NORTH OTAGO AND PROVINCIAL SECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23691, 24 December 1938, Page 18

NORTH OTAGO AND PROVINCIAL SECTION

THE OAMARU DISTRICT

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS The season’s greetings, which are heartily reciprocated by the staff of the North Otago office of the Otago Daily Times, are acknowledged from the United Press Association (Wellington), the management and staff of the Otago Daily Times, the Oamaru Mail, Mr Lyndsay S. Clark (editor of the Spectator. Hamilton, Victoria), Mr L. Barsdell (Advertiser, Woolongong, New South Wales), the Mayor and councillors of the Oamaru Borough Council, Waitaki Electric Power Board, Oamaru branch of the Union Steam Ship Company, Mr and Mrs M. F. E. Cooney, the senior sergeant and constables of the Oamaru police, Oamaru Returned Soldiers’ Association, Messrs Stringer and Middlemass, the officers and brethren of the Loyal Oamaru Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., Mr ad Mrs J. M. Forrester, the chief postmaster and staff of the Oamaru Post Office, telegraph message boys (Oamaru), Rosary Convent (Oamaru), and New Zealand Express Company. OAMARU CHURCHES TO-MORROW’S SERVICES The Rev. H. Wilson Potts will be the preacher at the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church to-morrow. He will conduct both the 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. services. “The Burst of Song” will be the Rev. lan Dixon’s subject at Eveline at 6.30 p.m. At the Christian Science service in the Douglas Social Credit Hall to-mor-ro wat 11 a.m. the subject will be “ Christian Science.” The Rev. W. Lawson Marsh will conduct Christmas services in the Columba Presbyterian Church to-morrow. His 11 a.m. sermon will be "The Threefold Sign,” and at 6.30 p.m. he will speak on “ The Paradox of Christmas.” The Rev. William B. Pickering will conduct the 11 a.m. and the 6.30 p.m. services in the Wesley Church to-mor-row. For his morning sermon he has chosen “Why Jesus Came to Earth.” and his evening sermon will be “No Room for Jesus.” There will be Christmas music at both services. Christmas services will be held in St. Luke’s parish to-morrow. Holy communion will be celebrated at St. Luke’s at 6, 7 and 8, and also at the close of the 11 o’clock Matins, at which the Very Rev. C. W. McDouall will be the preacher. Both Archdeacon Russell and the Rev. B. O. Plumb will be at St. Luke's at 6.30. when the choir, augmented by several good singers, will render parts of “The Messiah.” and some Christmas carols. The choir will also visit the hospital. The Rev. B. O. Plumb will celebrate holy communion at Newborough at 11, and at 6.30 at Enfield. The Rev. S. A. Grave will take the Newborough service at 6.30. The service on Christmas Day in the Hampden-Maheno parish will be conducted by the Rev. A. W. Stace. At Hampden holy communion at 8 and a carol service at 7 will be conducted; Herbert, holy communion at 9,45: at Maheno, holy communion at 11. The Kewley Memorial prizes will be presented at Hampden in the evening. SHIPPING ACTIVITIES PORT OF OAMARU High Water.—December 24: 4.49 a.m and 5,11 p.m. December 25: 5.33 a.m and 5.53 p.m. December 26: 6.13 a.m and 6.34 p.m. Notes The Waikouaili, from Newcastle, Port Stephens, and Sydney, leaves the latte) port about December 31, and proceeds to Dunedin direct, thence Timaru. Lyttelton, Oamaru and Bluff. The Kaimai is expected to load at Oamaru on Wednesday. January 11 for Wellington. Gisborne, and Napiei via ports. The Waipahi will load at Oamaru about January 13, for Wellington, Nelson. and New Plymouth. The Waipiata is due to load at Oamaru on January 21, for Wellington and Auckland, via ports. The New Zealand Shipping Conipanv advises that the s.s. Tongarin has been allotted to load refrigerated and general cargo at Oamaru for London about’January 19. The m.v. Breeze will load at this port to-day for Wellington. Picton, ano Wanganui. OVERSEAS MAILS POST OFFICE. NOTICES Overseas mails close at the Chief Post Office, Oamaru, as underSaturday, December 24. —Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, Honolulu, Japan, Canada. United States of America, Eastern South America, and letters only for Europe, also American air mails, via Vancouver (per Aorangi from Auckland), per north express at 2 p.m. Late fee letters at Chief Post Office 2.20 p.m. and at railway station 3 p.m. Thursday, December 29.—Central and South American Western States and Europe, via Panama, per Akaroa from Lyttelton, by north express at 2 p.m. Late fee let+ers 2.20 p.m. and at railway station 3 p.m. Friday, December 30.—Great Britain and Ireland (second class matter only) and Europe, via Cape Horn (per Waimarama. from Lyttelton), by north express at 2 p.m. Late fee letters at Chief Post Office 2.20 p.m,, and at railway station 3 p.m. Saturday, December 31.—Cook Islands, Tonga and Apia, per Matua, from Auckland, by north express at 2 p.m. Late fee letters at Chief Post Office 2.20 p.m., and at railway station 3 p.m. Monday, January 2.—Australia, Japan, Italy and Balkan Spates, also all Empire countries and Egypt; Empire air service, per Awatea from Wellington, by north express at 7.15 a.m. Lnte fee letters at railway station 3 p.m. ARRIVAL IN LONDON OF OVERSEAS MAILS English letter mails which left Oamaru on November 23, via AustraliaEngland air mail service, arrived London December 11. INCOMING MAILS (APPROXIMATE DATES) December 27.—Monterey, from San Pedro: American and English papers. December 27. —Orford, from Brisbane: Australian and Empire mails. December 27.—Awatea, from Sydney: Australian and Empire mails. January 3.—Awatea, from Sydney: Australian and Empire mails. January 6. —Wanganella, from Sydney: Australian and Empire mails.

