RURAL TOPICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 16060, 15 October 1912, Page 9

RURAL TOPICS.

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL. Most of tlio farmers in the Annan and Lyndon Settlements have now marked their lambs. As the past month has been exceptionally fine the tallies aro very high. Very few are under 100 per cent, ',' whilst some have reached 115 per cent. With settled weather, rape and turnip sowing is going on apace.

The committee of tho Peninsula Horse Show Association mot on Saturday at Duvauchcllo's Bay, Mr F. W. Williams presiding. The collectors reported having been very successful in their work, the. amount already promised being equal to that obtained the previous year. The prize-money for the different classes . was allotted on practically the same lines as for the Fast show. Ring stewards and a Ground Committee were elected.

The committee appointed by tho Amuri Agricultural and Pastoral Association to carry out the annual flower show met on Saturday, Mr J. B. Crampton presiding. It was decided to hold the show on January 8, 1913, and a few slight alterations and additions were made to last year's schedule. Special prizes were promised bv Miss M. Rutherford, Mesdames Wilson, W. T. Rutherford, Thrclkcld and Pemvcll and Messrs J. B. Crampton. "W. T. Rutherford, Threlkeld, Judkins and A. A. White.

Nov.- that the Peninsula shcepfarmers are well on with their docking operations, tho early predictions oi a lambing aro being* amply verified. The season is freely stated to have been tho best for many years. Tho weather all through has been propitious, tho howling sou'-westers that in previous years played havoc in many paddocks being absent. A great many sales for future delivery aro reported. Feed is plentiful everywhere, and the dairy factories report very iood milk supplies, though tho bulk of the cows are not yet m. It is reported that this year incst of the factories, aro disposing of their output ■by consignment.

Tho Hawarden Saleyavds Company's annual meeting was he'd on Saturday,' Mr U. Rutherford presiding. The report showed that 99.302 sheep, 3S cattle, 41 horses, 82 pigs and numerous sundries, including implements, produce and furniture, had been passid through the yards during the year. Tho balance-sheet showed receipts amounting to £397 18s 2d and an expenditure of £2SB Is Id, leaving a credit balance of £lO9 17s Id. It was decided to pay a dividend of 7$ per aont on all paid-up capital and to utilise tho balance, £57 9s Id, to repair improve tho yards. Messrs J. Tones and J. Spence were elected directors and .Mr J. W. M. Cox was lected auditor. At a meeting of the directors, Mr J. Jones was elected chairman for the coming year.

Somo heavy showers fell over parts of the Waiau district on Saturday, and vore welcome after tho warm drying 'ior'-westers .that had prevailed for some time. After the thorough soaking the ground has had up till recently, the warm winds have caked Mie surface, and farmers aro finding it difficult to get it broken for seedsowing. Crops so far aro coming up well, but much grain has been sown so late that favourable conditions will be required for a successful harvest. Lambing generally has been exceptionnlly good, and sheep are doing well with the good growth of grass that is now prevalent. Shearing dry sheep has commenced on some of the stations north of the Waiau River, and in on© case shearing has been finished.

The Waiau branch of the Farmers' Union met on Saturday, Mr James Lee presiding; The sub-committee appointed to go into the question of saleyards handed in its report, and it was decided to write to tho Minister of Lands applying for a site of twenty acres out of tho stock reserve on the south side of the river. It was reported that the Amuri County Council intended closing tho bridge for much-needed repairs for three months after January next. A deputation was appointed to wait on the Council at its next meeting to ask it to keep it open for certain - hours a day on certain days in the week, owing to tho flreat inconvenience it would cause those settlers who wished to get their grain, lambs and sheep away. It was stated that tho cwo fair at Culverden in March would also suffer if the bridge were closed.