PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20690, 12 April 1929, Page 6

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

NORTH OTAGO.

(FaOU Ooa SPXCULti COBBE3rviIDXMX.|

NORTH OTAGO PIPE BAND. The North Otago Pipe Band will leave by the first express to-morrow to attend the assembly of pipe bands of Otago and Southland at Batclutba, The conference of the New Zealand pipe bands will also be held, the delegates from Oamaru being Lieutenant W. Couper and Pipe-major Allen. MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING. The rifle and handicap buttons were won by E. Symon and G. Robertson respectively at the weekly shoot of the Cadets’ Rifle Club. Twenty members competed. The best scores are as follow:—E. Symon 77. 3—80; G. Robertson. 77, 3—80; G. M'Kenzie, 73, 7—80; D. Weir, 71, 9—80; D. Sparks, 09, 12—80; F, Church, 63, 17—80; A. Carlston, 69, 10—79; R. Crawshaw, 70, 8—78; C. Carroll, 66, 10—76; T. Steel, 56, 18—74. PHCENIX BOWLING CLUB. The final of the handicap singles of the Phcenis Bowling Club between E. W. Grenfell and W. Aikenhead was won by the former. Aikenhead had two lives, and Grenfell one, both playing off the scratch mark. _ In the first game Grenfell won by one point, the scores being 16—15, and he won the second game by nine points, the scores being 22—13 on the twentieth head. The club intends holding a ladies’ day on Saturday, April 20, when mixed rinks will be played, the ladies to skip. 1. ■ JRI FREEZING WORp. Killing at the Waitaki Farmers’]Freezing Works at Pukeuri is proceeding at the rate of 3800 per day, the total number slaughtered so far this season being 161,946, which is a little in excess o'f the number few the corresponding period last season. Present indications point to the present season being equally as good as last year, when 294,676 sheep and lambs were put through the works.

ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT.

OUTWARD CARGO. At Oamaru the - Rimutaka shipped 33,010 carcasses of lamb, 609 bales of wool, 63 casks of tallow, and 10 tons of general cargo. In addition to freight carcasses, wool, etc., the Otira, at present in port, is taking 250 sacks of partridge pens for the Homo market. WESLEY CHURCH. The Rev. J. Harris presided over a meeting of Wesley Church officials in the lecture hall, to review the work of the past term, and to organise plans to carry on even more successfully the work of the present quarter. The report of the young people’s work was very satisfactory, and arrangements for Young People’s Day were left in the hands of the chairman. A very strong Home Mission Committee was set up to arrange details in connection with the visit of the Rev. A. J. Learner and Maori party early in May, Mr G. E. Wilkinson being appointed convenor of the committee. In proposing a very hearty vote of thanks to the Rev. J. Harris for his year’s Work, Mr Wilkinson assured the Rev. Mr Harris that he hau the confidence and esteem of his people, and said he felt that the Rev. Mr Harris would do still better work in the _ future. Mr Grocott seconded the motion, and Mrs Bridgman also spoke of •olio esteem in which the Rev. Mr Harris was held outside the church. The resolution was carried most heartily. In replying the Rev. Mr Harris said that some ministers were difficult to follow on account of bad work, but his predecessor, the Rev. Mr Stockwell, had been difficult to follow on account of the good work he had done. Mr H. S. Famil'ton received a welcome at the meeting after his long illness, A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Hill for the good work he had done at the South Oamaru Church. Mrs Bridgman was elected circuit reporter. A dainty supper was provided by Mrs Harris, Mr w. Panckhurst voicing the appreciation of those present. THE WAITAKI FATALITY. No trace of the