NEWS OF THE DAY

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)

SUNSHINE NEEDED FARM WORK HELD UP FOWL WHEAT GETTING SCARCE There has been no improvement in the weather conditions, which remain wet and cold, and sunshine is badly needed for pastures and growing crops. Shearing has been held up. Crops on the whole are looking very well, but there has been a certain amount of damage with the heavy rain. The exact extent, however, cannot be ascertained until the weather picks up. Continuation of the present conditions will have a very bad effect on the quality and germination of the ryegrass. Oats There has been no wholesale demand for oats, but there is a fair demand for good heavy oats from poultry feeders. Prospects for an outside demand this year are very poor, and with a big crop in sight lower prices seem probable. Wheat Fowl wheat is getting scarcer as the year draws to a close, and stocks are harder to secure from South Canterbury. However, merchants have sufficient stocks for immediate requirements, and most of the poultry feeders are fairly well stocked. There is no change in price. The Wheat Committee announced that the prices for wheat for the 1939 harvest will be the same both for farmers and millers as for 1938. In the New Year supplies of Australian fowl wheat will continue to be brought into the North Island, but wheat from the 1939 cron will be shipped to the North Island until such time as it appears that supplies are on the short side in the South Island. Barley The Internal Marketing Department has announced that South Australian feed barley is to be sold at 3s lOd, ex wharf, North Island ports, on arrival. Potatoes Old season’s potatoes appear to be finished and the market is steadily being supplied with the new season’s crop. The Government statistics for new season’s crops have been published, showing decreases in both wheat and oats and an increase in barley. The probable reason for the decrease in production of wheat and oats is due to the shortage of labour and the increasing cost of production. Seeds The seed market is quiet and unchanged. Stocks are on the low side, and with the prospects of a big harvest of all seeds there is an outlook of lower prices all round. CRICKET WAITAKI SUB-ASSOCIATION TEAM The following is the team to play against a town team at Kurqw on Monday. the match to commence at 10.30: Cambridge (2; Omarama), J. O’Brien, P. Conlan (Ngapara), S. Ross, L. Ross (Otekaike), A. Gourlay (captain). W. Grainger. A. Stephens. A. Campbell, A. McLeod (Kurow), E. Esplin (Otekaike) twelfth man. ITEMS OF INTEREST IN AND ABOUT TOWN A Correction In the report of the early settlers’ re-union yesterday morning, Mr Peter Murray’s age was inadvertently given as 87 years, whereas it should have read 77 years. Fined for Drunkenness Charged with drunkenness on the Invercargill-Christchurch express on Thursday, a first offender appeared before Messrs G. J. L. Kerr and N. H. Colquhoun, J.P.’s, at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, and was convicted and fined £l. Bowling No bowling matches are set down for the holidays, but at Phoenix on Monday and Tuesday next progressive Pairs will bo played, commencing at 1 o’clock. Quite a number of local bowlers have entered for the tournaments at Alexandra and Invercargill. Swimming The 100 Yards Medley Race of the Vice-presidents’ Cup series was held by the Oamaru Amateur Swimming Club recently, and was won by E. Beattie with M. Reidy second and R. Brown third. K. Gemmell and O. Davies were disqualified for improving on their declared time by more than the allowed amount. Slate Placement Service Casual work for 13 agricultural farm workers was secured by the Oamaru State Placement Service during the week. Three agricultural workers, a cook and a kitchen hand were found temporary work, and permanent positions were secured for a cowmangardener, a teamster and a message boy. Firefighters’ Accident Two firemen who were engaged m the work of extinguishing the fire in Test street yesterday morning had an unenviable experience. They were busy removing roofing iron to put out the fire in the rafters, when the rafters collapsed, and both men landed on the floor below, still holding on to the hose. Fortunately they were little the worse for the fall. Sydney Jamboree The Waitaki Boys’ High School Scout Troop is to be represented by 20 members at the Sydney Scout Jamboree to be held next month. This will be the largest contingent representing any school Scout troop. Altogether, 10,000 Scouts will attend the jamboree. The boys will be accompanied by the Scoutmaster. Mr H. J. Robins, and the assistant Scoutmaster, Mr J. M. Paape. both of the school staff. Relic of Recent Crisis An interesting exhibit, In the shape of a gas mask, is on display in Mr W. T. Sings’s window. It was issued to an Oamaru womap when she was visiting England during the recent crisis, and is of the same type as those issued lo the general public at that time. Early Lambs at Works Early drafts of lambs coming into the Pukeuri works arc much more even in quality than they have been for some years, and the weights are heavier, ranging from 371 b to 401 b. The standard is three or four pounds belter than last year, and the number of second quality is remarkably small. A line of 262 sent during the week averaged 39Jlb, and there was only one second.

