OAMARU ITEMS

Evening Star, Issue 22631, 24 April 1937, Page 20

OAMARU ITEMS

WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the Waitaki County Council was 3iem yesterday, tho chairman (Mr J. Rodman) presiding. There were also present Crs J. S. Adams, D. J. Ross, S. Taylor, J. D. Rutherford, E. S. Brewster, R. B. Meek, and W. E. Aubrey. Treasury notes were received as follow:—Highways subsidies, £4,290 l/'s; rent, £lO4 4s 9d. Mr R. R. King tendered his resignation as building inspector owing to having accepted _ a position in Christchurch.^—The resignation was accepted. Mr J. Cowie Nichols wrote drawing attention to the condition*' of a road from Herbert to the boundary of his property, and requested the council to gravel the road and instal a culvert in tho creek at Kirton’s. —The Chairman said it would be a costly job to gravel about three miles of this road, but m the meantime he suggested that the grader should be used, and that the council apply to the Government for a grant for next year’s estimates. In this connection a deputation was received from Messrs Cant and Stumbles asking that the roads in the vicinity or their properties near Ngapara be gravelled. Mr Aubrey also asked that his road he gravelled.—Decided to apply for grants, and the engineer was asked to make a report on all three roads. . . , A petition was received urging the tar-sealing of the road west of Cormack’s Crossing, on, the OamaruNgapara highway.—Decided to seal as far as the church, a distance of about two miles. It was decided to donate _£lo towards the King George V. Memorial Fund. The Waitaki Hospital Board submittedi a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure for the year ended March, 1938. The hospital levy this year was £6,616 17s Id.—The Chairman said it was becoming increasingly apparent that hospital boards were requiring more expenditure. - . In connection with the celebration of Coronation Day, it Whs decided to meet the expense to the extent of *IOO, and to provide all country children with flags. All school committees and citizens of the district were asked to co-operate to fittingly celebrate the occasion. The Secretary of the Treasury wrote in reference to the unexercised balance of the Highways Construction Loan. 1935, and the proposal to transfer the amount (£4,000) to _ assist in financing the sealing of a section of the Pukeuri-Omarama _ highway. The writer advised that it woiild he necessary to proceed in the ordinary way as for a new loan. —It was agreed to take a poll of the ratepayers. Six building permits of a total value of £1,602 were granted. The clerk (Mr R. K. Gardiner) reported that the surplus at the end of this financial year was £5,636 19s 6dThe council commenced the year with a surplus of £4,202 17s Id. so that a gain of £1,400 had been realised. Considering all things, this could be regarded as highly satisfactory. —Engineer’s Report.— The engineer (Mr G. L. Cuthhertson) reported that the Public Works Department was making good progress with the overbridge > at Kartigi,_ and the deviation to avoid the two railway bridges, and when this work was completed a start would probably be made with the gravelling of the road from Hillgrove. The Horse Range road was getting badly cut up by lorries carting rock for the above work. Instructions had been received from the Highways Board to repair the damage to the sealed road caused by heavy carting from the Phoenix Mill. In the Incholme Riding the lorries were engaged in patching Calder’s and other roads, and were at present putting maintenance gravel on the Dasher road. The Deborah subway was now completed, and would eventually *be sealed. The Highways Board had intimated that it was prepared to consider proposals for the preparation and sealing of a length of the PukeuriKurow Highway, starting from Pukeuri; also the road through Duntroon and Kurow townships. The hoard had also included two miles of the Waia-reka-Huntroon Highway in the above proposals, starting at Winsley’s Corner.—The report was received. AN APPRECIATION A- pleasant function took place at the Waitaki County Council meeting yesterday when representatives of the Oamaru Returned Soldiers’ Association, comprising Messrs H. C. Jeffery, O. J. L. Molfison, and N. H. Colquhoun, presented to the council an illustrated address as a token of appreciation of the support accorded returned men over a long period of years. Mr Jeffery, in his opening remarks, congratulated the county on the attainment of its diamond jubilee. This year they were celebrating their twenty-first anniversary, and during the whole of that time splendid assistance had been rendered by the county and by the citizens within its environs, to returned men and their dependents. As an appreciation of the sympathy and help given returned soldiers, Mr Jeffery asked the council to accept on behalf of tho New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association a framed address of appreciation of the council’s sympathy. Mr C. J. L. MolHson said that the generous response made by local bodies to returned men had been a big factor in ensuring the welfare of the association. Mr J. Rodman, in accepting the gift, said the council had at all times ehdeavoured to assist the local Returned Soldiers’ Association, and he expressed thanks for the kindly thought that prompted the gift. KUROW WATER SUPPLY Reporting to the Waitaki County Council on the scheme for the proposed Kurow water supply, the engineer (Mr G. L. Cuthbertson) said that since his last report he had interviewed members of the Vigilance Committee on the ground, and had investigated the proposal to enlarge the scheme to include the school and hospital, also to allow for a supply to the proposed site of the health camp at the racecourse. Ho thought the proposals were quite sound, and it was much better to consider them now than to make extensions later on, as it would mean a readjustment of the whole scheme.

