THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16165, 20 March 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. ASHBURTOX A. AND P. SHOW. The following are the points prizes in connexion with the Ashbnrtou A. and P. Show, held on Thursday last . — Past President's Cup (sheep., horse, and cattle sections): I Andrew, D. G. Wright's special (live stock sections): John Grigg. Lanriston Cup (English Leicesters): I. Andrew. Drummond Cup (Borders): J. Dowthwaite. Sheep section: I. Andrew. Southdowns: Canterbury Agricultural College. Shropshire®: I. Andrew. Romney Marsh: Canterbury Agricultural College. Stringfellow Memorial Cup (Corriedales): C. 11. Ensor.. Cattle sections: L. R. Stoddart. Fat cattle: F. P. Frainpton. Jersey section: C. G. Franipton. Horse sections: D. G. Wright 30 pninus. P. and J. Donald bO points, W. J. Doak 30 points, equal; Mr D. G. Wright, having most Srst prizes, gains this prize. Pig section: J. Hadley. Dairy and produce sections: Mrs C. G. Frampton. Honey: T. C'avill. Cookery: Mrs C. G. Franipton. Grain and seed sections: \\ . J. Moses. Roots: F. Clark. Garden produce: W J. Moses. Fruit: H. M. Bushell. Art aud industrial sections: Mrs J. S. Evans 1, Mrs R. Clark 2. Milk testing: H. M. Scott, 9S points, 1 : E. R. Bonnington, 97 points, 2; W. Burnaby, 96 points, 3. OXFORD A. AND P. SHOW. Matters in connexion with the forthcoming Show are making progross. The Oxford Band has been engaged for the. day, and the W.C.T.U. will provide the luncheon. To facilitate operations in this regard, a kitchen and store are being erected, -Mr P. H. Thompson having the matter in hand. Entries close to-morrow. The, management of the side shows is in the hands of the Patriotic Sub-committee. A special train has been secured, as usual, and present, indications are that the Patriotic Show nf 1018 will be a success. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. An anti-rabbit campaign has been planned by Victorian Lands Department officials, which is cxpccted to play havoc with the pest. Poison is, as usual, the chosen destroying medium. A record supply of strychnine, SOOOoz, is in readiness lor the work of destruction. The malleo will be the first section to be operated on. More men will be engaged than ever before, and unless the scheme shouid miss firo badly the Government wil) no longer be the butt lor ccnsurc and ridicule on the ground that Crown lands are the chief breeding places for rabbits. Squads of men will devote special attention to these unoccupied lands, and of course the farmers will be called on to poison rabbits on their lands. Settlers in each division of a district wili be asked to set aside one day a month in a combined poisoning crusade against the rabbit. Each division will be thoroughly treated on these special days. From_ reports, says the Melbourne "Age," farmers are looking forward to the special effort with enthusiasm,, and already poison lias been sent out to tnany applicants.

Owing to the inclement weather yesterday, tho dispersal sale of Mr Robert Latter's English. Leicester stud stock, at Barry's Bay, was not held. It lias becu fixed for Friday next. HANMER SPRINGS. At a social held in the. Queen 31ary Hospital last neck, songs were given by Miss Johnson, Corporal Bobson, Mr Andrews, and Sergeant-Major Ridgeway; a violin solo by Private Marshall, aand a pianoforte solo by Miss Andrews. The dancc music was played bv Mrs Havdham, Miss Summers, ancl I\liss McNaughton. A basket balancing competition for the inmates of tho hospital was won by Corporal MacDonald. A collcctiou taken up in aid of the Y.M.G.A. realised £13 12s Bd. During an interval the following prizes were presented by Captain Clifton: Billiards, Gunner Turner 1, Gunner Jones l J; 500 tournament, Privates Menzies and Green 1; euchre, Rifleman Key 1, Gunner Jones 2; tennis, A grade, Captain Brammall 1; B grade, Captain Clifton 1. The ladies provided aa excellent supper. The ladies of .the Hanmer branch of the Red Cross made an effort last week on behalf of the 1 .M.C.A. Red Triangle Day. On Thursday evening a collection taken up at a concert held at the hospital yielded over £13, while on Saturday afternoon, in addition to the Red Cross stall on the kiosk verandah, a cricket match, and mock court, wore held on the golf links. , The court proved • a great source of attraction. Mr Savili, of St. Helens, and Mr J. H. Parker, of Christchurch, were each fined ten guineas. The proceeds from the mock court were close on £-30, and from the tea stall over £u. During tlie evening a "while elephant" sale was held, the result being very satisfactory. The whole effort resulted in an addition of £109 to the Bed Triangle Funds.

