THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16412, 4 January 1919, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. / SOrTH CANTERBURY "WEATHER. Mr "W. P. Sterickcr, of Sutton Farm, near Timaru, writes:— The rainfall recorded at Sutton Farm | for December was 2.03 in, and for tlie corresponding month of last year 5.29 in. The average of thirty years for the above month is 2.33 in.* The total fall for 1918 \vas 25.93 in. The annual averago of thirty years is exactly last year s total, viz., 25.93 in. On Wednesday a very severe thunderstorm ivas experienced in this part of the district, doing an immense amount of damage to turnip and mangold crops. THANKS OF BRITISH SEAMEN TO N.Z. SHEEPOWNEES. (press association tslegbam.) WELLINGTON, January 3. The following Neiv Year greetings from British seamen to New Zealand sheepowners have been received: — Rear-Admiral Halsey, on behalf of the Navy, sends hearty thanks to the sheepowners lor thoir generous proposals. Mr Havclock "Wilson, M.P., telegraphs on behalf of the Seamen's Union Executive, tendering warm appreciation of tho sheepowners' offer to help the dependants of seamen killed or wounded in defence of the Empire. JOTTfifGg FOR FARMERS. The forthcoming harvest in the Ashburton county is attracting ■ quite a large number of workers front all parts ol" the Dominion. Several men have reached the district, and all tilt local labour agents have many men on their books. The general crop will be much later this season. Shearers have been scarce, and many farmers have been obliged to struggle through as best they could with the little labour offering.

j Tho cocksfoot, harvest in the Peninsula Bars this season promises to be the most prolific for the past fivo years, due, doubtless, to early rain showers followed by sunny weather, lb is feared, however, that the supply of reapers will hardly equal the demand, which will be unfortunate, especially in view of tho fact that, according to present indications, prices should b& fairly high. Grass-seeding operations will commencc in tho course of a few weeks' time. Already a number of men from the Lyttelton district have gone to the various bays in anticipation of an early start. AMBERLEY. A complimentary picnic was tendered by tho Amberley district to tho staff of the Amberley Hospital. Several cars conveyed the large gathering, and made return trips till Manuka Gully was well patronised. A most enjoyable time was spent until early in thb afternoon, when a very heavy 'shower drove the party homewards. A social was held in the evening—the Oddfellows' Hall being taxed to its utmost capacity. Tho rainfall for the month of December totalled 121 points, as against 762 points for tho corresponding month last year. Jin in fell on 11 days, tho heaviest.fall being on tho Bth, when 33 points were recorded. 'The total for the. year was 25.94 inches, as compared with 34.95 in in 1917, 24.99 in in 1916, and ]3.67 in in 1915. j ItOLLESTON. 3"he RolJestpn Memorial Hall has readied' 1 completion, and the opening ceremony, will. take place this month, llollestou has long felt .the need of such a building in which to hold functions. The early oats are practically all in stook, and some good yields ale anticipated. The, wheat, 'thanks to tho frequent showers, should fill well, but unfortunately some solid straw crops show signs of blight. The potatoes and peas are looking well. Hay is now in stack, and some paddocks are showing promise of an excellont clover crop. Judging bv the quantity of cream sent to tho dairy factories daily, there is ample feed. The rape, unless in a few favoured spots, is not doing well. Fruit will be scarce in the district. AJvAROA. Akaroa is full of visitors from many parts of the Dominion, who are enjoy-ing,-the healthy, breezy weather despite the frequent showers experienced during tho past few days. j'he local bodies are arranging for the reception of General Pau on the 9th mst. The French residents arc delighted at the kindly thought which prompted the members of the mission to visit the old French settlement. Tho recent showers are helping the grass seed to mature, and it is expected that reaping will bo general jy about three .weeks to a mouth's time. Dairying is in full swing, and the pastures have not looked better for manv months past.

EALING. During the busy season the saleyards at Ealing, owned by farmers in the district, were quite inadequate to cope with the. business, and recently a company was formed to erect new permanent yards. A three-acre section was acquired and new yards erected, which will'be ready for the first sale «f the season to be held about, the middle of this month. MAYFIELD. The rainfall-at "Blackley," Mayfield, for 191S was 34.66 in, as compared with 37.16 in in 1917. The heaviest iall registered for one month was 5.20 in during November. j ASHBURTON. The vital statistics for the Ashburton registration district for the month of December were: Births 26, deaths IG, marriages 3. The figures for the corresponding month in 1917 were: Births 29, deaths 6, marriages 4. The figures for tho year 1918 were: Births deaths 177. marriages 59, and for 1917: Births 355, deaths 148, marriages 46. At the last meeting of the Rangi- ■ tata Road Board, Mr A. McKenzie presided. The clerk icported that six had been piped, while several would be attended to I during January. It was decided to inform the Ashburton County Couucv that the Board did not consider practicable its scheme of granting a subsidy to the traction engine-driver best j observing the by-laws, aud doing most | to improve the roads. The sum of £10 was granted to the Navy League. It was decided to forward to the Progress League the ailotted annual subscription for the first year, on condition the Board is not necessarily committing itself to air,- further j.tyment in connexion with the movement. A tender for cocksfoot at Ruapuna was referred to Mr W. J. Allan to deal with.