PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20702, 27 April 1929, Page 20

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

NORTH OTAGO. ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT. (From Ode Spxcuj. Cobbesmioknz.)

WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Waitaki County Council was held yesterday morning, there being present Messrs W. Gardiner (chairman), J. Rodman, J. D. Ross, D. Clark, J. Newlands, A. MTnnes, R. B Meek, J. M. Smith, and T. A. Munro. Cr Rodman reported on the council's delegates’ conference with Mr F. W Furkert, engineer-in-chief, Public Works Department, and said that satisfactory arrangements had been made in connection with the payment for power 'graders. The Public Works Department forwarded £575 6s lOd, payments towards French’s road, Goulding’s road, Grant’s road, and Paulin’s road. —Received. The Timaru Borough Council advised that the Heavy Traffic Conference had resolved, that it could not see its way to grant the County Council’s request that the council be allowed to allocate its own heavy traffic fees.—Referred to Finance Committee for report. The Public Works Department advised the authorisation of the provision and dedication of Arthur street, Awamoa.— Received. Stock Inspector Wagstaff asked the council to give early attention to sweetbriar growing on, the county reserve at Lake Ohau.—Left to Cr Munro. The commissioner of Crown lands asked if the council had any objections to the sale of eight acres of Section 145, Block II (Shingle Reserve), Otepopo S.D.—Referred to Cr .Rodman and, the engineer. The district engineer of the Railways Department asked the council to have St.Andrews’ cross signs erected at all railway crossings in the county which have not yet been equipped with the signs.— Held over till next meeting. R. J, Miller requested permission to remove a house from Wansbeck street, Oamaru, to Weston.—Permission granted Mr A. R. Tait applied for permission on behalf of Mr John Homey, Pernbrook, to erect a temporary fence across the road in front of his leased property.—Held over till next meeting. Messrs A. S, Paterson and Co. applied for permission to install a pump and tank at Mr A. Cormack’s. Moeraki.—Left to Cr Ross and the engineer. The commissioner of Crown lands advised that on receipt of £2 15s the partial surrender of section 23a, Kauroo Hill, would be prepared.—lt was decided to forward fees, and to write thanking Mr French for giving the council the land in question for a gravel reserve. Mrs Gordon Sutherland applied for a piece of land adjoining section 7, block I, Duntroon.—Left to the engineer. Cr Meek, in referring to a recent court case, stated that the visibility at Meek’s lane was, he considered, quite good, except when approaching from Enfield, when the visibility was bad. The chairman reported that the outstanding rates at present amounted to £219 4s 4d, compared with about £4OO outstanding last year. The clerk Was instructed to take the necessary steps for the collection of outstanding rates. Accounts amounting to £2541 12s Id were passed for payment. The clerk was instructed to write the Hampden Borough Council for permission to be granted the county i anger to impound straying cattle on the main road at Hampden. ENGINEERS. REPORT. The engineer reported for the month as follows: — Moeraki Riding.—The contractor for gravelling the main road near Hillgrove has just about completed the work. Timber has been ordered for the repairs to several bridges on the main highway, and they will then ail be painted white; Application Will be made to the Government for the expenditure of the £6O £ for £ vote on the Razorbach track. Otepopo Riding.—The power grader has been kept going oq the main road and by-roads. Several bad corners have been iffip¥6Ved on the main road. Inchholme Riding.—The contractor for gravelling the Maraweka roads is making slow progress. Application has been made for the vote of £2OO, f for £, for the Dasher road, for which Mr Gray is contributing £IOO. The alterations to the roadman’s cottage are completed, and it is now in occoupation. Kakanui Riding.—The gravelling of the main road with Ngapara gravel is progressing slowly, chiefly owing to the difficulty in getting trucks. The contractor has made a start on Dougherty’s road. Papakaio Riding.—The Finance Committee made an • inspection of the Papakaio water race, including the intake. About seven chains and a-half of Craig’s road, west of Eden street extension, requires gravelling as it is almost impassable in wet weather. The North road, from the

town boundary to Hedcastle road, is now just about ready for sealing, and a start will be made next week if the weather permits. Waiareka Riding.—The contractor has made a start with the gravelling on Tussocky road, near Messrs Evans Bros.’ property. Tenders have been called for the expenditure of the Government vote, in Boundary road, Plunket Settlement, and proposals have been submitted for the expenditure of the votes on Pig Island and Round Hill roads. Some maintenance gravel has been put on Five Forks road, and a start made with the gravelling of the Coal Pit Hill at Ngapara. Various roads have had attention from the power grader during the month. Awamoko Riding.—Most of the flood damage in this riding is now repaired, al though in some cases more permanent wcrk will be required. A good deal of grading has been done on various by roads. Otekaike Riding.