NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 31

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. OAMARU HARBOUR BOARD. The annual meeting of the Oamaru Harbour Board was held on Tuesday, there being present: Messrs N. H. Hayes (chairman), J. M'Diarmid, G. Livingstone, R. K. Ireland, T. A. Munro, A. MTnnes, J. R. M'Culloch, J. A. Macpherson, and J. Gerrie. The annual statement of accounts was submitted by the secretary, and the annual report was read by the chairman.— In moving the adoption of the report, Mr Ireland stated that the position was highly satisfactory nad was a pleasing contrast to the position that existed at the time consolidation took place.—The motion was carried unanimously. The general meeting of the board was then held.

The Secretary read a statement in regard to the loan account. This showed that in the period between 1912 and 1927 a sum of £152,472 3s Id had been struck in rates, and a sum of £145,227 collected. TE: .nount expended in interest and sinking fund was £169,495 7s 3d. A sum of £31,707 13s Id had been transferred from the general account to the .oan account.— Mr Irelan . stated that instead of money u in F fbe general account from the loan account, it had been taken irom the g< leral account to meet interest and sinking f nd.—in answer to a question, the Secretary stated that during the last tour years no money had been taken from the loan account for the general account.— Some discussion took place upon the statement, and the Secretary stated that the increase in the amount collected in rates was due to the increase in land valuatlon?; He did not think there was anv possibility of reducing the rate, unless they were prepared to take money from the-general account to meet interest and sinking fund—ln moving that the statement be received and that the secretary be thanked, Mr Ireland stated that any misapprehension that existed would now be removed. He could not see how they could reduce their rates.—Mr Munro said he had formed an impression from the balance sheet which he now found to be erroneous.

Tac , Harbour Master (Captain Cox) reported that one oversea and 14 coastal vessels had visited the port during the lebruary ’ of a total tonnage of 12,584. H.M.S. Laburnum had visited the port, and also the steamer Matatua. The latter had a good despatch Accounts amounting to £991 4 S 3d were passed for payment. OBITUARY. The death occurred on Tueesday at the lesidenee of her daughter in Lee street Uamaru, of an old resident of North Otago m the person of Mrs Elizabeth hrancis, relict of Mr Emmanuel Francis, lhe deceased lady, who was in her eighty-seventh year, was born in Perthshire and came to New Zealand as a young single woman over 60 years a<»o and after her marriage in Dunedin came to tins part of the colony, where she was a resident of over 50 years. For a few y«ar s Mr and Mrs Francis lived in the tiakataramea district, and then removed to Duntroon, where Mr Francis engaged *9. miming. Later Mrs Francis had resided m Oamaru with her daughter. Mrs of Exe street. She leaves three daughter and one son, the latter being Mr M. c rancis, the well-known farmer of Duntroon. The daughters are Mrs J H Johnston (Auckland), Mrs R. Smith (Oamaru), and Mrs G. Jardine (Oamaru) Another old identity of North Otago in Mr Archibald M‘Neill, passed a wav a ! the Victoria Home in Oamaru yesterday m his eight seventh year. He was formerly a resident of Enfield. PUKEURI WORKS. Stock continues to come in freely to the Pukeuri freezing works. By the' end of tms week the number of lambs slaughtered ’? anticipated, aggregate 100,000. which will be 10,000 in excess of the number for the same period last year. The company will despatch 23,000 freight carcasses by the Ruapehu, which is due here on March 22. BANKRUPTCY CASE. The .application of Wheeler T. Cooper for his discharge from bankruptcy came before Mr Justice Sim again on Thursday. Mr Pollock stated that the liabilities amounted to £393. His' client was willing to consent to judgment for 6s 8d in the £ on this amount. The bankrupt was 50 years of age, and in indifferent health. His wife was also in poor health. The Deputy Official Assignee offered no objection to the arrangement proposed. His Honor made an order for immediate discharge, conditional on the payment of 6s 8d in the £, which amounts to £l3l in the aggregate. REDCASTLE PROPERTY. The property of the late Mr John Miller at Redoastle, comprising 174 acres, was offered at auction yesterday. It was passed in at £2l an acre. ■ FRIENDLY SOCIETY RECORD. Mr W. H. Hopkins, Mayor of Palmerston, has been present at every annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of Druids of Otago and Southland since the lodge was constituted 30 years ago. This is a record that few can claim. Mr Hopkins has occupied the position of 'grand president. A BROKEN WEEK. The past week has been a broken one in North Otago, rain having fallen on two days. This, being followed by' bright sunshine, will stimulate root crops and pastures, and will have no serious effect upon cereals. It was just what was required by the farmers. Harvesting is now well advanced, and the mills are active in all directions. Some of the spring-sown crops have yet to be cut, but these will all be in stook or stack in the course of a week. The digging of potatoes has commenced, and the yields are said to be farily satisfactory. Lambs have been fattening well during the last week or two, and the number of second quality lambs, reaching the freezing works has been reduced to a minimum. The

