THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17770, 23 May 1923, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

SOLDIER SETTLERS' HERDS PUREBRED DAIRY BULLS AVAILABLE. The Canterbury District Committee of the Returned Soldiers' Association has embarked upon a scheme to assist soldier settlers to improve their dairy herds by enabling them to obtain the services of purebred dairy bmls on very easy terms. 'liie scnenie originated witn General Sir Andrew itusseu, »n° is Himself a farmer, and who tuKes a great interest in tne weiiare of soldier

iii connexion with the scheme the following circular has been sent out to all soldier settlers m Canterour} and West-land:—"Dear Sir,—As probably you wiil know, the U.S.A. has recently been interesting itself in the question of purebred stock for soldier settlers. (So far, our efforts have been successful, and we are now able to advise that a number of purebred dairy bulls are available through the R.S.Aon the following terms: £1 on apph- | cation; £4 on allotment; delivery to { take place before the end of July, 1923. I The settler is to have the use of the bull for three seasons, after which it | reverts to the Association, which will ' either sell it outright to the user, if I he so desires, or arrange for it to be ! sold by auction. The money raised is ; to rro to form a fund out of which to i subsidise local bull "lnbs on soldipr settlements. Tli3 following breeds of nurebred bulls are available at rresent: Friesi'ins, Jersey, Ayrshire, and mil'cin<r Shorthorn. Arinlicnnts should sbitr> whit nf liiill tbpy prefpr. Ari'nlicatinns will be dealt with in the order- of rppeint. find p'l should be forwardnd to W. K. Canterburv district secretary, R.S.A." AKAROA. The annual meeting of the Banks Peninsula Rifle Association was held at Duvauchelle on Friday, Mr A. ! Wright presiding over a fair attendance. The annual report and balancesheet were adopted. The- election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr W. Warner (Wainui); vice-presi-dent, Mr R. A. Pettigrcw (Barry's Bay); lion, secretary, Mr J. Mould; executive, each affiliated club to be entitled to two delegates thereon. It. was decided to commence the usual Kinloch and Peninsula Shield matches for senior and junior riflemen on June 14th, and to hold the annual championship prize shoot at the Central Butts on June 7th, the programme to be the same as last year's. Regret was expressed that apparently not more interest was being taken in rifle shooting on the Peninsula this year There were practically only two live clubs represented. Reference was made to the enthusiasm and interest that had characterised the sport a few years ago, and it was hoped that the younger generation would feel impelled to emulate the successes of their fathers with the rifle. There was plenty of good, promising material available. It needed only energy and organisation to make the best use of it. RANGIORA. A meeting of the Rangiora High School Board of Governors was he.d last night, Mr 11. Ball presiding. The chairman extended a welcome to the Mayor, Mr W. A. Rowse, who took, his seat on the Board as the representative of the Rangiora Borough. Mr G. P. Jdll was appointed caretaker of the school building and grounds. In his monthly report the. principal, Mr J. E. Straclian, stated that at the close of the term the roll number was 164, and the average attendance had been 153.4. Mr R. Collie tendered his resignation as the Government nominee on the Board, which was accepted with regret, and it was resolved to forward a letter thanking him for his services. It was resolved that Mr W. H. Banks be recommended for the vacancy. Mr Strachan and Mr H. Boyd were recommended for reappointment to the Canterbury Progress League as the representatives of the school.

