THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3510, 21 June 1921, Page 27

THE COUNTRY.

Correspondents are reminded that all letters lor the current week’s issue must reach Dunedin KOT LATER THAN SATURDAY NIGHT. Letters coming to hand on Monday ere too late, and are thus a week old when they appear. LAKE COUNTY. Jnn© 16.—Heavy rain fell on Monday, but very little snow fell on the high country. Hard frost set in on Tuesday, and still continues. Several earthq rakes were felt in the district during the week. A slight shock took piece at 4.15 on Thursday afternoon, and a m>re prolonged tremor was experienced at 10.15 a.in. on Friday. Football.—The first of the Cup fixtures “was played on Saturday last, when teams from the Glenorehy and Queenstown Clubs met *ii the ground of the latter. The match resulted in a win. for Queenstown by 8 points (two tries, one converted) to nil. Mr X). C. Brown was referee.—Queenstcwm and Arrow teams met on the Arrow ground yesterday, .the game resulting in a win for Arrow' by* 15 points (three tries and two penalty* goals) to 6 (a try and a penalty goal).—The next Cup match, Arrow v. Glenorchy, will bo played at Glenorehy on Saturday', 25!1i inst.—A eeven-a-side match between Queenstown and Arrow’ schoolboys was played at Arrowtown on Saturday last, and resulted in a win for the Queenstowm boys by 6 points (two tries) to nil. Lakes District Acclimatisation Society.— The ar,until meeting- of the society was held in Queenstown on Thursday lost. The president Hr L. J. Lynch) presided over a moderate attendance. The balance sheet showed a ciedit balance of £3OB 6s lOd. Mr L. J. Lynch was re-elected president: Messrs X). F. Sutherland, Geo. Reid, G. S. Edie, and J. Burnett, vice-presidents; Mr D. F. Sutherland, treasurer; and Mr 11. Upsdale, auditor. The following committee was elected.—Mcesi-3 A. Simson, A. M'Bride, 11. C. Brown, 11.I 1 . M'Carthy, John Mackenzie, P. Mackenzie, IV. H. Nelson, P. M'Cormack, W. D. Warren, and Captain J. B. Robertson. Mr J. J. M’Bride was re-elected secretary at a remuneration of £ls per annum, and was also granted a bonus of £5. Death. —The death occurred yesterday of Mrs Jansen, wife of Mr Andrew Jansen, Lever Shotover. Deceased was a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs J. Rasmussen, Lower Shotovcr, and had been in bad health for some time. Her husband and family of two girls are left to mourn their Ices. The funeral takes place at Franktc-n to-morrow. ROXBURGH. June If.—So far winter has been a beautiful season. Grass h-as grown much, and many early things show signs of development. No doubt we will pay later for these piivi'ogee. Wo had a similar season in 1906, I think it was, when beautiful weather prevailed up to the Bth of July. Then abundance of snow fell, and the thermometer was very low for four weeks, freezing everything not thoroughly secured. Fruit Season.—This district has had a Very successful fruit season from December to the present time, with apples and large quantities of armies yet to go away. This is now the principal industry of this district. Mining is almost defunct, only the Molyneux Company, under the managementship c-f Mr Ewing, working. Very little ie known of results. Hydro-electric Scheme. This scheme is not progressing very f-xst owing to want of funds and ether little Government considerations. The scheme, when fully developed, will be a great boon to this district, and also to a large part of Otago. Cottage Hospital. This project has not made much .. ogress in regard io building as yet, but it. is hoped we shall soon see a change The position chosen for the hospital is most favourable in every respect. The site commands an extensive view, and is the sunniest, and most sheltered section m the borough or. for thsi matter, in any part, of the district. There is abundance of water, and it is well drained. Stagnation.—The boromrli is not making the piogress one would like to see. There arc- too many vacant sections and not enough revenue coming in. During last year only one house was built, and no more are in course of construction. Wo have many visitors throughout the year who stay a while, bo that business i>eople must be doing well. Obituary.