NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3868, 1 May 1928, Page 25

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. OAMARU SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS. At the annual meeting of the Oamaru Society of Musicians the report and balance sheet, as read, were adopted. The following are the office-bearers for the ensuing year:—President, Mr J. B. Fergusson; vice-presidents, Misses Hood and H. Cartwright; council—Mr Burry, Misses Diehl, Duggan, M. Cartwright, M'Quade, and J. Diehl; secretary and treasurer, Mr C. W. Naylor, vice Miss Hood, who declined election for the coining year. Advantage was taken to congratulate Mr Burry, who has just completed his twenty-fifth year as organist at St. Luke’s. After business was concluded, supper was partaken of, and social intercourse between the members present made a fitting end to a very enthusiastic meeting. THE MAIN HIGHWAYS. A ratepayer of the Waitaki County, Speaking to our representative on Thursday, expressed the hope that the Council would not pass Cr Rodman’s resolution, bringing the main highways into the general account, without full consideration. He stated that if the resolution were given effect to many ratepayers in the back country, who have little interest in the main highways, cis they seldom use them, would have their rates substantially increased. The ratepayer is of opinion that before so radical a change is made a plebiscite should be taken. OAMARU RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION. The eleventh annual meeting of the Oamaru Returned Soldiers’ Association was held in the association’s rooms on Thursday evening. Mr Grater presided. The report and balance sheet, whicn showed a very sound financial position, was read and adopted. The election or officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr H. Grater; vicepresident, Mr Guthrie; chairman of executive, Mr M. Patterson; treasurer, Mr J. T. Adams; hon. solicitor, Mr Hamilton; hon. auditor, Mr Robinson; executive members —Messrs C. J. R. Mollison, R. E. Dimick, N. M. Fraser, O. Glynn, H. C. Jeffery. A. G. Smith, G. Williamson, W. C. Smith. I. Paterson, W. J. S. Grater, J. T. Adams. The Rev. Mr M’Lcau spoke of the good work done by the members of the executive, and also by Mr Colquhoun (the secretary) . Some discussion arose as to members of the friendly society having their pensions reduced and those who were receiving lodge dues having their pensions stopped, while a person who could not join a lodge received his pension.—The executive was empowered to deal with the matter. Mr Guthrie mentioned that some of the memorial trees had been sadly neglected, and it was decided that the executive should approach the civic authorities. It was decided to send letters of thanks to the Victoria League and numerous helpers who had made Poppy Day such a success. Oamaru had shown a larger increase than any other town for Poppy Day. A RAINY WEEK. The past week has been a wet one in North Otago, rain falling nearly every day. Operations on the farm have, in consequence, been restricted. ’Hie threshing mills have been practically idle, and chaffcutters have done very little work. .Tnc ground is in good order for ploughing, and teams nave been at woik on many farms. The indications are that autumn sowing will be on a larger scale than last . year. An early winter is promised, and it is satisfactory to note that adequate provision has been made for winter feeding Stock generally is in good condition, and the pastures are looking remarkably well. The number of lambs coming off the turnips ' and rape crops shows no signs of diminishing, and the slaughtering season is likely to continue well into the month of June Dairying is, of course, drawing close to the stage when the production of cream will be at its minimum. Nevertheless, the yield of butter-fat is well up to the average. The prospects for the winter are in every respect looking bright. INTERESTING FIGURES.

In the course of the discussion of the question of road maintenance at Friday’s meeting of the Waitaki County Council, some interesting figures were quoted. Cr Rodman stated that according to a return that had been prepared, the cost of the maintenance of main highways in the country had lieen as follows: Moeraki £390, subsidy £597; Atepopo £290 and £436; Kakanui £99 and £149; Papakaio £735 and £1103: Awamoko £271 and £407; Otekaike £B2 and £224; Waiareka £267 and £4Ol. There were 15 miles of highway in Moeraki, eight in Otepopo, seven in Kakanui. and 12 in Papakaio. In addition, Papakaio had 12 miles of the Kurow road, Awamoko nine miles of the Kurow and Ngapara roads, Otekaike 14 miles of Kurow road, and Waiareka 151 miles of the Ngapara road. The cost of "upkeep in the various ridings of mam highways was: —Moeraki £/4 a mile, Otepopo £ll3, Kakanui £69. Papakaio £93, Awamoko £lO7, Otekaike £3B, Waiareka £6B. _ . , Cr Munro, in his speech in opposition to Cr Rodman’s proposal, stated that Moeraki under the new scheme would pity £133, and Ahuriri would pay £216 19s 6d and get nothing in the way of a highway. Moeraki would be getting, for every £1 of expenditure under the new scheme, £8 10s 9d expended, whereas Oturehua would get 12s 4d. Other ridings were similarly situated, but the differences were not so marked. Cr Muuro eaid that Kakanui spent £543 which cost the riding £217, whereas under the amended scheme it would cost £261 7s Id. Moeraki spent £1269 8s lid, which cost £509 15s 7d, but under the suggested scheme the cost would be £133 3s. Otepopo spent £664 19s at a cost of £265 19s 7d, which, under the proposal, would be reduced to £212 0s lid. Incholme spent £1 17fi 6d at a cost of 15s. Under

the suggested scheme the cost would be £251 9s lOd. Ahuriri in the past had spent nothing, but would have to spend under the new system £216 out of its road rates.

