NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19759, 9 April 1926, Page 13

NORTH OTAGO.

(FaoK Oca Special Corbespondekt.)

SCHOOL CONCERT

The boys of the junior and senior high, schools gave a most successful concert in the Opera House last night. The pro- ] gramme was varied and interesting, and i concluded with the sparkling comedietta “A Boy Comes Home’’ (A. A. Milne). THU BUS SERVICE. The announcement that the Government intends to establish a motor bus service between Oamaru and Kurow is creating some interest throughout the district. It is considered that the effect of this service will be to drive private buses off the road, particularly as the latter are required to take out heavy insurance policies on passengers. It is reported, though not yet confirmed, that the Railways Department intends to curtail the number of trains on this line, and restricting them to the carriage of cargo. The county council, which maintains the roads is wondering whether the Government vehicles will be exempt from heavy traffic by-laws, and whether the sul> sidy from the Highways Board will be increased on account of the extra traffic created by the Government action. WATERFRONT LABOUR. In response to a call for advertisement for extra labour to work the Kaikoura, which arrived direct from Newcastle on Wednesday, ample labour was offering. I£xtra labour was aho required to work ihe Holmdale, and this was easily found. Quite a number of the extra hands are from the country. Loading commenced in earnest yesterday morning, and it will probably be Monday before the worK is completed. The Kaixoura sails thence to Lyttelton, and after loading at Port Chalmers returns to Wellington, from where she sails for Home, via Cape Horn. RUGBY FOOTBALL. Arrangements have been completed for an inter-district match between the Timaru and Oamaru Old Boys’ Clubs. The match will be played in Oamaru on Saturday, April 17, and will be a curtain-raiser to the championship fixtures. The Old Boys will hold a pratice match on the show grounds on Saturday first. DAIRY PRODUCE. An Oamaru butter factory is this year sending an exhibit to the Waikato Winter Show. This is the first occasion upon which the local manufacture has competed so far north. The quality of the cream pnppiied to Oamaru factories is of a very high standard, and the grading is, in conpequenco, uniformly high. It will he interesting to observe how North Otago butter compares with the best of the Taranaki and Auckland provinces. GOVERNMENT SETTLERS. The North Otago district was one of the first in the Dominion to take advantage of tiie Lands for Settlement Act and to bring about the subdivision of large estates. It is interesting to note that the whole of the Crown selectors have flourished exceedingly. A large number of the original settlers have made sufficient from their farms to enable them to retire, while not a few others are in such a position that they could live in comfort tor the rest of their days. Land in North Otago has not been inflated in value, as in the North Island and some parts of Canterbury. In isolated eases farmers have paid too much for the goodwill of their properties, but as a genera’. rule the Crown tenants of to-day are making a most satisfactory living. SIR JOHN M'KENZIE. It is a matter of history that the late Sir John M’Kenzic was largely, responsible for the inception of the land for settlement policy that enabled so many people in North Otago to become prosperous farmers Travellers by train from Dunedin to Oamaru have remarked of late upon the fact that the cairn that was erected to the late Sir John M’Ker.zie on a high peak near Palmerson is no longer to be seen. The question is being asked when, if ever, steps are to be taken to have the cairn restored. GENERAL. Baseball is likely to be one of the most attractive sports in Oamaru in the coming winter. The membership of the local clubs Is very large. The roller skating season opened in Oamaru this week. ' The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Band will commence a tour of the Dominion immediately after the close of the Exhibition. Their first appearance in the provincial towns will be at Oamaru on May 5. There are 5G4 names on the jury list for the Oamaru district. Quite good fishing is being obtained off the Oamaru breakwater and wharves. Red cod appears to be numerous, and some good-sized trevalli have been caught. Two young penguins were noticed off the Oamaru breakwater yesterday. The second storey to the Oamaru fire station is nearing completion, and should soon be ready for the occupation of th» men. It will, when completed, make a pleasing addition to the town’s alrcl dy growing number of new buildings. ST. LUKE’S CURATE. It has been definitely decided that Mr Fo ter, a young man who recently passed through a’theological college in England, and who will arrive in New Zealand lit the end of the present month, will succeed the Rev. D. Jamieson as curate of St. Luke s Church.* Mr Foster has excellent credentials from the principal of the college. HARVEST FESTIVAL. A harvest festival is to be held on Sunday in connection with the Anglican churches in Oamani. The churches are being specially decorated for the occasion. MINIATURE RIFLES. The Oamaru Miniature Rifle Club will open its season on Monday next. Miniature rifle shooting has become very popular in North Otago and it has assisted more than one shootist to obtain a reputation at the outdoor butts. BOWLING. With the approach of winter and the shorter days all summer snorts are being replaced by winter games. The bowling season is drawing to a close and the Meadowbank Green will be officially closed on Saturday. BASKET BALL. The following members of the Oamaru Basket Ball Club left for Dupedin last evening to take part in the Dominion Tournament at Dunedin :—Forwards — Jessie Frame, A. Borrie, Ella Henderson ; centres—Ada Tempero. Ella Patterson, Hope Smith; defence—Connie Millar, Jean Sievwright, Lottie M’Gradie (captain); emergencies—Marjorie Armstrong. Nancy M’Pherson and Moya M'Laren. FLOUR AND LABOUR. Mr Thomas Jacobs, president of the North Otago Labour Council, has received the following reply to a telegram sent to the Prime Minister in regard to the importation of Australian flour: ‘T have duly received your telegram of the 51st ultimo with reference to the subject of flour importation. Your representations will have the careful consideration of the Government.” LODGE MEETING. At a meeting of the Endeavour Lodge, U.A.0.D., the bards reported that those Upon the sick list were making satisfactoryprogress. One candidate was initiated into i the order, and several friends were pro- 1 posed for membership. The ordinary busi- I eess of the lodge was followed by i musial evening.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

