THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3522, 13 September 1921, Page 23

THE COUNTRY.

Correspondent* are reminded that all letter* for the current week’s issue mußt reach Dunedin XOT LATEB THAN SATURDAY NIGHT. Letters coming to hand on Monday are too late, and arc thus a week old when they appear.

LAKE COUNTY. September 9.—Fine spring’ weather is now being experienced. Lawn Tennis. —Hie annual meeting of the Arrorvtown Tennis Club was held on Monday evefting, Mr ft. H. Stickle, the retiring! president, presided over a good attendance. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £8 12s 7d. The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Mr P. F. Cotter; vicepresidents, Rev. J. Rattray, Messrs D. M'Leod, and R. L. Fletcher; secretary and treasurer, Miss Preston (re-elected); general committee, Misses N. Cotter, Stevenson, A. Wilcox, Ross, Anderson, Penglase, and L. Fletcher, Messrs W. C. R,eid, C. C. Johnston, Stickle, and J. M. Butel; match committee, Miss O’Fee, Messrs M’Leod and Stickle. The opening day was fixed for Wednesday, 12th October. Ladies' Hockey.—Two teams from Arrowtown visited Queenstown on Saturday and played matches against the Queenstown Club. In a seven-a-side match Queenstown A defeated Arrowtown A by 2 goals to nil. The match Arrowtown 13 v. Queenstown B resulted in a win for Arrowtown "by four goals to 2. Mr W. Nelson refereed both games. At Arrowtown on Wednesday the return match between the Arrowtown and Queenstown B teams was played, when the Arrowtown girls were again successful, tile score being Arrowtown 3 goods, Queenstown 1 goal. Mrs Douglas was referee. Deaths.—The death occurred at Frankton Hospital on Saturday last of Mrs Dickens, wife of Mr E. Dickens, Queenstown. Deceased, who bad been in bad healtli for some time, was the eldest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs John Nolan, Arrowtown. The funeral took place at Queenstown on Monday, the Rev. Father Woods conducting the burial service.—General regret was expressed in Arrowtown when the news was received of the death at Timaru on Monday of Mr David Richardson. Deceased was for ten years a resident of Arrowtown, where he was licensee of the Ballarat Hotel from 1898 until 190 S. During his residence in Arrowtown he proved himself a real live citizen, and was a number of almost every local institution, including filling the position of Mayor for a term. His death at the early age of 48 years is deeply regretted, and bis widow and family of seven children will have tlie sympathy of many friends in this district in their bereavement. Wedding.—A wedding of considerable interest to Head of Lake people was celebrated in the Rees Valley Mission Hall on August 23rd. The contracting parties were Miss Mary George, third daughter of Mr and Mrs James George, Glenorchy, and Mr William Grant Smith, eldest son of Mrs C. Smith, Kaikorai, Dunedin. The Rev. James Robertson, Queenstown, was the officiating clergyman. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Doreen George, and Mr Phil Kennett was best man. The future home of the newly-wedded couple will be at Dunedin. OTAUTAU. September 9. —About 50 farmers were present at the lecture given in the Town Hall on Monday, sth nst.. by Mr Alexander, of tile Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture. The dairying tudusUy . on;.; ally was the subject chosen, this being illustrated by lantern slides, and those present profited greatly as the result of the department’s investigations in this direction. A Licensing Matter. —Rather a. curious position has arisen in connect :on with the granting of the Crown Hotel license. At tiie meeting of the Licensing Committee, held in Riverton on Tuesday, objections to the renewal of Ihe license were lodged on the following grounds—■ lie license should have been forfeited on the non-payment of fees, which should have been paid within fourteen days; (2) the license should have lapsed bo cause no building had been erected within six months; (3) no license cculd be granted after six mouths; fP no license can be granted unless proper buildings are erected. Mr Macalister appeared for the licensee, and Mr Hall for the objectors, and after legal argument had been heard the committee refused the application. Stock Sale.—There was a small yarding of cattle and sheep at the monthly sale on Wednesday. Hoggets made up to !j.s, ewes up to 193, dairy cows £l6 10s (tup price), and heifers up to £ls. Otautau Dairy Factory.