NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20612, 10 January 1929, Page 6

NORTH OTAGO.

THE TEACHERS’ SCHOOL,

The special teachers’ school that will be opened in Oamaru next week promises to be one of the most important gatherings of the kind that has been held in this district for many years. It is anticipated. that between 200 and 300 teachers and lecturers will be present. It has been suggested that these be extended a civic welcome, and that the lawn term' ■, courts and bowling greens be placed at their disposal during any break in the proceedings. The majority of the teachers will be accommodated >t the Waitaki Boys’ High School, which is being.used for the purposes of the school. The grounds at Waitaki are in excellent order, • The catering for the school, is, in itself, a big undertaking. CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. The increased attendance of the public at the postponed gathering of the North Otago Caledonian Society on Saturday last, has occasioned' a discussion as to whether it would not be in the interests of the society permanently to change the date from New Year’s Day to the Saturday following. There would then be no clashing with the Waikouaiti races, and many holiday-makers would have returned to town, while competitors at the Timaru sports would find it convenient to'come on to Oamaru. The matter will probably be brought before the society in the form of a notice of motion. DUNBACK DOMAIN. The Dunback Domain Committee has organised an art union in aid of the sports and picnic ground. The first and second prizes are beautiful inlaid walking sticks, which are at present on view at the premises of the Todd’s Motors. MAGISTRATE’S -COURT. No sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was held in Oamaru this week. A fairly heavy list of both criminal and civil business lias been set down for the sitting of the court next week. CRICKET. The following team will represent the Union Cricket Club in its match with Otekaike on Saturday, , commencing at 1.45 p.m., on King George’s Park:—Blair, Brundell, Budd, Ewing. Faris, Hunter, Meikle, North, Restieaux, Robbie, Spear. DISEASE IN WHEAT. Some of the wheat crops in North Otago are reported to be turning black in patches, and it is feared that a new form of disease may have appeared. Smut is also fairly prevalent in the crops, GENERAL NEWS. The weather in North Otago has now settled, and harvesting operations have been commenced, in various ‘directions. While fishing off the Oamaru wharf a night or two ago, a lady resident hooked a huge octopus. The annual trades picnic to Timaru will take place on Saturday of next week. The business premises of Oamaru will be closed on that day. ' . LINSEED GROWING. , An area of about 40 acres of linseed is being grown by a small farmer at Otepopo, tinder contract with an Auckland firm. The crop is at present looking healthy, and should produce a good yield. Linseed is being grown in smaller quantities in other parts of the district. THE FREEZING WORKS. The report that a draft of 1500 lambs intended for the Pareora and Pukeuri works had been rejected on account of being bruised by the recent storm is not correct, in so far as either of the works is concerned. The manager of these works states that no lambs h-ave been -ejected. At the present time' about 1100 per day are being put through the Pukeuri works. RAILWAY BUSINESS. The outward passenger business from the Oamaru railway station during the four-weekly period ended January 5 was fairly heavy. The number of ordinary tickets issued during the period was 2821, and of holiday excursion' tickets . 4744. The revenue from the former was £725 10s 4d, and from the latter £2076 14s Bd. ALFRED LODGE. T At the first meeting of the year of the .Loyal Alfred Lodge four members were reported, on the sick list. Quarterly and annual returns were submitted by the secretary. The lodge was visited by 6.W Bro. Somerville, who gave a much-appre-ciated address. It was announced that Bro. A. Wilson, P.G., had been elected as the representative of'-the North Otago district at the Grand Lodge session. At the conclusion of the meeting .supper was provided by the Social Committee* PERSONAL. Mr R. B. Tennent, of the Agricultural Department, Dunedin, will be in Oamaru to-day in connection with the disastrous hailstorm. The Earl and, Countess of Liverpool passed through Oamaru on Tuesday on their way to the south. THE PUKEURI ROAD. The Waitaki County Council has not accepted a tender for the delivery of metal for the tar-sealing of the road between the Oamaru borough boundary and Pukeuri. It is now suggested that the Oamaru Borough Council might supply the metal from the borough quarry at a price that would he satisfactory to both local authorities. At a recent .meeting of the Borough Council it was officially reported that the cost of putting metal in tlie bins was between 3s and 4s per cubic yard. It should be possible at this price to deliver metal on the Pukeuri road at a figure that would be satisfactory to the county council. In any case, there appears little prospect now "of the work being completed before the winter months. BOWLING. Th-e following is the draw for the first round of the Veterans’ Cup in connection with the North Otago Bowling Centre:—J. Crombie (Awamoa) v D Brown (Phoenix). G. Stringer (Awamoa)’

ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT.

(From Our Special CoEßF.spoiniENT.j

V.- J.-Stewart (Phoenix), A. Millar (Awauioa) v. M. Lee (Awamoa), F. W. Kibblewhite (Phoenix) ileid (Phcenix), G. M’Donald (Phcenix) v. T. H. Hammond (Awamoa), W. Forrester (Phcenix) v, F. J. Simkin (Phoenix), J. Hartley (Meadowbank) v. G. H. Bridgman (Awamoa). The competition is to be played on the “twolife ” system, green and play to be arranged by the players. -Three successive or five separate (annual) _ wins entitle players to hold the cup outright. . The' following players will represent the Awamoa Club in their match against the countr- clubs at Palmerston on Saturday:—Wilson, Brown, M’Nnrry, Mollison (s), Burry, Rusbatcb, Dunbar, J. Robertson (s), Ferguson. Tomkin, M‘Donald, Hewat (s). Gerrie, Hay. Woodward, Cook (s), Crombie, Mae, Thomson, Crawshaw. (s), Pygall. Moss, Hodge, A. Robertson (s), Russell, Enroll, Walton, Adamson (s), M’Jennebt, Shepherd, Tisdale, Buist (s).