THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17645, 23 December 1922, Page 7

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Fanners. "St. Andrew's Collegian," the magazine of St/ Andrews College, of wmen a copy has been forwarded us, is a distinctly creditaule production, and it 13 pleasing to see that a section is devoted to the agricultural activities 01 the school. It is noted that Mr .N- _ i • Neal, B.Agr., who been teaching agriculture at the College 6ince las year, has been appointed to the position of full-time agricultural master 1 It is claimed by the writer of th J "Agri" section that it is undoubted the hardest working class in the I which, is quite as it should be. It «'H I help to dissolve any unsound lmpres- | sions the student may have regarding life on the farm. A wool classing clas* and a forestry club were formed during the year, and visits were made of the members of the class during th© year to a wool store, a freezing works, chemical works, and other sources of mstructfve interest. It is notified that a farm school is to be held nest May over a period of six days—Monday to which time lectures will be delivered on important aspects of fanning, such as manures, cultivation, pastures, farm crops, and farm stock. The course will be held at the College, but members attending will bo required to make their own arrangej ments regarding accommodation. De- [ j tails in connexion with the syllabus will be notified later. A short article j on "Science" and the farmer and ono j on "pure seed," by Mr Neal, conclude an interesting section of tlie "Collegian." Mr A. McTajjgart, who wa6 associated for some years with the instructional staff of the fields division of the ' N.Z. Department of Agriculture, is now assistant Professor of Agronomy, Macdonald College, Quebec. Mr McTaggart, who is a New Zealander by birth, spent some years on American and Canadian Colleges, specialising on the fields side of scientnc work, returning to New Zealand later to take up ivork with the Department here , again. However, there was no vacancy available for an officer of his qualifications, and he recrossed to Canada and was appointed to the important position of assistant agronomist at Macdonald College, on© of the principal of its kind in th© northern Dominion. In a letter received by Mr A. Macphersen {formerly in charge of the South Island Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture) from Mr A. McTaggart, of Ma-donald College, Quebeo (Canada) the writer states that a great deal of interest is being taken by golfers here in what they call New Zealand fescue. Some golf clubs are paying hu\h prices for seed. Ti.ere can be no doubt, the writer continues, that they mean Chewing's Fescue. As he had charge of ail 7 breeding, and experimental work with, grasses, clovers, alfalfa, and kindred crops, he was particularly interested in 'the subject of grasses suitable for various portions of the golf course, and as he was persu- I ing investigations in" that connexion lie asked for a few IB of seed to be despatched to him. As the investigation of cold resisting grasses was an important feature of th© work at the College, he also asked for some seed of the prairie grass and of Phalaris Commutata bulbosa. (canary grass) or of any other specially hardy grasses and clovers, known in. this country. > ' "Are we in danger of losing tlie premier place on the' British market for Canadian cheese? (asks ai recent issue of the "Montreal Weekly Star.") For many years, several decades in fact, our cheee was recognised as th© best in the world. We superseded the United States product on the British market, purely on the basis of quality. Our systems of factory inspection, were the models for the - world. And 110\v New. Zealand is gaining a tremendous hold on the Old Country cheese trade. Is there a danger that we have been patting ourselves on • the back and as- - suming that our position was impregnable when we should have been striving earnestly for a still higher standand .keeping an eye on our competitors? The opinions expressed in an article by Hon. Duncan Marshall, written after a visit to Tooley* street, London, is cfl" i, to make use 'sit up and take notice.' " Southland province last" season produced 1,624,0271bs of Chewing's Fescue. The price received from farmers ranged from Is to Is 3d,-per lb. At the lower figure this production meant a return of over £BO,OOO, 'most of which found its way into a comparatively small district—Riversdale—where the' soil is exceptionally favourable for producing