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Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 701, 10 November 1909, Page 4

The Railway Department estimates to save approximately £lB a week by the reduced speed on the Otago Central line. There was practically a clean sheet in the local sitting of the S.M. Court. Only two cases came on for hearing, and these were adjourned. Shearers, it is stated, are not so plentiful in the Wairarapa as in former seasons. The reason is put down to the rainy weather that has been experienced in Australia, which has delayed the shearing there beyond the usual time. Messrs Allen (representing T. E. Shiel and Co., of Duncdiu) and M'Alister (for H. F. M >ss, builder, Dunedin) paid a vist to the district this week inspecting the fruit orchards in the interest of their respective firms. Owing to the holiday yesterday a large quantity of interesting reading, which came to hand too late for publication in this issue, has been unavoidably held over. Reports of the annual meeting of the Miners' Association, wedding bells, mining judgment and mining news are all crowded out. The uniformity of fruit cases was discnssed at the Fruitgrowers' Conference last week, and it was finally decided that the standard case should be the " dump " case adopted by the Australian Governments. It was also resolved that no second-hand cases should be used for the sale of fruit in the public market. Railway excursion fares in connection with the Central Otago A. and P. show at Omakau on Friday next will be issued between Clyde and the intermediate stations, available for return until Saturday. A special train leaves Omakau on Friday evening at 7.30 p.m., arriving at Clyde at 8.40 p.m. A Southern scribe writing on his impression of Central Otago says that the residents of Alexandra have confidence in the future of their district. " Indeed, "he further states, "Alexandra is said to be the Chicago of Central Otago." Truly, a rather significant title ! and one of which local residents may justly feel proud. A note of warning to prospective fruit growers was sounded at the recent conference of associations at Wellington as to the future distribution of fruit. It was pointed out that a scheme of distribution was essential, otherwise many of those who were at present in the industry would have to take up something else for a living At the annual conference of the New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies a resolution was carried to the effect that the Government be requested to remove the protection from stoats and weasels throughout the Dominion in such districts or portions of districts as the Acclimatisation Societies or local bodies controlling the same may determine. Mr Scott is to-day asking the Minister of Public Works when the work of raising the embankment of the Greenland dam will be commenced. Owing to the altitude of this dan the work can only be carried on during the su nmer months, and as the plans have long biuce been prepared there appears no reason for delay in starling the work immediately. We sincerely hope that Mr Scott will succeed in impressing on the Minister the necessity for immediate action in this important matter.

As a result of a communication received from the Alexandra Land League, Mr Scott, M.P. for Tuapeka, is asking the Government for a return showing the particulars of the laud transaction in Central Otago whereby 10,000 acres on Matakanui run was leased at 3d per acre without competition, the length of lease, whether the land is below the snowline, and the particulars of area, price paid, and terms agreed on by the Government in the repurchase of a certain piece of land from the owner of Matakanui station, and, further, showing whether those negotiations were conducted and completed by the Otago Land Bojrd, or by the Minister of Lands.

The annual show under the auspices of Ihe Central Otago A. ami I'. Associate>n will be held at Omakau ,on Friday next, and there is every indication that this popular fixture will prove a* attractive as previous shows. A section tor pmltry has been added to the schedule from last year and this class should draw a goodly number of exhibits even though the season is an off one for poultry showing. A special train service has been arranged between Clyde and Omakau, and excursionsists arc expected to patronise the outing in considerable numbers. In the evening the Alexandra Dramatic Society will stage " Facing the Music " in M'Guckin's, hall at Omakau.

We regret to record the death of Mrs Dickie, wife of Mr J. S. Dickie, county clerk, of Clyde, which occurred on Thursday last after a painful illness. The deceased lady, who was an old resident of the district, took a deep interest in church, and- other matters, and was a prominent horticulturist. The news of her death was received, with much grief amongst the numerous friends of the family, and the funeral was very largely attended, the Rev- Father Hunt conducting the service. The members of the Vincent County Council acted as pall-bearers. A husband and three children are left to mourn their irreparable loss, and to the relatives we extend our deepest sympathy in their sad, misfortune,