THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16433, 29 January 1919, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES.

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

As the result, of representations made to Mr McDonald, of the Board of frade. by the Nelson Egg Circle during ins recent visit to kelson, arrangements were immediately put in band for the delivery of Australian wheat in Is'elson at a price which will leave a margin of profit to egg-pro-ducers.

The weather during the past week has been intensely warm, and the heat lias affected pigs considerably (reports the Wanganui correspondent of the "Dominion"). A number are reported to have died in the South Taranaki district, and in view of the scarcity of porkers and the big prices being paid for them, the loss to the factories and to the owners is rather serious.

At Xclson last week Mr T. A. H. Field, M.P., brought before the. Board of Trade_ the position of wheat-growers in the district, and the disability they suffered in receiving the same price for their wheat as Canterbury growers. Mr McDonald, who is wheat Controller, admitted tho hardship under last year's scheme, and stated that the position would be met this year by allowing Nelson and Marlborough growers the same price as North Island growers, which would bo 011 a parity with the price at which imported wheat could be landed.

The Wanganui "Chronicle's" Ruatiti correspondent had an opportunity of 6eeing Mr W. Vella, the world's champion shearer, in action on Thursday of last week, at a station in Ruatiti, owned by Messrs O'Neill Bros., of Wanganui. He says: Mr Vella is a member of Mr Skinner's contract party of five, the other members being Messrs Hulena, Swan, and Dowling. The "drummer" of this party can shear his 270 sheep per day quite comfortably, while Mr Vella, the "rigger," holds the world's record of 347 for a nine-hours' day, ho having recently beaten his previous record of 339. This party arrived at Messrs O'Neill Bros.' shed during the previous week, and in eight days had shorn well over 10,000 sheep. A large number of visitors came daily from near and far to see these champions at work, and it is indeed a revelation to see the marvellous speed with which a sheep can be divested of his heavy fleece without receiving so much as a scratch from tho shearer. On one occasion when Mr Vella seemed to be going at top, though not knowing that I was timing him, he dropped the fleece off a sheep in just 46 seconds from the time ho took up his machine till he laid it down again. I do not know how many seconds he could knock off this time if he were racing the clock. KAIKOTJRA. The County Council met on Saturday to consider what steps should be taken to celebrate the declaration of Peace. It was decided to leave arrangements for the children in the hands of the school teaphers, and to hold a procession, sports meeting, and a pyrotechnic display. The Minister of Public Works Jias replied to Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., declining to alter the site for the Oaro stream bridge on the Kaikoura-Par-nassus road. PARNASSUS. The stock season is now in full swing, and large consignments of sheep and cattle are going forward. One of tho finest consignments of cattle seen hero for some'considerable time, comprising about- ~>o head of prime steers, left herb vestcrdav. They were bred by. Mr Murray, of Woodbank, and purchased by Mr F. H. Steel, of Christchurch. WAIKARI. Dissatisfaction is expressed at the state tho school has been loft in after being used as a temporary influenzza hospital and • tho action of the chairman (Mr T. Hall) in again closing the school until it has been cleaned, is approved; in fact, parents generally iefufie to send their children until it has heen attended to. OXFORD. The ordinary meeting of the Oxford Patriotic Committee was held on Monday night. Mr D. Hawk© '■presided, and there were twelve members present. Letters of acknowledgment and appreciation of Y.M.C.A. coupons were received from Privates F. C. Bassett> N. T. Fisher, Munn, A. 1. Cleeve. A. Newport, and J. Dohrman, and Lieutenant W. G. Munn. It was decided not to loan tho patriotic crockerv for public socials. It was decided" to ; ask . Chaplain Ready, who was expected in the district,' to give an address at tho next welcome homo social. SOUTH MALVERN DISTRICT. Miss Rhoda E. Ellmers has been appointed assistant mistress at the Glentunncl School, and commenced her duties on Monday. Tho Coalgato Amusement CJub opened its tennis season on Saturday, in tli© Coalgate Domain. Soveral men had spent considerable time during the previous week getting the grounds in order, after having been practically unused for four years, and the result was a credit to the workers. There was a good muster of players and their friends, and though tho. courts were somewhat rough, an enjoyable afternoon was spent. Afternoon tea was provided by tho ladies. A meeting of members of the Horticultural Society was held in tho Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday to settle the matter of the disposal of the proceeds from tho March Flower Show. In the absence of tho chairman, Mr John Deans, Mr H. Bollinson was voted to tho chair. After a prolonged and occasionally heated discussion, tho chairman moved: —' 'That the profits from the Flower Show be devoted towards tho cost of erecting a suitable memorial to tho memory of the fallen soldiers of the South Malvern district, the form and place of ercction to be decided at a public meeting to be called for that purpose before June Ist, 1919. In the event of no meeting being held within that time, tho Flower Show Committee to have power to devote tho proceeds to any public benefit they may think fitThe motion was seconded by Mr L. D. King. Mr C. Stuart movod as an amendment:—"That the question of disposing of the funds of the March Flower Show be held over till a public meeting is called to discuss the rnaitoi of a memorial for the district. ' Mi C. G. Marsh seconded the amendment pro forma. On being put to the meeting, the amendment was lost, and the motion carried. As a result a public meeting will be held within a fortnight to settle the matter of a memorial, also to discuss Peace celebrations.