body of George Hoffman, who was _ accidentally drowned in the Waitaki River at the hydro-electric works on March 8, has yet been found. Constable Devine, of Kurow, has searched the river from Kurow to Duntroon in a boat. WINDSOR FOOTBALL CLUB. Owing to other attractions, the annual meeting of the Windsor Football Club was poorly attended, only nine members being present. The president (Mr T. Direen) was voted to the chair, and the annual report and balance sheet were presented and adopted. The annual re port showed that in only four matches was the club able to field a full team, and only tour matches were. won. The financial ®t!ttement disclosed a credit balance of £8 16s 9d, the club defraying all transporta--s>on expenses. Before vacating the chair Mr Direen returned thanks for the able support he had received throughout the season, and expressed the opinion that the club would not be able to carry on owing to lack of players. After a general discussion on the subject, . Mr Carrodus moved that the president and secretary retain office in the Meantime, until it was decided whether a team would be available. WESTON MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB. Some good shooting took plaeo at the weekly shoot of the Weston Miniature Ixine Club, the highest scores being as follow:—G. Henderson 80, W, Laney and W. Barnard 79, W. West, W. Cottingham, L. Park, H. Stevenson 77, K. Brightwell, A. Howell 76. D. Park, T. Gemmell 75. ■l3. Campbell 74. TRUCKING ACCIDENT. Yesterday morning at Clark Bros’s mill, Maheno, Mr Alexander Clark met with a distressing accident, as a result of which it was found necessary to amputate his left leg near the knee. He was bringing some trucks from the railway siding to the mill, and, on account of the decline was endeavouring to apply the brakes, rp, len , supped and fell under a truck, iiio wheels passed over his left leg, which was badiy mangled. Drs Fitzgerald and ocott were called to the scene of the accident, rmd found it necessary to operate. The sufferer was brought in to the private hospital in town by the St. (John Ambulance. PERSONAL. The departure of Senior Sergeant Shanahan and Mrs Shanahan and family from Oamaru to Christchurch will be regretted by a wide circle of friends. During his six years’residence here the senior sergeant has been a very popular officer, and in addition to his official duties, be Has taken a very active part as a member ot the Beautifying Society and Friendly ■Bay Society in working for the betterment of the town. GOLF MEDAL MATCH. The following is the draw for the medal match next Saturday:—Scott v. irvine, Maude v. Woodward, Humphries v. Marshall, Fotheringham v. M’Bearh, Hayhurst v. Hedges, Roll v. Armstrong, K. Familton y. G. Henry, Hewat v. <5! Cuthbertson, K. Sumpter v. Mathieson, trasfcr v.. L. Sumpter, S. Cuthbertson v. Ewart, Nichols v. Holmes. J. Henry v. Uttley. Ireland v. Mulligan, L. Wright v. Corson, Grave v. T. Wright, Douglas v. 1 ¥ ■ Ewan v - Donaldson, J. Reid v. Whitcombe, Aitkenhead v. Treseder, „ h T? m ‘rn 0n ~v- E ‘ Grenfell, Mitchell K - D™ 1 . 1 " 5011 ; Gillies v. Watt, Roxbyv. W, Wright, Panckhurst v. Findlay, D. Williams v. Hedges, jim., Williams, yun. v. Ryber, Rivers v. M'Kenzie, Cook v. Findlay, jun.. Day v. M'Kay, T. Hedges v . E K. Tomlinson, Clouston v. Gilchrist. M Donald v. Ryan, D. R. CorrV ‘ Robfiftson, Dunbar v. Jacobs, D, L. Patterson v. M'Donald, Pollock v. H. Grenfell, Solomon v. Steven, Grater v L. Henry, D.V. Smith v. Sandom, C. Wilson v. J. D. Paterson, Salmon v. Church, bkjellerup a bye. C. Robertson-a bye. PUKEURI BOWLING TOURNAMENT. Following is the draw for the Pukeuri bowling tournament, to be held on Saturday:— First division, at 1,30.