COUNTRY NEWS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 123, 28 April 1925, Page 11

COUNTRY NEWS

BAINESSE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual school picnic was held on Friday last, and being favoured with ideal weather, everything went off most successfully. Thanks are duo to Mr S Pearce for tho use of his paddock and bush, which provided both shade and tsuitable trucks for tho sports. It was pleasing 1 to see residents rolling up and most fajnilies were represented. After an early lunch the sports were carried out, it taking a bout four hours to get the events oil. ahe Original Cash Store. Messrs Millar and Giorgi and Watson Bros., Ltd., kindly donated prizes and they were keenly contested for. In. tho evening a dance was held at tho school and for the first time tho building was illuminated with electricity. Four lights have been installed and tho same gave a very brilliant light for tho dancers. At a suitable juncture Mr 11. Millard (chairman of the committee) on behalf of that body, presented Alisa McKenzie with a handsome handbag in recognition of her services at tho piano for all social occasions. Mr Millard briefly thanked Misfl McKenzie for all the good work none gratis which considerably swelled the funds of school and social affairs, enabling them to install electricity luid procure various necessities for the children s and adults’ functions. Mr T. Grammar, old and valued member of the Committee, also spoke of Miss McKenzie s generosity and called for three cheers, which were heartily given. Miss McKenzie briefly returned thanks. Mrs Rangi Akuira, junr., was the first to render vocal items beneath the new lights. Her charming rendering of “The West, a Nest and You,” and “Dreamy Araby,” was much appreciated. Kverythiiig went merrily until just before midnight when things were brought to a close in observance of Anzac Day.

An untiring committee of ladies, viz., Mesdames Grammar, J. Legg. Dew is, Coyne, Millard, Pearce, Waller and Bollard, dispensed refreshments and throughout the day attended to the wonts of the children. The sports resulted: —Girls 6 to 10 yeai*;: Selina Grammar 1, Rhoda Grammar 2, 1.<0i3 Brooke-Taylor 3; boys under 10 Bernard Daly 1, Rod Chisholm 2, Eric Casko 3; girls 10 to 14, Gwen Cask© 1, Lillian Coyne 2, Audrey BrookeTaylor 3; boys 10 to 14, James Akuira 1, Jack Pollard 2, Ken Chisholm 3; girls’ consolation, Dorothy Tennent 1, Agnes Tennent 2, Dorothy Cask© 3; junior boys’ consolation, Colin Waller 1, Isaac Akuira 2, Bob Waller 3; senior girls’ consolation, Marjory Tennent 1, Beryl ALillard 2, Violet Pond 3; girls’ three-legged race, Selina Grammar and Gwen Cask© 1. Lois Brooke-Taylor and Dorothy Tennent 2, Rhoda Grammar and Ada Thompson 3; boys’ three-legged race, Jack Pollard and Aanley Jefferies 1, Bob Waller and Ken Chisholm 2, Colin Waller and leaao Akuira 3; girls’ saok race, Selina Grammar 1, Gwen Cask© 2, Rhoda Grimimar 3; boys’ sack race, James Akuira 1, Ashley Jefferies 2, Rod Chisholm 3; egg and spoon race, girls, Audrey BrookeTaylor 1, Selina Grammar 2, Violet Pond 3; egg and spoon race, boys, Ken Chisholm 1, Rod Chisholm 2, Don Waller 3; married men's race, Mr H. Dew is 1, Mr T. Grammar 2; married ladies’ race, Mrs 11. Dewis 1, Mrs T. Waller 2; young men’s,, race, Air A. Grammar 1, Air L. Healey 2; young ladies’ race, Aliss Brooke-Taylor 1, Alisa Coyne 2; boys’ long jump, Bob Waller 1, Jack Pollard 2, Ken Chisholm 3; hop, step and'jump, Ken Chisholm and Bob Waller 1, Ashley Jefferies 2; wrestling, boys over 14, James Akuira 1; junior boys wrestling, Ashley Jefferies 1, Bob Waller 2; thread the needle race, Jack Pollard 1, Bob Waller 2, Ashley Jefferies 3; tug-of-war, men’s, Air Waller’s team; tug-of-wur, ladies’, married v. single, single ladies. Air T. Grammar acted a.s starter and Air F. Waller as handieapper.

FOXTQN.

