THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18182, 19 September 1924, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

The owner or' the draught SiaLion in Class I. of the Canterbury A. anil P. Association's annual horse parade on Wednesday. Middlerigg Baron: is Mr Williaai Boag. of Rakaia. kaikoura. The Kaikoura bowlers havo_ been holding weekly card tournaments 'to a view tj> ltiising rands to keep the green in order and 'carry out improvements. The tournaments, liave been '.veil patronised. and a good em llas l-eon raised. Tho bazaar inaugurated by t.;e members oi St. Paul's Presbvterian Churcii opened at tlie Drill Hall yesterday afternoon. The various • stalk laden with good things, and goou .business is reported. __ Superintendent MeKinnon, of nie Canterbury Police District, lias been spending a tew days in Kaikoura on desert-mental business.

AMBERLEY. An election for seven members to serve on the Amherley Town Board resulted in Messrs W. Boyce, Vv. H. Hale, J. McDonald, J. W. Osborn. W. L. Eedniayne,. J. A. Shaw, and V". A. Thompson being dec-fed. There were eleven nominations for the seven seats. Messrs Boyce, McDonald, Osborn, and Thompson were members of the pre.vious Board. The remaining members did.-not seek re-election.

The local Caledonian Society have top-dressed the running and cyele track on the Domain. This should ensure a track both fast and comfortable - to tho competitors on the occasion of the Society-'y annual sports. The continued dry spell i 3 causing, farmers and pastoralists grave concern. During July a total rainfall of 59 points was recorded, August. 28, and thepresent month has yielded only D, showing just a little' over three-quarters of an inch for three niontli3. 'I ho crops are looking remarkably well, but ruin is necessary to carry them on. Itaiu will abo cause a good growth of glass, 'enabling the farmer to save his crop, which he might otherwise have to sacrifice to keep the ewes and lambs in. condition.

LOBURN. Sport will be much in evidence tomorrow. The Tenuis Club is opening its season, providing afternoon tea and inviting all interested residents to bo present. The senior cricketers are playing a match at home against a team' from Sydenham; and the junior cricketers journey -to Set'ton to meet the junior cricketers there in a friendly match. The final evening of. the third progressive euchre tournament was held 011 Wednesdav. Handsome prizes were given by Miss Wave Wilkinson, Mr George Chambers and the School Committee. The aggregate prizes were won by Miss Una Croft and Mi T. IT, Pulley. Miss Una Croft also won the ladv's prize for the evening's play, and" Mr H. E. Kemptliorne won the gentlemen's prize.

NORTH LOBURN. The progressive euchre tournaments f'uf the season are terminating this evening, when a' basket social will be held. LEESTON. The Leeston Town Board took a jjoll on Wednesday on a proposal to borrow' £4ooo.for the erection of Town Board offices and Are station, purchase of fire engine and appliances, construction of korbing and channelling, and providing sumps for fire prevention purposes, ..and the purchase of a section of land, for a shingle pit. Very little interest was shown by the ratepayers, less than half, the number on the. roll recording their votes. , The three-fifths majority of the total valid votes cast required to carry the proposal was exceeded by about 10 votes, the figures being.-19 for, 15- against.

GREENDALE. At the fortnightly euchre match, Mrs Butterworth gained for the ladies with' fourteen games, Mrs A. Bunton coming second with twelve. Mr A. Bunton was first for the men, winning eighteen games. . Mr J. Buirows came second with seventeen games. Arrangements are being made for the closing of.the season on feeptember 26tli. ■ The engineer of, the Malvern Power Board is now visiting the district with a. view to obtaining guarantors for taking the light. If successful in gaining the necessary amount. Greendale will be among the first of the districts to be favoured with eiectricity. It is hoped that next winter will see the efforts of the Board crowned with success.

