THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16420, 14 January 1919, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. RHYTHMIC FARMING. CABBAGE PLANTING IN FIVE ACTIONS. On tho Melchot Court Estate, near Romsey, Hanw, land gills aro being tailglit by rhythmic actions (says a London report), and thoy have so thorouglily mastered tho art of suiting each task with its appropriate physical action that they aro astonishing the veterans of tho fields with the amount and effortless character of their day's work. For instance, they can each plaut 5000 cabbages a day. It is a kind of farming athletics. The instructor ia Mr W. J. Maiden, an expert both in athletics and farming. He teaches the girls to uso the correct body ieverago in every, task, and sets them a number of actions —three for mowing, five for planting—which aro carried through in measured time. The girls worked like machines and without tiring. In cabbage planting the first fiction is to put the left foot forward, the girl being in a stooping, posturo: the second is to drive a hole in the soil with a dibber; the third to put in the plant with the other hand; the fourth to earth it in with the dibbor; and the fifth to bring the right foot forward .{({ld.lieel the plant in. . precisely are tho-five actions done ihat the right foot always comes to tho exact place for heeling in the plant, and the girl is ablo to step out in number ono. action without breaking the rhythm. Tho girls pitch hay, trim a hedge, hoe, shear a sheep, and do all their duties according to mechanical laws. , \ , , KAIKOURA. A meeting of the County Council was held on Saturday morning at tho wharf, to consider matters arising out of the recent fire. Mr Leeder, County Engineer, was requested to submit a report at next meeting, embodying n scheme to re-establish the buildings, consideration to be given to the requirements of tho district for the future, OXFORD. The annual meeting of the Oxford W.C.T.U. was held on Wednesday, in the Coronation Hall, the presidont in the chair.- Despite stormy weather there was a large attendance. A resolution was carried expressing sympathy with all those in the district who suffered bereavement owing to the recent epidemic. The president thanked the members for their loyal co-opera-tion during her year of office, and gave a short account of the year's work. Reports were also given by the superintendents of the Cradle Roll, White Ribbon, Band of Hope, and Flower Mission, tho reports showing that in all departments the -work had been faithfully carried on, .though hampered by bad weather ana sickness. Tho treasurer's statement of accounts, which was adopted, showed that the anuual donations had been sent to the various funds for extending W.C.T.TJ. work in the Dominion, and that a considerable sum had been specially raised for patriotic work, donations having been sent to th 9 mino sweepers, and the Y.M.C.A., white half the profits (£2O) of the refreshment booth at the Patriotic Show were handed to the Oxford Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and through that association to tho Lady Liverpool Fund. Votes of thanks were parsed to the outgoing officers of the -union, the auditor, and to the editors of the morning newspapers for their courtcsy in regard to inserting reports of meetings. The president thpn left the chair, Mrs Gainsford being asked to preside at the eloction of officers, which resulted as follows:—President. Mrs G. Ryde; secretary, Mrs R. W. Comyns; treasurer, Miss Caverhill; evangelistic superintendent, Mrs C. W-Trit-t; cradle roll, Mrs It. H. Gainsford, assisted by Mrs Roi; notable days, Mrs Ancall, assisted by Mrs Kippenberger; home meetings, Mrs Clarke. The president spoke of the need for action in view pi tho vote to be taken in April, and urged all to make sure that tneir names and present _ addresses were placed to their district roll. It was decided to undertake the distribution of literature, and that £5 should be donated to the No-Liconse League for the Campaign Fund. It was decided to hold the annual picnic in the park for the Junior Band of Hope and L.T.L-. early in February. Tho meeting closed with the Temperance Doxology and tho National Anthem. PREBBLETON. A public meeting was held recently to consider what should bo done with the instruments belonging to the defunct Prebbletoa Brass Band. After lengthy, discussion, it was decided to endeavour to revive puolic interest in tho band, and a committee was formod for that purpose. The Rev. E. Webb was elected president. t The committee consists of the following .Messrs S. Cooke (bandmaster), J. Cooke (treasurer) G. Walker, T. Hill, M- Prebble, H. G. Prebble, and V. Prebble (secretary). At a subsequent meeting of the committee it was arranged that, intending members should be called together on Thursday evening for the purpose or receiving music and instruments and that the ir.itial practice should b £ h*ld on the following Tuesday It the public will heartily support the committee and members of the band in thoir efforts to sustain this amusement

