THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16410, 2 January 1919, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS, The conclusion of what is popularly known as ihc wool season lias been considerably delayed lliis year by unfavourable weather, extraordinary holidays, and a shortage of labour. Ad present (says the "southland 'luncs") the crying need i& for clussers, \vlu> arc very scarce. Although there arc a low annul the towns who could make themselves available, the high wagesoffered have not proved an inducement sutrieienl to counteract the lures of the holiday season. As u consequence of tiie snoiiage, men prominently connected with «oui-jirowing express the opinion that, i:i toe interests of the country, soinctning in tho way of a more comprehensive scheme lor the training of eligible men in woolclassing should be adopted. RAXCUORA. There was a large crowd of country peoplo in town on Jv'ew Year's Eve, the main business thoroughfare presenting quite an animated scene. At eleven-thirty a watchnight service was held in the Methodist Oiiurch, and at twelve o'clock the New Year was ushered in by the ringing of bell of St. John's Church, and the firing of bombs and crackers. Yesterday was observed as :i close holiday. Although the day was dull and threatening, a number of picnic parties journeyed to the Ashley Gorge and "Waikuku beach, and a number of racing enthusiasts visited Plumpton Park. The day, however, was n-arred by a thunderstorm, which broke over_ the district between two and three o'clock in the afternoon. After about an hour's heavy rain, the weather cleared. KAIAPOI. After threatening all day, heavy rain commcnced to fall at ]0 o'clock and continued for an hour, after which the sun shone brightly for the rest of tho day. At a late hour last night the sky was very clear, aud tho indications were for a frost. The campers'and residents of Kairaki held a concert on New Year's ere, afte r which a. huge bonfire, on top of which was an effigy of tho Kaiser, was lighted.