PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20522, 25 September 1928, Page 6

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

NORTH OTAGO.

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WAITAKI COUNT V COUNCIL,

The monthly meeting of the Waitaki County Council was held yesterday, there being present Crs J. Xewlands (in the chair), T. A. Munro, A. MTnnes, R. B. .Meek. D. J. Ross, 1). Clark, J. Rodman, and J. M. Smith.

Treasury notes were received as follows: Government grants, £l3O 6s 6d; subsidy on rates, £625; main highways, £1796 'l9s lOd; land fund, £2 7s lid and £ls ss.

A letter was read from the International Harvester Company accepting the order of the council for the purchase of three graders, tractors, and scarifiers for £2097 15s, and a fourth grader and tractor, ordered by Cr MTnnes, on the same terms. The graders are to be delivered on. or about November 1.

A letter was read from the Public Works Department, Dunedin, in reference to the council's request lor a higher subsidy for the Liudis-Ohau road. He stated' that the matter was now under the control of the Highways Board. — The Highways Board wrote stating that it regretted that it could not make a larger subsidy than £5 to £3.—Received. The district engineer of the Public Works Department forwarded details of the Government grants authorised. The district engineer. New Zealand Railways Department, wrote asking that the council’s contribution of £IOO towards the cost of erecting the loading bank at Ngapara lie paid.—On the motion of Cr Meek, it was decided that the amount be passed for payment. A letter was read from the RailwaysDepartment stating that a warning bell would be erected at Webster’s crossing when opportunity offered. —In respect to the crossing at Maheno, the department pointed out that this was not on a public road. It was regretted that a warning device could not be erected at this spot. —Cr Ross expressed the ,viow that the road should be made a public one. and that the member for the district should be asked to use his influence in the matter. —Cr Rodman said they had been hammering away for years on the subject, but they had made no progress. The officials of the Railways Department were always very courteous in regard to the gate on the crossing.-—The chairman said the department had offered some years ago to remove the crossing further up if the council contributed £IOO. The council had pursued a short-sighted policy in not accepting the offer.—Cr Ross thought if the member for the district were approached, and also the Railways Department, something might be done in regard to the opening of the road. —Cr Rodman said if the crossing were opened the council would incur fresh responsibility.—No action was taken in the matter.

Messrs Hislop, Creagh, and Main wrote in reference to Mr Webster’s claim for royalty.—-On the motion of Cr Rodman, it was decided that the council offer a sum of £lO in full settlement. It was decided that the council agree to a piece of land at Hilderthorpe settlement being used for the purpose of a new road.

Approval was given to plans for proposed roads in the Flemington subdivision. The Tuapeka County Council asked if the council would bear its proportion of the legal expenses of -a test case to define the position of hawkers. —Cr Rodman thought this was a matter for the Southern Counties’ Association, which had already discussed the question. On the motion of Cr Rodman it was decided that the letter be referred to the association. Mr W. A. Rainsford, of Tokarahi, wrote asking the council to appoint some other person to buy small birds’ eggs in the Duntroon district.—The matter was left in the hands of Cr M’Queen. —It was decided, on the motion of Cr Ross, that Mr Dunbar be appointed to collect birds’ eggs in Hampden.—lt was decided fhat the same price be paid for birds’ eggs and heads as last year. —Cr M'Queen stated that the council had been paying for the destruction of waxeyes and red polls, which were being trapped by Mr Harris, orchardist. The Mount Cook Motor Company asked that the Lindis-Ohau road be put in order, as they were commencing their summer tours on . October 1. —On the motion of Cr Munro it was decided that the road be put in order. Permission was granted Mr H, Miller, Oamaru, to erect a septic tank, etc. Mr W. M’Keuzie, of Windsor, wrote asking the council to clear the watercourse near his property of obstructions. —lt was decided that the surfaceman clear that area which is under the control of the council. The Kakanui School Committee asked permission to take a pipe across the grass road in, front of the school.— Granted.