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION. The monthly meeting of the. North Otago Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held on Friday, Mr D. Rodger occupying the chair. The Chairman expressed regret that their vice-presi-dent (Mr Murray) had sustained a stroke, and could not be present. He said that everybody would hope that Mr Murray would be speedily restored to health. The Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Company intimated the date of the annual meeting and asked for nominations for the directorate. —No’action was taken. The Wheat Research Committee wrote requesting the nomination of a delegate from North Otago to the committee, which is to meet in Christchurch on Wednesday next.—The Chairman could not see that much benefit would be derived from appointing a delegate.—The communication was received.

The Wheatgrowers’ Committee wrote suggesting a levy of one farthing per sack on wheat for the purpose of meeting the expenses of the committee.—The Chairman said he could not see how the lew could be collected—Mr R. Walker stated that the wheatgrowers had not been consulted. The merchants had no power to make deductions without the consent of the grower.—The Chairman stated that a sum of 10s Id had been deducted from his cheque on account of wheat research. —lt was decided that the matter of a levy for the Wheatgrowers’ Committee be held over until next meeting. Accounts amounting to £3 17s were passed for payment. A circular letter was read from the secertary of the proposed- wheatgrowers’ association of North Canterbury, asking that a delegate be appointed to a conference to discuss the question of the formation of a pool.—The Chairman stated that Mr R. B. Meek was in favour of the scheme. The articles of association were fairly lengthy, and would require some consideration.—lt was decided that consideration of the matter be deferred until next meeting.

A circular letter was received in- reference to the formation of a rural intermediate credits association.—Received

Mr R. B. Meek stated that the millers had made, a proposal in regard to next year s wheat. This was only done to zet the wheatgrowers on the run. A conferenece was being held in Christchurch that da v to consider the question cf a pool. He hoped that the growers would not enter into negotiations with the millers. Mr Meek said he. was much impressed by the Rangiora pool scheme, and he read a telegram from Mr Rtuldenklau, stating, that the Wheatgrowers’ Committee and Rangiora Committee were jointly discussing the matter, and it was hoped that a definite decision would be reached.

Mr D. J Ross was appointed to renresent the executive at the quarterly meeting of the Dominion Executive at Wellington on Thursday next. The Dominion Secretary forwarded amended rules regarding the admission of women's division to the union.—On (he motion of Mr Ross. it. was decided to sup port the amended rules Mr D. J. Ross brought up the question of tho inadequacy cf sheep trucks during the busy season. He stated that farmers were greatly handicapped under the existing conditions —It was decided that the matter be brought, up as a remit at the Dominion Conference. The Secretary stated that, tho petitions in opposition to the Davlight Saving Act had been largely signed, and would be sent, forward on Monday. A YEAR’S REVIEW. At Friday’s meeting of the Waitaki Electric Power Board, the Engineer-man-ager (Mr Dalmer) gave a brief review of the operations of the past year. He said: —

“ I have obtained a few approximate figures of last year's result-, though, of course, it will not be possible to give exact details for a little while yet. Our sales of current have totalled some £24.700, as against £16,173 last year—an increase of over 50 per cent. The units generated and obtained from the Government supply have been 2.674.028, as against 1,213,089 last year, while our maximum demand has been 666 K.W., or probably 820 K.V.A. as against 452 K.W. or 560 K.V.A. last year. There will be some profit from sales of apparatus and from installing work, etc., but this is not available yet. ’* “ After allowing for interest and •e.her capital charges, and also some £5300 for depreciation and for renewal reserve, there will be over £4OOO nett profit on the year’s working, and as before ridiculed, I believe we can safely consider some slight reduction in our high rate lighting unit charge, and possibly in our cooking rate. I have no hesitation in recrmmending a reduction in the high rate lighting charge of 9d per unit, to B'l per unit. This will affect some 1300 consumers to the extent of probably' 5s or 10s per annum each on the average. This change would not of course affect these consumers still paying the wattage charge, but they are at liberty to change oyer to the residential rate No. 1 =f desired. A reduction in the cooking rate from 2d per unit to per unit would inear a reduction of £2 10s per annum in most cases, and possibly more in those cases where, the sliding scale is taken advantage of, in the case of high guarantees. I estimate the immediate loss for the lighting reduction of Id per unit, at about £650 per annum, while for a reduction in the cooking charge the loss might amount to between £550 and £650, depending upon the adjustment of the sliding scale, which at present is 2d, Ijd, and Id per unit for varying numbers of units used per month. The loss might therefore be some £l2OO or £l3OO, if no greater uses were made by the consumers affected, but I believe that greater uses would reduce the loss to under £lOOO, while the much larger number of consumers who would adopt electric cooking would very soon yvipe out any- loss and greatly increase the revenue.

