THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17419, 1 April 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Farmers. Mi* F. Fairey, of Nelson, has sent two fat cattle to compete at the 100 th show of tho New South Wales Royal Agricultural Society. Tho cattle comprise one pure-bred Herelord bullock and on 3 pure-bred fat Shorthorn cow.- Theso cattle have won many prizes in all parts of the Dominion. Tliis is the sixth <:cc;veion M>- Fairey has been represented at the Sydney Show, and ;iie is hopetul that these two fine exhibits will upho.a New Zealand's reputation.

This last week of bad weather (says the "Clutha Free Press' ) has just about 'tilled the prospects for the harvest m South Ota go. according to many far-mer-authorities. Crop that has been in fitook for five or six weeks is showing die effects of tho weather, and when the grain docs come to be threshed out there will be a large proportion of second and third-class stuff. There aro farms in this district where wheat has been in stcok for six weeks, and it i 3 now badly sprouted, and will be only lit for second grade fowl wheat. Old residents state that it is ten years sinoa ilherc was suoli a bad harvest eeason.

A terrifying was gono through recently in the Iving Country during a thunderstorm by two women milkers whose menfolk had been detained some miles away by the storni. Just when half the cows lhad b-rcn milked and the evening was drawing to a close, a fierce and vivicl flash of liglisning struck the milking shed. lhe cows seemed to become completely bewildered and swayed as if they had received a shock, for - the lightning struck tho buckets of tho milkers, w'iu noticed a peculiar sulphuric smell. Both cows in tho bails fell nearly over, and one of the milkers thought slio would bo crushed to death by the heavy weight of tho cow, but by a great effort the cow regained 'her feet and stood quite ! still. "The other milker was thrown clear at the time tho cow she was milking heeled over. Both women stuck to their work notwithstanding their alarming experience. BELFAST. A very pleasant gathering took place at the Belfast School on Thursday afternoon, tho occasion being a. send-off to Mr W. A. Bond, assistant master, w'ho is leaving to take up a position a.tine tSomerfield School. The teachers at tho main schools had arranged a programme by the school children, which was given most acceptably. Mr W. P. Spencor (chairman of tho School Committor) said tho committee were exceedingly sorry to lose the services of Mr Bond, but recognised that Belfast's lo?s would .beSo me r field's gain. Mr Bond had worthily upheld the traditions of tho Belfast Schol. The Rev. 11. Roberts,, in endorsing the remarks of the cnairman, said that Mr Bond's services had been invaluable in connexion with the Boy Scouts' cause, and wished (him every success in his new position. Mrs W. P. Spencer then presented Mr Bond, on behalf of tho committee,' teachei?, residents, and children, with a tennis racquet, and wished him' every success in his future career. Miss N. Madams presented liim with a 6ilver-r.>ountod cigarette holder, and the Standard IV. cirls gave him a fountain pen. Mr Bond, wlho was received with clieers, said he was exceedingly y to sever his connexion with the 001. _ He > had made many friends during his bojourn there, and his relations with, the coinniitteo had been most cordial.

SOUTHBEOOK The monthly meeting of the School Committee was held on Wednesday. _Mr A. Mcintosh presiding. A letter was received from the Board, stating that tho school has been awarded first prize for garden plots, and tho sum of 30s was sent, which. was to be spent in buying material for the garden. The number of scholars on the roll was 167, witir tin average of 153. It was decided to hold the -balance of the sports, left over on the school p,icnic day, on the Thursday before Eastor. The question of putting the school bath in repair canio up for discussion, and it was decided to get an estimate of the cost, and bring up tlhe matter at the householders' meeting.

ASHBURTON. The folowing officers were elected at the annual meeting of the AsJiburton branch of the St. John Ambulance Society: President, Mr H. M. Jones; vicepresidents, Misses A. P. llaven and X. Btilleid; committee, Mesdameis I. Matthews and C. 11. Alington, Misses N. Watson, H. Lockwood, Messrs Jos. MaElhinnery, G. V. Furby, H. 11. C. MoElrea, C. E. Challis, P. Butler, and C. Deliow, together with Mr A. N. Silcock, and Nurse M. Froude, superintendents ex officio, and secretary and treasurer, Mr W. ,C. J. Osman. Certificates of efficiency were awarded as under Label, Mrs M. Matthewo and Miss H. Lnckwood. Medallion, Misj t. Muirhead, Mr<3 N. F. Reeves, and Mr W. C. J. Osman. Home nursing, Mrs G. It. Alington, Misses I. McConochie, R.. Morris, I. M. Muirlioad, M. E. MiElb, H. Thompson, F. E. Vesty, and Mrs A. Wisely. First aid, Misses H. M. Jones, G. V. Furby, P. Butler, S. Grant, C. Dellow, C. S. Hawkey, and F. H. Osman, Mesdames C. E. Alington and A. A. Wis'.ey, Misses E. Thompson, M. E. Nish, F. E. Vesty, M. Long, M. K. Lloyd, I. E. Digby, L. A. A. Brown, 1. McConochie, It. Morris, F. Fountaine, and M. McDowell.