Mr J. D. Taylor, of Koko-amu, was granted permission to erect a private telephone wire, on condition that the poles are placed near the fencing line. The New Zealand Government Insurance Company forwarded details of a scheme for superannuation by way of endowment insurance for the staff. —The clerk stated that be had nothing concrete yet to put before the council. —The chairman said the proposal was that the council should pay one-half the premium and the employee one-half. He pointed out that mercantile houses had superannuation schemes which were reviewed-every four years.—Cr Rodman thought a small standing committee should be set up to deal with matters of this kind. He moved that a finance and standing committee be set up, to consist of Crs Ross, Newlands, Munro. and the mover, with the chairman ex officio.—Cr MTnnes seconded the motion, which was carried. Accounts amounting to £1219 12s 3d were passed for payment. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The report of the engineer was read as follows: Moeraki Riding.—A considerable amount of maintenance gravel has been put on the main highway, and the grader kept going during the month. Tenders have been called for gravelling the main road through Hampden. Otepopo Riding.—The timber for replanking the Bowally Creek bridge is on the ground, and the work will be put in hand shortly. The road in front of the churches and hall at Maheno has been levelled off and two lagoons filled in. The residents have promised to attend to the gravelling. Incholme Riding.—About 15 chains of Grant’s road has been formed and gravelled. The contractors have just made a start with the gravelling on French’s road.

Kakanui Riding.—Ngapara gravel has been put on the main highway between Alma and Totara. Fair progress is being made with the gravelling on M'Arthur's and Allen’s roads. Tenders have been called for gravelling Gallagher’s and Gee’s roads near Kakanui, and also for maintenance gravel on the South OamaruKakanui secondary highway. Waiareka Riding.—The contractor has completed the metalling of Parson's Creek and other roads, and they arc being blinded and rolled. Part of the crusher gave way, but it is being repaired. The contractor has almost completed the gravelling on Teaneraki settlement roads. Tenders have been called for gravelling Paulin’s road, for which we have a Government grant. The contractor for filling the new loading bank at Ngapara expects to have the work completed next week. Papakaio Riding.—We have not yet had intimation from the Highway Board approving of the tar sealing of the main road between Oamaru and Pukeuri. As soon as authority comes to hand it will be necessary to call tenders for a considerable quantity of crushed metal to bring the road up to the required strength. The power grader has been working on the Pukeuri-Kurow main highway, and has regraded about two miles of Papakaio road. About 60 chains of Macnherson’s road has been formed and gravelled. Awatnoko Riding.—Good progress is being made with the forming and gravelling of Goulding’s road. The contractor

ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT.

for gravelling Tilverstowe road is making fair progress. The power grader has been doing good work on various roads. As soon as he has completed Goulding’s road the contractor will make a start on Homestead road.

