THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18016, 7 March 1924, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

RAM AND EWE FAIR. For the Canterbury A. and P. Association's Ram and Ewe Fair, to be held on the Association's Show Grounds, Addington, on the 20th and 21st inst., entries closed yesterday, but information as to the total number received was not available. jl' e indications were, however, that they would bo more numerous than was ttie case last year, when the total was &><° as compared with 5473 in l92*w. - 111 accordance with decisions of the As6 °T ciation there will be no unregistered sheep offered at this year's Fair: the names of the vendor and of the breeder had to be stated on the entry forms. The present is the first occasion upon which these decisions have been put into force.

AMBERLEY. "*"**& Arrangements are on foot for a cricket match to be played in the local Domain on March 15th, between the Wostport Coal Co.'s team and the lorn! eleven. . To-morrow a tennis match will be plaved at Ambcrlev between the Kaiapoi" and Amherley Clubs. The following have been selected to represent Ambcrley :—Misses Feathery, 'Wornall, Mesdamcs Heney, llobinson, Messrs Robinson, Thompson, Gray, and Browne. Another welcome rainfall was recorded on Wednesday evening, bringing the total for the week up to 38 points. RANGIORA. Mr J. H. McAuliffe, town clerk of Mataura for the past four years, who has taken up hi s duties as town manager of Bnngiora, was the recipient of a presentation from the Borough Council on Fridav night. The Mayor (Mr C. D. McConnell) presided. The Mayor, in presenting Mr McAuliffe with a fountain pen, paid the Council could not allow the occasion to pass without congratulating him on being appointed to the important post _of town manager at Bangiora. During Mr McAuliffe's term with the Council the work, which had doubled, had been efficiently carried out. Unfortunately, all their town clerks appeared to make Mataura the stepping-stone for higher positions. He had much pleas, ure in asking Mr McAuliffe's acceptance of a fountain pen, and wished Mrs McAuliffe and himself every success. Cr. John Walker said he had always found Mr McAuliffe courteous and obliging, and his work had been carried out in a thorough manner. Cr. J. L. Mitchell congratulated Mr McAuliffe on hi 3 advancement. As the Mayor had remarked, Mataura was a stepping-stone, and it was a good thing for the borough. Cr. T. F. Quilter also added his tribute regarding Mr McAuliffe, congratulating himupon his advancement, and wishing him every success at Eangiora. In reply, Mr McAuliffe said he did not expect any gift, and he thanked the Council for the sentiments expressed. He was paid for doing his duty, and always tried to do his best. During his term of office the work of the borough had doubled. Ho believed in doing his work thoroughly, and it had always been a pleasure. The position he was taking carried more power and responsibilities, but his experience at Mataura would stand him in good stead. As a number of ratepayers in the rural area of the Rangiora Borough are not satisfied with the finding of the Commission which sat recently to hear a petition to be taicen out of the borough rating area, and put in the County, a meeting was held last night attended by a dozen ratepayers of the area concerned. Mr G. Bevington was voted to the chair. When the question of seeking relief was discussed it was decided to place the matter before the member for the district. Messrs G. Bevington, J. Catherwood, J. W. Foster, S. E. Martyn, and C. Judson were appointed a committee to meet the Hon. D. Buddo, M.P., next Tuesday, to go into the matter. At the monthly meeting of tne North Canterbury Poultry Club on Tuesday evening, a letter was received from the Christchurch Bantam Club agreeing to hold its annual show in connexion with the North Canterbury Club's Show, on which occasion three cups will be offered for competition. Cats being now a section of the show recognised by the Poultry Association, a championship for a Persian female has been allotted to the club. It was decided to alter the date of the monthly meeting of the club to the last Saturday in each month.

GREENDALE. Harvest Thanksgiving Services were conducted in the Baptist Ghurch on Sunday and Monday. The Sanctuarj was gay with festal offerings. The Rev. A. W. Stuart, of Linwood, was th< special preacher, and good congregations listened attentively as he discoursed upon the subjects "Harvest Thoughts," "Growth," and "A Fool's Harvest." On Monday a large compan> assembled for tea, which was provided by the ladies of the church. At tatpublic meeting which followed, the Rev. \V. H. A. Vickery presided. Speeches were given by Mr G. Holland and Rev. A. AV. Stuart. A cordial vote of thanks was carried to all wlio had assisted to make the event so marked a success. A supper over which tho young ladies of the Bible Class presided followed at the close of the meeting, the proceeds of which were for the Missionary Society. The programme 01 music was as follows:—Organ solo, Mr H. Partridge; song,. Miss Rout; recitation. Miss Musgrove; violin solo, Miss E. Partridge; song, Mr Belgrave; vocal duet, the Misses Partridge; song, Mr E. Ridgen; song, Miss Vickery; violin solo. Miss E. Partridge; song, Miss A. Shipley; song, Miss E. Partridge. HORNBY-ISLINGTON. There was a good attendance at the fortnightly meeting of the Islington Progressive Euchre Club. Prizes were iiwarded as follows:—Ladies', Miss M. Shelton (case afternoon teaspoons); consolation, Mrs Watkins. Men: 'Mr Evans (pocket wallet); consolation, Mr F. McTiegue.

SORORATA. The weather conditions are making farmers somewhat more hopeful as regards winter feed. Up till Tuesday morning the situation looked almost hopeless, but since then 35 points of rain have fallen. The high point of humidity and overcast conditions at present prevailing are allowing the utmost advantage to be taken of the slight fall, and a further fall seems imminent. The late turnip crops are standing the drought very well, but those jtrfi .bulbing are drying off. At a meeting of the committee of the Horticultural Society, Mesdames Pearson. Pratt, Chapman, Miss ETflridge and Messrs Page, Mooar. Wilson, Harris, Adams, Pearson and Pratt were present. The secretary reported that she had secured the services of the following judges:—Mesdames John Deans and James Deans (children's sections and adult decorative and needlework sections), Mesdames Ridgen .ind Warren (cookery sections'), Messrs Durie and Bradbury (flowers, fruit and vegetables). Tt was derided to extend the date of closin" +he entries to Wednesday. March 12th. Mr Page was given charge of the nail-driving com(Continued at foot of next column.)