The Country

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 35

The Country

LAKE COUNTY. August 18.—Slight frosts are still being experienced, but the weather is good. Ladies’ Hockey.—A team from the Clyde Club visited Queenstown on Saturday, and defeated Queenstown by 4 goals to 1. Miss H. Keddel shot the four goals for the winners. Basket Ball.—The Arrow Public School basket ball team played two matches at Queenstown on Saturday last. In the first match they were defeated by Queenstown Convent by 8 points to 4, and in the second Arrow defeated Queenstown Public School by 5 to 4.

Football.—There was no football played in the district on Saturday, Lake County playing Vincent at Alexandra on that day. An evenly contested game resulted in a win for Lake by 10 (two converted tries) to 8 (two tries, one converted). Vincent did not have’its best team, nine of the players being in Dunedin taking part in Country Week.

Accident.—Bruce Wallace, 17 years of age, second son of Mr and Mrs Wilson Wallace, of Frankton, had the misfortune to lose the top of his left thumb last week. Messrs It. N. Grant and Tlhas Hansen were sawing wood on the latter’s property with a circular saw. The lad was alongside throwing the blocks away as they were being cut, when his thumb came into contact with the saw, with the result that the top was sliced oft above the nail. Dr Anderson, who attended to the injury, found it necessary to amputate the thumb at the first joint. The Arrowtown Mayoralty.—At a special meeting of the Arrow Borough Council the resignation of Mr L..E. Adams as Mayor was accepted. A deputation from the council waited on Mr Adams, and asked him to reconsider his resignation, but he stated that he had definitely made up his mind to retire owing to health reasons. The returning officer was instructed to take steps to till the vacancy. Cr James Shaw was appointed Acting Mayor. Personal.—Mr J. P. White, who has been manager of the Queenstown branch of the Bank of New Zealand for the past four years, has received notice of his transfer, on promotion, to Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. During his residence in Queenstown Mr White has taken a keen interest in the welfare of the town. He was one of the promoters of the Queenstown Progressive League, and in his capacity of secretary for that, body rendered good service. He also took an interest in all branches of sport, and for the past two seasons has been captain of the Queenstown Cricket Club. Mr White, who will be leaving Queenstown early next month, will be succeeded by Mr A. H. Cooke, at present accountant at the Oamaru branch.-—Mrs F. A. Faris, of Alberta, Canada, who has been spending an extended holiday with her aunt, Miss Low, Arrowtown, left yesterday for Auckland, where she will join the Niagara for Vancouver.—The Rev. F. C. Long. M.A., who has been engaged in missionary work in North India for upwards of 1 C> years, gave lectures at Queenstown and Arrowtown during the week on “ Mission Work in India.” WAIKAIA. August I'J.—We are experiencing sunny days and frosty nights. Yesterday heavy showers of rain fell. This morning a fresh coat of snow is on the Dome. Steeple, Cameron. Titans, Whitcombe. and Umbrella Mountains, and on the Argyle Range. It is very cold, like winter. Showers of rain are falling on low country. Football.—The Riversdale A team journeyed to Waikaia to play the Waikaia B team in the Recreation Ground. It was a sunny afternoon, and many of the residents were present. The visitors won by 13 to 6. Hockey.—A test match was plaved at Balfour between Eastern and Northern. The annual representative fixture took place at Balfour on Saturday, August 13. The ground was in good order, and the turf dry and firm. The weather being very fine, a large gathering of the public was present. Miss G. Wilson's right arm was dislocated, the result of a fall, but lirst-aid was successfully rendered. Both teams did splendidly, Eastern scoring 5 goals to Northern’s 4. The teams were: Eastern—Misses I. Stewart (captain), V. Nichol, H. Crawford. C. Heeps, V. Wilson. Dayden. Milne, F. Allen. Edgar, P. Crawford, and G. Cranstoun ; Northern — Misses W. Staunton (captain). G. Wilson. K. Jopp. M. M’Kee, M. Small, W, Belsham. N. M’Donald, I. Barclay. M. Roy. J, Campbell, and M. Rutter. The referees were Messrs A. L. M’Jaw and A. D. Cracvford. SOUTH CANTERBURY. August 20.—At the close of the service at Orari Presbyterian Church, opportunity was taken to farewell Mr and Mrs John Henderson. The former was an active supporter and secretary for many years, while Mrs Henderson was a foundation member of the choir. After eulogistic remarks by Mr and Mrs Taylor. Miss Jean Patrick made a presentation of some Doulton ware. Hermitage.—ldeal conditions continue at Mount Cook, and daily traffic is increasing visitors coming from as far north as Auckland and as far south as Dunedin. A special car went through with a party organised by Professor R. M. Algie, of Auckland. Sir John and Lady Findlay were recent visitors. Fifty-seven pupils from the Timaru Boys' High School made a week-end excursion to Mount Cook. Opera.—Residents who were privileged to witness “Our Miss Gibbs.” by the Timaru Operatic Society, realise what an asset they have in their own town. Playing for two nights only the company scored a great success, and left , atrons with a taste for more. The interpretation of the play was impressive, and the music of a delightful and captivating order. Crops.—The winter-sown crops in Temuka district are showing well above ground. A liberal sowing of wheat was made during autumn, and winter and spring-sown crops of oats are still being put in. though last season’s price has tended to reduce the number. Ladies Hockey.—Supremacy in the senior section of the hockey tournament was won by Stafford A. Fairlie Girls’ High School won the junior event. ASHBURTON COUNTY. August 20.—The annual Oddfellow-s church parade was held on Sunday, when there was a large muster of Mayfield and surrounding districts Oddfellows present. The Ashburton Silver Band, under Conductor Osborne, headed the parade. The Rev. J. W. P. Dyer (vicar of Mount Somers) conducted the service, assisted by Mr Jamieson. Retirement.’—Constable O'Grady, stationed at Ashburton, is retiring from duty- at the end of- the mdnth owing to being medically unfit. Constable O’Grady has been 20 years in the police force, serving at Auckland. Christchurch. Dunedin, and Greymouth, and for the last six years at Ashburton.

