THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17632, 8 December 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Farmers. Horse breeders and those who, while not breeders, take a close interest in the breeding and development of blood stock, have on occasions expressed the fear that climatic influences in Australia are responsible for deterioration, and that but for the continuous importation of thoroughbreds from England, New Zealand, and other countries outside the sub-tropics, the Australian horse would degenerate to an alarming extent. Support was indirectly given to this theory at a meeting of the council of the Royal Agricultural Society in Melbourne, when Mr Dugdale said that at one time he held it to be absurd to precede sectional parades at the show by a display board describing the character of the'stock exhibit. After the last show and the parade of so-called draught horses, or Clydesdales, he saw the necessity for the notice. If some of the State's old-time breeders and owners could come back they would never recognise the present-day exhibits as Iraught horses. They would, in the absence of a printed intimation, con .'lude that it was a parade of ponies or milk-cart horses. For this deead once he put the blame, not on the cli mate, but on the system under which .he honours were awarded to wha. might be classified as "show" horses rather than to liorses with the bout and muscle fitting them for the work draught horses were requried to do. Other speakers argued in the same strain, but no definite action was taken. the council agreeing to delve more deeply into the subject at a later date. KAIKOUEA. A pleasant little function took place at the Hospital on Wednesday evening, tvhen the Medical Superintendent and Nursing Staff met to bid farewell to Sister Scott, who has severed her connexion with the Hospital, in view oi her approaching marriage. The Matron (Sister Green), and Dr. Withers, on behalf of the Hospital Board, thanked Sister Scott for her untiring devotioi. to duty during the period she had been on the staff of the local Hospital, and also referred to the high esteem m which she was held by the residents oi Kaikoura. On behalf of the nursing staff Sister Scott was presented with a set of ebony toilet brushes, which carried with them the best wishes of the staff. Advantage was also taken of tin occasion to bid farewell to Nurse Mhner, who has been on relieving duty at | phe Hospital. The ueatn occurred at "Fairlight Station on Tuesday afternoon, of M. Thomas Boyd, junior, son of a very ok. and respected resident of Kaikoura, at the age of 39 years. The deceased served in Egypt with the 6th reinforcements. He was to have been married about a month hence, but a wound inflicted at the war, caused complications which resulted in his death. OUST. The monthly meeting of the Oust School Committee was held on Monday. The headmaster reported a roll number of 107, with an average attendance of 97. The inspector's report on the recent examination was received, and it was decided to compliment the staff on their good work. It was decided to held a school concert on December 19th, and to hold a school picnic at Sumner on December 21st. * BANGIOKA. The Rangiora School Committee met on Wednesday. Mr H. A. Arehdall prosiding. The headmaster reported that the attendance had been very good : the number of scholars on the 'roll being 387, with an average attendance of 362, or 91 per cent. The proficiency examinations were held during the month, but results were not yet to hand. It was decided to close .the school for the holiday on Wednesday. December 27th, the prizes; to be dis tributed in the afternoon! It was re solved to hold the annual school picnv about the last week in February at Pearson Park, Oxford. The chairman and Messrs T. Hanna and A. Cambridge were appointed a Bub-committee to ""make the necessary arrangements. It was. resolved that the Sbnthbrook School be invited to join in the picnic The Visiting Committee reported thy Mr W. Johnstone would 'carry out the ucessary asphalting required in the school grounds during the holidays. Mossrs W. L. Murray and T. Hanna were appointed to superintend the work. The headmaster slated that it had been decided to hold a school eoncert on Monday, December 18th, and he would give a gold medal annually to the Dux of the school. As the promised division of a class-room aud other necessary work-had not been carried' out, it was decided to again write to the Board in the matter. At a meeting of the Domain Board held yesterday afternoon, Mr .\i. A. Banks presiding, it was agreed to grant permission to the Chnstchureh. United Friendly Societies Picnic Committee to make a charge for admission to the Domain on the occasion of the Societies Boxing Day Picnic It was reported I hat a good deal of damage had been done to the buildings on the Domain ,nd it was decided to offer a reward of £5 for information that would lead to the conviction of those respond ole for the vandalism.