COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Our Correspondents.] ASHBURTON. A trip through the Ashburton County shows that there are hundreds of acres of wheat and oats still m the stook. Many of these crops have been in stook for several weeks, and the recent rams have, turned them quite a dark colour. The rain has also promoted a rapid growth, and where tho straw is short the stooks are quite obscured. In the Eiffelton and \\ lllowby districts the wheat crops arc averaging 20 bushels per acre. There are, several exceptionally heavy crops, despite •the dry weather. Mr J. M Quilfcan threshed a crop of Solid Straw Tuscan which yielded 60 bushels per acre. On fhursdav evening last., a party arranged bv Miss Gates gave a concert at the Tiiarangi Old Men's Home. 'Hie programme, which was greatly appreciated by the inmates, was contributed by Messrs fumer and Gates. Master Turner and Mr A. U Webb. The Fairfield freezing works employees held their annual picnic to Timaru on Saturday. A special tram left Fairfield about 5.20 a.m. with a fair number aboard, and a number joined the train at Ashburton. A comprehensive sports programme was «one through, and liberal prizes were given. The weather, although warm, was perfect, and a most enjoyable day was "snout on Caroline Bay. The net proceeds of the picnic are to be given to the Ashburton Patriotic Fund.