NORTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23203, 29 May 1937, Page 20

NORTH OTAGO

ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT)

COUNTY OPERATIONS CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REVIEW The chairman of the Waitaki County Council (Mr James Rodman) presented a review of last year's operations of the'. council yesterday, in which receipts were shown as totalling £ 52,4.4 b 8s 4d, comprising goldfields revenue, flnesi etc., £961 16s 8d; subsidy on rates. £2827 17s 7d; rates and penalties, £16,360 lis Id; licences, £5003 16s; rents, interest, etc., £lllß 4s fid, Main Highways Board, £19,084 13s 2d, Unemployment Board. £5493 17s 4d; Government grants, £133; reimbursements, £llOB 3s Id; deposits on contracts, £334 8s lid; cash in hand at the beginning of the year. £12,488 17s 2d; overdraft at end of year. £578 12s 10d;— making a total of #65,493 18s 4d. Payments amounted to £61,993 18s 4d, the items being as follows, with the figures for Government grants or loan shown in parentheses:—Salaries, etc., £2093 10s 6d (£l4B 0s 2d); health and traffic inspectors, audit, insurance, etc., £1298 7s 2d '(£46 17s 4d and ss); rangers' salaries £»O7 14s: kea, beaks and small bird pest, £272 14s 8d (£l7 15s); hospital levy, £5299 2s 10d;; main highways, £1824 5s 3d (£22.010 19s lid and £3375 6s); riding roads, £6BBO 18s 6d (£4OO Is;; unemployment relief, £lO9 (£5251 17s 4d); Ahuriri bridge protection, £379 12s; Papakaio water race £955 2s 2d; purchase and maintenance of Plant, £1826 14s 8d (£2932 15s Id); electric lighting, of streets, £lßl 6s 6d; interest on loans and overdraft, £825 19s lOd (£9 17s); repayment of loan money, £1228 lis 4d; refund to Main Highways Board, £ baa 3s 4d; heavy traffic license fees £1420 19s 2d; contractors' deposits, £1162 2s 2d; miscellaneous, £762! 7s Id (£B3 13s 4d;—total, £61,993 18s 4d; cash in bank at end of' year. £3500. The surplus in the County Funds account at o the o beginning of the year was £4202 17s; revenue to general account, £27,036 us 6d;—total. £31,239 9s 6d; and expenditure on general account, £25,602 10s. leaving a surplus at the end of the year of £5636 19s 6d. „ . , For some years the council had created a reserve against replacement of plant, but owing to lack of statutory authority such an account could not be opened in the books. Part of the surplus of £5636 19s 6d represented this reserve. The council %ad now authority to create a reserve authority, and £2343 17s 7d had been transferred from the general account to plant replacement reserve account, the surplus thereby being reduced to £3293 Is lid. STATE HIGHWAYS SYSTEM The surplus eventuated owing to certain works allowed for last year not being commenced or completed within the year just concluded, continued Mr Rodman, and to the Introduction of the State highway system. For instance, £7OO was provided as the councils proportion of the cost of a new bridge over the Otekaike River, but it was not possible to commence this work. However, the work would proceed this year. A grea't deal of uncertainty existed last year regarding possible expenditure on main highways, owing to the fact that at the time the date upon which the Government would assume full liability for the State highway system was unknown. Accordingly provision had to be made for the usual expenditure out of the county funds. Tne council's liabilities for expenditure on State highways ceased on November 1, and the saving to the county was reflected in the surplus. The council estimated an expenditure of £6141 on highways, and spent £2807, showing a surplus of £3334. The cost of labour and material had increased, and owing to industrial legislation the council had to meet new charges, the full effect of which would be felt in the current year. These increases during the year under review had been, offset 'by certain contemplated work not being proceeded with, and by Increases In the revenue, over the Heavy traffic licence fees exceeded the estimate by over £4OO. They could anticipate a substantial reduction in this item as the extensive highway reconstruction programme was completed.' The figures for the Papakaio water race account were as follows:—Balance in hand at March 31, 1936, £448 10s 3d; revenue, £SOB 18s lid; total, £957 9s 2d; expenditure, £955 2s 2d; surplus, £2 7s. The estimated' revenue was £476 9s sd, and the estimated expenditure was £793 16s. It would thus be necessary to increase the water charge for the current year, as apart from repairs to, and renewal of,, fluming, standing charges now exceeded the revenue based on 6d per acre. There was a steady improvement in the rate collections. Arrears collected during the year amounted to £9Bl lis Bd, and the total now outstanding was £2005 12s Bd. The county clerk had been instructed to take proceedings to recover all arrears.

