PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20271, 2 December 1927, Page 13

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(Tacit Ode Special Cobbbspohdbbs.}

NOVEMBER RAINFALL. The rainfall registered in Oamaru for the month of November by Mr William Forrester w.s'as follows: —November 4, I point; 6, 13 points; 7, 62 points; 10, 3 points; 18, 17 points; 20, 68 points; 24, 17 points 26, 14 points; 28, 18 points; 30, 51 points—total, 2.64 in. -It is somewhat of a coincidence that for the same month last year exactly the same registration was made. For the (first II months o£ this year the rainfall recorded has been 20.72 in, compared with 25.46 in for the same period last year. To bring this year'<i rainfall to the average (22.05 in), 133 points will have to be registered this month. BUILDING PERMITS. The building permits issued by the engineer of the Oamaru Borough for the month of November were as follows: Six residences valued at £sOll, two motor garages valued at £3OO, two additions to residences valued at £559; —total, £5870. GENERAL. No bankruptcies were recorded in Oamaru during the month of November. So far this year there have been five registrations. The Oamaru vital statistics for the month of November were as follows: — Births, 18; marriages, 5; deaths, 11. The drivers' licenses issued by the Oam; Borough Council during the mont. 1 November numbered 22, and the heavy traffic licenses three, while those issued by the Waitaki County Council in the same period were 20 and one respectively. . CUSTOMS RETURNS. The Customs revenue of the Port of Oamaru for the month of November, compared with the same month last) year, was as follows:—Customs, £B7l 12s lid (£lll3 17s lid); passport fees, 10s; marine revenue, £4 6s 7d (£l9 19s) ;—totals, £876 0s 6d (£1133 16s lid)., MR AMERY'S VISIT. Tho Kighfc Honourable L: S." Amery (Secretary of State for tho Dominions), accompanied by Mrs Amery, and his secretaries, Messrs J. Hislop and Thompson (representing the Government), arrived at the Waitaki High School by special train about 1.30 yesterday afternoon. The party was met at the ground gates by the Rector (Mr F. Milner) and members of tho Board of Governors of the Waitaki Hish Schools. The boys of the school received the visitors with a series of hakas. After the members of the party had been shown through the school, they were escorted to the memorial hall, where the junior and senior High School boys were assembled. The gallery was occupied by pupils and teachers of the Girls' High School and by many visitors. After the massed boys and choir had sung a patriotic hymn, Mr Milner read a telegram of apology from tho chairman of tho Board of Governors (Mr E. P. Lee, M.P.). He then extended a cordial welcomo to Mr Amery, who, ho stated, had previously visited the school in 1913. Mr Milner mentioned that ho, drove Mr Amery to Dunedin when ho was last in New Zealand. When they reached the Kilrnoj: Hill Mr Amery got out and walked to the summit. This was - characteristic of one who had made up his mind to soalo Mount Cook, and, who was the winner of the cross-country championship at Harrow. Mr Milner referred to the importance of tho visit of Mr Amery as a means of strengthening tho Imperial ties, and mentioned the visits that had been paid to tho school by previous distinguished statesmen. Master Peter Tuckey then presented Mrs Amery with a handsome bouquet of roses. Mr Amery, who was accorded a great ovation by the boys, said he would never forget the morning upon which ho had previously visited the sevool in 1913. He remembered then having urged the boys to prepare to take their part, if necessary, in the defence of tho Empire. Little did he think that within a period of_ 12 months the necessity would arise for the youth and manhood of this country to go out and assist as they had nobly done in the defence of tho Empire. On his previous visit he had been impressed with the historical pictures on the walls of the school. On the present occasion he noticed new pictures—those of the lads who had fought for their country. He was also pleased to see pictures provided. by tho British Marketing Board, which indicated to bis mind that the spirit of Empiro was > extending. Ho daid that his visit to Waitaki brought back to him recollections of his own school life at Harrow. Wherever he had been he had seen in the schools memorials to those who bad rendered service in the Great War.. This made him think of tho immense service that was rendered by the great schools of tho Empiro in moulding the destinies' of tho nation. The ideals of all appeared to him to be the same. The schools had behind them tho great traditions of the Empire. The boys of this school were going out to become citizens of this wonderful little country. Ho believed that in the future New Zealand by . reason of its climate and tho virility of its people, would play an important part in the affairs of the Empire. • The citizens of Now Zealand were citizens of the Empiro wherever they went, and this was a great privilege. In the last few years there had been a transformation in the affairs of overseas dominions; but they had not seen the development in life, thought- and industry that ho believed was in store for the future. He urged upon tho boys of the school to endeavour to play their part in the imrnonso development that was about to take place. In conclusion, ho stated that tho British Commonwealth provided greater opportunities and privileges than were provided in anv other part of the world. Mr Amery- resumed his seat amidst'tremendous applause, and he suggested that if' the bovs were agreeable—(laughter)— they should be given a holiday on some convenient date. Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Amery, and the proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem. A CIVIC WELCOME. The party then proceeded in cars to the Oamaru Opera House, where they were met by the Mayor, members of the council, and representatives of local bodies generally. Mrs Amery was presented with another beautiful bouquet of roses. The attendance of the public was not. so large as it should have been on such a memorable occasion. The Mayor (Mr F. Crawshaw) extended a welcoma to Mr Amery en behalf of the citizens. He stated that the majority of the people had read of the doings of the Dominions Secretary, and it was not for him to recount those doings. He hoped that the visitors would spend an enjoyable hour in " sunny Oamaru." The people felt honoured at having a visit from such distinguished personages, and he wished them a pleasant and profitable stay in New Zealand. Mr Amery, who was received with applause, stated that he was pleased to have the opportunity of visiting "sunny Oamaru." He regretted that they were not quite up to schedule time, but he assured them they had been very busy during the last few days. They had been endeavouring to squeeze quarts into pint pots.— (Laughter.) Mr Amery said he regarded his visit to Oamaru as a splendid opportunity of meeting the people. His visit would be a pleasant memory to him and probably a memory to them. He had attended many Empire Conferences , and had met many of the New Zealand statesmen. He found them all imbued with the same high ideals of Empire. Wherever he went he found the same civic bodies and tho same public men endeavouring to make the conditions of life better. There was the same desire to assist in creating a better amity in all parts of the Empire. Mr Amery briefly referred to the objects of his visit to the dominions. These, he said, wore to ascerI tain how the Mother Country could assist the dominions and how the dominions

