COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23702, 9 January 1939, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

QUEENSTOWN Weather for December The month of December was a broken one, so that the sunshine amounted to only 178.2 hours, as compared with 203 hours in December of 1937. The rainfall was 2.66 inches, as against 1.74 inches last year. The mean temperature for the month was 44.4 degrees, as against 61.6, and the mean relative humidity 66, as against 67. The grass temperature was 48.2 (highest minimum), and the lowest for the month was 26.6.

Escapes from Borstal Three youths who escaped from the Invercargill Borstal institution and came on to Queenstown early in the week are still at liberty, though they are believed to have been seen in Kawarau Gorge. (The youths are reported to have .come as far as Athol in a stolen car. which broke down. Then they got a lift to Queenstown, where they are said to have stolen a small car belonging to a stranger, which was parked in the gravel pit. This car was found down a bank beyond the Arthur’s Point bridge. It was in a slightly damaged condition, and was hauled into Queenstown. The youths then went on on foot and obtained a meal at a farmhouse on the way. After receiving hospitality, they took some food from the safe of their benefactor. The news of their escape was broadcast, and the local police and warders from the Borstal were on their trail, but, notwithstanding the vigilance exercised, the youths have so far eluded their pursuers. Bridges were guarded and travellers held up. but the fugitives managed to appropriate yet another car and were last reported as being seen in the Kawarau Gorge. Personal Miss Iris Pearsall, of Lawrence, is spending a short holiday in Queenstown. Miss G. Madden, of Geelong, Miss Joyce Williamson. Miss P. Cobden and Mr A. N. Mac Kay, of Christchurch, are the guests of Mr and Mrs J. B. Hislop in their summer residence. Mr J. Barclay, M.P. for Marsden, and Mrs Barclay are visiting Queenstown. Misses K. Boyle and M. Corcoran, of Winton, spent the New Year holidays in Queenstown. Mr and Mrs Albert Glue and Miss Ngaire Glue, of Anderson’s Bay, are the guests of Mr and Mrs J. Mackenzie. Walter Peak. Mr Andrew Melville, of Dunedin, spent the holidays in Queenstown. Mr and Mrs J. Ellison, of Dunedin, spent the Christmas and New Year holidays with Major and the Misses Mackenzie at Walter Peak, Mr F. Jago was among Dunedin visitors to Queenstown over the holidays. Miss Cora Inglis, of the nursing staff at Seacliff Hospital, spent the Christmas holidays in Queenstown as the guest of Mr and Mrs C. M. Inglis. Mr and Mrs E. Hargest and family, of Kennington, are camping in the district.

Messrs J. and K. Gray and F. Mayhew have returned to Invercargill after camping at the Eglinton Valley and Queenstown. Mr and Mrs W. J. Thompson, of Dunedin, spent the Christmas and New Year holidays in Queenstown.

Misses E. and A. Hogarth-Gill, of Wellington, were the guests of Mr and Mrs J. Mackenzie at Walter Peak recently. Mrs W. Menlove has left for an extended visit to Hastings. Mrs M. Davidson and Mrs de LaUtour left during the week for Wellington. where they will spent an extended holiday. Mr and Mrs H. Brent and son, of Dunedin, were amongst campers over the New Year. Mrs Burnside and the Misses Burnside, of Dunedin, are spending a holiday in their private residence in Queenstown. The Rev. A. H. Nordmeyer, M.P. for Oamaru, visited Queenstown during the holiday period. Miss Violet Eoycroft and Miss N. Mulholland, of Dunedin, are staying in Queenstown as the guests of Mr and Mrs W. Roycroft. Mrs J. Irvine, of Wyndham. and Miss E. Irvine are the guests of Mr and Mrs T. M. Houston, Lower Shotover.

Mr and Mrs J. G. Duncan, of Gore, spent the New Year holidays here. Mrs J. J. Gresham, of Gore, spent the holiday period in Queenstown. Mr and Mrs Wray Wilson, of Invercargill, were among the campers in the district recently. EASTERN SOUTHLAND Freezing Works Reopen The Mataura works of the Southland Frozen Meat and Produce Export Company, Ltd., reopened last week after the Christmas and New Year recess. A board of 46 butchers handled approximately 3300 lambs for the day, the yardings, although some 40Q short of last year’s total, being well up to expectations. Last season, however, was exceptional owing to the extremely dry spell, which resulted in the lambs being forwarded to the works much earlier than usual. The prospects for this year point to more distributed killings, and it is not anticipated that the serious congestion at the works last season will be repeated. Feed is fairly plentiful throughout the district, and where the growth is not too rank farmers are inclined to delay , drafting from the ewes in order to secure heavier lambs.

Intoxication Alleged John James McGill, a taxi driver, of Gore, appeared in the Gore Magistrate’s Court on Friday before Messrs A. Martin, J.P. ? and R. Fisher, J.P., on a charge of being intoxicated while in control of a motor car. The defendant, who was represented by Mr A. Smyth, entered a plea of not guilty.— Evidence was given by Inspector R. F. Hynes (Transport Department) that he had found the defendant sleeping in the rear of his taxi outside the Croydon Hall about midnight on December 31. When awakened the defendant swayed on his feet, and in witness’s opinion he was not in a fit state to drive a car. The defendant was arrested by Constable Fibbes and taken to the Gore Police Station at 12.25 a.m.—The defendant, in evidence, said he had driven six passengers to the Croydon Hall on the evening of December 31 to attend a function. He had had one drink during the day, and he was 'wice offered liquor at the function, but he refused. About 10.30 o’clock he decided to have a sleep in the back of his car until the party was ready to return home, as he had been working until 3 and 4 a.m. for several days previously.—Medical evidence was given by Dr J. M. Watters, who said he examined McGill at 1.30 a.m, on January 1. Witness came to the conclusion that the defendant had had a little liquor, but that he was in a fit state to drive a caf at ,tho time of the examination. —Evidence was also given by three of the passengers who travelled with McGill, all of whom slated the defendant had not had any liquor to their knowledge during the evening.—“ We consider that the doctor’s evidence is the principal point

in the case. The accused is entitled to the benefit of the doubt, and the charge will be dismissed,” commented Mr Martin in giving judgment. An application by Sergeant J. Abel that the case be dismissed without prejudice was refused, Mr Martin stating that the police could apply for a rehearing if they so desired.