Otekaike Riding.—The groyne at the Maerewhenua River has been heightened and willows planted on the river side. Two substantial groynes have been put in the Knrow Creek and the intervening space fenced and planted with willows. I think this will effectually prevent the river from leaving its present channel. The groyne at the crossing lower down is nearly completed and a new road crossing made. The new power grader has made a start in the riding. Ahuriri Riding.—A considerable quantity of maintenance gravel has been put on the roads near Omarama. • General. —With Cr Ncwlands, I inspected the iron pipes for sale by Mr Adams, and as they are satisfactory we arranged for a supply to be taken to the various ridings in the vicinity. The clerk mentioned that it was necessary to prepare an electoral roll of the inner area of the Waitaki Electric Power Board's district. He (the clerk) said it would be difficult for him to determine which properties were in the inner area, and which in the outer. He thought the clerk to the Power Board and the valuer might be asked to compile the roll. —Cr MTnnes thought the Power Board should be asked to compile the roll. In his opinion it was not a matter for the council. —On the motion of Cr Ross it was decided that the members of the council who are on the Power Board discuss the matter with the board and report to the next meeting. Cr Meek brought up the question of taxi drivers’ licenses. He stated that one taxi driver whose license was cancelled in Oamaru was now plying for hire in Kurow. —The clerk pointed out that the taxi driver in question was now driving a motor lorry, and was not plying for hire.—Cr MTnnes complained that a number of motor drivers in his district were not fit to drive cars, and were a menace to traffic. —The chairman said he had had a personal experience of this menace. —The clerk stated that he had received an application for a license from a one-armed man. There was nothing in the regulations dealing with one-armed men, and he knew of several who were quite competent drivers. —Cr Smith said any man should be given a license provided he passed the test.—On the motion of Cr Clark it was decided that the application of the one-armed man for a license be granted, provided he passes the test. The engineer -stated that there was nothing fresh to report in regard to the Kurow bridge. The plant was on the site, and the timber was shortly expected. Cr MTnnes said a complaint had been made to him by Mr W. Macdonald that the road coming down the white cliffs at Duntroon was not wide enough for traffic. —The engineer was instructed to report. On the motion of Cr MTnnes, the engineer was instructed to report upon Preston's road. On the motion of Cr Meek, it was decided that the engineer and the mover be authorised to negotiate for the purchase of a bin from Mr M'Beth. The following tenders were accepted:— 2000 cubic yards gravel, Paulin’s road — E. K. Gallagher, £475. accepted (three tenders); 950 cubic yards gravel on Gallagher’s and Gee’s road, near Kakanui— Allan S. Clark, £l5B 6s Bd, accepted (four tenders); 1500 cubic yards Ngapara gravel, South Oamaru-Kakanui road —J. O’Brien, £339 10s, accepted (five tenders) ; 800 cubic yards gravel township of Hampden—E. K. Gallagher, £lO3 6s Bd, accepted (three tenders). Cr Munro mentioned the difficulty of a crossing over the Kurow Creek.—This %vas left to the engineer to deal with. An eating license was granted to the caterer for the Kurow races. THE AWAKING WORKS. At the meeting of the Waitaki County Council, a sub-committee that had visited the site of the Awakino dam submitted its report. Cr Newlands stated that from the point of view of the committee the work in progress was very satisfactory. The new road would relieve the traffic very considerably. The grade of the hew road was a good one, and the council would have a better road than the one that was to be submerged. The sub-com-mittee had been most hospitably entertained by Mr Packwood. Cr MTnnes suggested that a speed limit be placed on traffic at the bend near the cemetery. This was a dangerous corner, and the speed should not be more than 20 miles. The clerk stated that he had visited the works last week, and Mr Packwood had offered to do everything possible, by painting white fences, etc., to minimise dangers to traffic. Cr Munro said there were bonds at which traffic was very dangerous. Cr Hodman pointed out that the council had the power to make by-laws. On the motion of Cr MTnnes, it was decided that the maximum motor speed on the road in question be 20 miles per hour, and that notices be erected to this effect. ' WORMWOOD. At yesterday’s meeting of the Waitaki County Council, a letter was read from Mr P. Lister, secretary of the Otekaike branch of the Farmers’ Union, requesting that wormwood be cleared off the roadside between Duntroon and Kurow. The chairman (Cr Newlands) said complaints had reached him that the wormwood was a menace to children going to school, as cattle sprang out from the wormwood. Cr MTnnes stated that the eradication of the weed was a difficult matter. It had spread right down to Papakaio. He would do his best to have the wormwood rooted out from the roadside. Cr Ross thought the council should apply to have wormwood declared a noxious weed. The council could then compel private owners to deal with the weed. It was an annual, and in a few years it would be stamped out. The engineer stated that wormwood was not mentioned in the schedules of the Act. The clerk said it was doubtful whether the weed was wormwood. He read a letter received from the Agricultural Department upon the subject. It was eventually decided that , the whole question be left in the hands of Cr MTnnes and the engineer to deal with. Cr MTnnes mentioned that the weed had first been introduced to the district as a medicinal plant. PERSONAL*. Mr J. Greer has taken over the Railway Hotel at Kurow from Mr Malmanche. , , , , . Mrs Duncan, whose deatli at Moeraki was reported yesterday, was one of the most prominent members of the Watea Ladies’ Hockey Club. She had played in the seven-a-sido tournament at Kurow. The cause of her death, which is much regretted in the district, was pneumonia. Mr W. H. Rose, formerly manager of the local branch of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, is at present a visitor to Oamaru. ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB. At the Athletic Football Club's social reunion in Oamaru on Saturday night the trophies won during the season were presented as follows: — Seniors. —Best forward, T. Direcn: most improved forward, E. Familton; best back, J. Dowdall; most improved back, M. Ross; next most improved back, R. Turvey; best all-round player, S. Sim; best dribbling forward, W. Free. Juniors. —Best forward, H. Carrington: most improved forward, Wilson; best loose forward, J. Burns; best all-round

