THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16728, 10 January 1920, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

NEWS AND NOTES. Jottings for Farmers. Tiie second week of the jour. IP-0. will chronicle in it.s Dairy History of New Zealand a? a most memorable event the unreserved dispersal of the famous Friesland Park herd of Friesians, which will be submitted to public auction, by Messrs IJalgety and Co.. Ltd.. on the Palmerston North Show Grounds, on Wednesday, the 1 tth icstA trip through tho Winchmore. I-i>-rp.ore. and Hinds districts shows that tho harvesting of oats is well advanced, and a good deal is already in stack. Judging from tho number of stacks thero is an abundance of straw which should assure a good vtold. On one W'inehmoro farm a paddock of wheat has been cut. KAIKOUBAA presentation of a purse of sovereigns was made to Miss Lizzie Burland. on Tuesday night, at a gathering oi about 200 people at. ,; Hockwond," the residence of Mr G. ]>. Smith. Mr Alex. Kovd, on Whalf of Miss liurhuid s friend, made the presentation, and spoke of the valuable s t <t vices rendered bv her in all war work. Mr F. Mnith and Mr \V. 1?. Leeder also spoke m eulogistic terms of the many good nihilities of the recipient. Miss liurland is to take up her residence in Hastings. For the past year, Saturday has been iho half-holiday here. On Wednesday a deputation of 23 tradesmen waited on the County Council, asking that, it bo retained. There was no petition for Wednesday, but tho Conned, by four votes to three, decided to make "Wednesday the day for closing. Local tradesmen resent this decision, and legal advice is to Ik? taken in the matter. Tho local fishermen have resumed operations after the holidays, and good catches are reported. The following settlers have resided in Kaikoura for sixty years and over:— Mr W. Poiilter (who wa.s born in Wellington in IS4tVI, Mrs George Itenwick (sister of Mr Poulter). Mrs Luke Abraham and her son .John, and Messrs Joseph Poole and Abe Gillincr. The following Natives were in Kaikoura prior to 1840:—Mrs F.. Poharamn and her daughter Maecie. Mr Ben Tahui. Mrs D. Roberts. Messrs T{. Jacobs and Starkey. HANMER~SPRINGS. Although a goodly number of the soldier patients at the Queen Mary Hospital spent their Christmns time at home, vet. there remained upwards of 70, who were entertained right royally. Tea. was served in the Y.M.C.A. tearooms, which are run under the supervision of Miss C. Ilogers and Mr Hughes.

Inclement weather prevented the Boxing Day picnic arranged for by the Y.M.C.A. from taking place, but the Y.M.C.A. arranged an impromptu afternoon of inu.sic Jind competitions, followed by tea. On Xew Year's Day the hospital gave tlio_ patients, residents, and visitors a picnic at "The Orchard/' the property of Mrs Jjahmcrts, linnmcr Springs. Here, beneath the shady trees, dinner and tea were partaken of. and sports and games indulged in. Tho postponed Y.M.C.A. picnic was held on Wednesday, January 7th, at "The Willows." a picturesque spot within sight of "Tho Ferry."' A fine day, a {rood programme, and a- bountiful supply of provisions, ensured success. Xltogothcr, thanks to the organising ability of the Y.M.C.A., and the liberality of those who contributed gifts for the soldiers' welfare, a most enjoyable day was spent.

Rapid progress is being made with the new building at tho Presbyterian Church, .and it is anticipated that within a few weeks tho opening ecremony will take plnre. It is purposed, if possible. to unveil, nt the time of the opening ceremony, a memorial tablet to the late Rev. W. TJ-. Campbell.

TEMT7KA. The montlily meeting of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was held nt Tcmuka, on Thursday afternoon. Mr F. J. Million presiding over a small attendance. Six refunds of fees to returned soldiers trero granted. An angler wroto stating that a farmer had ordered him off his property when fishing in tho Temuka river, and a discussion arose as to the rights of propertyholders. The opinion wns expressed that nnplers had only to ask for permission, and it would bo granted. The ranger reported that tho rivers had hcen well patronised in tho holidays, and fish up to 161l> in weight had l>een landed. The rivers 'xr.rr> in good order. Game tnis on the increase, and he had seen good broods of mallard, and paradise ducks, and pukeko. ASHBURTON. There was' a very largo at tendance at the Marquee Theatre, at the mouth of the Ashburton river, on Thursday niAht. when a concert programme was given. wore contributed by Misses Stiirrock, Kemp. Messrs IJ ex Harrison, Checkley, Hunt, . Coker, Stock and Cowan. The Uobilliard trio g.ive instrumental items, and Mr A. li. Todd humorous recitations and sketches. Mr L. J. Watt presided at the piano. The Anamn Ufiarl Board met at ITekeao, the Hon. W. Xosworthy presiding. The chairman was congratulated on the success of the Heform Party at the elections, and his own very sig-1 nal victory. Mr Nosworthv thanked tho Board, and the electors who had supported him. Improvements to Cavendish road were left in the bands of 31 r Brown, and to the Westerfield road in those of Mr Gallagher. The < ierk was ir.-tructed to arrange for a ranger for ti:? district. The Ashbiirton County Council wrote complaining of some pipes beinrr iaitl too deep. The clerk was directed to-reply that all that was required was tin- deepening of the outfall. ft was decided to erect a bridge j over Toner's Creek, and to apply to the Ashbiirton County Council for stringers and decking; al=o kir pii>es for a race by Mr Mdver's. ;md another by M- W. J. Holvrtson's. A former resolution relating to cocksfoot was rescinded, and the clerk wa.- directed to advertise tor tenders for the cocksfoot in the district in one lot.