THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17706, 7 March 1923, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS,

The annual show of the Temuka and Geraldine A. and P. Association will be held at Winchester on March I'-'nd.

The question of submitting remits to the Agricultural Conference, to be he'd in We.iingi.on si.ortiy. was discussed b> the executive, liuance, and grounds committees of the Uwgo Ayieultural and Pastoral Jsocety. it was re-solveu to forward the fo.io.ving:—"That tins meeting recommends i..at the control of noxious weeds be vested in the County Councils in plac-e of the At;ricultural Department, and that this resolution be submitted to the Council of Agriculture for its approval and support."

A continuation of the fine weather of the past few days will rrove a boon to many farmers in the district (te!etrrai)hs our co-respondent). 'lhe exti-emelv wet weather was threatening to hold' un harvesting operations which, if the weather keeps fine, will soon fc-3 in full swing. j RANGIORA. A verv successful flannel dance was held in "the Oddfellows' Hall on Monday evening, to raise funds for the novelty stall at the forthcoming bazaar in aid of St. John's Hall building fund. Progressive euchre was also played. j KAIKOUKA. ! The monthly meeting of the Kaikoura Progress League was held on iaatuiduy, Jir P. Acton-Adams presiding over a moderate attendance. 'lhe araft rules were approved. lUr J. J. McGrath remarked that two small culverts on the rrtiuth road were needed between ''The Elms" and Mr G. IHckson's. He suggested that the Public Works Department should be communicated with through Mr G. W. Forbes. M.P., in reference to the matter. The cost would be small, but it meant a great deal to motorists. Mr McGrath also I suggested that the) question of linking up the railway between Parnassus and Kaikoura should be urged, as there was j a desire on the part of Cheviot people ■ to bo linked up so as to avail thefm- ' selves of the wharf accommodation, and thus save tunnel rates. Alter discussion it was decided to write Mr Forbes , on the subject. CUST. Interest is already manifesting itself with reward to the coming election oi members for the Oust Ruling of the Ransriora County. The r.ding 1 , is roprcttrtited by two members, and it is rtnderstnc.d'Mr G. Cowans, one of thci sitting m-rmbers, is not seeking re-elec-tion. It is current news that Mr G. K. Oysell, a retired farmer, of Cust M has been approached regarding nomination, and should he consent to sucii nomination he will receive considerable support from ratepayers. ASHLEY BANK.

In spite of the numerous vagaries of the weather during uie past two months, the harvesii.ng of cereal crops is at last, completed throughout the district. The rain which fell mostly in heavy showers, followed by good' drying winds, had very little effect on the grain, which was discoloured only in a few cases. Threshing operations are at present in full swing, some gratifying results being achieved. Farmers are at present busy getting in the linseed and pea-crops, both of which should show returns well up to the average. Remarkably heavy traffic in fat lambs on the North line has been noticed during -the last few weeks, as, many as half a dozen heavily-laden trains passing through on some days en route to Kaiapoi and Belfast works. The monthly meeting of the Ashley School Committee was held on Monday ni"ht. Present; Messrs 11. Collie (chairman)', P. J. Lindsay, J. McNally, F. W. Robertson and J. Jb. Wh/tnam. The headmaster, reported that the school roll was 47 and the average attendance 44. The balancesheet in connexion with the recent picnic and prize distribution showed that £ls 9s 6d had been spent. During the month of February, the school had been visited bv the E'lncation Department's Medical Inspector, Dr. Phillips, and Nurse Lorrimer, and a?so by the Physical Inspector, Miss 'Greenwood. Mr Kn'ght, electrical engineer to the Kowai County Council, interviewed the committee, concerning the installation of the electric liclit in- the school. He was accorded a vote of thanks for his information. Quotations were received from various firms for the installation of the light, and it was decided to accept that of Mr Mcßrearty, of Rangiora. Correspondence was received from the secretary of the Ashley branch of the N.Z. Educational Institute, soliciting the committee's support in connexion with a School Sports Meeting to be held in llangiora m April. It was decided to support the proposal, and a sum of £3 was granted towards it. The chairman reported that he had applied for a subsidy from the Government on £5 granted towards the School Library at a previous meeting. Next Friday evening a social will be held in the schoolroom in connexion with the combined Sunday Schools to raise funds for the purchase of prizes for the children. A feature of the evening will be numerous items by the pupils. The promoters are relying on the whole-hearted support of the district.