—Mr Parker, ecu., passed away this morning at the age of 82 years. He •was one of the early pioneers. Born m Canada, he n-igrated to Australia, where lie Worked at his trade as a wheelwright for a sho t time. He then came to Xew Zealand. end settle! at Butcher’s Gully. He -was married at Alexandra, and a number of boys and girls were born to them. Mr Parker and seme of his family spent much of his life over the mountains, but for the last 30 years lie has resided at Coal Creek Flat, and followed the fruit-growing industry with success. Much sympathy is extended to Mrs Parker in her bereavement. The district sustained a loss by the death of Mrs H. Waigth, inn., whom all respected as a citizen, "a wife, and a mother. _ She was taken ev.-ay with but li,ile warning m the flower of her womanhood. She was a native of the town, and always much liked. MANDEViLLE. June 13. —Th" weather continues wonderfully mild, which makes one scarcely realise that we are but a week from the shortest day. Farm work is well advanced, and stock is in the oink cf condition. The freezing works are k pt at full pressure, indicating the suitability cf the season, although so far advanced, for putting on condition. Dairying.—The milking season ~ is about at an cud. and very few factories but have closed clown for tho season. It lias lxxm the best year the daily farmer has ever experienced. The dairying industry is undoubtedly on the increase in this province. Next year will see many farmers taking to the cows for the first time, and a great, many of those in th.i business are going to increase flicir herds. Sheep.—The sheepfarmor is not on the same wicket. Ho has been bard hit, and although markets have a healthier tor.". the prices ax© much below v-hat is considers 1 payable, and he mav consider himself lucky whose overdraft will not stand hundreds li an it was 12 months ago. A I,iv ;y Time. —It inns', date back many years that our little township hae shown so miuch life luring the winter months aa she does tills vear. Away back, when tho bills \rere eivcit un bv the rabbi s ,iu,l dozens of trap;' . - were camped for the winter months on small, well-defined blocks f o copo with the pest. It is not trappers, but officers of the Railway Department-, that have in-crea-s d our population by fully one-third. TLev comprise the relay gang and bridge gang camped on the railway reserve close to the Government buildings. At the clo.se of Aacii day, when this body cf men return from work, mingled with local residents and Country people in for their mail, forces oil one tho conclusion that Mandeville is growing more like London every day.

School Concert.—The school concert was an unqualified success. Tho school children provided the whole programme, save two songs nicely rendered by Miss Crombia end Miss Wayte, and also Mr Corcoran, of Gore who supplied the combo element, and had to reappear again and again at’ the incessant demand cf the audience. The children acquitted themselves wonderfully well, and great praise is -due to the teacher for tho manner in which her pupils qualified themselves.- Little mites, as well as those in the higher classes, each took their part in the various acts without making one mistake, and in a manner’ that is beyond the power of this lien perfectly to do justice. General.—-The euchre parties, which are held fortnightly, continue to draw large houses, find the amount of enthusiasm displayed looks as if their continuation is assured. The return crib match in the local hall between railwaymen and local residents resulted in a narrow win for the locals. As each has now had a win, a final is to be played at tile end of this week.—Colds are very prevalent just now in our midst, hardly a licane that ha 3 not one or more of its members off duty in consequence.—Mr W. Ross, who had the top of one of his thumbs taken off at the end of last month, is still unable to return to work, but at present rate of progress expects to be out of the doctor’s care in about three weeks. OTAMA, June 15.—Th© weather in this district for the last few weeks, with the exception of that which prevailed during the last week-end, has been well suited to enable tho farmers to carry on with their ploughing preparatory to putting in the next season’s crops, etc. Judging from, tlie work done at present, there does not appear to be a great deal available for cropping. This is, no doubt, due to the fact that oats have proved such a great disappointment to growers through tho agency of an exceptionally bad sea,son and the slump in prices. Of course, it is rather early as yet for the farmers themselves to know what will be done, for oats seem to have recovered quite a lot during the last, few weeks. Stock. —The stock market appears to have recovered somewhat from the depression ■which overwhelmed the country some little time back. The better prices to be obtained for fat stock lias given farmers an inducement- to purchase stores for realisation purposes, and the effect of this has further stimulated the market. This district is considered one of the finest in Southland, and it is not surprising that 19 trucks of fats were one morning recently railed to the Mataura Freezing Works from the local siding at Olamita. Personal.