THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3383, 15 January 1919, Page 23

THE COUNTRY.

ISST Correspondents are reminded that all letten lor the current week's issue must reach punedin NOT LATBB THAN MONDAY NIGHT. Letters coming to hand on Tuesday are too late, and are thus a week old when they appear.

LAKE COUNTY.

January 11. —Most unseasonable wea.tb.er is still being experienced. Heavy rain fell yesterday, and to-day it is showery. The bigb country is receiving another coating of snow. Shearing is being greatly interfered with, and present indications point to a late harvest. Roll of Honour.—News was received in Arrowtown during the holidays that Rifleman William Ross had died on November 4 while a prisoner of war in •Germany. Rifleman Ross was previously reported killed in action on August 26 last, but about a month later his relatives received advice that he was a. prisoner. As hostilities ceased shortly after-, •wards his relatives and friends were looking ior the news of his repatriation, but instead the sad news of his death came to hand as stated. Rifleman Ross was the third son of the late Mr and Mrs Charles Ross, Macetown, where he was born and educated. On leaving school he was employed _at the Macetown mines, but prior to leaving with the. Twenty-seventh Reinforcements he was in charge of an alluvial claim, in which he had an interest, at Macetown. He was 33 years of age, and was very popular with all who knew him.

• Deaths. —Mrs Chalmers, wife of Mr John Chalmers, Arrowtown, passed .away on the 2nd, inst. Deceased, who was 76 years of age, was a native of Pomona, Orkney Islands. "With her husband she arrived in iNew Zealand in 1863, and shortly after their arrival came to this district. For upwards of 20 years the family lived at Miller's Flat, and then went to "Waitiri. Ten years ago Mr and Mrs Chalmers came to Arrowtown, where they had since resided. The late Mrs Chalmers was held in the highest respect and esteem by all who knew her, and deservedly so, as shij was of a most kindly and generous disposition. General regret was expressed at her demise by old A husband, three sons, and two daughters are left to ?nourn the loss of a good wife and mother. The sons are James (Cromwell), William (Arrowtown), and Peter (Port Chalmers), and the daughters Mrs R. Wilcox (Arrowtown) end Mrs Alex. Geir (Makarora). The funeral took plaee at Arrowtown on Sxmday, and was largely attended. The burial service was Conducted by the Rev. James Rattray.—The death took place at Timaru on' Christmas Day of Miss- Elizabeth (Bessie) Gray, fourth daughter of Ma: and Mrs John Gray, Frankton. Deceased, who was 23' years of age, Tf.as a probationary nurse in the Timaru Hospital, and during the influenza epidemic Bhe contracted the disease. She was a particularly bright girl, of a kind and generous disposition, and beloved by all. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents and family. The interment took place at Timaru. Ministerial Visit. —Sir William Fraser, Minister of Pubic Works, visited the district during the week. On his way from Pembroke to Queenstown on Sunday he spent A few hours in Arrowtown. On Monday he visited Glenorchy, returning to Queenstown the ; same evening. He went south on Tuesday. Mr William Reid (county chairman) accompanied Sir William on his visit to Glenorchy. ; Cricket.—A team from the Queenstown Cricket Club visited Cromwell on Boxing Day, and played a match against a Public Works; team. The match resulted in a win for the latter by 17 runs. The scores were: Public Works, 116 (E. Partridge 55, J. Petereon 24, F. Partridge 13); Queenstown, 99 (H. Sew Hoy not out 46, J. Olsen 16). Bowling—Four rinks from Cromwell visited Queenstown on the 2nd inst., and after an enjoyable game were defeated by Queenstown by 93 to 79. Personal. —Mr A. E. Reynolds, the newlyappointed clerk of court, arrived in Queenstown on Saturday last, and has entered on his duties. —Engineer A. C. Macdonald, of the Lake Wakatipu steamer service, who has been away from Queenstown for some months past doing duty on one of'the transports, has returned to Queenstown. Garden Fete.—-A garden fete held in Queenstown during the holidays, was responsible for the sum'of about J2OO being raised ior Red Cross purposes.

WAIKAIA.

January^pL—This month wo have experienced severe frosts, which have almost destroyed the potato crops, while fruit is lying ■' on .the ground. Last week was marked by .heavy, rainstorms, accompanied by strong ' cold .winds. y.One sunny day molted a considerable quantity of the snow on the high country, and on Saturday and Sunday the Waikaia River was almost" bank high. . Sports.—Owing fo the epidemic the usual eports on January 1 were, not hold, but three picnics to the Mataura River, the Dome, and "Winding Creek respectively were held find thoroughly enjoyed. Memorial.—A section in Waikaia has been donated by one who has lost a eon in Trance, where it is proposed to erect a memorial .to those men of the district who have given their lives in the great war. Weddings.—On December 27 at the Waikaia Presbyterian Church a marriage was celebrated between Miss A. C. R. Williams '(daughter of Mrs K. Williams, Waikaia) and Mr Y. Ni Moore, of Dunedin. The Rev. W. Dam officiated, and Mias E. Milne presided at the organ. The bridesmaid was Miss MTvillop (Invercargill), and Mr W. Williams, brother of the bride, was best man. The wedding breakfast was held .at Mrs Williams’s residence. —On January 1 at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Captain Burridge, Miss R. M'Killop, daughter of Mrs and the late Mr D. M’Killop, Tay street, Invercargill, was married to Mr W. Williams, son of Mrs and the late Mr R. Williams, Waikaia. Mr Tregonning (Balfour) gave the bride away, and the breakfast was held at Mrs Craker’s, Tay street, Invercargill. The bride and bridegroom left for their home on the West Coast. Mr Williams went to the front with the Main Body, and was severely wounded.