FAREWELL SOCIAL

Mr and Mrs J. Willett and family, who are leaving Awamoko after having been identified with the district for over 20 years, were entertained at a farewell social by the settlers of the district. A very enjoyable musical programme was provided and in an interval Mr John King, on behalf of the settlers, presented Mr Willett with a wallet of notes. Mr Willett took an active part in providing a hall for Awamoko and occupied the position of chairman of the hall trust. He was also a member of the Library Committee and of the School Committee. Presentations were also made to members of the family and the function concluded with supper and a dance. A SPORTS GROUND. Another deputation from the Caledonian Society will wait upon the North Otago A. and P. Association to-day to discuss further the •question of putting down a cycling track on the showgrounds. It is anticipated that the only difficulty in the way of making the grounds suitable for all kinds of sport will be that of finance. INEBRIATES. Eleven persons were arrested in Oamani during the quarter ended March 31 on charges of drunkenness. The majority of them came from outside districts. PERSONAL. Miss Enid Pragnell, formerly of Masterton, who has appointed nurse at the denial clinic that is about to be opened hero, arrived from the north yesterday. DUNTROON SALE. There was another large yarding at the Duntroon sale yesterday, the bulk being store sheep, a considerable portion of which came from Waitangi station. The sale on the whole was a good one. Young ewes, good rape lambs, and forward wethers wore in keen demand, although the demand foi aged ewes was scarcely up to that of the previous sale. The whole of the yarding was cleared. Small two-tooth halfbred ewes sold at 33s to 555; four, six, and eight-tooth, 29s to S4s; fat ewes, 25s to 28s 6d; five-year-old ewes to 23s 6d; .rape lambs. 23s lid to 25s Id; forward wethers, 21s to 235; flock merino ewes. 5s to 6s; cull halfbred ewes, 8s to 14s 6d. Fat lambs realised 26s lOd to 27s 6d; fat ewes. 14s to 17s 6d: fat wethers, 27s to 31s.