PLUNKET SOCIETY. IFrom Our Own Correspondent). At tho monthly meeting of the Plunket Society committee Airs F. Robinson ws in the chuir. The nurse’s report showed four visits to Foxton, to homes 13. adults to office 58, children 59. total 130. Now cases totalled three and letters seven. It was unanimously agreed to increase tho rental paid for tho nurse’s office to 7s 6d per meeting, this to take effect from Aluy 11, the date fixed for the annual meeting. Mesciames McDonald and Austin-Johnston were appointed visitors for tho month and Mrs F. Robinson, flower steward. Tho box contributions totalled 7s 7d. MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. (F'rom Our Foxton Correspondent.) At the monthly meeting of the Manawatu Rabbit Board there were present: Trustees B. G. Gower (in the chair), VV. E. Barber, F. C. Raikes, Gloyn, Grammar, Boswelfan McKelvie. An apology for absence was received from 'trustee Flemming. A letter was received from the Manawatu County Council, stating that it had forwarded the board’3 letter regarding the eradication of gorse on to tho Stock Department which is tho only body that can enforce the Noxious Weeds Act. —It was decided to request the Stock Department to enforce in tho board’s district tho provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act in respect of gorse. Accounts amounting to £l2B 4s were passed for payment. _ '• A deputation was introduced by Trustee Grammar, consisting of Messrs E. Beard and Warren, farmers of Rangiotu. Mr Beard said his object in waiting on the board was to find out tho reason why the inspector had taken legal proceedings against him “for failing to take the necessary steps to destroy rabbits." Mr Warren spoke in a similar manner. Tho chairman pointed out that tho matter had now gone too far and would have to bo threshed out in a court of law. Tho board could do nothing in tho matter. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. Tho inspector reported as follows: “During tho past month I have been engaged in the general inspection of properties in tho board’s area. On a number of farms there is a decided improvement attributable to efficient work being carried out in rabbit destruction. A number of settlers who have poisoned have 1 obtained permission to trap rabbits, and the usual stylo of professional trapping is being curried out. It is very hard to convineo farmers that it will pay them over and over again, if they were to employ rabbiteis and pay them wages, as it is only by this means that proper rabbit destruction can be carried out. One cannot expect a man to work for nothing, and it is ridiculous to think that a trapper will work for nothing any more than any other man. if owners would club together and employ a man for every 500 to 800 acres of rabbit country, there would bo no unemployed trappers, and both parties would reap the benelit. As tilings are at present, the farmer is feeding tho rabbit to the detriment of his stock, and another man is making the profit. I have been successful in placing fumigators with seven more settlers during the past month, and tho recent supply is now finished, and a further batch will need to bo ordered. During tho past month, in company with Inspector Sutherland, of the Rangitoto Board, I made a joint inspection of several properties in tho board’s area, with the result that I laid informations against four farmers in the district for allegedly failing to tako the necessary steps to destroy rabbits. I intend sending out tho circular re general poisoning at tho beginning of next week, and it will be necessary for the board to say whether the regulations forbidding trapping should also ho sent out. Personally, I am strongly in favour of stopping trapping in tho meantime, and taking full advantage of the winter months for poisoning. I would also recommend the board to have tho shooting of rabbits within the board’s area made illegal, as apart from tho danger of senseless shooters, the work of poisoning will bo seriously handicapped if guns or rifles are to be indiscriminately used over the country. ‘

In conference with several Mangawhata settlers, who have done good werk in tho fumigation of rabbits, but whoso efforts aro being hampered by outside, rabbits, tho question of wire netting was gone into. I informed them that this had been brought before the board by me on several occasions, anc they desired mo to ask members if tho board would be agreeable to subsidise them in the erection of wire netting. They were also desirous of keeping tho rat© i-.t) a fair level, so that this matter of wire netting could be gone into. Tho question of wiro netting is a most important one, as without it no district bus been entirely cleaned of rabbits. During tho first port of tho coming month I shall be engaged in tho general inspection of properties, and later on in the month will follow up tho poisoning duo to commence eg tho 11th May.” The question as to the best method of eradication of rabbits was discussed at length. Trustee Gloyn asked how farmers were to keep hares down if shooting was prohibited. Trustee McKelvi© pointed out that no one could be prohibited from shooting hares in season. Trustee Gloyn contended that trapping was the best method of eradicating rabbits. Truseo Grammar spoke in opposition to tho uso of traps and recommended the use of poisoned carrots. It was finally decided that the report be adopted and trapping bo ceased in terms of regulations, for three months as from issue of notices on all lands to tho southwest of Taikorea road, and poisoning on properties north of there to take place in the first week in June. Trustee Raikes vo:ed against tile motion.

ASHHURSnr.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Air and Mrs A. D. Bauckham, who were in business hero for some time, have removed to Mukino whoro they havo purchased a business. Their many friends will wish thorn every success in their new venture. Tho contractor for tho erection of tho new sale yards is making good progress and it is expected that before long a weekly stock sale will bo held here. The childron appear to be pleased that school bus again opened, and it is needless to say that parents aro also relieved to Know that the children aro again receiving tuition. Mr D. Drummond and Mr M. Dakins now in hospital are making good progress. Mr Hayes, of tho ruilway staff, is out of hospital and goes to Waipukurau.

TOKOMARU.

(From Our Own Correspondent). At the monthly meeting of tho Horowlienua County Council, correspondence was road to tho effect that a number of residents of Rata street had applied for a light to bo erected in that street. They suggested that as Kowhai street was lighted from Main street, the Kowhai street light might bo transferred. The matter was reiorred to Cr Whyte and the engineer with power to act. On Friday last, at the dance given by the footballers, general satisfaction was expressed at the result, both from the point of view of expediency, and as aai illuini nation of tho electric lights which havo recently been installed. The dance was well-attended, and much onjoyed, the music being supplied by Mr K. Parr. Mrs Gyde, who recently entered hospital for a serious operation, 13 making satisfactory progross towards recovery. On Friday evening, Rev. Farnell intonda holding a confirmation class, and a _ meeting of parishioners is to bo held in St. Aidan’s Church. A local rosidont is digging a crop of potatoes yielding six tons to the aore. He considers this a good percentage in that they are absolutely free from blight