— We regret to report, that the health of Mr J. Logan, of this district, lias been causing his relatives and friends great anxiety, but the latest reports to- hand, however, show hopeful signs of our worthy pioneer's recovering. School Matters.—The local school has undergone another change, in that Mr John Kelly, who filled tho position as schoolmaster here for tho past three years, has resigned, and Mr Edwin Hargeet, of Mandeville, been appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr Kelly is now in charge of th© school at Brydone. OTAUTAU. June 17— On Saturday, June 11, the local school football team journeyed to Win ton to pla.y a match against Lunisden, and succeeded ir. securing a draw. This is a very creditable performance, as the Lunisden team lias never been beaten this season. On the eanie day the- local school hockey girls played Lameden. and won by two goals to one. On Wednesday, June 15, the Otautau Juniors’ football team defeated Oi-tpuki at Orepuki by 21 points to 9. After a fairly fast game tlie score® consisting of six converted tries and a penalty goal to an unconverted try and two penalty goals. The major portion of the score was put up in the second spell.

Conference.—At Friday’s meeting of the Wallace County Council a conference took place between the Town Board and the Council regarding the upkeep of the main and boundary roads. The board requested tho council to- increase its contribution for the roads south of" the main bridge to half °f the cost, and also assist the board in obtaining a Government grant for the renewal of the main traffic bridge. The Finance Committee, having considered the matter, recommended the council to contribute an amount of £ls per annum towards maintenance of tlie road mentioned, in addition to the amount contributed as per agreement. The committee also recommended that the chairman of the council confer with the chairman of the bo-a-rd in regard to th© application for a Government grant- for the bridge. Both recommendations were ] adoptedThe Hop-holiday and the Stock Agents. j On Thursday a meeting, convened by the ; Progressive League, was held in the board j room to consider the alteration of tlie stock | sale day from- Friday to Wednesday. There [ was a large attendance of the public, and | tho pros and cons o-f the situation were disi cussed. The position is an unfortunate one, as owing to the half-holiday in Invercargill necessitating the change of the market day from Saturday to Friday, the auctioneers of the various firms are compelled to remain there on that day, and it, was for this reason that the day of the monthly sale in Otautau was changed. It is «. very unfortunate circumstance for the business community, as Wednesday has been fixed for tlie statutory j half-holiday for the year, and they will thus i have to close their premises for the half-day I of every sale. A motion asking tho agents | to consider the matter was lost by one "vote, j and it was eventually decided that a subJ committee, co-uprising Messrs R. Scatter j (chairman of the Town Board), J. Fisher, J and Dr Ste.vari, wait on the business people j and endeavour to get a requisition to* have ! tho half-holiday on th© Saturday, and get t the necessary authority to keep open on the : Wednesday. The business people are wakimr ' up to the -act that they have been too slow, letting a certain amount of business go past I them to Invercargill, and a proposal is now ; being considered to establish a weekly aucI tion mart on tho Saturday to induce people | to do their business in Ohm-urn. ; Reunion Social. —Th© reunion social of i Winter Show workers, held on Friday even- | mg nr the Tow-i Hall, resolved itself into j a dance. There was a fair attendance. . ( ards were played on the stage, the winners ' of five hundred being Mrs ,T. G. C. Baker 1, and Mrs J. Kirk 2. Duiing a convenient intervi 1 Mr Holmes refer -ed to the services Miss Laidlaw inn! v. luh-i-ed in connection j with 11.' secretaryship of tho recent- show, j and tli© league had decided to present her I with a cheque, which would be forwarded t to her. A splendid supper was provided :by the ladies. Mr Jellyman supplied the j music for the dan -o, and Mr Martin Richards was M.G.