KIRWEE. The Courfcenay Social Club bed it» final meeting for this season in the schoolroom, when there was a good attendance of members. The evenings amusement took the fonn of- a, carparty and dance. The prizes for the euchre were won as follows: Ladies, Mrs C. McLennan first and Mrs U. Foster socond; gentlemen, Mr H. Foster first and Mr G. Hayes second. <W<Teo-ate prizes: Ladies. Mrs G. McLennan. first and Mrs Caldwell se:onu; gentlemen, Mr D. W. Finlay first and Mr H. Roper second.- Mrs A L. Stewart supolied the music _for the dance and Mr C. Page was M.C. Supper was provided by tfie ladies. A social in aid of the kitchenette fund was held in the Agricultural if-ay-Tho attendance was not largo, pjobably owinjr to sickness in a number ct homes in the district. During tno evening songs were contributed by Mrs iti. Browning, Miss Lucas, ~andi ling, and a monologue by Miss Doreen Anderson. The accompaniments played bv Mrs .A. L. Stewart and Miss Luca.fi. - A .lucky spot waltz was won bv Miss Nora Coffey and Mr A. Glanville. Bottle's band supplied the music and an extra was flayed bv Miss L»Rout. Mr H. Fester, was M.C. _ The weather continues ilrj', with an occasional strong north-west wind. A uood rain would be welcomed, as the supply of water in .the household t3n*s is rapidly failing. The grass is alsj coming along very slowly, and thero is not a gieat deal cf iced for the ewes and lambs.

| FAIRTON. j At the fortnightly progressive euchre tournament organised by tiie Fairton I School Committee, the prizes were won bv Mrs M. Clarke (Ashburton) with 13 games, and .Mr J. Dewart with l-t games. Tlie consolation prises went to Mrs RapJey and Mr W. Brunton. In the aggregate competition. Mrs Drake is leading with GO, and Mr P. A. Coote j with 5G games. Mr "and Mrs AT. Drake,proprietors of the Fairfield gave a delightful juvenile progressive euchro party. The prizes were won by Master Ted" Dunphv and Miss Mabel Drake. The consolation prizes went to Miss •Molly Prennan and Master Jack Dandie. After a dainty supper had been ' enjoyed, hearty thanks were conveyed by those present to the host and hostess t for a delightful evening

METHVEX. A special meeting; of the Methven Croquet Club was held in the Anglican ; Hallon Wednesday. Mrs H. A. Xic'colls presided, and there we*e present MesJw"* I{eid. iS. J. Carleton, H. Fryer, J. Duff, G. 11. Xickolls. J. F. Newman, W. H. D. MoKee, H. G. Avers, F. A. Toolev, and W. J. Carleton «secretary). As Mrs K. Ait-ken had declined tho position of president, Mrs H ; A. ,ir~-epted tho office for a_further term. The secretary reported tnnt work in connexion with improvements undertaken by the club was well in hand and it was expected thatthe new pavilion would he ready for tho opening or the season. It was decided to hold tho offrinl opening on October 2oth nexL. It, was nerved to hold a children's fancy dres? ball in aid of the club's funds on October 17th, and Mrs "V\. J. Cpleton and H. Reid were appointed joint secretaries to carry out the arrangements. A very successful concert and wss held in the Lyndhurst Pnb'ic IWd on Wednesday evening, under the ausr>ices of the Tenn : s Club. The concert was much enjoyed by tho=e present, who showed jmpreciation bv frequent re-alls. The following was the programme :—Pianoforte solo, Mr Hector M"Dr>nuld: song, Miss A. C. Duff; song, Mr McDonald; recitation, Mr Elliott; song, Mr Guv Struthers: so'ng, Miss T. McKendry; conjuring item, Mr Parsons: song. Mrs Parsons; song, Miss A. C. Dull: pianoforte solo, Miss Jean McDonald; song, Mr J. Woodcock ; sou' I '. Mrs Parsons ; mandolin solo. Miss Mabel McDonald; monologue, Mr G. McDonnell; duet, Miss A. C. Duff and Mr Guy Strut hers; ventriloquist. ?.fr Parsons; song. Miss A. C. Duff. Miss M. McKendry wa-s the accompaniste, and Mr A. T. Lilley chairman. The dance which followed was enjoyed by about 40 couples, many of them being visitors from other districts. The duties of MC. were undertaken by Mr F. Ilardey and Miss Rudd was a. very efficient secretary. The annual meeting of the Methven Caledonian Society was held in the A. and P, Association's room on Wednesday evening. In the absence of M_r Jas. McTaggart (president), Mr T. S. Harrison was voted to the cliair, and there was a largo attendance of membeiv;.

