NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3854, 24 January 1928, Page 37

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

PETER PAN STATUE.

During the last few weeks scores of visitors to Oamaru have expressed their admiration of the Public Gardens, and particularly of the magnificent “ Wonderland ” statue presented by Mr Robert Milligan. Some of the visitors have suggested that the authorities would be conferring a boon were they to place one or two more seats in the vicinity of the statue A WINDFALL. It is reported that an Oamaru resident who followed a somewhat humble occupation, and who has been sought for several years by a firm of solicitors, has been advised that he has become heir to a fortune of several thousands of pounds through the death of a relative. He has been the recipient of many’ congratulations. FAREWELL~TO TEACHER. Mr W. T. Slater, headmaster of the Ngapara School, who has been promoted to the charge of the Stirling School, was entertained at a farewell social in the -\S a P ara P. a ’ A- Westlake, on behalf of the settlers, presented Mr Slater with a wallet of notea. and Mrs Slater with a handsome souvenir. On behalf of the Ngapara hockey team. Miss M'Kenzie presented Mrs Slater with a beautiful bouquet and suitable token. The Windsor Hockey Club also made a presentation to Mrs Slater. After a number of speakers had made eulogistic reference to the qualities of the guests of the evening, Mr Slater suitably replied, and the assembled joined in singing, “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” ANOTHER FINE WEEK. Another fine week for agricultural and pastoral pursuits has been experienced in North Otago, only one shower of rain having fallen. Farmers have been very busy" at haymaking and have gathered an abundant supply of fodder for the winter months. The reapers and binders have been busy on early’ oat crops, and in a week or two threshing operations may commence, though much of the Algerian oats is being converted into chaff. The wheat crops are in splendid condition and in some cases show signs of ripening. Cutting operations should commence in about three weeks’ time. Heavy drafts of lambs are now being taken to the freezing works, the last fortnight having topped them off. Shearing on the outer stations is well advanced, and should shortly be completed. The shortage of water is being severely’ felt in some quarters. The turnip and rape crops could scarcely look better than they’ do at present, though a good shower of rain would do them no harm. The cream supplies to the dairy factories continue to 'be well maintained. One farmer of the district made his second cut of lucerne during the week. SECONDARY ROADS. At a meeting of the District Highways Council (Group 15), held at Timaru on Thursday, the whole of the roads applied for by the Waitaki County Council as secondary roads, for tho purposes of sub sidy from lhe petrol tax, were accepted. These represent a total length of 83 j miles, including the thoroughfare from Kurow to Omarama. The roads have still to bo approved by the Main Highways Board. The total mileage app/ed for by the different County Councils iw the No. 15 group, and recommended, are as follow : —Ashburton 83 miles, Waitaki 73j, Waimate 68. Mackenzie 44, Levels 25, Geraldine 20;—total 331 miles. PERSONAL. The Rev. G W. Hunt, who lias for some years been pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Mcheno has received a unanimous call to the pastorate of St. David's Church at Upper Hutt (Wellington). The Res'. Mr Hunt intends accepting the call. WOOLLEN MILLS PICNIC. The Oamaru Woollen Mills employees hJd their annual picnic on Saturday at Puketeraki. The weather svas perfect, and over 250 took advantage of the excursion. A good programme of sports had been arranged, and this was carried through under the direction of an energetic committee. The outing was pronounced to be one of the most successful ever held under the auspices of the Woollen Mill employees. CRICKET. The Union Cricket Club journeyed to Seacliff on Saturday' to play a match with the Seacliff Club. The weather was ideal and the wicket was in excellent order. Seacliff won the toss, and decided to bat. Rivers and Hunter were the opening batsmen, and the former was bowled by a good ball from M'Donald at 4. Hunter batted well, and was caught by M'Donald after compiling 32. Milne was the only’ one of the remainder to reach double figures, and the innings closed with a total of 74 runs. In the second innings Williams was responsible for over half of the runs, Singleton being the only other player to reach double figures. M'Donald and Hubbard opened up for Union, and both were caught out after compiling 16 runs. Robertson and Meikle batted well, and between them made 44 runs. Gregoryreached 12, and was nicely bowled by Keogh. The innings closed for 114.