COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18353, 10 March 1920, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Our Correspondents.] AMBERLEY. Tho annual mooting of the Amberley Horticultural and Produce Society was held on Monday evening, when Mr H. 11. liuscli presided over a largo attendance of members. The balance-sheet as prosonted from the last show, showed a slight debit balance, but was considered very satisfactory, as the society during tho year had purchased two silver cups, besides donating £5 towards the Peace coiebrations. A vole oi thanks was accorded all tlioso who assisted at tho last ehow, and it was decided to revise tho schedule, increase tho prize-money, and to hold tho show some time during the first •week in May. Tho following officers wore elected for tho ensuing year:—Patron, Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P.; president, Mr J. Jacksen; vice-presidents Messrs W. Hale, J. H. A\ alson, G. L. .Stead, G. D. Greenwood, A J. ißlakoly, F. A. Busch, J. Stackliouso, E. Chamberlain, C. 11. Wyldc-Browno, G. It. Holton, 11. li. Busch, V. Townlcy. A. TownIcy, R. B. M’Wkirter, Tiiwaitos, F. Coleman and H. Mcckett, Mesdamcs F. Courage and It. E. WornalJ, and Miss Busch; committee, Meadamos H. Busch, F.* Milner and G. It. Holmes, Misses M’Dowell 1 1 . Halo, Bristow, M. Bristow, A. Duncan and E. Baker, Messrs T. Ford, A. Lukey, G. R. Holmes, S. Hogg, 11. Eaton and It. J. Lewis; secretary and treasurer, Miss J. M'Naught; trustees, Messrs J. Jackson and F. A. Busch.; honorary auditor Mr V. J. Rhodes. LOBURN. Mr R. 11. Bailey, of “ Homecreek,” Loburn, has threshed 10 acres of wheat, which yielded 63 bushels per acre, and 12 acres of oats, which gave a return ol 68£ bushels per acre. These yiolds are records for tho Loburn district. MOUNT SOMERS. At a recent meeting of the Mount Somers Memorial Hall Committee, presided over by Mr John Hood, it was decided to instruct the architect to reject the tender already received, and that a public meeting bo held to consider the whole position. Consequently a public meeting was held in the Mount Somers saloyards building on Monday afternoon, Mr W. Lockhard presiding. Tho committee's actions were endorsed, and it was decided that any further consideration of a hall be deferred pending tho passing of necessary legislation, tho legislation sought being for the validating of the Domains Board grant; the right and power of the Domains Board to make a charge for all meetings, functions, etc.; and tho authorisation of such powers without tho necessity of advertising or publishing Bamo. HORNBY. The annual picnic in connection with St David’s Sunday School, Bible Class and church members was held at ” Oakhampton,” the residence of Mr J. Bryce. The weather was ideal, and a very enjoyable time was spent in games, raceß for young and old, and scrambles. Tbe single women's race was won by Miss Dodge, and the married women’s race by Mrs S. Lennox. A plentiful supply of fruit, refreshments and toys had been provided, which were distributed amongst tho children. AKAROA. Tho fortnightly meeting of tho Akaroa Borough Council was attended by the Mayor (Mr G. Armstrong;, and Councillors Barnliam, Pams, Davis, Leeto, Munro, Wiison and Kerridge. Correspondence was read from tho Post and Telegraph Department stating that at present tho office at Akaroa could not bo opened on Sundays and holidays. The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote in reference to the Prince of Vi ales s visit. The Mayor reported that the Memorial Committeo was now endeavouring to obtain a visit from Admiral Halsey. An auctioneer’s license was granted to Messrs W. D. Wilkins and Sons. Five applications for electric energy were granted. The Lighting Committee reported recommending that tho stand-by plant be sold. The report was adopted. It wns decided that all rates unpaid by the 10th inst. be sued for, with 10 per cent added. The financial statement showed receipts sinco last meeting to havo been £lB9 3s lid. Accounts presented for payment totalled £l4B 6s 6d. A meeting of tho Domain Board was held subsequently, tho came members being present. The annual report and balance-sheet for tho year ended December 31, 1919, wero read and approved. Mr G. Armstrong was re-elected chairman, and Messrs Davis, Leeto and Munro a management committeo. It was decided to thin out some trees during the winter, also to rcmetal tho mam path. At a meeting of tho Akaroa Boating Club, Mr M. Kearney (captain) presided, and thero were also present . Messrs C. Glynn, R. Jory, W. Kearney and R. loungman. Tho Canterbury Rowing Association forwarded a copy of a resolution regarding the abolition of rowing in stumps. It"' 118 resolved to support tho resolution. The Lyttelton Regatta Committee wroto regarding the Clenrv Shield won by tho Akaroa Club s reprosentativo. It was decided that tho club races finished as soon as possible. Accounts amounting to £2 4s 6d wero passed for payment. , , , Rarely at this season of tho year have the hills around Akaroa harbour presented such a beautifully verdant appearance as at present. Tho recent heavy rains-the most copious downpours for-several years have effected a wonderful transformation Already in many cocksfoot. paddocks the stubble, which this season is very short, is being rapidly covered by tlio new growth and there is promise of a good supply of winter feed for stock. . ~ Fruitgrowers report a good average yie.d of apples and pears. , Stone fruit is not so abundant as in somo years. Lectarmes are •“d supply. The walnut crop promises to be a much better one this season and much oleaner. The ravages of the hfight appear in a far loss degree than has been the caso for a long time past. A good area has been planted in potatoes, which have yielded will. The later crops benefited greatly by the recent ram.

