THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17936, 3 December 1923, Page 4

THE COUNTRY.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. Some interesting remarks relative to the poisoning of rabbits were made at Dunedin last week by Mr J. Preston, a well-known Pa!men;ton South landowner. Speaking of smothering rabbits in burrows, ho expressed th© opinion that the use of ordinary smoke obtainable by burning coal at tho entrance of the burrow was the most effective. The system was to burn the coal and pump the smoke into the hole. As it found its wuv through the burrow and out at tho other entrance, those entrances were blocked until finally there was no means by which the rabbit could escape. The animal could not live long enough in tho stifling smoke to burrow its way out, as it sometimes could in the case of other gases, some of which, by tho way. were dangerous to handle. He mentioned that this scheme was now largely and successfully adopted in Central Otajro. Mr Preston stated that he had tried most systems of poisoning, and considered that poisoned pollard was unequalled in the destruction of rabbits. His practice was to mix half a bag; of flour with each bag of pollard used," as the pollard bought nowadays was usually too coarse. Strychnine applied to carrots, he said, was to a certain extent a successful method. All. was '.roll So far as the rabbits which took tho poison and died were concerned. But those rabbits which were merely sickened—as was often the case —would never be tempted again.

l'n the haclcncy competitions on tho second dnv of the Otago A. and P. show, Miss I. Euthcrford's Christchurch champion hack, Itock Ahoy, was awarded first in the 13st class, and the ribbon for champoin hack on the ground. Eoclc Ahoy was also first in the lady's hack class, and second in the hunting competition, but iu the New Zealand'leaping championship he unshipped his rider. Wait-aiul-Sce, Mias Eutherford's other show horse, was first in the lost roadster class and second in the any Weight hunter ovent. There was strong competition in all the classes, and Miss Eutherford's success iu securing the championship, three firsts and two seconds iu six classes is a notable one.

Lucerne lins :i use thai might, with advantage, be considered by the Kailway Department, which is generally in trouble every dry summer through the conflagrations caused by escaping sparks from the engines. This past week many miles of tho dry pasture 011 the railway reserves of the main south line have been burnt, the. only break for a very long stretch being at Banksidc, where tho green lucerne on the reserve prevented ignition. Thero arc thousands of acres of laud represented on railway reserves,'where the rank dry growth is a source of danger to adjoining properties, and it might be a good idea for the Department to arrange with neighbouring farmers who arc not over-burdened with land to take over the reserves for lilcerne growing and thereby serve the double purpose of making use of them and ensuring safoty to adjoining farms. RANGIORA. Mr Robert Williams, whoso death occurred at Soutkbrook on Wednesday, two days after that of his son-in-law, Mr David Shepherd, with whom he resided, was one of the fast-diminishing bund of Maori War veterans. He was a private in the Second Battalion of the 14th Regiment, which came from England in tho troopship Himalaya. The troops w€ro landed at Waitara towards tho end of 1860, and Mr Williams! served with hia battalion through the campaign from Christinas of that year until the triieo on , March 17th, 1861., and was at tho storming of the Sixth Redoubt. At the conclusion of tho war he came to Canterbury. For a feiv years he was in the employ of the late Mr James Hurso at Waikari, and was afterwards in Mr J. S. White's farm at Ohoka for over 80 years. Eventually he went to Southbrook, where he resided for (seventeen years. During his long residence in the districts named he earned the esteem of his acquaintances by his sterling qualities as a workman and friend. He was a member of the Loya.l Rangiora Lodge of Oddfellows for Kver 52 years, and he was buried i rtthe Anglican Church cemetery with Lodge honours, the funeral ritual of tho Order being read by P.D.O.M, Bro. C. W. Bell after the-church service, which was conducted by the R6v. A. N. Scotter, of tho Methodist Church. On Saturday afternoon a very successful garden party was held m the grounds of Sirs F. B. Lane, King street, Rangiora, organised by the Ladies'. Guild in aid of the Methodist Church parsonage building fund. A number of stalls for the sale of sweets, cakes, and needlework, were arranged about the grounds, and good business was dene. There was also a Christmas tree, which was well patronised, by the children. As the result of the effort a fair sum was raised. At the close a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Lane for the use of the grounds. A meeting of tho Waikuku Beach Domain Board was held at Waikuku beach on Friday. Present: Mr F. HorreJl (chairman), Hon. D. Buddo, M.P., arid Messrs M. H. Stokes. C. ID. Skevington, S. Griffiths, and W. A. Rowse. The chairman reported that through the efforts of Mr Buddo the ment had promised £2OO towards the costs of repairing tho damage caused by tlie flood-waters last' June. A vote of thinks was . accorded Mr Buddo for his efforts in the matter. It was decided to build the bridge connecting the north and the Bouth camping giounds over the wash-out on the i-oad; to rebuild the shelter in the car paddock «ii the north side, near the pine belt, and to proceed immediately with the rebuilding of the fireplaces. Mr H. M. Hawkins was granted permission to rebiuid his shore near the shelter. The offer of Dr. Burnett and Mr Fear of the land necessary for roadwidening was accepted. biuco tho Board met last a great amount of work ' has been carried out at the beach, not only by the Board, but also by the Rangiora County Council arid the Beach Improvement Association. Several chains of the road approach to the Domain has been regraded, and two deep ditches hare been dug on either side of the road, and the washout at the entrance gates has been filled in with pine trees and rubble. Several thousand feet of sand has been carted, and the holes in the motor-car paddock have been filled in. It is expected that the shelter and the fireplaces will all be finished in time for the holiday season, when it is anticipated that this favourite picnic resort will bo again well patronised.