OXFORD. Tito fortnightly meeting of tho Oxford Patriotic Committee was lield oil .Monday. Mr D. liawke presided, arid there was an attendance of nineteen members. It "was decided to send a letter of sympathy to the mother of Private L. Crowe (wounded). The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands, wrote," stating that all suitable, areas of Government laud were buing reserved for returned soldiers, and facilities for instruction in farming given at experimental and training farms, under tho control of the Department of Agriculture. A deputation, consisting of Mrs llyde (president), Mrs Coinyns (secretary), Misses Hunn and Gainsford, of the W.C.T.U., and "Y" branches, interviewed the committee in regard to the Ked Triangle effort to be made next week, and asked for the co-operation of the committee, which -was heartily given, and several offers of goods and money -were made in the room. The matter of tendering a public farewell to departing soldiers, and a wclcoino home to returned soldiers. was left in the hands of the Social Committee. It was decided to present each" Oxford returned soldier with a complimentary ticket for the

pictures for one year. Matters in relation to the disposition of tho Patriotic Fund in regard to differential treatment to returned soldiers, the assistance givei» to soldiers going to the Aviation School, and not to those, "fling to Trentham, and the absence °of any provision in the articles of association for aid to soldiers' home®, were considered, further consideration being left to a future meeting. ° RAXGIORA. A meeting of the Church of England vestry was held on Monday. The vicar, R-cv. F. P. Fendall, reported that he would be in camp with the 13tli Regiment at Burnham from Adtil 6th to 12th, and had arranged ii>r the church services. The Boy Scouts were very keen, and the troop was on the increase. A branch of the Girls' Peace Scouts was being formed. The financial statement was gone into, and steps taken to have a credit balance at the Easter meeting. The vestry mianiiuously decided that all persons confirmed and over 21 years of age should have a vote at parish meetings. Privates. A. Greig, W. Allen, P. Little, and A. Quinn, who returned from the front yesterday, were accorded a very hearty reception at the Rangiora railway station. The Mayor, Mr C. I. Jennings, and Mr F. Horrell, chairman of the County Council, welcomed the men, who were escorted to their homes by a band and a large crowd. KATAPOI. Privates Cattermole and Heker. who returned ve>torday, wore accorded a civic welcome on reaching Kaianoi. by the Mayor. There was a large gathering of townspeople. MOUXT SOMERS. It is understood that the residents of Mount Somers will make an appeal to the Ashburton County Council, at an early date, for a brfdge over tho stream near the Buecleuch Homestead. II the Council decides to bridge the stream at this point, a direct road wi" be opened for motor traffic to Mount Somers, and will be seven miles shorter than the present route. Although there seemed to tie some fairly good oat crops in the district, since thev have been harvested it is found that the sheaves are very light, and in many cases the saving of oats would hardly pay expenses. The crops wero badlv affected with rust, and later, when in tlie ripening stages, the greater part of the grain was shaken out by tho wind. There is, however, one consolation, and that is the splendid growth of clover and grass in the stubble paddocks. Turnip crops are being extensively grown this season, and fine fields arc to lie seen in all directions. ASHBURTOX. In spite of a heavy downpour of rain, there was a very big gathering at the Ashburton railway station yesterday afternoon, to wclcome the returned soldiers. The Ashburton men wero met and cordially welcomed by tho Mayor (Mr. R. Ualbrnith), the Deputy-Mayor (Mr I''. Fcrriman), Mr James Cow, and other members of the Patriotic Committee. Thev als-o had private cart, in waiting to take the men to their respective homes. Amongst the Ashburton district men were A. R. Amos, G. H. Carsey, M. O'Connor (Hinds). A. Staee, G. Sutherland, J. Tait (Peel Forest), O. S. Gourdie, T. Greenaway, (Winchmore), F. S. S. Turdy, J. Langdon (Wcsterfiold), B. D. C- Petrie, C. E. Slade, R. Tavlor. F. W. H. Watson, J. McGee, W. M. McKay, and R. W. Steel.