THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17985, 31 January 1924, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

1 At a. meeting of the general committee of the Manawatu A. and P. Association a letter was received from a. London man anxious to come to the Dominion to take up farming- The writer, a single man, aged S3, stated that he had nine years' experience 01 dairy farming. He applied, to the High Commissioner for an assisted passage to the Dominion as a farm worker, but owing to a slight defect in the writer's left eye, the Commissioner was unable t-) grant such a passage unless he was nominated by somebody resident in the Dominion. The writer, having _n° friends or relatives in the Dominion, the Commissioner supplied him with the address of the Manawatu Association, with a suggestion that that body would nominate "him. This the writer asked to be done. The chairman (Mr Dalrymple) said this was a good opportunity for'members who wanted t» encourage the young man, whose letter had a genuine ring. The question is to receive early attention. AMBERLET. So far the local cricket-club has had a successful .season. Playing m the eastern section of the North Cancelburv Cricket Association's competition, it has this season suffered defeat onij once. It is now the team roi the eastern section, and on Friday antt Satnrdav, February Bth and 9th, win plav off'for the championship at ;ln " giora against the View Hil! team, which is the leading team of the western section. The reopening of the Leithfieid swimming baths and the enthusiasm of somo of the Amberlcv swimmers and supporters has emphasised the necessity ot building a local swimming bath. It is rumoured that in the near future a puolic meeting will be called to discuss wavs and means and the possibility or having them in readiness for next swimming season. Threshing operation's in the Amberley and surrounding districts are now in fi;ll : swing. The wheat threshed is of excellent quality, but compared with lsi.st season the yield is disappointing. The rane and turnip crops, though experiencing a severe setback during the dry .snell, have now recovered, and in most instances the rape is beiiiq fed off. The turnip crops promise to be good. LEITHFIELD. .About 120 interested spectators attended the evening meeting of the Swimming Club held on Saturday. Results- 2svds. Bovs: South 1, N. McLean '2. 'sovds Men: M. Grant 1, J. Smith -2. 25yds Men: W. Boyce 1, T. Sullivan (scr) 2.25 yds Ladies: IX McLean scr) 1, B. McLean 2.. Diving, ladies: D. McLean 1, A. Tallott '2. Diving, .men: Curne 1, Grant 2. A wellattended dance in aid of the* club's funds, which ' were considerably augmented, concluded a pleasant evening, the music being supplied by Mrs C. H. Trail. " , RANGIORA. The Tier. W. H. Howes lias returned from the ' South and resumed his pastoral duties. The Eev. .7. F. Feron, vicar of St. John's, who has been spending a holiday with friends in Blenheim, returned home yesterday. The election to fill the vacancy on the Rnngiora Borough Council, caused through the death of the late Ci\ H. A. Archdall, takes place to-day. There f"-e three candidates—Messrs R. W. Borland, W..AV. Dawson, and F: F.' Jackson.

