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Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 695, 29 September 1909, Page 4

The court sits at Ophir to-morrow. Mr W. T. Talboys is at present on a business visit to Alexandra. Sir Joseph Ward cabled from Suva that he would arrive at Auckland at 1 p.m. to-morrow. At the annual meeting of the Tuapeka Times Newspaper Company, Lawrence, it was decided to pay the usual dividend of 5 per cent for the past year. The second ballot for the Kangitikei byeelection was held on Thursday last, and resulted in the return of Mr R. Smith (Government) by 399 votes. The voting was as follows :- Smith (G.) 2404, Hockley (0) 2005. We understand that Messrs W. and D. l'heyers intend leaving Alexandra shortly for Auckland, where they intend to reside in future. Mr and Mrs Theyers will also accompany their sons to the northern province. In the Gazette just to hand appears a notification that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint Messrs Thomas Cahill, Edward Marslin and George Rivers to be members of the Manuherikia Domain Board -to fill vacancies caused through the removal of three me.ubers from the district. Private A. S. Smith, of the Alexandra Rifles, with an aggregate of 299, has succeeded in winning the medal awarded to the second best shot in the South Island. He was only two points behind the winner of the gold medal fur the best shot in the South Island, and the score must be regarded as a creditable one. To wind up the season just closed the Alexandra Football Club intend holding' a daffodil social on Thursday, '7th prox 'The members have everything complete for a successful social and with the hearty cooperation of their lady supporters it is anticipated that the function will be a most enjoyable one. A special of the social will be an excellent table supper, and the table will be decorated with daffodils and spring flowers. Everyone attending the social is requested to wear daffxHls or spring flowers, and the hall" will be appropriately decorated for the occasion. Invitations have been extended to the different clubs in the county, and a large attendance is expected. A combination known as Jones' Buckjumpers appeared list week in Alexandra on two nights. The show was greeted by crowded audiences on both occasions, and the exhibition of horsemanship was of a very high degree. This is the first time that a buckjumping combination has visited Central Otago, at least for some years past, and the whole standard of the performances was such as to merit the company securing two good houses. Several bucking horses, pjnies and bullocks gave interesting exhibitions, as also did the three riders who were mounted- on the respective animals. A donkey gave delightful amusement to the small boys, and the proprietor (.Mr Jones) liberally donated prizes on both nights to the best local riders.

The programme for the annual show of the Central Otago A. and P. Association has been issued, and contains an attractive schedule. A poultry section has this year been .added, and the special prize list is a ' lengthy one. The show takes place on Friday, November 12th, and entries close not later than 10 p.m. on the night of the 10th. Entries for poultry close on 6th November. We understand that the local dramatic society has offered to stage the humorofs comedy entitled " Facing the Music " at Clyde in aid of the Dunstan Hospital. 1 erhaps a reproduction of the play could also be arranged to take place at Alexandra after the Clyde performance, the proceeds to be also devoted to the hospital. The public of Alexandra would then have an opportunity of assisting the. trustees in tiding over their present financial difficulties. We regret to record the death of Mr Con. Kehher, of Waikerikeri Valley, near Clyde, which occurred at the Dunstan Hospital yesterday morning. Deceased was at first laid aside with an attack of pleurisy, which finally developed into pneumonia. He was only admitted into the hospital on Saturday morning. A wife and seven young children are left to mourn his sad loss. Deceased was a hard-working man, and to the relatives and family we tender our sincere sympathy in their extremely sad bereavement.

Valentine's Picture Company showed to a large audience in Alexandra last evening, and the standard of the play was regarded as highly satisfactory. The picture entitled the lion hunt was the chief attraction, whilst other amusing films were also shown. Vocal items, illustrated on the sheet, were rendered and well received ; and taken on a whole the entertainment was in keeping with the reputation of the company. A return visit will be paid to Alexandra on Friday next, when pictures entitled Romeo and Juliet, and Ben Hur, from the Life of Christ, will be exhibited. An entirely new performance will be given.

