THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16261, 11 July 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE

SPARROW

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

SYDNEY, July 4. The great agricultural areas which are being developed in Western Australia are free irom at least oue curse —they know not tho sparrow. This creature may be found in all other parts of Australia, where his depredatious cause losses running into sums every year; but the great Central Australian Idesurts have, so far, barred his progress westwards. But there are millions of them in South. Australia, and that State and the ti'est arc now linked by a railway and a ■ telegraph line—the former vgoinj; overland, and the latter following the coast.

The Commonwealth Advisory'Coun."il of Science .and Industry is now making a special eliort to keep' the sparrows out of the west, and the. operation* arc interesting. A leading ornithologist, Captain S. A. White, of Adelaide, has undertaken the task. He is basing his work upon the well-known fact that, sparrows are dependent upon human activities, and do not thrive away from settlements, and is therefore confining his attention to the railway and telegraph line. He has ascertained that the birds have penetrated aiong the railway only as far as Tarcoola. and has initiated there a ruthless war. Sixteen birds have been killed at Tarcoola, and it is estimated that there are another 20 about the place winch must be killed. But the„. have become very wary, and no Hie can get near them. Three with guns and poison, have undercak.;;i to "get" the tiny creatures, under promise of a considerable reward, and Captain White hopes that the migration may be stopped there.

It appears that on the southern route, along the. coastal telegraph line, the sparrows, have made greater progress, and have actually reached Lucia and a station 90 miles west of ■he town. * Similar arrangements are being made with residents in thoie pkicc.s, and it is hoped that energetic measures will also check the sparrow invasion there.

Naturally, West Australia is watching the operations with a certaiu strained interest.

JOTTINGS FOR FAKMEKS,

At the Addington salcyards yesterday a lino ol J. 17 six and eight-tooth wethers, pnuio heavy-weighis, wore sold, on beiialf of Mr A. Pawsey (Cliertsey), at 47s 10 J to oos fill j*jr head. RANGIORA. St. John's Church was well filled last evening for an organ recital given by Mr G. Gibbs-Joruan, tho ohui'-.-a organist. Mrs It. A. Home assisted by contributing two sacred bongs, and Sergeant-Major Simpson played the cornet part in a solemn march in memory of thoso who had fallen in the war. Last evening Miss L. F. Boniwell, organising secretary of tho Soudan United Mission, gave an illustrated lecture at the Presbyterian Church on I "Pioneer Mission Work in the Soudan, 400 miles south of Khartoum." The Mayor,. Mr C. I. Jennings, presid-d over a good attendance. The liangiora School Committee met last evening, Mr H. A. Archdall being in the chair. The Board of Education wrote notifying that Mr C. T. Moor had been appointed assistantmaster. The headmaster's report stated that the average attendance for the month was 234, and for the June quarter 282.6. Owing to the bad weather last week less than half che pupils attended the annual inspection by Mr Owen, but the work done showed that, satisfactory progress was being made. The physical instructors vho ' visited the school last Monday exprosa- ! Ed satisfaction with the efficiency of tho pupils. On Tuesday the Rangiora County Council purchased 20,47iJ small birds' heads, at a cost of £63 19s 6d. The Council distributes poisoned grain free, and during the inclement -weather last •week the birds took the grain freely. MARSHLAND. The monthly mooting of the Marshland School Committee was held on Monday. Present —Messrs I>. Goode ' (chairman), G. Cliisnall, P. Basher, J. ; Goodman, F. Rogal, and A. Wilson. ; The master's report stated that the at- i tendance had boen considerably de- : pleted through bad weather, and the prevalence of mumps; that Miss Mc- : Bratney and Miss Scannoll were aTJsent : on sicli leavo, and that Miss Jannan , was acting as relieving assistant mistress in place of Miss Maxwell, resign- | ed, pending a permanent appointment.

The chairman reported that a newHonours Board had been purchased, the first one being full of names of exscholars on active service. It was docided to write to tho Board of Education in regard to suggested alterations in tho coke stove in the junior department. The question of uprooting tho present unsightly macrocarpa hedge, of replacing it with a post, wire, and netting fence, and of beautifying the adjacent ground, in tho south-east portion of the school property, was referred to a sub-committee, consisting of the chairman, and Messrs Chisnall and "Wilson,, for inspection and report. LE BOX 6 BAY. Last week a farewoll social was tendered to Privates Hughio and Alan Macphail. in the Public Hall. Notwithstanding tho inclement weather, a largo number ol' friends attended, and au enjoyable evening was speut. Privato Hughio Macphail was unavoidably absent. Mr Bruce, in presenting silver wristlet-watches to each, said that these were tho first two married men with children leaving the Bay, and that tlie3' had voluntarily enlisted. Mrs W. G. Daiglish completed the ceremony by handing over the watches, at tho same time wishing them a safe return. Private Alan Macphail suitably responded on behalf of his brother and himself. During the evening tho dancing was interspersed with musical items by the Misses Barker and Leonardo, and Messrs B. Barker, J. Holstein, and C. Anderson.

Tho rocent stormy weather has dow abated, and the snow on the Summit road, which blocked ail motor traffic for a few days, is gradually disappearing. Mr D. O'Connell has been appointed factory manager, and will soon take up his duties. MrO'Conneil had previously in.inno.ctl this factory for lon years, but during the nnst two seasons has had charge of Mr J. H. C. Thacker's factory, at the head of Okains Bay. TAI T-APU.

