ENFIELD NOTES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue 13047, 10 January 1917, Page 2

ENFIELD NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Harvest work is the order of the dayoil most farms, and in various parts of the district one may see almost all of the recognised harvest operations, cutting, stooking. stacking, or threshing. The crops are very patchy on account of the late continued dryness. Autumn •sown crops are. in most cases, very fail*, but owing to premature ripening will not yield iw much as they once gave promise of. Spring sown paddocks are -practically a failure, and are mostly thin and" short, oat- crops being very badly affected with rust. A.very much needed shower fell yesterday (Monday) afternoon, and although the amount that fell was not uniform, in most "parts of the district enough fell to do inestimable* good to everything, although, if more does pot fall soon, it is, as it were, just a temporary refreshment. Once again we have turned our backs du Christmas and New Year, and a more momentous Christmas and New Year it is hardly likely that any of us"will see. It is to bo hoped that before another comes the Central Powers will have recognised the iiselessno.ss of thenideas of world hegemony and give in unconditionally to the Allied peacs terms. It was noticeable that the usual Christmas festivities were tinged with .a note of anxiety not usually present — anxiety born by thoughts of the loved ones wlio were far away holding back the hordes of ravaging and marauding Huns.

On Boxing Day the Patriotic Committee held a Red Cross picuic. Owing to the uncertainty of the weather. however, the attendance was not large. Atnight a send-off social to Private P. Doyle was held, Mr Forrester presiding. Mr J. T. Malfbney made the presentation in a -short- suitable speech. Private Doyle, oil rising to reply, was greeted with musical honors. Items were rendered by Mr and Mrs Johnstone (instrumental) and Mrs Dyer. Misses Ross and Taylor, and Messrs M'Fadgen and J. Hovendeu. encores being general. The rest of the evening was given up to dancing, Mr Howard acting as M.C-. Altogether the net takings for the effort- were about"£'3o.