NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21019, 7 May 1930, Page 8

NORTH OTAGO.

CFaox Qua Special WAIMATE HUNT CLUB. The first meet of the season of the Waimate Hunt Club to be held locally will ■ take place at Hilderthorpe to-mor-row, and is arousing considerable interest ndth local followers. - Hounds will cast off about 11 a.m. on Mr Duncan’s property, and afternoon tea will be provided at Mr J. G. Macdonald’s, “The Homestead,” Ferry road, after the hunt. OAMARU HARBOUR BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Oamaru Harbour Board was held yesterday morning, there _ being present Mr Norman Hayes (chairman), Messrs W, Wright, J. M.;Diarmid, J. Duncan, T. A. Munro, J. M Culloch, R. B. Meek, J. A. Macpherson, A. M’lpnes, H. Euddenklau, and R. K. Ireland. " The secretary reported that the rates outstanding on May 5 amounted to £2684 £6s lOd, and that the 10 per cent, penalty would be imposed on rates unpaid by May E>, Correspondence, was received from, the Minister of Internal Affairs in connection with the charging of the dost of collecting special rates, and the matter was left in the hands of Mr Macpherson to confer with Messrs Hislop, Creagh, and Main,' with power to act. A_ request for a contribution, to the Chair of Obstetrics Fund was declined on tnd ground that it was a matter'for private contribution. The usual annual contribution of £5 5s was granted to the Technical School. Ibe harbourmaster reported that the shipping for the month of April consisted J* overseas and 14 coastal vessels, of 16,973 tonnage. The chairman reported that the Turanian 11 ™ 3 due in-port on June Ito load 24,000 carcasses for Home ports. ■ The Waitaki .Farmers’ Freezing Company had been, compelled to forward a few small shipments to Tunaru, or else close-the works, but the works had been kept going and it looked as if a record would oe put up. This port was receiving its fair share of the snipping. Accounts amounting to £594 13s were passed for payment. The tender of Mr W. Edwards for the supply of trees for planting on the Cape 12s per IQO was accepted. • The secretary reported that the bollards and capstan pits would be completed on Holmes’s wharf this, month, and June Ule capstans w ould arrive early in decided to' hold the annual cm Mu no 10 d thC noxt mordljly meeting The tender of Mr W. G. Grave for the supply of manila rope at 91s 3d per cwt and 20-inch coir rope at 70s per cwt was accepted, and the recommendation of the harbourmaster to purchase rope manufactured in New Zealand was adopted. NORTH OTAGO REFEREES* ASSOCIATION. * w% Week . ly A mee . ti , n .8 of the North Dtago Referees’ Association Mr L. Ward vas. elected a member of the association. Various points arising out of Saturday’s games came up for discussion, and a problem givingrise to considerable disoussion was referred to the parent body For an interpretation, OAMARU BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY. Tha p annual effort of the Oamaru Beautifying Society to collect funds from mtizens will commence on Monday next, when the society’s band of honorary cob lectors, each >o£ whom is allotted a ?Z 6 L h °i k < ln th ?, borPu g h - make a ■ “?use-to-hohse call. In view, of . the good work that has been done by the fho e ™.Hr £ ears - H is expected.that t ? f oama 9, u will continue to +H a P ? rt ,i lfc con tributmg liberally to the funds. The society has already deeded on a scheme of-work for* the en. year, and as it is also committed to the maintenance cpst of certain parts haver been beautified, it is essential that it should receive the financia! support of the community to continue its good work. OAMARU PLUNKET, SOCIETY. + , enthusiasm is being displayed by the large number of performers who have been fortunate enough-to be selected to take part in the pantomime to be protpi!!wn c' Went the funds of fh® Phmket Society. ■ .The promoters are fortunate m enlisting the services of Mr vv hate ag musical conductor, and, under nis tuition the musical numbers will be an outstanding feature of the pantomime.

ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT.

