THE Otautau standard AND WALLACE COUNTY CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11th 1913.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 404, 11 February 1913, Page 4

THE Otautau standard AND WALLACE COUNTY CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11th 1913.

At the meeting of the River Board, held on Tuesday last, Mr |W. Walker was appointed ohairman. During the past four months,' extensive protective works have been carried out on the Aparima River the township and Cabbage Tree ford. Some 15 groins have been put in, a good deal of embankment raised, and willow protective works carried out. Tenders are invited for Bomo [formation work in Clitheroe Street. When this is J completed, it will permit of access to the hill sections overlooking the townshiplfrom J, E. Watson and Co.'s store. '' Several buildings are [contemplated on these high sections, which should, prove an attractive part of the town. The TownJßoard has resolved to approach the Otautau River Board with a view of securing a quantity of soil to fill in the Esplanade leading from MoNeil's corner to Mary Street ; this has always been an unsightly street, and it would be a vast improvement to have the great holes filled in and a footpath made along the Esplanade. The work will largely depend on the reasonableness or otherwise of the River Board in the price placed upon the material they are removing. Blasting operations in the Otautau river have blown out the willows which were obstructing the waterway, and tenders are now invited by the River Board for the earthwork and embankments from the bridge up to end of channel already formed by Messrs Gaines and Harrington in North Otautau. Mr Kinzett has finished his contract ibetween the bridge and outlet of river.

A good time to buy sheetings, towels, quilts, etc*, at Robertson Bros All reduced and first quality goods. Thomson and Beattie are still offering goods at unheard of prioes. They are clearing out their entire stock of Crockery and Boots. Speoial attention is paid to all letter orders. Write for one of our trimmed hats at 5s lid. The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, and Reduced, hare received fche following cablegram from their London House under date the 7th inst : — Sheepskins :— Sheepskins have advanced Jd. h>§d. Special reductions ia all drapery lines at Robertson Bros, during this monthAt a meeting of the Southland Lawn Tennis Association on Tuesday night, tbe principal business dealt with was in connection with tbe annual mterprovioial match —Southland v Otago— and it waß deoided to accept Saturday, March 1, as the date for the fixture. Tbe team (consisting of six ladies and six men) to represent the southern province will be chosen from the undermentioned, who are requested to ke»p in practice: Messrs Norrie (Otautau), Wilson and Cowie (Winton), Tuoker, Jones, Hudson. Goldsmith, Fu-ohas, Field, Callender and Anderson (Invercargill) ; Mrs MoAra (Gore), Misses J. and M. Marsh (Wyndham) Mrs Cowie (Winton), Misses Kirwin and Welsh (St. Mary's), Misses W. and *I. Tuoker, Mrs C. Jones, Miss B. Carswell, Mrs Hudson (Inveioargill), and Mis* L. Nichol (Bluff). A dividend is now payable at Robertson Bros, in the shape of a substantial reduction in all purchases in the drapery department. The Otautau Brass Band, under Conductor Niokells, gave a promenade concert in tbe Main Street on Wednesday evening, ac whioh there wae a fair attendance of the publio, and the music was thoroughly appreciated. For the next concert, on Wednesday week, a good programme is being prepared. By importing their goods direct, Robertson Bros, are able to give better value for your money. The man who is going to feel " always merry and bright " this summer wil be wearing ona of J. T. Brooker' a latest cut suits, made up- from hid now stock of suitings. He will also secure every article of clothing from Brooker because his sto^k is new and fresh, and bis prices are right. Just landed a new selection of goods, and owing to increase of business we have seoured the services of another man, and will be able to turn out the work more expeditiously. — 0. C. Oook & Co, Otautau R. Seatter, junr. , has a hut to let. Mrs J. Fisher, " Aldersyde," wants girl to assist in house- work. Ono cow to milk. Apply this week. Otautau stook sale on Friday. There should be a larger entry than usual forward. Otautau S.M. Court sits on Monday. The next meeting of the recently-formed Western District School Committees' Association wiU bo held on Friday after the stock sale, when the rules will receive attention. The annual picnic will be held at Scott's Gap to-morrow (Wednesday) in a paddook adjoining the school grounds. As usual, a large programme of athletic and competitive events will be held, and visitors will be made heartily we" come. A dance will be held in the evening. One result of the heavy rains, and the consequent large amount of water lying on the ground in the spring, is being shown in the crops, whioh are now rapidly ripening. It is that crops are ripening in patches, which entails extra time and labour being expended in reaping, the green patches all through the crops having to be left, and this seems to be general all through the district. We are always pleased to hear of and refer to anything'an the -way of exceptional crops, and just 'at the present time, Mr ' Jno. Macdonald, of Chines, has two fine paddocks of clover, which for abundance of growth cannot, we honestly believe, be approached in other parts of the district. From the roadside they present a pleasing spectacle, the gloss of the clover almost dazzling one, and they must prove a source of envy to lesß fortunate tillers of the soil. Mr George Chilton, a well-known farmer of Drummond, died suddenly in the Invercargill Hospital early on Thursday morning. Deceased was buried in the Calcium cemetery on Saturday, the cortege being a. very large one. On Thursday last, the various Southland mercantile firms held their first and a very successful picnic at Riverton. Unfortunately the event clashed with the Winton stock sale, and the stook agents were deprived of the outing, otherwise lt was considered that the Otautau representatives would have been to the fore in the various competitions of the day. An interesting feature was the publishing of a bi orts programme, which contained many good skits, and proved that there is a genius in that line hiding under a " bushel" somewhere. A number of the Australian horse buyers have been in the Western District of late, but no sales have been made. Messrs Murrell Bros.', of Manapouri, recently made a very adventurous journey from opposite Glade House, Lake Te Anau to Tuatapere, in a small motor craft, 28ft 6ins in length and 6ft beam. During the trip, 40 miles of Lake Te Anau were traversed, and then six miles through Lake Manapouri, finally coming the dash down the Mighty Waiau, which was high at the time, Tuatapere, 68 miles from the starting point, being reached in 3J not far short of 20 miles an hour. The adventurous brothers had set out with the intention of proceeding to the Blufi 0 , but the Waiau bar was too rough to negotiate, and the sea journey had to be abandoned. The boat was fitted with an 8 h.p. Max engine. There is some magnificent scenery on the route, and the falls are most pioturesque, but it is noklikely that the trip will develop into a tourist route, in fact, in the history of civilisation on the Waiau River, very few successful attempts have been made to traverse its course, one of them being by a world-renowned lady and gentleman, tourists from England, in a canoe, and twice the river has been negotiated' by survey parties in boats, and not so long ago a young man came down from " Sunnyside" to Clifden on a raft, made from kerosene tins. The journey is not, however, one we would recommend, unless those possessed of an intrepid spirit are seeking some hairraising thrills. If so, then.to the Waiau ! We are informed that Mr J. B. Forde, of Heddon Bush, has deoided to take his wellknown Clydesdale horse, Premier Balgarvie, who has proved so successful at the 'stud, to the Australian horse sales next July, With this animal, Mr Forde also intends sending foiir colts by Garthland's Pride, and his working mares, which are all of a very good stamp. The '.contingent will be in charge of the veteran, Jimmy Mcintosh. The Otautau bowlers, owing to their inability to raise three rinks, will not journey to Orepuki to-morrow. Dkessmaktng. — Anyone who requires a dress or a costume in the very latest styles, fit and finish, cannot do better than give Miss Baldwin a look up, who guarantees satisfaction. Tailored-made Costumes a speoialty, at very moderate prices. Glen, Glen & 00, Main St., Otautau, hold a large stock of men's and boys' clothing at right prices, with ls inthe poundg discount for cash. Call and test them. There is a nasty visitation of sore throats among children in Otautau and Nightcaps at present time. The end of summer is usually accompanied something of this sort, but the present indications are that the trouble is more serious than usual. Till these townships tackle seriously some system of Bewerage or drainage, these troubles are likely to recur.

The past fortnight has been most unfavourable for grass seed threshing ; too many high winds, and at times a good deal of rain. Poor time has consequently been made by the threshing mills in the distriot. Mr J. Crookes, of Thornbury, with his traction hauler and gang, left Otautau this morning for Eastern Bush for the removal of the school to the new site. Mr Crookes has a very complete plant for this sort of work. There was a record attendance at the school excursion to Colao on Thursday, 846 travelling from Otautau alone, and with the contingent from Fairfax, Drummond and Calcium schools, which joined at Fairfax, well over 1000 persons were aboard when the train joined the main line. Unfortunately about mid-day, rain began to fall, and although not very heavy nor continuous, the chief pleasure of the outing to the large majority was spoilt, as neither the surf nor the bush offer any great attractions on a wet day. The . Otautau Brass Band were present in force, and enlivened the proceedings with marches and selections.