THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17628, 4 December 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Farmers.

If the present muggy weather conditions continue, it is quite possible that the potat:> blight- will become troublesome (s..ys Thur- d. y's Anck.a d '"St- r )- It is of. interest, therefore, to record, that Mr Herbert Smith, if I'aery a, claims that he ha* discovered a cure for that i>est. Mr Smith, who called •it the '"Star" office, said the cure was simply wood ashes. "I did not n ply it as n cure for the blight," snjcl Mr Smith, but as a ferti is-cr. "What 1 used wr.s a-lies fr:~m titree and New Zealand heather, which I had b?en burning. I spri ikied this freeiy over the plants and bet we'll the rows, and subsequently the blight disappeared from ail but two of my j.lants. I think any kind of wood a-.-hes ought to b? equally effective. My plants were very de:"id--d!y aire:ted !>v the bight when I aijplod the wcod ashes, and they ; re all rig; t now. I may say that I had p.enty ot ashes and applied tliein freely. HANMER SPRINGS. The following arc the meteorological records for November, taken at the State Forest Service Station, Those for tho same month last year being given in parentheses: —Rainfall, 3.30 inches (3.27 inches); maximum rainfall in any 24 hours, 0.95 inches, on st.li (1.03 inches); number of days on which rain fell, 12 (31); maximum temperature, 7S degrees, on 24th (7(> degrees); minimum temperature, 30 degrees, on Bth (29 degrees); frost on 7 nights (7); wind, average dailv velocity for month, 103.83 miles; maximum velocity for month, 410 miles on 22nd; bright sunshine, 555 hours; maximum for one day, 10 hours, on 23rd; days without recorded sunshine, nil. General remarks:—-The prevalence of nor'-west winds is to be noted for month. The wind approached almost hurricane force on 22nd. On Wednesday night last the Golf Club held a dance in the Hall, it being another of the stries of dances to raise funds for the erection of a pavilion. The large raber who attended appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly, and the club will benefit by a substantial amount. The decorations were tastefully carried out in bright greenery, with butterflies in red and blue, the club's colours, nestling in the foliage. Artistically arranged streamers, also in the club's colours, hung the length of the room, and the lights were covered with pretty silk shades. Music for the dancing was played by Miss Summers, Messrs Beckley, and W. D. Watson. Supper was provided by the lady members of the club. On Thursday night at the Queen Mary Hospital, Dr. Baxter, of the medical staff, who is going to England on twelve months' leave, was presented with a case of pipes and a tobacco pouch from the men. Mr D. M. Masterson, a patient, expressed the high regard and esteem of both patients and staff for their doctor, and their • admiration of his sporting qualities. Tho Football Club, of which Dr. Baxter is vice-president, and has been an active member, is presenting him with an illuminated address. WAEKARL A valedictory social was tendered to Dr. arid Mrs John Connor on Friday evening. Although it was a very wet night, a large number of residents assembled. An apology for absence was received from Mr N. D. Campbell, chairman of the Waipara County Council, who was prevented from leaving home through the heavy rain flooding the creeks on the Motunau road. Mr H. Saundercoek, on behalf of the residents of the County, presented the doctor with a leather 6uit case, Mrs Con nor a travelling rug, and a folding push cart for Master John Connor. Messrs \V. T. Lindsay, J. Reader, W. Cooksley, and the Rev. Rawle spoke in eulogistic terms of the work of the doctor throughout the district, and the very hard place he had t6 fulfil in fo'lowing such a loved and respected man as the late Dr. Little. Dr. Connor, in thanking the residents for the handsome presents, said that he would remember throughout his life his sojourn in Waikari. It was his first private practice, his first home, and the place where his little son had been born. The warmheartedness of the- people was characteristic of the district. The fact of a suitable residence being available for a doctir was a factor that made it easier for the district to procure and retain a good doctor. His life in Waikari had been a pleasant one, and he hoped to return and see them all on some future occasion. Mnstter Mueller presented Mrs Connor with a bouquet on behalf of his little brother, who was the first baby