CLUTHA NEWS ITEMS.

Bruce Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 43, 4 June 1917, Page 4

CLUTHA NEWS ITEMS.

(From Clutha Leader.) According to a mark made at the time of the 1913 flood this week's flood waters reached ■to a point 19 inches higher than on that occasion. A heavy southerly gale sprang up on Wednesday afternoon and dicing, the night increased at, times to almost Jiurricane force. A number of gates in the town which were torn off their hinges bear eloquent testimony to the force of the gale. iSome remarkable instances of swimming feats have been recorded during this week's flood, one instance of which was mentioned in our last issue. A well-nnown Owaka resident informed a Clutha 'Leader representative that a herd of bullocks owned by him "which were grazing on the Otanomomo settlement swam at least three miles before reaching terra firma, not a hoof being lost. Mr C. J. McKenzie when visiting the protective embankment yesterday morning expressed an opinion that a number of small groins erected at suitable intervals would be a very effective protection for the town embankment. These structures would not require to be of the same length as those erected at the present time, as the newer style is set at a different angle and does not reqnire to be so lengthy. The elass for three lambs (ewe or •wether) netting the moat points for carcase, skin and fat at the Clutha Winter Show was won by Mr A. Macdonald (Wnrepa). The meat from the sheep w 7 as valued by leading butchers at the S.GI Freezing Works, the skin and fat being valued by. the wool experts. (Mr N Macdonald's marks were: Meat 19, skin 19, fat 17, out of a maxi- , inum of 20 points for each. Mr John Barclay JTe ; Houka) secured second place vftth 15, IS and 164 points respectively, and Mr R. Hpuliston (Kakapuaka) third with 9, 16 and 16 points. '

A resident of Clydevale who was riding .borne the other evening after paying a call at a neighbouring house was not the most surprised person in that district on the orening in 'question. On approaching the hall' he noticed a faint light coming from the building,' and knowing that a meeting had been held there earlier in the evening thought some members of the committee had waited later for business reasoiis. The horseman called out to ascertain who was in the building, but receiving no answer rode on at a walking pace, keeping in the shade of the hedge, where he could see without being seen. Oh looking. round he was surprised to see two men leaving the building hurriedly, and from their movements could see that they wished to avoid being seen.. Waiting till one of them was abreast of him he called out "Who goes there?" but the only reply received was to see the midnight prowler make a bee line for the fence and put up fast time along the adjoining paddock, but not before the rider was able to ascertain the identity of the frightened pedestrian, who it appears does not live a hundred miles from the district; He and his companion will probably be asked to "please explain" the matter, and the sequel is likely to prove the rever&e from pleasant.