The Country

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 35

The Country

LAKE COUNTY. January 21.—Thera was a break in the spell of dry weather on Saturday evening last, when heavy rain set in. Throughout Sunday heavy showers fell, with thunder and lightning at intervals. There was a heavy shower again on Wednesday morning, but since then it has been very warm. The rain was very welcome, as the country had become very dry. Cricket.—Teams from Queenstown and Arrowtown met in a match for the Burnett Shield at Arrowtown, on Saturday last. The teams had met twice previously this season in the Shield competition, the last match resulting in a win for Arrow by a small margin. Saturday's game proved an interesting one, and was won by Queens, town by 22 runs in a one-innings match. Scores: Queenstown 119 (P. Bennetts 41, W. Nelson 32, J. Romans 20) ■ Arrow 97 (D. S. Peterson 19, K. Snell 18, L. R. Smith 18, W. Peterson 11). J. G-. Lynch, five for 19, and J. Hood, three for 33, bowled well for Queenstown, while J. R. Ensoll, two for 14, Snell, four for 38, and L. R. Smith, two for 21, bowled best for Arrow. I.O.O.P.—Tile half-yearly installation of • officers of Wakatipu Lodge, No. 120, was held in Queenstown on the sth inst., when the following officers were installed: 1.P.G., Bro. A. Munro; N.G., Bro. H. J. B. Campbell; ’V.G., Bro. G. Walsh; recording secretary, Bro. W. Flannery; per. secretary, Bro. L. C. ; Robinson, P.G.; treasurer, Bro. J. Stewart Gray; warden, Bro. H. Davies; conductor, 'Bro. G. A. Hanson; chaplain, Bro. W. Nelson; R.S.N.G., Bro. D. F. Macdonald; L.S.N.G., Bro. A. Burns; R.S.V.G.. Bro. 'J. Downey; L.S.V.G., Bro. T, H. Tailentire; R.S.S., Bro. J. Ryal; L.S.S., Bro. W. Kavanagh; 1.G.. Bro. Chas. Hansen; O.’G., Bro. D. F. Sutherland. The installing officers were: Bros. F. D. ■ Aitken (District Deputy Grand Master) and Jas Robertson (Star of Waikiwi Lodge), assisted by Bros. ,L. C. Robinson and W. Nelson. .. Accident. —Mr Arthur Farrant, an employee of the Kawarau Gold Mining Co., at ■ the dam, met with a nasty accident on Thursday, the 13th inst. His left foot was caught ..by. the crank of an engine, and was badly bruised. The injury was attended to by Dr Anderson, and Mr Farrant is progressing favourably. ‘ Personal.—Captain E. L. Gray, who has been in charge of the Salvation Army corps in Queenstown for the past two years, has bean transferred to Winton. —Miss Jessie Murchison, of the Southland Hospital Staff, has joined the staff of Lake County Hospital, vice Miss Irwin, who has returned to Inverbatgill.—The Rev. Hubert and Mts Blathwayt and Mrs Blathwavt and Miss Isohel Paterson, of Takapau, Hawke’s Bay, are at present staying with Mr and Mrs R. M. Paterson at Ayrburn, Arrowtown. —Mr S. S. Aburn, who has been representing the Public Works Department’ at the Kawarau Dam for the past 18 months, has received instructions to proceed to Riverton, where he will undertake the building of a bridge over the Apariraa. ALEXANDRA. ’ ‘ January 22.—Very warm weather has of late been experienced, though on Thursday 'week'there was a rather cold wind that gave quite a chill to the air. During the afternoon a slight coating of snow fall on the surrounding ranges, but this has entirely disappeared, and typical warm Central weather is again the order of the day. At this time of the year fruitgrowers should be having a very busy time of it sending their fruit to the market, but on account of the frosts in the early spring, hail storms, and gales, the crops have been extremely poor, and little or no fruit has been going forward. Hall.—The borough council have had under consideration for a long time the question of hall accommodation, and havs finally decided to make extensive alterations. The present stage is to be removed back to the entrance of the anterooms, thus giving extra accommodation for patrons, and new anterooms will be built on the side of the hall. The whole structure will be thoroughly renovated, and, when the alterations are completed the building should serve the district for many years to come. Telephone Matters. —Quite recently a large number of telephones, have beer, installed in the town, and surrounding district, with the result that the telephone hours are to be extended. Attendance now will be from G a.m. to midnight on week days, while Sunday service will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be an hour - morning and evening for a holiday service. These extensions will be of great convenience to subscribers, who much appreciate the proposed-changes. Personal.—Miss Sadie Brown, a former, pupil in the secondary department of the Alexandra District High School, has been notified that she has secured her B.A. degree. Miss Brown has had quite a brilliant Scholastic career. She entered the school holding a junior national scholarship, and then qualified for a senior bursary. At the conclusion of her course at the high school, she was granted a higher leaving certificate, and entered the Dunedin Training College as a student. Miss Brown is to be congratulated on her achievement, and it is to be hoped that ehe will attain to even higher academic honours. lILMSBEN. : January 20.—For the past week there has been a great deal of warm north-west winds, which at times have almost amounted to a gale. The surrounding country has now assumed a parched appearance, and ‘the various seed crops are ripening rapidly. ■ Tennis.—The second round for the Campbell Cup competition yjks commenced on Saturday. 15th inst.. when a team from Wendonside journeyed to Lumsden, where a match was played. The heavy wind was against good play, and, being holiday 'time and three of the first grade ladies being away, second grade players .filled their places. Notwithstanding this handicap, the Lumsden team proved the superior, winning by 11 spts to 5. The players were Misses Belsham, Campbell, Allen, and Kirkpatrick, Dr Brown, Messrs J. Ogilvy, D. Ogilvy, and Aitcheson. The visitors were entertained to afternoon tea by .the local ladles.-.c- • ■.