A considerable amount of water would be required in the above district, and fie proposed to shift the reservoir back to the original site above the Domain, which was a much better site than the one previously considered on the hill above the old school. This would enable a larger reservoir to be built at no greater cost. The site of the pumping station would also be shifted to a site on the river bank opposite Eitzroy

street, a distance of 60 chains from the reservoir. ft was proposed to make the capacity of the reservoir 50,000 gallons, which should give an ample supply. This would he regulated to a great extent by the quantity of water that could be 'pumped into the reservoir between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., when cheaper power was available, without going to any undue expense on pumping plant. Details of the approximate cost of the scheme are: —Reservoir (50,000 gallons), £415; pumping plant, including automatic starter float switch, housing, etc., £345; cost of pipes and reticulation, £2,000; purchase of land and legal expenses, £100; inspection, £75; contingencies, £6s—total, £3,000. The approximate cost of power was estimated at £BO per annum.—The report was adopted, and it was decided to submit the information to the Kurow Vigilance Committee. AHZAG DAY OBSERVANCE Anzac Day will this year be celebrated to-morrow, when the services and parade will be observed as in former years. All units taking part in the parade in the afternoon will parade in close column of companies on Takaro Park at 2 o’clock in the following order: —Wreath bearers, Oam aru R. South African Veterans, . B Company, First Battalion, Otago Regiment, Waitaki Boys’ High' School Cadets, St. Kevin’s College Cadets, Oamaru Girl Guides, -Oamaru Boy Scouts, Oamaru Pipe Band, and Oamaru Municipal Band. The parade will march in column of route via Severn, Itchen, and Thames streets. On crossing the railway line in Thames street, the column -will immediately wheel to the right and form a hollow square on the south side of the Great War Memorial. At a given signal the wreath bearers will advance and place their wreaths on the memorial. The 1 Last Post ’ will then be sounded, after which the column will circle the memorial, moving north on the left side of Thames street, units joining the column in succession. The column will then circle the South African War Memorial, and .the same procedure will be carried out, the ‘ Reveille ’ being sounded _ at the conclusion. The column will then march to the' Opera House, where a service will be held, at which an address will be delivered by the Rev. J. M. M'Kenzie. Special services will bo held by the Oamaru Toe H group at dawn, and at St. Luke’s Church in the evening. GOLD WEATHER After a period of particularly warm and pleasant weather, conditions changed for the worse on Thursday night, and, following intermittent rain and hail squalls, became decidedly cold and changeable. Yesterday was bitterly cold with rain showers all day. In various parts of the district heavy rain has fallen, but so far the rivers are not unduly discoloured, and, despite the adverse conditions, anglers' are still finding enjoyment. POULTRY SOCIETY The annual meeting of the Oamaru Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Club attracted a good attendance of members. ,Mr J. Meikle presided. The balance sheet showed a slight loss on the year’s working. Election of officers: Patron, Mr J. Gerrie; vice-patrons ■ — Messrs B. Christie, G. Gardiner, R. K. Ireland, M. P. Cooney, J. W Petrie, C. A. Browne, J. S, Woods, E. Watts, and Dr Smith Morton; president, Mr J. Meikle; vice-president, Mr W. Turvey; secretary, Mr A. Gibson; auditor, Mr W. Turvey; committee, all financial members; schedule committee, poultry section—Messrs Turvey, Laughton, Currie, Vernor, Wright; pigeons—Mr S. Browne; cage birds—Messrs W. Stephen, R. E. Mahan, D. M‘D. Rae, Bermingham, and D. Crombie. Appreciation of the services he had rendered to the society as secretary was made to Mr G. M'Leod, members eulogising his good work. BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Miss J. B. Wilson presided at the annual meeting of the North Otago Basketball Association. The president expressed pleasure at the large gathering, which augured well for the future of basketball in this district. The annual report arid balance sheet, showing a satisfactory state of affairs, were a tEo following officers were elected: —Patrons, Mesdames E. P. Lee, R. K. Ireland, and Mr W. Kinder and Dr Butler; president, Miss J. B. Wilson ; vice-president (pro tern), Miss M. Fitzgerald; secretary and treasurer. Miss C. F. Miller. A motion of sympathy with Mrs Joiner in the death of her husband was passed. It was decided to open the season on Saturday, May 1, with a Yankee tournament, arid, to take part in the Coronation procession. PERSONAL Reference to the loss sustained by Mr G. L. Cuthbertson (engineer) in the death of two brothers, was made by Mr J. Rodman (chairman) at the Waitaki County Council meeting yesterday. Reference was also made to, the death of Mr John Joiner, of Enfield, and motions of sympathy were passed. ( OAMARU RAGES The Oamaru Jockey Club has been favoured with gratifying support from owners and trainers for its- winter meeting, and the fields for both days (Thursday and Saturday next) are the best received by the club for many years past. Gallops and trots on both days make an attractive card, pro raising excellent racing, and special transport i.rrangemer.' i by rail and bus, at excursion fares, have been arranged for the convenience of the public. On the first day the first race will start at 12.45 and on the second at 12.30, the trains from north and south arriving in ample time for the first race. A band will be in attendance, and patrons can be assured of an excellent day’s sport. KDRTH OTAGO ALPINISTS The Rev. J. T. Crozier presided at the annual meeting of the North Otaeo sub-section of the New Zealand Alpine Club. The annual report disclosed that the sub-section ended the year with a credit balance of £5 16s 9d, which was considered very satisfactory. It was gratifying to not© that a growing interest

