THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16162, 16 March 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. A GOOD SEASON. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. (press association telegram.) "WELLINOTON, March 15. The Prime 'Minister stated to-day that the season had been a good one, and the supply of dairy produce had kept up wonderfully well. The Government was alive to the necessity of providing for winter requirements, and a sufficient quantity would bo kept in New Zealand for that purpose, the surplus going to the Imperial Government. He said it was fortunate for all concerned that the present arrangement with the Food Controller was made, otherwise, owing to the shortage of shipping, produce would have been in the same position as tallow, flatf, and other commodities, which wero not purchased, and -which were at present stored in large quantities in the different centres. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. ■ . | At the Ashburton Show on "Wednesday, Miss E. McCarthy's Gaiety, in audition to winning as a 12-stone hack, also won as a lady's hack, and was awarded the championship in the saddle class. Farmers throughout Southland are now beginning to feel the effects of the long-continued spell of drv weather, and manv dairy farmers who depended upon windmills for supplying water to their herds are now either carting water or driving their cows to watercourses. There has been practically no wind during the past month (writes the Southland correspondent of the Ihinedin "Star"), and windmills have been useless. Root crops and rape are both beginning to show signs of the dry spell, and r.iTn is urgently required to restore them to their green colour. For gathering the harvest Southland farmers have had the best season since 1592, aud grain, both oats aud wheat, has gone into stack in perfect colour and condition. There is hardly any crop left in stook now, and samples of grain being submitted to merchants in Invercargill are excellently conditioned. In tho Winton district' a good deal of grain is already threshed out, and so far yields have been fully up to the farmers' expectations. Up to CO bushels of wheat and over a hundred for oats to tho acre have been reported by growers. Of course, there are some bad crops, but these are far and few between this season. LAI>B ROOKS. The weit'ier during the week lias been excellent for farming. Threshing and chaff-cutting have kept the farmers busy. The wheat yield for the week has not improved: it has been about -o bushels to the acre. The yield of peas for the week bas been more satisfactory, viz., 30 bushels to the acre.. An exceptional yield was obtained from the farm of Mr S. Payne, Lincoln Settlement. From 6'. acres he received 200 bushels of Velvet peas, which so far is a record for the district for peai. Large quantities of chaff are being sent away. The demand has been very keen, but the price has not improved, the result foeiug that several farmers are not prepared to sell at the ruling price. Potatoes are starting to move forward slowly in price. The blight, seems to have been checked by the recent dry weather. The onion crops are looking well, and some very good samples have been sent forward during the week. The Lincoln Young Men's Association Committee have been working energetically. Already a largo number ot the young men of the district have handed in their names to the secretary for membership. A sub-commit tee has ben appointed to arrange for suitable looms for tho club, which it> thoroughly

deserving of the support of tho resiGenera! regret was felt at the death of Mr J. AV. Payne, of Prebbleton, who passed away on Wednesday evening. ,-il'ter a prolonged illness. The late Mr Payne had been a resident of the. district for over -10 years, and always took an active interest in farming, being an acknowledged expert. The funeral took place yesterday, ;vnd was a vo O" large one, being attended by friencs from near and far. The Lawn Tennis Club had a very pleasant afternoon this week, a large number of players being present. Several scratch games were played under the supervision of the captain, M ,s * White. Afternoon tea was provided I>\ the ladies. AKAROA. The Akaroa- Horticultural Society held its i.tuuial autumn Show m the Oddfellows' Hall, on Thursday. Gonerally speaking, the display wa- not up to standard. The fruit particularly sutfered in comparison with previous oxfjibits. the falling-oil' being due largely to unfavourable conditions in the cailj summer, and to the severe hailstorm* experienced just l>efore Christinas. Mill there were some notable exception.