THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16258, 8 July 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES

JOTTINGS FOE FARMERS

Farmers in tho Ashburton County are losing no time in getting their teams to work, and on Friday last several within a few miles of the township were busily turning over the soil preparatory to spring sowing. Farmers state that sufficient moisture has now iallen to render ploughing an easy mat tor. Un Fridav, .however, the ground was frozen to a 'depth of two inches, but it soon thawed when the nor'-wester sprang up.

ELLESMERE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

The General Committee of the Ehesmere A. and P. Association met at Leeston on Thureday, tne president,.Mr I. Andrew, presiding. Thursday, October 24th, was fixed upon as the date for the annual show, and tho schedule of classes was revised. The principal alteration and auditions were as follows:—That in the cattle section, in all cases whore known, the breeder's name should be stated; that the champion animals in Shorthorns must be registered; that in crossbred cattle, all animals must show a cross; that the two sections in draughts— males and females —should he merged into one section again, and that three judges should bo appointed, to work on the ballot system; that animals from two years upwards should be allowed to compete in the class for best_draught gelding on tho ground; that i-he man who mates the animal be the recognised breeder in all drought stock; that the stallion parade should be held as usual in September, 'but that there should be no competition ; that in the pig classes the ago limit, for litters be given as three months instead of two. Messrs R. F. Marshall and J. Bryce wero elected members of the Association.

ASHBURTON FARMERS' UNION. The monthly meeting of the Ashburton branch of the Fanners'" Unioti was held on Saturday afternoon, Mr W. Oakley presiding. A letter was read from the Ashburton County Council, regretting that _ it could not accede to tho request which had been made to supply tho farmers with poisoned grain free. The chairman was of opinion that tho Council's reply was a reasonable one, and he did not think that tho charge made of Is per bag was a hardship on farmers. The Council made this charge to prevent waste i)y tho indiscriminate use of the grain. Mr J. R. Simpson brought up tho question of auctioneers' commission on sides of stock. He thought that the auctioneers might at least mako some concession to reservists. The chairman thought stock changed handa at auction too often, and farmers had themselves to blame if they had to pay commission too frequently. It would be a good thing of the auctioneers were compelled to state the names of the vendors when putting up, stock to auction. . It was pointed ont that a remit to this effect was going on to the Dominion Conference, and it was decided to support this remit. It was further decided to add to the remit words to the effect that the auctioneer be compelled to mention the name of the' last bidder. A letter was road from the Customs Department with reference to the present supplies of petrol, stating that the supply in tho Dominion was sufficient to moet all reasonable demands. It was decided to ask the various outlying Road Boards to procure supplies of poisoned wheat from -the County,. Council, and. farmers in the various districts, the Road Boards to use their own discretion as to what charge should bo made. A long discussion took place, on the "question-of nomination in regara to the sale of the surplus meat m England, with the result that mombers present decided that it would be best to leave tho method of disposing of the meat as at present.

GREENPARK. Thcro was a crowdod House in the Greonpark School on Friday night, to welooine home Lance-Oorporal and to give a sand-off to Private Joseph Blanche, who is about to leave for tne front. Corporal Bray left with the 7th Reinforcements, and saw considerable service in France, being twice wounded —the second time losing his left arm above tho elbow. The P r °" gramme consisted of songs by Misses Evorest, M. Hubbard, 1 and Suckling, and by Messrs C. M. Suckling, 1). Hubbard, C. Watson, and G. Whitclaw, duots by Miss Suckling and her brothelKen. and a recitation by Before supper the chairman (J±r F. Hubbard) on behalf of the residents, spoke of tho good work done by Corporal Bray, and bade him a hearty welcomo home, and wished God-sneod to Private Blanche, presenting him with ft gold medal. Other speeches in a similar strain wcro given by Messrs C■ M. Suckling, G. Whitelaw, Jas. Mackenzie, and F. Koast. Both soldiers suitably replied. After supper dancing was indulged in to music supplied by Miss Newton (piano), and Mr Walter Newton {violin), Mr fi. Newton acting as M.C.

ELLESMERE. A meeting of tho Ellesmcre' Technical .Association, held at the Lce.'ton school, was presided over by Mr F. B. Clausen. A letter was received from the instructress of the dressmaking classes, asking that a probationer should be appointed, so that sho could give more individual attention to the pupils. It.was decided to ask the instructress to invite applications from her pupils, as tho Association was willing- to make the appointment. Jt it as reported that the carpentry classes wero still held up over the matter of tools, and the chairman, offered to interview the Supervisor for Technical Education regarding the matter.

LEESTON. A very successful and enjoyable concert was given at Leeston on Thursday evening bv the Canterbury Caledonian Society, 'fhe hall -was crowed. Songs were sun? by Mesdames McJarrow and Scott, Miss Cooper and R. Malcolm and Jock McLean. Miss Cooper contributed two monologues, Mr C. Parsons gave a ventriloauial turn and some sleight-of-hand tricks, Pipe-Ma.ior Taylor plaved the bagpipes, and dancing exhibitions were given by Misses T>. and E. Turner, C- Mcintosh, and J. Seymour. Mrs Smith was accompanist. The collection taken up in aid of the Soldiers' Christmas Parcels Fund realised just on £2-3. The net proceeds of the concert will amount to over £50. L&nco-Corporal W. L. who returns to camp by Monday night's steamer, was entertained at a social evening by the Leeston Wesley Guild, of which he was secretary for some years, and presented with a fountain pen. Eulogistic references to the guest's good qualities were made bv the Rev. W. Lnycock and Messrs J. Oliver, Russell. Barnett, A. W. Green, and Alex. Webster.

