FURTHER DELAY IN SHEARING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22593, 24 December 1938, Page 3

FURTHER DELAY IN SHEARING

FARMERS* TROUBLES ACCENTUATED CLASH WITH HARVESTING NOW INEVITABLE Farmers’ difficulties have been seriously accentuated by the heavy rain and cold weather in North Canterbury districts. The further delay in shearing operations will mean that farmers will be harvesting and shearing at the same time, and accommodation and catering arrangements will accordingly be strained. The earlier delay through the shortage of shearers has spelled a loss to a number of farmers also, as those who, through delays, had their sheep shorn within the last 10 days, have now lost some of these sheep through the cold. The losses are comparatively small, the highest to be reported so far being nine sheep on one Springbank farm. Quite a number of farmers in North Canterbury districts have still not finished shearing, and one or two have not even started. The weather had added to the existing troubles, said Mr C. Rands, a prominent Springbank farmer, in explaining the position to a reporter yesterday. The further delay was certain now to result in shearing and harvesting operations coinciding, and the inconvenience to the farmers would be considerable. They would have the responsibility of supervising double gangs of men, attending to double wages, arranging accommodation for the greater number, and providing catering and meals on about twice the normal scale. Infinitely more work would be thrust on the farmers’ wives and families—a point the public was apt to overlook. Of the two evils, the weather is apparently worse than the shortage of shearers. According to Mr H. Tallott, of Cust, the shortage would not have been a serious problem, but now, because of weeks broken by rain, shearers are turning out about one quarter to one-third of the numbers they might be. VALEDICTORY SOCIAL SOUTHBROOK RESIDENT HONOURED Sponsored by the Southbtook Fire Brigade and merdbers of the Rifle Club a farewell evening was held at the Southbropk Hall, to bid farewell to Mr Robert W. Hughes, who is leaving the district. Mr D. W. L. Mehrtens, the oldest member of the club, presided, the attendance numbering about 60. Many warm tributes were paid to the parting guest on his co-operation and help in local affairs during his long residence in the district, and on his fine qualities as a member of the community. Items were given by Messrs L. Shirley, A. Campbell, S. Lugg, I. Musson, and Messrs Thwaites Bros. For those present and his many friends in the district, Mr R. Doggett presented Mr Hughes with a leather suit case and a traveller’s shaving set. PERSONAL NOTES RANGIORA Mr and Mrs C. R. Lane CWaimate) and Mr and Mrs R. A. Taylor will be staying with Mr and Mrs C. Rands, Springbank, during Christmas. Mrs Lane gnd Mrs Taylor are daughters of Mr and Mrs Rands. Mr E. Rands will tour parts of the South Island, spending Christmas camping with friends at Geraldine. Mr and Mrs E. Griffin (Rangiora) and Mr and Mrs C. Griffin (Kaiapoi) will leave on Monday for a motoring tour of Nelson and the West Coast. HANMER SPRINGS Notification ha’s been received that Mr Basil C. Winstone, formerly ot Hanmer Springs, has been granted a commission in the Royal Air Force, at Kidbrooke, London. CHEVIOT Miss M. Clayton, Gore Bay School, is spending the summer vacation at Hastings. Mr w! A. Douglas is spending the Christmas holidays at Gisborne. Mr R. L. Lindsay, county engineer, and Mrs Lindsay, are visiting Mr Lindsay’s parents in Dunedin. Mr W. S. K. Drew, County Clerk, has left for Sanson, where he will be the guest of his parents for the Christmas holidays. SCHOOL CONCERT AT HANMER The Hanmer school children staged a concert recently before a large audience in the Hanmer Hall. The following programme was gWetv.—Song selections (choir); physical culture display (senior girls); play, “Father Christmas at Home’’ (juniors); cornet duet “Little Old Garden” (W. Jar den and G. McDowell); Spanish dance (Peggy Cromie); “Where Are You Going” (juniors): sketch, “Feminine Bravery” (seniors); “Rendezvous” (P. Cromie, M. Herdman, M. Simpson, and Jules Schaare); “Boating” (seniors); duet, “The Two Dolls” (Nancy Carson and Betty Read); rainbow dance (Molly Herdman); selections (mouth organ band); Scottish reel (Betty Boyes, Cynthia Morse, Nancy Carson, and Janet Mayne); play, “A Sick Pupil” (seniors); rhythmic dance, “The Glow Worm” (Shona and Marie Halkett, M. Carter, and June Malaquin); club swinging (senior boys); “The Wedding of the Painted Doll” (school). Lighting effects were under the supervision of Mr H. Schaare. Father Christmas distributed gifts to the children. Mr P. Morse, chairman of the school committee, thanked all who had helped with the concert, saying great credit was due to Miss McLeod and her assistant. Miss Goldbury, who trained the children. A special prize for attendance was awarded to Keith Galilee. ATHLETIC SPORTS AT KAIKOURA The Kaikoura Athletic and Cycling Club has received a good number of entries for cycling and running events at the sports, which will be held in the Takahanga Domain, Kaikoura, on January 2. Final arrangements were made at a meeting of the committee for the dance bn New Year’s Eve.