Excursion.—The Railway Department has decided to run an excursion from Ashburton to Otira on Sunday, August 28, leaving here at 7.30 a.m.

Competitions.—Entries this year for the Ashburton Competitions are a record, there being 721 entries, as compared with 651 last year. The festival commences on August 30, and will last seven days. Debate.—At the fortnightly meeting of the Ruapuna Guild the evening took the form of a debate, the subject being “ Is International Disarmaments Desirable." A team from Mount Somers, consisting of Rev. J. W. P. Dyer, P. H. Jones, and H. Rutherford, took the negative, and Messrs H. W. Beaumont, J. Early, and E. Bennett took the affirmative. All the speakers were very interesting, and the subject gave plenty of scope for argument. The judge. Mr E. C. D. Withell, awarded Mount Somers team the winners of the debate.

Football.—Playing at Timaru. the Ashburton Technical School rugby football team defeated the Timaru Technical School team by 17 to 10 after a good match. Small Birds.—The Ashburton County Council has decided that it will not buy birds eggs and heads after this month. The use of poisoned oats, which could be obtained from the council’s office, had produced good results, and the council urged people to put down the pest by the use of the oats. WILLOWBRIDGE. August 20.—Since the long wet spell the weather this last week has been favourable enough for wheat sowing, with the result that teams have been pushing on with this work, and now a fairly large area is sown. Wheat sown before the weather broke after the dry spell is well above ground, and is looking exceptionally well. A month’s line sunny weather would be to the lilting of the farmers in general. The potato market is quiet, and there is . ot much trucking going on here. In former years, when the market was steady, the siding presented a much different aspect. With a shipping ruslt on as many as ?>0 odd trucks of potatoes have been loaded here in a day. Football.—The Huimai football team, who won the senior competition in Waimate this year, journeyed to Oamaru last Saturday to try conclusions with Old Boys, premiers in the Oamaru competition. The ground was very wet. and after a good game Old Boys won by 19 to 6. Huimai were unfortunate in being unable to field Bill Henshaw and the two Hayman’s. On Thursday last, however, they met Fairlie, winners of the Mackenzie honours, and after making a forward game of it they proved victorious by 12 to S. thus the Burnett Shield comes back to Willowbridge for another year. To celebrate, the Huimai Club held their ball on Thursday night. This proved to be one of the most successful balls ever held here. The music was of the best, being in the hands of Mrs Mansells orchestra. Mr A. Cruickshanks made an efficient M.C. During the evening songs were sung by Messrs J. Heath, senior, and A. Shrimpton, which were received with applause. WAIROA (Hawke’s Bay). August 20.—The weather throughout the Wairoa district for the past few weeks has been favourable, although August is usually counted upon as being our worst month. A few early lambs are to be seen about the district, and the countryside is fast casting off its cloak of winter. Signs are visible that spring is upon us. for willow trees are already in leaf, while early f ruit trees, shrubs, and spring bulbs are a mass of blossom. The main roads have dried up wonderfully well during the fine spell of weather, and the graders and roller are kept busy daily in levelling off and filling up -the many potholes brought about by the continual rains of last month.