OPERA HOUSE EXTENSIVE ALTERATIONS TENTATIVE PLANS PREPARED CONSTRUCTION OF -NEW ENTRANCE Tentative plans, prepared by a Wellington architect to conform with alterations suggested by the Fuller Theatre Corporation, will be placed before the Town Hall Committee of the Oamaru Borough Council, for comprehensive alterations to the Town Hall. The sketch plans provide for extensive alterations and practically the complete remodelling of part of the building, including the construction of a new entrance for the theatre, which will give access to both the stalls and the circle. The right-of-way running along the south side of the building will be built over and provision made for a vestibule, lounge, and central ticket box, which will replace the two boxes used at the theatre at present. Entrance to the circle Will be gained by a new stairway. A welcome proposal is the removal of the many pillars supporting the circle, which at present obstruct the view of the stage. These pillars will be replaced by three only, two of which will be at the side of aisles, and the other in the centre near the back of the building. The plans do not make any provision for increasing the number of seats in the stalls, but a further suggestion has been made that the circle should be extended to increase its accommodation. Provision for a foyer, and women’s and men’s cloakrooms, both downstairs and upstairs, is also made in the plans, and it is suggested that the inside of the theatre be decorated, and the screen and sound system improved to bring it thoroughly up to date. EARLY MORNING FIRE OLD WOODEN BUILDING DESTROYED At 3 a.m. yesterday morning, the Oamaru Volunteer Fire Brigade received a call to a house fire at the residence of Mr A. Broad, on the corner of Test and Tyne streets. The main building, which is made of stone, was not harmed, but an old wooden structure attached to the back of the house was damaged. The building was insured with the New Zealand Insurance Company for £6OO, and the furniture was covered with the Atlas Insurance Company for £3OO. KINEMA ENTERTAINMENTS MAJESTIC THEATRE George Fomby Happy-go-lucky George Formby, England’s popular comedian, once again meets trouble and difficulties in his latest production, “ I See Ice,” showing to-day at matinee and to-night. George, as a country photographer’s asisistant, has ambitions of joining a London newspaper as a cameraman, but when he arrives at London by accident he runs foul of the police. Then commences a wild chase through London. Everywhere George goes, he is hounded by a policeman. He sue-, ceeds in gaining temporary respite by masquerading as a woman, and he brings his trick camera, concealed in his bow tie, into action to obtain some important photographs. By giving these to a big newspaper, he is engaged to photograph an important ice hockey match which no photographer is allowed to attend. A screamingly funny climax is reached when George becomes confused as a referee, and is compelled to control the game. Naturally opportunity is given George to sing some of his inimitable songs with his own banjo accompaniment. Ice skating forms the background for the film, and some clever and intricate movements are performed by Kay Walshe and Frank Leighton. Of special interest to Oamaru patrons is the fact that Cyril Richard, husband of Madge Elliot, plays a prominent part in this attraction. Christmas Night Screening Presenting a new viewpoint on the pursuit of happiness, the story of “Joy of Living,” which will be shown on Monday afternoon and night, is about a stormy romance between a musical comedy star who has sacrificed to work for her rapacious family, and a happy-go-lucky adventurer. Appalled by her family’s selfishness and ny her uncomplaining acceptance of the situation, the adventurer tries to convince her that she should let her relatives shift for themselves and marry him and go to the South Seas. To show her that money is not really important, he takes her ou for a hilarious evening on an expenditure of less than two dollars, and the results make for an engrossing combination of comedy and drama. Irene Dunne and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., have the leading roles. Songs by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and a supporting cast including Alice Brady, Guy Kibbee, Jean Dixon, Eric Blore, Lucille Ball, and Warren Hymer feature “Joy of Living,” a Tay Garnett production for RKO Radio. One of Hollywood’s more versatile stars, Irene Dunne has scored distinct triumphs in three separate fields. She established herself as a great dramatic actress in “ Cimarron ” and other pictures, as a brilliant singing star in “ Roberta ” and “Show Boat,” and as a talented comedienne in“ Theodora Goes Wild” and “ The Awful Truth.” Included in the supporting featurettes is the latest picture of the Dionne Quintuplets, entitled “ Quintupland.” OPERA HOUSE “ Varsity Show ” “Varsity Show,” a musical comedy along altogether different lines, and possessing a sparkling cast, shows at the Opera House' this afternoon, tonight, Monday and Tuesday. A star individual, Dick Powell, and a star combination, Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians, are the top-liners in this melodious, fast-paced tale of college life as the movie makers see it—and as doubtless all college boys and girls wish it were. “ Varsity Show ’’ is a refreshing relief, in its story, from the well-worn “ back stage ” routine in which many musical comedies have been kept. There is an air of briskness and youth and gaiety to it, rarely found in movie-musicals. “Air Devils” Universal’s “Air Devils,” a dramatic thriller of love, battle royal, adventure and comedy on a South Sea island, comes to the Opera House this afternoon, to-night, Monday and Tuesday. •‘Air Devils ” tells of the fights and frolics of Blake and Purcell, as two ex-marines. The picture, a Trcm Carr production, was filmed against the picturesque Monterey Bay country in northern California, and near the United States Marine base at San Diego.