the seed. akaboa. At the weekly meeting of St. Peter's Sewing Guild for th© St. Saviour's Orphanage, Mrs G. W. Thomas, one of the members, w r ho is shortly leaving Akaroa, was presented with a token of goodwill and -esteem. M'rs A. H. Julius, the president, in making the presentation, expressed the regrets of all that they were losing her services, and extended to her cordial good wishes for her well-being. Tlie Peninsula River Board and the Akaroa Borough Council met in conference at Akaroa on Thursday to ditecuss certain matters in connexion with, the taking over of the Borough plant and the supply of Coleridge current. On the motion of Mr Bruce, the meeting went into committee to discuss matters. Upon resuming, it was reported that it had been agreed that the members of the Borough Council should refer to a meeting of the whole Council the question as to "whether the Akaroa people should take Lake Coleridge current m February, and sacrifice the ri"ht of their standby plant till Mtiv Ist or whether they should wait till that date for the new generator for the Akaroa plant. The Power Board had been asked by the councillors to issue a debenture for £1471, to be naid in 1944 as the Council would negotiate it and the Board's liabilities would not be increased. The Board members had decided to defer a decision on this matter to the l r next meeting, on January 9th. 1 lhe Power Board' agreed to ameml the plan of the section at the Power House so as to cryr-o the Council .full access to )/ Anbf l rT?TI jR-essrve. j Mr A. -T. Allnm. the custodian of Aknroa Golf Links and the Cluh's" official cnach. )i»s had n cottqire bn ; 't ' on the side of T,'Auh« TTJII. eW U th- I 11 nlrs. A portmn of the j s 1 ""dp .■>«, a tpn-room and a cabaret. On I hursdav afternoon a residents nnd visitors p ß c P rr.'blp(] to 1 part in t.Tie formal "pmw 0 f \ rooms. The Mayor (Mr F. E. Davis' 1

carried out the official part of the ceremony, and extended to Mr and -Mrs Allom good wishes for the success of their new venture. Mr Geo. Armstrong, on whose land the bungalow is iuilc, and who has given an adjoining section to be utilised as a tennis court, also addressed the gathering. The following are the prize-winners ■for the year at St. Deter's Anglican Sunday School: —Girls —Class 1: Doris Hayward 1, Joan Penlington 2, Doris Barnham 3. Class 2: Keitha .Rhodes 1, Una Rhodes 2, Phyllis Helps Class 3: Lucy Henning 1, Mary Hfcnning 2, Ruby Hayward 3. Boys— Class 1: Leslie Robinson 1, Gordon LeLievre 2, George Harper 3. Class 2: Peter Davis 1, Ken Rhodes 2, Jack Helps 3. Infants —Girls: Freda Davis 1, Gladys Hayward 2, Olive Kingston 3. Boys: Billy Henning 1, Vernon Armstrong 2, Jack Masefield 3. Choir prizes: Joan Penlington 1, Bob Masefield 2, Madge Barnham and" Tena Bell 3. Special attendance prizes, for fun attendance: Innes Penlington, Fred Kingston, Peter Davis, Keitha Rhodes. Special prize for best kept mark book: Belle Macfarlane. Special prize for improvement, given hy Mrs Alf Rhodes: Madge Barnham. ISLINGTON. Residents of the district assembled in force at the school on Thursday, to do honour to Mrs and Miss Bowbyes, who recently left the district to reside in Christchurch. Tho chairman of the School Committee, after stating the reason .for the assemblage, called on Mr Jas. Leslie to carry out tlie wishes of the people. Mr Leslie spoke of the good qualities of the- late Mr Bowbyes, and of the affectionate regard for him in the hearts of the residents; He mentioned the efforts made by Mif Bowbyes in connexion with the many activities with which she had identified herself in years .past. Alter outlining the history of the idea of the presentation, Mr Leslie handed to Mrs Bowbyes a solid leather dress case, and wallet of notes, and to Miss Bowbyes a camera, these being tokens of • the esteem in which they were held by the residents of the district where they had resided for a number of years. Mr Piper replied on behalf of the recipients, and thanked the donors for their kind remembrance. After tho ceremony the ladies of the Presentation Committee dispensed afternoon tea in the school. YALDHTTRST. The annual prize distribution was held at Yaldhurst school on Tuesday, many Earents and'friends being present. In is opening remarks, Mr~Riches, chairman of the committee, explained that it had been considered wiser to havcthe prizes awarded at the closing ceremony of |the school, and not, as had formerly been the case, at the annual picnic. After presentation of the class prizes (through the generosity of the committee, every