NORTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22878, 9 February 1938, Page 7

NORTH OTAGO NOTES

[From Our Oamaru Correspondent.] EXCELLENT WEATHER. Yesterday in Oamaru was beautifully fine, with glorious sunshine all day, and just the weather the farmers (who are at present busily harvesting) require. The bathing beaches and pools were well patronised in the afternoon and evening. DANGEROUSLY ILL. Mr Patterson, who was involved in an accident, and has been lying unconscious in the Oamaru Public Hospital since Friday afternoon, has shown a slight improvement to-day, but is still unconscious and on the dangerously ill list; OAMARU HARBOUR BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Oamaru Harbour Board was held yesterday morning. There were present Messrs B. K. Ireland (chairman), R. Milligan, A. H. Hayes, J. A. Macpherson, C. J. Marshall, A. MTnnes, E. S. Brewster, VV. E. Aubrey, and J. Duncan. The recommendation of the Standing Committee that the resignation of Mr A. Curwood as works foreman be accepted as from March 31, and that he be engaged for 12 months as consultant to the board, was-adopted. The harbourmaster (Captain H. S. Cox) reported that during January the shipping at the port comprised one overseas, three intercolonial, and 10 coastal steamers, totalling 16,147 tons, compared with the total of tonnage of 10,661 tons in January, 1937. Mr A. G. Lee was re-engaged as consulting engineer on the same terms for a further period of two years. The Standing Committee reported that it could not agree to the request of the watersiders for a more up-to-date central waiting room in the meantime. —Approved. The Standing Committee also recommended that the rate for the ensuing year ha three-tenths of a penny in the £, the same as last year.—Adopted. The consulting engineer (Mr Lee) submitted a plan showing the design of the No. 18 tunnel shot, and this, with Mr Lee’s instructions, were referred to the quarry manager for adoption. Accounts totalling £965 were passed for payment. , . The secretary (Mr T. J. Guthrie) reported for the month as follows: Thirty-five men were employed on various works (19 on breakwater extensions, five on wharf repairs, and nine under the. new subsidy), and 1,442} tons of stone were placed on the Ramsay extension. At the end of the month the lateral drive in No. 18 tunnel was driven 14ft, and in No. 19 tunnel 23ft, the stone in No. 19_ being extremely hard. Work was still proceeding on No, 13 face, and repairs had been carried out to the plant and rolling stock. The report was received. FpRTY YEARS* SERVICE. A record of service on Oamaru local bodies extending over nearly 40 years was honoured by members- of the Oamaru Harbour Board and representative citizens of the town and district at a dinner in the Queen’s Hotel yesterday, given bY the chairman of the board (Mr R. K. Ireland) to. Mr R. Milligan, who is severing his .connection with local bodies on the eve of going to the Old Country to reside. Mr Ireland presided, and those present included the mayor (Mr M. F. Cooney), Mr J, Redman (chairman of the Waitaki County Council), Mr James M’Diarmid (chairman of the Waitaki Electric Power Board), Captain Cox (harbourmaster), and.ine following members of the board:—Messrs A. MTnnes, J, A. Maop.berson, W. E. Aubrey, A. N. Hayes, J. Duncan, E. S. Brewster, C. J. Marshall, and thd secretary (Mr T. J. Guthrie).

Among apologies for absence was one for the member of Parliament for Oamaru, Mr A. H. Nordmeyer. • After the loyal toast had been honoured, the Chairman said that Mr Milligan had intimated to him last Monday that he was retiring from the Harbour Board and public life, and, as Mr Milligan had been a member for over 33 years, he felt that a function like, the one they were holding was the only appropriate way to mark members’ and the community’s appreciation of their guest’s good work on the board. He thanked members and the others present for their support of him in this movement, because, no matter what their opinions might be on civic matters, all could recognise services that such a citizen as Mr Milligan had given over a long period of years. One matter that had been of the utmost importance to the board and the district had been the question of the rearranging of the board’s financial'position a good many years ago. As a result of that, the board, with Mr Milligan as chairman, had gone into the position and achieved results which put the board in the position it was in to&e mayor, after expressing his pleasure at being present, congratulated Mr Ireland on the happy thought of recognising the services of one who had served with distinction for so many years on public bodies. ' It was 1 fitting that these services should t be recognised in some way when Mr Milligan was taking the steps he was doing. Mr Milligan was one of the early mayors of the town, having taken the mayoral chair at a comparatively young age, and at a time, too, when’Oamaru was suffering from financial sickness. As a boy he remembered the difficulties the council of those times had to face with a shortage of finance to keep the municipal affairs going. It was to M Milligan’s credit that he had achieved substantial progress during his term. Replying, Mr Milligan _ thanked all the speakers for their kind remarks. He thought the time had come for him to retire and give way to younger members. Anything which the speakers had given him credit for had only been achieved by the co-operation of other members of local bodies. Soon after he had joined the Borough Council he had moved for better sanitation, and after a discussion it was agreed that this could best be achieved by an increase in. the rates of 6d in the £. A local newspaper at that time described the open channels as “ reeking and smelling in the sun in air their abominable unloveliness.” There had been great opposition, but would anyone; now say that they had not been justified? It was fine for him to-day to observe the condition of the roads and see that the town had progressed to modern systems of sanitation and electric lighting. All this had been achieved by the co-operation of members of .local bodies. It was, however, melancholy for him to reflect that he was the only member of the council of 1900 alive to-day, and only four members of the 1905 Harbour (Board now surviving. He had had wonderful experience from local body work, and anything he had been able to do was amply repaid by that experience. If at times there had been heated exchanges, it was due to over-keenness for the interests of those bodies. In leaving the Harbour Board he felfthat ho was leaving its affairs in good hands, as the chairman and members were enthusiastic and efficient, so he felt the

