The Counrty

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 35

The Counrty

LAKE COUNTY. July 9.—The weather continues fine, and the frost is exceptionally light for this time of year. Football.—At Queenstown on Saturday last, Arrow defeated Queenstown by 3 (a penalty goal) to nil. Arrow now leads for the cup with six points, Queenstown and Country Pirates being four each. A match between Queenstown and Arrow Juniors, played at Queenstown on Saturday, resulted in a draw —9 points each. Fire.—The fivc-rromed residence of Mr T. J. Cotter at Arrowtown was completely destroyed by fire on Sunday morning last. The fire was discovered at about 3.30, and the occupants were removed in their night attire. The contenta of the house were completely destroyed. There was an insurance of £350 on the house and contents, but the loss is estimated at about £4OO over that amount. Much sympathy has been expressed for the Cotter family in their misfortune Weddings.—Two weddings of district interest were celebrated recently. At St Patrick’s Cathedral, Auckland, on the 16th ult., Miss Thelma May Worthington, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Andrew Worthing ton, of Auckland, and Mr Thomas James Cotter, fourth son of Mr and Mru T. J. Cotter, Arrowtown, were united in the bonds of * matrimony by the Rev. Father Skinner Miss Kathleen Cotter (sister of the bridegroom) and Miss Thyra Clark (cousin of the bride) were bridesmaids, and Miss Yarina BurgeEs was train-bearer. Mr James Skinner was best man, and At Regir.ald Castaing groomsman. At St. Mark’s Church. Chris* church, on the 30th ult., the wedding wa» celebrated of Mr William Haro’d Overton, of Queenstown, to Miss Emma Eileen God dard, only daughter of Mr and Mrs James Goddard, of Christchurch. The bride was attended by her cousin, Miss Doris Trist. and Mr O. Overton (brother of tb<» bridegroom! W 8" best man. The Rev. H. Williams was tha officiating clergyman. ALEXANDRA. July 10. —Fresh, crisp mornings, with one or two sharp frosts, have been experienced of late, but for all that the weacher has bee n remarkably mild, and winter is passing scarcely noticed. So litt.e frost has there been that the pastime of skating has not been indulged in, much to the sorrow of the young folk who always eagerly look forward to a few spins on the ice. Of course, one does not know what is in store, for J uly is usually reckoned as the severest month ( of the year, but for all that, there is every indication that skaters this year may be disappointed. Sport.—The Alexandra A team of footballers have had a most successful season this year, and have again secured the ban ner, even though the competition games have not yet been completed. To-day (the 10th inst.) they have a bye, and on the following Saturday they proceed to Cromwell to play their final game. This is the second year in succession that the Alexandra team have been successful, and football enthusiasts are elated over their triumphs. A great deal of .interest is being centred round hockey, where the Alexandra District High School team is in the lead, with Clyde as runnersup. It *3 to be hoped that the school will be successful, for it will well deserve its win. Clyde has been champions for many years, thanks to the brilliant play of its leading member, Mies Keddell Lodge.—The Independent Order of Oddfellows met last Wednesday, when three new candidates were initiated into the mysteries of the order* The lodge is just newly-formed, but under the direction of Bro. Crooke, Dominion organiser, the brethren did their work in a very passable manner. The newlyfoamed lodge also elected its first team of officers, and a public installation is to take place on July 22 in the Town Hall. Admission will be by ticket. Progress.—As an indication of the continued progress of Alexandra, the Central's capital, it may be mentioned that the question of a housing scheme was introduced at a borough council meeting. It has been stated that if fifty new houses could be erected, they would be occupied immediately. The good folk of Alexandra are amused at the wailings of a writer from an up-country township who seems to grieve on account ■ of Alexandra's majority in population as revealed by the census. The blame appears to be attached to a few innocent Chinamen who have apparently left the district of which that township is the centre. But while there’s life there’s hope, and it is to be hoped that their once flourishing Chinatown will again be teeming with Celeetial .ife. Alexandra will then cheerfully step down and take second place. CARBTON. July B.—The season is very mild, with no snow and very little frost. The days, though short, are warm and sunny. The absence of frost has enabled team work to proceed without interruption, and it it expected that a larger area will be under cultivation than last year. Stock is looking well. There is still an abundance of winter feed, and hopes are entertained that the turnips will last well into spring. Threshing is all done except clover. The clover thresher or sheller is expected to be at work at an early date, and those who have seed for market are looking forward to large returns, accompanied by a good price. The übiquitous bunny continues to be a source of considerable revenue to those engaged in trapping. Influenza .—The dreaded influenza, which is reported to prevail further north, has not made its appearance here, and except for an outbreak of mild scarlet fever in one household, the health of the community is good. Home Missions.—Our home missionary, Mr Wyllie, is having his already extensive parish extended by the addition of Mossburn. As long distances have to be covered j to reach the various places of worship, it is to be booed that an effort will be made to furnish the pastor with a car to enable him to accomnlish the Ion? journey in shorter time and greater comfort. Shooting.—The shooting season locally hoe been a diaapnointing one. In former years ducks were plentiful, hut very few havj been seen this year. Sportsmen from afar have successfully scared, if they have not qui,te exterminated, the birds. Road*.—The roads for the season sre in ▼ery good repair, and a motor journey between Invercargill and Kingston can be *