*. ti| l exhibits of Mrs .1. D. liruce. Mvssrs -I • G. Le Lievre, and J-'. Armstrong leaving little to be desired in respect to quality, colour, and form. Among the flower>. Mrs G. Hammond's geraniums ami pelargoniums, Mr W. Newton s sweet peas, and Mr F. Armstrong's beautiful roses, attracted particular attention. Mr Berridge, of the Agricultural Department, Viudiy acted as judge, the Society being fortunate in "having the services of such an expert. In t.ie evening a short programme of musical items was given, after which the Mayor Mr Geo. Armstrong, auctioned fruit and vegetables presented by the exhibitors. The proceeds were handed over to tho local Red Cross and Lady Liverpool Funds. SELAVYX. On Monday, a farewell social was tendered to Mr and Mrs AY. ' l \ r - nc , r ! who are leaving the. district. Lntu recently Mr Turner has been stationmaster at Selwyn, but has ferred to the relieving staff, Christchurch district. I>uriug the evening j Mr H. F. Wright,. 011 behalf of the, residents, presented the guests with two very handsome easy chairs. Songs ano j recitations were given by Messrs H. r- j Wright, A. Amor, 11. Claydon, J. Cur-, tin W. Turner, and A\ . A\ ashbourne. Mr'.l. Curtin succeeds Mr Turner as j s.tationmaster. j AMBER LEY. A social hold in the Oddfellows' Hall ill aid of the funds ot the A..AI.C.A. realised £15 9s. Good reports are to hand from thoje cauva-ssin* the suhdistricts. One party has succeeded in raising £'250, whilst at Broomlield i'loO has been obtained. j HAWTRBKX. I Matters in connexion with the Hawarden Patriotic Show are progressing favourably. Tho eliocr drive organised by the committee is meeting with considerable support from the farmers, and already a large number of sheep havo been promised. One collector has IGO on his book. OXFORD. The annual show of the Oxford A. and r. Association will be held on. Thursday, April 4th. Entries close next Thursday, after which date none will be accepted. SPR T X GFIELD. A meeting of the Malvern Collie Club will bo held in tho Springfield Town Hull on Wednesday next, at S p.m. SOUTHBRIDGE. The Southbridge Town Board met on Thursday evening, Mr C. H. Piper presiding. Tho chairman was appointed to represent tho Board on a deputation to tho Minister of Public AYorks, to urgp the early completion of tho Arthur's Pass Tunnel, and to attend a conference in Christchurch. on the 21st. for the purpose of forming a League for tho Aclvanccmont of Canterbury. • . Thursday was observed as Red Tri- ' angle Day in Southbridge, and a big bazaar "was held in aid of the fund. The outlying districts of Lakeside, Sedgemore, and Little Rakaia joined in, and made a combined effort, which was most successful, the proceeds Being in the vicinity of £400. The sale was opened by the Hon. C. A. C. Hardy, M.L.C. A flower show was hold in conjunction -with the sale, Mr A. E. Lowe.' of "Otahuna," acting as judge. Following is the prize list: — Three cactus dahlias (6): Dr. Withers 1, J. Moorhead 2. Single dahlias (1): J. Moorhead 1. Three double dahlias (2): J. Moorhead 1 and 2. Collection of dahlias (5): J. Moorhead 1, Mrs Gouldcn 2. One rose (1): J. Moorhead 1 and 2. Three tosc-s: J. Moorliead 1 and 2. Collection of coame.i (1): J. Moorhead 1. Collection marguerite carnations (1): J. S. Chapman 1. Collection of ■asters (3): J. Moorhead 1. Three single iiaters (5). J. Moorhead J, Miss X. AVillis 2. Three double asters (5): J. Moorhead 1 and 2. Table decoration, sweet peas excluded (2): Mrs D. Tong 1, Aliss Abbott 2. 18 Inch oral triangle (6): Mias Simpson 1, Miss E. Thompson 2. Jiowll of autumn flowers and foliage (4): Mrs D. Tong 1. Miss Abbott 2. Collection of verbena (2): J. Moorhead 1, J. S. Cliampan 2. Collection of phlox (2): D. Tong 1, J. S. Chapman 2. Collection of zinnias (1): J. S. Chapman 1. Three spikes of geranium (1): Miss Greenwood 2. Collection French marigolds (1): J. Moorhead 1. Six African marigolds (1J: J. Moorhead 1. LAKESIDE. Trooper E. G. Skilling, a Main Body man, who has twicc been invalided home, and who scrvod in the South African Avar, was entertained at a welcome social in tho Lakeside Soldiers' Memorial Jiall. Mr R. Patterson, chairman of tho Patriotic Committee, presented him with a travelling bag, and said that a gold medal would be sent on to the guest as soon as it came to band. The gifts wcro suitably acknowledged on 'J rooper Shilling's behalf by Sergeant-major iShilton. Air R. Lanibie played for the dance, Air AY. Mcllraith was the M.C., and Airs G. McLachlan contributed a song. Messrs R. Patterson and I. AlcGill presented to tho Hall Committee framed photographs of their sons, Private J. R. 1 Patterson, and Trooper B. McGili, who had been killed in action. Til accepting tho gifts, Air H. Schnellc, chairman of the Hall Committee, said that, the photographs would be hung alongside the hall Roll of Honour.

