NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20334, 16 February 1928, Page 13

NORTH OTAGO.

(Tbou Oob Spiciai Cob* asrosssiCCT.)

WINTER FODDER. Excellent provision is being made in North Otago this year for winter fodder for stock. The yields of lucerne and other hav. have boon exceptionally good. Indeed, old settlers state that they have never been better. One tanner has already taken three cuts troin his lucerne stand.* It is the general opinion that lucerne, which has only come into pop in larity during the last few years, will prove the salvation of many a tanner in North Otago. Experience has shown that it will ''row luxuriantly on aln ost every soil in the district. The old theory that it will thrive only in the neighbourhood of a running stream has been entirely exploded. BIG QUINNAT SALMON. A few days ago Mr Alfred M alker. of Waimate, landed from the Waitaki River a cjninnat salmon that turned the scale at 301 b. The fish was 22in in girth and 3ft Gin long. This is said to be th. largest salmon taken from the Waitaki R(T I and Mr Walker experienced some dith culty in landing it._ Salmon are now inning freely in the river. THE TAPUI ESTATE. Much disappointment is felt in the district at the announcement that Mr W illiam Gardiner has just received a communication from the Land Purchase Controller, intimating that the Land 1 ucclmse Board has advised gainst the purchase of his estate at Island Cliff. It is reported that the Land Purchase Board is of opinion that settlers could not reasonable be expected to make a living off hind held in small areas that would cost probably 20 per acre in rental, after allowing for subdivision, etc. On tins point, it may be stated that tins opinion is not shared by many old settlers in the district. THE LAMB MARKET. The market for the sale of lamb in the North Otago district remains , fairly steady. Even store lambs are realising a good price, for at the recent sales they realised 23s per head. This price is considereil pood. One North. Otago funnel predicts a rise in the price of lamb in South Canterbury owing to the recent aeries of north-westerly winds. Therefore, North Otago farmers can consider themselves fortunate in having such good weather. A steady supply of killers is still maintained, and it looks as though the local freezing ■works will have a really good season. DRUIDS’ GRAND LODGE. The thirtieth annual conference of the Grand Lodge of the Otago and Southland district of Druids is to be held in Oamaru on March 7. A considerable number of delegates are expected for the conference from the various lodges of the province. MAGISTRATE’S COURT. A sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was held in Oamaru yesterday by Mr W S Crombie, J.P., and W 7. Sumpter J.P., in the absence of the stipendiary magistrate. The only business transacted was the adjournment of a number of civil actions. COUNTRY ELECTRICITY. At the official switching on of electric current at Duntroon on Tuesday evening there was a large -attendance, .aid the chair was occupied by Mr J. Rutherford, who congratulated the board upon its enterprise. The switching on was performed by Mrs Bell, an old resident of tlie district, who was presented by the board chairman (Mr J. M. Forrester) with an electric iron. Addresses were .riven by Messrs Forrester, A. MTnnea. and W.TI. Frith, members of the board, and by Mr I. Dahner, engineer-manager. The latter stated that in view of the increased country consumption he expected a reduction in charges by the end of the present year. At the conclusion of the official ceremony a dance was held.

ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT.

LAWN TENNIS. As a result of the largo number of challenges that have been received by the North Otago Lawn Tenuis Association the ranking list has had to be enlarged. Following arc the positions of players at present:— Men: G. Sumpter, G. Molhsoii, J Familton. K. Familton. A. Wilson, 11. B Reid, H. Deal, 1. MT'lwan. Slater, Swindler, .Mulligan. C. Hedges. C. Claim G. Henry. K. Bryan. -1. Henry. Gallagher. Ladies: Misses Romans, M Nichols, King, V. Nichols, Pragnell, Gibb, Slater. Borton. Hall, K. Robertson, and K. Weavers. In the Familton Gnp match last evening J. Henry beat Gallagher, 6—3, B—o. WAIMATE PICNIC. A large picnic party from Waimate is expected in Oamaru to-day. The weather promises to be line, and as the 1 iiblic Gardens are at their best the visitors should have a most enjoyable time. The public baths being in proximity to _ the gardens arc likely to be freely patronised, while the foreshore will attract not a few. CRICKET. The following will represent Union Juniors against Oamaru School Ground, at 2 p.m.:— Hill, Kestieairc, Maekie. Robbie. King, Aitcheson, Hunter (2), Faris, Blair, Maude. Seniors v. Oamaru, at School Ground: Catto. MacDonald. Maddigan, Crone, Robertson (2), Ewing, Hodge, Gregory, Tonkin. PERSONAL. Mr J. Wilson, chairman of the New Zealand Fanners’ Fertiliser Company, <>f Auckland, is at present a visitor to Oamaru. , , Mr I. Dalmer, engineer and manager ol the Waitaki Electric Power Board, left yesterday on a holiday visit to Picton and the North Island. Mr Alexander Hamilton, at one time manager of the National Bank at Oamaru. and now of M ellington, is at present on a visit to this town. BOWLING. The South Australian bowling team will arrive in Oamaru on March 28, and depart on the following day. It is hoped to put in a strong team against the visitors. The following players will represent the Awamoa Club in their match against Meadowbank on the Awamoa green on Saturday:—D. Thomson. Ralph, Hodge, Walton (s); J. Thompson, Byown, Jenkins. Cook (s) ; Tisdall. Rusbatch, Woodward. Buist (s) ; M’Jennett. Kinder, A. Robertson, M'Donald (s) ; Mullin. M’Diarmid, Fogarty, J. Robertson (s) ; P.vgall, Veruor, M’Narry. Mollison (s); Gerne, Shepherd, Adamson, Crawshaw (s); Grant, Excell. Dunbar, Sorley (s). The following will represent Phcenix in a match against Waimate this (Thursday) afternoon, at 2 o’clock:—Deal, Ogilvie, John Reid. Humphries (s); D. Reid, G. L. Grenfell, Wright, Hewat (s); M. M’Donald, Forrester, Corson, Aikcnbead (s); Mitchell, Auty, Bedford. Pollock (s) ; Stringer, Brownlee, Weavers, LGrenfell (s).