MOMOMA. June 18. —Welcome rains liav« fallen this week, and winter condit-ictns prevail. Dairying.—The milk supply is falling off, and the factory lias ceased cheese-making, and is separating for the winter months. Debating iScciety.—The meetings each week are well attended, and are very enjoyable. A library has been opened, and is being fell supported. On Wednesday evening the members said farewell to th© lats- secretary, Mr H. W. Spr-ott, who is leaving tho district, and was presented with a case of pipes. Mr Sprott will be missed from our district. South Ta-ieri Church.—A sale of work ie to bake place shortly to make a.n effort to piac© church funds on a satisfactory footing. At a meeting of th® ladies of Momona the following officers were elected:—President, Mrs A. W. Amos; vice-president, Mrs James Bruce; secretary. Mrs P. Douglas. Sewing meetings will be held fortnightly, and the committee will -welcome donations c-r help from all well-wishers to the cause. Social. A large number of residents assembled on Thursday evening to suy goodbye to Mr D. and Miss- E. Snell, who az*e leaving the, district. Mr A. Moo-re presided. Songs were given by Mrs Douglas, Messrs opiers. Taylor, Bathgate, Roxburgh, a mandolin solo by Mr Roxburgn, violin solo by Mr Bi,air, and recitations by Messrs Ookwell, Taylor, and Swallow. Mesdames Bruce, rapiers, and Taylor played the accompaniments. Mr A. W. Amos, on behalf of the residents, presented Mr Snell with a Mosgmi rug and travelling bag, and Miss Snell with a case of e-biuiy brushes and mirror. Mr Amos s remarks were supplemented by the chairman and Messrs M'Leod, Campbell, Swallow, Newman, Johnson, and Mr 1). P. Hackelt, all of whom wished Mr and Miss at l6 o €Ver y prosperity in their future home. ip responded for his sister and himself in a few well-chosen words. Supper was handed round, and « pleasant evening - was brought to a close by singing “Auld ]an c i syne.” ° Personal.—Mr and Mrs Amos leave for the north to-day on holiday. WAIROA (Hawke’s Bay). June .15. One of the saddest events occurmg m recent years happened on Sunday, when., among the hills at the back of To Lin, the dead body of Norman Davies was found by a couple of young bo vs. The deceased had been missing since Thursday, and had apparently taken his own life in a fi? of depression caused by business worries. Ihe body had a bullet wound in the head. A young man of 3*2, ho was the eldest son of John Davies, an old Wairoa- resident. (Sports. Hockey and football still cause natch interest. This last week-end results were as follows:—-Hockey: United (3) v. N. Clyde (0); Wairoa Ladies (3) v. High School (0) Football: Nuhak-a (5) v. Tapuae (3); City (3) v. Wa.uiu (0); Nuhaka Juniors (6) v. Tapuae (3); City Juniors (14) v. Waiau (5) ( General.—For the la.st week the bar has been in excellent order, and tlie various beats are making quick trips to reduce the accumulation of imports .and exports. During May, 23 boats arrived at the- ‘Wharves. Mr O. C. Omerod has been elected unopposed to the presidency of the Wairoa A. and P. Society; Mr D. D. Prydo, vice-presi-dent; and Mr E. L. Thomson, treasurer. The secretary (Mr Geo. Broad) has resigned, and the position is being advertised. CROMWELL NOTES. CROMWELL, June 10. Following upon a period of hard frost, a severe winter storm threatened yesterday. Rain fell early in the evening and through the night, but, the weather has now cleared, and there is a light deposit of snow on the high country. The winter so far has been exceptionally mild. Tho Cromwell Development Company held a successful trial run yesterday of the plant on the Kawarau River. Although the river is at a low winter level, and the full power was not utilised, no difficulty was experienced in delivering water in the race. The success of the scheme is now established, and next season should see a large area brought under irrigation on the flat. QUEENSTOWN NOTES. QUEENSTOWN, June 16. Considering that we have reached midwinter, according to the calendar, we have little to complain of on the score of cold weather. It generally happens that there is a good taste of hard frost in May, followed in June by milder conditions, but up to the present we have had very little frost. The hardest days experienced were a few in the second week of last month. However, after the shortest day, we may expect to feel ourselves in the icy grip of midwinter, as there certainly is some truth in the old saying: "As the clays lengthen, so tho cold strengthens.” At present we are enjoying days of bright sunshine, with not even a passing cloud in the sky in short it is typical Wakatipu