child received a book), special prizes were given to .the boys for gardening and to the girls for sew ing, which Mrs Franks and Mrs Cox had kindly consented to jud.ee. The headmaster, Mr, McCuflough, explained that through the kindness of Mr and Mrs Carpenter, special prizes had been awarded for the last three years. The.so ■were presented to tho girl and the boy who had obtained the highest number of marks in the annual examination and were won by Olive liosser and Edward Lynsky. The headmaster called on the children to give three cheers for Mr and Mrs Carpenter in recognition of their Iceen interest in the school. Mr Riches congratulated the Std. "VI. pupils (0) on their success in gaining fonr proficiency and one competence certificate. A short entertainment consisting: of a pianoforte duet by Haze' And Olive Rosser, a pianoforte solo by Winnie Early, a recitation by Eileen O'Gradv and dances by Agnes Lynske> and Milly McG-ympsie, in addition to school sonjrs and games t was followed ,by afternoon tea very ably dispensed by the senior pupils. On 'Thursday the "school picnic wa= held. ; ' Parents, children and friend."' were conveyed by special cars to New Brighton, where, in a large tea-room, morning tea was soon partaken of'.with. I thankfulness by the dusty, thirsty p:cnickers. Bathing, games', and racing made the hours pass all too quicit'y. Mrs W. Franks's generous donation of prizes induced all the men and women Ho lay aside their former hesita.iey and to run that they :nyght receive a reward. The committee also had ,i sye cial raoe, the prizes being given by Mrs Rosser, Miss Rosser and Miss Hay. Having had afternoon tea, the picnickers boarded their car, and the hingm?. of popular airs and school songs made the liohiew'ard journey ' sliort and cheery. LINCOLN. The Lincoln School picnic was held on Thursday at N«nv Brighton. There was a good attendance of parents, and friends. The weather was fine, but there was a very etrong nor'-west wind blowing, which made it rather unpleasant in the earlier part of the day. An enjoyable time was spent in games and sports. A number of the school children, with their teachers, visited the Exhibition in the.past week. WAIKARL \ At the quarterly meeting of the Waikari Oduteilous' Louge, Bro. J. Shaw resigned the position of secretary, winch he had held for 11 years, to his business taking Inhi from home 'li good deal. The resignation was accepted with very much, regret. After the lodge meeting tnere was a gathering of all tlie members of the lodge in the district, with their wives and lady friends to do honour to Bro. Shaw. Bro. A. H. Muher on behalf of the lodge, expressed th© very sincere regret feit at Bro. Shaw's resignation, and warm appreciation of lus zealous services during his long term of office. He then presented a case of pipes to Bro. Shaw and a salad bowl and dishes to Mrs Shaw. Bro. H. Saundercock also bore testimony to Bro. Shaw's valuable work 011 behalf of Oddlellowship, the present satisfactory position of the Waikari Lodge being almost entirelydue to the interest he had taken in it. Bro. Shaw expressed his thanks for the gifts and the kind things said about him. He wo-.ild not be leaving the district, and he would still take an' active interest in the lodge. ■ ' OXFOED. There was a large attendance at the half-yearly meeting of the T.nval Nil Desperandum liodge of Oddfellows on Thursday , evening. The Ashley District officers Bros. S. G. Smith, H. I'letcher and C. I. Jennings paid their annual official visit, and wei'b accompanied by several members of the Kingi, ora Lodge. The visitors were accorded a cordial reception. The following officers were elected for the ensuing six mo ths: —N.G., Bro. T. Gundry; V.G., Bro. A. Higginson; E.G.. Bro. D. F. Grant ; supporters to the N.G., Bros. G. and A. V oodthovp; supporters to Y.G.. Bros. W. F. Reynolds and I. Constable; Warden, Bro. 0. Zimmerman and -Guardian, Bro. E. Jord-in. The officers were installed by tf-.e Deputv G.M. Bro. Fkteher. At the close of the the visitors were entertained at sunper. RANGIOKA. In the Flying Fifty billiards match held on Thursday, E. Ewings defeated D. Blacki6 in the final. SEDGEMERE. The residents of S Vemere and surrounding districts were treated to onf> of the best concerts held in the district for a long time past, when the Merrymakers, a party of juveniles, under the charge of Mr Maling, gave a conoert on Thursday night, in a:d of the_j>eJgemere 'School fund 3. ■ The programme submitted was entirely new and every item was reoeived with loud applause.

