THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17612, 15 November 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

METROPOLITAN SHOW. AWAEDS OF SPECIAL PRIZES. Awards of special prises and of the Shorthorn' Breeders' Silver Challenge Cup comoeted for at the Canterbury A. and P. Association's Metropolitan Show this year are announced as follows :

I Silver Challenge Cup, offered by various Shorthorn breeders, for the purebred Shorthorn cow showing the best butter-fat return at one milking: Gordon Stoddart's Taumutu Pink sth (milk, 371b.; test 4.4; butter-fat, 1.62 ! lb., Ist. Gordon Stoddart's, Taumutu : Duchess '4th, (milk, 2Slb 9oz; test, 5.4; butter-fat, 1.541b), 2. Mental Hospital, Sunn., side Princess Mary, »tn (milK, 241b 7oz; test 5.; butter-tat, 1.221b) 3. , _ I Engl sh Leicesters (Kempthorne Frosser and Co.'s prize), K Kelland, vio points; It. and J. Reid 27 points; and Lincoln College, 26 points. r Border Leicesters: (Mr N. M. Orbell's prize;: R. J. Low, 15 points, 1. S. Litt'e. 6 points. Corriedale.- (Little Cup) : H. T. Little, 33 points. J. A. Johnstone, 28 points; New Zealand and Australian Land Co., 23 points. Corriedale Rams (Corriedale Breeders' Association's prize): J. A. Johnstone, 31 points. H. T. Little, IV) ponfcs; N.Z. and Australian Land Co., 7 points. _ Corrisdale Ewes (Corriedale Breeders' Association): N.Z. and Australian Land Co., 16 points. H. T. Little, 14 points; J. A. Johnstone, 10 points. m Fat Sheep: (N.Z. Refr.gerating Company's orize): A. C. Greenwood, 21 points. Jersevs: (H. E. B. Watson's prize): R. Maddern, 16 points. H. G. Lamb 9 points. . , Friesians (Friesian Association s pn'ze): T. H. Overton 16 points. R. Colee, 13 points. Pigs (Murphy Cup): G. H. Barnnett, 35 points. Mental Hospital, 20 points; W. H. Stephens, 11 points. Cooking and B'akmg (AulsebrooJ; and Co's. prize): Mrs EA. Payne (most firsts) 18 points; Mrs , ■Gaskin, 18 points. . i IMPLEMENT AWARDS. j

In connexion with the exhibition of implements at the Metropolitan Show and the trials in connexion' with the farm, which were held on Monday and yesterday, the judges ' report as follows : Lucerne Cultivators. In the opinion of the judges the cultivator dm tiie work extremeiy well and apparently with very little damage to the lucerne plants, aituougii the ground was very ioul with coucn grass and other weeds. The. self-adjusting tines adapted themselves to tho space between the roots. One good feature of the machine is that.the tines pan.be attacned to any otaer maKe of cultivator. This machine Is worthy of a gold medal.

The Rambler Lucerne Harrow, under drier and cleaner conditions, would be a very suitable implement. .This machine is worthy of a silver medal. Gorse Cutter. The gorse-cutter is very strong and solid and well made and runs very sweetly. The raising gear is net quick enough to; hoist and lower the knives. When topping the fence' the machine throws the gorse 20 feet into the next paddock and it requires a guard to drop the gorse nearer the hedge. The paddock was 45 chains -around. "One oide was cut first, and in the'second round the machine cut the top all but the corners and went the two rounds in 50 minutes. ? Cultivator TriaL

The rapid extension of the growing of uiueme in Canterbury has accentuated the need for a cultivator that will keep the stands clean without unduly' injuring the plant, and yesterday, on a farm on the Hoon Bay road, ;■ a special machine, designed by Messrs F. and D. Duncan, Ltd., was tested before a gathering of between .80 and 40 farmers and others" interested. There were two machines, which respectively annexed gold and silver medals at the Metropolitan Show—the Duncan swivel-tined lucerne cultivator and the Rambler lucerne harrow. The test was of the sev erest nature possible, the cultivator being operated on stands where couch grass and grasses had developed a tliiek growth. Nevertheless, it rooted out thick hunks of foreign growth, and the oscillating principle of the tines permitted, this to be done with a minimum of damnge to the deeper-rooting, lucerne plants. The "play" of these oscillating tines is up to three inches. An attractive feature about the tines is that thev can be attached to an ordinary cultivator.

