PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21578, 25 February 1932, Page 13

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(Tbok On* Stxoal Oobbupovckst.!

r MAGISTRATE’S COURT A short sitting of the Oamaru Magistrate’s .Court was held yesterday morning before justices of the peace (Messrs Vv. Sumpter and W. S. Crombie). Judgment by default was given for plaintiffs in the following civil cases:— F. Adams v. H. Wilson, £4 15s (costs £1 3s 6d) ; R. bi. Appleby and Sons v. J. Entwhistle, £2 2s lid (costs £l' 3s 6d); Oamaru Mail Company v. S. M. Mead, £1 14s 6d (costs 9s). i . LAWN TENNIS The following matches have been played for the Familton Cup:—F. J. Gallagher beat K. Familton, 5—7, 7—5, 6—l; CMollison beat L. Henry. 5—7, 6—l, b—o, A. Feathers won from H. Dotting by default. ( MAJESTIC PICTURES No cowboy togs are worn by George O’Brien in his latest Fox picture, A Holy Terror,” which will be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-night and I'nday. He the role of a handsome young society man. but most of the action takes place in a Western background, affording him further opportunities for displacing Ids skill at riding, playing polo, flying an aeroplane, handling a gun, and makmg love. Sally Ellers, beautiful auburn haired screen actress, plays the femimn lead co-featured with O’Brien. Others in the ensemble are Rita La Roy, Humphrey Bogart, Stanley Fields, Robert Warwick, James Kirkwood, Richard Tucker, Walter Hiers, and Earl .Pingree. Irving Cummings directed “A Holy Terror” which was adapted from "Trailin’.” outdoor thriller by Max Brand, i r PIPE BAND The North Otago Pipe Band has accented an invitation from the Mosgiei Band to spend the week-end at Mosgiei, where a combined rally m conjunction with the Otago Pipe Bands will be held. FIRE BRIGADES’ DEMONSTRATION The secretary of the Southern Districts Fire Brigades’ Association (Mr WfVi.Tiorl has received advice from the Gore Volunteer Fire Brigade that, owing ?o° r the townspeople there not being in favour of closing on March 19 for the demonstration, it was found necessary to alter the, date to Majch 26, whcu the shoos will be closed for Easter. in. Gore Brigade intimated that the majority of the brigades interested had agreed to the change with the exception of Oamaru. In connection: with Oamaru Refusal, it had received notice from Mr W. G. Wil Hahis, captain of the Oamaru team, that as members had made other arrangements for Easter holidays, the brigade would not be able' to part. ' ) 1 INQUEST ; The inquest touching the death of James Douglas M'Kenzie, aged 24 years, of South Ohniaru, who was found dead on Mr Grant’s property at Awamoa on February 17 with a buffet, wound through his heart, was resumed at the police station yesterday aDernoon before the coroner. Sir W. H. Frith. Dr_ R. k. Orbeli said that he received a call- from the police on February 17 and proceeded to a paddock in Mr Grants property at Awamoa. On arrival he found the dead body of, deceased lying near a fence. He examined the body and came to the conclusion that the deceased had been dead about seven hours. There was a gunshot wound about half an inch internal bn the left breast. He was of the opinion that the capse.‘of death was due to a gunshot wound in the left breast, accidentally caused by the discharge of a pea rifle which was lying about 12 feet from the body. James M’Lachlan Robertson, licensed dealer, stated that he had had 26 years

NORTH OTAGO.

ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT.