ASHLEY BANS. Conditions approaching a drought have prevailed throughout the district during the past few weeks and the wholo countrywide is rap idly jtsßuming a parched and barren appearance, moat unusual at this Beason of the vear. Scorching nor'-westers, only varied by dry easterlies have been the constant order of the day and rain geem® as far away aa ever. Indeed, the position is rapidly becoming serious on the Lighter land towards Mount Grey Downs and Loburn, where feed is becoming very scarce. Round about the Ashley townshipj howover, conditions are not Bo bad, and cereal crops that were sown prior' to the floods last May are looking well. Small farmers "have commenced reaping oats and good average yields arc antieiapted. Spring-sown wheat is rery back ward, not having (Ooiiti&uetl at foot or iiext column.} j

received the" thorough soaking bo necessary to give it a good start. Farmers who expended extra labour earlier in the season in deep ploughing and extra su rfacxvcultiration after drilling will undoubtedly reap tho benefit through the conservation of moisture in a dry season like the present. Some remarkably good oat crops are to b© seen on the heavier lands in the vicinity of the Ashley river. There is a fair acreage in potatoes and peas which are leaking fino and green despite the adverse weather. A good deal of land is in the cultivated state ready to receive tmoh seed as linseed and forage bub most farmers aj-o waiting for ram before sowing. Tho main roads are breaking up badly as a result of tho ever-increasing traffic of heavily-ladeu motor transport bringing down wool from the backcountry stations to tho Christchurch sales.

Friends of Sir Jaraop McNally, who suffered sever© injuries as the result of a fall a couple of weeks ago, will bo glad to hear that ho is progressing favourably. Mr McNafly is still a patient at tho Christchurch Hospital.

KOWAI BUSH. The long spell of dry weather continues and a heavy shower would be welcome to farmers and householders aliko, as tanks are running low. Crops are beginning to suffer and grass to wither. Last week Mr Russell called a meeting of the School Committee to make arrangements for the forthcoming sports, the mafn event of which will ibo the relay race for the shield, at present held hv the Kowai Hush School, and to l>e competed for by other schools iu lb© district. It was decided to hold the eports on Friday, December 7th, and to invite the school children and parents of the surrounding schools. It is with mtich regret that the residents learn that the present school mistress. Miss Nimmo, will be leaving at the end of the year, having received the appointment at the Wesfcerfield £C The'friends of Mr J. A. Gold will be pleased to hear that he is now convalescent.

MOUNT SOMER3. The district bas been experiencing a verv dry spell ' for some weeks now and"everyone is looking for rain. The grass is beginning to burn up ar# water is very scarce in tanks and streams. Nor'-westers have raged for weeks off and on and week of ram would do a great deal ol good. Shearing operations have commenced on most of the farms and runs. The Rifle "Club has wound up their season after a long term and a ball is to b© held on Friday nexx. in tho hall, also th-e nresentation of trophies to the successful winners. The tennis courts have a very animated appearance every afternoon and keen interest is 'being taken xn challenges for tho ladder. Afternoon tea has I>ceti given Eecklev, Green, Williams, and Mis* h. Wood." - A match with Ashburton will be •played, on December loth-, j