THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15868, 5 April 1917, Page 5

THE COUNTRY.

NOTES AND NEWS. * AKAROA BUTTER FACTORY. A meeting of the directors of the Akaroa Co-operative Butter Factory was held on Tuesday night. PresentMessrs A. J. Turner (in tho chair), i-'olix Brocherie, R. Whitehead, W. W. .Williams, A. W. Judd (manager}, and J. W. Lecte (secretary). Correspondence was dealt with rejecting offers for tho season's output, .ictory requisites, and additiou 6 to the i t was reported that two transfers of •substantial lots of shares had beon .nade, and that three parcels of shares .iad been allotted. The transfers were approved. in view of the proposed additions to the plant next season, the directors re.volved to circularise present suppliers and other dairymen in Takamatua, ask- 1 ing for information respecting the probable size of their herds and their intentions with regard to next season's supply. The chairman stated that €he output for March had been slightly over 9 tons of first grade butter. It was decided to pay out Is 6id per lb for butter fat supplied during March, j and to leave tho sale of tl(o .output in the hands of the chairman, the secretary meanwhile to communicate with various firm G inviting offers. i •On the motion of the chairman, it was resolved to send a letter of condolence to tho relatives of the late Mr A. H. Turnbull, whose firm had had large dealings with the factory. The manager stated that if the present dry spell continued, ho was afraid the factory wonldhave to close down for the season, probably within six weeks. WAIAtJ. A social to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs T. M. Marr and Miss Marx, who are leaving the district, was held in the Coronation Ball on Monday night, when there was a large attendance from all parts of the district, and from Ilotherham and Culverd'en. Mr H. T. Beaven, in presenting Mr Marr, on behalf of tho residents, with a purse of sovereigns, referred to the long period Mr and Mrs Marr had resided in\the district, and spoke of the valuable work Mr Marr had done as secretary to various bodies. On behalf of Rothorham and Culver den he also thanked Miss Man* for the valuable assistance sho had rendered in connexion with patriotic work, and wished the guests long life, prosperity, and happiness. On behalf of the Racing Curb, wish whicli Mr Marr has been connected for well-nigh twenty years, Mr W. J. Smith presented him with a purse of sovereigns, and specially referred to his . active interest in all eport. Mr C. A. Oldman and Mr K. Petti grew also spoko in highly complimentary teims of Sir Marr's services to the disLrici. During tho ovening musical items werp contributed Dy Mr and Mrs Burrows and Mc Mcßryde, and dancing was jkept up with spirit till about ' IV a.m., the music being supplied by Mrs Hunter and Mr Mcßryde, assisted by M iss Barrell. Refreshments were provided by the ladies. On Monday afternoon a Large number of the congregation of the Anglican Church assembled in the church, where Miss Marr, who lias acted as organist for a number of years, was the recipient of a gold wristlot watch, as a token of tho congregation's appreciation, of her services.

TTTAHTWT. A meeting ot tho Executive Committee of the Ohoka Queen Contest was held on Tuesday, Mr Pearce presiding over a full attendance. Reports wero presented by the various committees regarding tho arrangements they had made to make the Carnival on Easter Monday a success. It was definitely decided to close the contest at 3.30 p.m., to aiinouucc the result as soon after as practicable, and to have tho crowning cercmony at 8 p.m. in the hall. The Maoris of Tualiiwi, somo 50 strong, in full native dress, will form on© of the chief items of .attraction with their urau (Maori oven), powhiri ? hakas, and pois. A special tram is being run from Christchurch at 10.30 a.m., to cater for tho Tisiting public. The present positions of tho Queens aro: Tuahiwi 1, Swannanoa 2, Ohoka 3. BELFAST. Tho Belfast School Committee met on Tuesday. Present —Messrs W. P. Spencer (chairman), Cloland, Child, HSarris. Halligan, Lawn, Marshall, and tho Rev. T. M. Cnrnow. An apology was received from'Mr Beagley. Tho master reported that the average attendances were: Main School 115, Infant School 74. The collecting boxes of the Young Helpers' League were opened during the month, and contained £4 os 4d. This amount carried a subsidy of £4 from the president (Mrs W. Nicholls), making tho total £8 os 4cL Swimmine races wero held, the prizes being given by Mr Poison, the master (Mr Neville), and Mr Smith. It was decided to unveil the Roll of Honour at the school on Ansae I>ay, and to invite all relatives to be present. Tho total proceeds from a school concert held recently were £19 I® 3 6d. _ The chairman stated that the committee wa s still in debt.

SPRIivGSTON. On Sunday last the anniversary services irj connexion witi tb© Melodist Sundav School Tver© held. Mr w. C. Francis, of Christchurch, preached m the morning and afternoon to fair congregations. In the evening tho_ service 5 was conducted by the Rev. W. B. bcott. trpeciaJ hymns were 6unc bar

the choir and children under tho baton of Mr Scott, Miss I/arcombe presiding at tho organ. On Tuesday evening tho anniversary was continued. In tho afternoon tho children met for their annual treat, -and in the evening a tea was held, followed by a public meeting. Tho Iter. "YV. B. vSco'iit presided. Tho following contributed to the programme:—Mrs A. Riches, Misses Taylor, Rona Scott, A. Riches, B. McKay, Ivy Mutton, Messrs L. Blakemoro, and H. "Watson, 'iter. W. B. Scott, and several items by the choir and children. Miss H. Ivimo presided at the organ, and Miss M. Taylor played the accompaniments. During the evening Mr S. Keasfc, superintendent of the school, gave an account of tho year's working, and presented tho balance-sheet, whicli showed a credit. The lie v. B. Metson, of Tai Tapu, gave an address on the duties of parents as to the spiritual training of their children.

