THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18216, 29 October 1924, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

i METROPOLITAN SHOW. I ; EXCELLENT ENTRIES IN SHEEP ' CLASSES. I j F'/i the rirst time since li'l-l me entries or sheep for the Canterbury A. and P. Association's Metropolitan Show have ranched the thousand mark and. curiouslv enough, the entries received to date for this year's show number exactiy the san.e as in H'l4 the total" being 10*1. The highest entry of sheep r.t the Metropolian Show was in 3906 —the Internationa! Exhibition Shcv —when 'h- 1 total rca.idifd 1070. Tiie following table gives "he nunioer of entries received of each breed "t sheep, with the figures for f° r comparison Mirnoses: 102-1. 192/ i. Merino . . . . 1 41i Engli-s'u Leicester .. J"I > .Border Leicester .. ~ 1 Lincoln .. .. lioamry . . . . I'-t Southdown .. .. i'-t Shropshire . . . . Kyeland . . .. 44 r Corriedaie •. -6" -' lo Half-bred .. .. 4 7 Fat Sheep .. 53 »' Wool anii Mutton Competitions .. ' J Totals .. 1001 i'- 1 The increases this year as compared with last year are:—Merinos, ; Corrieilales. 40; fat sheep. 20: Ryelands, 10; halfdireds, 9. The decreased are: Border Leic-esters and Komneys, 20 each: Sonthdowns, 17: Shropshire?, 15; and Leicesters, 14. Ail the wool and mutton competitions have filled. Fur the Merino competition there are six entries, for the Corriedaie 4 ive 'entries, and for the half-bred throe entries. In the jumping competitions there are 145 entries this year as compared with 140 last year. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. A •■Precis" representative who took a week-end trio through North Canterbury as' l'ar as Parnassus had an opportunity ol realising the tremendous progress made by all classes of growth since a .similar visit five weeks before. Crops which were then only- a few inches high in tho Omihi district- are now about a foot, lu the 100 miles traversed it would ho difficult to pick out a district where the crops are disappointing. Tho rain of the previous week-end approximated over a very wide area quite two inches, ami this was supplemented by another good fall last Monday night, so that there should bo a reserve of moisture in the soil sufficient to carry crops along well to tho shooting stage. Some early sown autumn crops of oats are already showing well in ear. There appears to have been a fair spring sowing in the upper end of the Omihi Valley, and tho conditions have rarely been so favourable as this spring for a good getaway. The Omihi Valley, from the saddle', presents a fine sight at the present time. The Cheviot • district has largely gone over to pasture this past few years, dairy herds and flocks near the township, and flocks beyond it apparently almost _ entirely supplanting cereal production. The extensive downs between Mackenzie and Parnassus are looking particularly well. Altogether, it would seem that North Canterbury has recovered from the effects of the dry spell to a degree that ensures a really good season.

Stock generally in North (Canterbury have wintered well, though there are Hocks of ewes that apparently had a lean time during the dry spell. However, it was not to an extent that affected Jambs very seriously, the total absence of a real wintry burst being responsible for this. Lambs invariably are looking in great heart, nnd as* the pasture hardens tliis next month with the advance of summer, the proportion of lambs got away to the works off the mothers should be larger than usual. Early dropped lambs seem to be more numerous than usual in North Canterbury, and the chances are that sufficient will be ready for the works off the mothers to justify a prompt pre-Christmas opening of the factories. Judging from tho road, the percentage of lambs appears to be good.

