THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16160, 14 March 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. WHEAT CROP. -1 TPIE GOVERNMENT'S PURCHASE. FIGURES UP TO DATE. The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister of Agriculture, yesterday supplied figures showing the progress of the Government's wheat purchase scheme, so far as this season's crop is concerned, up to March 13th, 1918. Tho figures are:— £ e. d. Total sum paid to farmers •. 04,430 611 Total sum received from millers 67,620 3 5 The following shows the quantities of wheat dealt with up to March 13th: Bushels threshed—Tuscan 468,596, Hunters 103,593, Velvet 118,005, seconds 32,433; total 722,987. Bushels purchased and sold — Tuscan 667,236, Hunters 198,398, Velvet 131,471; total 997)105. Bushels paid to farmers—Tuscan 154,242, 'Hunters 44.856, Velvet 17,467; total, 216,565. RAM FAIR. . The following entries have - been received by the Canterbury A. and P. Association for the Christchurcli ram fair, to bo held at Addington Show Grounds next "Wednesday and Thursday :— RAMS. Lincoln . ... 30 English Leicester ... 2150 Border Leicester ... 1130 Rornney Marsh ... 291 Southdown ... ... 845 ' Shropshire ... ... '296 Merino ... ... 13 Corriedale ... ... 275 I Half bred ... ... IGB ] Suffolk ... ... o Ryeland ... ... 3

EWES. Border Leicester- ... 40 Romney Marsh ... 20 Total ... ... 52G6 WAIAU. Acting on the suggestion of the Patriotic Committee, the ladies of the Red Cross took up the matter of providing luncheon at tho ewe fair most enthusiastically, and though heavy rain was falling in the morning, a large number of ladies repaired to tho yards in good time to have everything in readiness. Fortunately, at midday the weather cleared and a pleasant afternoon onsued. All the viands were given by tho ladies of the district, and an excellent repast was provided, with tho result that £12 14s Gd was taken, and a cheque for this amount has been handed by Mrs Beavcn, hon. secretary of the lied Cross, to the hon. secretary of the Patriotic Committee, for transmission to the Y.M.C.A. Fund. Notwithstanding tho strenuous afternoon the ladies had put in at tho luncheon booth, they undertook tho organising of a danco in the evening, and again their labours wore well rewarded. There was a good attendance, and a, most enjoyable dance was kept up till about 2 a.m. 3 the music being; supplied by Miss Hadier. _ Again the refreshments were provided by the ladies, and the net receipts -will amount to approximately £9 10s, and this sum will also be available for tho same fund. OXFORD. The secretary and organiser of the Protestant Political Association addressed a meeting in the Oxford Town Hall on Monday night. Mr F. F<. Foot presided, and, in spite of tho wet night, there was a large audience, nearly 300 being present. The lecturer was heartily thanked, on the motion of Messrs 11. H. Parish and K. Kippenberger. A large number of those present as members of P.P.A. At the monthly meeting of the committee of the Oxford District . High School, the headmaster's report, besides referring to the attendance, mentioned that two second-year secondary pupils had passed the Public Service Entrance Examination; that one of them. Miss Grace M. Weld, had been appointed probationer, and that the Chief Inspector, Mr W. Brock, had visited the school. Considerable discussion took place in regard to the school boundaries, the letter from the Education Board on the matter not being considered satisfactory. It was decided to write for further information. Tho balaiice-shrot, certified by the auditor, was received. RANGIORA. The pupils of the Rangiora High School had a very enjoyable holiday yesterday, granted for good work. Most of them, in charge of the principal, Mr T. E. Strachan, were conveyed in drags to Horseshoe Cliff, '.ear -Mount Grey, but some of the senior bovs, under Mr F. R. Callaghan, were taken to Christ-church for their holiday, which combined instruction witn pleasure.

My Langford Geddes, only son of Mr George Geddes, died on Monday, after 2,. very brief illness, aged 21 " years. The funeral, which took place yesterday, was largely attended, and a number of .beautiful floral tributes were laid on the grave. Last evening the Rev. Howard Elliott addressed a largo meeting at tlio Rangiora Institute Hall on the aims and objects of tho Protestant Political Association. He received an attentive hearing. After the meeting a number of the audience remained behind for the purpose of taking preliminary steps for forming a branch of the Association.

HORXBY-ISLIXGTOX. There was a large attendance at the Orange Hall, Hornby, last week, the occasion being a lecture by the Rev. Howard Elliott, organiser for the Protestant Political Association, n branch of which was recently formed in the district. At the conclusion refreshments were handed round.x | An accident happened on the Main i South road near Templeton on Saturday last, Mr Vickery and Mr Storer, both of Islington, were out motoring 'when a tyre burst, causing the car to swerve and then capsize, pinninc Mr