easily accomplished in about four hours. The proposed deviation of the present road over the Jollies to the terrace above and nearer the railway will prove of great benefit to travellers. Wedding.—Recent news from Vancouver tells of the marriage of a former resident, Miss Christina M’Leod, of Caincaird Station, to Mr Donald Matheson, home missionary, Vancouver. OTAUTAU. July B.—The annual meeting of the Progressive League in the board room on Thursday, July was the largest in its history in point of numbers, there being an attendance of close on thirty present. The president, Mr Lumsden, presided. The balance sheet showed a credit of £77 7s sd, and tbs report dealt with the activities of the league for the year. Both were adopted The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr G. fl. Hodges; vice-presidents, Messrs R. Buchanan and M’Crostie; auditor, Mr W. Porteous (re-elected); executive— Messrs Laing, Sinclair, Liddell, Porteous. F. J. Collie, G. Bone, J. M’Gill, G. A. Burnetj, A. Souness, and Moore. Smoke Concert.—The smoke concert and presentation of trophies won at the recent show was held the same evening on the stage of the Town Hall, when Mr Lumsden (past president), with whom was associated the newly-elected president, Mr Hodges, presided over a large attendance. Items were rendered at convenient intervals by Messrs Moore, Buchanan, Hodges, Yates, and Wesney, Miss D. Harrington officiating as accompaniste. Mr wesney, in a neat speech, presented two cups donated by the trustees of the M'Kinnon Memorial Fund, which had been won by Mr F. J. Collie. The first was valued at £lO 10s, and had to be won by the competitor gaining the most points over jt period of three years, Mr Collie being the winner for 1926. The other, valued ai five guineas, wa3 won outright by the same gentleman. Both trophies were allotted for agriculture and horticulture. Mr Hodees presented a handsome rose bowl to Mr John Fudier, on behalf of Mrs Fisher, for most uolirts in hrrticuVure and agriculture (household section). Messrs Collie and Fisher suitably acknowledged the gifts. “God Save the King” concluded a very enjoyable function. St. Andrew’s Scottish Society.—A gift evening. under the auspices cf the local branch of St Andrew’s Soc'etv, was tendered to Miss Hardy and Mr W. Burnett or, Tuesday evening in the Town Ha?l. at which there was a large attendance. The gathering was one of tire largest of its kind ever beld in *he township. Bongs were rendered by Mrs Brooker, Miss M. Bickerstaff. Messrs M'Crostie. S. Bickerstaff. and Ottrey, while dances we*e given by Miss Playfair. Mrs Cunples officiated as accomnaniate. The presents were then opened and ranged along the fiord of the stage. Mr Liddell, the chief, m asking the guests to accept them, wished them a happy and prosperous future, and trusted thev would ’-rfain their connection with the society. He mentioned that the St. Andrew’s Society jbad included a wrin?er ns their gift from members. He also thanked the performers and the neople for nsing to the occasion ard making the gatherin? s”ch a success. After "For they ere Mly irood fellows * had been suing.' Mr Burnett, on behalf of Miss Hardy and himself, said, that words Veiled to exoress their anpreeiation of the kindness experienced at the hands of tho<*e present, but he thanked them most heartily for their "ifts. Supoer was dispensed a~d a short. in to music by M**- Gwr.pVs. The function e»g brought to a fitting termination by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” W MKMA. July 10.—Glorio"3 winter weather has prevailed lately, witn mild sunny days, and a few frosty nights. Hockey.—Great interest is being taken in this spoil. The Wendon team lately jour neyed to Waikaia, when the latter team proved superior. The playing area was in good order,' am? a large crowd was present. Waikaia team comprised: Misses M‘Kee, Stirling, Wilson, Garthwaite, W. Wilson, H. M'Kissock, L. M’Donald, R. Wilson, H MTver, M. Kerr, and Hamer (detain). Wendon team was: Misses Miller (3), Bond. Barclay, Anderson, Stevenson, Monaghan, and Cheyne (captain). Mr L. M‘Caw con trolled the game. The score was Waikaia 1. Wendon nil The visitors were entertained to afternoon tea. Influenza.—Many people are ill with influenza. Mrs M’Konnell, sen., has been ill for some time. NCAPARA. July l ft .—The winter so far has been a most remarkably mild one, with no more than tho üßual fall of rain during the month of May and an occasional shower in June. We have been very fortunate in not having had any severe frosts so far, and only a slight sprinkling of snow on the hill tops. As a general rule we do not experience very wintry weather in our district until the months of July end August. Farm Notes.—With the mild weather experienced, farmers have been pushing along as quickly as possible with the planting of wheat. To all appearances, there will be a larger area under wheat this year than there has been for several years previously. With the yields of up to 72 bushels of wheat and, in one instance, 150 bushels of oats per acre, this last season has acted an a sort of stimulus to farmers to grow more grain. When such yields are still procurable in the Oamaru district, it proves that the lands in North Otago have not deteriorated. Sport.—The local football and hockey clubs are now in full swing, and are meeting with various degrees of success. The local hockey team travelled over to Duntroon to try conclusions with Duntroon. After a keenlycontested match, the home team proved victorious. On Saturday, July 3, the Windsor team paid a visit to Ngapara, but on this occasion our local hockey tsarti proved more than a match for the visitors.

Obituary.—Mrs A. Orr, who passed away in Oamaru last week, had been a resident of the district for many years, and was highly respected by all. With her late husband, Mr A. Orr, who died several years ago she came to Ngapara about 30 years ago, and carried on a bakery business.— Mr J. Farquharaon, who also passed away

in Oamaru about a month ago, was another late resident of Ngapara, having come to the district during the ’Bo's. He carried on the business of a mill owner, and did a large amount of grain threshing throughout the district.