DISTRICT NEWS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 2 December 1922, Page 9

DISTRICT NEWS

I STOKE FRUITGROWERS’ ASSO- ! (HATTON

i (From Our Own Correspondent.)

There was a large attendance at the monthly mooting of the above Association," which took the form of an interesting lecture by Mi’ W. C. Davies, Curator of the Cawthron Institute, the subject being “Bacteria and their ( Relation to Country Life.” Mr Davies i proved himself a most capable lecturer, and the address which was illustrated by specially prepared lantern slides, ; pot plants, and experiments, was i greatly enjoyed by those present. Mr I Rigg kindly acted as lantern operator for the evening. * In introducing the subject, Mr Davies referred to the great importance j .of bacteria, and their bearing on health I and disease, and numerous activities j of daily life. The lecturer gave a : brief history of the science of bacterioj logy, from the time of Leeuwenhoek, I who towards the end of the seventeenth j century, first discovered their existence, j up to the present day, with its perfect (instruments and elaborate methods of research. In dealing with the historiI cal aspect of the subject, tribute was : paid to the outstanding work of Louis' ! Pasteur. io the labours of Koch in 1 .connection with tuberculosis and other diseases to the achievements of Lord Lister in the direction of antiseptic surgt-ry, and to the discoveries of numerous modern workers. ’After describing the principal types of bacteria and their life histories, the lecturer gave seme idea of the methods of a bacteriological laboratory, shov.ing now cultures arc prepared and hacimia isolated and identified. Mr Davies then dealt with the subject of soil organisms and the manner in which they convert organic and other material into food suitable for assimilation by plants. ‘The work of the nitrogen fixing bacteria in the root-nodules of leguminous plants was illustrated in a striking manner by numerous pot experiments, showing the effect of inoculation on soils from the Stoke and Moutere Hills. Passing to bacterial life in connection with milk, the speaker showed by means of slides 1 and culture plates the nature of some

P»l#i * of the bacterial friends and foes of the dairy farmer, stressing the need for extreme cleanliness and care in the Handling of milk and dairy products. The growth of the colonies of Microorganisms in a'culture dish exposed for less than a minute beneath the udder of a cow during milking, was an eyeopener to the audience, and emphasised the advantage of the use bf pails with partially closed tops. The lastproblem dealt with was that of the house fly as an agent in the conveyance of disease germs. The dangers attendant on the unchecked activities of this filthy insect were demonstrated in unmistakable manner by slides showing the of bacteria developed in a culture dish across which a fly had been permitted to walk, and a similar culture made from a drop of water into which the fly had fallen. At the conclusion of the lecture, which was followed throughout with the utmost attention, a hearty vote of thanks was carried by acclamation on, the motion of Mr Childs. I

Among those present were Professor Easterfield and Dr Tillyard, of the Cawthron Institute, the chair being taken by Mr H. E. Stephens, president of the Fruitgrowers’ Association. RICHMOND Y.M.C.A. The final for the season of the afterchuroh sings in the building took place last Sunday evening, when a huge crowd gathered to take part. Owing to insufficient room quite a large,number wended their way home. The spirit of the meeting was everything that was required. The singing of the old favourite hymns were entered into with full'heart and voice by all. Since inaugurated these sings have taken place each fortnight, and right through the piece proved a very appreciable success. During the last evening a solo was very sweetly rendered by Miss Litchfield. Rev. J. R. Nelson gave a very stirring talk on the “Choice of Nobler Ways,” urging all to strive to walk the Highway of life. It is the purpose of. the Association to hold open air services from time to tine during the summer months; these will take place immediately in front of the memorial building. Special lighting is to be arranged. DOVEDALE The annual school flower show, tea, concert, and dance was held on November 17th, under ideal weather conditions and attracted a large crowd of people from all parts of the district. TENNIS MATCH During the day a tennis match was played between teams representing Orinoco and Dovedale. The latter team proved too strong for the visitors andj won comfortably. I

CRICKET MATCH A cricket match between boys of the Ngatimoti and Dovedale Schools was played, resulting in a draw. This was a good game, some of the bigger boys showing good form with bat and ball. FLOWER SHOW The flower show, which was held in the school was really the event of the day ,and proved a huge success, the entries totalling over ,three hundred. The judges were Domestic, Mrs E. W. Win; industrial, Mrs E. W. Hodgson ; cut flowers, decorative and produce, Mr G. Wearing; school work, Mr and Miss Wills. Prizes were donated by Messrs Hodgson and Son, Manoy and Sons, P .Kingston, Mrs E. W. Hodgson, and Misses L, Win and R. Papps - m . TEA All the children were provided with an excellent tea free of charge and afterwards treated to a sweets scramble, the sweets being provided by Hooper and Son,- of Wakefield. CONCERT The concert in the evening was ••vcllatiended, the public hall being packed to the doors Mr J. Fowler, chairman of the School Committee, introduced Mr Hollis Hill, member for this ward on the Nelson Education Board, who had travelled from Brightwater to preside at the concert. j It is to be regretted that owing to many of the pupils being indisposed with influenza, the Dovedale . School could not put on their items. Prizes ! awarded the children of Dovedale and j Woodstock Schools were presented by J Mr Hill. A vote of thanks to the chair- j man and the singing of "God Save the King” brought the concert to a close, j DANCE ' j The dance, which followed the con- ’ cert was > all that could bo desired, about 35 couples taking the floor. An excellent supper was provided by ladies of the district. The music (piano and comet) was supplied by Mrs and Mr J. Fowler in their usual efficient' manner; , j j