An amusing and humorous comedy entitled " Facing the Music " will be given at Alexandra on Friday, 15th prox., by the Alexandra Dramatic Society. The proceeds of the entertainment will go towards the local volunteer corps, and it is confidently expected that there will be a large audience present. Ihe acting capabilities of the local amateurs are too well known- now to need any flattering remarks from us, for past performances have proved that the members have excelled in the various productions staged from time to time. In humor the forthcoming comedy is said to eclipse all previous performances, and we bespeak for the society a bumper house and appreciative audience when the staging takes place.

Beneficial rains have fallen throughout the district during the past week, and the country is now showing signs of this effect. Around Alexandra the paddocks never looked better for years past than they do to-day, and owners of land have been busily engaged in tilling the soil no matter how small the plots may be. Owing no doubt to the prospect of a plentiful supply of water, residents in the town have added considerably to their plantations, both from an orchardist and kitchen garden point of • view. Several young orchards have been planted out in various kinds of trees, and a visit around,the town clearly shows that the fruit industry locally is assuming large dimensions. Sections suitable for orchards are soon taken up, and command a ready sale, and during the next few years it is safe to predict that all the available land will be held as orchards.

To-morrow evening a, plain and fancy dress social will be held in the town hall, Alexandra, in aid of the funds of the local fire brigade. This social has now become to be regarded as an annual one, and was inaugurated in recognition of the valuable and heroic work done.by members of the brigades at the time of the disaster at the Alexandra Coal Company's mine. On every occasion the social has proved an undoubted success, and we see no reason why to-morrow's function should not be as successful as previous years. There is much talk of some rather amusing and unique costumes being worn, and the function bids fair to draw a large attendance. A grand march will be held, when every facility will be granted those desirous of viewing the various fancy costumes. An energetic committee of ladies have all arrangements complete, and no stone will be left unturned -to make it a success.

During the performances of Jones' Buckjumpers last week those present were treated to an excellent exhibition of horsemanship by a local rider in the person of Mr P. Butler, of Bald Mill Flat. On the first night of the performance Mr Butler successfully rode one of the bucking bullocks, all attempts of the animal to unset its rider proving futile. Mr Butler, also mounted the spinning pony, Dingo, and kept his seat for twenty seconds, which was regarded as highly satisfactory. On the second night Mr Butler gave an exhibition on another bucking horse, which tore round the ring at a great rate bucking all the time, but notwithstanding all the animal's efforts Mr Butler kept his seat in the saddle. After this creditable exhibition Mr Jones (the proprietor) remarked that Mr Butler was the best local rider who had ever entered his ring. Mr Butler had also ridden in his ring in the North Island, and he (Mr Jones) was prepared to back him for £SO against any local rider. The audience fully appreciated the exhibition given by Mr Butler, who was greeted with rounds of applause for his pluck in entering the ring and for the successful manner in which he kept his seat. Lond suitable for fruit culture is now eagerly sought after in this district, and we hear of several sections having changed hands at increased prices. The local borough council possesses close on 000 acres of endowment on the north side of the town, beyond the railway, and for some years past was under mnch expense in keeping down the rabbit pest. Of late the council has been receiving a nominal rent from the land for grazing purposes, but it is now thought that the land can be profitably used for fruit culture if water is available. Several sections have been surveyed into areas of ten acres each, and an inspection of the adjacent land is sufficient proof of the fertility of the land comprised in endowment. Schemes have been suggested by councillors whereby the land may be turned into " smiling fields and fruitful orchards," but as yet nothing definite has been arrived at owing to the council's financial difficulty. It is hoped, however, that ere long a scheme will be instituted in the direction indicated above, and should the coureil be enabled to bring the Chatto Creek water on to the endowment there is every probability that the land will be utilised for growing luscious fruit.