DUSTLESS HIGHWAY The past year had been an important one as regards work on the main highways, as it marked the completion of | the sealing of a continuous stretch of 36 miles of road between Waitaki bridge and Hillgrove. The length between Oamaru and Maheno was sealed in the early summer and the council was fortunate in getting the Highways Board to substitute a plant-mix running coat for the second sealed coat, the whole cost' of which' was borne by the board, as it took over the whole of the Pictott-Bluff length as a State highway .from November last. The remaining six miles from Hillgrove to Shag Point had been in the hands of the board for several years, and extensive improvements had been carried out over this length, the chief being the elimination of the two dangerous bends under the railway bridges on Kartigi Beach by deviation along the coast. This work was practically completed, and a start would shortly be made with the gravelling of the whole length, with a view to having it sealed next' summer, when it was hoped to have a dustless surface from Christchurch to Dunedin, which would be greatly appreciated by motorists. Other improvements carried out by the Main Highways Board were the construction of a subway to eliminate the railway crossing at Deborah, and an overbridge at the Kartigi crossing, which would be in use shortly. A similar overhead bridge was in course of construction at the crossing about a mile south of Herbert, which wouKt eliminate all the dangerous railway crossings in the county on that particular highway, f The board hoped shortly to put in hand the erection of a new bridge over the Kakahoa Stream, and, as soon as the sealing was completed at Dunedin, a start would be made with the widening and renewal of several other bridges, the main one being a new bridge over the Island Stream at Maheno, the old one having been in use for 53 years. ROADS AND BRIDGES On completion of the sealing of the main highway, the council had turned its attention to the other highways, and the board had intimated that funds would be available this year for seven miles of road on the Waiareka-Nga-para (2\ miles) and Pukeuri-Kurow (43 miles) highways. Several small bridges and concrete culverts had been erected, and plans had been prepared for a concrete bridge over the Otekaike Stream on Reef Gully road, and the renewal of the light traffic bridge over the Waiareka Stream beyond En-

field with a substantial concrete traffic bridge. A Government grant had been obtained for forming and gravelling four miles of the Longslip-Birchwood road, and the work was well advanced, but would probably not be completed before the winter. About 11,000 cubic yards of gravel had been put on roads other than highways by contract, not including a large quantity put on by the council's own lorries. There had been no replacements of plant during the -'ear, although four of the graders had been in use for eight years. SATISFACTORY YEAR They could look back-over the past year's activities with a considerable measure of satisfaction. The council and administrative staff had been faced with many' problems, owing to the changing industrial conditions, but all had been met and overcome in a spirit of co-operation and with a will to do the best possible under all circumstances. To his fellow councillors, Mr Rodman expressed his grateful thanks and appreciation for the very helpful spirit of co-operation, which had at all times prevailed, as that had been in large measure the means whereby such a satisfactory report could be presented. Mr Rodman concluded by thanking the members of the staff, professional, administrative and maintenance, for the valued services rendered during the year, and also the press. He also thanked the residents of the county for their co-operation during the Coronation festivities. He had received many complimentary remarks about the celebrations at Oamaru, and it was safe to say that nowhere in New Zealand was there a finer display "for the size of the town. The county had co-operated with the borough, and their grateful thanks and appreciation were due to all who had worked so well to make the festivities such a-success. Mr Rodman was thanked for his report, which was received.

