THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17938, 5 December 1923, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

The season is opening out in Southland., where pastures «K.iibtt prolific crops, with resultant g°° a dairy returns, states a Press. Associa ticn telegram. All factories are re ceiving supplies largely in excess o the quantity handled last year. re sent indications point to a recor - port of dairy produce from the p viuce.

HANMER SPRINGS. The following is an abstract of the meteorological records for .» > • . taken at the .State lorcst v_e.n ~ tion, those for the same month US* vear being given in parentheses. perat.no "in shade: temperature 71.-13de£. Fuh. ( jfoS, mean minimum tempera! :uro t (42.6), approximate mean te.aipe a 57 S3 (54.33), mean dail} 111 temperature 27.20 (23.53k *£_ T *L maximum temperature on oOth o- ( > extreme minimum temperature oi • - 32 (3:)), extreme range of tompoiat 53 US). Exposed thernirineters: -Mean terrestrial radiation cS.OG (3.>.( ), ■>" ( mum terrestrial radiation ( rest) or ' ;< J (30) Wind: Average daily for month 134 miles (103.83). mmfflum dailv velocity for month, on 3id, miles (410): mean amount ol: clonia clear skv, 10 overcast) 2.22 (3.b0). Rai "" Total rainfall 0.50 m (3.3o ini : of days on which ram fell 4 > maximum rainfall in any -1 ■ 0 40in. on 13th (0.95 m). Bright sun shine 233 hours 55 minutes (ISo horns)i, maximum 11 hours on four ' (10 hours); davs without recorded sunshine "Frost occurred on seven 11 Tlie Goif Club played a medal match during the week-end which G. Rainev with a net score of OJ. Williams was second with il. WAIAU. Mr Allen Foster, who for the past three and a half years has m'ctl position of clerk at the aiau wav Station, has been transferred Cust, and left on Saturday to take up his new position. On Friday afternoon lie. was met by his fellow employees a Waiau and presented with a fountain pen as a mark of esteem and respect. The date of the Amuri A. and 1 • Association's r.nnual show has been fixed for March 25th. In common with other parts of Canterbury, this district is suffering the effects of the hot. dry spell. I'or several weeks there has been a succession of clear skies alternating with drying nor'-westers. For September the rainfall was only 30 points, the lowest oil record for that month, and though this was somewhat remedied by a; fall of 3.23 in in October, the abnormally small fall of If) points onlv has been recorded for November. As a consequence the district is suffering severely and a soaking rain is badly needed. In parts the grass presents a parched appearance and feed is becoming scarce, for there is not the usual luxuriant rjrriwth in the spring. 'Crops have come into ear prematurely and are drying off, while, a number sown in the soring will be an absolute failure unless rain comes soon. Tha nrospects for the farming community at present, are far from bright. CHEVIOT. A meeting of the Cheviot branch of the Farmers' Union %v'as held, at Domett, on Saturday, when there was: a good attendance of members. Correspondence >was received from the Ngahere branch, quoting prices of posts and . fencing material to members. The prices were considered satisfactory, and members were directed to order through the secretary. The. branch was invited to send ■. delegates to a conference a;t Rangiora to discuss matters affecting farmers north of the Wairankariri river. Messn Anderson, Harrison, Paton, McAdam, and Pettingell were appointed delegates. It was decided to write to the Stock Department, asking that tests bo made for the purpose of ascertaining if contagious mammitis was existent in the district. The matter of the Cottage Hospital was discussed,.and it was stated that the local Progress Association was doing all it could to expedite matters in the way of. getting the figures requir.ed by the Hospital Board, although it was considered that the' Hospital Board wa3 in a better position. to get these than the local people. In view of the visit of Mr "W. J. Poison, president, and some of the executivo of the Dominion Farmers' Union in the autumn to the South Island, it was decided to ask Mr Poison to address a meeting at Cheviot. OH OKA. A meeting of the executive of the North Canterbury Dairy Association was held on Monday. The question of selecting a candidate most suitable for the protection of the dairyman's interests under control was considered, and it was decided that Mr Richard Newell be the Dairy Association's nominee, he having praved himself a fighter for the man who milks the cows. It was decided to ask all dairymen in Canterbury, Otago, Southland, and on the "West Coast to support the nomination. SPRINGFIELD. IV Nor'-westers in greatly varying degrees of velocity continue almost daily. The crops show every sign of early maturity. Rain would be very beneficial. Slight showers were experienced on Sunday morning, but much more rain is required to thoroughly soak the ground and fill tanks. Many streams are quite dry. Very small patches of snow are now left upon the Torlesse range. The residents of the County interested in the progress of the Plunket Society are eagerly anticipating welcoming Nur-e Curri© to-morrow at the monthly meeting. Nurse Currie has recently been appointed resident nurse at Darfield for the Malvern and la- : wera districts. Each of the local I branches of the Plunket Society are now responsible for supplying their quota towards the maintenance of the district's Plunket nurse. To meet this expense the Springfield branch is holding a Christmas Fair in the Springfield Hall on Friday. The entertainment will consist of concert items, and an address w.TI be given by Nurs3 "Wilson. Dancing and the sale of sweets and Christinas goods will also be features of the gathering. GREENDAI.E. The choir connected ''vith the Richmond Methodist Church journeyed to Grecndale, and gave a very successful concert. The Orange Hall was comfortably filled for the occasion. The Rev. O. Burnet presided, and introduced the artists. The various items were much appreciated. A very hearty vote of thanks was proposed, and carried with acclamation. The proceeds were for the funds of the local Methodist Church. Supper was provided for the choir before starting cn their return journey. The programme was as follows: —Glee, "Hail, Smiling Morn," choir; pianoforte solo, Miss Kearney; song, "Nirvana," Mr L. C. Quane; banjo selection, Mr Woodward; male quartet, "Sweet and Low"; song, "Farewell," Mr Craze; song, "A Chip Off the Old Block," Mr A. Barnes; song, "Amazon," the girls; song, "Rose in the Bud," Miss Harrall; pianoforte duet,' Misses Straw; quartet, "Softly Falls the Shades of , Evening"; song, "Keep on Singing,"