—W. M. Mitchell, Forest, Atkinson, Walton v. Evans Thomson, Weaver. G. Mitchell; Pygalfi Robertson, Crombie, A. 6, Robertson v Cunningham. Vernor. A. Robertson, H. L. Familton; Ralph, Burry, Crisp, Donald y. Madden, Hammond, D. Thomson, Blacklock; Gerrie, Church. Auty. Buist v. Hartley, Harrison. Pollock, j. DunbarWilliams, Thorpe, H. Grenfell, S. Mollison v. Tinnock, Stevenson, Criehton, Adams; Ferguson, Archibald. Cox. Bee v. Stringer. Cagney. Stubbs, Martin. Second division, at 2.3o.—Chase, G. M Donald, Tisdall, G* R, Mollison v, James, H. P. S. Familton. Macßae J Gibson; M'Narry. Russell, J. Mitchell. E Grenfell v. G. L. Grenfell. Hay, W. Dunbar, Berry; Carson, Stewart. Bedford. Carson v. Eskrick, Kennedy. Duncan, Slater; Mullin, Fischer. Deal, Cook v Brown, Rusbateh, H. Easton, Chappell: Forrester. Miller, A. Smith. Sorley v Grant. Keswick, Kent, Calder; Excell, Simkin, Adamson, Hodge v. Kinder, Reid] M‘Kay, Denholm. ’

THE MAYORALTY. A requisition to Cr J. M. Forrester, requesting him to accept nomination for the office of Mayor at the forthcoming elections, is at present being largely signed by ratepayers in the borough. The long and valuable services which the community has received at the hands of Cr Forrester are fittingly referred to in the requisition, whicSi points out that he is the senior member of the Borough Council, his term of office as councillor and .Deputy Mayor and chairman of various committees being, with one exception, twice as long as that of any other sitting member. Cr Forrester has been chairman of the Soldiers' Aid Association ever since its inception, and has been a staunch supporter of the Oamaru Beautifying Society. He has been a member of the Waitaki Electric Power Board since its inception, and for most of the time chairman of that body, and he has also been prominently associated with other local bodies, and has ever taken a leading part in movements for the advancement of the town. It is felt that the citizens of Oamaru should mark their of such an honourable record of pi fc ic service by offering to Mr Forrester the highest gift in their power—the chief magistracy of the town. OAMARU ABBATOIRS. During the month of March there were slaughtered at the Oamaru abattoirs 178 cattle, 794 sheep and lambs, 14 pigs, and 1 calf, of which one head of cattle and one sheep were found to be unfit for human consumption. BATHS ATTENDANCE. Cr Jenkins reported to the Borough Council last evening that another very successful year had been experienced at the municipal baths. The attendances had been as follows:—November, 3622; December. 3812; January, 6850; Fcbrnary, 8498; March, 3545; to April 6, 127; total, 25,654; or, roughly; 3000 in excess of last year. The attendance from the South School was 2086. and from the North School 705. The takings this season were withi j £3 of. last year. Skipper” W, W. Francis was last evening madq a grant of £lO for his services as swimming instructor over two seasons. OAMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL. The fortnightly meeting of the Oamaru Borough Council was held last evening, there being present the Mayor (Mr F. Crawshaw), Qrs J. T. Calder, J. A. Macpherson, F. Cooney, H, G. Deal, W. Crombie, J. M'Diarraid, K. Familton, W. Wright, H. Abbott, H. J. Jenkins, and J. M. Forrester. Cr E, A. Fox was granted leave of absence. The Oamaru Fire Board advised that the estimates for the ensuing year amounted to £1455, of which the council’s annual contribution Was £690, compared with £612 last year.—-Received. The curator of the Oamaru Gardens reported at length on the flood damage caused in the gardens.—Cr Deal reported that the work of repairing damage in the gardens was being carried out by the staff. The Prime Minister wrote expressing his appreciation of the message of thanks from the Mayor and councillors.