NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19906, 28 September 1926, Page 13

NORTH OTAGO.

IFbom Qua Special C ROAD GRADER. The Waitaki County Council, which has recently done a great deal to improve the roads in the county, intends purchasing a road grader of the most modern and efficient type. Several graders in use in adjoining counties have already been inspected, and yesterday morning a demon- , stratiou was given on the main road at Totara of one type of grader, drawn by a tractor. The demonstration was made in th© presence of county councillors and a number of interested settlors. KAKANUI ITEMS. The Campbell’s Bay beach is now in excellent order for bathing. The recent heavy weather did not disturb the sand to any appreciable extent. Owners of shacks at Kakanui are now busy making preparations for the camping season. jvakamu is gaining a wide reputation as a grape-growing district. During the last few years no fewer than four large vineries have been erected. This is one of the few localities in the Dominion in which the vines are not attacked by scale or mildew. Xwo large vineries have been erected this year. The run of whitebait has hardly vet commenced in the Kakanui River. A number of whitobaiters were out on Saturday, but their catches were not very large. BOWLING. Everything is in readiness for the opening of the bowling season on Saturday next by th© Phtenix and Meadowbank Clubs, both greens are reported to be in good plaving order. The Awamoa Club will open its'season on th© following Saturday. A NATIONAL PRIZE. A pupil of the Rosary Convent in Oamaru, Miss Johanna MT’hee, has won a National prize of £5. ’this is awarded by Trinity College, London, to the pupil under 18 years who gains at least 85 marks in the Higher Local Division of Music, both theoretical and practical. Miss M‘Phee secured 92 marks in theorv and 89 in practical work. In order to T 1 ‘"is much coveted distinction the candidate must pass these two tests in the same year. in 1925 only three candidates in tho British Empire were awarded this prize. PRESENTATION. Mr George E. Wilkinson, organist and choirmaster of tho Wesley Church, who was recently married, was entertained at a social in tho lecture hall, which was tastefully decorated for tho occasion. iho Rev G. F. Stockwell, on behalt of the choir and friends, presented Mr Wllku * s °" with a dinner-gong and silver-mounted broad-board, with monogram. 3 a making the presentation, Mr btockwcll referred to tho splendid service rendered to too church by tho guest of the evening as organist and choirmaster, and took the opportunity on behalf of the church of welcoming Mrs Wilkinson to Oamaru and offered the congratulations of the church to the happy couple and wished them every blessing in their new life. Other speakers supported Mr Stock well’s remarks. Mrs Wilkinson was the recipient of a posy of spring flowers which were presented to her by Miss Common. Mr Wilkinson, in ro P' y ’ pressed thanks for the kindly thought which had prompted the social and tho gifts, and for the very hearty welcome extended to Mrs Wilkinson. general. Teams of footballers and basketball nlavers from the Oamaru South School visited Timaru on Saturday and played matches against the Waimatnitai school. Tho footballers won their match by 5 points to nil. but the basketball team was de- . fcated" bv 22 points to 12 noints. The legal and public offices in Oamaru wore closed yesterday for Dominion Day. For the rest “business as usual was the order of the day. _ . _ , In the window of Messrs J. Martin and Co. mnv be seen a bowl containing the ova of rainbow trout that are in the process of hatching. This pipcicultural exhibit has excited a good deal of interest. CHESS. The individual scores in the match Oamaru v. Highfield (Timaru) played at Waimate on Saturday evening, were as follows: „ „ . ~ .. Oamaru: Patterson 0, Burns 0. K. ramijton 1. H. Familton i. Broad 0 Marshall i. Chapman 1, Pollock 1, Jacobs 0, Williamson 0. Wansbrough 1; total 5. Highfield: T. Mara 1, Howard 1, P. Mara 0, Wood i. Cudden-Large 1, Price 4. Edwards 0. Warsaw 0, Lamb 1, Munn li Matheson 0; total 6. ST. BATHANS MINE. i A number of the directors of the St. Bathans Goldmining Company visited the mine on Saturday last and inspected the workings. They were pleased with the progress that had been made, and with tho general prospects, A washing-up will be commenced almost immediately, and from the samples of gold brought back to Oamaru as a result of a small washing, it is anticipated that excellent results will be obtained. A definite official report may be expected in a day or two. COUNTRY CRICKET. The Waitaki Cricket Sub-association held its annual meeting at Duntroon last week. Those present representing the different clubs were Dr Eawnsley, Messrs Paterson, J. Newlands. J. Adams, and J. Fyfo. Mr Newlands was in tho chair. Mr Paterson, of Ngapara, was elected president for the season 1926-27 and Mr James Fyfc, secretary. The following is the draw of fixtures for this season: October 16.