NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21993, 30 June 1933, Page 10

NORTH OTAGO.

(Fsou Ottb Special Cobrespondent.)

SALVATION ARMY CONCERT There was a very large audience at the' concert given in the Salvation Army Citadel and an entertainment of a very high standard was presented by wellknown. 'local performers. Envoy Walker occupied the chair, and # proceedings opened with prayer and Scripture readintr. The following programme was pre-sented:-Vocal solos. Miss D. Taylor. Mrs M‘Whirter,i Mr J. Mayfield; recitation, Miss J. Tait; novelty musical items, Mr P. C. Fellows and Miss ellows; cornet solos, Master Pheloung; “male quartet, members of Colnmba Church choir; violin solos, Mr L. Barsdell; mixed quartet, members of Columba Church choir. The accompaniments for the various items were played by Mrs Tonkin, Miss L. Tonkin, and Mr G. E. Wilkinson. All the items were of a very high, standard, and were well received by the audience. . An enjoyable supper was served, .Cornish pasties, made by lady • members of the Salvation Army and baked by Mr Middleditch, being greatly appreciated.

ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT.

MAJESTIC PICTURES

That tragic events' almost inevitably follow;, -great happiness, and that any person, granted three' wishes, eventually would regret them, was the theme taken by W. Wyniark Jacobs, noted English short story writer, in “ The Monkey’s Paw/’ now showing at the Majestic Theatre. In it a' quiet family in rural England ns given a Hindu charm of reputed miraculous power. They refuse to accept these powers at first, but subsequent events .vindicate the supernatural, and amazing ,adventures follow. Betty Lqwf6 rd, üßr a m wel 1 Fletcher, Ivan Simpson,>. C. Anbrey. Smith;.-Louise Carter, and other, noted 'players are featured in the cast..>,,ln the -supports Charlie Chaplin , appears in the reissue “ Easy Street/’ synchronised by sound' and music. “Easy, Street" will be.screened at a matinee today on a programme that shows after school, between 4 and 5 o’clock. - ' COMMUNITY - SINGING Following in line; with other _ centres throughout the. dominion, community singing- will be commenced in Oamaru to-day witlv'a: session during the dinner hour froih 12.30 to 1.30. This weekly sing has, .proved' very.'successful‘in other parts,of New , Zealand, and large crowds have attended every, session. Those who have heard community singing broadcast from, the. cities will know how popular it‘is, .and there is sure to be a largo crowd at the opening session to-day. ; Prominent ■vocalists , will lead the singing, • and. a popular programme to suit everybody has been arranged. A collection will be taken I up for the Mayoress’s Relief Fund. MEN’S HOCKEY ■' The- following will represent the Rovers Club in its match against Oamaru at King George’s Park to-morrow: —Mullan, Brain, Thorpe, Robbie, Scott, Tiddy, Moore, Binder, Brown, Coker, M'Donald; emergencies, Hodge and Jacobs. The Oamaru team will be as follows: Arnott, Beswick, M'Gillivray, Blair -(2), Tonkin, Frith, Hore, Shirkey, Thomas. RUGBY FOOTBALL Teams for to-morrow:— Old Boys Seniors. —Taylor, Webb, Murray, -Cameron, Frame, Tempero, Mills, Clark,. Baird, Walker, Hedges, Mulhern, Familton, Rodgers, Ludemann; reserves, Poole and Farrant. ■ ' Old Boys Juniors. —Paton, -Feathers, Easton, M'Kay, Hunter, M'Laren, Joll, Mahoney, Holt,- M'Laughlin, Willett, Orbell, Hastie, Frater, Muirhead. Old Boys Third Grade—Grant, D. Robertson, A. Hall, J. Hall, A. Robertson, Reid, Young, J. Paton, Freeman, Hesfielyn, M'Whirter, Macpherson, A, Ludemann, D. Ludemann, White, Carson, Gray, Cooney, K, Easton. Maheno Seniors.—Lindsay, I. Johnston, Hollow, Yorston, Bruce, G. Lawrence, _H. Souness, G. 'Rowlands, A. Newlanda,. Shu, Dqugherty, D. l Lawrence, Sinclair, Gillies, and J. Johnston; emergencies, A. Souness and Price. Maheno Juniors. —Johnston (3), Campbell (2), Herron, Jones, M'Gregor, Grigg, Cameron, Oldham, Byers, Wates, Muldrew, Robertson, M'Leod, Sherwin, and Diver. . LADIES’ HOCKEY Teams for Saturday:— Pirata A.