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Otago Daily Times, Issue 19907, 29 September 1926, Page 11

THE NORTH SCHOOL

fFitou Ode Special Cob respondent.)

At the monthly meeting of the Oamaru North School Committee the head master (Mr A. G. Robertson) stated that although the attendance was gradually getting back to normal 40 pupils were still absent owing to the after-effects of whooping cough. The roll number stood at 403, which was about the same as for the corresponding month last year. The remodelling of the infant department had been completed, excepting for the painting of the interior. As one of the rooms had not yet been furnished, the school was still disorganised. RIFLE SHOOTING. The best scores registered at the Oamaru Miniature Ride Club’s shoot on Monday night were as follow: —Koppert 98 (2), 100; Gemmell 97 (4). 100; G. Gillies 07 (4), 100; Dooley 97 (6), 100; U. Sinclair 97 (4), 100; Hunter 97 (3), 100; W. Gillies 95 (5), 100; Hopwood 96 (3), 99; Kennedy 95 (4). 99; Doran 97 (1), 98; M’Keefry 94 (4), 98; E. Sinclair 90 (1), 97; Pollock 96 (1), 97. GUN CLUB. An effort is being made to form a gun club in Oamaru, and a meeting of those interested has been called for Thursday of this week. A club was recently formed at Hakataramea, and is providing excellent sport. MOTOR COLLISION. A collision occurred at the corner of * Severne and Lane streets yesterday morning between cars driven by C. Ashton and John Reid (Alma). The force of the impact resulted in considerable damage to both cars, but the occupants fortunately escaped without injury. BOWLING. The Meadowbank Bowling Club has found that it would be inconvenient to open its season ori Saturday next. The committee jnet on Monday evening, and decided that the official opening take place on October 16. PERSONAL. Mr Thomas Hutchison, a former stipendiary magistrate at Oamaru, is at present staying with his daughter (Mrs Irvine). Chief W. Couper, of the Scottish Society. on Monday night presented Miss Margaret Denholm with a handsome leather ladies’ companion on the eve ot her departure for Australia. Mr T,.Keller, an ex-Otago representative Rugby footballer, is at present spending a holiday in Oamaru. GENERAL. There will be only a light sitting of the Magistrate’s Court to-day. It is probable that it will be taken by justices of tho peace. Trout are reported to be fairly numerous in the Kakanui and other streams of the district, and the opening of the fishing season on Friday is being awaited with keen anticipation by anglers. KUROW HOSPITAL. The now maternity hospital at Kurow, which has just been erected by the Waitaki Hospital Board, was inspected on Monday by members of tho board. The building will be ready for occupatipn early next month, and it has been decided- to ask if the Minister of Health can be present for the official opening on November 4. Invitations are also to bo sent to the Directorgeneral of Health and Dr T. Mackibbon to be present at tho function. Water for the hospital is obtained from a reservoir collected with a spring on tho property of Mr T. A. Munro, which the latter has placed at the disposal of the board for airtime. MOERAKI FATALITY. Although a diligent search has been made no trace has yet been found of the body of tlio young fisherman, Benjamin Gordon Cloverley, who was drowned off Moeraki on Monday. Tho deceased was a son of Mr Cloverley. postmaster at Hillgrove. He was clad in heavy gum boots when he fell overboard. WHEAT PROSPECTS. It is now certain that the area under wheat in North Otago and South Canterbury is much larger than last year. One farmer on tho other side of the Waitaki River (Mr H. Buddenklau) has put down over 2500 acres in wheat. In the preparation of his ground he has been working clay and night. This large area has been sown under a guarantee from an Oamaru miller of a fixed minimum price for the output. LACK OF RAIN. The lack of rain this month is, being severely felt by farmers in North Otago. Late-sown cereals will be badly affected, unless rain soon falls. It is a good many years since such a dry September as the present was experienced. OLAY BIRD SHOOTING. The Hakataramea Gun Club held its fortnightly shoot at Kurow on Saturday when 17 guns participated. The 12-T)ird sweepstake was won by H. Walker with A Collins second and A. Cairns third. The first small match was won by T. Corrigall. and the double rise event by H. Collins, with W. M’Kenzie third. TUG-OF-WAR CARNIVAL. In connection with the tug-of-war carnival in Oamaru next month it must be mentioned that tho champion Enfield team will compete in only one event —the challenge null against Titnani. A number of teams is in (raining for the different events for which substantial prizes are being offered. BARLEY GROWING. A fairly large area of land is being put down in barley in North Otago this season. Although the prices obtained for this cereal are not as high for wheat the yields are very heavy, and there is the added advantage that barley does not take nearly as much out of the soil as wheat. THE ROYAL SHOW. Although the Royal Show is to bo hold this years at Auckland, it ia expected that several breeders of live stock in North Otago will compete at the northern fixture. Several judges are also being drawn from this district, HOME FOR RETIRED. The announcement (hat retired British" army officers are likely to settle in New Zealand has induced the suggestion (hat the Oamaru Chamber of Commerce should communicate with the publicity officer in England with the request that he should bring (lie claims of. Oamaru as one of (lie health, io't and .sunniest, towns in New Zealand before the British public. Incidentally, it niav be mentioned that several public servants who-are about to retire have selected Oamaru ns (he most, congenial spot in which to spend their later days. PALMERSTON NOTES. Mr Butler, of the Palmerston railway staff, has resumed duty after his annual furlough. A movement is to bo made to organise a scheme for improving the pavilion and the general equipment of (he recreation ground, so that adequate provision can bo made for children. A friendly societies’ social was held last evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, at which there was a large attendance.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

HOUSES AND RENTS. The cost of erecting houses has fallen considerably in Oamaru in the last year or two, and house rents are correspondingly lower. Good bungalows which five years ago would have found buyers at £llOO or £I2OO are now being offered for sale at £750. Speculative house building, which has been going on of late, may prove a costly proposition. FARMERS' UNION. At a meeting at Waitaki South last night at which representatives of the North Otago Executive were present, it was decided to form a Waitaki branch of the union. It is hoped to secure a membership of 20 or 30 in the district. Hampden, Duntroon, and Otekaieke have already branches, and it is hoped to form branches in other small centres, with the object of bringing farmers together for the discussion of matters affecting their general welfare. ___^_____.