THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17460, 22 May 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Fanners. In the course of his address at Pukekohe last week, Mr Massey congratulated the district on- its excellent appearance, : and .remarked that the country had been fortunate in experiencing two good Beasons. During tho last month or so he had seen a good deal of the country from Canterbury in the south and as far north as the North Auckland district, and it bad been the same everywhere. When he returned from 'England some months ago some people were under the impression that "the bottom had fallen out of New Zealand." He had said then that, given a chance, the Dominion would recover. • The country was making a very satisfactory recovery. _ The Prime Minister added that he did not often indulge in saying "I told you so, but perhaps he would be forgiven if he said so on this occasion. (Laughter.) A well-known dairy farmer told aWaipa "Post" reporter that during all the years he had been on the land near Te Awamutu he could rernembei nothing like this season. "It is the best autumn season for milking have ever had," he unhesitatingly declared, adding that the pastures remained marvellously -well. They maintained their spring-like freshness, the growth being phenomenal. The result was a prodigality of good feed. In these circumstances stock would face the coming winter in. good condition. This was a particularly happy augury, as the stock would start the ensuing season under more favourable circumstances than heretofore. The abnormal season has compensated a great deal for the fall in prices. _ "It ■won't fully cover \us, but it will go a long way toward helping us out or the trouble," he concluded. The Canterbury A. and P. Show this year will be held on Thursday and Friday, November 9th and'loth. BELFAST. Saturday evening socials have become very popular, in Belfast ®nd those who patrobised the one on Saturday organised by' tho bowling and tennis sections of the Belfast sports club. are most enthusiastic in then. - praise. Cards were provided up till 10 p.m. for those not fond of dancing and Mrs C. Barnes and Mr E. Rudluii proved their, superiority over all comers. A special feature of the evening was a number of old fashioned dances included in the programme, among; them being the first set of quadrilles, the waltz cotillions and the barn danoe.. . Young and old entered into the social spirit of the dancing m great style and although there were only about four couples who knew the barn danoe when it was first announced, after it had been in progress for five minutes gay young jazzers and sedate old "plodders" tripped gaily round the room, together keeping time to excellent musio provided by Lawrence s orchestra, A guessing competition for, a bag of flour, was won, by Mr. \V. Jiibbard: Messrs C.. Clarke and A. L. Harrington, as M.C.'s, - earned out their duties in & very satisfactory manner and a dainty supper handed round by the ladies and gentlemen of tlie tennis and bowling sections waß mucn appreciated 1 . \, ' MAIKEHAtX. A meeting'of the ■■Mairehau. ITall Committee was held on Thursday night, when there were • .present Messrs J • Dunick, H.. Borgfeldt; L. Wilson, W. Gr. Lintott, _E. Lange, W. J. Waited. It , was decided to call a public meeting to consider the erection of a memorial to the Mairetau boys who were killed at the war.- It was decided to commence the winter eudlire tournament- next Thursday night, and that a medal be jgiven to tho player gaining the besfavferage for. the season. < Several , "improvements * in pontoxiori with the hall were agreed to. Mr Wilson was appointed caretaker. _ The young people of tho district are forming a Mutual Improvement Society. Evenings, will bo held for -debating, inusic, elocution; :and social - gatherings. : Mr. and Mrs A.' H. Parish; who have been old residents of the district, and have recently moved to Sumner, are to be tendered a complimentary social on May 30th. LAUBIiTON. The monthly- meeting of the Young Peopled Bible Class, in connexion with the Lauriston. Presbyterian Church was held on Thursday evening, the: subject under, discussion. being "David and Absalom." The ltev. A. S. MoiTison presided, and an interesting paper was' read by Mr E. Norrish. . ■ A. meeting of t)he- managers of- the Lauriston Presbyterian Church was held in the church on Thursday evening to consider various improvements and alterations to the chiirch. The. dry Spell which had prevailed for several weeks came to an end early last week, when steady raiii set in, continuing' at intervals until Thursday nigjht. The rainfall will be of great, benefit to the district, and it was especially, appreciated by those-who are dependent Uponi" the rain for their water supply. The. tanks were in some cases practically empty. •At a meeting of members of the Lauriston'Euchre Club it was decided to hdld a series l of progressive euchre parties, followed, by dancing, during the forthcoming winter. The first of the series is to take place in the school on Friday evening next.