MIDDLEMARCH NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21404, 4 August 1931, Page 11

MIDDLEMARCH NOTES

(From Our Own Correspondent.) MIDDLEMARCH, August” 3. With the exception of a few tine days the weather during the month of July was severe. The month was especially dry, with only two days during which rain or snow fell. On July 5 four points fell and* again on July 18 18 points fell —a total of 22 points. August came in with a slight frost and a fresh fill of snow. The Rock and Pillar is very heavily coated, while the drifts, of the last fall are still to be seen on the flat. Sunday was a very rough day, with a gale blowing from the south-west and frequent snow showers./ The barometer is standing a!t 29.2 in. Owing to the rough weather experienced farm work is much behind that of average years and no sowing has been done so far. A few early lambs have made their appearance, but they are also suffering from the effects of the weather. A. AND P. CONCERT.

A most successful concert in aid of the funds of the A. and P. Society was held in the society’s hall on Saturday evening. There was a large attendance, presided over by the genial president (Mr J T, James). The programme presented was an excellent one, and Mr J. B. Hamilton, of Outram, is to be congratulated on his selection of entertainers, every one of, whom had to respond to encores. The following was the programme: Piano and violin (Misses L. and N. Walker), song (Miss Tui Salt), song (Mr S. Kershaw), recitation (Miss, E. Newbold), song (Miss Margaret Green), song (Mr J. B. Hamilton), Highland dance (Miss Rona Beal), humorous item (Mr J. Paterson), vocal duet (Misses L. and N. Walker). The second part of the programme was also rendered by the above performers. The accompaniments were played by Miss E. Young, while Mrs M. Kean (piano) and Mr A.. Smith (bagpipes) played for the dances. After the concert an enjoyable dance was held to music supplied by Mrs Beck. The funds of the society will be augmented by about £lB as a result of this special effort. FARMERS’ UNION MEETING.

A meeting of the Middlemarch branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at Middlemarch on July 30. The meeting, which was not very well attended, was presided over by the president (Mr James Howell). Dissatisfaction was expressed by members that the protection had been lifted from stoats and weasels in certain areas. The opinion was expressed that this might be the thin edge of the wedge towards complete protection being taken off those destroyers of the rabbit pest. Several members stated that they thought something should be done towards bringing about the use of the woollen wool bale for packing the wool clips, thereby using up a considerable amount of woo] which could be manufactured in this country, giving employment to many men.