I'll© following new memliers were elected: —Messrs A. McDonald, 11. Comoton, A Thompson. iun., >v. Smith, F. Brown. R. ifs. Williams. 0. Jessep, jun.. L. Richards, S. E. anls, R. Miliar, W. G. B'-eaeh, M. Moffat, J. Stewart, Jas. M-Lean. A. O. Street, A. Gillespie, Sims, W. A. ILnden, and R. M'Gregor. Apologies for absence were receded from Hon. Wm. Noswortliy, M.P., K-" v - F A. Toolev, R,. N. Elliott, .T. McAunlty, L. Dore, J. Waldie, and A. E. Henderson. The annual report and balance-sheet shewed that a very successful year had been experienced. There was a credi balance in hand of £67 5s Gd. The report and balance-sheet as read were adopted. ~ The chairman paid a tribute to the valuable services to the Society of the president, Mr Jas. McTaggart, who has to ft the district. Mr Iv. Aitken moved a vote or thanks to the hon! secretary.; and spoke of the pood work accomplished by him. He' also moved that an hon- ■ orarium be voted to him for 1113 &ci'yices'.' and this was carried unamOn Vhe motion of Mr J. U. Dalton, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded all those who had assisted the .Society during the past year and especially at the annual gathering. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as f°yo w ® •" Patrons, Hon. Sir It. H. RhocL , M.P., and W. Isoswortby, M-P-- P- ev - F A Toolev, Messi-s S. G. Holmes, I i Elliott, Jno. Watson, Angus McKav, J. T. Mangm, Wm. Morgan, •10 w" Ruddenklau, and T Twomey; president, Mr Kenneth Aitken; viceDresidents, Messrs J. R. Dalton, 1. »• Hrirrison P- McNeill, C. J. Crooks, II A;- N ickolls, W. J. Coolcsley, A. AlcLeod, W. K. Wilson. A. D. Harris, A J. Wilson, W. P- CMgnff,,w«l J. T Gocdwin; hon. .secretary, Mr W J. Owen; hon. assistant secretary, Mr JTemple; hon.. treasurer Mr W.- A. Haden; hon, auditor, Mr Baxter, committee, Messrs Jas. W. B:111rows, L. Burrows, W. J. Bennett, 1. Anderson. Jas. Mauger, G. Ualton, L. is. i os A.» & H. Green, R. McGregor, and S. was read from the secretaries of several pipe hands, " in-T that their members were m fa l , our gathering was discussed, and■ majority seemed m favour of , holding the meeting -on the' racecourse, if obtainable. It was decided J®?™ matter for the to deal with. The, meeting recommended that a^day during the second week in 'Jamiary i ie . c r , e d for the annual gathering. The eamraittee meeting was anunged for September 25th.

JIAYFIELD. The weablier is now giving rite to the gravest anxiety. Not only are. cereal crops and grass at a standstill, but the rooS of the latter are becoming weak and impoverished, and is feaa-ed wll not respond-with any degree of Mgour when the rain does come. It is not so much the nresent as the potential iniury likely to bo caused by the drought that, is now agitating the minds of the farmers. The Hinds river has been dry for the past eighteen months, and thi's is regarded as proof that the subsoil is. left with very. little moisture. Nothing but a thorough' soaking of the ground, and that (very quickly, can give early crops a reasonable chance of maturing. the nor'-westere that set in a week ago, and that have continued with more or less violence ever since,. irequentiy assemble great banks of cloud with threats of rain, but these symptoms quicklv psss away; followed by a hot sun and brilliantly • clear skies. At present there is no sign of a change. The season is very favourable to lambing. Good percentages ■ are reported with very few losses. Local "farmers are interested in the statement of a correspondent to "The Press" that stoats and weasels readily command a price of from £1 to £2 a head elsewhere than in Mayfield, presumably in the North Island. Farmers express their perfect willingness to let the whole of the local yield of stoats and weasels go on greatly reduced terms; On the other hand, the letter in question is being actively discussed and not without appreciation, for it is felt that any contribution on the question of rabbit extermination is of value j notwithstanding a marked varianco of i opinion.