The work of extending the Lake Coleridge hydro-electric scheme into Ashley is rearing completion, the erection of the overhead wires being practically finished. Tt is anticipated that the current will be turned on within a couple of months, unless any unforeseen delays .occur. SPRINGSTON. On Friday last the annual school picnic was held at Coeis Ford. • The chi.dren and a large number of parents and friends assembled in the morning, and until lunch time games and paddling in the stream were indulged in. After lunch races were run off for the children, and every cafid received a gift. There was also a plentiful supply of sweets, etc. After afternoon tea had been nartaken of, Mr Kime, chairman of the school committee, thanked all those who had helped to make the gathering the success it was. He then distributed a prize to every child attending the school. Special prizes were given by Miss Hoggins as follows: —Attendance in the infant room. Molly Riortlan, Jean Marshall, Ina Mounce and Hubert Warren; each having missed only a fialf day. Sewing, Audrey Jnmes and Hilda Kirk; Simpson and Williams' prizes for most popular boy and girl. Sinclair Benny and Vera "Wall. A large number of the children and parents were conveyed to the ford by Messrs ivime, l>ale, and Parrett. . Mr D. Nairn, at one time manager of the SprinpstoTi creamery, and Mrs Nairn and family, have spent the week-end with friend's at For the past three years they" have been away in Australia. LEESTON. The monthly meeting of the Leeston School Committee was held on Monday. Present: Messrs A. J. Gray (chairman), E. Giant, I. Townshend, D. Reid, and T. Fussell (secretary). The headmaster reported that the number on the roll was 106, the average attendance being 92. A letter was received from the secretary of the Education Board saying that the architect wa3 to visit the

school and report on the best means of improving the water supply. At the meeting of the Ellesmere County Council held on Mondav last a letter was received from the North Canterbury Hospital Board saying that the plans for the erection of a hospital at Leeston had been approved bv the Board and sent on to the Minister of Health for his approval. It was proposed to complete the purchase of the necessary site as early as possible. The Council decided to reply asking that four acres be purchased instead of 2i, and that the building be in concrete. '

At a recent meeting of the Ellesmere branch of the Plunket Society, it was decided to arrange for a nurse to visit the district twice a month. The resthouse on the show grounds was much appreciated by mothers, over 100 using it during the day. £25 had been taken by the treasurer towards helping Knritane Hospital, being part of the proceeds of Violet Dav. Nurse Osborne reported that the work of the branch was going ahead steadily, and the results were very satisfactory. A resident nurse was urgently needed. The district was visited twelve times during the year, the attendances being: Adults, 339; children, 87; babies, 201. The following officers were elected for the coming year:—President, Mrs T. Everton; vice-presidents, the Hon. Mrs T. Rhodes and Mrs Gray ; secretary, Mrs L. E. Harte; treasurer," Mrs Robertson; committee, Mesdames Neave, Ecclcton, Butter, D. Tong, B. Coe, J. Coe, Stephens, Cridge, Osborne, Rennie, J. Hampton, E. W. Hampton, Watson, Ryde, G. Nairn, J. C. Chamberlain, P. Chamberlain, J. Boag, J. Cunningham, Grant, W. Loehhead, A. Scott, W. Gabbie, Halloway, G. Osborne, Miss Lewis; executive, all officers, with Mesdames J. Coe, B. Coe, Watson, and J. C. Chamberlain. LINCOLN. A very enjoyable evening was spent recently, when members of the Baptist Church and their friends met to bid farewell to Mr L. Barbour, who has officiated at the services at Lincolu for some time past. The guest of honour, who is shortly leaving for Wellington, was presented by Mr C. Wolfe with three beautifully bound volumes by well-known authors. The following eulogised the good work of the recipient:—Messrs J. H. Pannett, L. Blakemore, and J. F. Pratt. Mr Barbour, suitably responded. Musical items were given by Audrey Moreland, Doris Habgood, Jack Habgood, Messrs C. Wolfe, L. Blakemore, J. Curry, L. Thwaites, and J. Lancaster. Mrs L. Blakemore played the accompaniments. METHVEN. The monthly meeting, of the Methven Domain • Board was held on Monday. Present: Messrs' H. Green (chairman), J. W. M. Dart, and Dr. McKee. The sub-committee appointed presented a schedule of duties for the caretaker, which was adopted, the question of holidays being- left in the hands of the chairman and secretary. The Mt. Somers Memorial Hall Committee wrote asking if the Board could lend tents and other gear for the purpose of running' side-shows at a fete it proposed holding in the near future to raise funds for the local Domain. The secretary was instructed to reply that the Board had no such gear. The audit inspector, Christchurch, wrote pointing out a few small payments in connexion with the late gala that were irregular. The Stamp Duties Department wrote stating that it had been arranged not to charge stamp duty on the gala. The chairman reported that, as requested, Mr J. Young, curator of the Christchurch Domains Board, had paid a visit to the Domain last week, but as members were not aware of the date of his visit, they unfortunately had not met him. The question of improving the baths was discussed, and it was decided to engage the services of an engineer to take levels and advise regarding what work was necessary in connexion: with the bath.

ASHBURTON. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, More Messrs R. Clark and E. P. Ni.oll, J.P.'s, John Marie, charged with being drunk in a railway carriage, was fined the amount of his bail, £3. John Storrier, «liaa Hides, charged under the Vagrancy Act, -was remanded until March 13th. Mr H. J. Constable, chairman of tho Asliburton Sports Gala Trustees, Tins resigned on account of his impending departure for Great Brit.iin. The m mbers yesterday placed on record, on behalf of the sporting community, their appreciation of his services. The trustees held a balance of nearly £3OO from the. gala funds, which totalled over £IJOO, the function being one of th« most successful of its kind in Canterbury, its object being.to assist sport, which was languishing after the w«ir. Mr Constable was hon. oiganiser of the gala. Mr Eric H. Orr has been appointed to tho vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr Constable. Mr Orr was <i very enthusiastic worker in connexion with the gala.