—Several men have been employed during the month putting the Dansey’s Pass road in order. A good deal of work has been done ‘repairing flood damage. The Upper AwaUino ford has been damaged by the floods, and I hope to inspect it shortly. ■-* Ahuriri Riding;—The wash-outs on the' Kurow-Omarama road were temporarily repaired and the work will be completed as soon as teams are available. The gravelling from DaJrachnie to the Lindis Pass is just about completed. General.—l have not yet been able to complete the inspection of the main highway from Waitaki to Shag Point with a view to submitting proposals to the Highways Board for sealing the same. One part of the work that should be proceeded with as soon as possible is the building up of the corners to give the required, super-elevation, so that the road will have time to consolidate. The worst feature we will have to contend with is the ever-in-creasing corrugations on’ a good part, of the road. I have improvised a road planer with railway rails which I think will effect a big improvement. It can be pulled behind the graders and will be ready for trial next week. The report was adopted. J. Bradfield’s tender of £166 13s 4d for gravelling Boundary road was accepted. HOSPITAL LEVY. The Waitaki Hospital Board advised the Waitaki County Council at its meeting yesterday morning, that the council’s proportion of levy for maintenance and capital was £6031 9a 7d, payable in four equal instalments of £1657 17s 4Jd.—The county clerk reported that the levy was about £BO more than last year. The chairman. It’s too much. Cr Newlands: And we are not nearly at the end of : capital expenditure. The chairman: Labour members agree that hospital maintenance should come out of the consolidated funds. Cr Rodman said that because of the unfortunate method of financing hospitals the county contribution was higher than it should be. The Minister of Health (Mr A. J. Stallworthy) was favourable to a change, which might come in the near future, but what that change would be he could not say. During the last 10 years the number of patients at the Oamaru Hospital'had greatly increased, and instead of 25 beds being occupied they now had 60. They also had to be prepared against an epidemic. Althrugh the expenditure seemed considerable, a great saving had been effected in the coat per bed. With the increase in the number of patients, however, the stall had also to be increased. Every item of expenditure was carefully. scrutinised, and the cost per occupied bed compared favourably with other parts of the Dominion. The chairman: I don’t think it is fair that the ratepayers should pay for it. Cr Rodman: The economic value of hospitals is incalculable. TilS ehau'iMfi* They spend more money than they need spend. Cr Ross said the fact that the number of beds had been increased to about double showed that the board was not at fault. The system was wrong, and they wanted more equality in taxation between town and country. The Minister recognised that. Cr M’lnnes; The charitable aid expenditure is the lowest in New Zealand. The chairman: That is not saying much. The clerk, reported that the increase on last year was £7O 4s Bd, but there was no need to increase the hospital rate. Cr Newlands said it was satisfactory to know that there was no need to increase the rate. If taxation were increased they might as well take the farms also. , Cr Newlands said he would cast no reflection on the Hospital Board. The method of collection was flnjust. Neither would he bring up the pernicious cry of town versus country. A united effort would 'be required to bring about some better way of contributing towards the upkeep of hospitals, and a portion of the contributions should come from the Consolidated Fund. The farming community was prone to let things go, partly because of a diffidence in not knowing figures, hut the ratepayers in the country were waking up to the necessity of fighting for their rights. The time had arrived when they would have to take action, otherwise they would have to continue under the heavy burden of taxation, which would increase rather than decrease. It would be enlightening to the ratepayers in both town and country to know how much was contributed towards the cost of hospitals by the patients. Cr Rodman stated that not a single individual got off from paying fees if the patient was in a position to pay. Every effort was made to obtain some payment, if not in. full, and very' often they received payment years later. The chairman: Why should the country ratepayers pay 75 per cent, of it? We should offer our utmost support to the Minister to see if we can get the system altered. , Cr Rodman: Remits were sent forward to the last conference, but the late Minister of Health accepted the Audit Department’s dictum that ho alteration in the system was possible. The chairman; We can’t expect the townspeople to help us. They would be foolish if they tried. It has been going on for year after year and getting not better, but worse. Cr Rodman: Those on the board are quite prepared to stand down if there are any others who can do better. The chairman: Something must be done. I think it the duty of the council to support the Minister to bring forward legislation to alter the system. The clerk was instructed to write to the ' Ashburton County Council asking what was the result of the deputation to the Minister. The chairman; What are we going to do about the levy? We can’t get away from paying it. The payment of the levy Was approved. A letter was received from Mr William Milne drawing attention to the amount of the hospital levy and to the inequitable system of taxation for hospital maintenance.—The opinion was expressed that the writer did not know what he was talking about, but the chairman retorted: "He knows more than some of you.” Cr Rodman: I will resign from the board in favour of Mr Milne.