“ Other details of the year’s operations show that some 780 applications for supply of all kinds have been dealt with, of which no less than 288 have been for extensions •and alterations to existing installations, also a number’ of temporary supplies, and the new installations have been 479, though actual connections have

probably exceeded this owing to the number of jobs in hand at the beginning of the year. Details will be available, however, shortly. “ The total number of transformers now erected in town and country is 273, of which 30 are in the town and the rest in the country; while the capacity of same is a total of 3432 k.v.a., of which 1553 is in, the town and 1879 in the country. This, of course, includes the power house and substation installations. No less than 204 transformers are single phase, r.nd 68 are three phase. “ During the year supply has been given to the Papakaio and Waitaki districts, Kauroo Hill and Incholme, Hampden, Moeraki and Kartigi, Island Cliff and Tokarahi, Kokoamo and Duntroon, and Otekaike. while just recently Otiake and Kurow have been livened up. Also several small branches and extensions have been erected in various districts. Some 150 route miles of lines- have been built, making the total approximately 310 miles of route line to date. Some 2700 main line poles were erected, besides a large number of private and service line poles, making the total poles erected to date considerably oyer 6000, with probably some 800 service and private line poles, or a grand total of about 7000 poles of all kinds. About 550 miles of wire and cable have been used in the year, the total mileage of wire and cable in the board’s system, with services, now amounting to over 1200 miles.

“ Considering the number of men employed o our country work during the year, the above figures are very satisfactory, and arc a credit to all concerned. Many farmers have commented favourably on the good progress made in their respective districts. We have also to express our appreciation to the officers of the Public Works. Post and Telegraph, and Railways Departments for the very prompt and courteous manner in which they have always attended to our requirements. and not infrequently it has been due to the kindness of these gentlemen that new districts have been livened up without delay.

“A lady to whom we also are very much indebted is the board’s cooking demonstrator, Mrs D. Blyth. and there is no doubt that this lady’s expert knowledge, combined with a pleasing manner, has done much to popularise electric cooking. “The indications for the future are for very good progress and continual expansion, and the best means of ensuring that work can be carried on with< t any" holdup will demand careful consideration of finance, as well as provision of power, but there is no doubt that the board’s scheme is a very sound and successful one.” RUGBY FOOTBALL. . The North Otago Rugby Union continued its championship matches on Saturday. The weather was tine, but cloudy up till 4 o’clock, when a southerly buster set in, and in the latter stages of the play the ball was very •Teasv' The defeat of Old Boys by Excelsuor ((/points to 6) was rather unexpected, but on the day there is very little doubt that the to , ani won - Maheno defeated Athletics by IS points to nil. WAITAKI POWER SCHEME. The Mayor of Christchurch (the R-v J K. Archer) accompanied by Mr D. 'g’ SuLivan M.P., Crs Sharp and Deaven. Mr 1 C ‘ lc ° cl \.' gc . !l 9 ral manager of the Chiistchurch Municipal Electricity Dewartand Mr J. Bitchener, M.P., arrived at Oamaru by the second express on Kri day and were met by Mr J M. Forrester (chairman) and Mr J. Dalmer (engineer and manager of the Waitaki Elec-trie Dower xti '-rx 1 - v wero entertained at dinner at tho Queen s Hotel in the evening, when there were also present: Messrs E P Lee M.P., Frang Srawshaw (Mayor), C. v\'’ Kent (town clerk), J. M'Laren (county clerk), R. Mahan and J. M’Diarmid (members of the Waitaki Power Board) and Mr W. Atkinson (secretary). Mr Forrester and the Major extended a cordial welcome to the visitois. During arf informal talk after the dinner, Mr Archer expiessed thanks for the warm welcome, anj hoped they would be successful in prevailing upon the Government to begin in earnest the development of the Waitaki project immediately Messrs Sullivan and Bitchener also expressed the opinion that all should combine to push forward the energetic prosecution cf' the work. Crs Sharp and Bea ven and Mr Hitchcock en dorsed the remarks and Mr Dalmer voiced the urgent need for members of the House, to use their united influence. It was decided that all Canterbury and North Otago members combine towards bringing the scheme to fruition at the earliest possible date. Mr E P. Loe was named as chairman or convener of the committee. The visitors, accompanied by members of the Wai’ iki Power Board and Mr E. P. Lee proceeded to Kurow on Saturday morning and inspected the various sites on the Wai taki River They wero much impressed by the possibilities of the subsidiary power slation that is to be erected, and expressed the hope that every .effort would be made to induce the Government to speed up the work. The party returned to Christchurch by the afternoon express. PRICE OF FAT SHEEP. The price of fat lambs, ewes, and wethers was advanced another Jd per lb yesterday. This is the third advance that has been made during the past month, and pastoralists are naturally elated.