CoßßKaroNDKirr.) The dancing is in the hands'of Mr Albert smart, and the great progress in the creation of some beautiful ballets and ensembles is reflected in the results achieved in the short time so far available. The personnel of the cast, when published will add another guarantee to an already high-class entertainment, and the principals are responding to the effort being put t°vward to present the old fairy story of Sinbjid the Sailor,” and portray the many characters ’associated with him, in all its charm and beauty; The stage will be under- the charge of Mr J. Duncan, who will have associated with him a band ox willing workers, while the whole production will be presented under the direction of Mr R. L. Ashley, the producer. Strong committees are being appointed to supervise the many departments, while the members of the Plunktet Society throughout North Otago are confident oi a, generous response from the public, when the season opens at the Opera House next month for five nights. INTERFERENCE WITH ELECTRIC WIRING. The secretary reported to the Wai-, f ectr *-° Power Board yesterday that from time to time cases of interference with electric wiring by unauthorised persons are discovered by the board’s inspectors. Some cases were more or less trivial, but others presented a dangerous aspect, and were very apt to lead to serious _ coneqirences. Within the Tat month it was discovered that a Maori had carried out an extension to an outbuilding in a very fashion, bare copper and scrap wire having been used for a portion of this extension. The extension was decidedly dangerous, and was disconnected ,by the .inspector, who left a message for the Maori drawing his attention to this dangerous practice, and warning him against repetition. A fortnight later, however, the inspector found a further extension similar to the first. The Maori concerned admitted fitting it, and seemed to regard it as a valuable asset, for he stated that he was able to command four pints of beer for bolding on to the live wires for one minute. The, extension had been removed once again, but it was doubtful whether it would remain disconnected for long. WAIAREKA SALE. There was a small yarding of stock all round at the Waiareka sale yesterday. Only three fat cattle came under the hammer, a prime cow realising £l2 17s 6d, cow £5 17s 6d, and light steer £8 17s 6d. I'at ewes sold at from 10s to 11s, but a pen of lambs and three pens of wethers were passed. The bulk of the store sheep consisted of inferior eyes, with the exception of a pen of two-tooth threequarterbred ewes, which sold at 265. Sound-mouthed Corriedale ewes made 12s 6d, full and failing-mouthed 5s Id, and cull la 3d to 4s 6d, according to condition, . .Small mixed-sex lambs sold at 9s 9d; ,-Romney: sold'at figns, Shropshire 2Jgns,, and-Boeder'Leicester 6|gns.. Two dairy cows were yarded, and realised £8 7s 6d and £9, PERSONAL. _ At the meeting of the Waitaki Electric Power Board yesterday, the chairman (Mr J, M. Forrester) stated that - the annual meeting of the board would be held on the next meeting day, but that he would not accept nomination for the position of chairman. Members expressed a desire that Mr Forrester shouldreconsider his decision before the meetIjueen’s !Hotel:.Mr P. Lightbourn, Mr R. Colman (Auckland). Mr R. Y. Whyte, -Miss U. Carter (Christchurch), Mrs Macdonald, Mr T. P, Sprossen, Mr G. AHolmes, Mr G. T. Dennis. Mr D. Gain, Mr H. H._ Allen, Mrs C. Weighton (Dunedin), Miss S. Macdonald (Waipiata). Mrs R. S. Brovyn (Timarii). ' New Club Hotel: Mr.and Mrs R. Petrie (Napier). Mr W. Herrard, Mr H. Mbntague,, Mt J. F.. .Poison, Mr J.--Black' (Christchurch)Mr 'J. TLi Brbadbeht'.' Mr T. H. Black ' (Dunedin),' Mr ; ahd Mrs Harrow (Bay of Plenty), Mr S. Rose (Wellington). • COOKING DEMONSTRATION. The first of a. scries of practical cooking demonstrations by gas was ' given by Miss Uria Carter at the gas department’s showrooms yesterday afternoon. There was a large attendance of women, who were given a clear explanation of the advantages ,of cooking by gas. Miss Carter carried'out the practical work,: explaining all the" details as. the demonstration proceeded. Prior to the demonstration Miss Carter was introduced to those present by Mr W. F. Cooney (chairman of the borough Gas Committee), who stated that by using a gas cooker made in the Dominion the whole of the money was kept in the country. In his opinion the local cookers were quite’ equal to imported ranges. Mr Cooney mentioned that gas had been uninterruptedly in -use in Oamaru for over half a century, and the. demand was still increasing, and more useful gas appliances were being invented from year to year. WAITAKI ELECTRIC POWER BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Waitaki Electric Power Board was held yesterday afternoon, there being present—Messrs •T. M. Forrester, J, M'Diarmid, J. B. Lang, W. Gardiner. T.' A. Munro, A, MTnnes, J. A. Macpherson, W. H. Frith, and J,. D. Rutherford. The chairman reported that Miss D. Davies, an office