—Misses R. Lowan, R. Clare, E. Bedford, E. Malcolm, B. Bedford, R. Saunders, A. Bedford, M. Paton, J. Waterreus, D. Berry, M. Winslade. . Pirata B—Misses G. ... Grocott, 0. Fraser,- L. Thomson, J. Tait, J. M'Kay, M. M'Kerrow, T. Scott, J. Duncan, M. Paton, B. Malcolm, J. M'Leod., . Pirata C.—Misses 0. Franklin, A. Bedford, F. Easton, Ft Cox. C. M'Leod, I. Doran, J. Adamson, I. Cox, D. Tait, 6. Grocott, M. M'Kerrow-. MINIATURE RIFLE NOTES By .Stouter, The dub averages for the week are as follows, the figures for the previous week being given in parentheses:—Weston, 78.3 (76.8); Oamaru, 77.5 (76.9); Enfield, 76.4 (76.6); Railway,' 76.0 (76.7); Totara, 75.8 (73.1); Awamoko, 75.0 (- —); Maheno, 75.0 (— —); Hampden, 74.4;, ( ); Volunteers, 73.8 (73.2). The club averages this week reveal Weston well ahead of the other clubs, and the average of 78.3 is the best so far this season. Weston changed places with the leading club of last week —Oamaru— increasing its average by 1.5. Oamaru showed an improvement on last week’s total by .0, and the shooting of this club has been well up to standard so far this season. The-Enfield, and Railway Clubs dropped back, however, the first-named being ’ 1.1 behind Oamaru to take third place. -Totara showed the best improvement this week, and appears to be getting more into its stride. - The best individual scores for the past week are as follows:—G. Campbell, D. Park . (Weston), E. Sinclair (Oamaru), T. Kpppert (Volunteers) 80, A. Howell, B, Campbell, W. Sewell (Weston), E. Swinard, - J. Nimmo (Oamaru), S. Wilson, D. Marshall, M. Sinclair (Totara), 0. C.. Gould (Hampden) 79. Four possibles were registered throughout tne various clubs this week, this being a big improvement on last week. The riflemen who' obtained 80’n are to be congratulated on their performance. So far 41 teams have entered for the North, Otago Times Shield Competition this season, as compared with 37 last year. It is expected that oiie or two more teams will enter before thecqinpetition commences. The increase’ on last year has been made possible by the inclusion of three new clubs in the association. The various clubs will be represented as follows: —Oamaru 7 teams, Ranfurly .5, Railway 5, Weston 4, Awamoko 3, Cromwell 3, Totara 3, Maheno 3, Duntroon 2, Enfield 2, and Volunteers 2. The shield shoots will commence next week, and riflemen will be out to put on good scores. Weston had a night of great success during the week, and the bull’s-eyes were given a bad time. G. Campbell agqm figured prominently,- and notched his first possible for the season. He has been gradually increasing his scores, jvhich read for the last three shoots 76, 79, 80, and it is to be hoped that he will retain his present good form. D. Park caused a mild surprise by registering an 80 after a total of 75 last wee Tc. A. Howell evidently believes in steady improvement, as his past three shoots read 77, 78, 79. Next shoot an' 80 is expected from' this rifleman. W. Sewell continues to advance to the possible mark, securing 79 Inis week, an improvement of one oyer his previous shoot. B. Campbell, after two mediopre 76's, came to light with a 79 to help his club head the averages for the week. Nearly all the members showed improvement in their scores, and the club should make a very creditable showing in the shield shoots. Very interesting shoots-ofT occurred for the rifle and handicap buttons, G. Campbell winning the former by ,good shooting, and J. Briohtwell the handicap button. E. Sinclair won the Palliser button with the highest score off, the rifle at the Oamaru Club’s weekly _ shoot, being unopposed with the possible (80). This was a greatly improved score on his previous week’s'effort, and on Monday night showed something of his old form, E. Swinard and J. Nimmo also registered good targets, the latter going up two nicks on his previous week’s shoot of 77. At Enfield four riflemen—G. Allan, W. Allan, H. Ellery, and G. Yuill—secured 78 apiece. G. Allan has been shooting

