Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 3017, 10 January 1912, Page 11

An Auckland message reports that Mr H B Irving scored a triumph on the 2nd, when “Hamlet” was staged in tho theatre, which was packed with a great and enthusiastic audience.

Tho position disclosed by the vital statistics at Gore for the year is a most satisfactory one. The births totalled 240, as compared with 233 in 1910, the marriages numbered 58 as compared with 46 in 1910, and tho deaths show a total of 61, as compared with 78 in 1910. For the quarter ended December 31 tho figures were as follows, tho corresponding figures for 1910 being given in parentheses;— Births, 67 (56); marriages, 19 (12); deaths, 11 (15). The figures for the month of December are et> follows, the totals for tho corresponding month of 1910 being given is parentheses:—Birtlrs, 19 (19); marriages, 13 (7); deaths, 4 (6). The town of Gore shows a pleasing record in the matter of fires for the past year. There were only six calls for tho brigade’s services, and only three of the fires were of any consequence There was not a single call to any of (ho business premises during tho year, and it is estimated that the total damage for 1911 could be met by loss than JOICCO.

A special message from Masterton to the New Zealand Times of December 30 states that Dr -M'Rao, of Rinui, has just had a very trying experience, which illustrates the hardships backhlocks doctoiis have to undergo. lie had boon visiting the outlying part of the country, and in the evening was returning home. At one difficult place on tho track ho dismounted from his horse and proceeded to lead tho animal down tho hillside, when he slipped and fell, and struck a piece of manuka so heavily that a number of his ribs wore broken. The horse got away, and the doctor, in- severe pain, and with night rapidly approaching, struggled along the track towards the nearest habitation. Tho night was pitch black, and rain descended in torrents, so that tho doctor’s plight can bo better imagined than described. When daylight broke next morning he found himself close to Annedalo Station, where ho was given all possible attention. Ho was wandering about with broken ribs from 7 p.m. until 4 a.in. Dr M'Rac was then brought into Masterton, and had his injuries attended to by Dr Ilosking.

Tho shock of earthquake experienced in tiro southern districts on the 29th ult. was felt in St. Bathans about 10 p.m. At Kokonga it was felt at 9.50, and was the severest experienced for many years, several brick and stone buildings showing cracks. Bricks were also dislodged in one or two chimneys. Tiro shake did not last long, perhaps for only five or six seconds, but was slightly alarming while it did Last.