OVERSEAS MAILS Overseas mails close at the Chief Post Office, Oamaru, as under: — Saturday, May 29.—Australian States, South Africa and the East, via Sydney, also Australia-Singapore-England air mail, rates on application (per Aorangi. from Auckland), by north express at 2 p.m. Late-fee letters 2.20 p.m. Mail due London June 20. Fiji, Samoa, Honolulu and »Japan, also Canada, United States of America, Great Britain, Ireland, and Europe (per Mariposa, from Auckland), by north express at 2 p.m. Late-fee letters 2.20 p.m. Mail due London June 25. Norfolk Island, New Hebrides and Solomon Islands (per Southern Cross, from Auckland), by north express at 2 p.m. Late-fee letters 2.20 p.m. China, Japan and Philippine Islands (per Sydney Maru, from Auckland), by north express at 2 p.m. Late-fee letters 2.20 p.m. Sunday, May 30.—Australian States, South Africa and the East, also Aus-tralia-Singapore-London air mail (due in London June 20), by New Zealand air service. Letters only. Extra fee Id per oz by airliner at midnight. To connect with Aorangi at Auckland. China, Japan and Philippine Islands • per Sydney Maru, from Auckland), by New Zealand airliner at midnight. Letfers only. Extra fete Id per oz. Tuesday, June I.—Tonga, Samoa and Fiji (per Matua, from Auckland), by north express at 2 p.m. Late-fee letters 2.20 p.m. Wednesday, June 2.—Australian States. South Africa and the East, via Sydney, also Australia-Singapore-Eng-land air mail, rates on application (per Monowai, from Auckland), by north express at 2 p.m. Late-fee letters 2.20 p.m. Air mail due London June 20. By New Zealand air service. Letters only. Extra fee Id per oz by airliner at 8 p.m. Monday, June 7.—South America, via Montevideo (per Mahia, from Lyttelton), by train at 11.15 a.m. Late-fee. letters 11.35 a.m. Overseas Mails. —Mails which left New" Zealand on April 20, via Vancouver, arrived London May 22. Air mail despatched from New Zealand on May 4 via Australia-England air-mail service arrived London May 19. Incoming Mails (approximate dates). —May 29: Maunganui, Australian. May 30: Waikouaiti, Australian. June 3: Aorangi, English and American.

CHURCH SERVICES The Rev. John M. M'Kenzie will take as his subject at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church to-morrow morning "A King's Messenger," and in the evening will speak on "The Everlasting Mercy. The anthem in the evening will be " God So Loved the World." The Rev. H. T; Blair will be the preacher at Eveline at 6.30 p.m. The subject at the Christian Science service in the Douglas Social Credit Hall to-morrow, commencing at 7 p.m., will be "Ancient and Modern Necromancy, alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced." In St. Luke's parish to-morrow the Rev. Bernard Plumb will take holy communion at 8, the Young Men's Bible Class at 10, matins at 11, the Pukeuri service at 2.30, and St. Luke's evensong at 6.30. At the latter the anthem "God is a Spirit" will be sung. The Rev. L. Harbour will preach at Newborough at 11 a.m., and Mr S Grave at 6.30 p.m. Mr H. Lightwood will conduct the Enfield service at 2.30 p.m. The morning service at Columba Presbyterian Church to-morrow will be taken by the Rev. W. Moreton, principal of the Boys' High School, Kharar, Punjab, while at evening worship the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh will be the preacher. A pre-communion service and the reception of new members will take place on Thursday of next week at 7.30 p.m. in the church. On Monday a lantern lecture will be given by the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh on "Ur of the Chaldees," depicting the romance of the buried city of Abraham as told by the buildings, treasures and tables excavated by the Universities' Expedition under Sir Leonard Wooley. during the past 10 years. Remarkable light will be thrown, on civilisations before and after the Flood. The Rev. J. F. Jack will conduct both services in the Wesley Church on Sunday, and will take for the evening subject, " The Lost Axe Head and its Modern Application." The junior choir will sing in the morning, and in the evening the choir will render the anthem " Fear Thou Not." The Rev. J. F. Jack will conduct the service at Kakanui at 2.30 p.m. OAMARU CHESS CLUB At the annual meeting of the Oamaru Chess Club a pleasant series of game-s was held. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr C. C. Cook: vice-presi-dents, Dr Stubbs and Mr A. H. Markham: secretary and treasurer. Mr A. Ombler; handicapper, Mr D. L. Patterson: auditor, Mr H. Williamson; representative on the New Zealand Chess Association. Mr F. Grady (Wellington). The president referred to the good work done by Dr Stubbs for the local club.

