A good showing is expected this year from them. The local Hall has been engaged by the club for night training, which should have a beneficial effect on the team work.

SPBINGSTON. On Tuesday evening a surprise party numbering about thirty visited the parsonage for the purpose of saying goodbye to the Rev. and Mrs H. Ryan and family, on tjje eve of their departure forPapanui. An enjoyable programme of songs, recitations and readings was contributed by Misses Sullivan, Molly Sullivan, Gwen Ryan, Eileen Ryan, Ivy Mutton, Ina Mounce, and Muriel. Mounce, Mesdames J. W. Marshall and F. H. Blakemore and Mr J. W. Marshall. On behalf of those present ,Mr Marshall presented Mr and Mrs Ryan ,with a handsome silver cake stand and silver-mounted butter dish and knife, and in doing so wished them every success and happiness in their new home. Words of farewell and good wishes were also spoken by Messrs P. Armstrong, G. Pilkington, J. Mutton and W. Mounce. The accompaniments were played by Miss Sullivan, Mesdames Ryan and Marshall. The Rev. J. W. Parkerj, who succeeds Mr Ryan, arrived by the evening train on Wednesday and will commence his ministry by preaching at Springston to-morrow morning. LEEBXON. The annual meeting of the Ellesmere Cemetery Trustees was preeiaeu over i>y jut a. J. in wood. xne audited balance-sheet gave tne ?eceipca as t,4j.0 fa 7d (including a credit oaiance of £328 as iOd. Irom. the previous year;. I'He expenditure was £yb 19s od, leaving a credit balance of JXSId 10s 2d. Xne chairman said ne had heard many comments upon the improved appearance of the property. Appreciative reference to the work of tne chairman were made and be was re-elected. Mr A. McPherson was re-elected treasurer. Rev. H. O. Hanby wrote apologising for his absence, and asking to be allowed to hold over his resignation until next meeting. Correspondence was reoeived from the Minister of Lands in reference to the question q{ setting apart a portion of the Cemetery Reserve for the purppses of a shingle pit. It was agreed that no one should be allowed to take shingle from the reserve until the Ellesmere County, Council completed the survey. Appreciative references were made to the work of the sexton, who was voted a bonus of £7 10s. The members of the Ellesmere Domain Board carried their annual inspection of reserves under tLe Board s control this week. The members who attended were Messrs E. J. Cowan (chairman). J. A. Scott, W.J. Lemon, R. T. McMillan and H. Keave. Osborne Park (Doyleston) was first visited, then the Ellesmere Domain, and later the Southbridge recreation ground. After the inspection a meeting was held. Mr G. W. R. Osborne, chairman of the Osborne Park Committee, sent receipts for £IOO lent on a new pavilion, j and £3 12s for trimming fences. He thanked the Board for its generous donation towards the cost of tne pavilion and for the further donation proj mised. In the case of the Ellesmere Domain, it was agreed that tenders 1 should be f ailed for topping pine trees from the saddling paddock to the Killinohy road, and to Te-erect the judge's box and effect other repairs. WAIMATB. At a meeting of the Winter Show Committee, Mr T. Y. Gibson wrote stating that he was unable to judge *te utilitj cl&ssj and it was decided

to ask Mr Wilson, of vvaihao Downs to take his place. Mr A. Gapes also stated that he was unable to judge open classes (pigeons and canaries), so Mr G. Bundy (Ashburton) is to be asked to judge. Matron Lindsay, who was about to resign her position, but instead accepted sis months' leave nt {he request of the Hospital Committee, was the recipient of a handsome fountain pen, presented her by patients in the men's i ward. , HORNBY-ISLINGTON. As a result of a. ballot taken among the men employed at the local freesing works, Messrs Stanley Brassington, Robert Le Comte, and Albert Pyke were elected president, secretary, and executive member, respectively, of the Board ; of Control in connexion with the Islington branch. of the- Freezing Workwrs' Union. Alone; with Meagre D. Ferguson, l R. Harrington. W. Uren, J. W.-it on, R. Watson, \Y. Davis, C. Vickery, W. Dann, H. Sincock, and W. Weir, thoy will attend to union matters during trie ensuing twelve months. PENDABVES. The annual school concert proved a most enjoyable event, a large audience listening with interest to each item on the programme. Recitations were admirably given bv Eva Doig, M and Lorna Lambie, whi.e general amusement was created by the ang.ng of "The Alabama Coon" and vurioua nureeiy rhymes with appropriate actions. The other choruses gave evidence of careful and successful training. Tr.e children's efferts were aided by Misses Osborne, Rankine, and Plal iday, and Mr Wilnam Rankme, whose Kings were most pleasingly given, while a pianoforte duet by Misses Deal; and Limbic was much appreciated. At the conclusion of the concert Mr J. Lambie thanked Miss lJoak, on behalf of tne parents, Tor the trouljie she had taken with the children. Mi-s l>oak, who was presented with a bouquet of losas, suitably replied. Thereafter, Mr P. Doig, chairman of the School Committee, presented a prize to each cuild, as well as some special prizes given by friends. .The winners of the special prizes were: Sewing, Rent Watson, Delia Ty.er, Millie Scott, Ivy Chnndler; attendance, Archie and Ruby Cameron • map drawing, Harry Watsoii. Supper wa9 provided by the ladies, and tho rest of the evening was devoted to dancing, tho music for wtiich was supplied by the Messrs Rankine. LAUEISTON. On Thursday evening, the monthly meeting of the Bible Class in oonnexion witih the Lanriston Presbyterian Churcb was held, when there was a good attendance. The Rev. A. S, Morrison presided. Short papers were read by various members on "David, the King and the Man," and all interesting discission followed, jlr E. Norrish waa appointed sejretarv and treasurer of the Bible Clasd for the forthcoming year. At the conclusian of the meeting per was handed round. A social in connexion with the Lauriston Presbyterian . Church waa held in the local schoolroom, when therei was a good attendance; The Rev. A. S. Morrison occupied the chair and gave a. brief opening speech. Songs were given by Mesdames Crothers and R, Letham, Miasea Tucker, M.. Goodwin, A. Farquhar, and Messrs Oakley and Norrish; a vocal duet by Mrs ft. Letham and Miss Gates; and a song by Miss Grates with violin obbiigato played by Mr 0. Fyfe. The accompaniments were played by Mioses Tucker, Goodwin, Farquhar, and Killner. Mr Erison contributed humorous recitations and stories, which elicited the hearty applause of the audience. The Rev. Mr Hercus (Methven) gave an entertaining and instructive account of the work of a> home missionary in the iiiolated mining districts on the West Coast. At the conclusion of the programme, Mr C. Prebble moved a hearty vote of tlhanlca to the speakers and singers, especially those who had journeyed from Rakaia to render assistance; also the the ladies who had provided supper,