employee, had met with an accident and broken her thigh, and the secretary was instructed to write a letter of sympathy to Miss Davies, trusting that she would have an early recovery. A notice of motion for the rescinding of the board’s resolution fixing the country minimum at 7s 6d, and reducing the country minimum by Is, was withdrawn by Mr M’lnnes, who added that it was a great inconvenience to the country. Formal resolutions fixing the sinking fund, at 2 per cent, and appointing the Public Trustee commissioner of the sinking fund were passed in connection with the supplementary loan of £10,600. ASSISTANT ENGINEER’S REPORT. In the absence of Mr Dalmer, the assistant engineer reported as follows: — During the last month several inquiries were received for new supplies, especially in tho_ country .districts, where three new extensions varying in length up to one mile had been asked for, these being in addition to new serivees on existing lines. Overhaul work in the southern areas bad been completed, and similar work would npw be carried on in the Waitaki Plains district. The inspectors were stilt continuing to find evidence of stone throwing and rifle shooting in broken insulators, and it seemed that repeated warnings in this connection were still being disregarded. High tension crossing protection had Deen provided for the Post and Telegraph Department’s requirements in Deborah. The apparatus connected with the automatic sub-station at Herbert was at present being installed on the site, and should be in operation towards the end of the month. The chief inspector reported during the month the following installation work was carried out;—Number of new consumers 8, extensions and alter-

ations 68, ranges installed 3, water heaters installed 3, motors installed 2, transfers, reconnections and disconnections 03, load connected during the month 74 kw. The month had been an exceptionally busy one, occasioned, in addition to the above installation work, by the putting into operation of the reduced rates, which involved, a very large amount of work, while several hundreds of consumers had been interviewed regarding them. The reduction of water heating rates would involve an immense amount of work alone. in_ this connection a circular letter was being, sent to all cooking consumers, explaining very fully the water-heating rates now offered, and such consumers would considerably assist the staff by advising, at their earliest convenience, the particular rate they wished to accept. The interference wjth electric wiring, as reported by the inspector, was. extremely serious, and would have to he taken further, both in the consumer’s own interest and as a warning, to others. It had been from such interrerenee as this that the distressing fatalities they heard about from time to time had had their origin. POWER RATES,. In reference to the applications made by the Power Users' Association for a reduction in the charges for electricity, the secretary read a report to the meeting of the Waitaki Electric Power board yesterday, of a comparative table showing that a-reduction of £330 had been imade averaging 22.4 per cent., while another £165 saving was practicable under the new scale of charges.—Mr Gardiner asked why the names should not be pubi, • The public did not know What the board was doing in that respect, and he could not see why the names should * fu Pub Imbed. Mr Milligan had asked that the names of those objecting should be kept quiet and he did not think it Mr Frith supported the view that the board should let the public know.— ihe assistant engineer said it did not seem to be the thing to make private accounts public.—The chairman said it would be Wrong, as it was private busiIV OSS ' u P° Publish the names of those who had objected and the reductions was carried, Mr Forrester voting against it.—A. motion that the matter of fixing the unit charge to meet the requirements ot certain small consumers be referred to th m engl ? e ?s for a report was carried raport » wbich it was decided to publish, was as follows: . A number pf, power consumers had been interviewed, in reference to the recent reductions in power rates, and every assistance had been given in order to advise these consumers the best rates to accept where alternative rates applied. Ihe consumers referred to in the recent newspaper correspondence, benefited by the rates approved .by the board in March, as follows (savings based on actual current consumption and actual Mn^ I Tooo Pphc ?- b l e to-ttoynur ended March, 1930, and ■ figures being appfoximate)Oamaru Mail: Annual saving, £2B, or 16 per cent.; further practicable saying possible, l approximately £25 to £3O per annum. New Zealand Loan and Mer-' cantile Agencyv Company, Ltd.: Annual .