KUROW WATER SUPPLY SCHEME APPROVED BY COMMITTEE The county clerk (Mr R. K. Gardiner) reported to the Waitaki County Council yesterday that the proposed water supply scheme for Kurow, as outlined by the county engineer (Mr G. L. Cuthbertson), had been approved by the Kurow Vigilance Committee. The scheme had been enlarged to extend beyond the boundaries of the township, and so the necessary application for an amendment to the original Order-in-Council had been made. Under the Act it was definitely laid down that charges made for water should be based on the annual value, and no provision was made for charges based on the capital value, which had presented some difficulty in working out the details of the scheme. As far as the special rate to meet loan charges was- concerned, no difficulty was apparent, except that owing to the low capital values the rate in the pound was fairly high, working out at 2.29 d The separate charge to cover maintenance and running costs had to be based on the annual value, which he estimated on the basis of 8 per cent, of the capital value, but the result was very unsatisfactory, the capital values being very low. The separate charge could not exceed 6 per cent, of the annual value, but on the figures estimated 6 per cent, was too restrictive. With the authority of the chairman, Mr G. Sumpter was engaged to make a proper assessment of the annual values of all properties in Kurow, and this had removed the difficulty, the separate charge being calculated on the basis of 3 per cent, for dwellings and 14 per cent, for business premises, the lower rate being due to the lesser demand on the supply. The special rate of 2.29 d would produce £2OO, and the separate charge £lO3, a total annually of £303. There was a number of non-rateable properties, but it was anticipated that these would be connected to the supply, but agreement would have to be reached regarding the annual charges. Whatever additional revenue was received from these properties could be set aside to create a fund, out of which relief could be given to the ratepayers; that is, when the accumulated revenue reached £2OO, the council could waive the collection of \.he special rate for one year. Several new dwellings had been erected, and when capital values had been adjusted more than £IOOO would be added to the capital valuation of £20.900, which would mean that the rate would be less than 2.29 d, and the levy as at present calculated would be slightly less. Th,e engineer and the clerk had arranged to visit Kurow shortly to explain the scheme at a public meeting. Any person or business using a large quantity of water could be provided for under a different charge. The council had now been advised that the Minister of Labour would be prepared to consider making available a subsidy out of the Employment Promotion Fund, on the basis of 45s per week for married men and 30s per week for single men." The labour costs were calculated at £9OO, and if married men only were employed the subsidy would be approximately £475, and the saving pn loan charges about £2B per annum. At present there were only three able-bodied registered workers in or near Kurow. The report was received. GENERAL NEWS

jAt the monthly meeting of the Loyal Band of Friendship Lodge, N.G. P.G. Bro. C. Leen presided over a fair attendance of officers and brethren. It was decided to respond to the appeal towards the King George V Memorial Fund by contributing. £1 Is. The Jubilee Committee brought forward several recommendations which were adopted. The next meeting night will be on June 15, and that of the Jubilee Committee on June 8.