The "old man" flood of May,' 1923, played havoc with a number of bridges in North Canterbury, and resident# north of the Greta who aro not as young as tliev used to be are wondering if they will live long enough to see reconstruct ion completed. Several water-courses which were previously imbridged are now bciijg spanned) and it is reasonable to assume that this ivork was not so necessary as the reconstruction of the destroyed bridges The appearance of tho latter indicates that as much wurk has»£till to be dono to complete them as has been put through iu the 18 months since the flood. The shearing of dry sheep is well advanced on Plains farms, and a start has been made on some of the stations with hoggets. Reports are to tho effect that the wool is light this season. RANGIORA. At the monthly meeting of th&Rangiora. United Band of Hope, the programme was: Pianoforte solo, Winnie Gibson; recitations, Jean McMillan ana Sybil Gibson; vocal solos, Edna Stringer and Albs Barbara Simpson; violin solo, Air J. Mathieson, accordion solo. Mr E. Johnson, and selections by the D*<\ r k Town Novelty Band. The address tor the evening was given by Mr J. JMatthews. The accompaniments «"ere played by Mrs Simpson (piano) and Mr J. Mathieson (violin). „The arrangements for holding the final meeting were left in the hands of the secretary (Mr C. D. Gibson). HORORATA. A public meeting to elect a. nen Domain Board wis held in the ball. Air H. Oliver presided and briefly explained the position, stating that word had been received from the .Minister of Internal Affairs that the present Board would go out of office at the- encl of the present year, and asking thai.- a, meeting should be cad led to sue the residents an opportunity of electing a> new Board, which would talce over control iu January next. Mr A. spoke in eulogistic terms of the v.orK ox the Board ;ukl congratulated members upon the fine- asset they h«id built up for Hororata. Mr Ironside s remarks were endorsed by acclamation. The following is the personnel of the new Board: —Messrs H. Oliver, L. Deirett. H. H. Thorne. W. Ihwaites. O. Hall, H. Bovle. and W. Chapman. Mr •J. Hockridge did not seek re-election. The new members are Messrs Boyle and Chapman. . The progressive euchre tournament, organised by -Mrs G. C. Perrett m aid of the church fete funds, proved aver, successful function. The prizes for le evening were presented by Mrs -"j 11 '®-* and won bv Mrs G. Chapman and -Ir A. Oliver. ' Mrs Ingrain and Mr Cray took the consolation prizes.

AMBERLEY

j A. the acncal meeting of the Nona '.antorbury Caledonian" Society Mr ! Angus Cameron presided. Tho chairman . 11 mention .of the death of Mr A. McKay, who was a .t• ip er to tho ; Society, and moved a motion of >vm- | I' at hy with the relatives. The motion was carried, ail standing in silence. Jho balance-sheet was adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron. Dr. Thompson: president. Air Angus Cameron; vi,-e----l? ro ; sui<? nt.s. Messrs J. Munro. W. H. 4 V i • P. Coleman, i'.. chamberlain. A. I)arg:e. G. Fulton, X. D. Campbell. A. Kelcher, 11. T. Little, John Little. T. Lindsay. G. N. McLean, W. Mcintosh. R. McDonald, \V. \V. Mcßae. li. Mcintosh, D. McLaren, T. Meikle, J. O Carrol, C. S. XhomaiJ, A. R. Turnbull. Jas. J. Wyiiie. M. McDonald. .1. Flemm;ng. J. Russell, B. Ferguson, A. Gillanders. J. K. Forrester. W. TisdalL T. A. ( reft, and G. D. Greenwood. It was decided to affiliate with the Piping and Dancing Association. The programme was discussed, and after son;: alterations it. was passed, to be forwarded to the different centres for their approval. It was decided to engage the Caledonian Pipe Band for the sports. Mr J. C. Croft, president of the Amberlev Breeders' Association, aas present, and said ho would haw all care possible taken so that the track would not be damaged. ! S W ANN AN OA. J The spacious and charming grounds of Mr and Mrs James Petrie were the scene of a garden party and sale of work held by the host and hostess' on I'riday last in aid of the purchase of a new altar elo'th for the Swannanoa Anglican Church. The function was largely attended, visitors coming from all around the district. Various competitions, such as candle-lighting, blindfold driving, cork spearing, and tennis caused the afternoon to pass most pleasantly, as well as considerably augmenting the fund. Mr and Mrs Petrie and the members of their family were indefatigable in the entertainment of their guests, who went away highly pleased with the afternoon's entertainment. Among those present wero Mr and Mrs D. Chapman (West Eyreton), Mr and Mrs J. White, Mr and Mrs Forsyth (Springbank), Mr and Mrs A. W. Newton (Olioka), Mrs M. J. Dixon and Miss A. Dixon (West Eyreton), Mrs J. Winter and Miss Winter, Mrs Verrall and Miss Verrall, Mrs Wolff (Ilorrelville), Mrs J. E. Horrell (Horrelville), Mrs Boyd (West Eyreton), Mrs Searle, Misses Addinell (3) (West Eyreton), C. Barker, Atkinson, and White. Many of the guests assembled again in the evening for a dance in the large granary, which had been specially decorated and lighted for the occasion, and a very enjoyable evening was spent to music provided by the ladies present. PREBBLETON. A tennis match, played by the Prebbleton A team against Templeton, on the latter's courts on Saturday afternoon, resulted in a win