born after the doctor's arrival in Waikari. Dr. and Mrs Connor intend spending Christmas in Dunedin. Next year they contemplate a trip to England, where the doctor will further his studies. OXFORD. On Friday the Oxford Town Hall was filled with an enthusiastic audience, that met to hear a lecture by Dr. Mary Armor. The Rerv. B. G. Fox presided. A beautiful bouquet, arranged by Mrs A. Baxter, and contributed by the W.C.T.U., was presented to Dr. Armor by Miss.'Nancy. Blair, a little girl of four years. Dr. Armor gave an address on prohibition, and at the conclusion she received a hearty vote of thanks. After a long 6pell of warm, fine weather, rain began to fall at Kowhai Bush on Wednesday night, and. continued steadily until Saturday. Very cold conditions have prevailed. SO"DTH3"ROOK. The members of the local branch of the Dr. Barnardo , ioung Helpers' League were entertained by the committee at the annual box-opening ceremony in the Methodist School-room on Friday afternoon. About sixty members were present, and the Rev. J. F. Feron gnve an address on the work of the Barnardo Homes. The Revs. A. N. Scotter and "W. Howes were also present. The box opening produced a total of over £lB, and there are several boxes to come in yet. Ewart Chatterton again headed the list with £4, George Jo es co'lected £1 15s lid. and Ivy Invars £1 4s Ewart Chatterton has ben the most successful collector, having the largest amount for six years in succession. Afternoon tea was provided by the committee. The rest of the afternoon was spent in games. KANGIORA. The Returned Soldiers'• Association held a. meeting at the Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday, over which Mr F. J. Horrell presided. The chairman said the meeting had been convened to consider further the matter of providing a Soldiers' Memorial for the Borough and County. Some time ago the Association had decided to recommend the ere.tion of a rough stone square or pedestal, but there now appealed to be a very general opinion that a monument of some utility should be provided. A suggestion favoured was that a public library should be erected, with a room attached lor the use of returned soldiers. Before it would be in order to further the suggestion it would be necessary to rescind the resolution in reference to the stone monument. On the motion of Mr J. C. Thompson, it was unanimously resolved to rescind tae motion. The Mayor cMr W. A. B'nks) said the idea of erecting a public library was a good one. He suggested that the Association should ffirm a small committee to go further into the matter and make its suggestions to the Borough and County Councils. A public meeting could then be convened to discuss the proposal. On.the motion of Mr J. C. Thompson, seconded by Mr W. Gardner, it was resolved that the Association heartily support the proposal to provide a library with, a social-

room for the returned, soldiers, ~ and that steps be taken to further the object. Messrs W. Dalzell and C. Skinner were added to the general committee of the Association, from which a sub-committee will be appointed to act as a War Memorial Committee. A smoke concert was then heid. KAIAPOL A Highland dan en? competition, promoted by the St. Ardrew's Caledonian Society, Kaiapoi, was held in the Drill Hall on Friday evening, with the following remits: —Fling (.junior). L. Bovi rett 1: Fling (seniors). M. Childs 1. D. Clark 2. Seann truibhais, D. Clark 1. M. Clark 2. Sword Dance I>. Honkms 1, M. Childs 2. Reel. E. Richards 1. Fling (onen), M. Childs I, 31. Scmmanski 2. Fling, boys, J. Mendings 1. LINCOLN. On Friday evening Lincoln was favoured by a visit from the talented "Royal Troubadours." Unfortunately the _ weather conditions were not conducive to a full house such as the company warranted, but should they see their way to return and favour the residents with such a clean and wholesome entertainment it is to be hoped they will be received by a packed house such as they fully deserve. The following programme was submitted to a most enthusiastic, audience: —Part I: Jnterlooutor, Don Wallace: Bor.es, Jolly John Larkins; Tnmbo, Irving Steele; opening chorus, "Popularity," company; "Amarella," "Moonlight," Rosa Hawthorne; "Strutt Miss Lizzie," Steele; "I Never Knew," "Teasing," Pctrea Ilowarth; "Chip o' the Old Block," "Say it with Music," Don Wallace; "Dixieland," "Mina," Jolly John Larkins: "Monologue," the Vagabond; "Cairo," Rosa Hawthorne af»l_ Pctrea Howarth; "Uncle Tom's Cabin," Jolly John Larkins and company; "Old 'Black Joe," "Good