NORTH OTAGO.

ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT.*

could assist the Mother Country. Their first desire was to bring about better conditions throughout the Empire. He coneluded by expressing the pleasure be had derived in crossing the beautiful Canterbury plains and in travelling through Oamaru. He hoped to have a good time at the Mount Cook Hermitage, a visit to which he had been looking forward to with keen anticipation for eome time. On the call of the Mayor, three cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Amery. and the singing of " God Sa\-e the King " terminated the gathering. As Mr Amery drove off to the station he was greeted with further cheers from the crowd. » HILLGROVE RAINFALL. Mr IV. S. D. Trotter reports that the rainfall recorded at Trotter's Creek for the month of November was 3.28 inches. The period had been unsettled, cold, and wet. The rainfall for the first 11 months of the year was 27.34 inches. A MOTOR FATALITY. A fatality occurred on the Beach road opposite Cameron's boiling down works, about a mile north of Oamaru, yesterday morning. Mr Edward Hedges left his homo in North road shortly before 8 o'clock in a Studebakcr sedan car for the fellmongery works near the beach. As he did not reach the works at the usual hour, his brother Charles became anxious, and went out about 10 o'clock to ascertain the cause of his absence. When he had proceeded some distance he saw the car in a wrecked condition on the beach. He hurried down the bank, and found his brother under the car, apparently lifeless. He summoned assistance, and tho» body was extricated. Dr Orbell was sent for, and on his arrival he found that life had been extinct for some time. There were severe wounds on the head and face, and apparently death had been instantaneous. How the car got over the bank is a mystery that may never be solved. The fall down the clifE was a distance of some 40ft, and the car, which was badly smashed, must have done a double somersault, as it eventually landed on it 3 wheels. An inquest will be held to-day by Mr W. H. Frith, district coroner. The late Mr Hedges was 42 years of age, and married, but he leaves no children. His wife is a daughter of the late Mr David Herron. The deceased had a wide circle of friends, and was held in the highest esteem. He was in partnership in the fellmongery business with his brother (Mr Charles Hedges), and was foreman of the works. He was well known in musical circles. He played the 'cello in the picture theatre orchestra, and was at one time a member of -what is now the sth Mounted Rifles Band. He was also a valued member of the choir of Wesley Church, and was at one period its conductor. He was one of the most prominent members of the Meadowbank Bowling Club, and had taken part in many tournaments. At the last Easter tournament he distinguished himself by winning the pairs championship. The news of his tragic death came as a painful shock to the whole community. RAILWAY ANNIVERSARY. Yesterday was tho fifty-second anniversary of tho opening of tho railway from Oamaru to Maerewhenua. At that timo the line up the Waitaki watershed baited before reaching tho Maerewhenua iwvor, and it was some time afterwards that the river, was bridged and the railway continued to the township of Duntroon. Tho oxtension of the line fo Kurow was carried out by a company formed under the District Railways Act. With many other similarly constructed the line was later taken over by tho Government. LAWN TENNIS. The following arc the results of the lawn tennis match Pukeuri v. Woollen Mills (Pukeuri names first): — Men's Singles.