experience with rifles, and on maljing an examination of a .22 Stevens Favourite ” rifle at the police station, he found thfe pull of the rifle to be 41b. A further examination proved that the lever actuating the breach lock was somewhat worn and loose, hut that itself would not be a contributing factor to the actual discharge of the rifle, ihe muzzle of the gun was blocked with earth which showed that the point ot the muzzle had been dropped end on on the ground. On the right-hand side of the stock were scratches and marks, proving that the butt had been dragged over something. He made several tests of the possibility of the gun exploding on being dropped on the butt, but these had proved unsuccessful. There was a chance of the gun discharging the cartridge on being jarred at the hammer, either from half cock or iVitli the hammer down, hut on examinations being carried out there was no explosion in either case. Witness considered that deceased was accidentally shot through the trigger being caught on the wire while climbing over the fence and discharging the rifle. Constable Waring detailed the position of the body, and said that at the rear of where deceased was lying was a wire netting fence with a metal pipe on the lop of the, wire. He presumed that while the deceased was getting over the fence the trigger of the rifle caught in some projection and so .discharged the rifle. The flesh near the wound was blackened by powder from an exploded cartridge. There were no marks on the ground. The gun was a registered one.*<4 Charles Edward Doran stated that on being advised that deceased was missing he set out and found the body on the property mentioned. The coroner said that it was quite feasible that in climbing over the fence the deceased pulled the rifle after him and the trigger caught in some projection on the wire and the rifle was discharged. A slight defection had been found in the rifle, and it would he handed over to the police. There was no doubt that the deceased was accidentally shot through the rifle exploding as shown in the evidence. LOYAL STAR LODGE N.G. Sis': Finder presided over a good attendance of officers and sisters at R meeting of the Loyal Star of the Noith Lodge. Sis. Finder reported on her recent visit to the Loyal Caversham Lodge and on the visit of the lodge to the Loyal Dunback Lodge. Bro Couper. of the Oamaru Lodge, and G.M. Bro. Miller, of the Caversham Lodge, responded to ine Visitors” toast., One candidate was initiated into the lodge. A very enjoyable debate was held during the evening, the subject being “Is Country Life Preferable to Town Life? P.G. Sis, Kidd. V.G. Sis, Jenkin, G.M. Sis. Oats, and Sis. Hanley took the affirmative, and P.G. Sis. Abel, Guardian Sis. Abel, Sis. Jenkin. and Warden Sis. Kidd the negative. Bro. W. Couper acted as judge and gave his decision in favour of the affirmative side. S.S. KIA ORA Messrs Dalgety and Com_ Ltd., have received advice that the Kia Ora will call at -the Oamaru port on April 7 to load frozen meat for England. l I LADIES’ BOWLING Owing to the state of the Oamaru bowling greens the matches arranged for yesterday between the Waimate and the Phoenix and Awamoa Ladies’ Bowling Clubs were postponed until next Wednesday. ,PERSONAL I ; I (■. ■ Queen’s Hotel.—Mr L. J. Chambers (Auckland), Mr find Mrs J. Hastie, Mr J. Hastie (Kaponga), Mr J. Wilson (Timaru), Mr and Mrs,G. Wardeff, Mrs Beattie, Mrs Carr (Patearoa), Mr C. W. Birss, Mr G. F. Dunne,. Mr E. Lamb, Mr W. Anderson, Mr J. Dunn ; (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs G.‘Mathiae, Miss'C./Mathias, Mr I. Mathias (Waipiata). New Club Hotel—Mr A. J. Herne .(Dunedin), Mr R. A. Ajppelby (Lmdis Pass), Mr M. Hannon,. Miss J. Symands, Mr R. B. Spears, Mr E. Russell, Mr R. Moppett, Mr' L. Shearman (Christchurch), Mr A. Wedde, Mr D, S. Miller (Wellington), Mr R. P. Radcliffe, Mr A. N. Field, Mr R. H. Stewart (Auckland), Mr A. Kerr, Mr R. Wheelar (Lyttelton), Mr A. Hinds (Timaru). ■ Sir Charles and Lady Natham, of Perth, Western Australia, are present visiting Oamaru, and are the guests of Mr' and Mrs E. G. Lane. Miss B. Milligan, of Oamaru, left Oamaru on Tuesday on an extended tour of Great Britain and the Continent. DUNTROON SALE /’ v. There was a small yarding of stock at the Duntroon sale yesterday. Two pens of rape lambs sold at 8s 6d, while pigs brought 12s to 15s. EXCELSIOR FOOTBALL CLUB The annual meeting of the Excelsior Football Club was held last night, when there was a good attendance of members. The president (Mr A. Mays) occupied the chair. 1 , , . , The annual report and balance sheet, showing a small credit balance, were adopted. The chairman congratulated the members and supporters on the fairly successful season. He considered the prospects for the coming year were excellent, as the club would be as strong as ever. Senior, junior, and Third Grade teams were entered in the competition last season, and, although none of the teams were successful, all had made a good showing. Outside matches were played and proved very enjoyable. The club congratulated the Hydro team on winning the Citizens’ Shield and the Mollison Cup, the Athletic Club on winning the Burns and Ralph cups, St. Kevin’s on annexing the Third Grade banner, and Athletic on securing the Fourth Grade competition. The club was indebted to supporters for financial aid. and thanks were due to both players and supporters for their co-operation during the past; season. The following officers were elected tor the ensuing season; —Patron, Mr W. Couper; president, Mr J. Mays; senior vice-president, Mr W. G. Williams; junior vice-president, Mr J. Hopley; trustees, Messrs J. Gerrie and F. Crawshaw; secretary and treasurer, Mr C. Davey; vicepresidents—Messrs R. Eder, J. M'Conbie, J. Gerrie, J. Young, J. Meikle, F. Crawshaw, B. Wilkie, D. Wright. J. Robertson, D. M'lntosh, R. Young J. Beattie; delegates to the North Otago Rugby Union—Messrs W. G. Williams, W, Swan, K. Grave, J. Beattie; coaches —Mr J. Hopley (senior). Mr J. Dennis (junior), Mr J. Gerrie (Third Grade); committee —Messrs E. Grave, I. Rudduck, H. Rae, G. Meikle, W. M’Donald. J. Beattie. W. A. Swan. A. Fraser, V. Ross. J. Teinpero, A M'lvor, A. Bain; club captain, Mr G. Meikle; selectors, the coach and the captain of each team. Eight new members were elected. The New Zealand Union forwarded suggested amendments to the rules. The majority of the members favoured the retention of the old scrum formation, and delegates Were instructed to vote against the 3—2—3 formation. It was decided that Mr Atkinson s notice of motion should be supported by the club’s delegates at the annual meeting of the union. It was agreed , to recommend to the union that an endeavour he made to provide a dressing room at Takaro Park or nearby for the players when training. The opening day for practice, was fixed for April 2.