THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3830, 9 August 1927, Page 35

THE COUNTRY.

LAKE COUNTY.

August 4.—During the past week fine weather has been experienced, with fairly hard frosts at nights. Football.—The first match in the third round of the Wakatipu Cup competition was played at Arrowtown on Saturday last, when Queenstown and Arrowtown teams met. The ground was very soft, and good football was out of the question. Arrow won by 9 points (three tries) to nil. The Rev. Father Ardagh was referee. As a curtain raiser to the above match Queenstown and Arrowtown schoolboys tried conclusions, the Queenstown boys winning easily by 29 to nil. Mr W. Dakers was referee. A Lake County team plays Vincent at Alexandra on the 13th inst.

Death.—The death occurred at Dunedin on Sunday last of Mrs Mary Boyd Boyes, a former proprietress of Laurel Bank House, Queenstown. Personal.—Mr and Mrs Andrew Jansen, of Lower Shotover, who have been spending the winter in Australia, returned home on Monday last.—Mr H. Bridgeman, kinematographer from the Government Publicity Department, is at present in the district for the purpose of taking pictures of the district for advertising purposes. He is at present at the head of the lake.—Mr and Mrs J. W. Miller, of Wharehuanui, left yesterday morning for Christchurch for the Grand National meeting.—Mr R. Munro, stock inspector, Queenstown, is at present on his annual leave. He and Mrs Munro are on a visit to Timaru.

Mining.—There is some activity in quartz mining at Skippers. Mr J. R. Tripp is in charge of prospecting operations at the old Crystal mine at Skippers Point, and it is reported that payable stone has been struck. —Mr T. Shore, who took up a prospecting license in the vicinity of Butcher's Creek, has also done some prospecting, but the severe frosts have retarded operations.— The Kawarau Consolidated has completed the wing dam at claim 94, Gibbston, and a paddock is now being put down. A depth of 14ft has been reached, and the company is in hopes of thoroughly testing the ground before the opening of the gates on the 15th inst.

OTAUTAU. August 4. —At a special congregational meeting in the Otautau Presbyterian Church it was decided that the erection of a new church be proceeded with immediately, and a contract was let to Henry White, the price being £2425. °“ Bowling Social.-—A very successful smoke concert and presentation of trophies was attended by over 50 bowlers and friends. The function was held on the stage of the Town Hall, and Messrs N. M'Gorlick and H. R. Millar (president and secretary of the Southland Centre) were in attendance. The representative of the club on the centre (Mr J. Parmenter) was also present. Mr G. Sinclair, president, occupied the chair, and extended a hearty welcome to the visitors. At a convenient interval in the proceedings Mr M'Gorlick was called upon to present the Gordon Cup and the rose bowl to Messrs W. Scatter and F. Duncan (winners of the Champion Singles and President's Handicap respectively), congratulating them on their win. He trusted that the winning of these trophies would make them take a more keen interest in the game. Mr Loudon was entrusted with the presentation of a collar box to Mr D. Papps, winner of the colt's competition ; and bowl bags to Messrs Lumsden and Lea as the winners of the Handicap Doubles. Suitable responses were made in each case. Before dispersing Mr Sinclair thanked the performers, the accompanistes (Mesdames Cuppies and Burns), and all who had in any way contributed to th ■ success of the evening. The singing of “ Auld Lang Syne ” and “ God Save the King ” terminated a very successful function. WAIKAIA. August s.—August has commenced with delightful sunshine every day, and very hard frosts at night. The warm sunshine soon melts the frost in the mornings. There is still deep snow on the tops of the Dome, Steeple, Cameron, and Whitcombe Mountains. The orchards are being attended to. Next week it is hoped to get the kitchen gardens put in order if the hard frosts are not too severe. P.W.M.U.—The monthly meeting of the P.W.M.U. was held in the church on Thursday afternoon, wh’en a fair attendance was present. Mrs Handyside presided. Personal. —Nurse Milne is on holiday from Dannevirke Hospital, visiting her parents and old friends. All are very delighted to have the pleasure of seeing her. Death.—Oire of the oldest residents of Waikaia, Mrs Moffat, passed away in her sleep at Invercargill on July 24, aged 89 years. Mrs Moffat, who was born at Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Scotland, in 1838, came to Otago in ISG3. She was married in Dunedin to Mr Richard Moffat, of Waikaia, and lived at Huntly Farm. Mrs Moffat was most highly esteemed for her kindnesses and helpfulness in the hour of sicknCSs. She was a friend to all around her. Mr and Mrs Moffat retired from farming about 20 years ago, and went to reside with their daughter, Mrs Fenn, at Invercargill. Mr Moffat died a few years ago. Mr T. D. Moffat, their son, taking over Huntly Farm. Mrs Moffat had another son (who was drowned when a child) and seven daughters: Mrs Fewings. of Waikaia ; Mrs Horrells (deceased) ; Mrs Horrells, of Riversdale; Mrs F. Christie (deceased): Mrs Fraser: Mrs M‘Dowell: and Mrs Fenn, of Invercargill. By her will she leaves legacies of £lOO to the Bible Society, Dunedin, and £lOO to the British and Foreign Bible Society, London. HERBERT. August s.—The annual meeting of the Herbert sub-branch of the Plunket Soctetv was held at Dr Trotter’s house on Saturday : present—Mesdames Trotter, Taylor, Campbell, Hove, William Wilson, and Marshall, and Miss Irvine. All .retiring officers were re-elected, namely, president, .Mrs Trotter; vice-presidents. Mrs Hore and Mrs Couch : secretary and treasurer. Miss Irvine. The financial position was discussed. Personal.—Mr William Saunders-Loder, who has been a resident of this district for many years, left on Friday for his new home in the 'Waikato district. Prior to his departure he was presented with a gold watch and chain from the residents of the district as a tangible token of the esteem in which he was held. Farm Work.—Owing to the heavy rain team work on the farms is at a standstill, otherwise the farmers would have been busy with sowing crops, hundreds of acres of ground being ready for the seed. Stock is in good condition, and the country is looking well.