SOUTBBRIDGR There was a full attendance at the monthly meeting of tho Southbridge District High School Committee, held on Monday evening, tho Rev. H. 'cr. Hawking presiding. Mies Moore ecnt in her resignation as assistant-mistress m the primary department, owing to bavin e been appointed to a position m EBawke's Bay. The resignation was received with" regret. The headmaster reported the weekly roll numbers to be 157 (primary) and oO (secondary), while tho average daily attendances were 141.7 and 26.1. During tho month tho Board's inspector (Mr Mayne) and the agricultural instructor (Mr • Ellis) had I visited the school. The master recommended closing the school for the term holidays from May 4th, and this recommendation was agreed to. It was also, decided tp -close for the Easter holidays from Thursday evening to Wednesday morning. AKAROA". For over two months now, practically the only rain that has fallen was tho downpour of 1.83 inches, experienced a fortnight ago. The farmers are beginning to regard the prospects for decent late autumn and winter feed as serious. From Robinson's Bay, Takamatua, and the Kaik come reports that are not by any means encouraging. Conditions generally axe worse than they were this time last year. ' Tho cold nights—and they havo ben decidedly nippy of late—are not a helping factor in the growth of pasture. On Tuesday night, a concert party from Akaroa crossed the harbour, and gave a very successful and highly entertaining performance at Wainui. Tho •schoolroom was packed. The performers were Miss Lucy Youngman and her "ring of young lady minstrels," and th© Akaroa Christy Minstrel Toupe, led by Messrs W. W. Garton and Frank Armstrong." The Mayor occupied the chair and. during an interval, delivered an address on the need of further effort and sacrifice. In this he was ably seconded bv Mr Thos. Lewitt, the hon. secretary of the Peninsula Patriotic Fund. SALTWATER CREEK. Harvest thanksgiving was celebrated in the Saltwater Creek Church on Sunday evening. The church was prettily decorated with fruit and vegetables. There was a record attendance. On Monday evening a concert arid sale of produce in connexion was held in tho school- Songs were contributed by Mesflamea Topp, Crewes, Miss Lang, and Mr D. Lang, and recitations by Miss Partridge. The sale of producc realised £3 10s, which will be handed to tho local Red Cross Fund. At the end of the evening tho chairman of the Church Committee (Mr E. H. Nelson), on behalf of the congregation, presents ed Miss Lang with a cake-stand and salad bowl, in recognition of her many years' service in the church, and also on the occasion of her approaching marriage.

"ASHBURTOZST. The harvest thanks giving services in connexion with the Ashburton Baring square Methodist Church, were commenced on Sundav, and concluded on Tuesday night. Tlio offerings on Sunday amounted to £30, and tho procecd3 of a concort on Tuesday to £37. Messrs W. Grieve * and W. Sagan, who were shearing in the Mount Somers and Springburn districts, obtained from various farmers a largo number of black fleeces of wool. -which they gave to tho Ashhurton Red Cross Society. Tho wool was 6old and realised £13* los 2d.

RISE IN FARMING IMPLEMENTS. TO Tma EDITOR OP "THE PRESS." Sir,—l see by thi s morning's "Press" that Mr Keir linds fault with, my statei ment in last Saturday's "Press" that , farming implements had advanced in price from 50 to 70 per cent., but, if Mr Keir had read my letter carefully, he would have seen that I wa s not referring to what happened during this last year or two, but to what has occurred during the last 20 years. It Mr 'Keir will kindly refer to the books or his firm covering the 10 years from 20 to 30 years ago, he will find than the price of the d.£. plough was £16 10s, and that of the 3-fnrrow wa s 10s, and, by taking Mr Keir's own figures the price of the d.f. plough is now •£29, and thai of the 3-furrow £44 10s, so that, instead of advancing from 50 to 70 per cent. I should have put it at from about 80 to 100 per cent. I have taken the two first implements on Mr Koir's and it is only fair to assumo that all other implements advanced in proportion. The P. aaid D. I>uncan firm has supnßed mo with farming implements for nearly 50 years, as I al- ! ways found that they turned out good implements. If Mr Keir has any difficulty in finding the prices of things 30 or 40 years ago. I am willing to come to the rescue. —Yours, etc.. j THOS. MORLAJSD. I Rose-bank, Rakaia, April 2nd.

to the EDITOR OF "THK I'll ess.** Sir, —As an interested reader of tho wheat question, I am satisfied tho case for tho implement-maters is in. very ,ibk» hands in Mr Keir, who, in reply to Mr Morland's letter, sets out a list of figures to prove the extra cost to a farmer growing t?00 acres of "wheat. In doing"so, Mr Keir quotes tho price of a thirteen-coulter drill, four-leaf harrows, and tavo and three-quarter-inch axle dray among other necessary items. These implements would bo much too small, especially the drill and harrows, to cox>e with 200 'acres under present conditions, and the percentage price is lints reduced, besides which a; farmer cannot spread his payments over the life of his implements, or even until he gathers his crop, without incurring interest. I hope Mr Keir will be able to release soma man at -harvest time, as farmers Are endeavouring to meet the needs of the oountry, affcl the greatest strain will probably com© next harvest, if there is a good season and crop.—Yours, etc., , AY. G. GALLAGHER. | Mnyficld.