NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19762, 13 April 1926, Page 7

NORTH OTAGO.

fFrom Oob Special Corbespondknt.)

CULLING OF DEER

For the last few years parties have visited the • Ahuriri Valley, under license from the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society, for the purpose of culling the deer herd. The party this year consisted of Messrs W. Gemmell, J. Cayford, J. Aimes. E. Swinard, J. D. Taylor, and E. A. Fox. It was camped in the valley for about eight days. The weather was fine, and good sport was obtained. Fewer deer were seen than in former years, and those sighted were particularly fine. Altogether 28 heads were taken. The heads, generally speaking, werq. of poor quality, the best seen being a royal. The deer are, however, in excellent condition. Last season the same party secured 76 heads, and three or four years ago as many as 400. It is quite evident, therefore, that the culling operations are having the desired effect. The partv saw a large number of ducks and black swan on the lagoons in the valley, and are of opinion that the game-shooting season will be the most successful experienced for some years past. VALUE OF LUCERNE. The value of lucerne as a green food as well as a fodder has been demonstrated in North Otago during the last few weeks. Hundreds of store sheep have been turned on to lucerne paddocks, and have rapidly become fat. If there has been any doubt concerning the fattening qualities of lucerne it has now been dissipated. The area under this crop is likely to be largely increased in the coming season. One settler alone is putting down 100 acres. The popularity of lucerne is remarkable, when it is remembered that a few years ago it was scarcely known to the district. SPECIAL ORDERS. # ! At a special meeting of the Waitaki 1 County Council the following special order was made by resolution: —“That the council of Waitaki, being of opinion that section 6, block XII, Town of Maheno, is no longer required for the purposes of the council, hereby authorises the sale thereof.” A further special order was made, repealing a certain section of the Papakaio water-race by-law, and inserting another section fixing the annual charge for interest and sinking fund on a loan of £2OOO raised by the council. IMMIGRANT LABOUR. During the last few months a number of English and Scottish immigrants have sought employment in the Oamaru district. Some of them have been engaged as farm hands, and although they have shown a willingness to work, their knowledge of agriculture has been so small that they have been practically valueless to the farmer. , There is a good, demand for ploughmen and experienced farm hands in this district, but very little opening for immigrants who have had no acquiantance with the soil. GIRL GUIDES. At a meeting of the Girl Guides Executive, presided over by Mrs M’Lean, it was decided to form seven companies. The guiders are to meet on Thursday evening for instruction by Sergeant-major Searle. A number of names were added to the General Committee, and the prospects for the Girl Guide movement are exceedingly bright. OMARAMA, DOG TRIALS. The concluding events in the Omaranra dog trials, the short pull and yard and the open huntaway, resulted as follows; SHORT PULL AND YARD. C. A. Parker’s George, 36 points .. 1 G. Keefe’s Spring, 35 points 2 A. L. Aubrey’s Help, 34 points .... 3 S. W. Trotter’s May, 33 points .... 4 OPEN HUNTAWAY. A. L. Aubrey’s Tweed, 38 points .... 1 E. Davis’s Rock, 36 points 2 E. Waldron’s Ben, 35 points 3 J. W. Anderson's Winnie, 33 points 4 The special prizes were won as follows: Mr W. E. Aubrey s cup for best mustering team, one header and two huntaway was won by Mr H. Waldron, Omarama. Mr John Anderson's cup for best team of three dogs (two headers and one huntaway was won by Mr G. Keefe, Fairlie. Mr John Kelland’s £3 3s to the competitor whose best individual score in each class form the highest aggregate was won by Mr C. Parker, Burke’s Pass. Mr H. Bain's guinea to youngest local competitor was won by Mr D. Allen. Mr R. G C. Munro’s guinea for dog pulling best with least instructions was won by Mr John Anderson, Omarama. Mr J. Downey's guinea for dog fourth in Class 11, was won by R. Waldron, Omarama. The Secretary’s guinea for fastest head in Class I was won by Mr A. Aubrey, Waimate Waldron Bros.’ two guineas for maiden dog scoring most points in both heading events was won by Mr C, Parkers’ George. Mr Arthur Munro’s guinea for returned soldier gaining most points at meeting was won by Mr E. Dunstan. Hakataramea. Mr R. W. Trotter’s _ mounted walking stick for competitor gaining most points at the trials—Mr Geo. Keefe. Fairlie. Mr Thomas M'Aughtrie’s guinea to dog fifth in Class IV vras Won by Mr John Anderson's Flag. The Oamaru Mail Co’s, guinea to_ competitor with most entries not gaining a first prize at trials—Mr Geo. Keefe, Fairlie. Mr J. S. Woods’ cun for first in Maiden I^untaway —C. A. Parker’s George. DOG TRIALS AT SHOWS. The proposal made by Mr Trotter at the meeting of the North Otago A. and P. Association last week that one or more sheep dog trials be held at the next, show has caused a good deal of favourable comment throughout the district. It is considered almost certain that the proposal will be adopted by the new committee. The need for some further attractions at the show than those already in existence has long been recognised. GENERAL. North Otago residents have had the uncommon experience of indulging themselves in the pastimes of summer at a period when the autumn leaves are falling. During the last three days a nor’-wester has prevailed, and the temperature has been very warm. .... The Oamaru Gardens, dressed in their autumn garb, present a picturesque appearance at this period of the year. They are frequented by scores of people daily, and lay hundreds on Sundays. The thermometer registered as high as C2 degrees in the shade at Oamaru shortly after noon yesterdav. A number of owners of wireless sets in Oamaru listened-in last evening for the concert of the 33 aitaki school boys at Dunedin. There is a fairly heavy cause list for the sitting of the Magistrate's Court tomorrow. By-law cases and a licensing case are likely to cccupv the attention of the court for some time. Good sport was obtained bv Oamaru anglers at the week-end. The 13 aitaki River is now almost clear, and in fine fishing order. A MISADVENTURE. A little girl, aged two years, daughter of a well-known resident of Oamaru, had the misfortune yesterday afternoon to swallow a portion of the contents of a bottle containing poison. A _ doctor was summoned and with the Resistance of a stomach pump they saved the life of the child, who is now believed to he out of danger. UNVEILING OF WAR MEMORIALS. A meeting of the War Memorial Commitfee was held in the Borough Council Chambers yesterdav afternoon there being present Mr .T. M’Dairmid tehairman). Dr Douglas, Messrs Robert Milligan. J. M. Forrester, G. Livingstone. J. A. Maopheriod, the Rev. W. M’Lean, apd Arch-