All tlie performers acquitted tuemstlves very' ereuitaoiy. iur J. T. I'ariiin, Ciiuiiiuiui 01 we Committee, txiauKeu tlie at tue couciusioii or tlie i.uuv.ort a 1114 a collection UituJii up 1a aiu ui 1110 lien co&tuino iiuia reauseu £4 os. bup per was curved by i tue ladies ot the and it was xuiau.jiuti before me party ieit on their return to cmisiouuicii. J!Oiio\ting is tue programme:—(Jtenure, "Oruiestra' ; opening, .Mississippi iuoney nuon" ; sons, " najiuoiiu Heard; uuuce, Ivita Peterson; concerted, "Kentucky Home," ALurgaiet Urteniees; soug, "Baby s i'l'ayer," Aace U*eemees; dance, "Oiogs," Gwen omer; concerted Gwen Ryde; dance, '-Waltz Clog," -Mavis Mill and Gracb McCaw; sung "Love'ißos.gj" Lathe.ine Green- j .ee->; recitation, Daphne !• ors,. the; ap- | peal, The Orchestra; concerted, "April : Hazel Snier; concerted, "Dixieland," Yal Tolputt; concerted, ; "The Sheik," Gwen Hyde; song,' •'Freckles," Alice Groenlecs; recitation, > Daphne Forsythe; dance, "Irish Jig/' Gwen Shier; song, "Beneath thy "Window," Catherine Ureenlees; duet, •'Wonderful Boy," Val Tolputt and Gwen Ryde; concerted, "Don't You Remember,'' Margaret Greenlees; fancy dance, Mavis Hill; song, "Over the Hill," Alice Grenlees; song, "Bonny Grace McCaw ; fancy d nee, Rita Peterson; song, "Amazon" Raymond Heard; song, "Ma," Yal Tolputt. Finale, "Bachelor Boy," Hazel Shier. HOBOKATA. On Thursday the Hororata- School broke up for its summer vacation of six ■>eeks. In the morning Mr A. Ironside, chairman of the committee, addressed the children and presented the ful owing; with attendance certificates: I .Muriel Kerr, Vera \Vilson, Stanley George Symons, Sydney Hore, Leslie Mooar, Percy Derrett, Jack Roberts and Percy Mooar. During the presentation the chairman announced that Muriel Kerr had not missed one iialf day during her school life of seven years. 'Muriel. Kerr was also presented with the dux prize awarded by the headmaster. In the evening the children, parents and other§ were entertained in the hall at a Christmas party. Games were played and the following items given:—Recitation, Rewa Barrett ; danoe, Terry Viyigiian; Gollywog dance, infants; Dutch song and Dance, Muriel Iverr and senior girls; song Scrub Scruh, Senior Girls; song, Mi6S Sparroiv. At-8.45 p.m. Father Christmas arrived and from a generously laden Christmas tree presented each child with an article. Supper was provided by parents and served in the supper room, which was tastefully decorated. Mr H. Oliver presided and in a. happy little speech congratulated the teaching staff and Mrs W. Critchley for organising such a pleasant function KOWAI BUSH. What was/undoubtedly the most successful function of the year was held in the Kowai Bush schoolroom on Thursday in the form of a Christmas Tree and Fair. The committee of the K.B. 0.0. had been strenuously preparing for it during the last few weeks, and have every reason to be satisfied with their efforts and grateful to the many well-wishers who helped with such liberality. The Christmas tree, with its bountiful load of toys, its candles, and pretty nick-nacks, was a sight to bring joy to the heart of eacli child who saw it. "Father Christmas," in gown and mask, caused much merriment as he pre- J sented each one with a gree gift. The sale of work resulted in over £l2* clear of expense, and a bran tub, the proceeds of which were in aid of the Sunday school funds, brought in 19s 6d. The Sunday School prizes were presented by the Rev. J. R. Hervey, who congratulated Mr Russel on the work he was doing among the children. During the evening items