player, Hollands: best back, J. May; most improved back, Dudgeon; next, best back, W. Robertson; best training player, Roy Turvey. Fourth Grade.—Best hooker, Firth; best forward, P. Andrews; most improved forward, Baxter; next most improved forward, A. Brown; best back, R. Palmer; most improved back, F. Gallagher; most improved back, Robinson; 'besttrained player, T. Dwyer. Presentations were also made to Messrs F. Johnson and A. Mansfield, who were married during the past season. PUBLIC WORKS GRANTS. The Waitaki County Council has been advised by the Public Works Department that an authorisation is being made for road works in this district amounting to £948 and a cash allocation of £929. The present authorisation is as follows: —- Earthquake road, £62 10s (expended) ; French’s road, £100; Goulding’s road, £150; Grant’s road, £100; Paulin’s road, £250. PRESENTATION. A pleasant ceremony took place yesterday afternoon, when the members of the Waitaki County Council visited Mr William Gardiner (chairman of the council 1 at the residence of his son-in-law in Oamaru and presented him with a framed group photograph of the members of the council and the staff. The presentation was made by Mr James Newlands, the acting chairman of the council, who referred to the invaluable services rendered to the district by Mr Gardiner, and expressed the hope that be would soon be sufficiently restored to health to permit him to resume his seat at the council table. Other councillors endorsed the sentiments of Mr Newlands. Mr Gardiner expressed his deep sense of grotitude to the members of the council for the generous spirit that hud animated them in making the presentation. He also paid a warm tribute to the acting chairman (Mr Newlands) tor the manner in which he was watching the interests of the ratepayers and to the councillors and staff for the good work they were performing in the county. A MOTOR TRUCK. Members of the Waitaki County Council visited Glenavy yesterday to witness a demonstration of an improved and modern motor truck. They were much impressed with the utility of the machine. THE TASMAN FLYERS. The Mayor of Oamaru (Mr F. Crawehaw) has received the following telegram from the Minister of Defence (Mr F. J. Rolleston): — “ The three Bristol fighters conveying Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith, FlightLieutenant Ulm, Mr Litchfield, and Mr M'William, together with Captains Findlay and Buckley, of the New Zealand Air Force, propose to leave Sockburn at 10 o’clock to-morrow (Tuesday) morning, and land on the field selected by Lieutenant Denton on Mr Orbell’s property, near the Oamaru racecourse, at about 11.30. It takes approximately one hour to refuel the machines, and the party hopes to be again in the air by 1 p.m. Would you please advise me to-day of your proposals for the reception of the Tasman aviators during their visit to Oamaru?” , , . .. , ~ The programme suggested is that the airmen should lunch with the Borough Council at the Queen’s Hotel at 11.45, and that this should be followed by a public reception at the Town Hall at 12.15. The visitors will return to the starting point at 1 p.m. THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. At Wesley Church last night, the Rev. V. Le C. Dinet, who has spent 11 years on the island of Choiseul in the British Solomon Islands, exhibited a large number of slides depicting native life and missionary enterprise. Most of the photographs for the slides were taken by Mr Binet, who gave a most interesting address on missionary work. A collection was taken up in aid of foreign missions. THE ELECTORAL ROLL. Up to date there are 626 names on the supplementary roll for the Oamaru electorate. This roll three years ago contained only 367 names. POLICE COURT. At the Police Court in Oamaru yesterday, Mr H. Grenfell, J.P., fined James Montgomery 20s, and costs, for drunkenness. SOUTH SCHOOL SOCIAL. At the South School Committee’s social on Saturday evening there was a large attendance. The dance music was played by Mr and Mrs Sberwin, while extras were played by Misses Tait and Christie and Mr Wray. Supper was provided. SMALL BIRD NUISANCE. The Waitaki County Council pays out a large sum of money every year for small birds’ eggs and heads. At the meeting of the council yesterday it was stated that some farmers used the council’s wheat for poisoning sparrows. The sons of the farmers then gathered up the poisoned birds, removed their heads, and sold these to the council. THE Y.M.C.A. Mr R. J. Jeffs, who is to have charge of the Y.M.C.A. canteen at the Waikino works, arrived from Christchurch yesterday. Mr Jeffs will take over the canteen from Saturday next. He is arranging for standard picture entertainments with two programmes a week. NORTH OTAGO RUGBY UNION. The final meeting of the year of the North Otago Rugby Union was held last evening, Mr R. Young presiding over an attendance of 10 members. The Otago University team’s manager wrote thanking the union for its hospitality on the occasion of the recent visit of the team to Oamaru. Considerable discussion took place upon the question of club colours, and as there was a doubt in regard to registration, it was decided to write the Otago Union for copies of the Annual from 1906 to 1912, and any particulars in respect to the registration of the Waitaki High School colours. A letter from the Old Boys’ Club asking for the registration of a black jersey with red monogram in place of the present colours was held over. A communication was received in regard to injuries received by a player named Shaw in the match against the union officials-, and it was decided that a letter of sympathy be sent to him. The secretary reported that as a result of the season’s operations a credit of about £IOO was shown, but against this there were certain liabilities—fee grants, etc. — which would leave the net profit about £2O. Accounts amounting to £l6B 14s were passed for payment. It was decided to send a letter to the Maheno Club congratulating it upon its win in the seven-a-side tournament at Kurow. A grant of £2 2s was made to the Referees’ Association, and it was decided that other grants, including one of £lO to the Waitaki Rugby Sub-union, be paid. Mr O. R. Wise, jun., was authorised to harrow the Oval and sow it in seed. _A sub-committee consisting of Messrs Young, Wise, and Mollison, was appointed to attend to the grounds during the off season. Mr Stevenson brought up the matter of certain suggestions that had been made in the newspapers. He personally did not think it wise to cut down the number of members of the committee, nor