Lime Works.—Very keen interest is being taken here in a report that an enterprising settler is about to establish lime works within a few miles of Wairoa. If this eventuates it will mark the greatest red-letter day in the history of farming in these parts, and will usher in a. new era of prosperitv. A great need of the Wairoa district is fertilisers, principally lime, at a price well within the reach of local farmers. Opossums.—A recent tourist from Dunedin while viewing the beauty spots of Wairoa was much surprised when walking through the beautiful Morere Bush, a fewmiles from Wairoa, to find innumerable traces of opossums. Having had considerable experience of these animals, he spoke of their rapid increase and destructive nature, and strongly advised Wairoa to bring the utmost pressure upon the Tourist Department. and to lose no time or expense in checking them. In speaking of the unexcelled beauties of this bush. ■ he stated that if the opossum pest is allowed to go unheeded in a few years the bush will be a memory only. Obituary.—lt is with regret that one records the severance of a link with Wairoa’s far-off days and of the district's earliest and much respected settlers, Mr Ralph Gardiner, whose death occurred in Napier recently. The deceased, who was in his ninety-eighth year, came out from the Home Country in 1850 with a detachment of old sappers and miners (afterwards called the Royal Engineers). The force was originally destined for South Africa, but in 1852 their destination was changed to New Zealand, where troubles were brewing with the Maoris. The deceased saw a considerable amount ot service in New Zealand, and right throughout the ’sixties -was in active service in the Wair«.a district. In the early 'seventies he was appointed road overseer to both the local County Council and Town Board, and held various positions of that nature up to about 18 years ago, when he retired into a quiet life. He had a wonderful use of his faculties. except sight, up to the last, and his many friends fully expected him to reach the century. About 12- months ago he left Wairoa to reside with his daughter in Napier after having resided continuously in the former place since 1860. He leaves a large family, all grown up, including four sons—Ralph. Charles. Arthur, and James—also five daughters—Mrs Cullen. Mrs Mayo (both of Napier), Mrs Hayes (Auckland), Mrs Dagg (Hastings), and Mrs Robinson (Morere). The number of grand and greatgrandchildren are too numerous to mention. The remains were interred at the Wairoa Cemetery in the presence of a large number of settlers. The Rev. J. A. Shardlow. vicar of St. Paul’s, officiated at the church and at the graveside/ Pig Breeders’ Association.—As a result of recent lectures in connection with the Farm School in Wairoa a Pig Breeders’ Association has been established, the following committee being elected :—President. Mr J. M. Taylor: secretary. Mr H. L. Harker: com • mittc-z—Messrs G. F. Jardine. A. T. Carroll. K. Shaw. S. Christie, E. Cullen, and R. Gilmo-e. It is hoped that in the near future the establishment of a bacon-curing factory will be accomplished.

Wedding.—A wedding which created a large amount of interest took place in St. Paul s Anglican Church, when Miss Mavis Fletcher (only daughter of Mr and Mrs G. Fletcher, of Wairoa) was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Mr T. B. Shepherd (of Samoa, only son of Mr and Mrs R. Shepherd, of Invercargill). The church was tastefully decorated by the friends of the bride, and to show the esteem in which the latter and her parents are held by the community was crowded to the doors.' The service was impressively conducted by the Rev. G. N. Watson, of Temuka, Otago, assisted by the vicar of Wairoa. the Rev. J. A. Shardlow, while Mr E. Wilson presided at the organ. The bride was given away by her father, and had for bridesmaid Miss E. Fox, of Hastings. Miss Joan Prebble and W. Sainsbury, of Wairoa, acted as flower girl and page respectively, while Mr W. Cassalls, of Invercargill, was best man. After the ceremony a large number of guests attended the wedding breakfast in the parish hall, where congratulations were extended to the happy couple, and the usual toasts were honoured. The bridal couple were the recipients of a large number of beautiful and valuable presents, and on the same day they left by car, en route to Auckland, where they will catch the steamer Tofua, which takes them to their new home in faroff Samoa. Obituary.—The sad death occurred here on Wednesday morning, the 17th inst., of Mr Albert Groves, the cause of death being an acute attack of bronchitis. The deceased was a retired fanner, and came to Wairoa several years ago. He was highly respected both as a citizen and as a faithful adherent of the Anglican Church. He leaves a widow and a family of six daughters and one son, to whom the sympathy of the community is given. Hockey.—The men’s representative hockey match Gisborne v. Wairoa, for the Single Cup and badges, was played at Wairoa on the 17th inst., and resulted in a victory for Gisborne, whose consistent combination and nippy tactics outclassed Wairoa. The result was : Gisborne, 2 ; Wairoa, 0. Concert.—There was a large attendance of the public present at the Waihua Hall on Wednesday evening, the 17th inst., the occasion of a grand concert given by the Wairoa Methodist Glee Club.