THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3593, 23 January 1923, Page 43

THE COUNTRY.

Correspondent* »Te reminded that *ll letters §m the current week’s issue most reach Dimedia HOT LATER THAN SATURDAY NIGHT. Letters ooming to hand on Monday *re too late, and nss thus a week old when they appear. LAKE COUNTY. January 18.—For the past few days the weather has been exceptionally warm, and grain crops are ripening fast. Haymaking is now general. Mr M. Winder’s thrashing plant left Arrowtown this morning for the Wanaka district. Death.—A well-known resident of the Arrow district in the person of Mrs Stevenson, relict of Mr Stewart Stevenson, passed away at Arrowtown on Monday last after a short illness. Deceased, who had reached the advanced age of 88 years, was a native of Stronsay, Orkney, Scotland, and, three of her sons having settled in this district, she came out to New Zealand with her late husband in 1893. She resided at Crown Terrace until about four years ago, since when she has lived in Arrowtown. The late Mrs Stevenson was possessed of a kindly and charitable disposition, and she was held in the highest respect and esteem by all who knew her. Always bright and cheery, she retained, despite her advanced age, all her faculties to the end. Her husband died in 1906, and she leaves a family of four sons and five daughters to mourn their loss. Three of the sons (Messrs James, William F., and Stewart, of Arrowtown) and two daughters (Mrs John MMaster, of Arrow Junction, and Mrs William Smith, of Dunedin) reside in New Zealand, and the others are in. Scotland. Mr David Brodie, of Crown Terrace, is a brother of deceased. The funeral took place at Arrowtown yesterday, and was very largely attended. The burial service was conducted by the Rev William M'llhatton. Wedding.*—A wedding of district interest was celebrated at the Presbyterian Manse, Athol, on Thursday last, the contracting parties being Miss Wilhelmina Mary (Mina', Toll, eldest daughter of Mr Thomas Toll. Arrowtown, and Mr William Henry Stan combs, of Athol. The ceremony was performed by Rev. James Rattray, and the bride was given away bv her father. The future horns cf Mr and Mrs Stancombe will be at Athol. Personal.—Mr A. Adams, who has occupied the position of teller in the Queenstown branch of the Bank of New Zealand for the past four years, has received notice of Ms transfer to Dunedin. He will be succeeded by Mi W. Harper, of the latter office. WA‘KAIA. January 20.—There has been an Improvement in the weather during the past few days, and we have had some sunny days; but rain fell again this morning. Shearing has been greatly interfered with. Social.—ln connection with the recent marriage of Mr and Mrs Thompson, a wellattended social was held on Tuesday cvening, when games, music, songs, and recitations served to pass a pleasant time. Rev. R. M’E-.van, with a happy speech, presented a number of useful gifts to Mr and Mrs Thompson as slight tokens of respect from their friends. The ladies brought baskets, and a dainty supper was handed round, the gathering terminating by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” Frost.—Some late frosts experienced have destroyed much fruit in the district, especially plums and greengages. Soldier’ Memorial.—A very fine memorial to the soldiers from the district who made fhe supreme sacrifice in the Great War has been erected on the site where the old Presbyterian manse formerly stood. Tho material used is Bluff granite. The public unveiling will take place on Anzac Day. MILBURN and CLARENDON. January 20.—The weather has greatly improved. The turnip-sowing and sheep-shear-ing have been very much delayed by the wet weather in December, but there are now nearly finished. Some cf the turnip crops are well forward and looking well. School. —The Mil-burn School break-up was held in the hall, and was well attended. A good programme was given by the school children, assisted by Urs Lawrence, Miss Grey, and Mr Thoiby. A dance was afterwards held, and was also well attended. Mr Tomkinson occupied the chair, and Mr Simmonds (who is how in charge of Milburn Church and branches) presented the proficiency and good attendance certificates. The Standard VI pupils have all gained their proficiency. A combined school and district picnic is shortly to be held. Taieri Mouth is the place chosen, and, provided it is a fine dav, it should be a- good. outing. Death. —Mr John Taylor, a very old and respected resident of this district, passed away at his residence on •Sunday, ’ 14th, at the age of 92. He has been a resident of this district for almost 63 years. CROMWELL. January 20.—Great interest is now being evinced in the new mining scheme for damming the Kawarau. All Cromwell has the • gold fever badly, and many are the dreams of vast fortunes that in the near future, it is hoped, will be scooped up from- the bed of the river when once the level of the water is so lowered that the rich “pockets ” of gold, now so tantalisingly out of reach, will be easily transferred to the pockets of gold fossickers. There is very little doubt that the gold is there. Old miners have declared over and over again that they know the location of exceedingly rich deposits, but that, because of the rushing water above «it, it is beyond the reach of the hand of man, and because also of the rocky nature of the river’s bed it is beyond the reach of the buckets of the dredge. So everybody in- Cromwell has, or should have his or her claim pegged out. Indeed, one person is said Jo have caused a certain amount of enw among her fair friends when she declared she had been early that morning, and had completed her pegging out. But it was» soon after discovered that it referred to that very prosaic practice of pegging out the weekly washing. Dairy Factory.—At the monthly meeting of the Cromwell Dairy Company satisfaction was expressed at the present condition of the company’s progress. Owing to various circumstances a fairly high price is being obtained for butter, and there seems to be B f. a ' r prospect of the high price being well maintained, at lerst for some considerable time. Mr J. Darling, who has been manager from the beginning of the company’s operations, and to whose energy and skill the company’s present prosperity is largely due, tendered his resignation, which was received with extreme regret. It is understood that the sole reason of Mr Darling resigning is on account of him being unable to secure a suitable residence It is a great pity that the company cannot, provide a suitable manager’s house, as Mr Darling’s removal is