ALFORD FOREST. A very quiet and impressive ceremony 7,-a.s Leld in the Alford Forest- Schoolroom on Wednesday afternoon, tho occasion being the unveiling of a. photographic tablet commemorating the names of five men who made tho supreme sacrifice in the Great War. The memorial tablet was in the form of a beautiful framed, photograph, 30in by 36in, holding the photographs of i]lo msa who were killed:—J. H. McLeish, W. R. Williams, J. R. Williams, J. Mcßae, and F. _ Boucher. Hanging beside this memorial was a Roll of Honour, on which were inscril>ed the following names: —E. T. Grigg, H .P. Cullen. T. M, Hutt, W. T. Wilson, G. <3. Martin, A.. G. Grigg, J. H. McLeish,. E. Williams, W. E. Williams, C. M. King, J. J. Wilson, J.

Meltea, W. R. Wilson, J. H. Karsten, ! C. L. Hutt, F. Mcßea, R. Freak, J. R. , Williams, L. M. Hicks, and F. Boucher. The Alford Forest Ladies' Committee were responsible for 1 the memorial, I which was banded over to the School Committee, so that it might be placed before the children of the district j and act as a reminder to them of the unselfishness of those who gave their i lives in the causa of freedom and jus- j

tiee. „ i Mr M. P. W. Blathwayt, chairman 01 j 'the School Committee, spoke of the rea- j son for the gathering and Eaid that up I to the present Alford Forest had had j no complete memento of the men who had given their lives. Tho people of , the district should feel proud of the . ladies, who had organised and bought j the memorial. o-.il Mrs 11. E. Grieve then unveiled the memorial. It gave lier much pleasure,! but at the same time sadness, she said, to present the ta&let to the • School ; Committee, and ask it to have it ; hung in a prominent position on the j schoolwall. Mr Blathwayt. on behalf of the com- j mittec, accepted the tablet and said he > would consider it I)is sacred duty to i look after it to tha best of his ability. I He remarked that tho sacrifice made by ! these men was not. lost, but that through "their xrnselfishixess the world would be a better place in which to live. . i Mr H. Bates then placed the me- ■ mento in tho position dedicated to it, after which everyone. stood in silence for half a minute. i The Rev. R. Dickie, said they had met on an occasion that brought to ; memory the men who had fallen in the 1

greatest of wars that the world had ever known. But for these men and their comrades we should now bo in a condition of servitude. Tho unveiling brought them together to commemorate in a fitting manner what this sacrifice meant. It had consolidated the Empire, a thing which had baffled politicians.

« RANGITATA. A very pleasant social was held in the Rangitata Soldiers' Memorial Hall * to bid farewell and make> a presentation to Mr and Mrs Yates, owing to their leaving the Rangitata for _ tho . Ladbrooks district. Mr AY. G. Cain, ! who presided, called on Mr C. Moss to make the presentation. Mr Moss said ! lie was speaking to a new body of ! householders as compared with the time , their guests came there, as out of 25 . householders there at that time, there I were only six living in the district now, j showing the drastic changes time had wrought upon the district. Being a close neighbour, he could make a few ; remarks with every confidence. In the [early years of Mr Yates's residence.ho was a very busy man, as he was not ' long there before he used his influence ' practical help in getting a library "built, and the nice little building in tho Tschoolgrounds stands a tribute to those | efforts. He was a keen member of the | Patriotic Committee during the Great ' War. serving as its secretary at different periods. There was a Debating Society hejd there about 11 year 3 ago, in which Mr Yates took a great interest. He also served on the Rnild- ; ing Committee of the Memorial Hall, ' and' bis knowledge was found very

useful on different occasions. He also performed many little kindnesses ■ to tho children, rendering first-aid, and extracting teeth, thereby savipg a_ lot of suffering. Mrs Yates ably seconded Air Yates. Many other little kindnesses wero.best remembered., by "tb?> children themselves. « He then asked tho guests, on behalf of tho residents of tho Rangitata aud surrounding districts, to accept a' silver afternoon tea service as a token of goodwill, and as a memento to thoir stay in -the district. Mr Yates feelingly responded on behalf of himself and Mrs Yatea.'