THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17418, 31 March 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Farmers.

In view of the serious, outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Britain stncD r precautions are being observed bv t I Xew Zealand authorities in guarding i .gainst the possible introduction ot diseased stick from abroad. 10 , thoroughbred horses, brought to Auckland this we<;k by the steamer por-et from England were transhipped to. the quarantine station at Motuim. they will be kept for a certain P™> then submitted 1o the Mallien test. The boxes in which the horses made the vovage from England, and also the feed left over, were taken tp the island t be destroyed.

The Liverpool Journal of Commerce of Februarv 4th contains the following;—"Tke' New Zealand Sheepowners Association, in acknowledgment of dot) to British seamen, have established a fund for the relief of seamen suffering from injuries received while on war service, or to their dependants, or to the dependants of seamen killed while on war service. The term 'seaman includes all persons employed on board ship. The committee charged with its distribution was requested to extend its grants to applicants who, owing to 'ack of funds, the Mercantile Marine Service Association was unable to a6Sist. The application received a favourable reception, and the Association was requested to investigate and submit deserving cases. Over 200 applications have been since forwarded by the Association, and up to the time of going to press a number of these have been awarded assistance, the Association having received £643 _lßs 6d, which is being carefully administered in accordance with the needs of the applicants.' OURUHIA. A euchre match was played between Spencerville and Quruhia in t'neOuruhia. school, and after a moat enjoyable contest Ouruhia won by 63 games to 61. A wedding of intjrest was recently solemnised in the district, the contractinpr parties John Sharlick and Miss Campbell, daughter of Mr George Campbell, Burwood. . Somo very large crops of onions have been jrown in the district this season, notabW those of Messrs Sharhck and Schimanski, which average well over twenty tons to the acre. LADBROOKS. The weather dutins.the last few days has been verv cold, with frequent showers, which has prevented harvesting. The late pea crops and clover will be fathered in when tho weather permit-s. The potato :rops are looking very well, ;ncl aro reaping the benefit ot tibi showery weather. Most of the wliea , oats and barley has been threshed, and sent forward. Very little business in chaff is being dono at tho low price on Cft The Hall Committee is holding the first oi the winter ca-'d tournaments on April 4th. A grand concert and dance is to be held in aid of the piano fund on April 17th Mr Thompson s Concert Party from Christchurch will provide the programme. GREENDALE. The harvest thanksgiving in connexion with tho Greendale Baptist Church was held on Sunday and Monday last. Mr R. J. Twoso conducted service in the church both morning and evening. On Monday a large gatherinrr assembled for the tea and social evening. An enjoyable time was spent under the chairmanship of Mr Twose. Solos were given by Mrs Duncan and Misses Pannett and A. Shipley; duets by Mrs Duncan and Miss A. Shipley, and Messrs Barbour and Turner; a quartet by Misses Pannett and A. Shipley, Messrs Barbour and Turner; an organ solo by Mr Partridge, a cornet solo by Mr Juggernaut, a flute solo by Mr Barbour ; a violin solo by Mr A. W. Everett, instrumental items by the South Malvern party, and addresses by tho Rev. F. E. Leadley and Messrs Ba*>our and Turner. Votes of thanks to all who had contributed to the success of the gathering were carried by acclamation. . LEESTON. At the monthly meeting of the W.C.T.U., Mrs Fulham spoko of the impending departure from the district of Mrs Laycock, one of the vice-presii dents, and referred to the good work she had done- Mrs Gray, on behalf of the members, presented. Mrs Laycock with two Pyrex dishes as tokens of esteem. In acknowledging the gifts, Mrs Laycock said she would always remember the happy hours she had spent amongst the members. Songs were sung by Mrs Trollope and Mies SimpBon, and a dainty afternoon tea was provided by the ladies connected with the Presbyterian Church. On the occasion of her monthly visit Plunket Nurse Wilson 'saw about 40 mothers and children at Southbridge and Leeston. She gave a short address at Leeston on the value of milk as a food, and announced that at next meeting she would give a demonstration on the preparation of humanised milk, arid an address on foods. It was stated that Dr. Truby King was expected in Christchurch at the end of April, a.nd that he would visit Leeston and give an address. BROOKSIDE. In connexion with the harvest festival, a most successful concert was held at Brooksido under the auspices of the Methodist Church. The Rev. W. Laycock presided. Items were given by Mrs Croy, Misses Austin, Ramsey, Eade, Mitchell, Ebert, McLachlan, and Lill, and Messrs L. B. Wiison and "party (Dunsandel), Bert Shoat, Mitchell, and C- Nelson. Supper was provided by the ladies. In moving a vote of thanks to the performers, Mr J. Cunningham referred to the fact that the Rev. W. Laycock was about to leave the district, after being stationed at Leeston for five years. He spoke of the high regard in which Mr and Mrs Laycock were held by all sections of the community, to the tact shown by Mr Laycock, and to his work as a citizen. Mr Laycock, in acknowledging the words of appreciation, said he keenly regretted having to part with so many good friends in all parts of the Ellesmere county. ASHBURTON. At the annual meeting of the Ashburton Branch of the St. John Ambulance Association, the report disclosed a healthy state of affairs, and mentioned that the names of Mrs Matthews. Messrs W. C. J. Osmnn, E. McSherry, and W. E- B. Froggart had been forwarded to St. John's Gate f<Vr recognition of service. Thanks were extended to those members who had attended sports gatherings and race meetings at Ashburton. and Methven, and to the Ashburton Trotting Club, the Ashburton Gala trustees, and Dr. C. V. Baigent for donations.