for the visiting team by seventeen games. The holiday on Monday was graced by glorious weather. A large number attended the. various sport 3 meetings held in nearby districts, while others seized the opportunity to picnic at suitable spots within easy reach. Saturday, November Ist. is the dedication festival of All Saints Church, and will be observed by special services on that day, and on the following Sunday, when Archdeacon Taylor will occupy the pulpit at the evening service. * This year, contrary to custom, there will be" no anniversary tea-meet-ing. . Mrs Kimber, who has been suffering from eye trouble for a, considerable time, has so far recovered as to beable to return home, but the condition of her eyes iB. still far from satisfactory. At a meeting of the'- All Saints Social Committee, held to wind up matters in connexion with the series of euchre tournaments held during the past winter, the secretary reported a small credit balance, and it was agreed to hand this to the superintendent of the Sunday School as a donation towards the prize funds. On. Thursday the . tea-meeting and concert in aid of the Presbyterian Church will take place in the Hall. It is expected that there will be a record attendance, and a musieal treat is promised in the concert programme which will be given by the Kaiapoi Presbyterian Choir. Mrs A. Welsh recently had the misfortune to break two bones in her arm through a collision between the gig she was driving and a car driven by a lady motorist. CHERTSEY. At the final euchre tournament of the season, Mr F. Ironside controlled the games. The ladies' prizes-for the evening were won by Miss A. Leamy, with 118 points, Miss E. Ironside being second with 113, and Mrs A. Garland third with 111 points. Mr P. Shepherd won the men's prize with 124 points, Mr J. Garland being second with 123, and Mr A. McLauchlan third with 117 points. The aggregate prizes (ladies') were won by Mrs A. M. McLauchlan with 1584 points, Miss Bita Ironside being second with 14G9 points, and Mrs H. Murchie third with 1447_ points. The prize for the winners was given by Mr P. Shepherd. The aggregate prizes for gentlemen were won by Mr A. Doig with 1558 points, Mr J. Garland being second with 1554 points, and Mr A. McLauchlan third with 1502 points. A special prize, given by Mrs A. McLauchlan, for theJiighest aggregate not winning a prize during the year, was won by Mrs A. Doig with 1324 points. The chairman, Mr Andrew Doig, congratulated the members on the very successful year just terminated. He mentioned that they had rinished up with a small credit balance, which was due chiefly to the fact that the music for the short' dances held each evening had been contributed voluntarily. He therefore thanked those who had contributed the music, and also all members of the committee for their assistance during the year. A dance followed, for which Mr W. P.ankin supplied the music, extras being given by Mrs B. Ironside (piano) and Mr H. Newsome (cornet). Mr F. Ironside acted .as M.C. . , Mr Chas. Ward, who was senpusly injured in a motor accident in Ashburton some time ago, is now able to get about a little. . The attendance at the local school is being seriously affected by an epidemic of measles. Miss M. Andrews (Christcnureh) spent last week with her sister, Mrs H. K. Wilkinson, of "Higham." Miss Nancy Wilkinson (Christchurch) and Mr Vernon Wilkinson are at present visitors at "Higham." The Domain presented a very animated appearance on Saturday afternoon, when the Athletic and Cyeling Club'held its meeting. Tennis was also in progress. The Domain Board has felled the pine trees on the east side of the Domain, thus leaving it more exposed than before. Hopes are expressed that the plantations on the south and north sides will be spared for the sake of the protection thev afford.

XIAXMER SPRINGS. Ilanmcr was crowded with visitors tor tho holiday. Private car owners, and they numerous, report that they found tho roads in excellent order and the conditions were ideal for the journey. For a few hours cn Saturday morning there was every appearance r.-f :i sixth wet tiaturday in succession, hut alter a sharp thovrer cf half an hour's duration tho weather cleared audi remained pleasant throughout-. Tho erieket match between Culverden A and the local team was played on iSatuniay. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, and their side was dismissed for 50 runs. Haniuer equalled this scoro for 4 wickets, thus winning t.ho game bv- six wickets on a one innings game. To make -in afternoon's play the winners went on batting and knocked up 103 runs. For Culvcrden Maxwell, vith 13 runs, was tlie only batsman to make a stand, and he also secured tho bowling honours with 4 wickets for .30. For the winners Hannay 33. Itutherfofd 23. Dawson 10. and Chisholm 11 batted best, -uul the best "howling averages were secured by Webb. 2 wickets for 7 runs; Sowerby and Cbishoi'.m, each 2 for 5 runs. Afternoon tea. was dispensed by Mrs Webb. The umpires were Messrs J. W. Seek up and V. Fredericksen. Han-' mcr's second game in the competition will be played against R-otherham next Saturday on the latter's ground. The Public Works officials in Christchurch were recently interviewed by ;i prominent resident in regard to tho prospect of electric power being available generally