THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17691, 17 February 1923, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Throughout the districts adjoining "the main Christchureh-Ashburton road there is now verv little harvesting to be done. Only* occasional paddocks j of wheat are to be seen in stook, and I these present the appearance of liav--1 ing experienced practically no damage ! from the climatic conditions prevailI ing during the cutting. This satis- ! factory absence from damage is reporti ed to be general in most of the coastal I districts in mid-Canterbury, although discoloured and sprouted samples of wheat are coming forward from those localities where the burst of rough weather caught wheat in the stook. Oats generally appear to have been got into stack in bright condition, and the proportion of good chn.fl from this part of the province should be ' quite up to the average, although it is not likely to compensate for the damage in North and South Canterbury. The past week of ideal harvest weather has been made the fullest use of, and down as far as Timaru the mills have been busy, whilst cutting and carting in have been vigorously j prosecuted. There appears to be a ; great deal more wheat being stacked j this year than usual, a precaution prompted by last s.-afon's experience lof premature threshing out of tho I stook. The crops in the upper end of I South Canterbury are very good, tho j conditions reported south of Timaru j not applying. Many excellent yields : are reported from various districts, i and generally prospects, both in re- ! gard to quantity and quality, may be considered far better than what appeared probable three weeks ago. AKAROA. At the last meeting of the executive of the Peninsula War Memorial Society, there were present Messrs Geo. Arm- | strong (in the chair), T. E. Taylor, H. J. Barnham, H. R. Munro, and P. G. Riches. It was decided to erect tne first portion of the stone fence extending from the Post Office to the main entrance. It was reported that Waiwcra and Mt. Herbert Counties and Akaroa Borough Council had agreed to make annual grants towards the upkeep of the grpunds. It was resolved to ask the Akaroa County Council if it could see its way to do likewise. Word was received from the architect, Mr H. tot. A. Murray, that as soon as the stone was available from Mt. Somers and Halswell quarries, work on uie memorial would be pushed on as rapidly as possible. The treasurer reported' that, financially, the society was in a sound position. There was a credit of £fTBl 3s 6d, inclusive of £IOOO on deposit, while liabilities in sight totalled £IO4O. The contractor, Mr Silvester, wrote stating that the pearl granite panels had arrived from Aberdeen and were now ready to be inscribed. AMBERLEY. To-morrow afternoon the opening of the newly-formed Kowai Surf Club will be held at the ' beach. Demonstrations 'of life-saving will be given by members of the New Brighton Surf Club. Their efforts to assist a new club will foe- keenly observed by many North Canterbury residents, who have shown a very keen interest by supporting the movement. RANGIORA. In the Flying Fifty Handicap tournament played in the Grand Billiard Parlours on Thursday evening, A. Watson defeated A. Milne in the (final. KAiAPoi: > In reply to a request that warning bells at the High street railway crossing, Kaiapoi, be moved further back, the Minister of Railways informed the Hon. D.' Buddo that the removal could not be agreed to, as it would lessen their effectiveness, but warning bells would be provided at Perald street j crossing when some more pressing installations are provided for. • OHOKA. The fortnightly meeting of the Oddfellows' Lodge was held on Thursday evening, when.Bro. O. W. Bill, N.G., presided over the largest attendance of members for some years past. Amongsfi those present as visitors were P.TXGJM.'s, M. Barrell and W. Snnui; P.G.'s, r W. C. Chambers and J. A. Miles and Bro. P. Jennings of the Rangiora Lodge and P.P.G.M., Bro. Eli Scott of the Lyttelton district, to whom the presiding officer extended a hearty welcome. The electric light was,, used for the first time in the hall, and was a much appreciated change from kerosene lamps. Three candidates for membership were initiated, and three were proposed. Messrs Rowland and Briaoh's tender of £37 17s 6d was accepted for tlie renovation and painting of the hall. The District Meeting agenda paper was received and the re-' I mits met with favourable consideration. P.D.G.M. Bro. W.. A. Keicher and P.O. Bro. H. Dickhoff were appointed delegates to the District Meeting : P.G.M. Bro. Marshall was appointed auditor and P.®. Bro. Howard hall caretaker. . LINCOLN. A most enjoyable social evening tendered recently to Mrs L. Blakemore (nee Miss Taylor;. There was a large gathering of friends and visitors. Mr L. Barbour presided and extended to Mrs Blakemore the heartiest good wishes of all and" t Mr C- Wolfer then made a presentation to her of a clock in recognition of her services as organist of the Lincoln Baptist Church. Mr L. Blakeniore suitably responded , on behalf of his wife. Musical items were given by Misses Taylor, Bartram. Keast, Messrs Currie, Biakemore and Barbour and .recitations by Doris" Habgpod, Audrey Moreland and Jack Habgood. • An effort is to be made in Lincoln to establish a 'branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and a meeting for the purpose will be held next week. Next Thursday evening a send-off is being tendered to the Rev. Father Leen, who Is now in charge of the Rangiora parish. SPRINGFIELD. Ideal weather conditions have P re * vailed during the last week for harvesting. Owing to the nor'-westers and the bountiful supply of sunshine during the present month the harvest yield on the whole has quite come up to expectation. Most of the reaping is finished and stacking is the order of the day. The new railway station is now ready for use and after to-day the old station, once the . ftsene of hustle and bustle in the '"good old coaching.days" will be but a. memory of the past. The new station, which is about 200 yards from the township from the site of the present building, is a spacious up-to-date building fitted with every convenience for the staff and public and will be much appreciated. With the opening of the new railway station the newly deviated line will be brought into acquisition. Mr Sydney Smith met with a very painful accident this-week. His horse, making a sudden movement, caused him. to slip between his trap and the railway goods shed, where he was loading fruit. He fell with his arm under him, causing a dislocated severe bruises. He was attended to by Dr. Macmillaji, of Darfield.