THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3581, 31 October 1922, Page 27

THE COUNTRY.

Correspondent* are reminded that all letter* |Br the current week's issue must reach Dunedin WOT LATER THAN SATURDAY NIGHT. Letter* •oning to hand on Monday are too late, and iiv •has a week old when they appear.

LAKE COUNTY. October 26. — Boisterous weather has been experienced during the week. On several days the wind has been of huiricaitS* force, but unfortunately very little rain has fallen. The continued drought is now becoming serious in all parte of the district. General Election. —Mr James Ritchie, the Reform candidate for Wakatipu, visited Arrowtown last week. Mr Ritchie does not intend opening his campaign until Parliament closes down, when he will make a start in the southern, portion of the electorate Personal.—Mr R. Gilkison, jun., 8.A., has commenced practice as a solicitor in Queenstown.—Messrs Edward and Charles Thompson (Arrowto.vn) and Walter Kinross (GibbBton) left on Monday last for Australia on a holiday tour. Bowling.—The opening of the Wakatipu (Queenstown) Bowling Club’s green took place on Monday last. Owing to the unfavourable state of the weather in the morning there was not a large attendance. The green was in good order, and those who attended had an enjoyable afternoon. Mr C. A. Thompson (president) welcomed the visitors, and Mrs Thompson rolled the first bowl. Afternoon tea was provided by the Queenstown ladies. RIVERTON. October 27. —The annual meeting of the Regatta Club was largely attended, Mr A. E\ Willett presiding in the absence from the Dominion of Mr Trail, the president. The report and balance sheet submitted showed the club to be in a, good financial position. Mr Trail was re-elected president, and nine vice-presidents selected, with *Mr A. Bell as secretary and treasurer. It was decided to hold the annual regatta on December 27. Sports.—The first- gathering of the Ore.puki Athletic Society was held -on Labour Day in atrocious weather. Rain, hail, and wind swept the ground at intervals, which affected considerably the attendance. Good competition was witnessed in the main events, the winners being as follows:— 75 Yards Handicap—R. C. Morgan 1. Sheffield—R. C. Morgan 1, Mill O. Bone 2, T. Henderson 3. 440 Yards—S. Harrington 1, G. Chisholm 2. Twelve-inch Stand Chop—E. Coote 1, J. Pont 2. Double-handed Sawing—W. Acher and W. Lee 1. Bone and Whybrow 2. Fifteen-inch Underhand Chon—A. Miller 1, G. Blanks 2. 100 Yards Handicap—Flanagan 1, C. Williams 9. Cricket. —On Labour Day Union (Invercargill) team travelled to Riverton, where, despite the wet weather, there a fair attendance. The scores were: Union 76, Riverton 61. On behalf of the Riveit-on team, Messrs Payn and Boraiman thanked the for an enjoyable game. Messrs Hamilton and Isaacs returned thanks on behalf of the Union team. rpowiWFL !_. October 27.—The dryness of late is causing great concern to farmers and orchardistfi, and in fact to all living in the Unper Glut ha Valiev. Very little rain has fallen, and the country is becoming dry and patched. Time after time rain-promising clouds have gathered on the surrounding ranges, only to disperse again almost as soon as thov appear. A considerably amount of rather high wind has b?en experienced, and, often having a westerlv direction, has brought into the town its full quota of sand from the Cromwell Flat. During t>j week a few fitful showers have fallen, but have not amounted to much. However, signs of rain are now more promising, and it looks as if a downpour is now not very far off Crop Prospects —Orchards are looking well just now, and, given a fair amount of rain, good crops are to be expected for this year. Rimwnvale is going ahead nicely, and there orchardists are sparing no pains to- make their ventures successes. They have now on band the building of a large packing shed, for which plans are prepared. Tenders are bung called for the erection of the shed, which, completed, should prove a great boon to those who intend to mhke u«e of it. Tho development works at Kawarau are Tanidlv nearing completion, and everything Tvunts to final success in the undertaking. Tb° clamming of the river has been practically comr>letul, and alreodv a splendid flow of water : s being obtained in the constructed race to the power-house. It is bdlv anticipated that the irn«rnßo-n water will be available T™* tb° Flat before the *»nd of the vear. v*hich means the beginning of turning a waste of sand into a smiling and profitable stretch of orchard after orchard, extending fro-m practicallv Bannockburn to Lowborn. When mat time comes the people of Cromwell will not with "loomv foreb~ding3 a westerly wind from the Flat, for the sand will then have disappeared never again to becloud the ntmosnnd make everything disagreeable and dirtv. Tcnm'o Chib.—Last Tuesday the Cromwell T°nr' 3 Club had a mo Q t suoessful dance in the Hall. Members spared no expanse of t»»ur» '~>r trouble fr> crVrvrato. +he ball, wlveb looked very pretty with its festoons of fleorg and greenery. Alto<mtb°r there were about 60 couples present, just a nico number to comfortnhlv fill flo.or. Dancin" was up to an eorjv hour in the The catering, which wni in the cnonhlo hands of an energetic committee, left to be dpsirod. and coneidornblv to +l»e evening’s enjoyment,. Bowline-.—The official of the Cromwell Tlowlin" Club will take place next •Saturday, when it anticipated that there will Iv> a la ree gathering of devotees of t.b«. <M >owl I)is+ cheers but not- inebriates ” The new pavilion is now practicallv comnleted. n v, ' J * will prov«. p eo-p at 1 f bo-w]ers The green also is in splendid condition for play. Such is concensus of opinion of a nnmber of enthusiasts who evening after evening S’*e nn fLe said orrp.fi.n. Afyvrelv fo- plav? T>ori«h the thonro-bt. Tbev are there met with hiVh resolve solely to frv the green, to tost if,q keenness., to see if ’twill be ready for opening * day, for opening dav is not yet, and bowls cannot, be played till opening dav does come. V» * MM^nn October 28.—For a week or more we have bad very broken weather, with fierce storms of rain and hail. Some rain was very acceptable, but I fear the hailstorms did more harm than good, particularly among the gardens and orchards, where the trees were in full bloom. The stock, too, showed signs of the battering they got. The cold weather is not by any means settled yet, and more heat is very much needed. Although feed Booms fairly plentiful, etoclc generally don’t poem to have the bright look they should at this season of the year. A good many lambs

