COUNTRY NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16750, 4 January 1915, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From Our Corresfondknts.] NORTH CANTERBURY.

Good progress is being made with the harvesting of the early oats in North Canterbury. Most of the crops cut are very light, the December rains having come too lace to be of any benefit to them. The fnquent showers during the past three weeks have, however, wrought a grea|t change in the appearance of the later crops of cen als, and the yields will bo very much better than anticipated in the early part of December. The root crops have also greatly benefited by itbe rain, and the peas and beans are looking well.

HANMER SPRINGS.

This favourite health resort was filled to overflowing during the hoi day The weather was beautifully fine, and business generally was well up to the usual, in fact, considerably better than most anticipated. The annual sports were held on Now Year's Day, when large entries were received for nearly all the everlts.'nnd an enjoyable afternoon was spent. The gato was goodj so that a substantial credit balance is now in the hands of the club.

ASHBURTON

The members of the St Stephen's troop of Boy Scouts, Ashburton, are at present in camp in a paddock lent by Mr Deresley Wood. It is the intention of the lads to go on a ttrek round the county, shortly, and the camp, which is under Scoutmasters

Claridge and Hoskens, is intended to fit tho boys for that purpose. The annual Boxing Duy garden party in connection with the residents and settlers of tho Coldstream, Lowocliffe, Eiflelton and surrounding districts was held at Coldstream on Saturday last, the pa.Uy being given by Mi and Mrs John Studholme, on the lawns at the homestead. One of the chief events of tho day was the annual cricket match between 'teams representing tho Coldstream Estate and the Lowecliffe district, tho former winning by 72 runs to 49. After 'the match the visitors were entertained by Mr and Mrs who were thanked for .their hospitality. In the course of tho afternoon everyone present, young and old, received a gift from a huge Christmas tree. Mrs Studholme gave each lady a present of a cut-out garment to piece and sew together, It being the intention to send the articles to the poor Belgians, the garments being cut out by Mrs E'. F. J. Grigg. The gathering dispersed shortly after nightfall. The rainfall for the year, as recorded at tbe Ashburton Domain weather staition, was 25.32 in, as compared with 31.04 in for 1913, 34.90 in for 1912, 29.03 m for 1911, and 24.74 in for 1910. Tho total sunshine for the year was , 1796 hr 30min. i The continued hot, dry weather in the Ashburton County of late has changed the appearance of many of the oat crops, and at Wakanui a fairly large paddock is in stook, while another is ready for the reaper. A good proportion or the grain crop is yet green, but should the present weather continue many crops will bo reaped' before the middle of the present month. I\t is expected that the bulk of the cereal in tho county will yield much below the average. On the uppoi plains and along tho foot of tho hills, where showers are more frequent, some fairly good crops are to be seen, and these will yield fairly well, but in all cases the oats are doing better than wheat. The lighter lands have suffered tho worst, as on tho heavier soil around Lagmhor some very good crops are to be seen, and should yield fairly good. Tho rain experienced during the past few weeks helped the grass, but a good rain is urgently needed at present.