THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17114, 8 April 1921, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

CATTLE DISEASE IN QUEENSLAND (By Oable—Preaa Association—Copyright.) (Atutnliui and N.Z. Cable -Association.) j BRISBA.NE, April 6. [ A new cattle disease, of French origin, known as petechel fever, has broken out among stock in the central west. It has been - previously known in Victoria. The symptoms consist of enormous swellings* of the whole breast, the head assuming gigantic proportions, and the legs becoming as thick as tree trunks. The Department of Agriculture advises isolation in fresh pastures. Failure to • adopt these measures is attended by the death of the affected beast in 40 days after infection. Jottings for Fanners. Tests carried out by the Department of Agriculture since 1918 with the object of determining the most profitable cropping svstem for the production of oaten hay have shown that the average vield of hav could be greatly, increased 'with profit" to the hay grower by the adoption of a good system of crop rotation, states the Melbourne "Age. ' During the past seven years the yields or hay grown after bare fallow, and after barley and bare fallow, have been more than double the yield of the field on which hay was grown continuously. The average annual net profit—the experiments were based on the capacity of a 3GO-acre farm—over the seven years after allowing all costs, including labour, 'seed, manure, rent of land, and interest on. capital, was as follows: Hay, grown continuously, £lB4, hay after bare fallow, £380; hay after barley and bare fallow, £314; hay after barley and peas, £l2O. A dairy farmer stated in the Compensation Court at Masterton on Tuesday that he was netting approximately £IOOO a year on a farm of 140 acres. Entries for the Malvorn A. and P. Association's Show close on Monday. PREBBLETON. On Saturday a very enjoyable children's party was given by Mrs J. Kiiigan. There were about fifty children present. Games were, played, and after an enjoyable tea, a pretty _ surprise awaited each little guest •in a present from a tree, which was beautifully decorated with Chinese lanterns, toys, and bags of sweets.. The annual harvest thanksgiving was held in the Anglican Church on Sunday. The church was beautifully decorated, and a great quantity of produce was sent in, which was afterwards forwarded to St. Saviour's Orphanage. SOTJTHBROOK. Tho Methodist- Sunday school was crowded on Tuesday evening when a farewell social was tendered to the Rev. J. Guy and Mrs Guy and the Rev. C. B. Jordan. Mr C. R. Thwaites presided. Several speakers testified to the splendid work done in. the circuit by the departing ministers, and regret was expressed at their departure. A programme of musical items and recitations was given by Mesdames J. T. Withers, E. Trollope, G. Mcintosh, "Misses M. and A. Scott, D. Withers, A: Davey, 0. Hunnibell, I. Benzes, G. Eahn, D. Martin, G. Ross, and the Revs. J. Guy and C. B. Jordan. Mrs 'A. Young, on behalf of the congregation, presented Mr Jordan with a goldmounted fountain pen, and the chairman presented Mr wtiy with a purse containing bank notes. • During tho evening supper was handed round by the ladies. LEESTON; Mr W. O. Rennie presided over a meeting of the Ellesmere Technical Association. The secretary (Miss G. M. Glanvillo) reported that the bookkeeping class under Mr Sheppard Green, and typewriting, class under Miss R; Cuningham, had. re-opened, with good attendances: There were.'4s .pupils',iri two basket-making classes 'at Leeston arid Sedgemerb. It was stated that tho woodwork. class was being carried on successfully by Mr Brizzle, and the dress-making classes at Doyleston, Leeston, and Lakeside by Mrs C. Thompson. A ; class in home-nursing would be started at Brooksido next Friday, The Rev. W. Laycock read a letter no had received from Messrs R. Brinsley and Co., of Duhedin, in which it wasstated that the firm would present a rango for cookery cjasses at Leeston. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the firm. It was decided to. hold a bazaar on June ICth, to raise money for the erection of a technical training building, as at present the Association fays out a substantial sum in rents, t was decided to makje enquiries with a view to starting an art class. The Leeston Bowling, Tennis, and Coquet Club has arranged to hold a monster bazaar next Friday and Saturday, with, the object of raising a •substantial sum of money to wipe off the debt on the club's fine property. At a meeting of the committee, -held on Tuesday night, the reports ; presented by the different sub-committees were of a very optimistic nature,