Mr A. Quane; glee, selected, choir; song, •''Yorkshire Puddiug," Mr 'Woodovarii; humorous sketch, "A Capable Servant"; glee, "O, Who "Will O'er the Downs?'' choir.

HORORATA. The Barrow Fair held on Saturday, and organised by the local branch of the G.F.S., met with success, tlie proceeds amounting to oyer £l4. This will put the branch, which is newly formed, in a good financial position, and also provide for the entertainment bore of the girls from St. Anne's Home, Christchurch. Arrangements are well in hand for their visit, which takes place on Saturday, and given propitious weather, a happy day should be spent. The dry weather continues, accomprnied bv parching winds. Unless rain falls in the near future the greater proportion of the crops will not be worth harvesting. The spring-sown crops have received a seivere check, and although only a few inches high, are bolting into ear. Tlie autumn crops, which are in a minority owing to the wet sowing season, are as yet. in no danger, although they will develop poorly unless given a good drenching rain. The so wins of rape and turnips ii also being delayed, as there is no moisture in the surface to germinate the seed. The pastures are burning off, and feed is becoming short. At a meeting of the Horticultural Scciety held at the school-house there were present Messrs Pearson, Mooar, Page, Adams, Harris, and Pratt, Misses McOill and Eldridge, and Mesdames McHugh and Pratt (secretary). Correspondence was received from the following, giving donations to the prizefund.: —Mesdames J. D. Hall, T. B. Jones, D.LC. (Christchurch), Buxton and Co., Nairn and Ron, Gibbons and Co., and R. S. Shillito, Donations to the fund were also received from Mesdames McHugh, Whi'tty, and Mr A. J. Harris. A sub-committoe, .comprising Messrs A. Harrft and L. Mooar, was set up to draw up lists of prospective members. It was decided to canvass the district for subscriptions.

On Friday night a deputation from the Pavilion Committee waited on the Domain Board regarding the erection of conveniences on the Domain. It was decided to erect the necessary conveniences, and that the Pavilion Committee should have the. work done.