A concert and gift auction sale will be held at Papakaio on Thursday, June 3, in aid of the Papakaio Library and Tennis Club. Over 40 local performers will be taking part. The concert will be followed by a dance. Something akin to consternation was caused at the Waitaki County Council meeting yesterday, when a councillor stated he had received a complaint from a ratepayer that two old councillors, who were on the council when the late Mr' Duncan Sutherland was chairman, did not receive invitations to attend the council's jubilee dinner. The atmosphere changed to laughter when the chairman said that neither of the gentlemen mentioned was alive to-day, and the laughter increased when another councillor added, "and perhaps they have not left their addresses At the Waitaki County Council meeting yesterday reference was made to the distribution of Coronation medals, and exception was taken to the fact that the chairman (Mr James Rodman) did not receive the honour. One member stated that many who had received the honour had not done as much for the community as Mr Rodman, who had given long service/ on the Oamaru Borough Council, Waitaki Hospital Board, and Waitaki County Council. He regarded the omission as a.slight on the council. Mr Rodman thanked the councillors concerned for their remarks, but added that he really did not The euchre tournaments held by the Waiareka Women's Institute in the Waiareka sale yards room have proved very successful so far this., year. The prize-winners for the last tournament were Miss Lambie and Mr Weir, consolation prizes going to Mrs Macgregor and 'Mr Kelk. Mesdames Chalmers and Weir were in charge of the games. A solo by Mr G. A. Macgregor was much enjoyed. At a previous tournament the winners were Mrs Chalmers and Mr M'Cone. while Mrs R. Winsley and Mr Magon obtained the consolation prizes. The games were in charge o| Misses Hall and Lambie. and items were given by the institute orchestra. At a meeting of the Hampden Coronation and King George V Memorial Fund Committee, the chairman (Mr W. A. Murcott) reported that a procession had been held on Coronation Day, and trees were planted by the school children, who were presented with sweets and flags. The service in the Council Chambers had been well attended, the Rev. A. H. Nordmeyer, M.P., giving the address. The religious service had been conducted by the Rev. Mr Chisholm and the Rev. Mr Stace. The day's proceedings were concluded with a very successful ball, the funds from which were .added to the King George V Memorial Fund. It was agreed to place a list for this fund in the Post Office, and also to conduct a house-to-house collection. The Arts and Crafts Circle of the North Otago Women's Club held a very successful evening on Tuesday, when Mr P. W. Hargreaves gave an interesting talk on Gothic ithedrals, illustrated with lantern slides. Miss D. H. Jones introduced the speaker, who was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, as were also the Waitaki boys who attended to the lantern. At a meeting of the new council or the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society Mr M. S. Holmes was re-elected president, and all sub-committees were reappointed, the only change being the new member, Mr R. B. Gibb, who was substituted for Mr C. Stringer, who had resigned. . . , , ~, Of the six municipal leaseholds offered by Messrs Mulligan and Forbes at auction yesterday, five went to the present lessees at the upset rental, and the rifle range reserve was disposed of at £9 15s per annum. The secretary of the Nursing Division of the Oamaru St. John Ambulance Association wishes to express thanks to Mrs J. M. Forrester, the North Otago Women's Club, and the Oamaru St. John Ambulance Association for donations to the uniform fund.

KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL FUND Amount previously acknowledged. £202 12s; Waitaki Electric Power Board staff, £1 2s; Messrs R. Hannah and Co. and staff. £1; Waitaki County Council staff, £1 7s; Mr E. S. Brewster, £1; Mr W. E. Aubrey, £1;; Mr James Rodman. £2 2s; total, £2lO 3s.

AN INTERESTING VISITOR REV. W. M. RYEBURN An interesting visitor to Oamaru during the coming week will be the Rev. W. Moreton Ryeburn, of the Punjab, India. Mr Ryeburn is an Aucklander, and served in the New Zealand Division in France and with the Dunstcr Forces in Persia during the Great War. On returning he continued his studies at the university, specialising in education and history, and then took a theology course. He went to India as representative of the Young Men's Bible Union of the Presbyterian Church in 1922, and after doing language work, he was appointed principal of the Boys' High School at Kharar in the Punjab. At this school there were about 250 boys, with a staff of about 18 Indian masters. Mr Ryeburn developed the school on the most modern lines with great success, and had now introduced a special feature in the form of a printing press, which was especially valuable in the publication of vernacular literature for the Christian community. Mr Ryeburn is the author of three books on religious and educational subjects, which had been highly reviewed, and he is regarded as the leading Christian educator in northern India. Mr Ryeburn will speak at St. Paul's Sunday School and Columba Presbyterian Church to-morrow morning, and at Maheno at night. He will also address a missionary rally on Tuesday night next in St. Paul's, and other meetings at the high schools and in the country. NORTH OTAGO SCOTTISH SOCIETY MONTHLY INGLESIDE There was a large attendance at the Scottish Hall on Thursday night for the monthly Ingleside conducted by the North Otago Scottish Society. Among those present were some 30 to 40 visitors from the Palmerston Society. Honorary Piper J. Gibson played in Chief M'lntosh (Palmerston) and Senior Chieftain Ketchen (Oamaru), after which the latter extended a hearty welcome to the visiting members. The numerous items, both vocal and instrumental, and the dancing were thoroughly enjoyed, each performance being received with great enthusiasm. At the close of the Ingleside, Chief M'lntosh thanked the local society for its invitation and the hospitality that had been accorded the visitors. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the performers on the motion of exChief Donald Miller. After refreshments, dancing was indulged in to Rae's Orchestra. Mr R. Lambie was M.C.