—The fifteenth annual meeting of shareholders, held in the Reading Room on Wednesday evening, was the largest meeting of the company which has be »n held for over ten years. Mr G. A. Burnett, who presided, moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, and in doing ‘o traversed the operations of the company for the season. Mr Fiett seconded. The recommendation lor a 71. per cent, dividend was approved. The following resolution was carried —“That from the surplus of profit and loss account the sum cf £3OO be retained towards the new building account, and that supplement a rv to this all suppliers delivering milk this season, and who did not supply last, season, contribute Id per lb on butter bit, such Id to be deducted from the monthly milk cheques of suppliers affected.’’ The chairman explained that atotal of £SOO was immediately available for the building. It was left in the hands of the directors to dispose of the output of cheese. Messrs W. R. Ayson. J. G. Fiett, and J. Lindsay, inn., were circled to the directorate, anil Mr H. T. Thompson was re-appointed auditor. Mr ,T. G. Fiett was appointed chairman of directors at a subsequen t meeti n g. Bachelors’ Ball—The bachelors’ bull on Tuesdav evening was largely attended, visitors being present from Riverton. Nightcaps, and the surronnding districts. Fifty couple® took part in the Grand March, which was led off by Miss D. Wall end Mr M‘Kav, Tinder the superintendence of Mr .T. Cutler. • r )rchestra from Riverton, end left i dhiny to be desired. The hall ' rented a pleasing appearance, being eailv festooned with si reamers. The set - feature • in flic old Hell. The responsible for the a be lilted on ita success. Rnc e T: - ChH- Tb-I -- Chib, which it by the V icing • ITilb action and is circnlath a ■ 4 i 1. t! < • .' of which is no fpllov .■ = “That I G. Hub has been in existence HO giv-; that the club ■ . t;d and “tote” returns have been increased from £‘slo and £2270 -• ‘ !v in h)]7 i €550 • situated *2*2 miles from th> n-.arrst race- . i within four i.i les of v .•! that CFfdon is the centre of a laruc terming district, and has extcnsiv< liin and is vith in « few miles of ' Mon-, / ai hvrhoelectri ’ a few miles Tuatapere; that the members '»f the Racing

Commission did not take the opportunity of visiting country settlements served by the Clifden Racing Club. Competitions.—Two hundred and forty entries have been received for the competitions on the 19th and 20th of this month, and it is expected that they will have to extend over another day to allow of all competitors, to take part. Bazaar.—The efforts of tlie ladies of the Methodist Church culminated in the bazaar held in the Town Hall on Thursday and Friday evening. There was a fair attendance, and good business was done on the first night, the gross takings being £63, exclusive of the “child competition.” Following were the stall-holders—Plain, Mesdames M’Fadgen and MTnergney; Fancy, Mesdames Richards, L. M. Thomson, and Muirhead; lolly, Mesdames Stearne and Jaquiery; cake, Mesdames A. Harrington, Wesney, and Stroud; produce, Mesdames R. G. James and F. Newton; Christmas tree, Mesdames E. and TV. Collett ; tea rooms, Mesdames E. Harrington, Lumsden, Eason, Baird, and Miss Baird. Hunter’s Orchestra discoursed music during the first night, and various, competitions were got off. A shooting gallery and sheep guessing were-also a centre of attraction, the sheep for the latter being kindly donated by Mr R. G. James, of Aparima. It is expected as a result to net £IOO, which will go to reduce the debt on tlie church, and still leave a small creditbalance. ROXBURGH NOTES. ROXBURGH, September 10. The whole district has been experiencing perfect spring weather. Now and again there is a slisrht touch of frost in the mornings, but the days have been beautiffully clear and sunny. Early spring flowers are much in evidence, the willows are bursting into leaf, and the apricot and cherry plum blossoms, local heralds of spring, present a sight gorgeous to behold. To ascend any of the hills surrounding the town gives one an uninterrupted view of the district from one end to the other, and it is truly a fascinating sight to view the effect of ihe different varieties of trees in the orchards. Apricots being the predominant fruit, its blossoms are to be observed in