DARFIELD. . On Friday evening a well-attended concert was given in the Memorial Hall by Mr and Mrs Young's party '>"on> Christchurch. Items were contributed by Mrs Young, Misses Cooper and Stark, Messrs Young, Cade, Tansey, Parson?, and Jones. At the conclusion of th© concert a vote of thanks was accorded the performers, also to Mr F. Truscott, who motored the party out. During the-interval surprise packets were disposed ' of, and after the concert the prizee*were given out. The floor was then cleared, and dancing was indulged in to music supplied by Miss and Mrs Christopherson, Mrs Knight, and Miss Shipley. The net proceeds will amount to about £41, and are being devoted to the Navy League.

The schools took up on Monday, but Tuesday's rain gave the children another holiday. After over three years of splendid work, the Darfieid Ladies Sewing Guild has been written to in a very sharp manner, asking why it , s been registered. It seems to take that particular Government Department some time to find these things out. The guild is closing down until alter the harvest. YALDHURST. A very successful social evening was held in the schoolroom on Iriday by the Yaldhurst Patriotic^ League to welcome home Corporal X. B- Cainegic, who was working in Yaldhurst at tlio time of his going into camp_ with the Sth Reinforcements. During the time that 110 was in Fiance Carnegie had trench fever twice, ana was slightly gassed once. Owing to his having' to return to his home 111 Dunedin, tho committee had very IU ~ tie time to arrange things, and as harvest is in full swing the attendance was not so large as usual. Mr JBarr, chairman, introduced tho guest, and Mr G. Witty, M.P., welcomed lnm 011 behalf of the Yaldhurst residents. Mr Witty said it gave him very much pleasure to welcome the first soldier bnck to the district since the signing of the armistice. Mr R. E. Hall then spoke, and drew attention to the fact that it was to Corporal Carnegie that he had the honour of making tho first presentation shortly after the iormation of the League. Corporal Carnegie briefly responded. After supper, which was supplied by the Yaldhurst Red Cross ladies, dancing was kept up till an early hour. Miss Coulter supplied the music. TEDDINGTON. The Teddington school picnic _ was held on Monday afternoon. X timerous races wcro held for tho children for toys, etc. As rain commenced to fall an adjournment was made to the schoolroom for afternoon tea, alter which the chairman. (Mr H. A. Wheeler) briefly addressed those present. The Rev. Mr Styche, of Governor's Bay, presented the prizes, cacti child receiving a book. The chairman presented each child with a small flag in honour of the Allies' victory in the recent war. MAYFIELD. There was a large gathering in the Mayfield Band hall on Friday evening last to welcome home llifleman H. Corbett, and Privates R. Mably and S. Miller.. Mr D. " Duff presided, and during the evening; each soldier was presented with a framed memorial as a token of the good wishes of their >ia.yfield friends. A short programme was submitted, and after supper had been served a dance was held. GERALDINE. On Monday night the annual meeting of the Geraldine Institute took place. The balance-sheet showed a small credit balance. The report, which showed a satisfactory condition of affairs, made reference to the presentation by Mr F. W. Stubbs of his collection of curiosities, which had been' arranged in glass cases. It was resolved, on the motion of the president, to elect Mr Stubbs a life member. The principal officers elected ware: President, Dr. Hislop; secretary, Mr H. B. Mitchell; treasurer, Mr A. Beaddie. Some amendments were made to the rules. *