NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20005, 24 January 1927, Page 10

NORTH OTAGO.

(Fbom Ona Special Cobbespondeot.)

BOWLING. The Phccnix Club defeated both the A\Vamoa and Pukeuri Clubs on Saturday, the former by 141 points to 90, and the latter (two rinks only) zy 53 points to 17. Phoenix and Mcadowbank have now each seven wins to their credit in the Mills Shield matches, and an interesting game should result in the play off. The scores on Saturday were as follow: Phoenix v. Awamoa (Awamoa names first). —M'Narry, M'Jennett, Robertson, Mollison It>, Duff, Craig, Armstrong, Bradshaw 24; Jenkins, Grant, D. Thomson, Buist 20, Kibblewhite, Vile, D. Brown, Broad 25; Pygall, Vernor, Miller, Adamson 14, Gilchrist, Stewart, Pollock, Grant 20; J. Thompson, Young, Wnnsbone, M‘Donald 8, Adams, G. Grenfell, \V. Hartley, Hewat 20; Stringer, Ralph, Mitchell, Cook 17, H. Grenfell, Rogers, Ogilvie, Joe Reid 18; Dunbar, Burry, Woodward, Walton 15, Deal, Simkin, Tinnock, J. Robertson. 28. Totals—Awamoa 00, Phcenix 141. Phoenix v. Pukeuri (Pukeuri names first). —Common, Rutherford, Cox, Dumbleton 9, Freeth, M’Bride, Weavers, Calder 22; Sunborn, Cagney, Easton, Murray 8, Auty, Borrie, Humphries, Pankhurst 31. Totals—Pußeuri 17, Phcenix 53. An Oamaru team of bowlers will play a match at Hampden on Wednesday between a combined Palmerston and Hampden team. AQUATICS. The following crews will row in the President’s Fours on Monday night:—l. Patterson, Kimm, Frame, Ashton, v. Cubitt, Fronde, Cuthbertson, Carrington; Maekie, Williams, Bartrum, Courtney, v. Koller, Roll, A. Rennie, Meikle. REGIMENTAL BAND. The sth Mounted Rifles Band held a gala day on the Oamaru foreshore on Saturday afternoon and evening in fine weather. There was a large attendance of the public, and the musical programme and games •were much enjoyed. Tea was dispensed during the afternoon. The contest fund of the band should be considerably strengthened as a result of this special effort. RAILWAY BOARD. The members of the Railway Board (Messrs Jones, Mason, and Mouat) will be in Oamaru on Monday, and will receive deputations. It is probable that the question of the hoardings that are being erected will be brought under their notice, and that the danger of the Severn street crossing will be discussed with them. THE CLAYTON CAR. The Clayton railway car, which has had to undergo alterations and repairs during the last few weeks, and which it was thought might have to be withdrawn, is to continue running on the Kurow line. The car has certain defects, the chief of which is that it cannot convey bulky luggage, but it is hoped that these will be overcome. SCOTTISH SOCIETY. The North Otago Scottish Society celebrated the anniversary of Robert Burns with a special programme on Saturday night. A very illuminating address on the life of the Scottish bard was given by Mr James M'Diarmid, who was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Appropriate songs and music were rendered during the evening, and a most enjoyable concert was brought to a close with a dance. INFLUENZA PRECAUTIONS. So far it has not been considered necessary to take special precautions against the introduction of influenza to Oamaru although overseas steamers will be calling here during the next few months. At the present time there is very little infectious disease in North Otago, and the large iso atmn ward that was erected at the fs U cm 9 pty° SPltal aft6r thG 1918 epidemic ADVERTISING HOARDINGS. In spite of the agitation that has been going on throughout tha Dominion in opposition to the disfigurement of the landscape with advertising hoardings, the practice is bemg_ increasingly extended. The Government is also setting a very bad example in the matter. The latest proposal is to erect a huge hoarding on a reserve at the corner of Tlchen street Against this a vigorous protest is beimr made Both the Oamaru Beautifying bociety and the Oamaru Burgess’s tion have wired the Minister of Railways emphatically protesting against the disfigurement of the town that is in contemplation. If their protest should be without avail, other stens will probably bo taken to prevent (he feelings of the public being outraged in tho manner proposed. NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS. In connection with the University National Scholarships, the following pupils of tho Waitaki Boys’ High School have passed with credit:—G. D. T. Hall, 1729; A. I. Rennie, 1721; H. T. Jellie, 1598; N. S. Woods 1581; J. U. Bertram, 1573. EATHEN. A plant known as fathen has obtained a considerable hold upon many districts of North Otago. Practical farmers state that tho only way to eradicate it is to plough it in or dig it in before it comes to seed.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

