THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17625, 30 November 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Farmers. There is some complaint among the farmers in the Stratford district "that what is known as the "flush" in the milk has not eventuated this year. About November the height of the daily supply is reached. This sea-, son started exceptionally well, being equal to the "flush" of last year, but then a spell of cold, wet weather checked the cows, and nothing abnormal in the supply followed. As proof of the position, one farmer said that he was not receiving any more milk now from 35 cows than when he was milking 31 some weeks ago. HANMER SPRINGS. A cricket match was played last Saturday between the patients and doctors of the Queen Jlary Hospital and the stall of the hospital and visitors. The former won the toss and batted first, making 151 runs (Dr. Baxter 63 and Hood 62). By the time etumps were drawn Staff and Visitors had scored 84 for 8 wickets (A. R. Blank 32, J. Dawson 20, and J. Graves 11). For the patients, Hanbury, .Dt. Towerby and Dr. Baxter were the best bowlers, whilst Blank and Barrett were the successful trundlers for Staff and Visitors.

A nice rain commenced to fall late on Tuesday afternoon and continued for five or six hours. Though there were no signs of parching, the ground waß becoming dry, and the fall was very welcome. AMBERLEY. A largely-attended public meeting was held in the Oddfellows' Il.ill, Leithfield, Dr. T. T. Thompson presiding, to form a Surf and Life-Saving Club. After a few explanatory remarks, it .was unanimously decided to form what will be known as the Kowai Surf and Lifo-Saving Club. The scheme was heartily supported by the various local bodies in tho district. The following officers were elected: —President, Dr. Thompson; vice-presidents, Messrs W. H. Hale (representing the Kowai County Council), J. M. South (Amberley Town Board), F. Ashby (Leithfield Domain Board), and J. Fitzpatriek (Kowai Sports Club); captain, Mr £. J. Yeoman; deputy-captain, Mr A. Free; secretary and treasurer, Mr C. W. Browne; committee?, Messrs H. May, .T. Russell, W. A. Kelcher, and 11. F. Thompson. Fifty members were enrolled. Messrs Yeoman and Free agreed to conduct classes. As soon as lifesaving appliances are secured, an official opening day will bo held on the Leithfield beach, when the Christchurch clubs will be invited to bo present. RANGIORA. At a special meeting of the Presbyterian Church congregation held last evening, attended by about 75 members and adherents and presided over by the Rev. \V. H. Howes, it was decided to apply to the church property trustees for permission to sell the old church SuiKling and site. Advantage was taken of the opportunity to present a roll of bank-notes, representing a substantial sum, to Mr Howes in appreciation of the leading part he had taken in the erection of the new church. Mr Howes warmly thanked the congregation for tlieir kindly expression of goodwill.

LEESTON. Arrangements for the Anniversary Day sports were made at a meeting of the Ellesmere Athletic Club, lieli at Leeston, over which Mr E. P. T. Eldridge presided. Arrangements were made for putting the track in order. It was reported that a guarantee of £35 would have to be given to secure a special train from Christchurch on the morning of the sports. It was decided to give the guarantee. Tho matter of securing trophies was left in tho hands of Messrs F. E, Kesteven, F. B. Clausen, E. F. T. Eldridge, and the seeretary-(Mr E. W. Harden). Subcommittees were set up to carry out certain arrangements. It was decided to ask Mr Jack Suckling to act as time-keeper. A sum of &6- was earmarked for children's races. It was decided to hold a dance on the Monday following Anniversary Day. SOCTTHBKIDGE. A meeting of ladies was held to make arrangements for the bazaar, in aid of the Becreation Ground funds, to be held next autumn. Mrs P. Delargey was elected chairwoman, and the following committees were appointed:—Sweets stall, Misses Cowan and Parkin; leather and cane, Miss Glanville and Mesdame6'"Tong and G. Hill; produce, Mesclames Free, Woods, R. J. Parkin, and J. T. Parkin; fruit salads, ice-cream, soft drinks, refreshments, Mrs Swertsen; variety, Mesdames Delargey, W. C. Beamsley, A. J. Beamsley, Bern McEvedy; fish pond, Mrs Fv B. Anderson and Miss Willis; refreshment tent, Miss Crawford aid Mesdames Parkin and Palmer.

Mr Bern McEvedy presided over a meeting of the Southbridge Football Club, held on Monday night. Owing to his leaving Southbridge, Mr S. Woods tendered his resignation as secretary. He expressed regret at severing his connexion with' the club, and expressed the hope that his successor would do his utmost to furtner its iu- . terests. The president spoke in very appreciative terms of the excellent manner in which Mr Woods had carried out the secretarial duties. « He had shown a great deal of enthusiasm, and had succeeded in placing the club's finances 011 a sound footing. Messrs L. Palmer and L. Adams endorsed the president's remarks. The resignation was accepted, and Mr Woods was made a life member of the club. It was docided to hold a concert and dance on election night (December 7th). At the request of a deputation which waited upon him recently, the Hon. Sir Heaton Ehodes has induced the Department of Justice to have the Police Station at Southbridge connected by telephone. Sir Heaton has also communicated with the Minister of Railways in reference to the erection of houses at Southbridge for the railway employees, and improved yard: ing and lighting at the railway station. BAKAIA. A meeting of the committee of the Bakaia Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club was held in the library. The secretary reported that the cash balance in hand was £ll 13s 2d. Mr J. Newton was added to the committee. It was decided to affiliate with the New

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Zealand Athletic and Cycling TTniou and the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. A letter was received from the Ghertsey Club staling that it had been decided to run that club as a piofessional club. It was decided to hold the next race on election night at 0 o'clock, over the same course as the last race. Mr G. Pluck offered to give a prize for fastest time, Mr Hughes a prize of half-a-guiaea to the first unplaced schoolboy to finish the course, and Mr G. Cromio a prize for the rider not winning a prize but ridia £T the most meritorious race, winner to be decided by the judge. Votes of thanks for assistance given to the club were passed to Miss Emms, Mr Baxter, and Mr W. Laraman, also to I)r! Sheffield, Sir Heaton Rhodes, Mr J. Pye, and other donors of prizes. The secretary reported that a number of boys were in training for a distance foot race, and it was agreed to hold the_ event about a week",after the cycling race.