RAKAIA. At the monthly meeting of tho Loyal Rakaia Lodge, M.U.,1.0.0.F., there was a small attendance, presided over by P.O. Bro. MeXnmara. Correspondence in connexion with the annual district mooting was read, and several I accounts received. The receipts for j the evening -were £43 13$. -3d, and the expenditure £12 os Gel- ! Miss Blair, of Dunedin. Dominion | Organiser for tho Presbyterian Sun- ' day-schools, this week visited Rakaia. [ and sixike in c>t. Andrew's Cluirch on j the efforts being made to extend the • scop" of Sunday-school work, and im- I proved methods of handling the work. J ASHBURTON". | Tiio now school recently erected at ; T.agnihnr «a - opened on Monday j when there were eighteen pupil* present. which number lias since been in- : creased to 23. The opening of th:s school and the one recently opened at ! Huntingdon will affect the Tiuwahl ! school. !. The takings for the one-day'- >hmv of ; the Ashbtii'ton A. and P. Association : this year were £21 t. as agaiti>l £207 on j the second day last year. The total tor ] the two days last year \\a> £'213 4s 3d. j Following i.> the balnnc*- of the prize list for Thursday's show, with the exce|>- , tion of the points pri:;:'>. which have ; yet to be made up : — Shcai'-tos.-ing com- . petition :A. Hillier 1, P. B. Hampton ; Driving competition (ladies): Mis.-. Q. ' Keith I, Mis Denham 2. Driving com- ■ petition (men): L. Simpson ], I*. Keith i '2. Sheep weight-guessing competition : ! .1. Moore. 13'2-Üb. 1: ,]. H. Lennon, i 132',1b. 2:D. M. Montgomery, 13tlb. 3. ) The correct weight of the sheep was j 1331b. At the annual conference of tho Ash- ! burtou District Lodges. f.0.0.F., M.U.. i the B.M.C. business wui dea.lt with, and j P.P.G.M. Bro. T. Williams and P.G.I Bro. F. Pritchard wore appointed dole- i gates to tho annual conference. The | now- district rules were submitted and ] approved. The following officers were • appointed for tho current year: —Prov. I G.M. and P.G.. liro. A. S. Bennison: Prov. D.G.M., P.G. Bro. E. H. Childs: Prov. C.S., l'.G. Bro. A. CI. Hardy: treasurer. P.P.G.M. Bro. F. W. Watt: book examiners and district- auditors, P.G. Bro. F. Pritchard. 3>. Christmas, F. Halliburton, and I>. Russell; district. committee of management, P.G. bro. J. Phelps, A. .1. McCallum, E. Ooker. F. Pritchard. D. Christmas, F. Schneider. W. Soal, and J. Sims. G KR ALDINE. At a pttolir inwting called with theobject of forming a branch of the South Canterbury Development. League, and presided over by the Mayor (Dr. Patersonl, Mr .Tames Craigie, M.P., and Mr i Cray, of Timarti. spoke at. length on tho t necessity , for increased production and! for economy. On the motion of the j Mayor, seconded by Colonel MacKenzie, , it was resolved to form a branch, and I Messrs Flatman. G. A. M. Macdonald. Dr. Macgrogor, Colonel Mackenzie, Rev. C. J. Toekcr, Dr. Hislop. and Dr. Paterson were appointed a provisional committee. A meeting was held in tho Borough Council Chamber with the object of forming a committee to advance the in- ' terests of the borough. A number of suggestions were made, including better means of communication between Geraldine and Orari, the crossing of the express trains at Orari instead of Rangitata, and the advertising of the attractions of the district. A strong committee was set up, and a. furthor meeting is to be held shortly. The local Y.M.C.A. I\ind now exceeds ■£175.