HORNBY-ISLINGTON. The Hornby Rugby footballers held one of their popular euchre parties in the club rooms at Sockburn on Monday evening. The prizes were awarded as follows: —Ladies' first prize, Mrs C. Lennox (oak palm bowl); ladies' second prize, Mrs Allan Cox (glass dish); ladies' consolation prize, Miss Ruby Cox; gent's first prize, Mr Johansen (set of military hair brushes in case; gent's second prize, Mr Wood (pipe); gent's consolation prize, Mr N. Freeman. At the close of a very pleasant evening light refreshments were handed round. The footpath on the Main South road, between Sockburn and Hornby, has been in a dilapidated condition for some time past. On wet days man)' pedestrians, instead of using the footpaths, prefer to risk injury from passing traffic by walking on the road. The footpath is worse just on the Hornby side of the Little River railway crossing. The overflowing of the waterrace over the footpath at that particular place is a common occurrence. The path between. Church Corner and Sockburn has been undergoing a certain amount of repairing lately, and Sock-burn-Hornby residents are hoping that their equally important main path will receive some attention in the near future. LEESTON. A meeting of the EUesmere County War Memorial Committee was held at Leeston on Monday. Present: Messrs John Cunningham (cflairman), H. Neave (secretary), R. T. McMillan, John Hislop, Dr. B. Volckman, Alex Webster and J. Parkin. In regard to the stone to be used for the Memorial', it was decided that an order be placed for Timaru stone ror cue steps, a,.d in Sjduey for the sandstone for the monument. The lamp posts and kerbing would be erected in bluestone if available. The secretary said that there was £2300 in the bank, and £319 outstanding. A vote of thanks to Mr J. Tait, the contractor, for his attendance and information was carried with acclamation. KOWAI BUSH. Several days of warm nor'-west weather have "eradicated the effects of the flood, and also brought quite a growth to the grass. Damaged roads and fords are almost all repaired. A meeting called by the secretary of the K.8.0.C. was poorly attended, and after some discussion, it was decided to carry on with the old committee, and to forward a sum of money to the sister in charge of St. Saviour's to provide winter clothing for the "adopted child." On Friday evening a very successful and enjovable card party, in.aid of the piano tuning nnd other fi'iicls, was held in the schoolroom. The prizewinners were Miss R. Gold, Mrs Green-

ins, Mr T. Hall, and Mr Brown. The attendance, was so satisfactory that an impromptu dnnce, conducted by Mr C. Smith, followed the car£ tournament, the music being supplied by Miss Atkinson and two visitors. HORORATA. The Hororata Golf Club held a very successful opening day on Saturday last, when a fair number of members was present. The weather conditions were ideal, and the course was in firstclass order. The improvements to the course were much appreciated by players. Afternoon tea was dispensed by the lady members of the committee. Among those present were: —Mesdames G. Hall, J. D. Hall, G. Derrett, S. Vaughan,. —. Wilstcad, H. Boyle, Misses Pearson, McGill, and Derrett, Messrs G. Hall, T. Pearson, C. Pearson, Wilstead, Pratt, Nettleton, Vaughan, Owen (2), H. Oliver, W. Gray. On Monday, night the Hororata branch of the N.Z.F.U. held its. first meeting when officers for the ensuing year were elected, and general business discussed. The following officers were elected: —Chairman, Mr J. D. Hall; vice-chairman, Mr H. Oliver; committee, Messrs J. Ballagh, H. Oliver, G. Hight, D. Bruce, T. Jarmati, T. Pearson, L. Derrett; delegates tProvincial Conference, Messrs H Oliver and T. Pearson; treasurer, Mi G. Hight; secretary, Mr W.- S. Pratt, auditor, Mr C. Howland. The following was the outline of a series of win ter lectures decided upon: Dairying In dustry, Poultry Industry, Forestry, Taxation, Agricultural Banks. Several matters pertaining to the general interests of farmers were fully du cussed, and it was decided to forward remits dealing • with those matters t:, the annual conference. It was decided to commence the series of lectures as early as possible. , All present expressed their willingness to join the branch, and. to date, the memberchip is between 30 and 40. GREENDAU3. The School Committee' met on Monday Evening. The chairman, Eev. \V. H. A. Vickery, presided. A number of necessary improvements in tne school grounds were considered, and arrangements were made for carrying out one or two of the "schemes. >lt was decided to observe Empire Day to-morrow, and the chairman' was asked to eive an address appropriate to the occasion to the children. PENDARVES. The Pendarves Hall was well filled on the occasion of the. second monthly euchre party and dance of the. season Many visitors were present frcm other districts. The gentlemen's prize for most games won went to 'Mr L. Scott. and the ladies' prize to Miss M. Lanlhie, the presentation being made by Mr J. Lambie. Mr G. Struthers,_ of Chertsey, gave several songs, which were well received- The music for the dancing was supplied by Mr W. Kankin. A~fter a snlondid supper the function closed with, the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."