when the new iron pipe line is installed in connexion with the high pressure water supply. He wasi informed that facts and figures were under consideration, but it was ouite unlikely that power woukl Ik; available. Ir, was pointed out. that an extra expenditure of £14,000 would' be involved to ensure a permanent and reliable scheme, and this was quite out of the question at tho present time. The executive of the Golf Club took' in hand the entertainment of the com-/ niunity during the holiday, and turned the occasion to good account for the benefit of the pavilion debt extinction fund. On Saturday and Monday nights danees were held, which were largely attended, and proved very enjoyable. On Monday afternoon competitions took place on the links, which drew a lot of players, who keenly contested the various events. OXFORD. At a meeting of the Oxford Domain Board there were present: Messrs F. Dobenham (chairman,) A. Baxter anil G. Ryde. The chairman's action in getting the cricket ground rolled was approved. Tenders for leasing the View ITill Domain were then opened, and that of Mr J. W. Taylor accepted. The tender of Messrs G. Smith and Son for a new fence in front of the grand stand in Pearson Park was accepted. It was unanimously agreed to have a sand pit put in i'or the children to play in, the caretaker to do the necessary work, also to remove the old fence in Pearson Park. It was agreed that a rail be erected to prevent cyclists riding around the tennis courts, and that notices be.posted up prohibiting the riding of bicycles through the Domain gardens. On Saturday night a social was held in the Coronation Hall by the member-si of the Methodist Young People's Biblo Class and Choir to bid farewell to Mr A. Rossiter, who is leaving the district. Short addresses wore given by Mrs Comyns and Messrs A. Newport, L. Wateon, and T. Featlierston. On behalf of the members of the Bible Class Mr Rossiter was presented with a fountain pen as a token of regard. Songs, games, and supper completed a pleasant evening. AKAROA. A number of the members of the Commercial Travellers' Association spent the week-end in Akaroa. On Saturday evening their concert party delighted a large audience in the Oddfellows' Hall with the various items of a good programme. The performers included Mrs "\V. Joll and Messrs J. H. Cocks, S. L. Dettricr, A. T. Reid, W. Drake, W. B. Crowhurst, W. Joll, and E. Bartlctt. The part-songs, of which there were a number, were particularly appreciated. Mr Worslev acted as accompanist. During an interval, Mr Geo. Armstrong, Mayor of Akaroa, reminded the audience that the visitors had once more given their services in aid of a very worthy object, the raising of funds to erect a suitable fence around the Peninsula War Memorial site. He thanked the Association very warmly for its valued and much appreciated help, and announced that the financial results of the concert would be a very acceptable addition to the funds. On Saturday afternoon and again on Monday morning, the bowlers among the party spent a pleasant time on Ihe Akaroa Bowling Club's green, playing friendly matches, with varying results, against local representatives. Mr T. Lewitt has recently acquired a business in Woodend, and will be leaving Akaroa with his family towards the end of November. During his twenty-odd years spent in the town, Mr Lewitt lias taken a prominent and very active part in the public and social life of the place. He was for sonic eleven years a member of the Borough Council, being chairman of the Finance and Lighting Committee when the borough installed its hydro-electric scheme; he has served as chairman and member of the District High School Committee; he is one of the executive officials of both the Patriotic Society and the Peninsula War Memorial Society; he is a vice-presi-dent of the Boating Club, and secretary of the Bowling Club, having -served as president of both- institutions: while in regard to church matters both he and Mrs Lewitt have been loyal and active supporters of the Presbyterian Church, taking a prominent part in all its activities. Their departure from Akaroa, therefore, will be viewed with extreme regret. For Labour Day the weather was beautifully fine. The main attraction was the formal opening of the boating season, which ceremony took place at the Akaroa Club's sheds, where a very fair number of those interested had assembled. The president of the club, Mr Geo. Armstrong, in declaring the season open, alluded to the failure of the effort to have the championship regatta allotted to Akaroa. He regretted the position, for he felt sure that the town would have made a success of the great aquatic event of the Dominion. A short programme of events was then carried out, the results of the final heats beings as under fall events were rowed as pair oars): —Boys: Graham Hall, and Leslie Robinson, L Men: N. Hammond and E. May, 1. Mixed crew: Miss Rhodes and Erie May, 1. Afternoon tea was dispensed by a number of the ladies. In the evening the customary social gathering was held. LEESTON. The annual church parade of tho Loyal Leeston Lodge of Oddfellows was held last Sunday morning. About 40 brethren, headed by the Ellesmere Brass Band, marched to the Methodist Church, where the Rev. A. O. Harris gave an address on "The Demands of Friendship.''

