THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17700, 28 February 1923, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Mr Norman Rutherford, Mendip Hills, Parnassus, has imported a one shear merino ram from the well-known breeders. Messrs Murrav Bros., Rhine Park, South Australia. The ram is by Jellico from an exhibition stud ewe and arrived in excellent condition. j KIRWEE. The second monthlv meeting of the Kirwee branch of the Plunket Society was held in the Courtenay A. and P, Association's rooms. Owing to the day being wet, the attendance was not so large as usual, although several mothers braved the elements and brought their babies. Nurse Osborne, who is the visiting nurse, gave valuable advice to the mothers. It was decided to hold the meetings of the branch on the third Tuesday in each month. A donation of £ 1 was received with thanks from the vice-president, Mrs A. P. Anderson. The weather continues unfavourable for harvesting operations, rain falling at frequent intervals. A fine week woula see the harvest practically finished. A lot of grain is being carted ■ to the railway station, drays, motorlorries, and traction-engines being ; busily employed. I The shingle which tho Railway Do- ' partment is putting on the road oppo- : site the new culvert over tho waterrace is causing a lot of trouble to motor traffic. It is is quite common | to see these vehicles stuck up, and the i shingling gang pushing them along the bad portion of the road. KIMBERLET.

A very enjoyable social was held in the Kimbcrlcy Hall on Friday night, to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Dempsey, who are leaving the district. Mr W". Syme, on behalf of the residents, presented Mr and Mrs Dempsey with a handsome clock; and Mr C. McCaus•land, on behalf of the Kimberley Cricket Club, presented them with a set of silver vases. Mr Dempsey, on behalf of his wife and himself, suitably responded. The music was supplied by Messrs Symes, Hanson, Hart, and "West-wood. Miss McClelland gave a solo, and Master H. Westwood a recitation. LEESTON. The Rev. Father Finnerty who, for tho past year, has relieved, the Kev. Father Creed as priest of the Leeston Catholic parish, left for Ilokitika on Monday morning, to take up fresh duties there. During his stay in Leeston Father Finnerty endeared himself to his people, and general regret was expressed when notice of his transference to the West Coast came to hand. The notice being rathor short, it was found impossible to hold a farewell social, but the parishioners met Father Finnerty in the Hall after service on Sunday last. Mr E. B. Winter read a short address of appreciation and farewell, and handed the departing clergyman a substantial cheque as a parting gift from the Leeston end of the parish. Mr M. Twiss, on behalf of the Southbridge people,. also presented him with a roll of notes as a slight token of the esteem in which his people held him. Father Finnerty made a suitable reply, and expressed his thanks for the kindness bestowed on him, and for tho loyal, way in which the Catholics of Leeston parish had stood by him during his stay amongst them. He regretted that he could not remain with them always, but he would remember their many kindnesses to him, and they would ever be in his thoughts and prayers. The Kev. Father Creed is expected to return at the week-end to resume his duties. SOUTHBRIDGE. A meeting of the Southbridge District High School Committee was held on Monday. Present —Messrs R. Kowse (chairman), J. Stringer, A. Tong, A. McPherson (Secretary). Among the outwaTd correspondence was a copy of a letter from the secretary of the Railway Department, in reference to an old account for £lO 12s 4d, due on an excursian. train hired by Southbridge, Doyleston, and Leeston schools. The Southbridge committee did not recognise the account, as it was incurred by the other schools permitting a greater proportion of adults to minors than the railway regulation allowed, whereas Southbridge kept to the rules. The Department refused to gfant an excursion to the school until the account was paid. The secretary protested Southbridge's innocence, but this was not accepted 'by the Department, on the ground that the conditions were clearly stated, and that no effort had,been made by the committee representing the schools to pay the account. The members thought it unfair that Southbridge should be penalised on account of the default of others, and also that, when a committee guaranteed the Department against loss, the Department should not make any concession for traffic securotl greatly in excess of the guarantee. II was a crying shame that the Southbridge children should be penalised for no fault of their own, especially as the returns exceeded the guarantee by over £3O. It was decided that_ a deputation wait upon the District Traffic Manager at Christchurch, and explain the position, in ther hope of clearing the matter up. A motion was carried that a letter of appreciation be sent to Hr Jas. Hutton, M.A., the late headmaster, in recognition of his splendid work at the Southbridge D.H.S.,' and wishing him and his family health and prosperity in the future. It is understood that Mr Button's successor is Mr English, of Eiccarton, who has a splendid record to his credit. The school roll stands at 200 in the primary division, and 27 in the secondary. HINDS. The first anniversary of the newlyorganised Sunday School was held in St. Luke's Church on Sunday evening. There was a large congregation. Special hymns were sung, and the service was very bright and inspiring. The vicar, the Kev. I". A. Crawshaw, preached an appropriate sermon on "A Gospel Train." At the conclusion of the service the report was read, which showed that 11 children attended at the beginning, and now there are 47, with five teachers and one relieving teacher. A supply of forms was needed, as the seating accommodation at the vicarage was taxed to its utmost. The annual meeting of the Domain Board was held on Monday. The report showed that considerable improvements had been made in the Domain during the year, and there was a small credit balance. Mr A. McKenzie was re-elected chairman, and Mr J. Cook secretary..

The Bailway Department has just completed a viaduct near the station, replacing the wooden girders with steel ones of up-to-date pattern. A fair amount of grain is arriving at the station now. Two haulers are at work. There is no shortage of trucks, for which all are truly thankful ASHBURTON. Arrangements are reported to &e well in hand.in connexion with the carnival to be held on Saturday under the auspices of the St. Stephen's Anglican Church parishioners. An illustrated souvenir is to be published in connexion with the function, containing, inter alia, a history of the church. The carnival

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will be held in the Aflhburton Domain. There is a fair amount of activity in the building trade in the district. In spite of this, however, there still exists a shortage of houses to rent. ~ Grain is coining into the Ashburton stores in very large quantities, and haulers are very busily engaged. At the last meeting of the 1.0.0J). M U., two jewels, to be awarded to members who introduced the most new members, were reported to have been won by Bro. R, Q Sileock (for 1922) and Bro. W, B. Gourdie (for 1931). Three candidates were proposed for membership.