THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16435, 31 January 1919, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES

JOTTINGS FOR FABMERS.

Tho South Island J>airy Association has decided to offer trophies of the value of £25 each to the cheesemaker and buttonnaker respectively receiving the highest number of points over the season's outputs, based on the Govornmont grade notes, tho trophies to be won three times, not necessarily in succession, before becoming the absolute property of the winner. Gold medals will accompany the trophies each year. The comnetition will commence in the season' 191 Q-iiO. XSHBCRTON. Mr J. B. Christian, J.l'., presided at the Magistrate's Court "yesterday, when na elderly man was convie«,i and fined 10$ for drunkenness. Mr W. J. Dickie, M.P.. has arrange! with the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonuM to visit Ajshburton on Saturday nest, and lttcoivo a deputation from. Mayfield residents regarding tho nmtf oll ' tract for that locality. The weather yesterday was very <.isagreeablo for tho outing to Longbeaeh, of tho Ashburton workers during the influenza epidemic. The parly was conveyed to Longbeaeh by car? lent bylocal residents for tho "occasion,' and the Bth (South Canterbury) Regimental Band was in attendance. 'J'he party were the guests of ■Mγ J.C.N. Ongjr, and cveiy arrangement was 'jnado to make the gathering a success, in spite of the inclement weather. The executive of the Ashburton Sec- ! ond Division League at a meeting on Wednesday, decided to place on record the valuable assistance rendered to tho League by Mr J. E. Allen, and to wish him success and prosperity in his new 1 occupation. ,Mr Allen has hosn a mem. ber of tho executive since its inception. and leaves for Christchurch at an curly date. A special train conveying over 400 Canterbury and Otago eoldiers readied Ashburton about 10.30 a.m. yesterday. Long before the train arrived the station was crowded to give the soldiers a hearty welcome as thoy passed through, and to ■welcome home the Ashburton boys, numbering 31. The Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) and Mr FFerriman, welcomed the returned soldiers. Several men also returned by the express, and -were met by a large gathering of residents. qeiuSdike. A large crowd assembled yesterday morning to welcome home a number of roturned soldiers, and the town was gay with bunting. Staff-Sergeant-Major Hawke, ]>.C.M., and Privates J. Campbell, Laing. Stringer, W. Turner, T. Wane, V. Inglia, and G. Pithie arrived on the special tranj, and were motored hero, where they were welcomed by the Mayor, and cheered by the people. Bv the express Lieutenant Patrick, Staft%'Sergeant-Major McPherson, Privates Kclliher, Carver, Hall, Maxwell, and J. Turner arrived, and they, too, were heartily welcomed: • NOETH~U>BURN. A social gathering was held in the Public Hall, to make a presentation to Nurse Strutton, of White Rock. Mr J. S. Hiatt presided, and eulogised the valuable work done by the mirso during the epidemic. On behalf of the patients she had tended, he presented ' her with a cheque, with the best wishes of the district. . / A large and enthusiastic ' go&ering. og Belfast residents assembled at the Town Hall, on Wednesday evening, to welcome home Sergeant W. Anderson, who left with the Main Body; Gunner P Thomas,: Ist Reinforcements;, Privates' O\ llobinson, W. SqmmeryiUe, Vnd'J. Carrington, who ,left with later reinforcements. Their arrival was tfre signal' cheering,; toe cro>d almost" tsfciug charge of the cars •in'' their 'endeavour to. catch a glimpse of those who-had heen absent so many vears." Mr E. J. Wottpn and the Rev. T M Gurnow extended a hearty welcome on behalf of the residents. Sergeant Anderson replied on behalf of the Soldiers. A vote of thanks was moved by Mr Miller, to Messrs W. son, J. 31. D. Johns, W. A. Nieholls, W. M. Wilson, and E. J. Wotton, wno provided their cars to convey the boys from Christchurch. The proceedings closed with the National Anthem. AKAROA. The Akaroa butter factory is having a remarkably good season. Even witli tho end of January in sight the supply is keeping up txneommonly well tno weekly output averaging about Ji tops of butter. In the best part of vbe season during November and the oarly part of December, the output exceeded three tone per week. The directors w> | paying euppliers Is 4d (jer 1b for butter- j fat, -with the understanding that at tho end of tho season the latter will reow ve the difference between this and the Government price. The climatic conditions thia summer have been all i n favour of the growth of the pastures, and with an abundance of feed still it looks as if the factory will put up a record this year. At a meeting of the committee of managers of the Akaroa Presbyterian Church, Mr J. l>. Bruce, senior, presided in tho tjiayoidable absence of the Rev. J. W. ■ Hay ward. The quarterly accounts in connexion with Trinitv Church, Akaroa, and the Central Charge on the Peninsula, were paesetl for payment. The secretary reported that all tho manuka cut down in one of the cemetery reserves had been satisfactorily disposed of. It was likewise re--ported that the tenders received for the j erection of conveniences at the new Sunday school had teen considered too high, and that the matter had been held over for further consideration. 1 Among the ■ many visitors in Akaroa just now are Professor Hewiteon, «>f Knox College, Dunedin, and Mrs Hewitson. The Professor wMI take the evening service in <ho Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening. RARAIA GORGE. On Saturday evening, at Poak Hill, Rakaia Gorge, a welcome heme i social was held to celebrate the safe return of Gunner H. E. Jessop, of Peak Hill, and Private Ken. Robertson, of Glen F«l----loch. The hosts of tho evening were Messrs Rod. Urquhart ond P. O. Greenaway. Owing to the flooded state of tho Rakaia and Wilbe-rforee rivers tho attendance was small, but a most 011joyablo evening w-as spent. Speeches were made by Meters Urquhart and McLaren, and each 6oldier was presentedi • > Tliss Phyllis TJrqubart. on behalf rf '■''•■' •••adents o f I\-akai:> Gorge, ~i{'j n £)"d : -.-dal suit- ■:)!.-' iiv.::riU*].- i :hc>«- -A.-.n ont*. : .'in/:<i i'.. ,- '-,; woro Mc:r.-; j J.i...-,- ':.i;. -, ';'. !'• (i .'■' .1 ■ si-■:., ;ind J '"* . ' 'f)\tt:'. ■£;■ ;!:;;:'(■" mii.vi?. ■Y.i.i ),,'-.