have been dying, seemingly from various causes, but chiefly docking. The percentage otherwise would be almost a record, I should say. It is rather early yet to say what the crops will be, but there has certainly been quite a check this past week. Shelter.—All forces wall be put at work from now on, with the turnips and other green crops. Some of my neighbours have been putting in drains, planting shelter trees, and such like. The importance of shelter has beeh made very plain tliis last week or two. The Hatcheries. —What seems a splendid undertaking is going on at the Fish Hatcheries, where for all these years the greater part of the land has been lying waste, so to speak. This has now been planted with choice forest trees. If this good work had been done when I knew the hatcheries first there would be a fortune in it to-day. iStill the real work done at the hatcheries to-day is a credit to all concerned; and I have no doubt it holds the premier place among the establishments throughout the Dominion, as they rightly should, being the parent for such work. Personal.—Mr Stewart, who has favoured us with a visit, owned a large property lie re some yeais ago. Indeed, nearly half a century ago Mr Stewart did his share in making W-aiwera what it is to-day. He still looks well and enjoys good health, and has no time for those of us who are crying cut about bad times. He thinks a remedy for the whole thing would be to take off the coat and wire in as the old settlers had to do, and sack half the useless number of officials throughout the country, and for ever put a check on useless etravagance. Then New Zealand would soon take her place in the lead of progress. I like to meet old and true friends of the district. They give the faint-hearts courage to do their bit.—Very few. if any, ratepayers from this part went to* Clinton to hear the county member expound his version of the need of a large loan, all being quite satisfied with their own view of the whole thing. MILBURN and CLARENDON, October 27.—The weather lately has been dry, except this last week, when a very welcome rain fell. Monday, the 23rd. was very wet; but the too prevalent south-west wind soon dried up all the surface moisture. Most of the grain-sowing has been later than usual this year, but a short time now will see it all in. Church Affairs.—The anniversary services of the Milburn Presbyterian Church were held on the Ist October, and were well attended. Mr A. Sutherland, of Knox Colpreached on both occasions, the morning service taking the form of a young neopie’s service. The anniversary social was held in the hall on Friday evening, 6th, and was largely attended. Rev. A. Morton occupied the chair, *ir»d was assisted by the Rev. Messrs Clark and Skuse. of Milten, and Mr J. A. Reilly. A good musical programme was rendered bv the choir, assisted by members of the Milton Methodist Chime h chn-ir. The session report was read by Mi' Reilly. The year’s work shows an improvement both in finance and in interest in church work. During the year a, Bible Class ha-s been started for young people, Mr Reilly being president, Mr Thorby leader, Mr O. Grey sub-leader, and Miss Somerville organist. The Milburn Busy Bees started work in March, and at the church sale of work they had a stall of their own, which realised over £4. They are at present practising for a concert the proceeds of which are expected to go to the mission funds. Sdldiers’ Memorial.—A Soldiers’ Memorial Committee has recently been formed here, with the object of erecting a suitable memorial for Milburn and surrounding distncts. After a canvass of the district to which very good support had been given, it was decided to get plans and specifications prepared for consideration. The memorial is expected to take l the form of a memorial fate, which will be erected at the school It. is intended to get the work put in hand at once Tennis —A tennis club has recently been formed here, and a court lias been prepared on the school ground. A concert- and dance was held on Friday night, 20th, in aid of funds for the club. MO MONA. October 27.—We have had a remarkably nne spring—indeed, for a considerable period we enjoyed a summer temperature. The dry weather was beginning to make itself felt when a change came. During the last week the conditions have been rouMi and cold, but the rainfall has been negligible, and a thorough soaking is badly wanted. Barm planting operations are in mo3t cases completed, except for turnip sowing. . Dairying.—At the factory the milk supply is slowly appro-aching its maximum, four vats being now in use. Another hand lias yet to be employed, and that will make the full complement.—The annual meeting of shareholders was. held on the 20th, and was well attended. Four directors were elected to fill vacancies, the four being Messrs J Campbell. J. Bruce, J. J. Walker, and A. Moore. When the business was concluded Mr F. (Major) Waite addressed the meeting on the subjet of establishing a co-operntive butter factory in Dunedin. Mr Waite received a sympathetic and attentive hearing and after some discussion it was decided to take 700 shares in the venture. Bazaar.—On the sth and 6th a- bazaar was held in aid of the Hall Funds. The sum of £7O was taken, which, althousrh not fulfilling expectations, may be said to be fair considering the financial stringency of the times. Quantities of goods were left over and will form the basis of a future sale! Great credit and thanks are due to the ladies who put in so much time and labour working for the bazaar. Tennis.—The tennis season was opened on October 14, and a very enjoyable afternoon was spent. Tennis is very- popular in Momona this year, and the club membership is growing fast. The roll number is about 20, and others have stated their intention of joining. LUMSDEN. October 27.—The early and beautiful spring weather we have had broke up about four weeks back, and was followed by a continuation of gales and bitterly cold showers, and the P'ast month has been the stormiest in the recollection of the oldest residents here. No serious harm is reported, and things now (to-day, Friday) seem to have taken quite a change for the better—cold, but no wind Pastoral.—The lambing season is well advanced, and when the marking, etc., takes place a big percentage is expected. There is plenty of feed for those intended for the freezers. Sickness. —A number of mild influenza and measles cases are reported throughout the district; also other slight ai!merits are common among the younger ones. The doctor and district nurse are having a busy time; but as Dumsden has the reputation of being a healthy town there is nothing of a serious nature to report. Tourist Traffic.—All those interested in the tourist traffic are expecting a busy season