The conditions in regard to weed growth were so severe as to give the Rambler harrow little opportunity < of showing its worth, but it was obvious to those with an experience of row lucerne, where the stands are reason ably clean, it would do excellent work. The soil, moreover, was on the Tret side for a favourable display. ,

BANKS PENHratTLA SHOW. Following are, the entries' received for the Banks Peninsula Show:—

PENINSULA HORSE SHOW. For the Association's Peninstila Ho»-se and Pastoral Show, at Duyauchelle, record entries have been received. 3/9, as against 359 for last year. Entries for the two years are as under:—

Jottings for Farmers. In the Draught Horse Section at> the Metropolitan Snow the Clydesdale Horse Society's medal for best one or two-year-old filly owned and exhibited by the breeder wr.s awarded to Mr J. Boag Jnr.'s yearling filly Middlerigg Grace, and not to Mr W. Doak'e entry as stated. j OUST. A wholehearted attempt is being made by the Cust Sports Committee to eclipse every previous effort in the Cust Domain on Anniversary Day. The committee includes Messrs B. Croft ((president), G. Furgus (secretary), F. Early, G. Cowans, J. Struthers, W. Thompson, and G. Dick. Another very beneficial rain fell on Monday evening, and continued for over twelve hours. There is a good covering of snow on the hills, so that there laeverj likelihood <st heavy fxoeto

to follow. The rainfall for Monday night was l_2Bin, making a total of 3.69 in so for this month. Since January Ist, 22.27 in hare fallen. Tho average for the district since 1911 is about 28.00 min each .twelve mouths. The following are tho amounts that have falen each year:—l9ll, 39.175 m; 1912. 34.235 in; 1913, 28.80 in; 1914, 20.22 in; 1915, 17.20 in; 1916, 27.31 in; 1917, 30.90 in; 1913, 23.96 in; 1919, 25.08 in; 1920, 24.41 in -1921, 26.22 in. There has now been sufficient rain for the crops, which are well up to the average in appearance, especially on the downs, where they givo excellent promise of turning out well. Manv linseed crops are through the ground. A considerable acreage is being put down in potatoes. On© fanner is busy planting 16 acres, quite an unusually large area for Oust. &ANGIORA. In the sheep weight guessings at the Rangiora. Show there were 76 entrants. Tho exact weight of the sheep, viz. 951b, was recorded by Messrs J. F. Sutherland J. O'Carroll, C. F. d'Auvergne, H. Nottingham, J. Sommer, and J. Palmer. In the stepping competition R. Matthews and W. Lofihagen tied tor the prizes, giving the correct distance—soyds Ift 7in. Arrangements are now being made by the Male Voice Choir for a performance by the Sistme Choir Soloists on November 21st. The Drill Hall is to be fitted with a stage and seated for an audience of from 800 to 1000. The plan for the reserved seats is at the local branch of The Bristol Piano Company.

KAIAPOL The monthly meeting of the Waimaknriri Harbour Board wa6 held yesterday. Present: Messrs L. B. Evans (chairman), Wi H. Hale, D. Hawke, W. Doubleday, R. Mcintosh, and D. R. "iitclnson. Mr R. G. Brown's application for repairs to a fence at the rear of his premises was agreed to. The harbourmaster reported that the average depth of water on tho bar was Bft. Since last meeting the bar beacons had t>een re-erc-tcd in line with the bar Mr D. Hawke brougbt forward tho question of the payment of travelling expenses to members attending meetings. After discussion, it was decided to hold tho matter over until next meeting, when there would probably bo a full attendance of members. The chairman reported that a party of sheep farmers from Banks Peninsula, who were considering the advisability of procuring a scow to carry sheep round into the river during the freezing season, had made an inspection of the river yesterday. The party had been favourable* impressed with the possibilities ol " iheep-carrying trade being established even under the present conditions, antl lie expressed a nope that the scheme would eventuate, river conditions being quite suitable for that class of. trade. Under the auspices of the New Zealand Moderate League, the Rev. Wyndlimn Heathcote delivered an address in the Grand Theatre, Kaiapoi, last evening, on the aims and objects of the League. TRe Deputy-Mayor, Mr H., Mcintosh, presided over a fail' attend ance. At the conclusion of his addre s, the spe leer was 'accorded' a hearty vote of thanks. LEESTON.

