THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 27

THE COUNTRY.

Correspondent* ir« reminded tint aU letter# fer the current week’! issue must reach DnnedJ* tor LATER THAN SATURDAY NIGHT. letter# ■oznlug to hand on Monday are too late, and aid Aua a week old when they appear.

LAKE COUNT*. July 19. —Although a (rood tl aw was < xI>tripnced (luring the week there i'- still a good deal of snow on the low-lying country. The shepherds have been out on the back country of the Various runs, and they report that conditions are not quite so bad as was at first feared. Snow-raking parties left A’rrowtown to-day for Gleucoe and Soho Stations. Heath. —The death occurred at his home, Avrmcunt, R’versdala, or Tuesday last of Mr Alexander Paterson, eldest cor- of the late Mr Willis,m Paterson, Ayrbura. Arrowtown. He was a native of Victoria and came to this district when a lad with his parents. He was educated at the Arrow Public School, and after leaving school he worked on his father’s station for some years. Later he managed 'lie West Dome Station for his father, an! about years ago he settled at Riversdale. Of a cheery and kindlv nature, the late Mr Paterson was held in the highest respect and esteem by all who knew him. He was 67 years of age, and leaves a widow and family of two sons and two daughters to mourn their loss. The funeral took place e.t Riversdale yesterday. Tho Late Sir William Fraser. —The news of the death of Sir William Fraser on Monday was received with general regTet. Flags were half-masted on the public buildings. The late Sir William was respected by all classes, irrespective of political opinions, and all recognised bis honesty of purposeduring the 25 years he represented the district. TtT.s lest visit to this district was on the occasion of the unveiling of the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial in Queenstown on Anzac Dav last year. Lake County Hospital.—At the meeting of the Southland Hospital Board on Thursday last it was decided to invite applications for the position of medical officer at the Lake County Hospital—a non-resident at £l5O per annum, ami a resident at £250 per annum, with residence, fuel, lighting, and right of private practice. OUNTROOM, July IS.—The land is verv wet, although some ploughing is being done when the frost permits. All work on the land is a long way behind hand, very little wheat is sown, and tha acreage, this season will be below the average. We are all quite satisfied with the seasonable weather we are getting ihis winter, find expect good results after the wet and frosts. The past three or four winters have been too dry. Feed is on the short side, but stock is doing all right so far. Tlie rainfall for the half year ending .Tune 30 was If in 33 points, which is two-thirds of our yearly* average. For the same period last vear it was 9in .39 points. General. —The library is well patronised now tlie evenings are long, and a few new books are on issue. The sclwol was closed for a week owing to bad colds among the children, and "t, the present time a good number of adults are laid up with bad colds. The attendance at the cliurell during the na-st three Sundays was about iry *ourtll ’he usual —The Druids held a very successful social when visitors from the surrounding district were well represented Mr Cecil Hore (Tokarahi), on behalf of the residents, thanked the Druids for the evening's pleasant entertainment.—Dr Trotter left Duntroon to take up a larger practice, and we ere now without a. resident doctor. Wo bope it will not be long until the practise 13 taken up. Our nearest doctors are Kurow and Oamani. CROMWELL. July 21.—We need no longer boast of our sunshine. For nearly a fortnight it almost seemed as if the sun had gone out of business. Cold miserable days with signs of thaw during day and hard frosts at night have been our lot. The hardest winter for 40 years many aver. They point to the mountain springs as proof and enquire, “When did anybody see tha springs frozen?” The only man that alters the maxim “Make hay while the sun shines" is the plumber, who is overwhelmed by orders to repair a burst pipe. etc. A great loss of sheep around Cromwell is not feared. Upper Clutha, Nevis, and the Wakatipu districts will suffer the most. Fortunately for the orchardists the apples have not suffered as reported. Influenza.—This trouble lias been very prevalent in the town, and few if any homes have escaped. Business places have been working short-lianded. The local schools are closed until further notice. The epidemic is much more severe than in 1918. Various types of influenza are reported, and several severe cases. Football.—Owing to frost only one game was played last week — Wanaka v. Lowburn. The game resulted in a win for Wanaka by 8 points to 6 points. Golf. —The monthly medal golf match was won by Mr A. Scheib, with a total of 67 nett. This is Mr Scheib’s first medal. He lias knocked at the door for a long time. The win was popular. Racing.—The Vincent Jockey Club has held its annual meeting. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £172. January 6 and 7 were the dates selected for the next race meeting. Mr Scoular was re-elected president.—The Upper Clutlia Club has also held its annual meeting. The report of the year’s operations showed that the club was in a sound position financially, with a balance of £179 7s 7d. Mr G. M’Dermid was reelected president. The date for the next- race meeting was fixed for November 10. the stake money offered being £2OO. OTAUTAU. July 19.—Mr Jas. Low, jun, lias disposed of his Yellow Bluff property to Mr S. Niven, who enters into possession almost immediately. The School Concert. —Tire “Paddy’s market” and school concert in aid of improvements to the grounds was held on Thursday and Friday, 12th and 13th inst., and was a great success. Close on £6O was taken the first night, the following assisting at the various stalls : —Tea rooms—Mesdames Wesney, Harrington. M’Leod, and Low; produce stall—Mesdames Porteo-us Blakie, end Chisholm; jumble stall—Mesdames’ Wilson, Liddell, Brooker, and Stevens; sweet stall—Mesdames Hall, Brass, and Miss Webb; competitions—Mrs Chandler, Misses Speden and Hardy. The concert on the Friday evening was well attended, tlie children’s items consisting of butterfly dances, physical drill, action and nigger sorgo, etc., being much appreciated. These reflected credit on their tutors, the teaehtag staff, Mesdames Ireland and M’Anerg-