between now and Christmas. A largo number of bookings to do the Sounds and over the Milford track are now coming in. Auction Sales.—-Messrs Cowie and Driseol, of Winton, have opened a .branch of their auctioneering business here, and the first sale was held to-day (Friday, 27th). Sales will be held on each alternate Friday. This will supply a long-felt want, and will be much appreciated by the town and surrounding district. WASKAIA. October 28.—The weather has been quite wintry with cold winds and heavy showers of rain, with snow on the high levels. On Labour Day heavy rain fell, and prevented a match being played against an Invercargill Cricket Club team, which p-aid us a visit-. P.W.M.U.—At the monthly meeting cf the P.W.M.U., presided over by Mrs M'Ewan, it was decided to hold a garden fete at the manse and a sale of work on behalf of the mission during the last ‘Wednesday in November. Death.—The death occurred last Monday at Gore of Mr Alexander Hampton Davidson. Born in Sj-dney in 1855, lie arrived at Invercargill in 1863 with his mother and brother and sister, his father having come to Dunedin in 1860. The famiily settled at Waikaia Flat in 1869. The deceased took an active interest, in all sport, and made some name a 3 a rider, wanning Mr H. S. Valentine’s silver cup on Butterfly in. 1887, and the hurdle race on Rainbow in the same year. He joined the Mount Wend mi Lodge of Oddfellows in 1876, and remained a member until liis death. He married in 1888 Miss M‘Dermid, of Waianiwa. Some three years ago he sold his farm at Waikaia, and retired to live in Gore. He leaves a widow, two sons (Duncan and Andrew), and two married daughters (Mrs M’Bain, of Waikaia. and Mrs Robinson, of Gore). The eldest son, J. H. Davidson, was killed during the war, and another son died at Gore.