HANMER SPRINGS. Mrs R. T. Greenhill left on Thursday; for her now iiomo in A'apier, where she will ba joined later by Mr Greenhill, who has been appointed an instructor at the Technical School there. Mrs Greenhill has taken a considerable interest in cliuroli matters, and at a recent meeting the l'ol.owing resolution was carried, on the motion of the vicar, Canon T. J. Smith: '"This meeting desires to place on record its hearty appreciation of the services rendered to the church by Mrs Greenhill in the capacity of organist." It is intended that Mrs Greenhill's sendees shall receive practical recognition. A meeting of footballers was held recently, when it was decided to discontinue'the haphazard methods of the past few seasons and to resuscitate the club. Twenty-four players from amongst the Queen Mary Hospital staff and the residents signified their intention to take an active part in the game, and it is passible their numbers will be supplemented later. It was decided to open the season with a game against a Culver den team, and to hold a djnee on Monday to raise funds. The following officials were elected: President, Dt. CUisholm; vice-presidents, l>rs. Baxter and Sowerby, Messrs E. Chappel!, W. G. Morrison, G. 0. Rutherford, W. Banmer- Atkinson, J. Dodds, Jas. Smith, and S. L. Kingsbury; captain, Mr A. J. Pullan; lion, secretary and treasurer, Mr J, W. Stevens; committee, Mes-xs Morrison, Pulhn, Fredericksen, \Vebb, Carson, and Itainey.

omihi. A large and enthusiastic meeting of footballers and supporters was held to dissass the prospects of forming a football club, and also to enter a team to tcJie part in the various events at tits V/aikaxi sports on Easter Monday. Mr J. Sloss was in tho cJiair. It was unanimously decided to form a. football ciub, and to communicate with the other clubs in the Waipara County witn a view to forming a Waipara. Sub-union, nn'i to affiliate vntih. the Canterbury Jttugby Union. Subscriptions for members were fixed at os. It was further decided to purchase black jerseys for members of the team. A social in aid of tho club funds is to be held on April 7th. The election of officers was held over till a future meeting. It was resolved to assist the W aikari Sports (Jiub as fax as possible, and a team of

competitors will take part in tho various events. It 'ia also hoped that a junior squad will represent the locU school. EAKA2A. Tho suggestion has boon made that now that so much grain is l>eing hauled by tractkn-enpne on the Rnkaia roads, r.nd the surface consequently being so much damaged, that it would be a good plan to u-e ..the Road Board's smaller grader to 511 in the ruts while the hauling is in progress. Thus at tho nest trip of the hauler the driver could not travel in the worn track and 60 further (lamago the roadway. It is suggested that this would be more satisfactory than endeavouring to enforce the bylaws. Miss P. Midler, 'of Ashbnrton, has been appointed probationer at tho Rakaia Public School. It is worthy of note thnu the entries of sheep at tho Rakaia stock 6alc3 (havo been very much larger this year than formerly. Last year the entries were on many occasions almost negligible, but lately the rood prices realised at auction havo induced many farmers to forward stock. Tho operations nf | dealers have also helped to 6well tho* numbers. DOKIE. A very larga number gathered In tho Ardannno Hall at I>orie to say farewell to .Mr and Mrs Arthur Stewart and family, who arc leaving for Rakaia aftei' a residence of many years. There were visitors present from Rakaia and othe' par to. The presentation consisted of a pair of Morris chairs, and was made by Mr Straelvan. Mr Stewart briefly returned thanks on behalf of himself and family. Tho music for the dance was provided bv .Rankin's band, and Mr J. Baker was M.C. Tho annual meeting of tho Dori-3 Miniature Riflo Club was held in tho Ardamino Hall at Dorio. Tho report and balance sheet were adopted, there being a credit of £3 "s lOd. Tl'io da to of tho opening night was not fixed, na tho club Ikvs under consideration the building of a new range. The following officers were elected: Patron, tho Hon. \V. Nosworthy; president, Mr J. Lambio; vice-presidents, Messrs AV. Harrison, H. Muckle, I>. Carruthers, H. Harrison, G. S. Hardy, Robert Baxter, A. Stewart, R. H. Thompson, W. Lambie, R. Harrison, P. Dolan, Geo. Butler, H. Sprott, jun., and J. Baxter; committee, Messrs D. Banks, L. Harrison, M. Kingsbury, E. Ilyland, 0. Harrison, S. Smith, A. Harrison, C. E. Curry, W. Carruthers, T. A. Richards, . B. Kingsbury, and J. Baker; secretaryand treasurer, Mr D. G. McKie.