—W. Restall v. C Crone, 7—3; J. Harrison v. R, Turvey, 7—2; S. C. Greig v. A. Kitchen, 7—3; D. Cover v. D. Clarke, 7—3; A. Macdonald v. H. Stichman, 7—3; B. Easton v. W. Blacklock, 7-0. Ladies' Singles.—Miss P. Thompson v. Miss B. Campboll, 6—3; Mrs Ingram v. Miss A. Olds, 6—3; Mrs R. Stall v. Miss 11. Campbell, 6—l; Mrs Harrison v. Miss N. Harder, 6—2; Mrs Dumbleton v. Miss G. Campoell, 6—5; Mrs Bryant v. Miss N. Angus 6—3. Mens Doubles.—Restall and Harris v Crone and Kitchen, 7—l; Greig and Cox v. Turvey and Clark, 7—l; M'Donald and Easton v. Stichman and Blacklock, 7—4. Ladies' Doubles.—Miss Thompson and Mrs Ingram v. Misses B. Campbell and A. Olds, 7—2; Mrs Restall and Mrs Harrison v. Misses H and G. Campbell, 7—2; Mrs Dumbleton and Mrs Bryant v. "N. Harper and Angus, 7—2. Mixed Doubles.—Greig and Miss Thompson v. Crone and Miss B. Campbell, 7—6; Harrison and Mrs Restall v. Kitchen and Miss A. Olds, 7—o; ResUll and Mrs Harrison v. Turvey and Miss H. Campbell, 7—o; Cox and Mrs Ingram v. Clarke and Miss N. Harper, 7—5; M'Donald and Mrs Dumbleton v. Stichman and Miss G. Campbell, 7—4; Easton and Mrs Bryant v. W. Blacklock and Miss V. Angus, 7—l. ■ Totals: Pukeuri, 21 sets (162 games); Woollen Mills, no sets (58 games). BOWLING/ Owing to the death of Mr Edward Hedges, the match which was to have been played last evening between rinka representing the Meadowbank and Phcenix Clubs was postponed. PIGEON FLYING. " The North Otago Pigeon Flying Club flew a flock race from Christchurch. Twenty-six birds, representing eight lofts, competed. The birds were liberated in a strong head wind, the time being 4hr lmin 44sec. The following are the winners:—Mr J. Meikle's Some Day, Mr T. Gengeß Air Queen, Mr W. Gordon's Money, and Mr E. Knight's Lennerad. A race will be flown from Timaru next Saturday. OAMARU BOATING CLUB. There was a fair attendance of those interested in rowing at the bay last evening to witness the semi-finals of the Novice Fours, which were abandoned on Wednesday evening owing to the boisterous weather. The bay was ideal for rowing, the entrance being very calm. Cubitt'e and Hatton's crews were the first to take the water. An exceptionally good start was made, and Cubitt's crew, which proved superior to its opponents, soon had the race in hand, winning by over a length. The winning crew was as follows: —Cubitt (s), Carrington, Cuthbertson, Corrigan. The cox (Glecson) steered a good course. The second race was very evenly contested, both crews making a good start, and npt until three parte of the distance had beea covered did Hjorring's crewforge ahead winning by three parts of a length. The winning crew consisted of Hjorring (s), Rennie, Aston, Crombie. To-night the final will be rowed, and a good race should result. GOLDEN WEDDING. The golden wedding was celebrated yesterday of Mr and Mrs James Mulligan, of South Oamaru. There was a large gathering of relatives and friends, over which the Rev. Father M'Gettignn presided. Among those present were Slessrs* C. M. and J. Mulligan (sons) and Mrs George 'Vint, of Otiake (daughter). Mr and Mrs Mulligan, who were married in Dunedin on December 1, 1877, have been residents of Oamaru for many years. They are still hale nad hearty, and were yesterday the recipients of numerous congratulations.