At a meeting of tlie Pavilion Committee held on Monday the following ! were present :—Messrs Boyle, Pratt, I Ironside, and Phillips (secretary). The j report of the deputation to the Domain j Board was received, and it was, de- J cided to call for tenders for the erection of two conveniences immediately. It was also decided to grant to the local Girls' Friendly Society the use of the pavilion on Saturday next up to 1.30 p.m. for the entertainment of the girls from St. Anne's Home. Miss E. Nelson, who is organising th-» concert to be held on Saturday night in aid of the Presbyterian Church funds, reports that arrangements are well in hand, and that she has secured the services of fourteen performers from Christchurch. As the talent is exceptionally good, she expects to produce a very enjoyable concert. WAIKUKU. Miss Edward was convener' of the Waikuku Mutual Improvement Society's weekly meeting held in the Methodist Church vestry. An excellent paper on "Do We Keep the Right, Day as tbe was read by Mr Ray Morriss, and a discussion which proved very enjoyable followed. Mr Malcolm Collie will be convener next week, with Miss Dora McMillan ai vice-convener. Mr Donald Morriss will read a paper on "Paul Before Agrippa" this-even-ing. RAKAIA. It seems likely that all efforts to revive cycling, and athletics in llakaia thid" season are doomed 1 to., failure. the followers of the . amateur code had twice failed to hold a meeting, the supporters of the professional cult convened a meeting, imt this too fell. through because of a lack "of attendance. At a meeting" of the committee of the Rakaia Bowling Club, it was decided to ' endeavour to have an alteration made in the dates of the (draw for their first matches. This has now arranged,' and the revised 'position is that Rakaia plays the first match'of the season against Methven on jthe Methven green on December loth. This year the Rakaia green has been patronised to a greater extent than ever' before, and the club is in a very 'flourishing condition. A fairly large number of new members have joined up this season, so that a greater use is being made of the long-'summer evenings on the green than ever before. A noticeable feature of ■ the enthusiasm shown is thdt play is beginning earlior than ever on Saturday afternoons. Travellers from Rakaia to Southbridge and Leestori, \Vould be well ad-, vised to be careful to take the 1 right road after crossing the Rakaia bridge. There is another road which turns off at right 'angles. This certainly leads to Southbridge, hut by, a devious track. On it the traveller encounters a stretch of soft sand and appears to have reached a typical wilderness. A farmer in the vicinity' has a standing charge of 2s 6d for showing motorists a way out. - The Methodist community of . Rakaia contemplates holding a garden party some time this month in the grounds of the residence of Mr Basher.

It was- thought that the recent heavy fresh in the Rakaia river would bring about some changes in the formation at the river mouth, bub this does not seem to have taken place. Lately, with the nor'-west weather a good deal of cod-fishing has been done from the beach, and some good catches have been made. On one part of the coast some excitement was caused by a young shark about three feet in length becoming stranded in the shallower water. Willing hands hejped it ashore and encompassed its destruction. ' METHVEN. The monthly meeting of the Methven Domain Board was held on Monday evening. Present Messrs H. Green (chairman), F. A. Anderson and H. G. Avres. An appology was received from Dr. W. H. McKee. Owing to Mr C. F. Dyer not being able to visit Methven to report on the Domain Baths, it was decided to hold this matter over , until next meeting. Prices for a horsedrawn lawn mower were considered but deemed too high. Mr Ruddenklau said ho had a mower that he thought would suit the Board, and he would be be prepared to sell it at a reasonable figure. The generous offer was accepted with thanks. A deputation. from the Caledonian Society, consisting of Messrs IMc ATaggart, Nickqlls, Bennett and Mauger waited on the.Board and asked for permission to form a track on the Domain for use of athletic events at the Caledonian sports. Mr McTaggart assured the Board that any track put down would not interfere with any of the present playing After the deputation ha<l withdrawn it was decided that a sub-committee should meet a committee of the .Society on the Domain.and go into the question, the track to be put down to the satisfaction of the Board. It was also decided to grant the Society a close day in January on the usual terms. The secretary was instructed to send accounts _to all sports bodies using the Domain. Mr i Ayres brought up the question of the ' present unsatisfactory state of the : swimming bath. The secretary was inI structed: to write to Mr C. F. Dyer, acting engineer of the Ashburton Coun- ! Tv Council asking him_ to.- take some I levels and otherwise advise in connexion | with the general improvement of the baths.