Untitled

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 13903, 3 November 1919, Page 3

It is now fuilv established that the area under wheat in the Dominion is a lonf wav below that of last year, and no Matter how good the harvest may prove the production will tall aga" l * ar short of the requirements, the Dominion will be under the necessity of importing a very large proportion or its breadstuffs, and it is quite within the range of possibility that- the importation will amount to between two millions and three millions of bushels, the actual needs being, of course, dependent upon the character of#ur own harvest. With the drought experienced over a large part of the wheat-growing area of Australia it is not improbable that New Zealand will be forced to go further afield than the Commonwealth for supplies. The opinion held by many who take heed of such matters is that wheat is sure to reach a high price next vear. and that view receives some confirmation by a report that has reached us from South Canterbury. We arc told that some speculators are operating there, buying wheat for forward delivery at prices that reach up to <s ■tfd'a bushel. We have no means ot verifying the statement, but our information comes from a source that we ■are bound to treat with respect). The rain which set in yesterday atter<ioon and fell steadily throughout the night was particularly opportune. The ground near the surface had already become dry and hard before the storm of wind came on Friday and Saturday to give all vegetation -a severe check, nnd farmers were beginning to hope for rain to soften and moisten the parched earth. The howling gale had left things in a rather bad way, and ; *he welcome rain will provide lid] compensation for the harm done by the vind. It will also give newly-sown turnips a. good start, as well as encourage growth in both field and garden. So far as we. have 'been able to gather, the wind did not do any material damage to orchards, though it certainly did cause fruit trees to shed a good amount of foliage. The rain appears to have, been pretty general throughout the counti-v., and extended into South Canterbury, a. good steady fall having been experienced at- Waimate. The downpour was at times very heavy, as may bo judged from the fact that n\ the" time 96 points, or nearly an inch of rain, were recorded in Oamaru, the fall being greater than the total for the whole of October. At Borton's Siding ]..49in of rain were recorded.

At the annual meeting of the Teachers' Institute on Saturday the opportunity was taken to say farewell to Miss Wilding of the Middle School. Miss Wilding, who retires on superannuation, has taught for many years in the. Middle School, and though of a retiring disposition, has'always taken a close interest in the Teachers' Institute, being one of those who are seldom absent from the meetings. Mr W. T. Rogers, president, in conveying to .Miss Wilding the good wishes of her i'ellow-teachors. spoke highly of her sterling qualities, and expressed regret that the retiring regulations made the retirement of fit and qualified teachers obligatory, when at the same time, there were so many uncertificated teachers employed in the Dominion. "Mr McLaren and Mr Earl also spoke, the latter expressing his regret at losing the services of so capable and worthy a. "co-worker. Other teachers spoke, in a similar strain. Miss McNaught then, ui the name of the teachers presented to Miss Wilding a piece of plateas a slight token of esteem and as a memento of the many years of association with this branch of the Institute. 'Miss Wilding returned thanks in a feeling manner. The rainfall in Oamaru for October, as recorded by Mr F. C. Ferris, amounted to onlv 86 points, rain having fallen on eight days, with a maximum of 34 points on the Gth. For October of last vear the total was 1.01 in. The, total rainfall for the ten months of the year now gone has been 18,87 in. as compared with 12.08 in for the corresponding period of last' year. To reach the average a further three inches of rain were needed in November and December, and just about an inch was obtained yesterday. A match between the President and Vice-President formed the opening game of the season on the Meadowbank green on Saturday. A number of Phoenix players attended, and despite the high wind enjoyable games were plaved.The President (Mr T. L. Ralfe) welcomed those present, especially Phoenix friends. It had been fomid necessary to remove the trees and hedges for the good of the green, and although the prospect appeared a little barren, the green played better already than for some years/ The membership doubled last year's, and he looked forward to even better times for the Club. Mr D. H. Thomson, for Phoenix, apologised for the absence of its President (Mr -T. T. Calder), and wished the Club success. The more competition the better bowling. At the invitation of the President Mrs Cuthbertson, wife of the vice-president, opened the season, scoring a "toucher." Refreshments were dispensed by Mesdames W. Blacklock and H. Moseley.