The chairman: I don’t think Mr Milne casts any reflection on the board. Cr Rodman: Yes, he does. It’s an old grievance. On the question being put to Cr MTnhes he stated that be would also stand down in Mr Milne’s favour.—The letter was received. RUGBY FOOTBALL. The following teams will represent the Excelsior Football Club in its matches to be played to-day:—Seniors: Paris, Rae, Wesley, Orkney, MTvor, Williams, RapBey, Hopley, Hunter, Stickman, Fraser, Meikle, Orlowski, Cubbit, Davey. Juniors: Wray, .Hicks, Green, Martin, Boyd, Parkee, Cunningham, Familton, Langley, Carrington, Hill, Hunter, Stringer, Crawshaw, Terapro. Thirds: Miller, Jacobs, Kearns, Bau, Grier, Evans, Halliburton, Wilson, Carroll, M'lvor, Knight, Gleeson,' Goodall, Parker, Symons, Frith, Samson, Omnet, Carrington, Maheno against Excelsior:—’Seniors: Muldrew. Robinson, Reid, Sim, Macquoil, Yeoman, Gillies, Newlands, Souness. Hollow, Richardson, Muldrew, Bruce, Sinclair, Hacquoil. Juniors: Robinson, Hollow, Dougherty, Johnston (2), Davis, Rawson, Newlands, Sinclair, Ewing, Watson, Hollow, Souness, Colloty, Lindsay, Macfarlane, Campbell, Bruce. Athletic.—Juniors: Cleveriey, M'Nally, Baxter, Wates, Andrews, Forbes, O’Neil, Holland, Park, Crombie, Robertsoii, May, Dunford. Turvey, Budd; emergency, Foss. Thirds: Gallagher, Rawcliffe, A. Firth, Robertson, Birtles, Dwyer, Wavie, G. Firth, Paid, Carrington, M’Kinnon, Thwaites, Eady, Brown, Clark; emergencies, Ward, Smart. Fourth Grade; Ford, Coker, Jackson, Sievers, Smillie, Doran, Palmer, Dorward, Doran, Purvis, Paterson, Morris, F. Palmer, Flaherty. Luxon; emergencies, Farrell, Whitburn Old Boys.—Seniors: Oliver, M'Callum, Cameron (2), Walton (2), Hendra, Sooular, Macdonald, Ross, Kent, Sumpter. Malcolm, M'Kerrow, Taylor; emergency R. Hedges. Juniors: Familton, Ny, Smith, Burns, Newlands, Milmine, M'Kerrow, Farrant, Robertson, Cahill, Corson. Cameron, Mahoney, Will iama~ Henry. Thirds ■v. St. Kevin’s, at show grounds, at 1.15; Miller, Barsdell, M'Kenzie, Carson,' Crombie, Joll. Steel, M’Leod, Mahoney, Hastie, Fraser, Stockwell, M‘Kay, Harris. Watts, Fourths: Christie, Shanahan, Hedges (2), G. Miller, Stock, Grocott, Sinclair, Rudduck, Ashton, Temper©, Ross, Bell, Webb, Sinclair; emergencies—Tait, M'Lean, Mulligan, Carey, Grant. Athletic Seniors.—Free, D. Campbell, J. Sampson. O’Neill, Sim, Turvey, R. Ross, J. Ross, P. Mansfield, Rawcliffe, Stichmaa, I. Campbell. MEN’S HOCKEY. The following players to represent the Oamaru Club will journey to Moeraki today to play a friendly match with the Moeraki team;—Arnott, Aikenhead, Berwick, Brown, Blair (2), Carrodus, Frith, Jacobs, Jackman, M'Gillivray, M'Donald, M'Lean, Morris, Nelson, Rawston, Stamford, Willetts, Whitley, Williams, Young. Anyone not available must notify the secretary. NORTH . OTAGO GOLF CLUB. The draw for the bogey match to be played at the Awamoa links to-day is as follows:—Potheringham v. H. P. S. Familton, G. Henry v. Grave, Fraser v. Q. L. Cuthbertson, L. Sumpter v. Irvine, Hewat v. M'Beth, Ireland v. D. H. Reid, S. Cuthbertson v.' Kilpatrick, Holmes v. E. F. Armstrong, Maude v, H. S. Corson, Mulligan v. Ewart, K. Sumpter v. Humphries, Hayhurst v, M'Ewan, Woodward v. Marshal], T, Wright v. Roxby, Malcolm v. Nichols, M'Kenzie v. L. Wright, K. Familton v. Roll, Uttley v. ■ Donaldson. Douglas v. Fitzgerald, VV. K. Tomlinson v. D. L. Patterson,* Aikenhead v! Findlay. Day v. Cook, W. Wright v, C.. Robertson. B. K. Tomlinson v. G. Robertson, D Williams, sen., v. D. V. G. Smith, Clouston v. Henry, D. R. Corson v. A. Grenfell, Gilchrist v. Whitcombe, Sandon v. M'Dowell, J, Reid v. Panckhurst, H. L. Familton v. Ryan, Millar v. J. Main, T. Hedges v. Pollock, J. D, Patterson v. Salmon, Wilson v. Heron, Church v. Treseder. LADIES’ HOCKEY At a meeting of the