HORNBY-ISLINGTON. The sixteenth anniversary tea and social in connexion with St. David's Presbyterian Church, Hornby, was held in the Orange Hall. After tea a lantern lecture on the Panama Canal was delivered by Air D. A. Morton, of I Islington. Mr Blakcly acting as operator. Songs were given bv Misses Mea-ie and E. Price. Messrs Allott and C. Donaldson, the accompanists Misses Curragh and Mackie. The Rev. Reid. who is now in charge of the Hornbv parish, complimented the workers on the excellent manner in which thev had catpred for such a. iargo crowd, and thanked the artists and the lecturer for their willing assistance. The ladies in charge of the decorations and tea tables were as follow: —Mosdames Pemberton, Le Roi, liowntrcc. Still, Tippett, Hamilton, Lloyd, J. Bigham, Mcllwraith. Hepburn. Robertson, S. Lennox, Donaldson, Grant, Henry. Brassington. Misses L. Dodge, l\. Beat tic. O. XTalliday, T>. Henderson, Haviliy I. AfcKcnzic, L. S?. Manliirc. GREENPARK. Owing to the prevalence of measles in the Greenpark district, it has been necessary to close the school for another week. RAKAIA. The mission services which have been conducted at Rakaia by the Rev. John Bispett have been very well attended. Tho week-night services have been held in St. Andrew's Church, but Sunday night's service was held in the Ralcaia Hall, and every seat was occupied. On Monday night Mr Rissett's lecture on Billy Sunday was given, and was listened to with a great deal of interest. MAYFIELD. The visit of the Willowby Choir to Mayfield will long be remembered. The programme set a standard $n music that is very rarely heard in the remoter districts". The choir, numbering twenty-two members, has been under the condnctorship of Mr A. S. Hayman for a large number of years, and is trained to an almost perfect degree, both in vocal and instrumental music. The choral parts, including the chanting of the Te Deuin and the anthems "Sing and Rejoice," "The Radiant Morn" (Woodward), and "What Are These?" were listened to with an appreciation possibly only to sacred classical music. Other items included a piano solo, Miss Chapman; song, Miss E. Hayman; solos. Miss Harries and Miss Lill; violin solos, Messrs Lush and G. Chapman; vocal and instrumental quartettes; glee, "Softly Fall the Shades of Evening," by the choir: duet, Mr and Mrs R. J. Chapman; recitations, Miss Harries and Mr G. H. B. Lill. At the close of the concert the choir was heartily thanked for a kind of entertainment that is unhappily becoming too rare, particularly in outlying parts, where good choirs are comparatively few, and the lighter forms of music predominate. The motion of thanks was proposed by Mr A. Be'eson, and seconded by Mr T Bennett. Mr A. S. Hayman responded on behalf of the choir, and reminded the audience that possibly twenty years had passed since the last visit of the Willowby choir to Mayfield. Their present visit had afforded them the liveliest pleasure, i METHVEN. The weather was on its best behaviour for the opening of various sports clubs on Saturday, -when practically the whole of Metiivcn residents, along with a good attendance of visitors from Ashburton and Rakaia, turned out to the Domain. The Ladies' Croquet Club made a successful start with their season, and before play was commenced Mrs IT. A. Xickolls ("president) welcomed the members, also the team from Ashburton, and visitors, and trusted that the season would be an enjoyable one. Attention was also drawn to the handsome new pavilion just completed, which the members would doubtless appreciate. It was also desired that members should keep their interest up in the club, as new greens were in course of preparation, which would undoubtedly benefit all. Before opening, the president called on Mr H. A. Nickolls to play up the first ball. A progressive tournament was then played for a trophy presented by the club. This was won by Miss Hoskins, of Ashburton, with 45 points, Mrs J. L. Newman being runner-up with 35. In opening the Bowling Club's season, Mr H. A. Nickolls (the president) extended a welcome to all, especially to those bowlers who had journeyed* from Rakaia and Ashburton to assist. He apologised for the absence of Messrs Morgan (past president), S. Smith, Jv. Aitken, and A. .T. Benzie, the club's representatives on the Christchurch Centre. Before plav was commenced he called 011 Mrs 11. A. Xickolls to roll up the first bowl. Several rinks were played, and an enjoyable afternoon's bowling resulted. On Sunday afternoon the township was gay with the bright uniforms of some 80 visiting firemen, 'who had beeu motored up from Ashburton in about .30 motor-cars. Accompanying the party were the members of the Ashburton Highland Pipe Band, who gave the residents a delightful concert. Before leaving for Ashburton the visitors were entertained to afternoon tea. Messrs E. A. O'M alley and W. (jf. H'illier, of Ashburton, were in charge of the party. lu the Town Hall on November -Ith "The Gay Galateers," front Ashburton, will give a concert.