Mr Geo. Heads intimates that he has taken over the Northern Stables in Wansbeck street.

Our Kurow correspondent writes : After practically a week of strong; nor'west winds (some days almost obtaining cyclone velocity), the climatic conditions took a decided change yesterday (Sunday) morning. The wind changed to the South, wi£h a falling barometer, and light rain set in. By lunch time it was n steady downpour, and at two o'clock large flakes of snow were plainly visible with the rain. The rain ceased and snow set in in real earnest, and in less than an hour the landscape was draped in a white mantle. By nightfall fully six inches had fallen. During the night it, ceased and a. thaw set in. The Waitaki River was reported fishable to-day. Yesterday it was somewhat too' discolored for successful angling'. The Oamaru Creek has provided 'quite a few fish this season already, both trout and tench, and very recently indeed a fonr-pounder was caught there. The police are now installed in-their new premises. At the meeting of the Ganterbury Land Board the' following transfers were approved:—Run 217. Waibao S.D.. 283.0.35, James Meehan to Thomas George Pavne. Run 232, Little Roderick, blocks XVI., 11., 111., W'aimate. 3737.2.00. David and Elizabeth Campbell to John Laidlaw McKercher and Gordon Donald McKercher. Mr .1. B. Reid. of Elderslie. has returned from a brief visit to England. Ho is accompanied by his wife: They came by the Tofua. which arrived in Wellington on Saturday. A contributor sends us the following: —•On Wednesday afternoon there passed away at her residence near Glenavy Mrs 51. Henstridge, a lady who was respected by all who knew her. The- late Mrs Henstridge had been in indifferent health ever since the time of the influenza epidemic last year, when she suffered from a rather severe attack of that trouble, and her health since then had caused her husband and family much anxiety. During the last fewmonths the deceased lady had been a great sufferer, and she bore her suffering with much patience and resignation, but in spite of all that love, care, and medical skill could do. she passed away as above stated, leaving her husband, a, son. and daughter to mourn their loss. Being of a gentle and kindly disposition, the late Mrs Henstridge made many friends, who deeply sympathise with* her husband and family in their bereavement. The funeral took place in the Glenavy Cemetery on Friday afternoon, and the large concourse of friends who assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased lady was sufficient evidence of their appreciation of her worth. The service at the grave wa® conducted in an impressive manner by tbe Rev. D. Rankin, vicar of.the district.

Mr F. J. *Cox, newsagent and tobacconist next Bulleids' Ltd., has been appointed agent for Mr Hiett, umbrella maker and repairer. Orders left with Mr Cox will have immediate attention. In the course of the Nautical Court's finding in the Tainui disaster, the following reference; was made to benzine: — "It may be useful to make some remarks about benzine. If exposed to the air it quickly evaporates, and one pint will vaporise in 1000 cubic feet of air. If to this a light or spark is applied it will ignite- in the open, but if the ignition fakes, place under compression, that is in an enclosed space.

it will explode. Further, where there is benzine. gas i" a con fined space, it will be attracted towards heat, and if fire is adjacent, there cannot tail to be danger. After benzine has leaked in a confined space., the fumes will lurk about for a considerable time. Benzine, therefore, is a highly dangerous commodity.' 7

Mr J. A. Macpherson will open his election campaign on Wednesday, when he. will address .the electors in the Waitaki South Hall, at 7.30 p.m..; sharp. On Thursday Mr Macpherson will speak in the Ngapara Hall, and on Friday at Kia Ora.

I A complimentary ball will be tender- ' ed by the returned soldiers of Tbkarahi and surrounding district in the Tokarahi Hall on Wednesday evening. .Justice Sim to-day gave judgment in the case of William R. Lowrey v. Sydney Howard Shale, heard here, a claim for £133 9s damages. His Honor held that negligence had not been establishand gave judgment for defendant. Tyre troubles with motor trucks can be easilv minimised bv fitting NORTH BRITISH SOLID BA>*D TYRES. The t-vres used bv the War Office. 84 ' NORTH BRITISH GARDEN HOSE is made from the best Para Rubber. This is why it lasts longer than most makes. Get it. for satisfaction from any Ironmonger. 8b