THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17472, 5 June 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Jottings for Farmers. "One of the things which deters New Zealand farmers from getting good bulls nowadays is that they have no market for their steer calves ana are consequently killing 6o niany 0 them,"- remarked tlie Director-Gen-eral of Agriculture, Dr. C. J. Keakes, to a Manawatu "-Standard" representative regarding tho preponderance of scrub bulls in the Dominion s dairy herds. Dr. Reakes added that his department would welcome the compulsory culling of herds, provided the farmers would agree to such a step. There lay the difficulty, however. Mr A. Dickens brought forward rather a novel, but nevertheless valuable, proposal at a meeting in Dannevirke of the Southern Hawke s Bay Farmers' Unioji in the direction 01 asking the Tourist Department to place at the disposal of farmers and otheis small pieces of picturesque ground adjacent to towns as a camping ground for those desiring this form of holiday. He believed (reports the "News") that if such camping grounds were set aside they would become very popular in the summer months, and Mould serve to inculcate in the rising generation a love of Nature. The president (Mr R. S. Chadwick) expressed his sympathy with tho proposal, "but thought that now was not the time to bring it before the Government. Mr Dickens did not press the matter, the chairman undertaking to bring it before the Advisory Board of the Farmers' Union at a later date. BELFAST. On Friday evening the members of Court Star of Belfast, A.0.F., held th ■ annual social in the Town Hall. 111. function was a pronounced success both from a social and a financial point of view. About fifty couples participated in the grand march, led by the Chief Ranger, Bro. E. Rudkin, and Mrs Rudkin. The only dark spot that occurred during the evening was when the lights failed, but some candles were quickly procured and when placed round the room reminded some of the older ones present of more primitive days. However, after a lapse of half an hour the lights again burned brightly "and the former favourable conditions were, restored. The ball room was nicely decorated with members' certificates and bannerettes in green and red effect, and Messrs W. Price and B. Waites made very efficient Masters of Ceremonies. The music was supplied by Mr Reg. VVoods's band. rangioba. Owing to the rain all football and hockey matches were postponed on Saturday. * With the view of stimulating more interest in their Association, the Rangiora branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association held a smoke concert on Saturday night. Dr. L. B. Burnett, president of the branch, presided. Tnere was a large attendance of members and friends. Sengs and musical items were given, and various' toasts were honoured. A very enjoyable evening was epent. Amongst the visitors was the Mayor, Mr W. A. Banks, who proposed the toast or the Returned Soldiers' Association, and Cr. Jennings. It was decided to hold fortnightly dances on alternate Saturnights, commencing on June ,17th. eakaia. On the Rakaia Domain on Saturday afternoon a football match was played between teams from the Rakaia Schoolboys' Club, comprising boys from primary and secondary schools and tha Methven Boys' Club. The game resulted in a win for Rakaia by 9 points (three tricß) to 5 points (one converted try;. Mr R. Breach was referee. ASHBURTON. The Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) presided over a fairly well attended meeting held in the Ashburton Borough Council Chambers, when Professor W. H. Pringle, of the Otago University, gave an addresa on "The League of Nations; What it is and What it Stands For." At the close of the address the Rev. George Miller proposed, and SJ. Irwin seconded, that a branch ot the League of Nations Union be formed ir. Ashburton. The motion was carried unanimously, and the following were appointed a committee: Rev. G. Miller, Pastor C. S. Matthews, Messrs >\ • Lane. M. Bruce, H. M. Jones, E. Buchanan, and Mrs E. Ruddock. Mr Matthews was appointed secretary, and all present were enrolled as members. A friendly match between 14 teams reprevnting the various county clubs was fired on the Ashburton miniature rifle range on Saturday night. A number of Ashburton footballers went to Timaru on Saturday to witness the seven-a-side tournament. There were many visitors from Ashburton, and a very large" number of the residents of Mt. Somers and surrounding districts on Saturday afternoon at tho ceremony of the laying of tlie foundation stone of the Soldiers' Memorial Hall, which is now in course of erection in the Mt. Somers Domain.