weather. Taking advantage of the tine weather, the superintendent of the Tourist Department Domain (better known as the park) and his stall have been busy making repairs and improvements to the bowling green. A new wooden border has been put in all round the green, which has entailed a good deal of labour, as the turf adjacent has to be very carefully removed to allow of the work being done. Another important undertaking in respect of this popular playing ground has been engaging Mr Ilesketh’s attention. According to Dr L. Cockayne, F.R.S., who recently visited Queenstown, the turf of the bowling green differs from that of probably any other green in the world, since it does not consist of one or more grasses or even clovers, but three New Zealand plants have invaded its sanctity. One of these is a welcome colonist, forming green patches, its name pennywort. Another is a small rosette plant, dark in hue, one of the plantains; and the third is the piripiri, or biddybid. Tho two former, this scientist said, had doubtless come tnrough tlie necessary watering of the green. Mr Hesketh has been waging ruthless war on the invaders by removing thorn on masse and putting new pieces of good turf in their place, so these enemies of the keen bowler will soon be quite overcome. The fact that telephone communication will very shortly be established between Queenstown and Dunedin is regarded with much satisfaction in this part of Hie world. Business ltion have been considerably inconvenienced in tlie past by reason of the existing lines being unavailable or unfit for commercial speech with the Otago and Southland metropolises. It is therefore a matter fur congratulation that they will no longer find thems©-!\ es in the position ol isolation in which they have stood hitherto. City firms, as will as visitors lo Queenstown, no doubt, will also appreciate the boon quite as much as the residents of tlie district. Similar communication with Invercargill is promised as within mensurable

distance. The shortage of the supplies of copper wire has been the main hindrance to its accomplishment long before this. The Rugby football season has now got a good start here, and some interesting matches are being looked forward to. The first of the clip fixtures, Glenorehy v. Queenstown, was played on the local ground lust Saturday, the match resulting in a win for the home team. Though defeated, the boys from the scheelito township gave a very good account of themselves. They have line material- in their team, but, being gathered from the four corners of a scattered settlement, they stand at a disadvantage owing to the difficulty of getting togerlier for coaching and solid practice. The Queenstown fifteen have plenty of quality among them, though the pack is a little light, especially in the forwards. To-day they met the Arrowtown team in the second of the cup fixtures, and suffered a fairly decisive defeat. The Arrow men are a fine, keen lot, and, in football parlance, are ‘‘right out after the cup and the flag.” Tho local fifteen are also fully determined on annexing the coveted trophies, whicn should make Rugby full of interest here this season. Hockey is also taking firm root in tho district, and is being engaged in by most of the girls of th© upper school standrads, as well as by many of their elder sisters. Nearly all the goldfields towns have formed clubs this year, so some matches will probably be on the horizon later on in the season.

In evening pursuits we are not lacking either. A fairly strong draughts club has been formed, and a couple of weeks ago a miniature rifle club —an offshoot of the Wakatipu Defence Rifle dub —came into existence. A similar club for young women, styled the Girls’ Brigade, has been running for three or four successive scsons. The Young Men’s Social Club is also now in full swing. A strong effort is being made to establish a hign school in Queenstown. When the Minister of Education was hero about three months ago ho was approached by a deputation on the matter, and he spoke encouragingly of the desire of his department to extend the benefits of secondary education to country districts. Certain guarantees were required, and in pursuance of this Mr Wyllie, inspector under tho Southland Education Board, has been visiting Queenstown this week. A thorough canvass will shortly be made for prospective pupils, and should the required number be promised, and a suitable teacher be available, the high school will eventually become established. The advantages of such an educational institution would be incalculable in a district so far removed from the big school centres as is this.