The Country

Otago Witness, Issue 3862, 20 March 1928, Page 35

The Country

OPHIR. March 17.—After an unusually warm and somewhat dry fortnight, 'a very beneficial' rainfall occurred last night. For the fire 15 days of this month For the first 15 doys of this month the maximum shade temperature averhigher than the usual March temperature. On the 3rd and 9th the mercury rose to 82.4 deg and 80.1 deg respectively, and slight touches of frost occurred on two night only. Light rains, amounting to 54 points,’ fell on the 4th and Bth of the month, but the very dry surface absorbed these very readily. However, yesterday afternoon, at 4.30, light drizzling rain began, which increased an hour later, and fell steadily for five hours, Rud made 92 points. This is the heaviest fall since March 23 last year, when 194 points were registered. Throughout yesterday the barometer was high (30.32 to 30.42 in), and the temperature very mild —the minimum on the grass last night being 48.4 deg. The barometer this morning is unusually high (30.50 in and the weather fine. Pastures and root crops for winter feed-will benefit to a great extent. WAITAHUNA. March 10.—The weather since Christmas has teen very hot. There is still plenty of feed, but farmers arc growing very anxious for a .good soaking rain, as the turnips are going off, and blight is making its appearance in the root crops. Dog Trials.—The collie dog trials were held in Mr Crane’s paddock again this year, and were very successful. The weather on both days was, it anything, a little too hot for both sheep and dogs. Most of the prizes went out of the district. Competitors came from far and near.

Flower Show.—The Horticultural Society held its autumn show on Saturday, March 3. The day and evening were beautifully fine, and the show was well patronised. The entries were not so good as in former years, but the season had been very wet before Christmas and very hot and dry afterwards, and frosty Just a week before the show, so that the flowers, beans, peas etc., were spoilt. Mr Clark, the judge, said that the roses and asters were very good, as now, and much stock is passing through its season.

Wool Sales. —There is great jubilation among the farmers over the prices obtained for their wool this year, and also for tho prices obtained for fat lambs. The Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association is holding fortnightly sales in Waitahuna just now, and much stock is passing through its hands at very satisfactory prices. Socials and Presentations.—Prior to leaving for West Siam Mr Jack M’Kenzie was tendered a social and presented with a Waterman fountain pen by the members of the Presbyterian Church. Jack is a valued member of the Presbyterian choir. Mr was also entertained to a social In the Athenaeum reading room at Waitahuna Gu«y. “Jack.” as he is familiarly known, is a general favourite, and will be missed by a wide circle of friends. His going will iv a distinct loss to the Waitahuna Brass \and and the choir. The test wishes of the district go with him to his new home.

Fire. Mr John Shaw was unfortunately burnt out of house and home about halfpast 11 on Wednesday night. It is n mystery how the fire started, as he had not lighted a fire at all that day. Nothing at all was saved, and Mr Shaw was lucky to escape with his life, as the house was ®^ c, : yth:n S was gone in an hour. Tnere is no insurance. Obituary.—The many friends in Waitahuna of Mrs Rodgerson and Mrs Oswin will sympathise with them in the sad loss they J 1 sustained by the death' of their fatlieZ t u'M ate Mr Cohen, M.L.C. Mr Cohen’s children spent many holidays in their chPri hood in Waitahuna, and ire well rememl bered here, and it is to their credit that it can be said of them that they ha-e not forgotten Waitahuna, as many can ten Acts of thoughtfulness and kindress are shown by them even to this dav-L™! Gisbornl Mr t\ Robor a M ‘ Ara 'eported from Gisborne. Deceased was a very old re«i. dent .of the Waitahuna district. OTAUTAU. March 15.—Prior to her denarfiire Whangarei, Mrs A. King, who has been J resident of the township for the past 34 en^ rta , lned b >‘ the citizens in tho town nail on Monday evening, when a gathering of 250 people assembled. The function t°° k tJ J e of a social and danco mugica) items being rendered by Miss M. Campbel) Mrs Snell, Mrs I. H. Brown, Miss Kcnowden, Mr Hogg, and Mr W. B. Ireland. The nts w were b y Mesdames K W R H °? e Tl M:ss E «“owden. « Burdett and R. B. Collett acted as M..C. s. At a convenient interval in the. proceedings Mr -W J. Wesney (chairman of the Town Board) referred in eulogistic terms to the faithful service the guest of the evening had rendered to the board as caretaker of the hall for 30 yearn, of the Masonic hall for .25 years, of the da v school for 21 years, and the N ational. Bank for 15 years, incidentally she had also collected £lOO in revenue for. the town' board through the hire of crockery. He asked Mrs Kin~ to accept a wallet containing £22 in recognition of the many years of service for Otautnu and the citizens. He wished her God-speed health, and happiness in her new home. Mr R. Seatier presented her with a fountain P^ n ’, a “ d r , G ’ B ’ Ban's. <m behalf of the .bootball Club, with a xylonite brush and comb. Rev. Mr Snell, Messrs Fisher, W Fraser, A. A. Liddell (on behalf of St.’ Andrew’s Scottish Society), H. D. Irving, and it. R.- Walker all added their eulogies of the guest’s good qualities. Mr L. J. Parmenter replied on behalf of Mrs King, thanking the speakers for their kind remarks, and"’ the people for their gifts, which, he was sure she would treasure for manv years to rrwne Hockey.—The annual meeting of the Otau- . tau Ladies’ Hockey Club was held on Tuesday evening. Mr J. C. Millar ’(President' presiding. The report showed that a successful ’ year had been experienced, and the balance sheet revealed a credit of £1 14s. The following officers were elected: President, Mr J. C. Millar (re-elected); vice-presi-dents, Messrs Corkhill, Collett. Rowan, Buchanan, M'Gill, and A. C. Mills; secreMuss O. Stroud (re-elected); captain, Miss Lock, deputy captain,. Mr? . CoTett; jommittee, office-bearers, ex officers',' ' nnd •Misses Harrington, Low, and Brown; dele-

gates to sub-union, Mrs Collett and Mr A. Buchanan, coaches, Messrs A. Buchanan and Cox. The subscription was fixed at 3s, with Gd registration fee. It was decided that the uniform be a black gymnasium frock, and gold blouse. It was decided to hold a dance early in April for the purpose of raising funds. EAST' TAIERL March IG.—On Saturday last the Taierl experienced a thunderstorm of unusual violence, which has given the stooks a thorough soaking, and retarded threshing operations. The rain, however, will freshen up the grass and also the turnips, which were beginning to show signs of blight. Welcome.—On a recent evening the members of the East Taierl Church met in Kinmont Hall to welcome the Rev. Alan Watson and his bride, who had just returned from their honeymoon trip. Mr Allan presided, and in a few words welcomed Mr and Mrs Watson with a bouquet of flowers. Later on Burn, on behalf of the ladies, presented Mrs Watson with a bouquet of flowers. Late on in the evening Mr Allan, on behalf of the congregation, asked Mr Watson to accept a roller top desk, and Mrs Watson a bandsome vase. The Rev. Mr Kennedy also addressed words of welcome to Mr and Mrs Watson. A musical programme was contributed by Misses Burn, Williams, and Aitcheson (Kaitangata), and Messrs Chisholm (Outram), Le Gal, and Stubbs (Dunedin), the gathering closing with supper and a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman.