THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16157, 11 March 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. ASHBUItTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION'. A meeting of the General Committee of tho Ashburton A. and P. Association was held on Saturday afternoon, tno president, Mr F. Frampton, in tho A "letter was read stating that the Governor-General regretted that ne would bo unable to attend the Autumn Show. . , r A letter was read stating tnat Air T. Harrison, a vice-president, had ditxl in England in June last, and a vote ot sympathy was passed to his iriends. Mr James Cow reported that Mrs T. A. C. Pcnrco had come up from Southland to assist at tho luncheon, which this year was being run by the Association. Ho also reported that a number of members had given liberally in provisions, and several offers were also mado in tho room. Tho chairman reported that a good meeting of + .he officers had been held that morning, and all arrangements mado for tho forthcoming Show. Mr I<\ G. Frampton, of Brooksido, was elected a member of tho Association. Oil tho motion of Mr ~W. Anderson, seconded by Mr J. Cow, it was decided that it ho a recommendation to the new committco to increase tho classes for shire horses at the 1919 Show. Additional special prizes wero reported to have heen given, as under: Mr W. Oakley £1 Is, Mr A. Horsey £1 Is, Mr A. Fleming £1 and Mrs W. D. Dawson £1 Is.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. "With an increase of <556,329 sheep in tho North Island last year over tho previous year it is anticipated (says the "Auckland Star") that the amount of wool to be dealt with in tho Auckland province this season will bo considerably greater than the amount dealt with last season. Figures compiled at the end of January partially confirmed this opinion, for tho wool in store showed an increase of 3652 bales, as compared with the corresponding poriod of _ the previous season. A more definite idea of what the increase will be is obtained from last Saturday's t0ta1—30,064 bales of greasy wool, as welL as thousands of bales of scoured and elipe wool, the wool in store being a record quantity for Auckland. Tho early clip is attributed to the fino weather during shearing operations.

SCARGILL. The fifth annual meeting of the Scargill Miniature lliHo Club was held on Saturday evening, March 2nd. There was a good attondanco of raembors, and it was decided to carry on the club again this year. Tho following officers were rc-electodPat-ron, .A [r Angus Cameron; president, Mr W. F. Pannett; vico-prosidcnts, Messrs H. Acton-Adams, N. D. Campboll, S. B. Gibb, Geo. Gibb, G. G. Greig, W. Elliot, Geo. Buss, M. Fleming, F. Carpenter, W. Harrison, T. 0. Johnson, T. E. L. Roborts, D. Gillanders, D. Patterson, W. Leach, C. G. Stewart, R. I{. Lockhoad, and James Cameron. The following wore olectcd a Shooting Committer for the year:— Captain, Mr O'ls'eil; rice-captain, Mr G. O. Pannett; secretary and treasurer, Mr G. A. Greig, and Mossts W. Elliott, jun., and B. Lochhead. It was decided to commence the season's shooting on Saturday evening next. BROMLET. A meeting of the Bromley Farewell and' Reception Committee was held in the school, on Saturday evening, Mr Huggins presiding. Mr J. H. Briggs introduced 3Lr W. J. Smith, who has lately settled in Bromley, from Oxford, and ho was unanimously electea a member of the committee. Tho secretary, Mr Dryden, reported that Mr Carter had handed back the prize won by him fn liio last progressive euchro match, to be played for at tho next, and Mr Briggs offered tho next lady's prize, and bcth gentlemen received a hearty vote of thanks. It was decided to add the, names of Messrs Wilkes, Ritchie, Guest, Hansir, Jennison, Adams, and Freeman to the roll of honour. For the next euchro and dance, Mr Smith offered to supply a prize for tho guessing competition At the annual meeting to take place next month, each visitor will be. expected to bring something for the Trench Comforts Funds. ASHBURTON. At tho monthly meeting of the Asliburton Technical School Board, the Director (Mr A. L. Moore) reported that the school reopened on February 18th, but again a number of secondyear boys and girls had not resumed owing to tho demands upon their time through the shortage of labour. The attendance in all classes totalled 1048, as against 1017 last year. In addition to these there wer.e 517 pupils attending woodwork and cookery classes from schools throughout tho county. Threo discharged soldiers were taking courses, and five boys were taking an engineering coarse. The members complimented the Director and staff on the successes gained last year. It was decided to extend Miss Smith's probationary period for one year at the maximum salary of £00 per annum, and that Mr Moore carry on the physical science classes for tho first time. There was a large attendance at tho Allenton school on Friday evening., when the residents of the district met to discuss matters in connexion with tho school district, Mr Hugh McDonald presided and stated that some months ago a deputation waited on the Board of Education in regard to making Allenton a main school. From tho favourable hearing the deputation received it was thought that all was well, hut tho Board had now intimated that the request- could not be granted at present. The chairman said it was clear that Allenton was not getting a "square deal," and a committee, consisting of Messrs N. Culling, G. Wright, F. H. Broom, H. McDonald, and J. Argyle, was set up to act on behalf of tho district.

TEMUKA. On Thursday evening, as the rest'lt of a social and dance at the Arowheniia Hall, Temuka, to bid farewell to Mi' and Mrs. Solomon, who were leaving for the Chatham Islands, the sum of £'11 7s <kl was obtained for the Y.M.C.A. So presentation was made, the money going instead to sTvell the fund. Messrs HI is and A. 11. Guild, members of the Temuka Road Board, with Mr E. B. Cooper, overseer, visited the Hangitata river, to see if anything could be done at small cost to cffect an improvement. The party found that the river had cut awav about 13 acres of the late Mr H. McClelland's farm, land valued at about £15 to £18 p er acre. Although at the time of the inspection the river was not in flood, the water was within a foot of the stirlace of the land in places, and a slight rise might lead to further trouble. It was also found that the river is washing away land and threatening to get through Stigrue's corner: another danI gerous place. The rivvr is also washing away land on Messrs Ellis, Airay, Shaw, and Aker's farms. In addition to the damage done, there is the loss in the valuation of the land all along the river bank to be considered, and should the river break through it ■would "be a serious matter for the Clandehove Settlement. It was decided to make a further inspection next week, when the river above tho bridge Trill ho visited. It will then be determined what further steps shall bo taken. The oosition ig .a serious JMiQ*