—Ngapara v. Duntroon at Ngapara. Otekaike a bye. October 25.—Otekaike v. Ngapara, at Otekaiko. Duntroon a bye. October 30. —Duntroon v. Otekaike, at Duntroon. Ngapara a bye. Second Round. November 6. —Duntroon v. Ngapara, at Duntroon. Otekaiko a bye. November 13.—Ngapara v. Otekaike, at Ngapara. Duntroon a bye. November 20.—Otekaike v. Duntroon, at Otekaike. Ngapara a bye. In the event of Kurow entering the contest that club will play the club that has a bye each week. It was resolved that matches start at 2 p.m. sharp. A proposal was carried that the secretary write to the at Ngapara, Duntroon, Otekaike and Kurow requesting that, their schools contest tho Waitaki Cricket Sub-association School Cup. RIFLE SHOOTING. The following were the highest scores at the last weekly shoot of the Weston Rifle Club;—Laney 97, G. Brightwell 95, Patterson 95, Henderson 95, G. Stevenson 94, B. Campbell 92, Colquhoun 92, R. Campbell 91, Barnard 90. The championship cup was won by 11. Stevenson, with a total of 1331 points out of 1400. W. Laney came second with 1323 points. The shoot-off for a trophy presented by the club resulted in G. Brightwell com ing first and W. Barnard second. The gold medal presented by Mr Copeland was won by E. Patterson. RUGBY SUB-UNION. At the weekly meeting of the North Otago Rugby Sub-union last night Mr C. Moll Ison presided. The Waimate Sub-union advised that it appreciated the fact that a shield had been presented by Mr Clark, of Maheno. (or inter-club competition. The secretary of the North Otano A. and P. Association wrote stating that a deputation could wait upon tire association at its meeting on October 8. The Otago Union, in a communication!, thanked the sub-union for the reception accorded the Otago team, and_ stated that further information was required in regard to the matter before the Now Zealand Union could be approached in regard to

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

the finance for a new ground in Oamaru.— Received. , _ Permission was granted the Roman Catholic school to use the Showgrounds for a match on Saturday. An Excelsior player, J. Grainger, was granted permission to transfer to Old Boys. The secretary and treasurer were empowered to deal with outstanding accounts. The secretary stated that about £lO worth of tickets had been sold in connection with the Otago match, which was a benefit, one for the Caledonian Society. After paying expenses a sum of about £2O would be available for ground improvement. . Several matters affecting the wmding-up of the season were dealt with. , 'lt was decided to express regret that, owing to the season being over, the subunion could not organise a benefit match in aid of the funds of the Plunket Society. The Chairman stated that when recently in Dunedin he had interviewed the president of the Otago Union, and was informed that in all probability the Otago Union would assist in every way towards the formation of a North Otago Union. It had been suggested bv the president of the Otago Union that it might bo desirable to approach the North Island unions in the matter. The chairman expressed the opinion that a meeting of delegates of the North Otago clubs should be called to discuss the question of forming a union. Several members thought that little could be done until they heard from the New Zealand Union. As to the mode of procedure Mr Colquhoun stated that a committee had been appointed to gather data and report. The chairman said that one of the biggest questions was: What was to bo the constitution of the union? Was it to consist of clubs in Oamaru alone, or of Oamaru and Palmerston? Mr Smith stated that the Eastern Uistricts’ president had informed him that the whole of the clubs of his sub-union, with one exception, were in fayour of the union. The discussion ended with a statement bv the chairman that the matter would be proceeded with as soon ns the sub-committee reported. The chairman and secretary were instructed to purchase a present for Mrs Wise in recognition of her services in looking after the caps and jerseys of the union. The chairman and Messrs Young and Colquhoun were delegated to present the junior and third grade banners. Some discussion took place on the question whether a smoke concert should bo held this year to terminate the season. The chairman and several members voiced the opinion that the state of the finances did not warrant a function this year, and it was finally decided, on the motion of Mr Kibblewhitc, that a smoko concert be not held at the expense of the sub-union. Accounts amounting to £169 18s 9d were passed for payment. It was decided that a letter be sent to the Ambulance Society thanking it for its assistance during the year. Before the conclusion of the meeting the chairman thanked the members for their regular attendance at the meetings, for the support they had extended the chair, and for the interest they had taken in the game. On the motion of Mr Colquhoun, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the chairman for his services to the sub-union. Votes of thanks wore also passed to Mr 0. 