SOUTHBRIDGE. _ At the recent departmental examination ol * A l Mr H F Hoolnvav, Pupil teacher the 'Southbridge District High School, secured a partial “ D ’’.pass having only ono subject to complete, whilst Miss Annie Joyce, probationer, was successful in three groups the last mooting of tho Southbridge Town Board there were present Messrs J. S. Chapman (chairman), A. Greonwood, M. Twiss A. Tong and H. J. Sutton. The proproprietor of a travelling pictiire show complained awarding the chargo for the use of the hall, and said that if the fee could not bo" reduced ho would not be able to visit Southbridge. It wns decided to reduce the hall fee for the picture show to 255, provided that the lamps were not used. Mr Twiss, on behalf of tho works committee, reported that the race irom Mr Hill’s cornor had given n great deal of trouble during tho month. Ho asked that tho council’s caretaker of waterworks bo directed to stop the supply of water for a time, to enable the cleaning to

bo done. Mr Tong referred to a race in Brook Street that was rather in need of cleaning, and Mr Sutton said that a footbridge in the same street was broken and needed replacing. Mr Sutton reported that a fence in the hall grounds was broken down and stock were continually getting into the ball grounds. It was decided to instruct tho ranger to impound any stock found in tho hall grounds. Mr Twiss said that the board would soon have to make provision for shingling some of the streets, as they would shortly bo in had order if not rttendod to. Authority was given to the Works Committee to call tenders for shingling. The current year's levy for hospital and charitable aid purposes was passed for payment. OXFORD. During tho month of February rain fell on eight days, the total recorded being 5.41 inches. This has been tho wettest February for a good many years,the nearest recent approach to it being in f3'6, when 5.00 inches were recorded. Tho recent warm rains put a stop to all harvesting operations for —iu.Ajiu,'’ being. Whilo it will stimulate groWF® in pastures, etc., it caused the corn in the stook to sprout. LITTLE RIVER. Tho rainfall registered lor February at Little River was 4.11 inches. Rain 101 lon seven days, and the maximum daily fall was 1.53 inches on tho 27th. The rainfall at Puaha registered by Mr J. C. Harty was 4.76 inches. The maximum daily lull was 1.99 inches, which was recorded on February 27. A meeting was held in the Coronation Library to consider the question of erecting a war memorial. Mr J. C. (J. Gebbie presided over a small attendance. After a good deal of discussion, it was decided that a war memorial bo erected, and that it take the form of a cenotaph. Those present formed themselves into a committee to obtain particulars and suggestions, and to report to a later meeting. A meeting of the Patriotic Social Committee was also hold to consider tho disposal of an amount in hand of £35. Tho general opinion of tho meeting was that the money should 1 he spent in tendering a dinner to tho returned soldiers of the district. A further mooting will be held to consider the matter. ASHBURTON. The Annma Road Board met at Hokeao, the Hon W. Nosworthy, M.P., presiding. Leave was granted to Mr Revolly to fill in a ditch on Beckett's Road. It was decided Jo support the Ashburton County Council in its endeavour to have tho 7.55 a.m. train on Wednesdays reinstated, and a resolution to that effect was adopted, and was ordered to bo forwarded to tbe Minister of Railways. The clerk and Mr Boalar wero authorised to l e-let several shingling contracts which wero abandoned by tha previous contractor. It was resolved that the clerk bo authorised to engage a stock ranger, and to advertise for one if necessary. Accounts amounting to £2l 10s 4d were passed for payment. Mr James Cochrane, of Wakanui, reports having threshed a 20-acre paddock .of solid straw Tuscan wheat, which yielded 78 bushels per acre. At Lyndhurst, in tho Methven district, 50 bushels per acre have been threshed. Tho regular meeting of tho Hampstead Town Board was presided over by Mr W. H. Robinson. The chairman reported a credit balance at the bank of £77 14s sd. It woo decided to support the movement for a fast passenger train to Christchurch on Wednesdays, leaving Ashburton at 7.55 a.m. Mr Thompson, chairman cf the Sanitary Committee, stated that twenty-five residents of East Belt had reported that the drain along tho street was quite satisfactory, three conplained of a slight smell; and five complained of the smell from tho refuse. Under these circumstances, lie thought that the complaints made somo time ago wero greatly exaggerated. He considered that the trouble would be mot by removing tho refuse from the drain more expeditiously The re-* port was adopted. It was decided to sue for all rates outstanding at tho end of March. It was resolved tc draw tho ranger’s attention to the straying catle which frequent the streets, and to give the inspector power to prosecuto the owners Accounts amounting to £SO 13s were passed for payment.