At the last meeting of the Ellesmero Lands Drawiago Board Messrs 11. M. Movton (chairman), Jas. Macartney, M. E. Peryman, Job Osborne, J. Bnarp, and F. Hubbard wcto present. Tho Valuation Department gave notice of the now valuation placed on the Board's Ahuriri reserves, and the secretary was instructed to object to it as excessive. It was decided not to renew tho firo insurance policy on the Halswell river dredge. The clerk reported that at the commencement of the recent heavy rain all drains under the control of tho Board were in good order, and flood u-ator was getting away well. LINCOL.V

At tho Druids' Hall, on Monday, a send-off was given to Sergeant F. Coles, Private E. J. O'Neill and F. Chapman, Aviator W. V-'. Wit hell, and a welcome home to Trooper J. Bcattie. Unfortunately Privates O'Neill and Chapman were unable to be present,' tho latter having met with an accident. Mr Cookson, who presided, made complimentary reference to the guests of the evening, and presented the soldiers with a gold medal each. Tho following contributed to tho programme: Misses N. McMillau, It. Baitram, Messrs H. McD. Vincent, and P. Chamberlain. The accompaniments werp played by Mrs Chamberlain and Mr Cooksori. Refreshments were handed round, after a dance was hold, the music being applied hy Messrs Heinzman. H. Ritchcs, and Fuller.

ELLESMERE. Within tho last week several sendoffs to soldiers have been held in the Ellesmere district. At Lakeside a social was held in honour of Private W. Fulton, of the 41st Reinforcements, and Mr K. D. Matson, who recently gained his Hying ticket at the Canterbury Aviation School, and who is to leave for England shortly Th- function _ was very well attended, arid it was evident that the guests were exceedingly, popular. On behalf of the residents, Mr.E. Patterson, chairman of the Patriotic Committee, presented Private Fulton and Mr. Matson each with a set of military hair brushes, in a neat leather case. The opportunity -was also taken to make a presentation of a hand-bag, containa substantial roll of notes, to Mrs R. Lam bio, who has given her services gratuitously at many socials held in tho district.

Lance-Corporal W. L. Hewitt was farcwelled in the Public Hall by the residents of Doyleston. Mrs Donald played for tho dance, and Mr A. Ilobb was M.C. Mr G. W. B. Osborne, vicepresident of the Patriotic Committee, presented the soldier with a ease of pipes, and wished him a safe and early return.

The residents of Leeston accordcd a •reloomo home to Sapper H. W. Treacy and n farewell to Private Harold Millar. The function was well attended. In the abscnce of the president of the Patriotic Committee, Mr A. T. Robertson presented Sapper Treaey -with a gold medal, antf Private Millar -with a safety razor, and eonx-eyed to them Iho best wishes of tho Leeston people. Owing to the death of Dr. Withers, the farewell social arranged to take nlaco at Southbridce was abandoned. Tho two departing 'soldiers'. Privates P. Buckley and J. Wajlis, were met by members of the Patriotic Committee at th« Public Library, and Mr R. B. B. Willis presented enrh with a sot < of razors from the Patriotic Cornmittro and a soldier's kit from the St. James's Bod Cross Guild. Addresses wrro 'given by Messrs C. H. Piper and E. G. Hubbard.

Xews has been received in Leeston that Private K. Anderson, who, prior to leaving for the front over three years ago. was well-known in the district, has gained his commission.

The Rev. E. W. Walker, Presbyterian •minister at Lecstori, returned on Tuesday evening from a visit to Tasmania, made for the purpose of seeing his mother.

Mr King, of the Christchurch office, ariing as relieving postmaster at Leeston during" Mr P. J. Eccleton's abserec on holiduv leave.

ASHBURTOX. The Ashburton Technical School Beard has purchased half an acre of ground adjoining tho school for £550. Tho residents of Lynford farewellcd Lance-Corporal R. Iv. Robertson, Privates R. J. Noble, and W. Davison last week. Mr T. Evans presided, arid presented each of the soldiers with a wristlet -watch.

At the monthly meeting of the Ashburton Borough School Committee, the Canterbury Education Board wrote stating that it h:»d authorised the architect to have two skylights fixed in tho roof of the Allenton school, to improve The lighting. The Board also advised that it could not see its way to provide accommodation for the purpose of housing the telescope presented by Mrs Ferriman. It was decided to apply to tho Board for sufficient iron and timber from the old borough school when demolished to erect cycle sheds at the main and side-schools. The headmaster reported that tho average attendance at the borough school it as 374, and at Allenton 116.

WABIATE. The Borough Council on t Tuesday sight referred to the Beautifying Committee, the Justice 3>eparfcmcnrs offer to pay £13 per year towards the cost of improving and maintaining the front of the courthouse. The Council declin. Ed C. E. Clark's application for permission to erect a photographic show case over the Queen street footpath. The town clerk was instructed to make a report on the existing show cases and notice boards. The postmaster wrote granting permission for t»je erection of two seats in front of the post office. Xicol and Son applied for. permission, granted in 1905, to run a railway across Queen street for a siding at their flour mill, in anticipation of an important development of the business. The ap-j plication was granted.

The County Council at a special meet- i ing appointed Mr G. Bitchener and the engineer to inspect the stone crusher in use*by the Geraldine Road Board, with a view to purchasing it.