^6,.'or 40 per cent.; further practicable saving possible of £6 per annum. Maynard and, Armstrong; Annual saving £lO, or 22 per cent.; further practicable saving approximately £8 per anf' 1 ‘ 11 i oo and M'Dowell: Annual saving £3B, or 31 per cent.; further practicable saving possible approximately £5 per annum; other reductions available. Wright, Stephenson, and Co.: Annual saving £27 or 27 .per cent.; other reducNo / th 0ta S° Farmers’ Co-op. .Association: Annual saving £l3, or 20 per cent.; further reductions available “• and T. Meek: Annual saving £6, or 20 per cent,;; further practicable : reductions available. Total reductions,: not . including concession.; £lsßt . average feducticin" 25.11' P?Lt?clble. £44 reductions whidl ara The reductions above amounting to £l5B per annum were those resulting from the operation ■of the new schedule of rates, and were exclusive of any reductions involving expense to consumers in the way and °worA S f 1S ° r i c . llan ße-ovet switches, sihlTr , ? Is °- oX 9 l ! l ,slve of reductions possible by shutting down at 4.30 p.m. durhourj 1 ' 3 winter monthsr and other specified ™! Ir „f Dl -u r reported onthe subject of night,uses.of power as follows: r,L D Vle f W o f Possible, request, for night KTuL VO - W ?,, io t 6malle , r motors than' , 6 , ar 9 e installations under special cbntracts, he begged to suggest that a rate of |d per unit be granted between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Minimum ewi+M, 2 fl P u r - mo l n S P cr h -P-> and time smten to be installed at consumer's exfae? S v!’ j°l cou * s , e - The board’s rate so u been p , er unit w b er o extended uses have reached this lower rate for night running. Large contract consumers d a Jd rate, but with a high quarterly ,°, r ? demand charge in addition ■He thought, however. a id rate .could be nn A t Ugb T ™, aru 6 nißht fate'was Id ho b i' p / Thls same unit rate might* De granted for any night cooking commercially also, with a minimum of ids per month for ordinary range. Larger installations according to capacity. All revisions ,of rates were being put into compact pamphlet form, and could befinally adopted en bloc before being incorporated in a new explanatory booklet lie suggested should be prepared and made available to every consumer and prospective consumer. A REPLY TO CRITICISM. n l^i he ( i clla <- ir ,P an - (Mr J - M. Forrester) made thc foUowmg statement to the Waitaki Electric Power Board meeting yfrstercritici^n'— BrODCe jiewspaper As decided by the board at its last meeting, a statement was handed to the press with regard to the power users' complaints, dhd it would now be seen Hv ,m \r^ le T) d 'i lbu^t i ed statement prepared ,Mr Baker: that the deputation to the board was quite unnecesary, as the reductions under the new rates proved tO . P e very substantial, despite the opmmn offered by the chief spokesman that they were illusory. Further, the users have been informed that by agreeing to certain reductions, and also. by maxing certain simple alterations; still further reductions were possible* and no doubt many users -would find it to their advantage to adopt the’euggestions made Even the much-quoted charge for a hoist could be reduced by using a smaller geared motor, but it certainly did not seem that a charge of under 2s 6d per week was excessive for the privilege of having the right to do heavy hoisting at any hour of the day. With regard to the statements that technical advice was not tendered to prospective users of power, or to others needing advice, be wished to give that an unqualified denial. W! js a mos f unjustified aspersion upon the officers of the board, who at all times were willing to advise in such matters; in fact, went out of their way to do so. He would say that he had nerused a mass ot correspondence that made this quite clear. One paper published a statement said to have been made bv the chairman of the limani Borough Electricity Committee, regarding the board’s rates compared with theirs. It was difficult to understand what the costs quoted in that statement really referred to. To say that the board’s charges were compared with the council’s old rates did not state the whole of the facts, since the comparison was between the old rates in both instances. Had this board’s new rates been in force at the time the comparison would have been still more favourable.to Waitaki, With regard to the statement made about the board’s cooking charges, it should suffice to- say that at no time during the board’s administration had it been necessary for cooking consumers to guarantee £4 per month in order to get the benefit of the low rates. The rates now offered by the board for lighting, cooking water heating, etc., were cheaper than any other South Island board, and were, indeed, comparable only with those offered in the four large centres of population, even as regards supply to heavy power users. lie hoped they would now have finished with this dragging in of other supply authorities into their little arena. One unfortunate result was that the officers of other concerns suffered from the repercussions that were inevitable, and which, indeed, had been marked in one case; and that ho sincerely regretted. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Forrester for bis explanation.