THE ROYAL VISIT. The visit of (he Duke and Duchess of York to Oamaru in the month cf March, although of short duration, will be an event unique in the history* of the district. The Hall of Memories at the Waitaki Boys’ High School is to bo officially opened by His Royal Highness, and a welcome will afterwards be given in Oamaru in the presence of at least 2000 school children. A COAL SEAM. A coal seam that promises well has been discovered at Airedale. Mr A. Beardsinore, who has been prospecting for some time, ran a tunnel into the side of a hill, and struck a seam 12ft in thickness. The coal is of good household quality, and Mr Bcarsmore is of opinion that the seam runs for a considerable distance. It should, therefore, .provide a good supply of coal It may be mentioned that a coal pit has been worked at Papakaio for a considerable period, and that at ether was recently opened up at Kurow. xliere a're evidently large deposits of lignite throughout North Otago. OPEN-AIR CONCERT. The Oamaru Municipal Band, under Conductor Pheloung, gave another open air concert in the public gardens yesterday aftex-noon. The weather cleared early in (he afternoon, and there was a large attendance of the public. The excellent programme presented under ideal surroundings was much appreciated. A collection was takexx up at the gates in aid of the Band’s Contest fund. THE WEATHER. A heavy nor’-westerly gale passed over Oamaru at an early hour on. Sunday morning. This was followed by a steady downpour of rain. The rain was not heavy, and will not have a serious effect upon the crops. POTATO BLIGHT. Blight is reported to have made its appearance in some of the potato crops in North Otago, , and growers are digging their crops for home consumption rather than take the risk of a total loss. RADIUM. There is at present no radium at the Oamaru Public Hospital. It is proposed, however, to procure radium emanatioxis from the Dunedin Hospital. These, it is claimed, have the same effect as radium itself upon ulcerous growths. CROP PROSPECTS. The crop prospects of North Otago have seriously diminished during the last few weeks. Early in December it was thought that the wheat yield Would be almost as large as the record yield of last year. Heavy rain knocked down wide areas about Christmas time, and the devastating ravages of “Take all” now make it apparent that the return will be much less than was at first anticipated. It will be surprising if the average yield now reaches over 30 bushels per acre. There is a much larger area under wheat this year than last year, but as prices have substantially declined farmers are not likely to reap a very rich harvest. The highest price at present offering for forward delivery is about 5s 9d per bushel. COUNTY JUBILEE. It is now considered improbable that the jubilee of the Waitaki County Council will be celebrated in a pretentious manner. The chairman (Mr W. Gardiner) is, still confined to his home, and an ex-chairman (Cr W. Nicolson) is in such a feeble state of health that he is unable to take part in any active celebrations. It is thought that unless the celebrations . were carried out in a manner that would reflect credit upon the county it would bo better to abandon them a 1 together. HIGH SCHOOLS’ BOARD. The Waitaki High Schools’ Board will have a difficulty in the near future in securing a oi;orum. Two of its members (Messrs Gaidiner and Nicolson) are on the sick list, another member (Dr Douglas) is shortly leaving on a visit to the Old Country, while the chairman (Mr E. P. Lee) will be absent from June attending tci his parliamentary duties in Wellington. VACCINATION. Time was in the history of Oamaru, as of every other town in the Dominion, when every child had to be vaccinated before it reached a certain age. That time has long since passed. Now it is a rare occurence for parents to submit their children to the ordeal. MAORI POPULATION. At one time there were between 400 and 500 full-blooded Maoris in North Otago. Some of these were located in a pah at the mouth of the Waitaki River, but the majority of them had their abode at Moeraki. At the present time there are practically n ■ Maoris in the district. A few half-castes reside at Moeraki, but a full-blooded Maori is seldom seen in Oamaru. TEKARO PARK. A good deal of opposition is being raised to a proposal by a member of the Borough Council to construct a street between Severn street and Thames street by crossing at an angle through a portion of the education reserve upon which the Middle School stands. It is contended that if a portion of the education reserve can be secured it should tie added to the park, and not- used for street purposes. The chief objection to the street, however, is that motor traffic would be a serious menace to pedestrians using the main thoroughfare. The Burgesses’ Association, at its last meeting, passed a resolution strongly protesting against the proposal to take a street through Tekaro Park. Alhough the proposal is going before a special committee of the Borough Council, it is not thought probable that in view of the strong opposition exhibited it will be given practical effect to. THE SOUTH OAMARU CREEK. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I must say that the A-ctimr Health Officer is wrong in saying that less sewage is coming down South Oamaru than formerly, and that the creek is much better. The same quantity is coming down, and anvone can toll from the smell what the character of the flow is. The Acting Health Officer says that the number of houses in the offending area is 242. I assert there are more than double that number, and I am unable to accept bis statement that all will be connected in three months. I have been round several times, and cannot see any men on the job, bxit that is in keeping with the way in which the work has been put off for the past two or three years.—l am, etc., James Gray. South Oamaru. January 21. “VELVET” STERILISED FOR safet: . Velvet Soap is sterilised and guaranteed by analysts’ tests to he absolutely free from bacteria anc germs of every kind. Snecially s-itable frr laundry and household purposes. Harmless to the skin. “Velvet” is an excellent soapjor all purposse. Be sure and order elvet” from your grocer.—Advt Amber, which contains electricity, is stated by one expert to have a curative effect on certain diseases, and also to make the skin of anyone wearing it whiter and more transparent. A heavy cold easily shifted with a little “NAZOL.” Take a little on sugar and dissolve in the month. Gives mimed ate r*l r • fiO doses Is fid. —Advt.