THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3584, 21 November 1922, Page 27

THE COUNTRY.

Correspondent* art reminded tt)«i *H let ten lor the current week's issue mast reach Dnnedi* WOT LATER 'PHAN SATURDAY NIGHT. Letter* •Mning to hand on Monday are too late, and as* Wins a week old when they appear.

LAKE COUNTf. November 16. —During the week the weather has been changeable. A cold snap was experienced on Saturday and Sunday. Shearing has commenced amongst tna farmers flocks, but the large sheds will not make a start until next month. Valedictory.—Prior to her departure from Arrow town Miss iiuby Stevenson was entertained at a social in the Athenseum Hall. There was a large attendance, all parts of the district being represented. During the evening Mr G. H. Itomans (acting Mayors on behalf of the residents, presented Miss Stevenson with a substantial roll of notes, and in doing so referred to her valuable services as pianist at local functions during the last few years, and wished her every success and happiness in her new home at Dunedin. Mr AV. F. Stevenson suitably returned thanks on behalf of iiis daughter.—Prior to Ins departure from Miller's Fiat for Grassmere, Invercargill, Mr Walter Siiaw was met by a number of friends and presented with a Mosguel travelling rug. The presentation was made by Mr J. W. Miller, who referred to Mr Shaw’s many good qualities as a neighbour. Mr Miller s remarks were endorsed by Messrs W. T. Reid and R. Hunter, and Mr Shaw suitably responded. Wedding.— A wedding of district interest was celebrated at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Christchurch, on the 18th ult., the contracting parties being Miss Ruby M‘Master, fifth daughter of Mr John M‘Master, Arrow Junction, and Mr Thomas Lancelot Hlumsky, eldest sen of Mr J. Blumeky, of Papanui, Christchurch. The bride, who was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr George Hansen (Arrowtown) was attended by her sister, Miss Irene M'Master, and Mr Laurie Hlumsky was best man. The Rev. Norman Webster was the officiating clergyman. Death.—Another of the early pioneers of the district, in the person of Mr James Anseil, passed away at Arrowtown on Thursday last. He was a native of -Staffordshire, England, and arrived in Arrowtown (then known as Fox's) in 1862. He followed mining at Macetown for many years, and, being successful, was able to retire about 30 years ago. Since then lie has resided in Arrowtown. He was 87 years of ago and unmarried. The funeral took place on Sunday, the Rev. .R. de Lambert conducting the burial service. FERNWOOD. November 15. —During the last month the weather has been very unsettled, and in consequence farmers are not getting on with their work as they would like; in the meantime the weeds are growing apace. The dairy factory is in full swing, and. the supply o * milk is keeping up. Social.—-On the 3rd November a very successful Bible class social was held in the echoolhouse, which was nicely decorated with gieenery. Quite a large number of Bible class members and their friends were present, besides visitors. The Mataura Bible Class was well represented. Games and competitions took up the greater part of the evening, and solos were sung by Misses V. Collie, M. Mitchell, May Macale, and May Piercy. Miss Brighton and Miss Dickie acted as accompanistes. A dainty supper was handed round, and the singing of “Auld lang syne” brought the pleasant evening to a close.

GORGE ROAD (Southland), November 11.—We are having quite a lot of showery weather, and grass is fairly plentiful. Every season sees fresh suppliers to our dairy factory, which is under the management of Mr Sam Browne, who continues to manufacture a first grade cheese. After years of waiting we have at last a cattleloading yard at the railway station, wliich wjll prove a great boon to the settlers. Political. \*,e are in a peculiar position since the readjustment of electoral boundaries, the road being the boundary, those residents on the sawmill side of the road remaining in Mataura, while those across are in Awarua. We have had meetings, wliich were addressed by candidates for Mataura and Awarua.

Death. Quite a gloom, was cost over the district by the death of Mr George Frederick Monteith who passed away after a. short illnesa on November 9. Bom at Edendale on 9th January 189 a, and educated at the Gorge, pxid School, where his father wits head teacher on leaving school lie took to firmlng and ill conjunction with other members "> e family worked a farm on the banks of the Mataura River, and by years of hard aDd trying work in conjunction with his brothers he succeeded in converting what was once a swampy mien into a very nice farm. He was a progressive young man, and v.ent in for up-to-dare improvements, such as milking machines, herd-testing, dehornetc - ■?" a ls° to>k a great interest in public affairs, and only recently canvassed the district with a petition for signatures for the erection of a bridge over the Mataura River. He was a director of the dairy factory, and took a keen interest in the church and the local hall. He was a naturally handy man, and by his death our district has sustained a severe loss, and all tender the family tlieir sincere sympathy. Quito 'a large crowd assembled in Invercargill, Saturday, 11 tli, to follow the remains of their departed friend to its resting place in the Eastern Cemetery. Amongst them were visitors from far and near Gorge Road, Gore Mataura, Wyndham, Edendale, Seaward Downs, Kapuka, Mokotua, Mataura Island Titiroa, Wannahaka, Fortrose, and Dunedin all sending their representatives. The last rites were performed by the Rev. Mr Matear and wieaths were sent from far and near! In health and sickness his first and last thoughts were his mother.— [Arrived too late for last week's issue.] RIVERTON. November 18. —There passed away at Invercargill an old resident of the district in the person of Mr George Rodgers, He was of the Gabriel's Hu Ily pioneers, and was present at the jubilee celebrations a few years ago. He was for many yeans employed by the Dailway Deportment in Riverton. Mr Jos. Branks, wheelwright and blacksmith, has sold out to Mr George Kerse, late of Orepuki, who enters into possession on December 1. Committed for Sentence.—On Thursday a young lad named Horsham was arrested by Constable Fraser and charged before Messrs Geo. Robertson and -J. Geary, J.P.’s, with breaking and entering the premises of the Linton and Wairio Company and stealing the sum of Hi 2s. The accused pleaded guilty and was committed for sen tenet, to the Supreme Court a* Invercargill on the 28tli inst. Bail was fixed at one surety of £IOO and two of £SO.

SILVERSIDE (Taler*J, November 16. —Since my lasi notes were written splendid rains have fuilen, and all anxiety with regard to the mangold and turnip braird is allayed. The ground has now received a thorough saturation, and if warm weather follow® growth should be very iapid. At the moment of writing a cold easterly wind is blowing, and indications point to a further rainfall. Farm Work.—Teami work was suspended for a few days on account of the wet weather, but it is oil'.o again in full swing. Farm work of all descriptions is well advanced, so that a few days of enforced idleness is not viewed with any anxiety; indeed, it has Ik t .) welcomed, as previous to this rainfall fne ground was very dry, and all growth was at a comparative standstill, while the supply of water for domestic purposes was in most instances getting into very small compass. Dairying.—To the _nmn engaged exclusively in dairying tlio outlook this season is much more promising than that of last year. With tile low prices ruling for butter-fat last season, and with the coau of production still comparatively high, many lariners experienced a difficulty in making ends meet, and it is doubtful if ar.y succeeded in doing more than clearing expenses. This season there :s a promise ot better things. The October and November output of cheese at the Mosgiel Co-operative Factory lias been sold for Bid, while the output for December has been disposed of at 9£d. Political.—The various political candidates are in the field, and the wordy warfare goes on apace. One thinks irresistibly of the lines: 'The time lias com},’ the walrus said, to talk of many things, of ships, and shoes, and sealing wax, and cabbages, and kings.’ " Mr Dickson (Reform) is sure of strong support in this district.