a distinct loss, not only to the factory, but to the community at large. Bazaar.—The Church of England bazaar lurned out to be a grpat success, thanks to the energy of a very live committee that had control of affairs. Over £2OO is said to have been secured, which is a very satisfactory sum when one considers the size of the town. Special credit reflects on the Ladies' Guild, who, under Mrs Grant, had worked long and arduously to bring their efforts to a successful issue. Races. —The Cromwell races proved to be a very successful function. Accounts of the various performances have already been published. A special word of praise is due to all officials, who worked hard and zealously for the furtherance of their general duties. Among others may be mentioned Mr D. IS. Middleton (judge), Mr D. C. Jolly (starter), Mr Wrightson (handicapper), and Mr D. Cahill (the ever-obliging and übiquitous secretary). The local brass band, under the baton of Bandmaster Gordon, were in attendance on both days of the meeting, and contributed largely to the enjoyment of all. ALEXANDRA NOTES. The weather for January has been most unseasonable. Instead of continuous hot scorching day's, the district has experienced an unusual amount of rain, with overcast skies and cold winds. The countryside is unusually green for this time of the year, but the intermittent showers have interfered with shearing operations. The growth of lucerne has been exceptionally good, little or no irrigation being required since the middle of November. Visitors for the holiday season have nearly all departed, although there are always a number coming and going. The bowling and tennis courts have been a source of recreation to many visitors during the holidays. The first meeting of the newly-elected Otago Central Power Board was held at Alexandra last week, and a full complement of members were present. The board decided to receive another option over the Earnscleugh Gold Dredging Company’s plant and property, and to visit at an early date the Teviot electric power scheme and confer with the Teviot Board as to the possibilities of serving Otago Central with power from the Teviot scheme, which it is proposed to increase in generating power. New irrigation works are heing starred at Fruitlands by the Public Works Department. which is developing and extending the Last Chance water rights to serve a large area of country from Gorge Creek to Earnscleugh. Camps are meantime being erected, and it is expected that employment for 40 to 50 men will be available when operations get going.