. A. special .meeting, of-..the Rnngiorri. District' School Committee, called "for the purpose of electing: a chairman, in place of the late Mr 11. A. ArchnVil, and also to make arrangements for tne annual school picnic, was held last night.' The Rev. A. N. Scotter' presided, 'and before taking the business of the evening he referred to.the death of the late chairman, which, he said, was a heavy loss to -the school. Mr Archdall had the welfare' of the' school at heart, and was a great friend to the children. Ho moved that they extend their deep sympathy to Mrs Archdall and family,.and that a record be placed on 1 lie minutes of the committee's appreciation of the late Mr Archdall's services. The motion was seconded by Mr W. L. Murray and carried, the members standing in silence for a period. The headmaster reported that a vote had been taken among the parents of the children for a preference of the location of the annual, picnic, the majority being in favour of Ambcrley. It was decided to hold the picnic at Amberley on Thursday, February 21st, providing train and other arrangements proved suitable. Messrs E. Howe, A. Cambridge, W. L. Murray, and the headmaster were appointed a sub-committee to .carry out arrangements. It was also decided to invite tin; Southbrook School to join in with them and to ask the Mayor to request the business people to close their premises on that date. It was also decided to ask Mr C. I. Jennings to collect subscriptions for the sports fund. The Rev. A. N. Scotter intimated that he would be unable to accept the position of ciL-iirman, as he was shortly leaving Rangiora, and Mr C. W. Tyler was elecied chairman for the remainder of the year. RAKAIA. Harvesting is now in full swing in the Rakaia and surrounding districts, and an opportunity is afforded to review the yield prospects. Mr J. Strachan secured a yieid of 54 bushels per acre from a 27 acre paddock of solid straw Tuscan wheat, of the Lincoln College strain. Experience in this district seems to point to u better yield from the College strains than from most of the commercial lines. Soino extremes of yields are reported from some farms. One paddock of early sown wheat threshed out 30 bushels, while on the same farm another paddock of later-sown wheat yielded only 12 bushels, the weather/being no doubt a big factor in accounting for the difference. On the whole, the wheat crop is expected to be only fair, while the oats are distinctly light. As regards labour, no difficulty whatever is being experienced. Plenty of hands are offering, and no labour disputes are reported. The heavy wind experienced early this month did considerable damage to the crops of grass-seed; perennial rye and Italian rye. While there are a few good yields,. most of them are very disappointing. The perennial controversy or wheoi v. sheep receives a good argument for the sheepmen in the present state of the market. "With many poor yields of wheat and a fixed price which is stated to be unremuneratiwe for even fairly good yields, the wheat farmers are turning envious eyes to their brethren with the fat lambs. li is now, whan so manv lambs are going off at good prices, that the difference seems most apparent to the man on the land. It is expected that at to-day's_ sale in Rakaia, a very large entry will be received, and it is hoped prices will be maintained. The popularity of Miss A. W. Hardy was well exemplified on Saturday afternoon by the large • number of friends that assembled in St. Mark's Schoolroom to say farewell to her, prior to her departure for England. The chair was taken by the Rev. E. N. Blakiston. In speaking of their guest, the chairman, referred to the very valu-

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able help rendered by Miss Hardy in connexion with church work, and also with mam- public functions held in Rakaia. Other speakers were Mrs Bong, Rev. J. Field, Messrs 13. MoNamara and C. C. H. Evison. All united in testifying to Miss Hardy's many good qualities, and to hex valuable work in the community. The best.of wishes were given her for a pleasant holiday abroad, and the hope expressed' that she would return fein,vigorated to liakaia. On behalf of the parishioners of St. Mark's Church, the Rev. E. N. Blakiston then presented Miss Hardy with a handsome gold wristlet watch. Mrs Boag, for the public of Rakaia presented the guest with a solid leather travelling bag and hand-dressing-case. Mr C. Evison, on behalf of the staff of Messrs C. Hardy and Co., Ltd., presented a suede travelling cushion. Miss Hardy, in reply, thanked the donors for their gifts and for the many expressions of goodwill tendered to her. Refreshments were then handed round, and the gathering closed with the singing of "For She's a Jollv Good Fellow." Miss Hardy left Wellington by the Athenic yesterday. _. . A meeting of the committee of the Rakaia. Athletic and Cyriincr Club was Tield in the library, Mx E. Fox presiding. It was reported that the Domain Board had granted the use of the Domain for a sports' meeting on_ March Ist, and also had agreed to tue club selling rights for side-shows, etc. A promise of a donation of £5 was received from the tug-of-war committee. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs G. Tattcrson, J. Allen, and J. Butters. . The treasurer and secretary were authorised to operate a banking account on behalf of the club. The subcommittee appointed to draw up a programme presented a draft copy. This was" approved and it was agreed to submit it to the Centre for approval. A vote of thanks was passed to the Programme Committee. The following were addevl to the vice-presidents of the elt:b: —Messrs W. E. Judkins, S. Breading, J. McCarthy, A. Holmes, J. Lochhead, J. McLachlan, W. Kilgour.