<u^? nera ' —P n Wednesday a large and well-’ filled .excursion train 1 passed through Lumsden, en route for Kingston. -This train contained employees and friends of -the firm of H. and J. Smith, of Invercargill,.: who were holding their annual picnic in Queenstown.rrOn the 19th inst. a large number of Terri-

torials, with their officers, arrived in Lumsden, en route for Castle Rock, where the annual camp is being held. They expect to be in camp about 10 days.—The swimming events which were to be held a week ago did not eventuate, the weather being rather cold for evening races. Preparations are being made to hold the annual swimming carnival on Saturday, 29th inst., weather permitting. FERNDALE. January 20. —The spring and the summer up till about Christmas was as wet as it could be—rain, enow, and hail. For a week or two we had a few fine hot days. The last few days have been showery. There has been a great growth of grass this year. In fact, fruit trees and other trees have shown a great growth of new wood this year, as well as grass. Turnips are coming away well. The showery weather is all in their favour. The milk supply this year ha s been good, but the cows are going back now. Obituary.—Mr David Graham died at his residence on December,, 10. The deceased gentleman had had a bad cold, in spite of which he went on with his work till pleurisy and pneumonia set in, and carried him off very quickly. Mr Graham was one of the first, in company with his brother, to take up land on the Waiarikiki Settlement, where he had been living for 13 years. He leaves a widow and four small children to mourn their los's. Picnic.—The ‘Ferndale picnic was held in Mr Bristow’s paddock, opposite the school, on January 12, The day was glorious, and young and old enjoyed themselves. Mr Larsen’s lorry brought a crowd up from Mataura, and motor cars conveyed most of the rest of the picnickers, though there were a few gigs also. Gigs are getting to be looked on as a relic of old days, but, given a good day, there is really greater enjoyment ridjng in a gig than in a covered car. With the busy farmer, though, it is a matter of getting there and back as quickly as possible, and the day is not far off when ■motors will be the only vehicles on the road. ASHBURTON COUNTY. January 21. —.Shearing was interrupted by a fall of snow on the hill country, but the week has been the hottest this summer, shade temperatures of 91 degrees being registered at Mount Somers and Per.darves. A a minimum night temperature of 60 degrees at the former place was the highest yet registered. There was a general rain of nearly an inch over the whole country. Around Hakatere the wheat crops are a picture, standing in many cases over 6ft in height, well-filled and even. In most districts harvesting is general. Crops of clover are particularly good. At the weekly sale of stock there was a fair attendance of the public 4 but a small yarding. Wheat growers in conference at Ashhurt-on made very little progress towards the realisation of their objects, and a combined meeting of all interests is to be held to obtain united action. In early Algerian oats round i'endarves take-all has affected about 10 per cent., but Gartons are free. Grass seed of heavy yield and good quality has been gathered, and underneath is a good growth of red and white clover. In wheat the Idst frosts have caused the appearance of white heads proving empty of grain. A most striking effect of the application of superphosphates to red clover on twitch land is visible at Willowby. In the untreated part there is a sparse, indifferent growth of three inches, but on the part dressed with 2001 b of 44-46 super, to the acre last August there is a rich succulent herbage, that makes the owner undecided whether to save it for seed. As the carrying capacity has been raised from one and a-half to three ewes an acre, the farmer concerned is done with wheat when he can renew his pasture* so easily and get added returns from sheep. Anama Homestead To Pass.