TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18903, 19 January 1927, Page 6

TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS.

TIMARU.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Mr and Mrs H. Smith (Greymouth) are expected in Timaru shortly. Mr and Mrs Walter Raymond and family (Park lane) are back from a holiday at Moeraki.

Archdeacon and Mrs Haggitt (Christchurch), who were in Timaru, left for Dunedin yesterday. Mrs N. K. Cox (Wai-iti road) intends to leave for Mount Cook to-morrow on a fortnight's holiday. Mr Justice Shutt (Melbourne), who was at Claremont with Major and Mrs W. N. Bond, has left for England. Mr and Mrs A. H. Mujr (Sarah street) returned yesterday from a visit \o Canon and Mrs Kice (Waipukurau). Mrs Kedinoncl Neill and family (Mount Somers) are expected in Timaru to-day.

Mrs Broadway and children (Christchurch) are spending a holiday in Timaru.

Mrs C. N. Orbell, who was with Mrs Melville Jameson, is now with Mr and Mrs W. H. Qrbeli, at the Levels. Mrs D. H. Turnbull and family (Christchurch) and Mr and Mrs Oswald Smith (Dunedin) are at present in Timaru.

' Passengers who left for the Hermitage yesterday included Mr Wood (Christchurch), Mr K. Pratt (Dunedin), Colonel Houston, Mr and Miss Huggett, Mr, Mrs, and Master Dovonport (Auckland), Misses Fulton and' Grimwade (Dunedin), Misses Donovan (Sydney), the Eev. J. and Mrs Ewbank (England), Mr and Mrs J. Wilson, Mr and Mrs Crombie (Timaru).

Methodist Circuit. The quarterly meeting pf the Timaru Methodist Church circuit was held in Wesley'Hall, when the Eev. A. C. Lawry presided over a fair attendance. Tjie membership returns showed a slight increase over those for the previous quarter. The Eev. C. C. Hoskin reported that the Kensington Trust had now paid over the amount owing on the property. The meeting passed a resolution congratulating tlje congregation on the happy result of their efforts. The chairman reported the itinerary of the Key. Seymour and his _ Maori party, who will visit the circuit in April on behalf of the Home Misson Fund. ' It was reported that although Sunday Schools were.not at present in session, children's services were being held each Sunday afternoon in the various schools. A committee consisting of circuit ministers was set up with power to act to consider the advisability of holding week-night services in various churches. Pp the nomination of the chairman and the Rev. P. J. Cook, Messrs W. G. Irwin and W. J. Eoseveare were appointed circuit stewards for the ensuing year. Op the motion of the Eev. A. G. Lawry it was resolved to place, on record the meeting's high appreciation of Mr Of G. Yogelpr's work as minister's steward during his term of office. The following committees were elected for the coming year:—Foreign mission,- ministers of circuit and Messrs T. E. Hpldgate, G. Hall, J. E. Chiles, C. Beswarick, and Mrs Foden'; home missions: ministers of circuit, Mrs H. Bell, Mr ai}(l Mrs H. H. Brown, Miss Freda Hayward, Messrs F. G. Holland, A. Dale, A. Stgad, and W. Tonkin, the committee to appoint its own secretary; orphanage, Mr F. Matthews was re-' elected secretary and treasurer, Messrs J. P. Arnold, W. G. Irwin, F. Matthews, and C. G. VqgeJer, representative!!! to Synod, reported regarding the meetings. Qn the motion pf the Rpv. P. jf. Cooke a hearty vote of thanks was passed to secretaries and workers in respect of the home and foreign mission funds.