were contributed by Mrs P. H. Johnson, Misses Atkinson and Nnismith', the Rev. J. R. "Hervey, and Mr J. Cocks, and "the sciiool children. This beinw the end of the school year the schoolmistress, Miss Nimmo, ha.s left for her summer vacation, part of which she intends to spend in Oamaru. LAURISTON. A dance, organised by the Lauriston Social Caib Committee, was held by kind permission of Mr G. Stayt in his granary, Sj.ierwood, the building' being suitably decorated for the occasion. Music for dancing was supplied by Mr Iteg. Wood's orchestra. Tnc ladies provided an excellent supper. The children ,of the Lauriston School, accompanied by their teachers and members of the School Committee, jourreyed to Christchurch on Thursday last to visit the Industrial Exhibit on. After an hour or two there, the children were taken to the Gardens and Museum. Afternoon tea. at the D.I.C". and a visit to the Magic Cave concluded tyi enojyable day's outing. V 4 METHVEK. f The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal jiethven-Louge I.U.U.iu.U., wasj lieid on-weanesduy, .bro. A. wnson, A.G., presiding, ine election of officers resuited as follows -A.G., Bro. G. Johnston; V.G., Bro. J. Johnston; U.S.to A.G., Bro. A. Duif; L.S. to N.G., Bro. l\ Sack; U.S. to V.G., Bro. T. Sutton; L.S. to V.G., Bro. E. Mangin; elective secretary, Bro. \V. A. iiaaen; waiuen, tiro. A. L. Mangin. One new member !• was initiated. Mr John Lysaght, tt'ho has been employed in the Methven Emporium for the last .five years, and who is leaving for Timaru on Monday, was entertained at a social on Thursday evening by his numerous friends. The function was held in All Saints' Parish Hall, and, Air W. Morgan presided. During the time Mr Lysaght has resided <in Methven he has made himself most popular, and was always willing to assist in ail local functions. He took a keen interest in ebneerts and dances, and his taicnts were always at the disposal of the organisers of such entertainments, especially if the proceeds were intended for charitable purposes. Mr Morgan spoke of tlie many good qualities of the guest and said he had great pleasure in presenting him with a substantial cheque on behalf of Mrthven residents, and trusted that in his new home n Timarji he would be equally as successful as a business man as he had proved himself to bo in Methven. Messrs Hy. Maginness, W. J. M. Dart, and M. A. Stone also testified to Mr Lysaght's gbod qualities, both as. a friend and a citizen, and wished him every prosperity in the southern city. An apology was received from the Rev. Father Price for absence. HINDS. Tlie annual distribution of prizes took plr.ee at the Hinds School, on Thursday n.ftcra::on, when there \v:ir> a good attendance of parents. Addresses were given by the headmaster and Mr J. 31. nanipton, chairman, who stressed the valuable services rendered ten the school by Mr C ok and Miss Percy. The school had prfssed a successful year, and at the recent proficiency examination five out of six candidates bid eniued proficiency certificates. He then presented each chi d witli a book. . Special prizes were awarded tr> R. Burnett and J. Freeman, ichool gardens; R. Burnett und F. Eims, swimming; F. Ricfcird, A. McGuinness, A. Morris, R. Burnett, Navy League's certificates. Good attendance certificates were awarded to J. Freeman, H. Paterson; J. Barrett, i> . Rick;i,:d, N. Anstey, M. Anstey, M. Frnmpton, D. Watson, E. Elms, M. Elms, May Donaldson, and Hed'ey Watson. Mr Hampton then distributed his customary tin of lollies, and the school broke up till January 2SHh, 1923.