THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16257, 6 July 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

JOTTINGS FOit FARMERS,

Mr F. W. Greeuwood, assistant agricultural instructor, Canterbury Education Board, is to take up his duties on -September Ist.

A resident oi Ashley has offered the Canterbury Education Board, rent free, a quarter-acre scction for uso for experimental purposes. Mr W. A. Banks, a member of the Board, is to_ visit Ashley, and report at the Board's nest meeting.

The Agricultural _ Committee of tho Canterbury Education Board reported yesterday the rceeipr. of a letter from tho headmaster of the Okain's Bay school, Ftating that Mr J. R. Thacker had offered t«» present.a suitable shield to the Board for competition among schools taking dairy science. It was agreed that the matter should stand over till the new Board is elected.

RANGIORA. The Patriotic Committee, on Thursday evening, entertained Corporal "VV. Gardner. Privates G. Cliing, R. Smith, ancl A. Barrell, and presented each with a soldier's parcel. A very sharp frost was experienced yesterday morning, and -water taps and pipes suffered in all directions. The quarterly meeting of the llangiora Methodist' Circuit was held on Thursday, the Rev. J. Guy presiding. It was (decided to place on record appreciation of the good work done by the late Mr F. G. Robinson. The financial statement showed a slight debit. It was notified that the Home Mission deputation would visit the circuit in September. A recommendation from the Christchurch circuits regarding a ministerial visit to Methodist patients inthe Christchurch Hospital was adopted. _Tho recomraei.dation from* tli£ General • Conference that the stipends of majried ministers be> raisrd to a minimum of £225 was deferred for three months. A motion ofsympathy iras passed "to tho Rev. J. Guy, in the severe illness of Mrs Guy.

LADBROOICS

Potatoes are again being sent forward, and chaff is m keen demand, both at satisfactory prices. Judging by tho large quantities of grain seed coming to hand, Ladbrooks should be well represented next Beason. Sergeant F. Coles, who is leaving with the 41et Reinforcerilcnts, is homo oh final leave. Mr W. Payne, sen., is. still suffering from a severe attack of rheumatism, but is able to. leave his rooni and should soon be abl® to resume his farming duties. The Ladbrooks .branch of the Tai Tapu Dairy Company is still putting through a large quantity of cream, although the works are only running every other day. This creamery will be kept going all the winter to 6uit suppliers.

PREBBLETON. In tho Prebbloton Public Hall on Thursday evening Private Mark Gallagher, who is home on final leave, was farewelled by the residents of tho district. It was intended to welcome home Private Leslie Prestidge, but, unfortunately, he was unable to be present, being snowbound in the Hororata district. Tho Rev. E. Webb made the usual presentation to Private Gallagher. During the evening wero contributed by Messrs A. Akins, Lumley, and Woodward. Excellent danco music was supplied by Mr W. Bettel. Mr A. Gallagher proved an efficient M.C.

LINCOLN. In the Druids' Hall, on Thursday, a concert was given by thn 6tudents of Lincoln Agricultural College. The first part consisted of a minstrel entertainment, items being given by Messrs Turner, Chalmers, Higgins, Montgomery, Hooper, Wilson, and Ctcsar. Mr Lewis accompanied the vocalists. In the =000ud half two playlets, "Tipperary Out," and "Hot Air," were staged, and exhibitions of club-swinging and durnboll exercises given by Messrs Austin and Rogers respectively. An appeal by Mr Matthews, a returned "Anzac," for the Red Cross and Navy League Funds, was liberally responded to. The entertainment realised mere than ,-GIOO.