yickery beneath it- Air Storer % waa unhurt, and -was able to free his companion, who suffered a dislocatcd shoulder and injuries to bis back. ELLESMERE.' At the Dunsandel sale two- twotooth Border Leicester rams were sold, on account of Mr W. 0. Rennie, at i>i guineas a head. The engineer to the Ellesmere County Council, Mr Alex. Webster, has lately suffered two bereavements. His mother passed away in Christchurch on Sunday at the ace of 89, and on Momlay his sister died at the age of 64. after a lengthy illness. Their Excellencies the GovernorGeneral and the Countess of Liverpool, and his "Worship tho Mayor of Christchurch and Mrs Holland, have consented to attend a function in aid of the Lady Liverpool Fund at Springstoa next Tuesday. The other evening a number of friends gathered at the residence of Mr and Mrs "W. Chambers, of Killincny, for tho purpose of making a presentation to them. Games and music passed a very 'pleasant evening. On behalf of the visitors Mr W. Parkin, in an appropriate speech, presented Mr and Mrs Chambers with a handsome silver teapot as a mark of their appreciation and goodwill. Mr Chambers, who lias resided in the district all his life and who has been engaged in farming operations for many years, has acquired an 800-aere farm at West Melton. Mr R. B. Boyd, of Leeston. has been informed that his son. Private Davici Boyd, is on his way back to New Zealand Private Boyd went away with ;thi> 7th Reinforcements in October, 1915. The finals of the Ellesmere Bowling Association's tournament, which last December, have now been played off, Leeston Club winning all three competitions. There was a keen contest between Dunsandel and LeesUui in the rink competition, which was won by W. Watson, J. E. Carter, F. J. Holley, and H. Neave (s.). F. -T. Hoiley won the Singles, and J. E. Carter and H. Neave the Doubles.

AKAROA. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Good Intent Lodge was held on Monday, when Bro. F. Davis, ActingN.G., presided. Sick pav was passed to two brethren. Bros. F. Davis and ft. Bruce were granted the lodge's sanction to reccive the Purple Degree of Oddfellowship. The annual excursion of the Akaroa D.H. School was held on Tuesday. The business people of the town had decided to close for the day and join the party, and as the Duvauchelle and Takam-atua school-children, with a sufficiently .strong escort of adults, also came along, there must have been considerably over 300 on the CygUM. An hour's pleasant cruise around the harbour preceded a landing at Wainui, where the rest of the day was spent in delightful picnic fashion. On the return trip the youngsters gave lusty chcers for Captain Murray, of the Cygnet, the School Committee, and for the business men, who had provided prizes and supplies. The first annual meeting of the nw Takamatua Cheese Company was held on Tuesday, Mr Geo. Armstrong presiding. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £760. The report briefly outlined the allocation of the shares and specified various amounts received on them. The factory was running very well indeed. Supplies had been above the average anticipated. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. The fol- j lowing compriso the directors of the company: Messrs Geo. Armstrong and <J. D. Bruce, both of Akaroa, Jas. Brown, W. B. Hammond/PI. Odoll, W. Sunckell. Geo. Phillips,: and T. M. Shepherd, with Mr C. W. <Leeto as auditor and Mr C. Fredericksen as secretary.

ASUBURTON. The Staveley Dairy Company last month- received 19,0411b of butter-far, and paid out to suppliers £1543, as against £1300, for l(5.2101b for the corresponding month last year. There are at present 34 suppliers'to the factory. 'the Ashburton Hospital Board has been notified of four more cases of scarlet fever in the district. At present the fever ward is full, -and convalescent cases are housed in tents. The Mount Somers Road Board .met on Monday, Mr W. R. Turton presiding. It was decided to have the gorse. etc., removed from the road '-it the Buccleugh and Roxboroudi crossings, also to have some patching dona on Swamp road. Mr V. Ellen, Staveley, drew the Board's attention to the bridge in front of his section, which was in a bad state of repair. It was decided to inspect the bridge. The Winchmore-Grcenstreet W.C.T.U. met at the residence of Mrs J. Kennedy. The gathering took die form of a cradle roll afternoon, i»nd 23 babies with their mothers were present. Mrs Frost, of Ashburton, pref-ided, and -spoke on the necessity of mothers training their children from babyhood. Nurse Hadecke, the Plunked nurso from Ashburton, read a paper on the care of the baby'.s and mother's health, which was much appreciated. A vote of thanks was accorded the Ashburton visitors, arid to 'Mips S. Kennedy, who arranged the afternoon and provided toys for the children. Afternoon tea was served. A meeting of the executive was Jieid afterwards. The chairman of the Ashburton Forks school wrote stating that the temperance wall sheets would be placed in tho school as soon as the 3' could be procured. Tho president of the Lady Liverpool Comfort Fund wrote asking for donations, and <t was decided to hold a gift afternoon. Mrs Frost was appointed delegate ta attend the annual Convention at Timaru. A subscription to the Stocking League was received from Mrs Glassey.

The Supreme Court of the United States has recently arrived at a decision which is of interest to the British Empire, and indeed to all countries which have a "colour" problem, j.s well as to America.' Louisville Ciiy had passed an ordinance segregating its negroes within a certain district, and this ordinance the Supremo Court has unanimously—two of the judgps being Southerners—pronounced to he a violation of the Constitution, and thereforo null and void. There aie to be no '"pales" in America.