THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17452, 12 May 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

THE AUSTRALIAN MERINO.

FINENESS OF THE WOOL.

Since the first merino sheep came cut to Australia the race has prospered in a remarkable way. The wool is thicker, it contains more serrations and mole waves, and it is, if anythingi mote supply than the original Spanish wool. The art of brcecfing has been carried to such perfection that fleeces from the beat sheep are now nearly twice as heavy as they used to be, neither have they suffered any diminution in their quality. Care in breeding has also eliminated any sheep in a flock which may -have produced rather stronger wool than- their fellows. In thus eulogising the Austraiia'n P'o* ducts, Mr H. Triestman, writing in a London journal, snys that certain marks, such as that grown at 0110 time by Sir E.imuel Wilson on the ■c-r----cildoiine Estutr, produced wool of such extraordinary fineness that it was spun into a thread, of which thoro would bo fully 61 miles in lib weight. average diameter of each fibro in that wool was l-1500;n, whoi'cas the best English wool from Leicester or \ shire measures l-G2oin. It is_ therefore two and a half times the diameter of the finest ril ' B " rf< \ ness of fibre iti Australian merino wool gives it it"; chief value. It enables it to be smin into thioads which are verv smalf, and which are thercloie capable of being made into tlio Very best dress fabrics. They are also used in the production of gabardines; or the verv. best quality. In such i» cloth ench strand of each warp thread would be so small tlint there would bo ever-19 miles of it in every pound. Mr Triestman's observations are. or some interest at the present ' ti®®> when efforts arc beins made 111 Boutlt Africa and elsewhere to produce "f>oi similar to the high quality Australian article. AMBERLEY. For some time the pupils of the Priniary and Collegiate tichool at. Amberley have been collecting for in'Barnardo's Honies. t)n A;jril 19th a box-opening afternoon was held in tne parish room, when the president, Mrs Harold, outlined what Dr. Barnardo s homes had done and were doing; tor children. Mr Jackeon (honorary secretary), assisted by Miss Winnie ■Allison, opened the boxes and counted tit© contents, which amounted to £<7 -los> the door takings anjounted to L2 Is £d. and a sale of toys realised £1 8s 3d, making a total of £ll- .The beat collector proved to be a little boy named Harold Adams, whose box contained a few pence short of £*• A pleasant afternoon was concluded by two hours' entertainment comprising songs, tableaux, etc. On Wednesday evening the members of the Amberley Oddfellows' Lodge and their lady friends held a progressive euchre match' and dartoe. The prize winners were Miss E. Baktr and Mr P. l'eathery, Mrs Smith and Ml*, G. R. Holton taking the "booby pi-iees. At the conclusion of the Cards, supper was' handed„ around and dancing followed. A meeting of the committee of tho Aniberiey Golf Club was held on Tuesday evening. Dr. T. Thompson presiding. Tile local rules governing, the course were revised and bogey was set at 40. It Was decided to hold a stroke competition which is tb commence on the 13th, to be finished by th<j 22nd •iiist. Dr. Thompson said: he would give a priae for the mftle member who reduced his handicap the most during the season, and Mr S: Frew stated he would give a prize to the corresponding lady member.' RANCHOBA. The monthly meeting of ora School Committee.. .was Wednesday, present : A. Archdall. (chairman), 'OA. Cfijfcb'ridg©,. O. A. Tyler, E. Howe, C. D. Gibson," W. L. Murray, T. Hannai, lifer. A. N.v Scotter and .Mrs Harper. .• lfc-sßfcJp'fe-! solved to close the school for-pother week and reopen on Monday. May 22nd. The headmaster ,fhfe A fbll number totalled; ;So&;;the,. ayorhgo' dir.. tendanoe being • The• • ; injectors had receiltly; paid a. Surprise visit • to the school and had expressed th6lr' satisfaction at the . organisation and general tone of the school. The headmaster \taS not at all satisfied with the classification, of aoffie of the pupils whose ages were too high fof; the class in which they HVere placed.. Regular, attendance was essential, as in, manycases the;: of Jhe pupilswas due-, to irregularity;:. , report was adopted. • It was resolved that' appreciatipn be made for the third time to the Board for the work of properly dividing the large class-room to be carried out. V BELTAST. The Belfast School Committee met on Tuesday. Present —Mr W. P. Spencer (chairman), Mrs W. P. Spencer, Messrs A. Jbhnstone, T. Morton, E. Harrjs, and A. E. Lawn (secretary). : The. report of the attendance at tho school: was _ received, and considered highly satisfactory. Mr Wicks (headmaster of the Spenccrville School) forwarded a, report of his school, which showed a greatly increased attendance, the humber 'on tho roll being now .18. | He thanked the committee for so many kind favours shown to him during his I seven years at the school, and inti- | mated he would probably bo retiring at the end of the month. Messrs Morton and Jbhnstone were appointed ft ! visiting committee for thd ensuing | month, OURUHIA. A of the Ourtihift Social Committee, was, held on . Wednesdayevening. Present—Misses ; P. Brown and B. Wilson, Messrs J. A. Brown, AThompson, E. A. Stead, and V. J> {Jamblo. ,It was reported that full arrangements had been made for Mir Jock Cade's concert party, assisted by several prize-winners m the recent competitions, to give a programme at the social and dance to be held in Ouruhia School on Thursday next. Owners or motor-cars ,had offered to convey tne fioncert party to and from Ouruhia, The proceeds would go towards purchasing books- for the library. Mr Stead offered to-provide special seating accommodation in view of the large attendance expected. i SETTON.. On Wednesday evening a most successful dance was held in the Rink Hall, Sefion, under the auspices of, the Kowai Football C/lub. Me?srs M. Earning and P. Uowe acted as M.C. s, spirited music being supplied by Mr W. Butler, of - Christchurch. Extras were played by Misses Fitznatrick and Bowbyes. Conditiohs somewhat in the nature of a drought hare prevailed thfotignout the district during the past month, the autumn sowing of cfops being in many, cases delayed through the ground being uhploughable. A gop<j soaking rain would be of material benefit to most farmers. HINDS. The annual meeting of the Hinds Ladies' Hockey Club was held on Wednesday when there wa a good attendance. The report showed that the club had had a successful year. There was a credit balance of over £3. The election of officers resulted as follows :-Captam, Mi&s[P. Daly; vice-captdin, Miss M. Dulton,

secretary and treasurer, _ Miss M. Hampton; committee: Misses E. M. L. Paterson, M. E. Hampton; coaen, Mr J. Cook. It was decided to haT© the opening day on Thursday next. ASHBUETOST. The Ashburton Druids held v their annual ball on Wednesday night, when about 70 Couples took the floor. Music ■was supplied by Mrs A. Mitchell's orchestra.

In a handicap billiard tournament, which took place at the Ashburton Soldiers' Club, for a billiard cue and case presented by Mr P. Martin, of ffliristchurch, E. Versey (15) defeated R. Bramley (lo). J. Ferguson (20) was third.