and ocpupotion for the voting men of the district. Keen intercut was evincc.l in a bicyt.'lo road race, which took place on Saturday evening. The entries numbered twentythree, but only fourteen faeoJ the starter. The diitanro was approximately ten miles, and the race resulted as follows: G. Downey (lOsec) 1. JOldridge i-l-lscv-) 2. S. .\lcNally 3. The iar-test iimo was also secured iby S. McXallv. A Micholin tyre was given by Mr T. Robins to tbo rider of brand of tyin making fastest time, and this was awarded to C. Goodwill. Messrs R. Btitterick and fi. Probbie acted as handicappcrs rind starters. The residents are pleased to nnte the return of two soldiers to this district, these being Q.M.S. Jivissell and Gunner S. A. C'oleman. {';minor. C'oleman was one of the first boys in Prebbleton to enlist, and m- loft with the *>th Hoinforcetno'its. The return of these men in fairly <£00d health is particularly pleasing. KAIAPOI. A meeting of the Kaiapoi Patriotic Committee was hold last night, tho -Mayor (Mr Blackwcll) presiding, _T.h» secretary reported that the oommittec had a credit balance of £-1- It. H ' a * decided to present ntodals to Kaiapot returned soldiers at the welcome social on Thursday night. Several soldiers returned to Kaiapoi last evening, where they wero met hy the Mayor and a large crowd of people. After expressing pleasure at seeing the men homo again, the Mayor failed lor three cheers for the men, which wero heartily given. The Ilangiora returned men were given a good reception when passing through the town. - A meeting of the Kaiapoi District High School Oommitt-co was held last night. Mr J. Yellowlees presiding. Tho lioard of Education wrote accepting tho resignation of Miss K. M. Fuldscth, assistant mistress, who has accepted an appointment at tho Cliristchurcli Karitano Hospital. It was decided to draw tho Board's attention to the bad state of repair of the caretaker's house. A committee was sot up to arrange for the picnic, ivKch will be held at Kaiapoi the first woek after tho school opens. It was decided to have tho Roll of Honour board completed. RANGIORA. Mr Martin Smith has been appointed caretaker of the municipal baths, which wore re-opened yesterday. TAI TAPU. At tho last meeting of tho Ellesmero Lands l>rainage Board there were present—Messrs R. Morten (chair), J. Sharp, F. Hubbard, Jas. Macartney, P. Miller, 0. McGough, and H. Pickering. Tho question of diverting the course of Burke's drain, so as to run direct to the Ahuriri Lagoon instead of via the Halswell River was considered, and the clerk was instructed to have levels taken and report later. The reply of the Ellesmore County Council regarding the formation of a road to Fisherman's Point. Taumutu, -was considered, and it was agreed to again approach the Council and offer a contribution towards the cost. The offer of the Tai Tanu Rail Committee to grant the uso of buildings for meetings, etc., at £4 per year was accepted. It -was agreed to have a report prepared on the question of converting the dredge grab into a doublechain grab. At the request of a ratepayer, Mr Hubbard again brought up the question of cleaning a drain on Embankment road, Greenpark and it was agreed to adhere to the Board's previous decision, when tho application was refused. SHEFFIELD. The young people of the Malvern County (Sheffield liiding) celebrated the signing of the armistice on Friday evening hy giving a ball at the Town Hall, Sheffield. Notwithstanding the various hindrances met with in the form of postponement through the late epidemic, bereavements, etc., the function proved to be one of the best ever held at Sheffield. Never before have there been seen sucli a galaxy of bright young people thoroughly enjoying themselves. The Grand March was headed by Lieut. 0. A. Gray. M.C., and a dozen returned soldiers and their partners. Excellent music ivas supplied uy Messrs A. Atkinson, G. Bradsnaw, and G. Gray. Mr H. Ferguson made an efficient M.C. The decorations "were very choice and tho supper sumptuous. At the conclusion; three hearty cheers were given for the committee and the chaperon es. MAYFIELD. . A large and representative gathering of Mayfield' residents was held in the Band Hall on Saturday evening to discuss the reduced mail service. Mr \V. G. Gallagher, -who presided, stated that Mayfield now had a mail service abouti equal to that which previled 30 years age. Since the beginning of the year, instead of the mail leaving Mayfield to catch the morning train to Ashburton. and arriving By the evening train, the mails went by the morning train, and in the evening were taken on to Springburn, and returned the next morning. After. a lengthy discussion, in which. Mr 3>ickie, M.P., took part, it was decided to petition the Department to restore to Mayfield the daily awyioe. and a strong committee was appointed to draw up the petition, which will be presented oy Mr Dickie. It was also decided that the Department be asked to carry out their promise to erect an exchange at Mayfield. ASHBURTON. Although the season for trout fishing is well advanced, very little success has been achieved by Ashburton anglers. Mr H. Humphreys, fishing at the mouth of tho Rangitata over the weeic-end, landed five fine fish, the heaviest weighing 81b. Shoals of herrings were running both at the mouth of the Rangitata and Ashb'urton. Tho Ashburton men who returned homo yesterday afternoon were: —Captain D. W. McClurg, M.M., Second-Lieutenant F. H. Choat, W. Bamford, V. Beach, S. J. Bevan, P. Black, J. Brick. J. T. Clark, E. P. Cobden, H. Corbett, S. Corbett, J. I>. Davidson, A. V. Day, J. Duggin, E. M. Ede, J. B. Ferriman, W. J. Griffiths, G. Houston. A. G. Hutchison, T. Jamieson, "W. L. Johns, A. Kermodo, J. J. Knight, IV. T. Lill, W. G. Lundy, W. R. H. MoBride, R. E. Mabeley, S. Miller, C. C. Naish. R. J. Noble, M. K. O'Grady, H. B. Rountree, A. E. Soal, H. Sutherland H. Tato, G. Trethewav, B. Wakelin, C. W. Wood. B. D. O'Connell. They were welcomed by tho Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith), Mr James Cow, and a large gathering of residents. Owing to a misunderstanding, a great crowd gathered "at tho station at 5.30 a.m. to meet the men.