did he agree with a suggestion that they should meet delegates from the clubs periodically. In regard to a suggestion that the union should have a sole selector, this was an open question. There was, he thought, something to be said in favour of a sole selector, but it all depended upon the individual. He agreed with the proposal that the selector or selectors should be appointed by the delegates. The president (Mr Young) said he did not think the committee was too large. The question of a sole selector had been brought up at the first meeting of the union. A sole selector had been asked for, but none was forthcoming. The union therefore had to appoint three selectors. He agreed that the selector or selectors should be appointed at the annual meeting. Mr Mollison said he welcomed newspaper criticism, though he thought some of it had been unjustified. He thought there was something in the proposal to meet the delegates periodically, but he pointed out that at the annual meeting the delegates offered no advice. Mr Mollison stated that he favoured a sole selector, but the difficulty was in finding the man. He intended giving notice to move at the annual meeting that the delegates appoint the selector. It was decided to send letters of appreciation to the press, the Ambulance Society, and various others who had assisted the union during the season. HOMING PIGEON CLUB. The one-bird pen race of the Oamaru Homing Pigeon Club from Ashburton on Saturday resulted as follows; —Webb Bros.’ Mate o’ Mine, 707yds Oft Oin per minute, 1; D. Sparks’s Harkaway, 684yds Ift 6in, 2; W. Hesselyn’s Black Diamond, 667yds Oft sin, 3; E. Dyer’s The Frill, 038yds Oft 7in, 4. The time of the winning bird was 3hr 46min 14scc. OBITUARY. The death occurred last night, after a long and painful illness, of Mr Harry Schluter, of Pukeuri, one of the oldest and most respected settlers of the district. The deceased, who had reached the advanced age of 84 years, was born at Hanover, and came to New Zealand with his parents 68 years ago. Jle had lived in the Oamaru district for over 60 years. He was employed in the Kurow district for some years, and afterwards succeeded his father as owner of the Boundary Creek Hotel, a few miles to the north of Oamaru. In recent years he had been engaged in farming pursuits. 'He was well known in sporting circles, and was an enthusiastic patron of the racecourse and of coursing. He was also at one time the owner of racehorses, and trained and rode his own cross-country horses. He was an old and valued member of the North Otago Club. He is survived by a grown-up family of one son and three married daughters. MINIATURE SHOOTING. The Oamaru Miniature. Rifle Club fired its weekly shoot _la.se a;:n, ing were the highest sco-c - 3 80, H. Koppert 79, R. Pollock 79, T. Ken--1 uedy 77, J. Caldwell 77, I. Swiuard 77, 10. Doran 77, E. Sinclair 76. The Pal-, : liser button was won by J. Leslie. The handicap button and Joe Reid's trophy were won by R. Pollock.