CROMWELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3601, 20 March 1923, Page 27

CROMWELL.

March 12. —Splendid weather has been experienced in Hie Central. The days have been bright and sunny, and one hardly believes that summer is practically gone. A little of this fine weather would have been most acceptable during the ripening period for early stone fruit. For Central, a considerable amount of rain has fallen during the summer months, and consequently Cromwell and the surrounding district has never looked so green as it does at present. It is the usual custom for the grass to be burnt and withered up after the long summer heat, and this generally tends to give Cromwell a rather dry, parched, and dusty appearance. At any rate such is the impression fixed on the mind of the caeual visitor during the summer months. But on account of the exceptional amount o-f rain that has fallen this season the oldest inhabitant will tell you that Cromwell never appeared to be so bright and green and fresh as it is at present. Bowling.—The bowling season is drawing to a close, and Easter will see the end of play till next summer lures forth the bowler to the green. During Easter tho local club will be well represented at the Oaroa.ru tournament, where it is again anticipated a ll d earnestly hoped that the Cromwell Club will make as good a same for itself as it did at last year’s Easter Tournament. For Central contests Cromwell has made a good name for itself, for to the credit of the club is the Central Shield and also the championship of champions. The contest for this last was played at Alexandra, when Dr Shore, Cromwell’s champion, had an easy victory over all who stood np against him. Chautauqua.—The season for Chautauqua has just closed. There were eight sessions, four afternoons and four nights, all of which were well attended, especially those held in the evenings. The hall was crowded every night by a most attentive and appreciative audience, who received well every item that was delivered by the various artists. As sufficient guarantors have again come forth, it is intended to hold Chautauqua again next year, but it is the intention to dispense with the afternoon functions, as it was found to be rather uncomfortable for people to sit in the hall with the hot afternoon sun streaming in through the windows.

OTAUTAU. March 16. —Mr Adam Wilson, who has occupied a position in the local post office for the past seven or eight months, has received notice of promotion to postmaster at Tuatapere, and leaves shortly to take up his new dties. During bi 3 residence here he has identified himself with the tennis and football clubs, and he will be much missed in the latter this season. His place is being taken by Mr Spence, from Hawera. Monowai. Twenty residents visited Monowai on Sunday to view the operations of the Southland Electric Power Board. The journey was undertaken in Mr Renow den’s motor lorry. A halt was made en route to view the splendid suspension bridge erected by the board over the Waian. This structure reflects credit oil the builders. On arrival at the lake, which is situated at the foothills of the Takitimos, lunch was partaken of, after which the construction works were visited. An adjournment was then made to the main camp, where the erection of a huge dam is in progress, the purpose being to divert the water by means of a channel to the pipe line, and thence to the junction of the Monowai and Waiau Bivers, at which place there is a drop of about 150 ft. The scenery at this spot is beautiful. Only a very faint idea of this vast undertaking can be gamed, and it will be well worthy of a visit i-2 months hence, when it is anticipated the power-house will be erected. Stock Sale. —There was a yarding of 7000 sheep at the stock sale on "Wednesday Store Jambs were a shade easier owing to the fat lambs being back id a lb. Good ewes said , to P price was realised by Mr A Glendinmng for a nice line of two-tooth ewes, 3os 7d being obtained. The same owner had a good line of eight-tooths the price realised being 34s 7d. The cattle market was ciraggy. P^i n -,? 0 vf d 'T At the .meeting of the Town ±>oara on Monday evening- Mr W. A E H r laser was appointed chairman.

March 13—His Excellency Admiral Jellico Governor-General, accompanied by Lady Jellicoe and suite, paid their first visit to IV airoa last week. A welcome reception was * 0,, i r Y? f °, r , t , he "cca-uon with manycoloured lights all electrically produced Ad dresses were given by the Mayor and ,',-orninent citizens. The Maori race were *£3sented by one of Wairoa’s oldest chiefs Ihaaha \V hanga, who had fought in the Maori war His Excellency made an appro! pi late reply to tile grand welcome given wxsr - *• ih * jr ™‘ Hydro-electric Power. —About one of the most important functions yet taken place r r a ‘*° a ,v 9 • P er f°rnied by the Hon J G. Coates (Minister of Public Works) last Friday, the 9th inst., the turning on of the new hydro-electric power at Lake WaikareA°hm' V i‘nT he£w J works are situated. A large and representative gathering was gwwrt, inehulmsf. besides the MinisterTf Public Works, Mrs Coates, Messrs W D T ys ™~ata ls rp a rn f e) ’ f \ r WiU y (Riccartonj. a‘ -*-• i.v gat a (Ilia stern Maori) T at*ti * • i * WW ier) ’ m Mack “y (Hawke’s Bayt a K ri | e Williams (Bay of Plenty), J. A Nash (Pal merston North), M.P.’s. There were aLo present J Vigor Brown, E. Chadwick (Napier), and various head officials of the Public Works Department. Aftem, Mrs Coates had pressed the switch for turning the power on the Hon. Mr Coates congratulated W airoa on the satisfactory and important result achieved that day. He said he was out for a larger scheme of hydro-electricity aon™ I,”™’' fi!ture of a development of 40,000 horse-power. The capital required would be considerable, but he was not -ointo penalise tins important work by ineffective methods The adoption of electric power in New Zealand was going to greatly eneoura -’e industry, but lie had to see that the plans throughout were sound, so that the country would get good invealment for its money It was the bounden duty of the Government to see that th re was a certain return for money spent in their public works and increased population. All this would mean borrowing at least a million a year for seven years or more. One thing New Zealand should keep on aiming at, and that was i.j send out the manufactured article instead of shipping away so much raw materials and b- ruring it back again a manufactured .. La coa.;v .ulatcJ Witlroa on the

accomplishment of the initial hydro-electric scheme.

During the visit of the Minister here opportunity was taken of interviewing him re blackberry eradication, and also the Waikokopa Harbour. In replying to the former question the Minister said he was satisfied of the urgency of the matter, and lie would at once telegraph to the Hon. W. Nosworthy asking him to speed up things in this connection. In reply to matters laid before him in connection with the harbour, which ts now in course of construction, the Minister said it was clear that the local Harbour Board were up against unforeseen difficulties, and they now wanted the Government to do the work. It will not do to stand still, and lie did not construct 26 miles of railway for nothing. A good harbour could be made at Waikokopu, and for the Government to assist Cabinet authority would be necessary. He would promise to go carefully into the matter on his return to Wellington, and advise results as early as possible.