utmost confidence that they would carry out the work that w;as essential. He concluded by thanking all for their generous remarks. OAMARU PRESBYTERY. At the monthly meeting of the Oamaru Presbytery the moderator (Rev. A. B. Chisholm) presided. A welcome was extended by the moderator to the Revs. John Freeman (recently ordained in the Herbert charge), lan Dixon (ordained last Wednesday in the Eveline charge), the Rev. James M'Caw, and Mr George Gibson (Duntroon). Elders’ commissions were sustained in favour of Mr D. E. Patou (MahenoIncholme parish), Mr George Gibson (Duntroon), Mr Ross (Herbert), and Mr John Lonmer (Palmerston). The Rev. H. H. Barton reported for the Committee on Committees, in the unavoidable absence of the convener (the Rev. Lawson Marsh). He submitted the following proposed committees: —Life and Work—Revs. J. M. M'Kenzie (concener), H. H. Barton, J. M. Bates, H. 0. Bowman, J. Cawley, lan Dixon, with elders. Property — Revs. A. R. Chisholm (convener), H. O. Bowman, and Mr J. Rodman. Public Questions and Temperance—Revs. W. Lawson Marsh (convener), J. M. Bates, and A. B, Chisholm, with elders. Students —Rev. J. M. Bates (convener), J. T. V. Steele, and S. D. Baird, with elders. Missions—Revs. J. M. M‘Kenzie (convener), H. H. Barton, A. R. Chisholm, J. Bradock, J. Anderson, with elders. Youth—Revs. W. Lawson Marsh (convener), J. M. MTCenzie, S,. D. Baird, J. Freeman, with elders. Statistics, Rev. John Freeman. Press, Rev, J. M. Bates. Associated with the Mission Committee, president and_ secretary of _ the Presbyterial Association. Associated with Youth Committee—The chairmen of district committees of the Bible Class, superintendents of St. Paul’s, Columba, and Kurow Sunday Schools, with leaders of Bible classes, representatives of Bible classes to district committees. The Rev. H. H. Barton reported for the Life and Work in the absence of the convener of this committee, the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh. He reported that tentative arrangements "had been made for a ministers retreat at Moerhki on February 22. Mr Barton said that if an evangelistic campaign, such as was held last year, were to be launched it was desirable that ministers . should confer together.—lt was agreed to hold the retreat on March 1 and 2, and the arrangements were left to the Life and Works ComIt was decided that the following parishes be visited by the Presbytery during 1938:—Kurow, Hampden, and Palmerston. , _ The Revs. J. M. Bates and J. M. 51‘Kenzie were appointed to support an overture to the Synod of Otago and Southland concerning the provision of facilties for theological professors to study in the Old Country at suitable intervals. This was brought forward by the Rev. H. H. Barton. Leave of absence for eight months was granted to the Rev. H. H. Barton, who had made arrangements to visit the United Kingdom. Mr Barton intimated that the Rev. J. J. Bates would take his place during his absence. —The Rev. S. D. Baird was appointed interim moderator, and best wishes were extended to Mr Barton for an enjoyable trip. BOWLING. 'The following have been selected to represent North Otago in the match against Otago, at Oamaru, on Saturday, February 12:—P. W. Borne, H. L. Familton, D. Corson, G. P. Molhson; H, E. Wedde.H. P. S. Familton, J. A. Dunbar, E. W. Grenfell; A. O. Robertson, A. Bremner, J. Crisp, W. Buist; J. D. Forbes, G. Foster, J. T. Adams, D. H. Thomson; J. Carson, A. Smith, H. J. Martin,. W. Blacklocfc; E. H. Taylor, H. Donald, W. Campbell. W. Denholm; R. Torrance. H/C. Jeffery, T. Kennedy, J. Tisdall; W. Oats, H. Easton, Alex. Robertson, B. Easton. WAS ARENA SALE. Fat Cattle.—The quality was not good, with the exception of one or two heavy cows. Prime fat cows, £9 ss; medium cows, £4 17s 6d to £6; medium heifers, £5 2s 6d to £6 7s 6d; light, £3 2s 6d to £4 10s. Fat Sheep.—A fair yarding and good sale. Extra prime heavy ewes, 27s 6d; prim© heavy, 16s 6d to 19s; medium, 13s to 15s; extra prime wethers, 28s 3d; prime, 25s 6d to 27s 6d; medium, 23s to 245; extra heavy lambs, 27s 9d; prime heavy, 24s 6d to 255. Store Sheep.—There was a good demand for forward rape lambs. Good rape lambs, 19s 6d; medium, 16s lid; cplls, 8s to 9s; full-mouthed ewes, 12s Id; pen of two-tooth forward conditioned wethers, 20s; low conditioned cull ewes, 2s.