BASKETBALL The following are the games and referees for to-day:— A Grade—Waitaki Girls' High School II v. J. R. M'Kenzie's, 2 p.m., court 1 (Miss M. Newson); Star v. Waitaki Girls' High School I, 2 p.m., court 2 (Miss M. Fitzgerald); Oamaru, a bye. B Grade.—Airedale v. Southern I, 2 p.m., court 3 (Miss V. Irwin); Star I v. Papakaio, 3 p.m., court 1 (Miss C. F. Miller); Star II v. Southern 11, 3 p.m., court 2 (Miss M. Fitzgerald); Ardgowan v. Waitaki Girls' High School, 3 p.m., court 3 (Miss O. Irwin). The matches postponed last Saturday on account of the inclement weather will be played at a future date. TEAMS FOR TO-DAY Star A Grade.—D. Crawshaw, B. Warbeck, B. Davis, K. Pilling, O. Hedges, B. Forbes, I. Colclough, E. Minty, A. Smyth. Star I. B Grade.—D. Cunningham, B. Burns, G. Dobson, G. Abel, B. Carrad, R. Dick, J. Johnson, C. Jenkins, J. Ericson. Star 11, B Grade.—E. M'Neile, S. Joyce, Cunningham, N. Smyth, I. Elliot, U. Pile, R. Dunn, Carrad, P. Jovce. , Emergencies.—H. Grant, M'Neile, M. Christie, P. Jenkins. Southern No. 1 Team—Mrs Robertson, Misses Wilson (2), J. Oats, J. Byers, B. Johnston, N. Brown, MacGregor (2). Southern No. 2 Team.—Mrs Wilson, Misses L. Carruthers, M. Tripp, I. Watt, S. M'Cabe, A. Young, J. Love, L. Hunt, M. Green; emergencies—Misses I. Cox, G. Paton, B. Brown. The bus will leave the Kakanui storo at 2 p.m. PORT OF OAMARU

High Water.—May 29: 5.25 a.m. and 5.48 p.m. May 30: 6.12 a.m. and 6.37 Vessel in Port.—Tongariro. berthed at Holmes's wharf, destination Port Chalmers. NOTES The Union Company's intercolonial freighter Karetu will load at Sydney and Newcastle early next month, completing at Hobart for direct discharge at Oamaru, via ports. The Waipahi is due to load about Saturday,'June 5, for Wellington, Nelson, and New Plymouth, via Timaru and Lyttelton. . The Wainui will load here on Wednesday, June 9, for Wellington, Napier, and Gisborne, via ports. The Wingatui, from Auckland, will load here on Monday, May 31, for Wellington and Auckland, via usual ports. The Tongariro, which commenced loading here on Wednesday evening for London and west coast United Kingdom ports, is expected to sail on Monday for Port Chalmers to continue loading. HOCKEY Teams for to-day:— Athletic Ladies v. Walmate, at Walmate.—Misses O. Fraser, C. Davis, I. Benson, P. Paterson (captain), M. Lee, N. Dougherty, M. Blomfleld, D. Burns, N. Abernethy, A. Dunlop, D. Paterson. The bus will leave the Farmers' Coop, corner at 1.15 p.m. ST. LUKE'S GUILD Mesdames E. Presland and Ombl'er were joint hostesses at a musical afternoon at Mrs Ombler's residence, "Devon Terrace," which was held for the purpose of raising funds for the St. Luke's Guild. Enjoyable musical items were rendered, and the beautiful weather conditions also assisted in making the day a very successful one. The contributing artists were Miss Tomlinson (pianoforte), Mesdames M'Culloch, M'Gregor, M'Whirter, Rickman, Glass, and Souness (songs). Mrs Presland and Mr Burry were the accompanists, and Mr Burry also rendered a song. In the evening a chess tournament was held, and this function was also well patronised. RUGBY FOOTBALL Teams for to-day:— Excelsior Seniors.—Papps, Davey, Thorne, Stewart, M'Kendry (2), Martin, Easton, M'lntosh, Lindsay, Heselwood, M'Leod, Clelland. Weller, Munro. Jones. Cayford. Excelsior Fourth Grade.—Whyte, Cayford, Mitchell, Rosie. Pilling, Dobson. Gray, Hoskings, Rowlands <2), Beattie, Brooker. Woolstein, Sherwin, Campbell, Hamilton, Wilton, Kilpatrick.