At a meeting of the Patriotic ComI mittoe. arrangements were mado for farowelling Sergeant Coles, Privates O'Neill, and Chapman, and Mr N. Withel] (aviation cadet), and welcoming "home Trooper Beattie. SHEFFIELD. At the fortnightly meeting of the Sheffield Patriotic Committee, correspondence was received from the Minister of Defence, asking for information suitable for a history of the war. Members were asked to get what information they conld. It was reported that £49 lis 4d had been realised bv means of the quilt, which amount the treasurer made up to £50. It was agreed to exhibit jt in Messrs J. BallantyD© and Co.'s windows for a week, and then forward it to Hornchurch. Mr TV. Watson reported that owing to shortage of materials, the bandage rolling had He suggested that m order to keep the c'ass together, social evenings should be lield. Tho matter was left in th.> hands of Mr "Watson. Mr W. J. Jenkins offered his grounds for a garden party. It was decided to hold a dance and card party, and the following sub-committee was appointed: Mrs Bradley, Misses Gunn and_Jenkins, Messrs Watson, _ Bradley, and Gunn. According to notice of motion, thr, chairman, after thanking the committee for its assistance in the past, resigned his seat. On the motion of Mr Hughes, seconded by Mr Gnnn, Mr Jenkins was unanimously re-alected.

AKAROA. At the last meeting of tho Akaroa. Advancement Association a letter was read from the Education Board, agreeing to accept £300 deposit on tie purchase of tho old school site. It was do-

cided to leave the matter in abeyance at present, and meanwhile to inform the Hon. C. A. C. Hardy, M.L.C.. of the terms. Mr C. Jones was elected a member. A deputation from the recent-ly-formed Akaroa Golf Club waited on the Association to solicit support. The members agreed to join the club, and later, if possible, to give aid from tho Association's funds.

A special meeting of the Akaroa Borough Council was held on Wednesday night t-o consider the position of the borough's electric light scheme. After a long discussion, it was decided: (1) To give the auxiliary gas suction plant a thorough trial next week: (2) to insure tho plant for £100; (3) to write off £1000 from the electric light account; (4) to ask tho Lighting Committee to draw up a report- on the meter charges, and on the advisability of installing two-way switches.

OKALVB BAY. The storm did no damage here, but the snow is deep on the tops of the hills. The School Committee has decided to support Mr J. It. Thacker for the Education Board. The dairy (.rrapany has decided to build a new manager's house. RAKAIA. At the monthly meeting of the Rakaia Red Cross Society, the secretary read correspondence acknowledging rpceipt of veil-made goods sent to the Homoiaud The treasurer reported the slim of £6? 2s Id had been received from North Rakaia. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to this branch fGr its handsomo donation. _ The credit balrnce of the Rakaia Society was declared at £IT2 2s 4d. The sum of £50 was voted for the Prisoners of "War Fund. It was arranged that the next meeting should be the annual one, Mrs Boyle tc bo asked to give an address. It was stated that arrangements were being made for a concert to be given by the Commercial Travellers' Party.

ASHBURTON. Mr D. C. Bates, Government Meteorologist, visited Ashburton on Thursday afternoon and inspected tbe weather recording instruments in the Domain. Mr F. B. Robilliard leaves to-day for Wellington to represent the Ashburton Trotting Club at the Trotting Conference. '

Another severe frost was recorded at Ashburton yesterday morning, the Domain weather station registering 14 degrees. The plumbers in the town are busy attending to the damage done to water pipes and taps in private houses. At the Returned Soldiers' Club on Tlutrsday afternoon, the recent additions to the promises wore officially opened. Speeches were made bv the Mayor ("Ml- R. Galbraitli), Messrs John Grigg, T. Bullock, F. Ferrimau. the Revs. G. Millers aud N. Wright. Musical itrms wore given by Mrs J. Forrester and Miss Anderson, and a recitation by Mr A. Todd. Tho gathering was then entertained at afternoon tea by tho ladies of the Red Cross Society. It was announced that Mr Grigg iiad given £100 towards tbe £500 required to clear tho club of debt.

The quarterly meeting of the Ashburton Methodist Church officials was held on Thursday, the Rev, G. Frost presiding. The chairman referred to the deaths of Mr J. Crum and Mrs Arthur Pollock, and votes of sympathy were passed to the relatives. The balancesheet showed a credit balance of £29 7s 4d. It was decided that collections for Homo Missions bo made in September, and for the Baring square Sunday School in October. It was* agreed to increase the stipends of the ministers. Tho annual appeal for assistance towards the expenses of the military hutments was left in tho hands of the superintendent. The Baring square Church choir were congratulated on liquidating the organ debt. . A recommendation to re-open the services at Fairton was endorsed. 3fr G. W. Andrews was appointed delegate to the meeting of tne New Zealand Alliance in Christchurch.