North Otago Ladies’ Hockey Association there were present: Mr J. Scully {president'. Miss E. Bedford, Messrs J H. Mushett, T. Howell, A, Barsdell, G. Fisher. A Buzan. T. Thorby, and A. C. Kay (secretary). . The Herbert Club was granted aifiliation. The date of the annual seven-a-side tournament was fixed for May 25, entries to close on May 13. It was devidt-d that the one offside rule be enforced, and also 1-ttt clubs wishing to enter a team m the B Grade must also enter a team m the A Grade. ' The secretary was instructed to write to the Otago Ladles’ Hockey Association in regard to particulars in connection with the Dunedin tournament. It was decided that 100 copies of the rules of hockey should be procured, 11k draw for the shield matches, which o.i’ .mcncc on May A, is as follows: Arawa v. Hampden, at Oamaru; Pirata v. Totara, at Totara; Watea v. Maheno, at Moeraki. Second round, May 11: Pirata v Hampden, at Oamaru; Watoa v. Arawa, at Moeraki; Maheno v. .Totara, at Totara. Third round. May 18: Watea v. Hampden, at Hampden; Maheno v. Pirata, at Oamaru; Totara v. Arawa, at Oamaru. Fourth round, June 8: Maheno v. Hampden, at Hampden; Totara v. Watea, at Totara; Arawa v, Pirata, at Oamaru. Fifth round, June 15: Totara v. Hampden, at Hampden; Arawa v, Maheno, at Maheno; Pirata v. Watea, at Moeraki. B Grade draw.—May 11: Arawa v. Herbert, at Herbert. May 18: Maheno v. Pirata, at Oamaru. June 8: Herbert v. Maheno, at Maheno. June 15; Pirata v. Herbert, at Herbert; Arawa v. Maheno, at Oamaru. MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING. The following are the best scores of the weekly shoot of the Duntroon Miniature Rifle Club:—G. Manley 78, R. O’Connor 77, W. Sharp 76, M, Francis 75, N. O’Connor 75, J. Rutherford 74, L. Neill 74; J. Grant 72, 11. M'Cully 72, A. Coppell 71, E. Knight 71, W. Rutherford 70. H. Cowdery 70. The Glonavy Rifle Club’s shoot resulted as follows:—D, M'Oulloch 79, A. M'Cnlloch 78, S. Searle -77, N. Gibson 77, W. M'Culloch 76, J. Hollamby, jun., 76 C Fleming 76, J. Smillie 76, N. F. Fleming 76, C. Bishop 74, P. Lindsay 74, 0. Dugdale 74, J. Purdie 74, g. Maiharoa 73, N. Andrews 73, B, Dull 73, K. Maindonald 72, J, Hollamby, sen., 72, T, Wesley 72, J. Stringer 71,’ W. Robson 71. PERSONAL. The Rev. Brian Kilroy left, Oamaru yesterday for Dunedin to conduct a retreat for students of the Theological Hall. He will return home on Monday. At the Waitaki County Council meeting yesterday morning the county clerk was instructed to write a letter of condolence with Mrs Pringle and family with respect to the death of a highly respected ratepayer of the county, Mr James Pringle. The clerk was also instructed to write to Mrs Clark expressing sympathy in the double accidents to her husband (Mr

A. Clark) and her son (Mr L. Clark), and expressing the hope for their speedy recovery. In referring to the retirement of Cr J. Newlands at the Waitaki County Council meeting yesterday morning, the chairman (Mr W, said he was sure all the councillors would agree with him that Mr Newlands had been a splendid and admirable councillor. The ratepayers should be proud of the way Mr Newlands hOS attended to his duties. Personally, he thanked Mr Newlands for all his kindness, and he hoped that he would be back at the council table again soon. Nc one had worked harder for the ratepayers than ’Mr Newlands. A hearty vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. Mr Newlands, in reply, said that he had to leave the council for a time for personal reasons. He would carry away very pleasant memories of his associations with his fellow councillors, the staff, and the press representatives, who had treated him with every consideration, which he appreciated very deeply. They had a good man to take his place in Mr Rutherford. i