THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16151, 4 March 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES

RAINFALL IX SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Mr W. P. Stericker. of Sutton Farm, Timara. writes: 'Ihe rainfall last month (February) recorded by me was 2.66 in. For the corresponding nionth last year the rainlall was 1.,«5 in. The average for the month of February over a period of .SO years is 2.3 Sin. "

JOTTINGS FOK FARMERS,

There is apparently 110 dearth of farm managers in the W airarapa. A I settler who recently advertised tor a ; manager received no fewer than ,orty ! applications lor the position. i The increase of the cattle tick in j North Auckland is not regarded bv I graziers in other districts as a matter i for serious concern (says the Aucklaiui j "Herald"). - A prominent Waikato I grazier stated thai the tick had been j known to exist in this country for a | good many years, but as long as the organism of tick fever was not til the country little trouble was to be apprehended from the parasite. Lne fact that the tick was more than usually troublesome in the North this season, "no said, iniglit be due to tne excessive rainfall. but reasonable care 011 the part of stock owners should easily overcome the trouble. A change of pastuie for the infected animals, and the cultivation or burning off of the paddock in which the animals lu.d been grazing, he said, would check the spread of the pest. Even the shutting up of the paddock i'or a time would probably make it clean, as the parasite required a host ;n order to propagate. Regarding the remedial measures that had been suggested ly the officers of the Department of Agriculture, lie said that tne spraying of infected anijnais with Stockholm tar could be readily accomplished in the case of tame cattle, but in dipping there would be a risk of poisoning the animals, as he understood that an arsenic dip was required to kill the parasite. As to the necessity ior action by the Government Department to eliminate the tick, he said that presumably the only action the Government could take would be to frame regulations controlling the movement of .-tock in infected areas, and compel stock owners to carry out such remedial measures as were thought necessary. He expressed the opinion that if the graziers themselves took the initiative, and exercised reasonable care in keeping their pastures clean, there would be no necessity for official action. BROMLEY. The Bromley School Committee held its usual luoutnly meeting ill the school ou Saturday liigut. . Tho master's report showed the roll numbor to be illi, and the average attendance I<W. Correspondence was read from tin.Board of Education regarding alterations to the boundaries, ana it was decided to confer with tne other chairmen concerned in tho matter. It was reported that Agues Carson, who had just -finished tho primary school course at Bromley, had attended l'or eight years without missing an attendance, and it was decided to congratulate her on the line performance, and to hang a photograph in tho school to honour her, and stimulate others to emulate her example. Tho Bromley Red Cross and Lady Liverpool Committee held a meeting ou Saturday night to receive the balancesheot of "Our Day" appeal. There was a good attendance, and Mr .7. Briggs occupied tlio chair. Tho. secretary, Mr Geo. Templeton, read the account, which showed that the effort had produced £103 10s 2d, with 9s expenses, leaving a credit balance of £105 10s 2d. It was decided to hand this over to the Ladies' Committee, and the president. Miss Mooro, and tho secretary, Mrs Christian, heartily thanked the gentlemen for their loyal support during tho past year. Mr Briggs assured tho ladies that if at any lime, during the year their committee needed funds, the gentlemen would again assist. SOUTHBROOK. On Thursday afternoon the teachers and friends oi"' the South brook Methodist Sunday School . entertained tho scholars to an afternoon in tho schoolgrounds. There was a large gathering, and games and competitions were indulged in. An excellent tea was provided. I SOI'THBIIIDGE. The Southbridge Town Hall was crowded on Thursday evening, ou -lie occasion, of a. social to welcome Corporal Gordon Abbott and Private Harry Wise, two returned soldiers, and also "to present gold medals to the two soldiers mentioned and to three others who had returned previously. Addresses were given by Mr C. H. Piper, chairman of the Patriotic Committee, Rev. H. G. Hawkins, and Mr J. Storry, and the medals, which had been designed by Mr Hawkins, wore presented by him, on behalf of the Patriotic Committee, to Corporal Abbott, Sapper J. H. Hampton, Privates H. Wise, M. Hampton, and E. Ashworth. Corporal Abbott, who replied on behalf of his comrades and himself. spoke very interestingly about the operations in Egypt and Palestine, where he had served with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles for two years. During the evening songs were sung by Mrs W. Loehbend, Misses Kilbride and M. Henderson, and Mr A. A. Scott. Mrs F Harnett assisting 'with, a violin obligate. Mr and Miss Thompson and Mr Walker played for the dancing. LEESTON. The annual meeting of the Ellesmere Brass Band was presided over by the president, Mr C. Fisse. The report stated that the band had experienced a successful year. Nine members and two ex-members were at the front, and one member had been killed. Bandmaster T. E. Boyle was entitled to a nine years' service star. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £50 5s 3d. The assets were set down as £576 8s 3d, and the liabilities £150 (mortgage on hall). One resignation was received, and three new members were elccted. Officers were elected as follows: Patron, Colonel the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes; president, Mr A. T. Robertson: vice-presidents, Messrs C. Fisse, F. Townsnend. J. C. Free, J. H. McMillan, I. Andrew. F. J. Holley, F. B. Clausen. T. J. Gilbert, G. H. Jones. R. Allen, Harvey Patterson, S. Gibscn. A. Chamberlain, and W. G. Roberts; bandmaster, Mr T. E. Boyle; deputy, Mr T. J. Ramsey; sergeant, Mr A. E. Brown; secretary, Mr .1. Southern; corporal. Mr H. Austin ; lance-corporal. Mr R. Barnett. ROTHERHAM. Much sympathy was felt in the district when it was known that Mr A. Cameron, manager of the Hermitage, had suffered a broken arm and bodily crushing, through his horse falling on him. Such an accident in the height of the busy season is particularly unfortunate. ASHBURTON. The Ashburton draft of the Thirtyninth Reinfurcements will leave by the express this afternoon. Prior to their departure they will be entertained at the Ashburton drillslied by the business firms in the Triangle BlockThe quarterly meeting of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, 1.0.0.F.,M.U. # was

held on Friday, N.G. Bro. J. S. Wilson presiding. The balance-sheet for the year ending January 31st, 1917, was received and adopted. Tho following were elected to the Management Committee; Bros. E. Colter, K. H. Childs, and R. Baker. Bros. F. W. Watt, F. Pritchard, E. Cliilds, and J. S. Wilson were appointed to attend the district conference on Thursday next.