NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 27

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. THE MERRETT CASE. Some weeks ago the cables stated that a lad named John Donald Merrett, aged 18, a student, recently of Edinburgh Uniorsity, had been arrested on a "warrant charging him with having 'murdered ’ his mother, Mrs Bertha Merrett', aged 56, seven months previously. As Mrs Merrett and her son resided for some years- in Oamaru—the lad receiving his education at the Waitaki Boys’ High School —the details of the alleged crime have been awaited with some interest. From an English paper just to hand it appears that young Merrett was arrested at the residence of the Rev. Eldon Ellison, chaplain to Major Disraeli. of Hughenden Manor, a nephew of the great Lord Beaconsfield. Here he' had been “cramming” assiduously for the entrance examination for Oxford, after several terms at Edinburgh University. His mother was a well-to-do woman who, born in the neighbourhood of Reading, had spent many years New Zealand. She went back to the Old Country in order that her son might pursue his studies, and rented a furnished flat in Buckingham Terrace, one of the best residential quarters of Edinburgh. The prisoner stayed with her there, and mother and son always appeared to be a most devoted couple. On the afternoon of March 17 last doctors and police were hurriedly summoned to the flat, and to them the son explained that, while he was sitting reading on the lounge beside the fire, his mother wrote letters at a secretaire in the far corner of the room. Suddenly a shot rang out,_ and the son turned, to see his mother lying on the floor, wounded behind the ear. The lady was removed to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but she never regained consciousness, and died in the institution on April 1. The son’s story was that he had bought a revolver of small calibre for the purpose of pigeon-shooting at Blois, in France, and it was the intention of his mother and a friend to accompany him. The lady was buried in Edinburgh, and her son left the city. Immediately he arrived at High Wycombe, young Merrett became a conspicuous figure, by reason of his great height, and the fact that he invariably wore “plus fours” and large, horn-rimmed glasses. He danced well, and was exceedingly proficient at outdoor sports. The prisoner’s arrest dumbfounded the locality. Police Sergeant Faithfull, of the Bucks County Force, in plain clothes, drove to Hughenden Park, and apprehended Merrett, who was reading at the time. Crying bitterly, Merrett, seated in the rear of the car, was driven to High Wycombe police station, where he remained until the morning, when he was handed over to a detective from Edinburgh. Subsequently he appeared at a sitting of the Sheriff’s Court charged with murder and with uttering forged cheques. The proceedings were private, but a large crowd assembled outside the court to get a glimpse of Merrett, who looked considerably more than his years. The proceedings lasted only a minute. Some time was expected to elapse before the -prisoner again appeared before the Sheriff, and it was anticipated that the trial would prove one of intense interest. THE OLDEST RESIDENT. The oldest resident of this district is probably Mr E. A. Atkinson, the borough valuer. He was born in the neighbourhood of the town oyer 70 years ago. For many years he resided at Kakanui, a village which in the early days boasted a considerable population, two or three hotels, meat works, and a fair amount of shipping. TRANSPORT BY BUS. The Government bus system, which was recently instituted between Oamaru and Tokarahi, via Ngapara, appears to be well patronised. So far as can be ascertained it is serving all the passenger requirements of the district. Trains are now only run on' a few days in the week for the conveyance of goods. The train service was last year run at a loss of £lO,OOO. It is hoped that under the ous system this loss will be entirely wiped out. WHEAT GROWING. The following telegram has been despatched to the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. J. Hawken), by Messrs J. Bitchener and T. D. Burnett, M.P.’s:— “As representing country electorates consisting of considerable proportions of the wheat-growing lands of the Dominion, we desire to draw your attention to the parlous state into which the important wheat-growing industry is drifting, handicapped, as it is, by the fact that flour in Melbourne, for export to New Zealand, is selling at £ll 10s per ton. On this basis, New Zealand-grown wheat is not worth more than 5s 3d to P? r bushel, and except in the case of big yields, these prices will not pay. ‘We believe that a majority of growers do not favour Government control, or the fixation of prices. We hold that the industry is entitled to a fair measure of protection against the lower cost of production in Australia. “With farmers’ crossbred wool at 20d to 22d per lb, fat lamb Is lb, butter-fat 2s 6d, it is immaterial to them whether wheatgrowing is classed as an essential industry or not. Wheat-growing on £5(l-to £4O per acre land, cannot stand any set back in prices. “We suggest that members of Parliament living in the country electorates of Canterbury and North Otago, be asked to act as a committee to frame a report for submission to yourself and Cabinet, and questions dsaling with the effect of Arbitration Court awards motor taxation and regulations, the effect of wheat and flour importations! and the increased cost of production generally, so that immediate measures may be taken to ensure a sufficient ..area being sown in wheat this autumn. “Next month will see the start of the farmers’ wheat-growing year, and the Government should lose no time in acting.” WAREHOU CATCHES. In the early history of Oamaru the harbour was infested with waxehou, and thousands of these fish were taken by fishermen In later years, however, they' have been ' rare visitors. During the last few days .the waters have been patronised by shoals. of them, and small boys have secured quite a harvest. Some of the boys

have been hawking their catches from door to door.