—Mr C. J, Peter has decide. to- place the . “Anama” homestead under the hammer. This will put an- end to the old-time trail so far as as sociations are concerned. The old track came up the Wakanui road, crossed near Wills street West, passed the water tower, and across the river. Till quite recently old coins were unearthed on the route —those huge “Brownies” with views of Mount Egmont and Mount Cook, and bearing the oldtime advertisements. Those with ’dungarees” and billies made for Hon. W. S. Peterls estate where all and sundry were welcome. If work wag scarce they went on to Mr Barker’s at Peel Forest. Anama estate contained 30,000 acres, and included Gawlor Downs, Hekeao Government Settlement, and land on the Hinds River. In 1877 the late Mr E. G. Wright bought Gawlor Downs, and in 1897 the Government bought 2000 acres for closer settlement. The present owner, Mr Charles Petsr, took control in 1803, when the estate covered 3000 acres. This land once produced crops of 75 bushels of oats an acre. The Hon Peter was in the Legislative Council from 1869 until his death in 1891. Generous-hsarted and genial, his home was sought by the cultured, the intellectual, and the sundowner. Sport and Pastimes.—Two cricket matches were completed, when Ashburton B beat Mavfield, and ■ Ashburton A beat Fairfield. St. Stephen’s juniors defeated Faarfie.d. Ashburton A bowlers beat Rakaia by 71 to 66, and Ashburton B beat Methven by 102 to 57,—Another rifle match, was fired by the town defence club, and was again won by D. F. Kair rather easily. In future matches the winner will be. penalised two points for the week succeeding.—There was a large attendance at the first 1 carnival of the Trnwald Swimming Club, held iii ideal weather.—The public hall, school/ cricket club, and tennis club .of Fairton have combined to share the proceeds from weekly euchre games, the-.first of 'which was very succesful.—fit. Stephen’s troop of Boy Scouts to the number of 24, under Scouter Childs assisted by Scouters Arust and M’Elrea,’ went on a 34 mile .trek to Mount Peel. Provisions and packs weighing over a ton were conveyed by motor trailers.—Over the week-end only a. few good fish were caught at the mouth of the Ashburton, but later there was a heavy run of .kahuwai, Mr M. Ewan landing 72. .: The Rakaia and Rangitata were in good :order, but abundance of feed made sport poor. In the Gorge lakes north-west winds made conditions unfavourable—Hot weather is making Hakatere popular ■ as a picnic resort, 1 large numbers journeying to revel in the sea breezes; and indulge in fishing, bathing, • and picnicing. <■ ■ •'.•••. ■Modern Facilities from Dunedin and Christchurch -and from a firm of Dunedin

architects have reached the Ashburton Electric Power Board for information about electrio _ heating, and numerous inquiries and inspections have been made by visiting engineers and . others. During the past month work has gone khead in Eiffelton and Longbeaoh, and heavy work on’ the Blackbridge line. The board's engineer, Mr H. G. Kemp has agreed to the request of the Power Boards’ Engineers’ Association to deliver a paper at their conference on “Commercial Heating and Electrification of Hospitals.”—After much, agitation the question of a local school dental clinic has taken definite shape. A room at the East Ashburton school has been approved by a visiting official, and a dental nurse is available for work in all local schools.