VICTORIA LEAGUE. Following the usual custom, the ladies of the Victoria League, accompanied by the executive of the Oamaru Returned Soldiers’ Association, visited the Oamaru Cemetery on Anzac Day and laid wreaths on the graves of soldiers. Mr H. S. Grater expressed thanks to the ladies for their kindly act of remembrance Mr A. W. Woodward, responding on behalf of the Victoria League, made feeling reference to the late Mrs Sutton and her work in the interests of the soldiers, the Red Cross Society, and the Victoria League. COTTAGE GUTTED The fire alarm was sounded at 7.30 o’clock last evening, flames being noticed by a passer-by in a three-roomed cottage in Usk. street occupied by William O'Leary; By the time the brigade arrived the flames had a good hold, and the building was gutted before the outbreak was subdued. The occupant was absent from. home at the time, and it is surmised that the blaze was due to an oil lamp which had been lit earlier in the evening. Only a gramophone was saved. The insurance on the building totalled £l5O, and on the contents £IOO. WAITAKI BUILDING SOCIETY. The inaugural meeting in connection with the! formation'of a building society in Oamaru was hold last evening, over 20 business men, being present. Mr W. E. Searle was voted to the chair and he reported on the activities of the provisional directors. The rules drawn up by them,-.he said, had been approved by the . revising barrister. It was decided, on the motion of Messrs J, Gerrie and John Fraser, to form a society in Oamaru to be known as the Waitaki Building and Investment Society and Bank of Deposit. The rules as drawn up by the provisional directors were adopted. The following appointments were made: —President, Mr W. B. Searle; directors —Messrs John Fraser, W. E. Searle, H. Schaeffer, J. R. M'Ewen, J. Gerrie, J. Moore, and J. E. Kirkness; secretary, Mr Ivan Patterson. The solicitors for the society are Messrs Sdlpmon, Gascoigne, Sinclair, and Solomon, snd the bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Mr Solomon, sen., who was present, said that the result of the meeting was very gratifying to the prothe room. , It was felt desirable that such an institution should be established in such a prosperous town as Oamaru, and for the information of members he outlined the activities of other similar institutions. 'I A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Solomon, sen., Solomon, jun., and', Sinclair,' for their assistance in l| launching the institution. FARM APPRENTICES. Mr F. W: Rowley (secretary of the Department of Labour) addressed a meeting in the Municipal Chambers yesterday afternoon oi the scheme for the employment of boys on farms. The attendance was disappointing, only two or three farmers being present, but a number of business men attended, and the presence of several ladies indicated that mothers were interested in the proposal for providing an avenue of employment for boys in the country. The:’ Mayor (Mr Frank Crawshaw) presided, and Mr Rowley delivered an instructive -address on the scheme for the apprenticeship of boys on farms. He pointed out that in 1916 56 per cent, of the people were in the country, but in. 1926 the proportion had fallen to 41 per cent. That meant that nearly 150,000 more people were now living in the town than a decade ago, and as manufacturers in the Dominion had only a local demand the townspeople were employed, generally speaking, in non-productive occupations, compared withi the primary industries, which sold produce on the world’s market. By this scheme; which was based on the Flock House regulations, it was hoped to induce boys from the towns to go into the country, and later take up land on their own account, which would make for more extensive and closer land settlement.