A lecture was given on Mqnday evening by Major Stafford, of the Agricultural Department on the subject oi calving and foaling. The fiecturer dealt with the many troubles that were liable to occur to cows and hovsj3 during this critical period of their lives, his remarks being followed by those present with the deepest interest, the address, which was given under the auspices of the Ellesmere branch of the Farmers' Union, was one of many arranged by the Canterbury Progress League.

| SPErNGSTON SOUTH. I At the weekly euchre party and dance there was la good attendance. Tl*e prizes: whM were given-by Mr and Mrs T. Hamfltoh, were won by Miss N. Harris and Mr R. Tyson. The music for the danc© was supplied by Mr "■■ • Arrangements are well in banc' for the fourteen-mile'cycle road race'to be held on Saturday evening; Thirtythree entries have been received. After the race' the successful competitors will receive their trophies at a social in the Memorial Hall/- ,

A meeting of the Springston South Sports Gain, was held in the Memorial Hall on Saturday evening, Mr P. J. De La Cour presiding over a. good attendance. Correspondence was read from Dr. E. J. Ocwke, accepting office os patron, and enclosing a _ cheque ; from the Springs County Council, granting permission to hold a cycle road race; from the Ellesmere Pipe Band, stating their inability to play on New Year's Day. Messrs Keetiey, Lord, "Drake, and C. De La Cour were elected members of the committee. ,lt was decided to award prizes to the winners of heats in the cycling events: on New Year's Day. The following additional officials for the gnla were appointed:— Judges, Messrs 6. Mcßean, A. Thompson, -N. Powell, and' W. Musson; timekeoprs, Messrs C. iStnce and\ J. Tod; handicappere, Messrs F. Hill, (sen., C. Chapman, and Mulholland;- starters, Messrs T. Ditfort' and F. Bennett; judges of decorated boats, M«*dnmes E. H. Rowell, M. F. Ryan, A. Thompson, J. W. Kime, and N. Powell. EAKAIA. . For the second bi,cycle road race of the season, run under the auspices of the newly-formed Rakaia Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, the following handicaps have been declared. 0. Stevens scr, W. Turton Jmin, F. McNamara .}min, Jos. O'Reilly 3min, H. Dunlea 3Jmin, D. McSweeney SiminyU. Watts 3imin, L. Goulds 4min, C. Sherwood 4min, J. McCoy 4rain, E. McSweeney 4Jmin, H. McDonald smin, O. Penny SJmin, S. Wr'ght simin, J. Laraman 7min. W. Shannon . 9Jmin, Jas. • O'Reilly llinin, H. O'Reilly llmin, J. i Douglas llmin.

HINDS. There/ was a good attendance in Hinds Hall on' Monday night, when Mr A. A. Armstrong, organising secretary of the local Prohibition League visited Hinds with a concert, party. Items were given by M'sses Ibbotson and Brown and Messrs Craighead and Armstrong, and duly appreciated. Mr Armstrong gave an address. Mr J. M. Hampton acted as cliairman. After the usual votes of thanks an excellent supper was handed round. MBTHVEN. Very heavy showers of rain fell on Sunday afternoon, and on Monday night another heavy faQ took place, 90 points being registered for the 24 hours ending 9 a.m. yesterday. It was just what the country wanted,, and the prospects of a good season are bright. The crops and grass pastures never looked better, and a moderate rainfall from now up to the end of the year will ensure a bountiful harvest and abundance of feed stock.

ASHBUBTON. At the meeting of the Borough Council the Mayor (Mr E. Galbraith) presiding, it was reported that the amounts received since last meeting had totalled £233 18s 2d. The County Council wrote agreeing to contribute towards the Fire Brigade attending any fires which might occur in the Allenton district. A deputation from the taxi-cab , drivers and the town carriers protested against the sjtaitds (being r/esmoved. The matter was held over till the next meeting. It was decided not to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr F. W. Watt. Further heavy showers of rain fell during Monday night and at 9 a.m. yesterday an additional .59in had been (registered, .the total since November Ist up to 3.00 in. At Mr A. Honey's farm, Spreadeagle,. about 20

miles up from Ashburton .80in fell during Monday night, making the total* for that part of the district for the present month 3.80 in.

1922 1921 Sheep ... ... 51 52 Horses ... 172 206 Cattle _... 116 137 Domestic 192 220 Potatoes and Roots 47 42 Grains and Seeds 20. 23 Dogs ... 16 27 Industrial 71 39 Junior ... 193 216 Total i77 962

1922 1921 Horses ... .,. 141 120 Cattle ... ' *.. 109 106 Sheep* 15 19 Dog Competition^ 15 14 Junior Classes 99 100 379 369