—Received. The North Otago Rugby Union requeste the council to remedy tire leaking taps on Takaro and King George’s Park. .The matter was left to the chairman or the Reserves Committee. Mr J. M'Nulty applied for an asphalt footpath in _ front of his residence, and drew attention to the fact that a large storm water drain passing through his property had burst. The request was referred to the Works Committee. Messrs Lee, Grave, and Grave wrote applying for a refund of half the rates in respect to three vacant properties.— Granted. Mr R. R. Townsend asked for a rebate on an unoccupied section.—Granted. The Gas Department reported that the gas sold for the year showed an increase of 3,301,200 cubic feet—an increase of 13.4 per cent.—Received. J. Branthwaite forwarded his resignation from the Gas Department on accomlt of ill-health.—He was granted three monifhs’ leave of absence on full pay and it was decided to forward him a letter of appreciation for his services. F. J, Gillies wrote expressing appreciation of the services rendered by the council during the recent flood.—Received. Messrs Hjorring and Hjorring applied for an approach to the property of Mrs A. J. Holmes, Eden street. The application was referred to the Works Committee. The committee’s reports to March 25 were as follow. — FINANCE. It was resolved to refund to G. T. Gillies the sum of £l6 17s 6d paid twice for rates. The letter from the town clerk to Mr R. Milligan with reference to the flotation of the redemption loan renewal was approved. WATERWORKS. An application from J. P. Burke (South Oamaru) for a half-inch supply was granted at £7 per annum. The question of taps onjroughs on the various reserves was left in the hands of the engineer. It was recommended that J. R. Ratcliff be granted a bonus of £2O for extra work. WORKS. The chairman and engineer will report on Mr J. G, Finch’s request for a culvert from Nen street west. An application for a drain in common to serve tw.o houses of Emslie’s Trust was granted on the usual conditions. The engineer was instructed to report to die next meeting with regard to H. Meehan’s request for part payment of the cost of his drain. A. E. Bartnmi’s complaint regarding damage caused by storm water was referred to the chairman and engineer to attend to. RESERVES. The curator was authorised to employ temporary labour and to purchase the Ngapara gravel required. GASWORKS. The committee adopted the manager’s schedule of depreciation allowances. The report was adopted. The committee’s reports to April 8 were as follow: FINANCE. Balances: District fund account, cr. £571 18s 3d; loan account, £827 I6s; loan deposits, £4OIO. Accounts were recommended for payment as follow:—General, £727 7s 4d; loan, £77 4s 7d. WATERWORKS. The committee recommended as follows; —That the water charges to the Technical Classes’ Association be reduced to £5 per annum as from January 1, 1920. BY-LAWS. A copy of Inspector Whyte’s report on the Majestic Theatre has been forwarded to the Fire Board. WORKS. J. Taylor’s request for an improved channel in Meek street and the question of tar scaling Usk street from Thames street eastward have been deferred for consideration with the estimates. The proposal that Thames Highway be tar sealed to its full width will be con* sidered when the road is being topdressed. The engineer has been instructed to report on. the request of Mrs Peterson that a permanent bridge be constructed over the cre:k fronting her property. It was recommended that H. M Q.uade be granted a building permit for additions to the Royal Garage, provided they conform to the by-law; that the Para Rubber Company’s request respecting the removal and replacement of petrol pumps be granted; that a deposit of £1 per pump be required for footpatli replacements in all cases of removal or construction; that the question of bowsers on the main street be referred to the Bylaws Committee.