SPBINGSTON. On Sunday the Springston Sunday School anniversary services were held, tho Rev. J. Harris officiating. In the evening Mr Harris preached a farewell sermon to a very large congregation. Special mußic was provided by the children and friends. Miss Henry officiating at the organ. On Monday the annual tea -was held, when a large gathering partook of refreshments. In the evening a concert and the prize-giving took pia'ce. Items wiere contributed, by Misses Zoe Scarlett, Agnes Kime, Mary Kime, Winnie Keast, Ivv Mutton, Edna. Reed, Muriel- and Ina flounce, Messrs Basher, E. J. Harris, and Willie Sills. An address was delivered by the Rev. J. C. Paterson, of Lincoln. Mr S. Keast read the report, and balancesheet, which Showed a small credit. Prizes were distributed to the children of the school by the Rev. J. Harris. The meeting also took the form of a farewell to Mr and Mrs Harris and family, who ars removing to the Cambridge terrace circuit. Mr S. Keast presented to the departing guests a cheque us a token of the esteem in which they are held. Mr and Mrs Harris have been very popular among all the people of the district. EANGIOKA. The Rangiora Methodist schoolroom was well filled on Wednesday evening, when a farewell social was given to the Rev. J. Guy and Mrs ana Miss Guy and the .Rev. C. B. Jordan and Mm Jordan, of Woodend. Mr S. Ayers presided. Short addresses were given by the leaders of the various organisations connected with tne cnurcn, expressing regret at Mr Guy's removal and retirement from the active work of the ministry, and of the respect and esteem in which he is held by the members and adherents of the church. The Rev. F. P. Fendali, on behalf of the Anglican community, to the high esteem in which Mr Guy was held oy them, and to the amicable relations which had existed between Mr Guy and himself. Appreciative references to the high esteem in which Mr Guy is held were also made, by the Rev. W. H. Howes (Presbyterian) and the commandant of the local branch of the Salvation Army. The Mayor (Mr C, I. Jennipgs), speaking on behalf of tho borough, referred to the good work done by Mr Guy during the influenza epidemic, and" the great assistance given by him in patriotic work during the war. Mr Guy was respected and esteemed by tho whole community, and ho had richly earned the rest which he was now about to take. Mr A. Graham, senior circuit steward, on behalf of the members of tho church and friends, presented a- cheque for £2l to Mr Guy. A bouquet of flowers was also presented to Mrs Guy by Mrs F. B. Lane on behalf of a few personal friends. In thanking the speakers for all the kind words said of liim and lor the cheque, IMr Guy said he had been 4G years in active work as a Methodist minister, and ho felt that the. time had*conic to throw off the harness and take a rest. However,. he was not to be allowed to rest altogether, ns he had been requesteu by the Conference to take up visiting work in the Shirley district, which he had consented to do. Mr Jordan also thanked the speakers for the nice things said;. he was a young man, and had his Hfe's work before him. He was leaving the circuit with a certain amount of regret. During tbe evening a short programme of musical items was given by members of the choir. Supper was provided by the ladies. . SHEFFIELD. At a meeting of the committee of the "Malvern A. and' P. Association, a motion of sympathy was patted to Air J. Ferguson and family in their bereavement. OEEALDINE. ■ Quite a numher of complaints have been received recently of damage dona by stoats and weasels. A Kakahiv settler lost 37 young fowls in one night, and anqtiher had a number killed ma paddock, each one having its neck bit-' ten. ■ One man lost some ducks, another found his fowls dead in the run, and still another picked up nine hens, each minus a head—the last-named resident subsequently shot a fecret in his fowl run. "■'..' . The Geiraldine County Council, at its meeting this week resolved to support tho Canterbury Progress League in its endeavours to secure the permanent diversion of the Harper river into Lake Coleridge. ; A petition has been presented to the Mayor asking that a poll be taken on •the question of substituting latiug on unimproved value for the present system. A poll is to be taken.

WAIMATE. The Rev. Mr Scotter was presented on Tuesday night by the local Methodists with a wallet of notes, a Kaiapoi rug, a leather. suitcase, and an umbrella, and also wi,th a tea 'set for Mrs Scotter. His Waituna friends presented Mr Scotter with a fountain, pen. Mr Scotter leaves heire on Friday for Rangiora.