TUTURAU.

January 6.—Stormy weather still prevails —a few warm days and many wet ones, witb high winds and some hail showers. Christinas Day was dry, but a cold east wind blew all day. A good many farmers worked their teams, and with the few warm, dry days in Christmas week a good number of acres of turnips were got in, and are now showing green. Heavy rain set in on Year's Eve, but New Year X>ay dawned fine. A hot Bun shone, and by 11 o'clock there was a fair gathering of people at the picnic ground in Mr J. Humphrits's paddock, sheltered by the bueh. The day kept warm, though some light ghowei-3 fell, and everyone present had % pleasant outing, and all got home dry.

Heavy rain again set in at night. The temperature was not very low, ana there was good growth in New Xear week, but we need much warmer weather to make the crops grow. Very little team work has been done for a week, as there has been. rain a part of every day. The sports- in connection with the picnic excited some interest, and there was keen competition in many or the events. The programme included races for boys and girls of various ages; also a young ladies' race, three-legged race, frog race, wheelbarrow race, blindfold race, eack race, and a chainstepping competition for both ladies and men.

ROXBURGH.

January 13. —The old year, with its joys and troubles, has passed away, but not its memories, which will ever live with us. For the end of the war all are thankful, and has gladdened the hearts of those who had relatives and friends returning home, but others have sorrows and undying memories, for some we loved! and knew will never return. The dreadful influenza also took away many of our best men and women, the flower of our Dominion. The New Year up to the present has not been very kind regarding weather conditions. The oldest inhabitant cannot recall such a long spell of cold and grainy weather. Shearing will not be concluded for some time yet on the big stations, notwithstanding the fact that many less sheep will be shorn this year than last year. Fruit Crop.—Fruit gardens are very backward, and the fruit crop will be much later than in any previous season. The cold, damp weather has had a bad effect on apricots, causing the fruit to drop, so' much so that the crop is likely to be light. Black spot in apples is prevalent, also owing to the damp weather. Sunday was the best day for weather experienced for some time. We hope it is the commencement of summer weather. Peace Celebration.—We are anxious to know when the big holiday is to take place for peace celebrations. It is to be hoped that ample time will be given so that preparations for the same may be indulged in. The youngesters are expecting a big day. The Streets.—On account of the very wet weather our streets present good grazing ground for stock. A mob of sheep grazing in the suburbs would do a lot of good if allowed to eat down the grass. If dry weather should set in and the grass dry up there may be danger of fires. A happy NeV Year to all.

HERBERT.

January. 12.—The weather 'for this time of the year has been very -unpleasant, rain and hail showers, with a biting cold wind being a common occurrence every day—in fact, one would imagine it was winter-time, instead of the middle of eummer. The crops are looking well considering the season, and farmers will soon be starting the harvest. The lambs are doing exceptionally well, and as the freezing works' open this 1 month, buyers will soon be busy. Shearing, with few exceptions, is at an end, and the farmer is looking forward to good returns. Picnic—At a meeting of the residents of the district it was decided to hold the annual picnic at Black's Flat, a cosy little spot by the , riverside a few miles from' the township—an ideal place for a picnic. Personal.—Everybody was pleased last Sunday to see our much-esteemed minister, the ±{iav. P. O. Rennie, in the pulpit. He preached a splendid sermon. The rev. gentleman has been on leave for some months on account of ill-health, but seems to be much benefited by the rest and change. It is to be hoped he will soon have regained, his usual good health, as he is much missed by his congregation and friends.

General.—Few homes escaped the influenza, and much sympathy is felt for those who have lost relatives and friends as the result of the epidemic—At a meeting of the Flower Show Committee last Monday evening it was decided to hold the annual flower show on January 30 instead of the 23rd, as at first ar ranged.

PORT MOLYNEUX.

January 13. Although the holiday season is well advanced, and the weather continues unsettled, Port Molyneux is so well favoured as a holiday seaside resort that practically every house and crib is full. Many additional houses have been erected since last summer, but the demand for accommodation has increased so largely that "no room" is frequently heard. Already a large number of houses has been rented for the Easter holidays, and several places are now booked for next Christmas and New Year. There is keen inquiry for building allotments, and a few of these have changed hands during the holidays at prices which woukl have seemed absurdly high a year or two ago. The prospecting work carried on during the past few months on the Summerhill Estate, Kaitangata, have proved the coal seams on the property to be similar to those in the Kaitangata mines situated within the township. Experts have recently been on the ground, and the reports submitted have supported the belief, firmly held by old miners of the district, that all the coal seams found near the township extended right through Summerhill to the sea-coast at Coal Point. Some prospecting work was carried on on the estate in the early days of Kaitangata by the late Mr R. Newburn, and Liter, about 19 years ago, a local syndicate was formed to test the ground, but in both instances lack of funds prevented a complete test being carried out. Several months ago the work was again started and steadily pushed on by a party of wellknown financiers in the South Island, and the result of the operations will be the early formation of a strong syndicate to fully develop the field and carry a railway along the old railway reserve from Kaitangata to the mine, a distance of about two miles. The lease of the property and the right to mine over an area of one square mile have been secured, and the formation of a company and its registration should follow at an early date.