consistently, and his last two shoots have been 78’s. From his 80 of three weeks ago, C. Andrew has slipped back to 77, but has maintained a good average tins season so far. Better things are expected of the other members of the Railway Club. Totara’s weekly shoot was an improvement on previous scores, and S. Wilson. D. Marshall, and M. Sinclair headed the list with 79’s, but the shooting on the whole has not reached the • standard of past seasons. Riflemen in North Otago have been greatly concerned over the form shown by the Awamoko Club this season, as much better shooting is expected of this club. Perhaps next week wilt see a change, and, no doubt, this club will be in . top form in order to maintain its position with the highest score off the rifle for the shield shoots. In the return match between Oamaru and Railway, the former again secured the victory, but. by a much smaller margin. The match waa fired on the Railway range, and was interesting throughout, the result being in doubt until the last man had fired. Doran, Dunn, and Brant secured the highest scores for Oamaru, with 78’s,; and Brightwell, Ward, and Jackman were the best of the Railway team. There: were 13 men in each team, Oamarii’s, ayerage being 75.0 and Railway’s 74.8. ■ At the Glenavy Club’s shoot this week 35 riflemen secured 73 and over. The first 10 riflemen secured an average 78.3, which was. the same as secured by the leading club in North Otago. In its match against the Morven Club, Glenavy A went down to the visiting A team by a margin Of six points. However, the Glenavy B team tu tb® f a W es on its opponents, winning comfortably by, 19 points. The members of the Volunteers Club have been waiting for the last few weeks for their coach to .come to light with a good score, and their hopes have been fulfilled, as T,. Koppert landed a good possible at the last shoot, NEW ZEALAND LEGION The inaugural meeting for the formation of study circles among members of the Oamaru Division of the New Zealand Legion waa held in the Wear Street Hall. The meeting was an open one, and interested non-members were invited to attend, and the hall was filled with an attentive and appreciative audience, some hundreds being present. As there, were many present Who were non-members, the chairman briefly outlined the aims and objects of the legion to the meeting, so that those who were not fully acquainted with the movement might have a general idea, as to what was aimed at in the formation of these study, circles. _ He stressed the fact that the formation of the legion was-the first opportunity which was presented- to individual, members in the community, to take:an active and constructive part in political affairs by providing them with a channel through which their ideas, both constructive and critical, could be put forward" and unified’ in a way which was-never previously possible. Any member of the legion was entitled to bring forward his ideas to the various study circles, which in turn considered -them and sent them on to the division, and from there the ideas went into the central 1 study circle in Wellington. Ideas from other divisions were circulated right throughout the various divisions in New Zealand for, criticism and comment, and these in turn went back, again through the same channels for consideration in Wellington. It was thus seen that the legion was collecting right throughout the Dominion a constructive and critical collection ) ofideas dealing with ' the present economic crisis of the Dominion and the problems of Government and other matters of public interest. It was realised that the individual members of the community were now having a definite opportunity of doing their duty in .personally, assisting in the best way possible to do something definite in matters which were' of national importance and the concern of them all. The best thought of the Dominion was being collected and sorted out, and in due course would be presented in such a-way that it could be put into operation. The legion was absolutely nonparty and-embraced people of all shades of political opinion, and every member was on an equal footing right throughout, and it depended entirely on the decision of the - collective thought of the iraembers of the legion as to what would be the ultimate ■ result of the ideas that were being put forward and discussed ,by the members. While Wellington was giving a lead as to the ultimate aims of the legion, the methods to be adopted to arrive at those aims was left to the "yvill of the majority, as in all democratic; movements. The aims of the legion to- , wards more democratic and_ efficient government had been, termed idealistic, but the members of the legion had it in their; own hands to convert that idealism into -' practice. The legion held that New Zealand had outgrown its system of party government,, which had to give way, to a, truer democratic method. of control. No longer must the Government of the country for the time being be all the time concerned whether it might/ be: displaced from office before its term of office had expired.fi No • longer must a party system continue, which made an opposition concentrate its attention on displacing the party in power, so that it might seize the reins of Government. No longer must constructive opposition to measures before the House be stifled by means of the party whip. The members of the House must be free from party ties, and each one should have free and unfettered power to vote on all matters according to hia own opinion and conscience, and not at the dictates of his so-called leader. If the party system were displaced with a true democratic .Government, then the incentive to organised opposition with ulterior motives automatically : disappeared, andthe Cabinet in the House would be composed of the best brains in the House instead of being selected merely from a single section’in the. House only. It would be possible' to handle the country’s national problems in an efficient manner when-the parliamentary machine itself had been reconstructed as an efficient machine by cutting out the party system, which was subject to, all sorts of sectional pressure to the detriment of the country as a whole. , At the..conclusion of his remarks be called on various members briefly to review the scope of the departments that were being formed; for particular, study under the headings ,of central government, local government, economics, unemployment, and land. These speakers gave a brief outline of what was intended,, and their remarks werd listened to with the closest, attention, and it was obvious from the applause that the audience was a very appreciative and receptive one to the ideas put before it. The chairman invited the audience to join up to the various groups being formed, and non-members were given an opportunity of joining the legion, and immediately attaching themselves to‘ the respective study circles.- An immediate response was made by most of - those present, and the organisation of , each group was then proceeded with. NORTH SCHOOL JUBILEE A further meeting of the North School Jubilee Committee was held last night, Mr W. Gillies occupying the chair. At a meeting of the sub-committee a statement of the expenses entailed in running the jubilee celebrations was presented, and charges were fixed to be submitted to a general meeting for approval. A large amount of work was done in compiling lists of addresses of ex-pupils. It was decided to hold a general meeting in the school next Thursday. BOYS’ EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE

A meeting of the executive of the Boys’ Employment Committee was held yesterday afternoon, when the dates for the production of the comedy " Nothing But the Truth.” by Mr S. Hook’s company, were fixed. The secretary reported that whole-hearted co-operation was being given by the Oamaru Rotary Club, .the Oamaru Savage Club, and Toe H. It was finally decided that all details be left in the hands of the following committee:—Messrs J. M. Wilson (Rotary), H. J. S. Grater (Savage), J. Armstrong (Toe H), and J. M'Nab and J. C. Kirkness (Boys’ Committee). It was decided to commence technical classes as soon ,as the registrations warranted it. The number of boys seeking positions in the country and the difficulty in placing them stood out in contrast to the position a year ago.

' PERSONAL Mr J. L. Russell, who is returning to Warepa to again take over his farm in that district after an absence of 14 years, Was met last night at a social gathering in the pavilion by his fellow members of the Awamoa Bowling Club. Mr Russell has been a member of the club for several years past, and Mr Alexander Robertson (president), in presenting him with a solid leather suitcase and a case of Loewe pipes, referred to Mr Russell’s many good qualities which had made him so popular with the club members, who joined in ex T pressing best wishes for Mr Russell S future success and happiness. . ! Word has been received in Oamaru that Miss May Cooney and Miss Nicols, formerly of the Oamaru Private Hospital, who have resided in San Francisco for the past few years, are spending an extensive and delightful holiday in Mexico, visiting many of the larger cities in that country. • Queen’s Hotel. —Mr R. King, Mr L. S. .Ashton, Mr and Mrs P. Sherlock. Mr J. Woog, Mr J. Murphy, Mr J. E. Proctor (Christchurch), Mr A. C. Henderson (Timaru), Mr A. Millar (Methven), Mr and Mrs J. S. Woods (Omarama), Mr J.' H. Moir, Mr S. Glenclinnirig, Mr Hill, Mr A. Duncan. Mr A. Bruce (Dunedin). New Club Hotel.—Mr B. Natusch, Mr, L. Rounthw’aite (Dunedin), Mr 11. A. Hungerford, Mr A. Gledhill (Christchurch), Mr A. C. M'Gregor, Mr J. A.; Stuart (Invercargill), Mr and Mrs J. S. Bell (Cromwell). OAMARU DRAINAGE A letter from Mr Albert Slater came before the Oamaru Borough Council last night drawing attention to the alleged, unsatisfactory state of sanitation m con-' nection with drainage matters in the : borough. The writer stated that he did this reluctantly, but felt it was a duty in the public interest. These matters were under discussion by the last council,; but were not treated with the serious, Consideration they deserved. There was; no doubt, Mr Slater alleged, that a large; amount of work was not in acordanee, with the borough by-laws, nor according to proper sanitary practice, and there, was at present a distinct danger to, public: health. Some properties were not sewered at all, and some were not brought up to standard, but were left in the same, state as they were 30 or 40 years ago,, and sewerage was still discharged down; the street channels. It was impossible to tender fairly under these conditions, as one who was anxious to carry out'the work according to the by-laws and make a decent job was very heavily . handicapped. This was his serious and considered statement, and he maintained that: it was the council’s duty to look into these matters seriously. He made the offer that if the council would guarantee to protect property owners from the expense which, might be necessary to bring the work in full acordanee with the by-laws, he would arrange for .a fully-qualified inspector to report, and if nothing wrong he would pay the whole cost of the report. He would furnish quite _ suffi-! dent cases which might be investigated without an immediate extensive examination. The letter was received. OAMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL The fortnightly meeting of the Oamaru, Borough Council was held last night. There were present: The Mayor (Mr M. F. Cooney) and Crs R. Milligan, G. Mitchell, A. Wiison, F. Butterfield, D. b. Bain, K. Familton, J. C. Kirkness, A. it. Tait, J. M'Diarmid, and R. Jenkins. Two consumers wrote asking for a re-: fund of the discount on the gas account due to late payment, stating that the changing of the discount date led to confusion.—Or Butterfield, seconded by Or, Kirkness, moved that the motion to give three days’ grace for discount payment be made retrospective to April 1. —Cr Wilson considered that the motion was too drastic, as it meant the refund oi £25 paid in forfeited discounts.