TEMTJKA, PERSONAL, Mies Beryl Qpie (Winchester) has returned from a visit to Dunedin. Mr Jas. King, who was in Christchurch last week, has returned to Temuka. Mr and Mrs D. N. Clarke and Miss N. Clarke, who have been visiting friends at Fairlie, have returned to Temuka. Mr and Mrs C. E. Bremner and Master D. Bawson, who have been spending a holiday at Warrington, have returned to Temuka. Mrs W. E. Smith and her two sons are visiting Mrs I*. Basher, Bakaia. Miss Hayes and Miss Breach, of the West Coast, are the guests of Mrs Angus Brawn, Temuka. Mr A. Bannister has returned to Temuka from a holiday in the North. Mr John Cartwright, of the Dunedin Fire Brigade, who was recently injured at a £re at Mornington, haß made a good recovery. He arrived in Temuka on Saturday, where he is staying with his parents, Mr 'and Mrs G. B. Cartwright, • Obituary. The death occurred at Temuka on the Jotb Inst., of Jphn Gilliand, aged 07 years, whose previous residence was at Oamgru, where be carried on the business of tailor. About three weeks ago he came to Temuka to reside. The late Mr Gilliand came to New Zealand from Glasgow. His late wife, Mrs Mary Jane Gilliand, predeceased him some years ago. There are eight children of the marriage surviving. The interment took place at Hinds, where the late Mr and Mrs Gilliand lived formerly. Cricket. Temuka played South End on Saturday at the Temuka oval. The local team, going to * ne wickets first, failed to make a stand against the South End bowlers, every batsman being caught by the bowler he was facing. Only four secured runs, Salmon 7 and Coventry 6, being top scorers, The total was .19, the other six being got rid of for a "duck." Styles captured eight wickets for 11 runs, Trott one for 2, and Wall 1 for 0. South End replied with 92, Wall compiling 29, and Gillespie 20. Dwan took eight wickets for 30 runs.

HARVEST PROSPECTS.

GOOD YIELD IN WAIMATE DISTRICT. The opinions expressed by farmers and others interested in the wheat yield in the Waimate district this year are very conflicting as to what the actual returns will be. One man, who can be regarded as an authority, gives it as his expert opinion that the results, when the threshing returns come to hand, will prove nothing like as large as they were last year, when crops of 70 bushels to the acre were quite common. The average wheat yield per acre last season worked out round about 50 bushels, he said, but this year's average will not be much over 25 bushels to the acre. On the other hand, a well-known farmer states that the harvest should prove most satisfactory, provided suitable weather conditions prevail from ngw jon. The same farmer stated also that there should be comparatively little seconds threshed of either wheat or oats this year. The iieavy rain experienced at Christmas time, while putting down a few crops here an(J there, did not do . as much damage as was at first thought would be the case. Farmers fear now, however, that the prolonged spell of wet weather will result in the spread in the crops of rust a«d smut, which diseases liave already made their appearance in sonie parts. Taker-all is also prevalent in some crops, and on one farm in the Morven district a large area of wheat has been attacked by this pe?t. Another crop in the tkawai district shows signs of infection by take-all. At Waiho Downs wheat qn the sunny faces has suffered as the result of taker-all. On the whole, however, the crops are looking wonderfully well, and heads of wheat when examined proved to be very long and full, and give promise of excellent yields. A promising-look-ing crop of wheat in the Studholme district on closer examination gave cause for disappointment, the lower ears of the heads having failed to fill out, although the ears higher up had grown quite satisfactorily. This trouble is said to be more prevalent in the early-sown crops, those crops sown later in the season being quite healthy and well-grown. One farmer, when asked his opinion, said these ears would fill out under proper weather conditions, but a clpser examination wpuld probably cause him *° reverse his opinion.

Oat Crops. The oat crops were not so adversely affected by the prolonged spell of wet weather as were the wheat, oats being a much hardier growing cereal, and better able to battle against the elements. The yield is expected to be exceptionally high this season. Great growth has been made, and many crops have attained &< height above the average, as well as bearing long and well-filled heads. In the oat-growing portion of the district many fine crops are to be observed, and threshings of 100 bushels to the acre" by some farmers, it is said, will not be uncommon. . Although some early crops of oats in the Uretane and Upper Waitaki districts have already had the binder in them, harvesting operations will not commence in earnest before six weeks at least, unless exceptionally hot weather should prevail. Crops on the whole are looking wonderfully well, despite there being here and there signs of disease, and with plenty of heat and sunshine, with good drying winds, the harvest shquld prove a successful one. The area sown in wheat this year greatly exceeds that of last season, it being estimated that last year's acreage is exceeded by fully one-third. This is borne out by figures secured from many farmers, and in all cases the sowings have been increased by one-third and in many instances by half. ' Therefore, should the yield .per acre not be as high as the previous veai, the shortage of wheat occasioned by the smaller yield will be more than made up for by the larger area of wheat sown. A tout of inspection of the crops in the various districts discloses that ajl are looking in wonderfully good condition, with the exception of those which show teigns of disease. . Qn the heavy land at Willowbridge some «ood threshing tallies should be mad*, there teinjt some nne cro B s ° wheat in this district. An area sown by Mr J. Bruce is at present in very fine condition, and the returns handed in froi the mill should prove good reading. A plot of some thirty acres belonging to Mr J. Wellwood gives promise of a good yield, and other good crops are to he seen on the farms of Messrs P. Fjteharris and R. Forsyth. A great deal of wheat has been sown in this, district, and' it is expected farmers will be well pleased with the returns when the mill departs. Unlike most of the other crops, one paddock of wheat at Willowbridge is proving most unsatisfactory, not having made much growth. Compared with neighbouring areas, this crop is very dwarfed, and the yield should prove most disappointing.

