THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17433, 19 April 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Fanners.

The following re:>ly has been receded from the Hon. W. Nosworthy to the resolution passed at a meeting ot "neaigrower* which recently took place under the auspices of. the Ashburton A. ana P Association:—"l have to inform you th.it the representations of farmers have received the consideration ot tne Government, but, in view of the tact that the duty on wheat and flour imported into the country from Australia lias been increased on a parity witn the duty imposed on similar articles imported into that country from tne Dominion, it has been decided not to guarantee any prices for the ensuing wheat crop."

SPBINGSTON. A cicket match was played at Springston on Monday between past and pre=..nt plovers. The past players batted first !md made 76 (J. Keast 30 retired. T. Greaves 10). Tho rrownt playcM rinds 10G for seven wickets (Rev. ilPvnn 31 retired, P. Riordan SO retired. G* Thomas 14, J. Oddy 11, W. Mounce, 11 not out). For the past players, t.Tavlov, G. Pearson, and J. Reast divided the bowling honours, mid O. Thomas. H. Pvnn. J. Oddy, J. Wright,. \ Nenlc, and'F. Keast for the present players. Afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies.

LEESTON. With the obiect of raising about £ISOO for the building of a new primary s.-hnol nt Leeston. tho parishioners, of the Catholic Church throughout the Leeston narish. decided some six months ">Ko to pYomnte n queen carnival, and to wind up the money-raising, effort by holding a monster bazaar. For the purposes of the queen contest, the district was divided into three parts, and three f;»een candidates fwere chosen —Miss ■Marion McEvedy, to represent Southbridge; Miss Mary Greenan, representing Doyleston; and Miss Lizzie McOartin, representing Leeston. At frequent interval, during the last few months socials • have been held in suonort of tho three candidates. The ladies have been working hard for =ome time past preparing for the bazaar, which is now taking place at tho Leeston Town Hall, and which is the first bazaar hold in the district by the Catholic Church for ten years. The opening took place on Saturday, and was performed by Mi- J. Cunningham, chairman of tlio Ellesmero County Council, in the unavoidable absence of the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes. Mr Cunningham, vlio was brirflly introduced by the Bev. Father Finnerty, actingparish priest, congratulated all concerned upon the fine display they had mode, and expressed-the hope that tho financial result would be quite up to expectations. Splendid business has been done each night. The bazaar will be brought to a conclusion to-night, whan the queen crowning ceremony will take place. The stall-holders are a» follows : Doylc-ston stall—Mesdames M. Riordan, T. M. Holley, Winter (plain and fancy. work), Thompson and Miss K. Holly (sweets and surprise packets); Mrs J. Greenan, Misses Riordan, Smack, Stapleton (2), Greenan (2), Kegers, and O'Brien, and Messrs Godsel and Thomson. Southbridge stall—Mesdames P. Dugan, sen., J. P. MeEnedy, and Bern. McEvedv, with, a band of willing helpers, selling needlework, vegetables, poultry, fruit, and home produce. Leeeton stall—Mesdames M. Slattery, P. J. Eccleton, P. Slattery, Garty, P. O'Boyle, and Misses Bohan, McCartin, " Morgan, McClay, and O'Rourke. Refreshment room—Misses Kilbride, Quinn, Carroll (Southbridge), O'Boyle,! M. Stapleton, Greenan, Smack (Doyke-j. ton), Mesdames McCartin, Dolan,"and! Cuiran and Miss Hinds (Leeston).

PUAHA. The annual meeting of householders was presided over by Mr J. It. White. The annual report and balance-sheet were read and adopted. The following committee was elected:—Messrs J. C. Gibb, J. It. White, J. C. Harty, Jtohn Archer, and H. A. Heid. Mr J. It. White was subsequently re-elected chairman of the committee.

sPRiNarnsLD. Very strong nor'-westers have prevailed during the last week. On Saturday morning the firat sharp frost of the Beason was experienced, when 4 degrees were registered. Very little rain has fallen, though the higher ■reaches of Torlesse are snow-clad. Easter services were held in the Anglican Church on Good Friday and Kaster Sunday, the Eev. J. It. Hervey officiating. ' . . Owing to the sale' that raged through-out-last Thursday, the Presbyterian harvest thanksgiving concert and auction sale was not so welL attended as it would otherwise have been. Items were contributed by Mesdameß S. Smith, R. Innes, Taylor, W. M. Campbell, Misses Atkinson, Bates, Roach, Innes, Naismith, Jones, Master and Miss Itoberts, and Mr G. Williams. The accompaniments were played by Mcsdames W. Donovan, S. Clark, and Miss Bate?. Mr R. Gillnnders acted as chairman, and expressed regret at the absence of the ltev. Mr Bates through illness. The auction sale of farm products was very successfully conducted by Mr A. Atkinson. The bidding was brisk, and a substantial sum of money was realised. Before dispersing, supper was served bv the ladies of the congregation. T"he weight of an ornate cake, made by Miss McLeod, was guessed by Mrs Collins.

HANMER SPRINGS. Mr F. G. Hall, who was physical instructor at Queen Mary Hospital, has s.evered his connexion with the Health Department and left for England. On Fridav afternoon, Mr and Mrs Hall were entertained by the patients in the Y.M.C.A. hall, and made the recipients of a'handsome travelling bag and a leather handbag respectively. Dr. Shand. who presided, referred to the general regret which the patients felt on learning of Mr Hall's intended departure. After emphasising the ability displayed by this officer in his special work, the speaker went on to refer to his sterling qualities as & man. It was in this regard that Mr Hall had won the esteem and affection _of the patients who had been under bis care, and on their behalf he wished the guests a happy and prosperous future.