RAKAIA. There was a very large number present at the Anglican Schoolroom on Monday night, when the first of the parish .socials was. held. The evening was devoted to dancing, the music b.ini? provided by several players. The following committee was elected to make, arrangements for the coming season: Misses Edgington (2), \M. Kane, Messrs J. Stubbs, A. Watts, F. Watts, Cox, C. W. Wendelken, and G. Pluck. It was decided to meet on Monday next to draw up a programme. • The following team has been selected to represent the Rakaia Ladies' Ho:key Club in their first match of the season on Wednesday against Dunsandel, at the Rnkai.l' t>omain : —D- Stubbs, A. Weaver, A. Pluck, M. Donaldson, B. Donaldson, C. Shannon, D. Brown, I. Smith, F. Cornelius, H. Shannon, and D. Kaan; emergencies L. Neuman and D. Bennett.._ As the Dunsandel players arc arriving by the 1.30 p.m. express and must leave by the 4 o'clock express, it is essential that the players be on the ground at 1.45 p-m. At the monthly meeting of the Rflkaia School Committee the Rev. A ». Morrison presided. There were also present—Messrs A. A. Oliver, J. A. England, W. Cromie, and A.. F. Kennet't. The headmaster's report showed that the school had been visited by the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes and Mr C. N; Haslam, Inspector of Schools. There was a subsidence near the school well, and a supnlv of shingle was required. It was decided to have the well repaired and to secure shingle. The chairman stated that several members of the committee had formed a deputation to wait on Sir R. Heaton Rhodes with reference to their demand for a new school. Sir Heaton had not made anv definite commitment, but had promised to give the matter his closest attenti n. It was reported that a petition for signature by householders was being prepared in connexion with the same matter, and it was hoped that all interested would attend at Mr Olivers shop and sign. It was stated that Mrs Graham had undertaken the duties of cleaner. Some further" consideration was given to the questions of erect:ng a war memorial and providing a supply of dry wood for the winter. At about 5 p.m. yesterday a washhouse at the residence of Mr George Bradbury was completely, destroyed uy fire No one was at home at the time, but it is thought that a spark from the fire used in the morning ignited the rubberoid roof. The owner of the property is Mr A. J. Magson.

ASHBURTON. At the Ashburton Police Court .yesterday, before Mr lUGalbraith, J.p. } a first offender was fined 20s on a charge of drunkenness. A meeting of the Genera] Committee" of the Ashburton A. and P. Association. I

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was held yesterday afternoon, Mr J. AL. Hampton, wee-president, in. JW chair setters in appreciation Of tne Help the Association nad given in .connexion with the Farmers' School were received from the Department ot Agriculture. The Paparua County Council wrote in connexion with the spreao: of blackberry. It was stated that the matter was mpst important,, and there were several places in the ABhburton county on which blackberry was growing profusely. It was decided that the Government be given every assistance in the matter of eradicating the pest. Senior Sergeant Jackson was elected a member of the Association. The. Otago A. and P. Association wrote inviting the Ashburton Association to be represented at a _conference of A. and P. Associations to Be held in Duneffin during the Winter Show week, June sth to June Sth. It was decided to ask the president (Mr J Findlay) to attend the conference* and, failing him, Mr Hunter Morris. The' Canterbury Association wrote suggesting that a conference be held in Christchurch prior to the conference of the Council of Agriculture at Wellington to discuss the remits to be sent to Wellington. It was decided that the president and the secretary go to the Wellington conference, and that they be also asked to attend the Christchurch conference. It was decided to hold the annual ploughing match during the first week in August. A vote of thanks was accorded the Department of Agriculture and its officers in connexion with the Farmers' School, held in Ashburton, and a hope was expressed that the school would be an annual event at Ashburton. ' It was decided to point fiut to the Meat Board that the retail price of beef was too high in comparison with the value of fat cattle nt the nnVic salevards, apd thp.t the Board should reyiew the prices in the various butchers' shops.