ART EXHIBITION. Interest in the art exhibition at the Balfour continues to be well sustained, and each day secs the ranks of lovers of art added to by the presence of new followers. The opportunity presented to the school children to view the collection is also beitiß availed of. and before the exhibition closes it will have done a

signal service in the interests of art in North Otago. Other fine paintings included in the Canterbury permanent collection not already mentioned in these articles are “ Conspirators,” by Edgar Bundy, colourful scene with outstanding art qualities; and “ Stow Storm,” by George Houston, in which the artist has produced most successfully a realistic effect of a storm in the mountains. Mr Duncan Darrock’s “Night Fall, Southern Alps," is characteristic of the ruggedness and grandeur of the mountains which Mr Darroch loves to paint, and the beautiful warm colouring of “ On the Moor, Kyles of Bute," by Eyre Walker, discloses the hand of a master painter, while the peaceful summer scope depicted in “ A Canterbury Pastoral," by W. Menzies Gibb, is also the work of a gifted artist. Among the pictures that attract great admiration are “ Conferring a Decoration ” and “Florence,” from the brush of the late Mr Edward Gifford, who for many years lived in Oamaru. Perhaps the moat pleasing of the exhibits by local artists is ’Harbour Street,” by Mr J. W, Luxton, an attractive water colour in which an air of the medieval is imparted to this old quarter of Oamaru. “ Bushy Beach ” and “ Old Cottage ” arc also dainty works winch tlie artist has excelled himself Miss Sutton’s three paintings are good, the one attracting chief attention being Study In Pottery,” in which the arrangement and execution give a striking effect. In “Summer Glow" Miss F. Familton has effectively depicted the sunlight streaming through the trees upon the fiowers in the foreground, and “Spring lime, Garden Pond,” is also an excellent example of her work. Mary S, Adams is represented by four exhibits, those commanding most _ attention being “ The Bridge, a pleasing picture of an English .waterway, and “ Elms," a graceful study' ■in browns and blues. Miss Butterfield has two pleasing pictures in “ Grapes ” 9£d Bowling Green, Invercargill." and W. 1 erhngton shows two clever little sketches with “ Autumn Scene” and •th® Hay Stack. ’ It is a matter for congratulation that the Art Society was able to secure on loan such a fine collection of paintings from Mr Robert iMiiligan, as every picture is a work of art tuat has been greatly admired. “Off Dover, by E Hayes, is a brilliant picture ot the colour and movement of the ? f o ™j "’-hde ‘ The Lakeside Garden” and me -Lido, by Professor Prospocimi, are remarkably clever and attractive paint- {?*£• the collection also includes “ Mount iv‘aiV Howorth; “Landscape.” p A frccl East; A Dutch Interior," S. L. Thompson; ‘ Devonshire Coast," Albert SteVens; and Bibiical Scene,” A. Robinson. MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING. The best scores at a practice shoot held ky tlie Xotara Club were as follows:—J Richardson 79. D. Marshall 78, T. Tald I 7 ' 9k H ° llow 77 > S - Wilson 76, F- - Wharton-75, J. Bruce 75. D. Richardw D c 7s ’-i’ -Y J T7 lai ?. s 75, T. Jackman 75, W. Smith 72, V. Perry 71, S. Perry 70. Ihe trophy was won by J. Richardson with a possible score. The best scores at the weekly shoot of the Maheno Club were as follow:—G Black 78, G. Taylor 76, W. Yorston 75; A. Lindsay 74, -J M'Gregor 72, E. Nicolson R.. Richardson 72, R. Yeoman 69, A. Weir 68. G. Black won the rifle button, and v\, Yorston the handicap button.