THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17126, 22 April 1921, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Fanners. "It is quite wrong to suppose that the farmers, and especially the small farmers, have been making «noi*ous profits," said Mr W. H. FieW, M.P., at the meeting of the Central Progress League at Wellington on Tuesday night. '•'lt is true tnat owing to the utter collapse of prices and he .worst drought we have experienced for sjxty years, the position of a large proportion or our farmers is very''perilous. • Many of the farmers, if put to the test to-day, would-be unable to pay their debts. We: believe that the position is going to improve, and'we know- that the financial institutions aro supporting them, but it is impossible to believe that the farmers could have been in their .present position if they,had been making enormous profits during the war." The farmers, Mr Field added, had received high prices during the war, but they had paid large prices for everything they required. KIEWEE. The. protracted spell -of dry. weather came to an end on Monday night, when heavy rain fell, 1.77 in being registered. The rain was very welcome, as numbers of tanks were empty, and water had to be carried from the water-races. Oats*and grass which were sown some time ago have been very slow in making headway, and unless a spell of fine weather sets in there will be a scarcity of feed for the winter. The Social Club held its first meeting for the season in the Orange Hall. A progressive euchre tournament was played, the winners being Misa Hatha- ■ way and Mr B. Boper, whilst Mrs Foster and Mr Murray secured the consolation prizes. . * . The harvest thanksgiving social in connexion with the Baptist Church was held in the church on Tuesday night. There was- a good attendance, and the Rev. H. G. Goring presided. Mrs M. Johnson, Miss E.Colee, and Mr J. W. Belgrave contributed songs; Mr 0. W. Williams, violin solos; and the Rev. H. G. Goring, a reading and a monologue. Miss A. Shipley played the accompaniments. ■ Supper was handed round by the ladies. AVOOA. A very enjoyable ovening was spent at Avoca on Saturday night, when Mr R. Beresford entertained his friends at 'a social evening. The schoolroom was beautifully decorated with ferns and streamers, and the shado»l lights gave a very'pleasing effect. The entertainment consisted mainly of dancing, excellent music being provided by Mr Moyle'B Jazz Band, while items were given by Messrs Sugden, McClymont, and Morgan. The supper was sumptuous and much appreciated by all. The evening was brought to a close by the guests giving three hearty cheers for their host. Mr A. Johns acted as M.C. ASHBUETON. " At the final meeting of the present members of the Ashburton Borough Council, the Mayor (Mr. R. Galbraith) referred to the work which had been done during the past year, and thanked the councillors'for the loyal support they had always accorded him, and trusted the new Council would work together as amicably as the present Council had done. A report was received from Mr F. J. Williams, the drainage engineer, stating that satisfactory progress was being made with the work,- and that it was anticipated that the scheme .would, be completed within the estimated cost. It was decided to •grant a sum of £2O towards a public subscription that is being got up for Mr; S. P.' McCallum, the Rhodes scholar. • OERALDINE.

At the Methodist Church the harvest thanksgiving services: were largely attended, the Rev. J. .Featherston being the. weacher. Qn ..Wednesday afternoon ithe annual, sale in connection with the hairekt-thanksgiving was-held, and in the absence of the Mayor was opened by the Deputy-Mayor, Mr T. Sherratt. The several Btalla were presided over by the/following:—Mesdames Feather* ston, Sutherland, Cliff, Undrill, Grayburrt,N. Sherratt, ,W. Fyfe, Henry, Anderson, Cotterellj and Neutze, and Misses Logan, Pratt,. A. Sherratt, Chiverson, Henry, W. Undrill, South, Cotterell, and Neutze, Messrs Grayburn. South, and Watson having charge of the- farm produce. The sale realised over £IOO. . Much interest is being taken in the election of Mayor and councillors. For the former position Mr B. R. Macdonald. the present Mayor, and Mr Edward Hardcastle have been nominated, and for the Council.the candidates are: —Messrs Flatnian, G. Gale, J. Kennedy, E. Logan, G. McGregor, Dr. Paterson, G.. Patrick. T. Sherratt, W. A. Sherratt.'C. Stock,. J. Sutherland, A South, and W. T. Turner.