—The Mayor urged the councillors to give careful consideration to the question, for it, they made it retrospective for three months, why not make it six months, it would not be fair to those who had forfeited discounts in the past. Th,e number of forfeited discounts how was no greater than in the past.—Cr M'Diamiid said the auditor’s -ruling was that a refund could not be given lawfully.—The motion was withdrawn, and the applications were withdrawn. . The Boys’ Employment Committee was granted the. use of the Opera House for July 18 and 19 for the production, "Nothing But the' Truth.” . The Friendly Bay Society applied for a supply of trees suitable for planting at the bay. Plots had been prepared, and the society would appreciate trees and shrubs for the beautification of the bay,*-** Referred to Cr Milligan and the curator (Mr J. Tait). . . , , The Finance Committee reported a credit balance of £2114 8s lid in the District. Fund Account, and acoounts totalling £695 2s were passed for payTh'e Finance Committee recommended that • the valuer’s report on applications for rent reduction by Dr Douglas. Messrs F. J. Maynard and Mrs Emily Ward be received and submitted to them, the reduetion to be 20 per cent, of the amount stated deducted from the present rent Adopted. After consideration of the race inspector’s report on the condition of the land leased by Messrs Macaulay ■ Bros., the committee recommended that they be, allowed the 20 per cent, reduction as provided under the Act, but that payment of arrears be insisted upon.—Adopted. The Finance Committee 'recommended that as all insurances were fixed for the current year, Mr Gillies be advised accordingly—Adopted. .■■■■■■,' The Public Trustee advised that the council’s request in reference to the premium on qonyersion poming from the Sinking Fund could not be acceded to, but that he was prepared to give special consideration to the loan held by the office, and would entertain any reasonable scheme for the conversion of this loan,; including the release of the whole or part of the Sinking Fund should this be necessary to carry the scheme into effect. Received. i, 1 The Waitaki Electric Power Board forwarded advice from the Auditor-general that there was no statutory authority for the council to transfer its.liability in inspect, to the electricity loan to the board. —Received. . , _ _ . Messrs J. H. Francis and Go., Ltd., wrote in reference to loan conversions, and the Fhiance Committee recommended that the letter be received, and the committee meet Mr Francis when he visits Oamaru to discuss his proposals and report.—Adopted. ■ . In reply to the solicitors request for instructions relative to collecting outstanding rates, the Finance Committee recommended that protection by securing judgments be sufficient in the meantime.— Adopted. The Town Hall Committee recommended that the Mayoress’s Relief Committee be permitted to arrange a weekly, community sing in the Opera House on ; Fridays between 12.30 and 1.30 p.m., provided arrangements are made with, Messrs FullerHayward, Ltd.—Adopted. The Town Hall Committee recommended that the Douglas Credit Association be granted the Opera House on Saturday Adopted. An invitation to attend Captain Rushworth’s, meeting was received and accepted. The Works Committee recommended that a footpath be formed in Orwell street between Derwent and Eden streets, the work to be done by unemployed labour.—Adopted. The Works Committee recommended that the request from the Associated Motorists Petrol Company, Ltd., desiring the opportunity to furnish quotations for the supply of motor spirit be Adoptecl. The Works Committee recommended that the property owners be canvassed with a view to laying kerbing and channelling on the west side of Thames highway from Forth to Frome street, and also the, asphalting of the footpath* six feet wide, from Orwell to Forth streets. — Adopted. The Works Committee recommended that subject to the approval of the Bylaws Committee, Mr M. C. Skinner be granted permission to erect a dwelling on part-section 17, block 43.—Adopted. The Reserves Committee recommended that two notice boards be procured and erected for the purpose of prohibiting cycling on Takaro Park. —Adopted, Mr T. Gallagher wrote surrendering the remaining term of his lease of part of reserve C, and the Reserves Committee recommended that this be agreed to, the question of purchasing the stack of hay offered by Mr Gallagher being referred to the Mayor and foreman. —Adopted. The Baths Committee recommended that the architect be asked to supply plans, specifications, and an estimate for extending the baths a distance of 25 feet