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

deacon Russell. The Chairman referred to letters in the press regarding the day upon which the memorial was to bo unveiled. It had been decided that the unveiling should take place on Saturday. April 24, but this had not been received favourably by the majority. The Rev. Mr M’Lean said the returned soldiers favoured the idea of altering the date of the unveiling to the Sunday. This was more suitable and convenient. There was the fact of the football season opening and other fixtures which would effect the attendance. Sunday was more in keening with the occasion. Mr Livingstone said the public favoured the altering of the date to Sunday, April 25 The Rev. Mr McLean moved that the former resolution be rescinded and that the day for the unveiling be Sunday, April the motion was carried unanimously Arrangements were then made for the unveiling. Messrs J. M. Forrester, M. KM‘Cullough J. Patterson and Sergt.-Major Wright were elected as marshals. It was derided to ask the day school teachers to take charge of the children. It was also resolved to request the Sunday school superintendents to close the Sunday schools for the occasion. The secretary was _ instructed to issue invitations to the various loord bodies th© various lodges, clubs, etc. The Fire Brigade is to be asked to parade in uniform. , , , , , , The Secretary stated that he had com municated with Genera! Sir Andrew Russell the Prime Minister and the Horn w Downie Stewart to ascertain if anv of these gentlemen could perform the unveihng ceremonv. but all had prior Colonel Hargest, in charge of the Southern Command, was communicated 'TrVTor the accepted the honour The st ® tl ' aTy , f ° : r J ■ monument, which had arrived V j an( j koura, would fcf erected on the Isth and until tbf* Sunday. .1 » • w The following programme c °mp'ed the Rev Mr Maclean and Archdeacon Russell was adopted Selection by the Regimental Band, anthem &r>ptmx sentences hymn, prayer and Scripture * son. address by the Mayor. hymn, ing and address by Colonel [largest, hand ing over of roll of honour, prayer of dedication, placing of the roll of honour m receptacle. Last Post, Revielle from the Post Office tower, march past and the placing of wreaths. A guard of honour will be' formed by members of the Returned f4 di s;„t:srio, K; portion of the programme was left to tfie Ministers’ Association. BOXING TOURNAMENT. A meeting of the North Otago Boxing Association was held last evening, ‘ D Forbes presiding over a good attend ance It was decided that a tournament be arranged for Saturday evening, May the evening following the Oamaru 1 rotting Club’s racing meeting. To '-""ease interest in the tournament it was de " de . d tf ( place on the programme a professional bout of 15 rounds between T. Harris and J Paul for a purse of £25 and expenses. The following amateur bouts were arra Welter-weight.—Sutherland { oa maru) v. an opponent from Dunedin not yet selected. Heavy-weight-J. Leckie (Dunedin) v. A. Campbell (Oamaru). v Feather-weight.—A,, Lloyd (Oamaru) John Leckie (Dunedin). . , . The following officials were a PP°‘" t f c l ,-° r the tournament:—Referee, Mr T. galo; judges, Messrs Smith and Notman, announcer, Mr J D. Forbes; , seconds. Messrs G. M’Leod and H. Night ingale; ringside stewards, Messrs Speid and Dell; weighing-in stewards, Messrs Meldruxn and V. Doran* The secretary was instructed to procure the Opera House, if possible, and if not available, Everybody’s Picture Theatre The meeting expressed regret m tbs loss sustained by the association by Mr b. vv. Ongley leaving the district. It was decided to hold a smoke concert on Tuesday, April 20 in order suitably to express the association’s appreciation of tae valuable services Mr Ongley had rendered in assisting to further the art of boxing in North Otago. OAMARU ATHENAEUM. The monthly meeting _of the Oamaru Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute was held in the Athenaeum Buildings last even ing. there being present the Rev. vv M’Lean (in the chair), Messrs Grenfell, Beswick, Findlay. Molljson, Creagh. Forrester. and Petrie. Considerable discussion took place relative to a new build '"? to be erected for a client, and it was ulti mately decided to leave the matter in the hands of Messrs Creagh, Lee, Forrester, and Petrie to report at next meeting. Ihe following books were purchased during the month:—Eight science, three history, four biology, four travel, threei poetry, i fiction. For the month of March two volumes of fiction and one of poetry were received from Mr A. Fraser. During the month 14 new subscribers were recorded and a like number left. The strength of subscribers is 765. which includes 42 juveniles and two soldiers. There was at nresent a credit balance at the bank ot £247 11s lOd.