even, well-trimmed expanses on both sides of the valley, and in some cases well up on the terraces. Cherry plums, old-time trees, stand out her; and there in every orchard, bn! especially in the older ones, and are readily distinguishable by their snow-white bloom, while through tlie whole the peach, just bursting into bloom, adds a delicate pink shade, giving a most beautiful effect to the whole scene. An appropriate setting to this is found in the green tinge of the hills and farms, now showing evidence of new life. Given another month cf the present weather, thus obviating all danger of late frosts, there is going to be a very heavy yield of fruit in this district. Especially does this apply to apricots, a fruit which revels in the climate and soil here, and one has but to stand and gaze at the areas of bloom in every orchard to realise the great wealth it represents in Teviot. The West Coast and the North Island are' markets in which Otago apricots are much sought, and, -arriving in firm condition, they bring high prices. Unfortunately the consignments to the north are regulated by the capacity of the ferry steamers to Wellington, which often cannot accept all that arrives on the wharf, but proper organisation of supplies to each market would probably overcome this difficulty. Other fruits are promising wo’!, and unless there is some organisation among the transport lorries, and I understand nothing has been done yet, many of the growers are going to be in trouble. Construction work on the railway extension from Beaumont seems to be progressing in earnest, over 100 men being employed. This is very satisfactory when it is realised that many public works are at a standstill owing to tlie financial stringency. It is sincerely hoped that the present progress will at least be maintained for the need of railway communication for this district was never greater, and each year the position is becoming acute. Winter sports, in which there has been unusual activity during the past few months are now approaching the end of their season. The football season closed last week with a very successful tournament, in which the banner holders, Coal Creek, also secured premiership medals. Hockey has been represented by four clubs, and golf has been brought more into public prominence by the presence of many visitors from other clulis. who, attracted by the glowing reports of the local links, have honoured them with a visit. Judging from the very flattering description given by outside players, the local club is fortunate in possessing such a splendid course, described by one enthusiast as second to none in the dominion; indeed, the district itself should experience a feeling of pride in the possession of such an asset as its public reserve. Were such a fact realised and some little public attention bestowed on them to make them more attractive to visitors the result, would make for the popularity of our district as a tourist resort. The Golf Club has made some substantial improvements to the links and in this has had the advice of a Dunedin enthusiast. Before the opening of next season the eouree will be further improved, and visitors coming up for a quiet game among themselves will have no difficulty in finding their way round. NOTES FROM LANE WAKATI PU* (From Our Own Correspondent.) At a meeting of residents, held last: evening, it was decider! to enlist the services of a district nurse for Queenstown and immediate district. Tim Waknlipn Horticultural Society, which lure just, held its annua! meeting’ has decided to hold spring and summer shows. Air M. .1. Gavin, who has taken a very active part in the affairs of the soceity for many years and has been president f<w several terms, is unable, through severe illness, to take any part this year. The soeie’y expressed its appr elation of Mr Gavin’s services, and the secretary was instructed to send n let ter of sympathy to him. Mr 1). E. Si i tin Hand has boon elected pre-idm for the ensuing term. We have had a spell cf dry weather, hisiinc over a week, and the warm sunshine has ! rough t on vegetal ion to an appreciable exient. Spring flowers a: e hopmuiug to show up in the gardens. The .glass is still very high. Quite a large number of visitors (for this time of the year) have been Maying in the town during the last fortnight or so. Several of the boardinghouses are already booking up for the coming' tourist season.