PERSONAL A pleasant function was held in Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co.’s office on Thursday evening, when Miss Norma Slater, who will shortly be married, was the recipient of a set of crystal ware, the gift of the slatT. Mr G. Elvidge (manager), in making the presentation, referred to Miss Slater's worth over her five years with the company, and wished her all happiness in her future life. Other speakers. who endorsed Mr Elvidge’s remarks, were Miss D. Freeman and Messrs W. Widdowson, R. Notman, D. Robertson, D. McLeod, and A. R. Edmenson. Miss Slater suitably acknowledged the gifts and the good wishes. Bruce Martyn. a pupil of Miss J. G. G. Hood, has passed the practical examination of the associate diploma of Trinity College, London. John Woodgate, a son of Mr A. F. Woodgate, Arun street, has accepted a position in the State Forestry Department, Wellington, and will commence his new duties on January 9. Mr J. Bottle, of Sydney, who arrived recently by the Awatea, is staying with his mother, Mrs R. Bottle, Arun street. Visitors to the Town Queen’s Hotel. —Sir Charles and Lady Statham (Wellington), Mrs Caddie, Mr J. R. Wilson, Mr and Mrs Tannoch. Mrs E. Patterson, Miss B. A. Reith (Dunedin), Miss P. Scott Baker, Misses Packer (Christchurch), Mr and Mrs Lougham, Miss Lougham, Miss Piercy (Invercargill). New Club Hotel.—Miss A. L. Louden, Mr C. T. Clark (Auckland),) Mr and Mrs 3. Butler, Mr and Mrs E. Lord, Mrs L. C. MacDonald (Dunedin), Mr A. D. Brooks (Wanganui), Mr and Mrs T. A, Roberts (Temuka), Mr and Mrs D. C. Williamson (Wellington).