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION. Good progress has been made by Roads Construction, Ltd., Dunedin, with the permanent surfacing of the main highway between Kuri Creek and Hillgrovd, the first coat being laid down for a distance of three miles and three-quarters in a week. The second coat of bitumen will be pro' needed with without delay, and it is expected that it will be completed in about a week, when this length of the Slain jSouth road will be in first-class order and a boon to motorists. MANCHESTER UNITY. ' . __ At the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Star of the North Lodge, four candidates were initiated into the Order, making 35 members on the lodge roll. There were also 11 candidates proposed to be initiated within the month. Bro, Gregory reported that no sickness had occurred since the inception of the lodge. During the eveninfL the district deputy lecture master, P.G. Bro. Couper, assisted by F.G. Bro. H. Keen, held a degree meeting, the whole of the lodge- members taking part. On behalf of the Loyal Star of the North, N.G. Sister Kidd issued an invitation to the Loyal Oamaru Lodge to pay an official visit on Slay 19. SOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the South School Committee was held last evening,, Sir J. Christie presiding. The headmaster reported' that the average attendances for the month were as follow:—April 11. 373.1; April 18, 373.1; April 25, 302.2; Slay 2. 378.3: perSliss Litten would take up her duties after the term holidays. An entertainment by the “fun doctor” resulted in £1 9s being added to the school funds. The school would close on Friday afternoon for the term holidays. The Ejc-pupils’ Association forwarded a contribution of £5 towards the cost of converting the infant room into an open air room. It was decided to place this amount in the Post Office Savings Bank to form the nucleus of the fund. Slossrs Branthwaite and Familton were appointed to interview the Rotary Club in connection with arranging a concert in aid of the fund. The headmaster was authorised to spend up to £2 on gramophone records. It was decided to apply to the Education Board for new furniture for the standard rooms. Messrs Wilson, Familton, and Calder were appointed to inquire into the heating system of the school. Dr Fitzgerald forwarded £lO towards the gymnasium funds, which was received??V was decided to request Mr Cron to arrange a lantern lecture as promised. The secretary was instructed to apply to the Education -Board for a supplementary grant of 4d per unit on the average attendance (386.5) for last year. Mr J. M. Wjlson was appointed deputy chairman. It decided to hold the school concert in September, RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION. riic monthly meeting of the Oamaru Returned Soldiers’ Association executive was held last night. Mr R. E. Dimick presided. The chairman extended a welcome to Messrs W. P. Aldridge and D. G. Smith to the executive. A motion of sympathy was passed with the relatives of Mr O. R. Wise, who at all times was sympathetically disposed towards the association. The meeting passed a motion of appreciation of the work of Mr Ivan Patterson, who, for some time had been chairman of the executive. !t was decided to extend an invitation to the Rev. Mr Hinton to deliver his illustrated lecture on Zeebrugge in aid of the unemployment fund. A letter was received from the Soldiers Aid Association soliciting support of a petition to Parliament for an afforestation scheme at the Waitaki dam to relievo unemployment. It was unanimously decided to support the petition. It was decided to forward a remit to the annual conference objecting to the deduction of Jodge sickness benefits from economic pensions. Several pensions cases were dealt with, and satisfactory results were obtained.