RESERVES. All applications for the use of parks by sports bodies were referred to the chairman, with pow.r to allocate the gardeners. Ihe report on the lawn tennis court proposals was referred to the sub-comittee appointed to report on additional amuse ments at the playgrounds. It was recommended that Mr A. G. Kennedy be appointed to the position of improver at the gardens on sis months’ probation. BATHS. The baths will be closed for the season on Friday, April 12.—The report was adopted as amended. GENERAL. The last meeting of the present council was fixed for Monday, April 22. ,On the motion of Cr Calder, seconded by the Mayor, it was decided that the incoming council be recommended to take into early consideration the desirability of securing permission by legislation for the sale of the recreation reserve in Severn street, the proceeds to be used to lay out and improve reserve C for the purpose of a recreation park. In reply to Cr MncPherson, tho Mayor reported that the pipes had been ordered for the main outlet drain from Thames Highway to the sea, and he gave an assurance that the work would be proceeded with. , The question of forming and tar-seal-ing the road from Tyne street past the Victoria Horae was referred to • the engineer for a report. The engineer was also instructed to report on Wansbeck street, and to attend to the road from Cross street to the Hospital, The question of a sump in Eden street was referred to the Works Committee. A discussion arose when it was asked on whose authority a test of the high pressure water supply had been made. The engineer had made the test but had failed to notify the result to either the Mayor or the chairman of the Waterworks Committee. Cr Familton contended that the engineer had every right to know what the pressure was. He was thereby protecting the interests of tho council. Ihe Mayor stated the engineer had a right to do so, but maintained that he Tvas wrong in not informing the council on Monday night, and that Cr Familton was also wrong in not tclliU" the council. Cr M'Diarmid said ho was not prepared to say he blamed the engineer for making the tost. Cr Macpherson said he could not see that any exception could be taken to Mr Owen’s action. Mr Owen explained that he made the tset for his own information, and would have needed another engineer present to certify to ’ the test. Cr Fori ester stated that a responsible engineer hud warned them not to turn on the pressure. Cr Crooney said he thought there was a lack of co-ordination bettween Mr Owen and the chairman, and he thought there might have been a little more candour. Building permits were issued for two residences to the total value of £1550, two additions to existing residences and buildings to the value of £540, one garage to the value of £SO, giving a total value of £2140. PLUNKET SOCIETY. As a result of the recent motor gymkhana the finances of the Oamaru PlunkOt Society have benefited to the extent of £52. M.U.1.0.0.F. The officers of the Loyal Oamaru Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., will visit Dunedin to-mor-row to take part in tho initiation ceremony. OAMARU R.S.A. The monthly meeting of the executive of the Oamaru R.S.A. was held last evening, Mr Ivan Patterson presiding over a full attendance of members. The final arrangements in regard to Poppy Day on Friday, April 19, were completed. It was decided to invite the same units as last year to parade with the returned soldiers to the association’s memorial service on Auzac Day. It was resolved to present the Oamaru Returned Soldiers’ Association’s ambulance banner to the Boy Scouts on Anzac Day. It was decided to admit the public early to the Opera House. The executive decided. to meet the Victoria League at the cemetery at 10.30 a.m., and the secretary was instructed to arrange a conference of the various unit commanders. Correspondence was received dealing with pensions, the employment of economic pensioners, and the use of the canteen funds. The secretary reported that the roll now showed 213 financial members. As this was the last monthly meeting for the year, Mr Patterson thanked the members for their consistent attendance at meetings and for their careful consideration of matters relating to returned soldiers. FIRE BRIGADE JUBILEE. A meeting of firemen and honorary members of the Oamaru Fire Brigade was held last evening to draw Up plans In connection with the celebration of the brigade’s fiftieth jubilee on May 5. It was decided to hold a bazaar, and to call a meeting of' ladies to assist on Wednesday, April 24. The round of entertainment is to include a reunion on May 25 and a dance on May 27. The following committees were appointed:—Catering—Messrs Block (convener), Williams, Christie, Speid, J. Sinclair, and J. Maxwell; Decorating—Messrs Walton (convener), Nightingale, Hesselyn, Mullin, Berry, Knight, Henderson, Booth, Faid, and M‘Kay; Floor Committee —Messrs J. Sinclair, Cunvood, D. Campbell, E. A. Scott, W. Newlands, F. Carley, Williams (convener), E. Sinclair, H. Stickman and J. Mitchell; Records and Printing Committee—Superintendent Couper, Deputy Superintendent Herron, Messrs Hinkley, J. D. Forbes, and H. E, Wedd; Entertainment Committee—Messrs Hinkley (convener), Crawshaw, Meek, and Syverston. It was resolved to apply to the Railways Department for concessions to exmembers and visitors to the jubilee. U.A.O.D. The fortnightly meeting of the U.A.O.D. was held last evening, Bro. B. Cairns, A.D., occupying the chair. Asknowledgements were received from Bro. Cox and Sirs Cox and*also Bro. H. Robb to the lodge’s messages of sympathy.