summer fallowing of land is still in progress in agricultural areas. With the restoration of the pastures the demand for store stock is expected to improve. The dairy season is beginning to draw in, and supplies of cream to the local dairy factories are diminishing every week. DAYLIGHT SAVING. Mr H- B. Meek introduced the question saving at Friday’s meeting of the North Otago A. and P. Association. He stated that the matter vitally affected the producers, and as they had now given the thing a trial they should be prepared to express an opinion. The matter was to be discussed by the Farmers’ Union. He mentioned the case of children who had to walk through paddocks and go to school with wet feet. The New Zealand Exporter had taken a vote, and 97 P er cent, were against daylight saving. Mr J. G. Macdonald said he was personally not in favour of daylight saving, but he thought the matter would ultimately come to a vote of the people. The Secretary: I like it at night, but uot in the morning. On the motion of Mr Cant, seconded by Mr W. Macdonald, it was decided that a vote of the meeting be taken upon the subject.

A s.iow of hands was taken. There was , a single hand held up in favour of daylight saving, and the whole 26 present held up their hands against it. It was decided that the result of the vote be sent to the member for he district and the Minister of Internal Affairs.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT. Mr Charles Grant met with a serious accident at Oamaru on Friday. When he was turning his horse and gig into a gateway a trace became unfastened, and a shaft of the gm was broken. Mr Grant fell heavily, ana suffered such inj'uries to his back that his admission to a private hospital in Oamaru was necessary. His condition is rather serious. BOWLING. A match between five rinks from the Awamoa and Waimate Clubs respectively was played on the Awamoa green on Saturday, and resulted in a win for Waimate by a margin of 14 points. The green was heavy, and play was a little erratic. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies, and was much appreciated. The results of the play were as follows (Waimate nmes being mentioned first): — Bray, Good, Dee, Granger 33, Tisdale, Gerrie, Buist, J. Robertson 10; Rattigan, Reilyl, Trezise, Pollock 29, Fogarty, Grant, Dunbar, C. C. Cook 6; Hay, M'Neish, Higgins, Rev. Nichols 11, M‘Narry, D. Thompson, Hodge, Walton 39; Batten, G. Manchester, Parry, Collett 20, Pygall, Russell, Rusbatch, Adamson 11; Franklin, Childs, Mitchell, Sage 15, M'Jennett, A. Robertson, Jenkins, Mollison 25. Totals: Waimate 106 ; Awamoa, 92. A' UNIQUE RECORD. St. Luke's parish has a unique record so far as its organists are concerned. Mr George Finch has been organist in the St. Luke's and Newborough churches respectively for a period of over half a century. On April 1 he will reach his eightieth birthday, and the occasion will be made one for celebration, in which th e Rev. D. Jamieson, vicar of Waikouaiti, will take part. Mr F. C. Burry has been organist at St. Luke's Church for 25 years, and his services are also to be recognised in a fitting manner. HILL CLIMB. The North Otago Motor Association was favoured with excellent weather for its hill climb at the coalpit, Enfield, on Saturday. There was a good attendance of spectators, who availed themselves of positions of vantage along the route. All the events wer e run off without any mishap, and the association is to be congratulated upon the efficient organisation. The results of the events were as follow: Touring cars ! up to 200 C.C.—J L. Passmore (Austin), 66sec, 1 : C. R. Hedges (Armstrong-Siddeley), 67sec, 2; W M'Dowell (Austin), 67 2-ssec, 3. Three entries. Touring cars, 2000 C.C. and over.—Mrs A M. Robertson (Chrysler), 52 2-ssec, 1; G T. Gillies (Dodge), 56isec, 2; Messrs Barr, MTntyre, Ltd. (Chrysler), 57 4-ssec 3 Six entries. Motor Cycles, open (under 3| h.p.).—T Stoddart (Harley Davidson), 51 4-ssec 1; John B. Martin (8.5. A. 55 4-ssec,’ 2; Richard N. Shaw (Douglas), 65 4-sse’c, 5. Four entries. Motor Cycles, open (3£ h.p. and over). — C. Rhodes (Royal Enfield), 48 2-ssec, 1; Messrs, Magorian and Thomas (Ariel), 49 2-ssec, 2 ; B. Lovergrove (Norton), 49 3-ssec, 3. Nine entries. Special Race.—C. Rhodes (Royal Enfield), 47sec, 1; Stoddart (Harley Davidson), 49 2-ssec, 2. ■ North Otago Motor Association’s Speed Championship (competitors given two tries). —Mrs A. M. Robertson (Chrysler), 51 l-ssec, 1; Maider (Chrysler), 55sec and 54 l-ssec, 2; W. L. Notman (Jewett), 55 3-ssec and 55sec, 3. Eight entries.