NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19966, 7 December 1926, Page 13

NORTH OTAGO.

THE DAIRY HERDS. A striking improvement has taken place in recent years in the quality of the dairy herds in North Otago. This has been largely due to the introduction of purebred stcok. Mr R. W. Trotter, of Kurow, is the latest to introduce a good strain. He has just purchased the Red Poll bull Oldsland, by Ota Brawn, dam Nellie V. This bull secured first prize at tire Christchurch Show, and second and reserve championship at the Dunedin Show. He was bred by Sir Heaton Rhodes. Mr Trotter has also purchased the cow Dominion Belgium, by Force Majeure, darn Neutral. This cow was bred by the Weraroa Experimental Farm, and is of an excellent type. She was second in the class for cows at the Dunedin Show. THEFTS OF LIQUOR. The home-brewing industry is pursued by several hundred people in Oamaru. Many of the home-brewers who had made provision for the Christmas festival have been relieved of large quantities of their liquor during the last few days by nocturnal visitors. A close watch is now being kept for the thieves. GIPSY SMITH. A considerable number of Oamaru residents on Sunday night “listened in” to the service held in Christchurch by Gipsy Smith. The impassioned appeal made by the missioner for a good collection created a deep impression, as did also the lavish praise he bestowed upon the Christchurch choir. RIFLE SHOOTING. At the last shoot by the Oamaru Defence Rifle Club the scores were as foll0W:_ 800 900 Hp. Tl. Rflmnn. G. Gillies .. 43 39 14 —96 Rflmn. darnard .. 43 43 793 Rllmn. Mosley .. 48 41 1— 90 Rflmn. Koopert .. 41 46 0— 87 Rflmn. Murdoch .. 44 30 983 V.-Rres. M'Latchie 46 32 482 Pres. Orbell .. .. 35 39 3 77 Rflmn. Stevenson .. 39 24 12 —75 Rflmn. W. Gillies .. 25 42 774 Rflmn. G. Doran .. 34 39 1— 74 Rflmn. Campbell .. 25 34 8 67 PERSONAL. Mr J. W. Mackisack leaves Oamaru tor Sydney this week. BOWLING. The official figures supplied concerning’ the match between Meadowbank and Phoenix on Saturday last were in error in certain respects, due to the scorers having failed in their - duties. Joe Reid’s rink (Phoenix) defeated Denholm’s by 31 to 10, while Mollison (Meadowbank) defeated Hewat by 32 to 12. The grand totals were: —Phoenix, 158; Meadowbank, U3 ‘ THE PLEBISCITE. The number of voters to whom papers were sent by the Waitaki County Council in. connection with the plebiscite on the Californian thistle'question was 2051. The maximum numtffer of 'votes exercised by any ratepayer is three, being the same as at a county election. The voting papers must be returned on or before Monday, December 20. Already a considerable number have come to hand. It is expected that tho result of the poll will be announced at the meeting of the County Council on December 21. OAMARU FIRE BOARD. A meeting of the Oamaru -Fire Board was held in the secretary’s office yesterday afternoon, there being present Messrs J. M. Forrester (chairman), Ruddiman, and Burn (Dunedin), F. Crawshaw, and A. Fraser. Accounts amounting to £351 7s 2d were passed for payment. Correspondence between tho Invercargill Fire Board, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Town Clerk (Oamaru), was read in regard to tho right-of-way for motor engines. _ . The Fire Underwriters’ Association wrote in regard to defective chimneys and hearths. This matter was discussed at some length, but no definite action was taken It was decided to write to the Highways Board, Wellington, in regard to the right of way for engines proceeding to fires, and to ask where legal advice could be best obtained in the matter. The Brigade Superintendent (Mr W. Couper) reported that the brigade had been called out twice since the last quarterly meeting, once to a dwelling, and on tho second occasion to a chimney fire. The Superintendent pointed out that chimney fires were very prevalent in the borough, although tho brigade was not called out. Ho thought tho penalty was often too light when tho police _ took a case before the magistrate. Provision had been made for storing hose and spare gear. Fireman L. R. Smart had resigned in October, and H. G. M‘Kay had been elected, leaving 15 now on the roll. The Secretary was instructed to forward the usual Christmas greetings to the officers and men of the brigade, and hearty good wishes were exchanged between the chairman and members of the board. AMBULANCE CLASS. At tho meeting of the Oamaru Fire Board yesterday, Superintendent Couper reported I’.uit the ambulance class had been terminated. The examination was conducted by Hon. Surgeons Drs Orbell and Scott, who donated a trophy each. These were awarded to Motorraan Davie, who was first with S7i points, and to Fireman Mair, who gained 85 points. The rest of the members who sat for examination were close up. The thanks of the brigade were due to the instructor, Hon. Member Beanlands, for his painstaking and efficient work. HORTICULTURAL SHOW. Very good entiles have been received for the Oamaru Horticultural Society’s Summer Show, which is to.be held in the Drill Hall this afternoon and evening. .The show of cut flowers and vegetables will be one of the best ever seen in the district. The decorative classes will also bo well represented. OPEN AIR CONCERTS. The Oamaru brass hands are doing a great deal to brighten the lives of the inhabitants by oi oviding delightful music in- the Public Gardens in the evenings. The Eth Regimental Band gave a concert on Saturday night, and the Municipal Band a concert last night. Both were enjoyed by a considerable number of people. BURGESSES’ ASSOCIATION. At a meeting of the Oamaru Burgesses’ Association last night, over which Mr A. 11. Vile presided, 12 new members were elected, .and the following resolutions were unanimously carried: — That the Oamaru Burgesses’ Association extends its greetings to the North End Ratpayers’ Association, and 1 rusts that in movements for tho welfare of tho borough there will always be a hearty co-operation between tho two bodies. That tho Oamaru Beautifying Society be congratulated upon the excellent work it is performing in beautifying the town, and that its attention bo drawn to what appears to be a blot upon the landscape in tho shape of an unoccupied, unfenced, and unsightly section in the centre of the business thoroughfare in the hope that it will use its influence in having this and other vacant sections made more presentable. That tho Oamaru Burgesses’ Association respectfully draws tho attention of the Post-master-general to tho smallness of the figures in the telephone directory, which results in much annoyance and confusion, and requests that these numbers be printed in larger type, and further, in the compilation of the directory, this association requests that the names of the Oamaru subscribers for the Oamaru exchange be placed at the beginning of the book. That this association expresses its appreciation of Ihe kindly references made publicly by the Mayor to the mission of the association, and assures him and nisi

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. {fsou Ous Special Cobbebpohduht.)

council that, while constructive criticism may at times bo necessary, the council can depend upon the hearty co-operation of the association in ail matters making for the promotion of the best interests of the borough. This association views with concern the constant increases in the maintenance and other overhead charges connected with the Waitaki Electric Board. It also expresses surprise that a profit of over £3OOO should be shown on last year’s operations. In the opinion of this association the consumers are being charged too high a rate for their power and lighting, as is evidenced by the large profit, in spite of increased overhead expenses. It is also of the opinion that the development work should not be undertaken out of revenue, but out of capital, and that an early reduction should be made in the charge to consumers. That as the question of rating upon unimproved values is of great importance, and in order to give burgesses an opportunity of expressing their views for or against it the subject be discussed at the February meeting of the association. It was decided that the next meeting be beVl on the wond Monday in Jannari.