Old Georgia," Uncle Tom and Company; finale, "Georgia Land," company. Part II.: An opera scena, Anvil Chorus, "II Trovatore," "Just Like a Gipsy"; Hawthorne, Wallace, Steele, Jeanette, Hawthorne, in pianoforte selections, (1) Capricante, (2) Rigoletto; the "Royal Four," Wallace, Hawthorne, Steele, Howarth, Jolly John Larkins, and his Pennsylvania Quakers; Pctrea Howarth, the Cliong Chong girl, in Chinese songs; Don Wallace, singing comedian; Sisters Hawthorne, the harmony girls; comedy, "Dr. Killem"— cast of characters: Dr. Gettem, Don Wallace: Lady Miserable, Rosa Hawthorne; Useless (a patient), Irving Steele; Nurse, Pctrea Howarth; Dr. Killem, Jolly John Larkins. BROOKSIDE. Mr T. W. Brooks presided over a meeting of the Brookside School Committee. The headmaster reported the attendance to be satisfactory, though there had been more sickness about than at any time during the year. It was decided to accept the offer of the staff to give a concert in aid of the school funds, the chairman and headmaster to fix the'date. The report of the recent annual inspection by Inspector Evans was read, and Mr Brooks, on behalf of the committee, congratulated the headmaster (Mr A. McCallum) on the excellent report. It was decided to purchase prizes to the value of £lO, the selecting to be done by the staff. The proficiency examinations, it was stated, would be held at Leeston on December 21st. LEESTOTT. A barrow fair, consisting of a number of beautifully decorated wheelbarrows, laden with all manner of dainty and useful articles, took place at the Leeston Town Hall on Thursday under the auspices of the Methodist Church. The parade of barrows made a splendid show, the decorations being highly creditable to the ladies concerned. In the unavoidable absence of the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes, the fair was opened by Mr A. J. Gray, chairman of the Leeston Town Board, who congratulated all. concerned, and expressed the hope that the fair would prove successful from a financial point of view. Prizes awarded for the bestarranged barrow were made as follows: —Home dainties barrow (Mrs A. Brown and Miss E. Brown) 1, handkerchief barrow (Misses Jackman and Brown) 2, ice-cream barrow (Misses D. Ramsey and M. Eade) 3. Following is a list of. the barrows: Home produce, Mesdames W. Brooks and A. Greaves; ice-creams, Misses Ramsey and Eade; handkerchiefs, Misses Jackman and M. | Brown; peanuts, Messrs L. Eade and J. Pickering; needlework, Mesdames T.J. Ramsey, G. H. Barnett, and A. 0. Harris; Christmas tree and bran tub, Mesdames F. Chamberlain and 11. W. Johnson, and Misses Sheaf and McGeorge; Father Christmas, Mr C. M. Sheat; flower stall, Mrs F. G. Framptou and Miss Dalley; home dainties, Mrs A. Brown; sweets, Misses H. Barnett and R. Austin: fancy work, Misses N. Doak and E. Chamberlain; fruit salad and jellies, Mrs T. G. Gilbert and Miss Parkin; soft drinks and fruit, E. Jackman and A. Barnett; pies, Messrs R. Barnett and W. J. Dalley; refreshments, Mesdames Harte, J. Heslop, W. Prosser, and Rapley. HIRWEE. The rainfall for the month of November was 3.29 inches. Rain fell on 12 days, the maximum being 55 points on the 2nd, whilst 54 points fell on the sth, and 50 points on the 13th. For the corresponding mouth of 1921, the fall was 1.15 inches; 1920, 1.96 inches; 1919, 2.86 inches; and 1918, 3.78 inches. The total fall registered for the eleven months ended November 30th was 20.55 inches, and for the same period of 1921 the total was 27.81 inches; 1920, 27.96 inches; 1919, 23.51; and 1918, 24.93 inches. Very strong nor'-west winds were experienced duriug the last few days of the month, and on the lighter lands the effects of this were beginning to be seen, and feed was getting scarcer on the grass pastures. The cereal crops are looking well, and a fair amount of the early oat crops are in ear. On these crops the small birds are busy. KOWAI BTJSH. At the November meeting of the School Committee, Mr Gold, on behalf of the School Club, handed to the chairman the sum of £lO, to be spent on the children. As it was not a full meeting it was decided to wait till the next meeting to arrange how the money should be spent. On Friday next the Standard YI. pupils are to go to Springfield to be examined for their Proficiency certificates. ASHBUBTON. The ffampstend School picnic was held on Saturday, when a long and heavily-laden special train left Ashburton for Timaru. It was raining very heavily at Ashburton at the time, but word had been received that the weather was fine at Timaru.