at the deep end.—Cr Milligan urged that the council should delay obtaining the plans in view of Dr Stubbs’s scheme for heating and filtering the water by means of a reservoir near the Drill Hall. The council would not break faith with the Swimming Chib, and ho moved as an amendment that Dr Stubbs be invited to meet the Baths Committee and the architect to explain his scheme before the council obtained the plans.—Cr Familton supported the amendment, pointing out that a conference would delay the action only for a fortnight.—The amendment was carried.

A petition was received from 197 rate-; payers asking the council to accept the; plan for the improvement of street light-1 ing in the business area as submitted by. the Retailers’ Committee, and the Light- 1 ing Committee recommended the council to obtain an estimate from the Waitaki Electric Power Boarfl of the annual cost to the borough of the suggested lighting, and that thereafter a conference be arranged between the Power Board and the Lighting Committee with a view to considering all aspects of the question. In the opinion of the Lighting Committee, the business area was inadequately lighted.—Cr Butterfield expressed disapproval of the Chamber of Commerce’s action in forwarding the petition, as it appeared to lack confidence _ in the council. The committee appointed by the council had gone into the matter, and the' retailers’ action was a reflection on that committee. He thought the council should Write to the Chamber of Commerce, disapproving of its action. Investigations showed that the council was paying more than its share of the cost of street lighting.—The clause was adopted.—A further petition from eight ratepayers asking that their names _be withdrawn from the original petition on account of they cost involved was attached to the original petition. , . ! . Mr F. G. Marshall wrote thanking the! council for the letter of appreciation of his services on the last council. —Received.

The Oamaru Queen Carnival and Art Union Executive forwarded the records of the recent carnival, and requested the council to take charge of them.—Agreed to. The striking of the general rate of Is 9d in the £, special Is and hospital rate 3d, was confirmed. The special committee , recommended that the council proceed with the conver r sioh scheme, and that for conversion purposes’ the loans be formed into three groups. —Adopted. A petition was received from 189 ratepars, asking 'for, improvements, to the parking areas in Thames street as suggested by the Retailers' Committee.—Cr Kirkness urged that in the case of important petitions which had far-reaching effects, tile petitions should be presented to the full council and not.to a committee, and the deputation presenting _ the petition should address the full council.—A motion to that effect was carried. A petition was received from 27 ratepayers asking that the carriers’ stand in Thames street, between Meek and Steward streets, be no longer used as such, but that it be used as. a daylight parking area for motor cars. l —Referred to the ’By-laws Committee. On the motions, of Crs Kirkness and Familton, the curator of the Gardens (Mr J. Tait) was requested to submit a report on the practicability of removing the trees at the sides of the northern end of Thames highway, and extending the central avenue to Ouse street.—The foreman (Mr K. M'Lean) was instructed to furnish a report on the cost of tar-sealing the east and west sides of the highway , to complete the scheme. . MINING ACTIVITY s New Zealand Mining Investments, Ltd. ; (Christchurch), has commenced prospecting operations in the Maerewhenua dis-j trict in the vicinity of .Mount Domett,; and applications have been filed in thei Warden’s Court for two areas of 100! acres each. It is understood that an; option has been secured, over another 100, acres in the locality.. It is also reported that another mining; company will commence operations shortly at the lower end of the Maerewhenua held, and that optiqns' are being secured over the existing claims and water rights, and additional areas have been applied! for. ~ ■ - :