nev. The following adults also contributed items:—Songs by Misses M. Renowden and Beydon, Messrs R. N. Wilson, N. G. Saunders, and L. C. Andrew; quartets by Misses Leydon and Gould. Messrs Wilson and Dr Stewart, and Messrs Wilson, Saunders, Miller, and Treseder. The chairman of the School Committee, Mr J. T. Brooker, returned thanks to the members of the committee and to the ladies, to whom mu , of the success cf the function was due, a also paid a tribute to the present e - master. Mr Wilson, who was a live and progressive man. Mr Wilson thaime people of Otautan and district for the excellent response made to the appeal for • It was unfortunate that such a 'large amount of sickness had prevailed, children and the public had risen nobly to the occasion. Mr 3 G. B. Burns, - ' ■ Burns, and Miss N. Renowden played the accompaniments tastefully. The g* ceipts for the two evenings amounted to over £lO9. and this carries a “tad °f £ for £ from the Eduction Department. Sudden Death.—Mrs Browning, « Mr D. Browning, of Scott s Gap, dropped dead at her residence on Thursday, 12t inst She was the daughter of Mr David Lamb, of Waikaka, and was 37 years of age. The funeral took place on the Otautau Cemetery, the larg« , £wie testifying to the high esteem in winch de ceased was held. Rev. A. Macdonald, M.A., conducted the last rites. ~ -ii- i Hockey Ball—The hockey ball ou Wed needav evening, 18th inst., was a great success, some 80 couples being present. rne hall was tastefully decorated with e'vergreeTie and streamers, tire colours of the club much in evidence. Dancing went , swing and the music supplied byGrieves orchestra left nothing to be deemed, extras being plaved by Mrs Cuppßs and Mr A. Hadley Messrs Collett and Hope officiated as floormasters, and the supper was a feature of the evening, being provic.ed by th- lady members. •Wallace A. and P. Association.—' Twenty four members were present at the meeting of the Wallace A and P. tion, held on Friday. 13th met. The r. port and balanc- sheet were adopted, and the following office-bearers elected to. the ensuing year President. Mr D. lcviotdale vice-president, Mr John Ewan; directors—Messrs Teviotdale, J. Beck J 'c Johnston, F. Malcolm, R. Ronald. J. Ew m, P. Bcggs, A. P. Scott. G. S. Edie. J. H. Meehan, and H. Crawford. Mr W Kennedy on vacating the chair, thanked the directors and secretary for the assistance rendered him during his . of office A good summer show had been held, the finances being greatly helped through the Indies undertaking the luncheon arrangement s He honed th» show would prosner, and he would do all ho could to assist. The newly-appointed president returned thpoks for tha honour, stating he would do his utmost to keep the show going, and with the ass'stance of t-ie directors, hoped for a successful year. Mr Kennedy’s proposal to revise the show schedule with a. view to making more provision for the amateur exhibitor was discussed, ana it was resolved that it be a recommendation to the directors to include various classes in the schedule for amateur exhibitors, such amateur exhibitors to be eligibl- for ™ampionship honours. The alteration of the date of the show was also considered, and a motion that tlie directors favourably consider an alteration of the show date to the second or third week in January was defeated by e.ti amendment that the directors adhere to the preeent date. At a subsequent meeting of directors it was decided to meet every three months on the second I* rida-y (sale day), the president being empowered to call extra meetings if necessary. Hockev.—A friendly match was played between Win!on and Otautan Ladies Hockey Clubs on the Recreation Ground on Saturday 14th and resulted in a win for tha visitors by 7 goals to nil. Mr Lumsden efficiently controlled the game. The members of the Winton team were entertained to tea in tb" hall after the match. Football. —The senior match, Otautau v. Orawia, played on the Recreation Ground on Saturday, was won by the former by 17 points to 11. A number of Second Grade players were included in the local team. BALCLUTHA. July 21.—The influenza epidemic is still prevalent in this and surrounding districts, and although there is no present call for alarm it is necessary that precautionary measures should be continued. The Balclutlia District High School reopened at tiie beginning of the week with a greatly reduced attendance. The school remained opened until Wednesday, when three members of the staff were absent from duty. Under the circumstances it was decided to again close the school until July 23. Otago Power Board. —The required number of signatures necessary to include Balclutlii Borough in the proposed Otago Power Board district has been secured, and the petitions have been forwarded to the Otago Expansion League. Clutha County has also decided in favour of the Power Board. The Weather. —There has been a noticeable improvement in the weather during the past week. Although there has not been very much drying weather, and the ground is still fairly wet, the glimpse of sunshine experienced at the latter part of the week was truly welcomed. Court Sitting—There was only a short sitting of the court in Balclutha on Thursday, when Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., dealt with juvenile offenders in connection with a motor car. General. —The Molyneux River is very low at the present time, and river traffic has been suspended. A considerable quantity of clean gravel was brought down by the recent floods, and carters have been busy securing as much of this as possible.—Tlie local borough council proposes to spend £BIO on street maintenance and £270 on the quarry during the coming year. This money should do a great deal towards repairing and improving the streets throughout the borough. SILVERSIDE (TaSeri). July 20.—The weather during the week has been fine, but there has not been much drying nntil to-day, which has been perfect in that respect, though the wind has been rather cold. The ground is gradually becoming firmer, and conditions underfoot are now more agreeable than for several weeks past. It will, however, be some little time yet before any team work can be accomplished. No ploughing has yet been done, and a rush of work in the spring is inevitable, but with reasonably fine weather henceforth the position cannot be described os desperate. There is still time for a good deal of arrears in work to be made up if weather conditions will permit of it. In the meantime the weather appears to be more settled, and with the days gradually lengthening the worst would appear to be behind us Dairying.—The milk supply at the local factory is probably at about its lowest now. From now onwards tbo supply will probably continue to increase, as several suppliers