DUNSAXDEL. The annual meeting of the Dunsandel Bowling Club was presided over by Mr I>. P. Cameron. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £11 3s Od. Officers were elected as follows: —Patron. Mr John Boag, sen.-.'president Mr T>. P. Cameron; vice-president, Mr H. F. Wright; delegate to Centro, Mr A. H. Bourn; secretary and treasurer, Mr F. Lill • general committee. Messrs J. Boag, jun., D. T. Wraight. P. IDelargrr, A. McPfcerson, jun.; Br. Clayaon. I.

Greer, and G. W. Kime; ground committee, Messrs G. W. Kime, P. Delarpey ■, and A. McPlierson; selection committee; Messrs P. Delargey, F. Lill, and J. Boag, jun.; refreshment committee, Messrs T. Greer and John Walker: dclc^ Sites to Ellesmero Association, Messrs elargoy, F. Lill, and J. Boag, jun. An offer of an honours board, made bv Mr N. J. Brown, was accepted with thanks.

DUYAUCHELLE

A meeting of the directors of the Peninsula Saleyards Company was held' at Thivauchello on Friday. The recent valuation on the company's yards, received from the Department, showing an increase of £300. was considered fair and equitable. Mr "Wilkins reported that his sub-committee had accepted the tender of Messrs Walker Bros, for additions to the vards, the contract price being £74 os" 6d. Thp secretary reported that yarding fees received for the June sale amounted to £11 16s Cd.

AKAROA. The members of the local branch of the Ladv Liverpool Society, under the presidency of Sirs E. E. Lo Lievre, made their annual appeal to the public on behalf of the boys in tho trenches last week. A large gathering of thoso interested assembled in one of the rooms of the Technical School, and there proceeded to classify and pack tho varied: assortment of suitable gifts sent in hv friends. Cash donations received up to date have totalled nearly £50, and this sum was supplemented by an auction run by the Mayoress, Mrs Geo. Armstrong, and by one of the inevitable guessing competitions. Outdoor winter sports are practically dead in this place. It is long, long since tho howl rf the football bniracker or tho smack of a hockey stick was heard on the playing grounds of the borough. This is a matter for keen regret. Not that one earnestly desires to hear the oft-rcpeatcd "howl" aforesaid. That can gladly be missed. But it is indeed a pity that the good old Rugby game has been allowed to drop. One or two grey-headed "has beens" have endeavoured to stir up enthusiasm among the lads under 20, but so far without success. With respect' to the mos.fl popular of indoor pastimes, a different; story is to be told. Billiards certainly takes on. Lately a tournament has been arranged, to be played off during) tho restof the winter nights. There are 30 competitors, and if somo of them were as keen with tho football or the hockey stick as they are with the cue and th© rifle thero would be some hope of a distinct revival in tho outdoor games already referred to. The Akaroa Public Library, without the usual grant-in-aid of tho Government subsidy, is in low water. An appeal was made to theibublic for support last woek, when Mr T. E. TajJor, proprietor of the local "pictures," generously placed at the disposal of tho Library Committee the net proceeds of the 'night's picture show. Tho films screened were an unusually good collection, and were duly appreciated by a fair-sized audience. During the interval tho Mayor, Mr Goo. Armstrong, conveyed to Mr Taylor ■ tho cordial thanks of the committee for his generous assistance.

ASHBURTON. The fortnightly meeting of tlip Loyal Ashburton Lodge Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, was held on Friday evening, when N.G. Bro. D. Russell presided. Tho folldwiiig _ wero installed into their respective chairs: P.G.'s, Bros. L. Christmas arid J. Sims; N.Ga Bro. D. Russell; V.G., Bro. W. Garrard; E.S., Bro. A. McCailum; G.M., Bro. J. S. Wilson. The imnor offices were filled as follows: —R-S- to N.G., Bro. A. Byron; L.S. to N.G., Bro. F. Shearer: ii.S. to \ .G., Bro. IX Campbell; L.S. to V.G., left over; guardian, Bro. R. Page; warden, i3fro. J. Phelps. The newly-installed offi<*>rs briefly returned thanks. The members of tho Afehburton Orange Lodge hold their anniversary scrvico at tho local Theatre Royal yesterday afteriioon. Tho procession ot -the male members -through tho- mam street, was headed by the Scottish 1 ipo I Band. Thero was a large gathering at the service irftfic theatre. Tho, sermon \vas preached by tho Rev. S. Bfliley, or I tho Wlllowby Methodist Church.

WAIMATB. The Wairtiate Association has decided to hold an electricity dembrietration in "Waimato on July 17th, Mr Calloway, manager of thfc Timaru municipal electrical -works, being the demonstrator, with 800 electric lantern slides. Mosdames Hayes and Rawnsley arranged a children's fancy dress ball, held in St. Augustine's Hall, in aid of the Lady Liverpool Fund for Christmas gifts for soldiers. A large number of children danced and played games. Miss Manchester conducted a sweets and flower stall. Prizes wero awarded to Cecil Sumptor, dressed as a Highlander, and Ina Fulton, dressed as a Belgian. The Rov. J. A. Julius presented tho prizes. ' . . . A send-off and presentation social, held at Mr Kingsbury's barti, Hook, on Friday night, was tendered to Prmites Archer Bell and Robert Bell. The for : mer was given a wristlet watch ana the latter a case of pipes and a pouch.