THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17808, 6 July 1923, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. Ten agricultural and pastoral associations in Canterbury will foe represented at a conference to be held at the rooms of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, on the 17th inst., to discuss the remits to be brought forward at the annual conference of the New Zealand Council of Agriculture, which opens at Wellington the following day. AKAROA. At the last meeting of the Peninsula i-iower Board considerablie discussion took place on the board's scale of charges for current supplied, more particularly in reference to motors. Complaints had been made to members who were desirous of the expert's opinion. Mr A. E. Williams, one of tne new members of the Board, remarked that it appeared unreasonable to cbarge £6 per h.p. connected load for a motor to cut firewood, when one tin of petrol would suffice the oil engine for tne same purpose. The chairman, Mr J. R. Thacker, pointed out that the oil engine, every time would be the ' dearer proposition." The engine itself would cost between £7O and £BO, while "depreciation and cost of running would be more than the connected load charge, besides the electric motor could be used for other purposes. The consulting engineer, Mr J. H. Templin, ex : plained that the Board had to find interest and sinking tund on a loan expenditure tint already exceeded £ao,oUo, and to irud alsu. tr-.yisiormers, etc., to prouuee the current for the motor, tie pointed out that the Peninsula Power lioard's charges were as reasonable as any similar scale in New Zealand, and when the nature of tne district was taken into account—rugged mountain country with widely scattered homesteads—'they were, in his opinion, remarkably considerate in their charges. Discussing matters generally, Mr i'empiin said ne anticipated having the new generator installed shortly in Akaroa, to reduce the peak load which would come in when the milking motors started. There would be a good peak load, and the Board would be in a position then to sell more current. In reference to a comment and suggestion by Mr Armstrong, Mr Templin said it would be difficult to compete with electric heaters against fuel in Akaroa. Electric cookers could be advantageously used. Again, single phase motors would probably be the best investment as they consumed less current, though they were dearer in the outlay. The Board's by-laws needed revising, for at present the singlephase could be used only up to $ h.p. That, could be -raised to 1J h.p.

BELFAST. The half-yearly meeting of Court Star of Belfast A.O.F. was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday. The C.R., Bro. A. L. Harrington, presided over a good attendance of members. Two biethren were reported on the sick list, and two declared off. The receipts for the evening amounted to £67, and the expenditure to £33 — including £5 10s sick allowance. The principal business was the election of officers, which resulted as follows: — C.R., Bro. J. Halligan; S.C.E., Bro. W. G. Brown; S.W., Bro. W. Hibbard; J.W.. Bro. J. Hey; 5.8., Bro. C. Potten; J. 8., Bro. A. E. Clarke; M.Sec, Bro W Sellers; management committee, Bros, A. Brown, E. Ashby, G. E. Cassidy, A. L. Harrington, G.Lang, and F. Woodham.

DUNSANDEL. The annual meeting of the Dtmsandul Ploughing Mnlcli Awoc'nli n wnn hold in the S Iwyn School, Mr G. Shmt presiding. The' annual rer>ort and b»I----ance-sheet, showing a credit of £6 19a 4d, were adopted. ' Officers were elected as follows:—President. Mr G. Shi>at; ( secretary, and treasurer, Mr N. Brnwn; general e, Messrs G. W. Kime, D. T. Wraight, A. Cunningham, H. F. Wright, Chatterton, Chamberlain, R. H. Johnston, \V. H. Johnston. C. M. Sheat, Skinner, W. A. McMillan, E. E. Jenkins, Jas. Aldridge, and F. LJll: stewards, M-pssrs H. F. Wright, J. Allen, E. G. Mackie, F. Lill, and; J. Burgess; ground committee, Messrs G„ W. Kime, R. H. Johnston, A. Cunningham. B\ T. Wraight. W. A. McMillan, J. Walker, F. Chamborlnin, E. J. Ohatterton, H. Skinner, and H. W. Johnston. It was decided to hold a match on Tuesday, July 31st, on similar lines to previous fixtures, in Mr H. Skinner's paddock, kindly lent for the purpose.

SOUTHBRIDGE. There was a good attendance at th* annual mreting of the Athletio Club, Mr James Parkin presiding. The report and balance-sheet, showing a credit of £65 10s 6d, were read and, adopted. The following officers were elected: —Patron, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes; president, Mr A. B. McEvedy; vice-presidents, Messrs W. Scott and J. C. Fres; treasurer, Mr W. Scott: auditor, Mr R. Moriarty; delegate to Centre, Mr W. J. Woods; committee, Messrs P. Delargey, N. Dnlzell, E. Eggleton, R. Parkin, J. Parkin, E. Kilbride. A. SVlcCartin, A. McPherson, A. Tong, G. Mcllraith, E. Taylor, G. Hill, P. Harvey, W. Lochhcad, L. Monarty, E. Inwood, "W". J. McEve<ly. The offer of a special prize by Mr G. A. Baxter was received with thanks. It was arranged to hold the annual road race a week before the Timaru race. The following new members were elected: Messrs G. Hampton, J. Mitchell, M. Bucklev, P. Eggleton, E. Tavlor,. N. Dalzell, G.. A.. Baxter, M. Doyle, W. Lowery, George Marriott.

j METHVEN. [ Eain fell on seven days during June, the heaviest fall being on the 21st, when 72 points were recorded. The total for the month was 1.62 in, compared with 1.05 in in June, 1922. The rainfall for the year to June 30th was 31.92 in, compared with 16.86 in for the same period last year.

ASHBURTON. The Ashburton Thistle Masonic Lodge held an enjoyable social in the Orange Hall on Wednesday night. A progressive euchre tournament was followed by a dance. The members of St. Stephen's Men's Club and the Ashburton L Catholic Club met in the latter's rooms on Wednesday night, and played a challenge card match. St. Stephen's scored 694 points, and the Catholic Club 709, the fatter thus winning by 15 points.