THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17609, 11 November 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Farmers.

The Courtenay Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Show takes place at oa Xiiursday next. .Notuitnstanding the absence of several hitherto large exhibitors, the entries show a very substantial increase over la" year's. Speaking at a presentation to Mr C. ii. at Palmerston Nortn (states the "Manawatu. Standard), -Mr W. D. Hunt, of Wellington, made reference to his recent trip abroad. "While overseas he had paid particular attention to iive stock. In America, Great Britain, and in Holland, which were the three leading stud-breeding countries in the world, the thing be noticed particularly was the importance attached to the breeding question. The selling of stud stock was a special business, and they had stud auctioneers and agents to handle the sales. There were no half measures about it, as they regarded stud stock sales as being of primary importance. As a result of his observations, lie came to the conclusion that New Zealand had nossibilities of becoming the finest stud-breeding country in the world, and he had returned here de-; termined to further this idea. A poultry club, formed in May last | by the Pidmerston North railwayman, • is reported by the secretary (Mr \V. j O'Donwll) to be in a flourishing condition (states the "Standard"). The membership now totals 125, and keen interest is being manifested in the egglaving comnetitions now being held. The principal obiect of the club is erturi'tinnnl, and lectures are given periodically by Government experts and prominent members of the poultry industry. The present location of the club is" the railway hall, but so keen \ is the interest of members that hopes a<re entertained of establishing permanent headquarters next year. The "Matamata Record" has been informed that one firm alone exported from the Matamata,, Te Aroha, and Morrinsville. districts over 30,000 calfskins last season. One of the primary reasons why such a large number of calves were "knocked on the head'' is undoubtedly tne fact that the majority of the farmers in these districts are supplying glaxo. or dried skim-milk factories. The legal charges which the farmer has to nay were the subject of a remit from Auckland discussed at-the Farmers' Union Conference at Wellington on Wednesday. Mr T. .W. Barrer (Wairarana), in supporting the remit, quoted the case of a farm, which had changed hands many times. The cost of legal conveyancing had added £ls an acre to the capital cost of this farm. That this should be the case in a country where the Torrens Act provided the simplest form of conveyancing in the world, was astounding. If a return were prepared, showing the amount spent in New Zealand in conveyancing and reconveyancing, it would astonish the people. Mr F- Mills (Taranaki) said that the facts quoted, in regard to the farm, were exaggerated. It was decided to write to the Law Society on the matter. SEFTON. The monthly meeting of the Sefton School Committee was held in the school, Messrs.P. J. Thome (chairman), W. Henderson, C. F. Davis, and J. Wyllie being present. A report submitted by the headmaster showed an average attendance of 58.6 for the month, with a roll number of 66. Attention was drawn to the state of the entrance gates and of the taps in the porch,, both being badly in need of repair. The committee decided to apply to the Education Board for new school furniture 'and for repairs to the gates, while the matter of the taps and a broken window pane might be attended to locally. The chairman, in reporting the purchase and arrival of a piano, submitted a proposal that the committee extend invitations to the parents of children attending the school to a musical evening, to be held on Friday, November 17th, in the school itself. This- was readily agreed to arid arrangements were made whereby a suitable musical programme might be obtained. This week two political meetings took place in Sefton. On Tuesday night Mr. G. W. Forbes, the Liberal member for the Hurunui electorate, took the opportunity to address a number of electors in the local Rink Hall. Mr P. J. Thorne introduced the member, and after the usual question and answer, on the motion of Mr G. seconded by "Mr Brooker, a vote of thanks was accorded the speaker for his address. Mr. S. Andrew, the Reform candidate who is contesting the seat against >Mr Forbes, was introduced to and addressed for the first time a meeting of electors on Thursday, evening in the Rink Hall-. Mr Brooker, after thanking Mr Andrew on behalf of those present, moved a vote ■of thanks be accorded him. Mr J. Mathers seconded this and the vote was carried. ■ The Sefton Tennis Club is indeed fortunate in possessing such energetic men amongst its memhers. Yesterday, when most people were making these, with picks and grubbers and various other implements, succeeded in transforming the-tangle of weeds and twitch into a bare,'.levelled patch, ready for the tarred shingle, which will form the first foundation.'oT the new tennis court. 'V*- ■■-■■■'■■■■^ ' A match against-the Ilangiora High School team has been arranged for Saturday, 25th. mst. at Sefton, when a cricket team from the same school will meet the local team. ASHLEY BANK. The monthly meeting of the Ashley School Committee, was held on Wednesday. Present: Messrs R. Collie (chairman). J. McNallv, P. J. Lindsay, JE. Whitham and F. W. Robertson. The headmaster's report showed that i the roll number was 51, and the aver- I aa:e attendance 47.8. During the month the annual inspection of the school had been held, while the school gardens had also been visited by Mr Austin, the Education Department's chief manual and technical inspector. It was decided to hold the annual children's concert next Friday, when a most successful function is anticipated. Mr C. Yovell, electric light inspector for the Kowai County Council, interviewed the committee and advised that the cost of installing the electric light m the school would be ahout £l4. It

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was decided to have it installed as soon as possible. Owing to the increased popularity of the progressive euchre tournaments that have been held under the auspices of the school committee, it has been decided to continue them during the summer months. The next tourna,ment will be held in the school on Tuesday. - At the last match the prizes presented by Messrs J. Wallace and Roy Bailey, were won by Mrs Coop- | er (Rangiora) and Mr F- Lowe, the consolation prizes going to Miss Phyllis Schmidt and Mr Doug. Starbery. Ideal holiday weather has been experienced during the week, the hot nor'-westers having given' place to .gentle easterlies. Crops and pastures are looking their best and present indications point to a good harvest. Most farmers are busy with surface-cultiva-tion to conserve the moisture during the dry spell which is likely to ensue. The roads are breaking up owing to the increased motor traffic of Show week. HAT.KT.TT. The memhers of the Halkett and West Melton churches, held a fancy fair in the Halkett school to raise funds to paint and repair the vicarage. An enjoyable afternoon and evening were spent by a large gathering. There were stalls of all descriptions and numerous side-shows. Withers Band was in attendance. After the. stalls were depleted, the hall was cleared and an enjoyable dance concluded a successful day. The sum of £9O was realised. ASHBUBTON. Commissioners and Mrs Hoggard, of the .Salvation Army, left A6hburton yesterday morning for the North; They were accorded a hearty welcome at the local Salvation Army Hall the previous evening. At the musical examinations held at i the Ashburton Convent the following [ candidates were successful: —Associate, I Eileen C. Kirk (A.T.C.L.), Ivy P. Barber (A.T.C.L.), and O'Grady; senior grade, Margaret M. Hanrahan and Eva Soul; Intermediate, Marie B. Crowe; junior, Mary Taylor, Mollie Milsom and Jean Maxwell. Preparatory: Honours, Kathleen McDonnell and Brenda Fullen; first steps, E. Kirk, Mary Drummond, Iris Potter Mary Hilliard, Moira O'Brien and Allan Potter. Yesterday was observed as a close holiday in Ashburton. A large number went to Christchurch by the morning train, while picnic parties went into the country,- and there were a considerable number of tennis players in the Domain.