will have cows coming in shortly. There appears to be a good deal to recommend in the practice of having cows come into profit early. A much longer season is obtained, as experience has taught that in the fall of the year late calving cows go dry practically as soon as those coming in early fin the season. Debating Society.—The usual fortnightly meeting of the Silverside Debating Society was held in the Silverside Sunday School Hall on the evening of the 17th. Mr "VVm. Blackie presided, and there was a very large attendance. The subject set down for debate was, “Should "Women Enjoy Equal Rights with Men?” Mr Hugh Sprott led for the affirmative, and was ably supported by Misses Currie and Kirk, Mrs Nelson, and Messrs A. Douglas, T. CrozieT, and A. Walmsley. Mr Miller led for the negative, and was supported by Messrs Ken. Walmsley and A. Nelson. Mr Blackie briefly criticised the various speeches. The vote taken at the conclusion of the debate resulted in a win for the affirmative bv a larg© majority. The committee feel particularly grateful to the public for attending- in such large numbers and taking such a keen interest in the society. The next subject for debate is, “Does Sport Enter Too Much int-o Our Lives?” and the appointed leader* are for the affirmative Mr Win. Blackie, and for the negative Mr T. Crozier. It was resolved that in future the meetings commence at 7.30 p.m., instead Of 8 p.m., as in the past. Changes.—Mr S. Elliot has disposed of his property in this district to Mr Clark, of Waiitali. Mr and Mrs Elliot have gone to reside at Gladstone road in Mosgiel. Influenza. —There has been a fair amount of influenza in the district, fortunately mostly of a mild character. WAIKAIA. July *2o—The heavy .fall cf snow previously reported was followed by several frosts, the severity of which have not been equalled during the last 20 years. The prolonged frost is preventing farmers from, ploughing, and work in the gardens is at a standstill. sVat-er can only be obtained after breaking through six inches of ice. At Whitcomb© Messrs Christie found most of the sheep on top of four feet of frozen snow. Mr Charters, of Greenvale. had asimilar experience. Football.—The first grade match, Waikaia v. Balfour, was played on the Recreation Grounds, Waikaia, on Saturday afternoon. After a verj 7 good game Waikaia won by 19 to 11. Influenza.—Tlie influenza epidemic is very much in evidence in this district. The patients are all ages, and many are very ill.