COMMERCIAL OAMARU MARKETS Oats. —This market has again firmed, 4s 3d, f.0.b., s.i., being asked lor A grade Garlons and 4s, 1.0. b., s.i., lor B grade. Millers also have advanced their buying prices. There are practically no oats offering from the country. It is rumoured that Tasmania)! oats have been bought for shipment 1o Auckland, but no details are available. Wet weather has held up any threshing that was going on, and it will not be possible to get on to the paddocks for some little time. The same conditions apply in Canterbury. Wheat.—Fowl wheat continues in short supply in the South Island. The North Island demand is being supplied from Australian wheat. Owing to the wet state of the ground the demand for seed wheat has fallen off, but it is expected that the demand will come on again as soon as the weather conditions are favourable for farming operations. Potatoes.—The s.s. Tongariro, now loading at Oamaru, is lifting about 800 tons of potatoes for South America, and the vessels Hororata. Coptic, and Port Caroline are also lifting about 3000 tons in all for the same market. In the meantime interest in the export position has slackened off. It is noticed that several lines arriving on the market from growers have been badly graded, in some cases a large proportion of seed potatoes being through the line, and also, owing to the presence of large potatoes this season, there is a fair proportion of hollow heart in the potatoes. These also have been rejected as they do not pass the grade f.a.q. table potatoes. Growers would be well advised to make certain that the potatoes are well picked and up to standard before consigning them tcLthe market, and so save themselves extra expense in picking over, etc. Seeds. —Supplies of high-germinating certified ryegrass are difficult 'to locate, and the market for this seed is particularly firm. High prices for all lines of certified ryegrass will rule in the spring. Prices for other lines remain the same. The markets are generally firm, but trade is dull.

KINEMA ENTERTAINMENTS MAJESTIC THEATRE Robert Hitchins's immortal story. "The Garden of Allah," which has been filmed in glorious technicolour, will commence its season at the matinee at the Majestic this afternoon, continuing on Monday and Tuesday nights. It features Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer, while Basil Rathbone, Tilly Losch. C. Aubrey Smith, and Joseph Schildkraut also have important .roles. Included in the supporting programme are a variety item by George Wallace, a News travelogue, and the latest Mickey Mouse cartoon in colour. Plans are at the Bristola until 11.45 this morning, and at the theatre from 1.30. OPERA HOUSE " Keep Your Seats, Please " is claimed to be the funniest treasure hunt ever filmed—a veritable feast of fun. The story tells of a Lancashire lad (George Formby) who is left a fortune by an eccentric aunt, but has to find it in a set of seven chairs, which have been sold separately to as many buyers. The picture is full of hilarious episodes, with doctors, prima donnas, tram conductors, and goats providing the fun. Florence Desmond, playing the role of Flo, George's friend in troubles, proves that such team work as seen in "No Limit" can be repeated, and her fun-making during her efforts to help George find his fortune is perhaps her best work to date. It is said to be the funniest picture of this or any year, and patrons will hardly keep their seats for laughing when "Keep Your Seats, Please " is screened at the Opera House to-day and to-night. " Flying Hostess, a romance of the air, will be shown as the associate feature. PERSONAL

New Club Hotel-Mr T. J. Brady (Timaru), Mr and Mrs Shirley (Invercargill), Mr J. W. Buchanan, Mrs J. Fraser, Miss P. Watkins, Miss K. Jordan, Dr T. F. Corkhill, Mr TL Paget, Mr H. W. Carter, Mr C. R. Heryey (Wellington), Mr M. W. Bevan Mrs N. Kent-Johnston (Chnstchurch), Dr D G. M'Millan (Dunedin), Mrs A. Hutchison (Auckland). Queen's Hotel.-Mr W. A. Cowell (Wellington), Mr A. Leith (Dunedin), Mr W. Rivard (Sydney), Mr H. G. Thomson (Timaru), Mr R. S. Oraisby, Mr D. E. Bell, Mr Ward (Christciiurcli) Mr A.' E. Cahill, son of Mr and Mrs T Cahill, of Avon street, Oamaru, who for many years was in the employ of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, has accepted a position with the Dunlop Rubber Company. He will reside at Wanganui, from where he will control the Taranaki, Wanganui, and Marton districts. Mr and Mrs Cahill have been visiting Mr Cahill's parents, before leaving for Wanganui.