11. Wise, jun., and the press, CRICKET ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the North Otago Cricket Association was held last evening, Mr M. S. Holmes presiding. Eleven delegates were present. The annual report and balance sheet were adopted. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £5 odd. Mr Gregory, on behalf of the Union Club, moved, in accordance with a notice given:—“That the three-point win in junior matches oe abolished, and that the hours of play be from 2 to 6.30 pan.’’ Mr Gregory stated that under the system of a three-point win a number of players at the tail of a team were unable to get an innings. Mr Colquhoun (Weston) seconded the motion, and spoke in favour of it. He expressed the opinion that the younger players should be catered for. Mr W. Uttley, in supporting the motion, stated that the mover and seconder had made out a good case. After Mr T. W, Jacobs had stressed the importance of encouraging the poorer players, the resolution in regard to the three-point win was put and carried, and it was decided to amend the rules accordingly. In regard to the proposed extension of the hour of play from 6 till 6.30 o’clock, Mr Gregory said the extra half-hour was played in Dunedin and elsewhere. Mr Uttley said the proposed change would not suit the High School Club. He suggested starting play earlier. Mr Jacobs said the Albion Club opposed extending the hour of play. Messrs G. W. Procter, L. H. Sumpter, Colquhoun. and Palmer opposed the change; and Mr Maude supported it. Eventually the proposal for an extension of the hour was defeated by a substantial majority. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr M. S. Holmes; vice-presidents Messrs Bradshaw, H. Familton, B. B. Walton, and G. M. Procter; secretary and treasurer, Mr T. W. Jacobs; delegate to New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr H, E. Lawrence. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Gregory for the use of his room for meeting purposes. It was decided that clubs be requested to furnish the secretary with the full scores of each match. Mr G. M. Procter was elected to represent the vice-presidents on the executive. The Secretary stated that the Territorial parades were going to interfere greatly with cricket this season. He had interviewed the local officers of the Defence Department upon the subject, and was informed that the parades were regulated from Dunedin. | Mr L. H. Sumpter stated that they had not the slightest chance of getting consideration from the Defence Department. Mr W. Uttley asked why the parades could not be spread over the year, or held in the winter. Another member stated that this would interfere with football. The Secretary thought the Defence Department was taking the wrong attitude entirely in regard to cricket. It was decided that Mr E. P. Lee, M.P., and the New Zealand Cricket Council be approached in the matter. It was decided that the first grade matches of the season open on October 9, and that the junior matches commence on the same date, but that the points gained would not count for the championship until November IS. It was decided that nomination* from clubs be received in time for on executive meeting next Monday. The secretary was instructed to endeavour to arrange a match with a country team for October 23, to be played in Oamaru. • GOLF. The Oamaru Golf Club played on Saturday for tho Walker and Hall competition. Some good individual scores, which constitute tho club’s entry in the competition, were as follows; —Hugo, 92, 20—62; Roll, 87, 21—66; D. Reid, 82, 14-68; Bradshaw, 96, 28—68. The best gross score was obtained by M. S. Holmes, who played consistently, taking 40 each, way. The semi-finals of lbs local championship were also played, Holmes defeating Scott, 4 and 2, and Familton winning from B. Smith, jun., after a hard-fought game at tho nineteenth hole. In the junior competition Henry beat R. \V. Smith, 6 and 4, and, by also defeating Hugo, plavs off in the final with either Roll or Hedges.