NORTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22889, 22 February 1938, Page 15

NORTH OTAGO NOTES

ROTARY CLUB. Mr A. C. Hurst, of Papakaio, was the principal speaker at / the weekly luncheon of'the Oamaru Rotary Club yesterday. Rotarian E. F. Armstrong was in the chair. After pointing out that 95 per cent, of New Zealand’s exports were grassland products, Mr Hurst referred to the great many types and varieties of grass. Ryegrass had been extensively developed and there' were hundreds ot varieties. It was an interesting fact that grass grown in spring was best for milk production, whereas autumn grass was best for building up fat to keep the animals through the winter. It was a remarkable work of Nature. The amount and quality of the grass in the autumn had a great influence on lambing in the following spring. By the study of grass it had been ascertained how productivity of animals could be increased. The average lambing percentage in New Zealand was under 90, whereas in England they were aiming at, and sometimes getting, 140. A dry autumn meant a poor lambing, and it was often difficult in North Otago, with its low rainfall, to get the grass when needed. With irrigation they could control that, and have the grass exactly when it was wdnted. North Otago was ideally situated for irrigation. The big Waitaki River carried most water in the summer and autumn —just when it was most needed. And we were not making any use of that water, which could increase production by three to five times. WOMEN’S INSTITUTES. There was a good at tho monthly meeting of the Kakanui Women’s Institute, Mrs J. Rusbatch presiding. Mrs Williams gave an instructive demonstration of rug-making and the making of wood-pulp flowers. Mrs Walter C. Wilson won the competitions for shortbread and vegetables. The Waiareka Orchestra contributed musical items. • The monthly meeting of the Awa-moa-Alma Institute was held at the Totara Hall, Miss Ross presiding. Miss Pattel gave an interesting talk on institute affairs. The competitions resulted:—Artidle from a felt hat, Mrs Hall 1, Miss Keating 2. Vegetables, Miss Clark 1, Mrs Perry and Miss Keating (equal) 2. Date scones, Miss 'Ross 1, Mrs Greaney 2. Misses Ross and Mulligan served a dainty afternoon tea. LAWN TENNIS. The North'Otago lawn tennis team played Southland at Invercargill on Saturday, the home side winning by 19 matches to 5. Following are tho results (Southland names first) : Women’s Singles.—Miss J. Wilson lost to Miss Dora Miller, 2-6, 0-G; Mrs G. R. Hanan beat Miss J. Brewer, 6-4, 6-1; Miss K. Cutt beat Miss Z. M'Kinnon, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2; Miss L. Mehaffey beat Miss J. Corrigal, 2-6, 6-5, 7-5; Miss 1. Henderson beat Miss E. Baikie, 6-1, 6-2; Miss J. Kelly lost to Miss 1. Gunn, 2-6, 5-6. Men’s Singles.—M. M'Callum beat S. G. M'Dougall, 6-2, 6-4; B. Whelan beat J. C. M'Kenzie, 6-1, 6-0; A. J. Deaker lost to A. .Feathers. 6-2, 3-6, 0-0; W. C. Strang beat L. M’Kinnon, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3; I. Shand befj.* W. Giffin,

6-1 7-5; D. S. M'Leod beat L. Green, 6-4, 6-3. Women’s Doubles.—Mrs Hanan and Miss Cutt*" lost to Misses Miller and Baikie, 2-6, 2-6; Misses Wilson and Kelly beat Misses Brewer and M'Kinnon, 6-1, 6-3; Misses Mehaffey and Henderson beat Misses Corrigal and Gunn, 6-1, 6-3. Men’s Doubles.—M'Calum and Deaker beat M'Dougail and Feathers, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2; Strang and Whelan beat M'Kenzie and M'Kinnon, 7-5, 6-4; M'Leod and Shand beat Giffin and Greep, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3. Mixed Doubles. —M'Callum and Miss Kelly lost to M'Dougail and Miss Miller, 1-6, 6-5, 4-6; Strang and Mrs Hanan beat M'Kenzie and Miss Baikie, 6-0, 6-2; Deaker and Miss Cutt beat Feathers and Miss Brewer, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3; M'Leod and Miss J. Wilson beat M'Kinnon and Miss M'Kinnon, 6-4, 6-1; Whelan and Miss Mehaffey beat Giffin and Miss Corrigal, 6-8, 6-2, 6-1; Shand and Miss Henderson heat Green and Miss Gunn, 6-3, 6-3. Southland: 19 matches, 40 sets, 292 games. North Otago: 5 matches, 17 sets, 210 games. FLOWER SHOW. The Waitaki Horticultural Society’s flower show,, held on Friday, was an unqualified success. The entries compared favourably with those in previous years and the quality of the exhibits was high. Mr James Gerrie declared the show open, and Mr D. G. Whittaker (president) thanked the judges and exhibitors. Mrs D. G. Whittaker showed the premier rose bloom and the premier dahlia bloom. Mrs H. W. Stringer exhibited' the premier gladioli. Mrs Whittaker gained most points throughout the show, Mrs Simpson being runner-up. Those who •gained most points in the various sections were: Mrs J. B. Chapman (fruit), Mr F. Searle (vegetables), Mrs Whittaker (pot plants, cut flowers, decorative and floral), Mrs J. B. Chapman (cookery), Mrs S. Simpson (needlework and. amateur photography), Mr C. Harvey (novelty), Thelma Searle and Isla Paul (equal in children’s section) .