NORTH OTAGO RAMS. A consignment of 15 stud Romney rams was despatched to the north on Thursday by Mr H. J. Andrew, of Maheno. They are intended for the Masterton ram fair.’ OUTLOOK FOR OATS. The outlook for Garton oats in North Otago this season is by no means bright. A good deal of last season’s crop is still held by farmers, and buyers are not bperat. ing. It is reported that at one southern port 50,000 bags are held. The price at present quoted in Timaru is 2s 7d per bushel for A’s, and 2s 4d per bushel for B’s, for forward delivery. Fanners will not-look at these prices, but -whether they will obtain more as the season advancer, is an open question. LINSEED GROWING. A new variety of linseed, known as the Bull Moose, is being grown in North Otago this season under a guarantee from a northern oil company of £l3 per ton. The crops are looking remarkably well, and pi’s, mise a heavy yield. The grains of the new variety average only 122 to the pennyweight, _ while the old variety averages 233 grains. It is estimated that a fair* crop will produce 15cwt to the acre, so that it is just as profitable as oats .at 3s per bushel. Incidentally, it may be remarked that it is linseed from which Irish linen is manufactured. The fibre in the stalks is steeped in the peats, and then bleached. In New Zealand, of course, the linseed is used principally for oil and oilcakes. WEEK ON THE FARM. Another congenial week has been experience by the farmers of North Otago. The weather has been fine and warm, and cereal crops are hardening and ripening rapidly. It is anticipated that the cutting of Garton oats will begin at the end of next week, and that some of the wheat crops will be ready by the middle of next month. In preparation for next season’s crops, a good deal of summer fallowing is now being done. The turnip and rape crops have done well, and show no signs of disease. Mangolds have also a healthy appearance. Lambs are now coming in freely to the freezing works, and are killing off better than was expected a week or two ago. The harvesting of grass seed has conimenced, and the samples shown are of bright, clean appearance. There is likely to be a heavy yield of clover. . The cream-supplies to the local dairy factories is being well _ maintained, and dairy, farmers' are having a profitable season. Shearing on the back-blocks stations is 'now practically completed, and large consignments of wool are reaching town by rail and lorry. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS. The Christian Brothers, who are establishing a collegiate school at Redcastle, near Oamaru, were entertained at a welcome social in St. Joseph’s Hall on Friday. There was a large attendance, and very enthusiastic welcome to the district was extended the Brothers. The addresses were preceded by a musical programme. The school is to be opened next month to students, but the official opening will take place with an important ceremony on a coming Sunday, when a large number of visitors will arrive by special train from Dunedin. PERSONAL. Mr Theo. Russell, formerly of Redcastle, has purchased a farm at Silverstream, in the Taieri district, .to which he intends immediately transferring his racing stable. Mr H. Grenfell, of Oamaru, has returned from an extensive tour of the North Island. WAITAKI RIVER. The heavy nor’-westers of last week brought down a considerable body of snow water in the Waitaki River, and anglers have had poor sport at the river mouth, no catches worth mentioning are reported. THE CLAYTON CAR. The Clayton railway car, which has had to undergo alterations and repairs during the last few weeks, and which it was thought might have to be withdrawn, is to continue running on the Kurow line. The car has certain defects, the chief of which is that _ it cannot convey bulky luggage, but it is hoped that these will be overcome. NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS. In connection _ with the University National Scholarships, the following pupils of the Waitaki Boys’ High School have passed with creditG. D. T. Hall, 1729; A. I. Rennie, 1721; H. T. Jellie, 1598; N. S. Woods, 1581; J. U. Bertram, 1573. THE ROYAL VISIT. The visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to Oamaru in the month of March, although, of short duration, will be an event unique in the history of the district. The Hall of Memories at the Waitaki Boys’ High School is to be officially opened by His Royal Highness, and a welcome will afterwards be given in Oamaru in the presence of at least 2000 school children. A COAL SEAM. A coal seam that promises well has been discovered at Airedale. Mr A. Beardsmore, who has been prospecting for some

time, ran a tunnel into the side of a hill, and struck a seam 12ft in thickness. The coal is of good household quality, and Mr Bearsmore is of opinion that the seam runs for a considerable distance. It should, therefore, provide a good supply of coal. It may be mentioned that a coal pit has been worked at Papakaio for a considerable period, and that another was recently! opened up at Kurow. There are evidently large deposits of lignite throughout North! Otago. THE WEATHER. A heavy nor’-westerly gale passed over Oamaru at an early hour on Sunday morning. This was followed by a steady downpour of rain. The rain was not heavy, and ■will not have a serious effect upon. the crops. POTATO BLIGHT. Blight is reported to have made its appearance in some of the potato crops in North Otago, and growers are digging their crops for home consumption rather than take the risk of a total loss. CROP PROSPECTS. The crop prospects of North Otago have seriously diminished during the last fewweeks. Early in December it was thought that the wheat yield would be almost as large as the record yield of last year. Heavy rain knocked down wide areas about Christmas time, and the devastating ravages of “Take all” now make it apparent that the return will be much than was at first anticipated. It will be surprising if the average yield now reaches over -30 bushels per acre, -there is a much larger area under wheat this year than last year, but as prices have substantially declined farmers are not likely to reap a very rich harvest. The highest price at present offering for forward delivery is about 5s 9d per bushel. COUNTY JUBILEE. . i s no,v considered improbable that the jubilee of the Waitaki County Council will be celebrated in a pretentious manner. The chairman (Mr W. Gardiner) is still oontxtC V ls home, and an ex-chairman (Or W. Ntcolson) 19 in such a feebl ° state of health that ho is unable to take part in any active celebrations. It is thought that unless the celebrations were carried out in a manner that would reflect credit upon the county it would be better to abandon them* altogether.