The Districts Along the main road in the Morven district some fine-looking wheat crops can be seen on the farms of Messrs J. Hay and J. Melton, while a field of wheat belonging to Mr A. W. Barnett is a veritable picture. Another good crop in the district is that of Mr E. Stokes. Mr Martin Murphy's crop is looking exceedingly healthy and is expected to thresh most satisfactorily. Farmers in this district have planted wheat most freely, and they are optimistic of realising a payable return. Wheat hag not been sown largely on the lighter land in the Glenavy district, but a crop belonging to Mr E. Treziso has every promise of giving a gDod yield. . Redcliff district has a large area devoted to wheat. Mr J. G. Ruddenklau, who this year has put in some 2500 acres, has some crops of outstanding merit. Very, fine also are those areas sown by Finlayson Bros., and Mr AMcNeill. Mr Frank Brown has a very fine looking paddock of wheat, which has caused some speculation as to what the actual return will be.

On the Waikakahi the wheat crops are on a par with those of other parts of the district, Mr J. Nolan's being a very fine sample. Some excellent oats are to be seen on the road to Kurqw, and these it has been estimated will thresh well. Wheat in the BDook district is looking well. Some fifty acres on Mr J. H. Trezise's farm is looking Veil and should thresh satisfactorily. Mr Peter McNeill has another fine field of wheat, and among other very promising crops is that of Mr Rathgen. Crops in the Studholme district make an attractive showing, and among the many which promise to thresh well are those to be seen on Messrs T. Quinn's. Frost Bros.' and 3. Fox's farms. The large area sown in this district on the whole should prove most satisfactory. Not much wheat was eowii in the Waihao Downs district, although the area planted this year exceeds last year's acreage. Crops are showing signs of blight, and rust and take-all is prevalent in a few.

GERALDINE.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine I County Council was held on Monday. The chairman, Colonel Mackenzie, «poke

of the damage by the cloud burst at Maori Gully, the damage at Milford Lagoon, and the injury to roads by the heavy holiday motor traffic. Or. Guild presented the Finance Committee s report which showed receipts last month S&Jlnd stated .that after the meeting the payments the debit balance ™Vbe £7780. Of the. year'., ntj only £3568 had come in, lea ing £IO,OOO outstanding. It was resolved to add ten per cent, pena% °° a » rates not paid before February 16th. The report of Mr Bremner was adopted.

On the motion of the chairman a motion of sympathy with Sir Truby King was adopted, the great services of Sir Truby King and the late Lady Truby King, being referred to. It was agreed to grant the Plunket Society £25. It was reported by Mr Bridges that the contractor for the Peel Forest- water scheme had nVshed his work and made a good job. It was agreed to appoint Mr W, McPhail the Council's representative on the Peel Forest Board. A draft of an address to bo presented on the occasion of the Boyal visit was received from

Timaru, but the' wording was adversely criticised. The Council considered that the establishment of a land office at Timaru would be too costly, and did not support the Timaru recommendation. It, was agreed to lend the piledriver for work at Milford Lagoon. Mr Marsh, Peel Forest, was given leave to erect a petrol pump. A number of applications was referred to the engineer for roport, and a committee was appointed to consider the matter of celebrating the Council's jubilee;