NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19902, 23 September 1926, Page 13

NORTH OTAGO.

/From Our Special Correspondent.)

THE DEFENCE ACT. In the Magistrate's Court at Oamaru I yesterday, before Mr H. \V. Bundle, S.M., ' William Berry, a cadet, was charged with (failing to attend drill in answer to a summons). Sergeant-major White stated that the conduct of the defendant had been very unsatisfactory. He had attended four parades out of a possible eight. Last year he had attended six pardes out of 12. His conduct when on parade was ail that could be desired. Witness had used his best efforts to induce the defendant to attend parades, but these efforts had been fruitless. Defendant did not appear, and was convicted and lined 40s. POSSESSION OF FIREARMS. James W. M'Phail, of Hampden, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court at Oarnaru yesterday with being illegally in the possession of a revolver. _ bamuel M'Carroll was also charged with bringing a revolver into the Dominion without declaring it. Both defendants guilty. The evidence showed that M’Carroll brought the revolver from America in 1922, He had not declared it to the Customs officer on his arrival at New Zealand. Ho did not think it was necessary for him to do so. The revolver had recently been purchased from M'Carroll by M'Phail His Worship convicted M'Phail and fined him 10s mileage. M'Carroll was similarly dealt with. The confiscation, of the revolver was ordered. SHIELD FOR BOWLERS. Mr Edward Mills, the well-known jeweller, of Oamaru, has presented a handsome shield to the North Otago Bowling Centre. The trophy is to be awarded annually to the winners of the inter-club competitions. It wil Ibo open for competition to the whole of the clubs under the jurisdiction of the Bowling Centre. THE NORTHERN PARR. The children’s playing area at the northern end of the town that was acquired a vear or two ago by the Borough Council, is rapidly assuming an attractive appear.i.ice. A good sale of grass has been obtained, .and the surroundings present a pleasing aspect. The residents in the northern end intend making an effort at an early date to raise further funds for the improvement of the park. HORTICULTURAL SHOW. The spring show in connection with tho North Otago Horticultural Society is to be hold in the Drill Hall to-morrow (Friday). A particularly fine display of narcissi and other spring (lowers is anticipated, and the fact that a prize of £lO is being offered for tho best exhibit of vegetables is adding interest to the show. The Municipal Band wilt render music during the evening, and refreshments will be provided. THE HOCKEY CUP. The presentation of the Lawlor Cup to the Ngapara hockey team, this year's winners, took place in the Duntroon Hall on Tuesday evening. There was a large gathering, including visitors from the whole of the surrounding districts. A supper was provided, and dancing was indulged in until the early hours of the morning. THE PLUNKET SOCIETY. A public meeting has been called by the Mayor (Mr James M'Diarmid), of town and country residents, to be held in the Borough Council Chambers on Friday afternoon, to arrange for a proposed “baby carnival” for North Otago, to provide funds for the country and town Plunket Society. The work of the society is of such a humane character that the carnival should receive the enthusiastic support of all sections of the community. LEAGUE FOOTBALL. It is understood that an effort is to be made to establish the Rugby League code of football in North Otago. The secretary of the North Otago A. and P. Association has received a communication from the Otago Rugby League in regard to a lease of the Show Grounds, but it may be mentioned that the Show Grounds have been definitely leased to the Rugby Subunion for a period of 10 years, DAIRY COMPANY. At the annual meeting of the Waimate Dairy Company the report showed that the output for the year exceeded that of the previous year by 14 tons. The operations of the season resulted in a substantial credit balance after making allowance for depreciation, a dividend of 6 per cent., and making provision for part of the 1921-23 losses amounting to £731 9s lid. The company early in the year accepted an offer of is 7jd per lb for 54 tons. Ihe balance of the season’s output was shipped ou consignment. Electric motors are to be installed in the factory at a cost of £2OO. The chairman explained the new grafting system for cream. All cream testiug under 31 per cent, of butter-fat would be graded second grade, irrespective of quality. The chairman further mentioned that about half of their output for next season, amounting to about 100 tons, was to be taken to supply the local trade. Ihe number of suppliers from the Oamaru district had increased to 81, and the directors thought Oamaru suppliers should have a representative on the board. A motion was later ou carried unanimously that the number of directors be reduced to seven-six for Waimate and one lor Oamaru. COMPETITIONS’ SOCIETY. The Oamaru Competitions Society, in | its annual report, says: —"This year s festival again created a record in numbcis of entries, 700 being received, as against G6B for 1925. The quality of the performances in all sections was well up to previous standards, but it is regretted that the entries received from adult performers is not nearly so encouraging as those received by other societies. Owing to the prevalence of influenza and also, to the rumber of other performances being triven in Oamaru immediately prior to and after the festival, the door receipts showed a decline, but the year s working has practically paid its way. The hear y thanks of the society are due to the many donors to the prize fund, those who assisted by advertising in our programme, in decorating the stage, and at the festival The press also deserves sincere thejiks loi the reports of meetings and results which greatly assisted the society. 11m follow L members of the committee retire, but are eligible for re-election:-Messrs A. Hamilton, A. Foster, G. b. Jones, H. W. Barker, J. W. Betrie, and J. S. Duncan. A BUSY DAY. Bridav will be a busy day in Oamaru. The Waitaki County Council meets in the morning. The Farmers' Lmon will discuss the wheat question early in the afternoon. At 2 o' clock the Electi u. Bower Board will held its meeting, and at 3 p.m. a public meeting will be held m connection with the Blnnkct Society. CONCERT AT MORYEN. The Mulligan Concert Party, which has been giving concerts in many parts of the district in aid of the Anglican Church funds, appeared last night before a large audience, and gave a splendid programme of music. Tills was followed by a dance. PRICE OF BUTTER. It is anticipated that a reduction in tire price -of butter will bo made in Oamaru at an early date in sympathy with the reduction in Canterbury. The present retail price is Is 8d per lb.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

PERSONAL. Monsignor M'Kenna, of Masterton, was a visitor to Oamaru this week. He left for Timaru yesterday. HERD TESTING. The value of herd testing in North Dtago does not appear to be thoroughly appreciated. A Herd Testing Association was formed two or three years ago at Entield, but as far as can be ascertained the increase in the average yield if cream in this district has not been very remarkable. A prominent dairy export, speaking to the representative of the Daily Times, stated , that herd _ testing would be of little value unless it were followed by the breeding of cows from milking strains. No advance would, he mid, be made by disposing of one robber jow and replacing it with another. THE LATE MONSIGNOR MACKAY. The Month’s Mind Requiem Mass for die late Monsignor Mackay was celebrated yesterday in the Basilica, Oamaru. Bishop IVhyte, of Dunedin, was the celebrant, and, n addition to many representatives of the dergy, there was a very large congregation. The preacher f] shop Liston, oi Auckland) spoke of the life of the deceased during his .'55 years’ work in dtago, and expressed the grateful apprenation of the Catholic community for the ■emarkable manifestations of public sympathy shown by all members of the coninuiiitv in Oamaru on the occasion of Uonsiknor Macknv’s death and funeral.