Country News.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 142, 17 December 1901, Page 3

Country News.

(fkom oub own correspondent ) STUDHOLME JUNCTION. Studholme Junction, in common with other parts >of the country, has been greatly benefited by the late rain, and the cry is now for fine weather, so as to allow the work of weeding and thinning of the root crops to be got well in hand. The crops of mangold and turnips are making rapid growth and work will want' to be urgently pushed to cope with the weeds. Before the rain work was plentiful, but now men are hard to get. Grain crops have made wonderful progress, and the crops, judging by the appear-ance'-at'.present. will be well headed and the straw a good length. Fully ten per cent of the Tuscan wheat is very bad with black smiit. The Hannatou school broke up on Thursday last and opens again on January 6, 1902. The breaking up of the‘school was a very tame affair, the committee not being in a position to give any school prizes. This is to be regretted, and I trust that the 'Committee will see their way to provide some encouragement for the pupils when they break up for the harvest holidays. An excursion to Timaru, in conjunction with the other schools, will likely be arranged. The strawberry growers have had a very poor season and prices have been very low. The dry and windy weather was all against a good sample, while the small birds are very plentiful. A meeting of Grown settlers was called last Monday to report from the'Land Board re banding over thirds to the County Council. About 13 settlers attended, and after the position was explained it was decided to protest against the Government handing over the thirds to the County Council until the roads were put in good order oq. the settlement. A petition was drawn out to this effect and signed by most ofthe settlers- ■

GLENAYY. Oa Friday evening the Glenavy contingent of the North Otago mounted iflos held a ball in the schoolroom. Ohe evening was wet and the attendance was therefore smaller than .xpected, but the room was comfortably filled for dancing, excellent music being provided by Mr W. Bain, and Mr T. Harvey making a capable M.C. During the evening spngs wore acceptably sung by.. Miss Porter and Messrs Teague and Frith and a jig well danced by Mr ,L Hanley. Before singing “ Auld Lang Byne ” about 3 a.m. Sergt. Peebles, on behalf of the local contingent, expressed thanks to those who had braved the elements to attend the function. The object of holding it was to raise funds for a new rifle range, which is badly needed, and they hoped to attain their object shortly. During the evening the volunteers and lady friends handed round tea and cake and other delicacies, and these helped to pass the time most agreeably.