was being manifested in the club s activities, the membership now standing at 18. It was with the deepest regret that the club recorded the death of three members Thomas Roy Buchanan Stevenson, of Oamaru, Symon Donald Divers, and George Machin Edwards, of Dunedin,. The members of the club extended their wholehearted sympathy to the relatives. The practice of holding semipublic evenings was discontinued, and lectures were arranged purely for members. The club thanked all those who gave lectures —Messrs L. V. Bryant (technique), W. S. Gilkison (Stargazer and Aspiring), H. J. Stevenson (Hopkins and Huxley Valleys), and Dr Teichlemann (West Coast scenes). Early in the season the -secretary attached a steel flex rope for hauling the Huxley rope to and fro. For some time members had felt the need of a hut in the Hopkins Valley, but though a good deal of conversation on the subject had taken place on various occasions, nothing practical had been done until a few months ago. Members of the club having decided to have plans prepared for a 12ft by 20ft hut, with 12 bunks, a visit was paid to the Eleho and a site picked out tentatively and a route marked out for transport. Pending permission from the owners of the land, matters are at a standstill. A photographic expedition was held by the New Zealand Alpine Club, and fohr photographs taken and sent from North Otago. It was hoped that with added experience the members would take more interest in this competition next season. Plans were being made to hold a Christmas camp in the Hopkins this year, and it was hoped that everyone would keep this camp in view and help to make it a success by being present. The report and balance sheet were adopted. „ ~ , _ Election of officers: President, Rev. J. T. Crozier; vice-president, Mr 6. Palmer; secretary, Mr H. J. Stevenson; committee—Miss L. Familton, Messrs G. C.. N. Johnson, E. Burns, R. G. Young, A. Ombler, and E. Presland.