NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 52

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. OBITUARY. The death occurred in a private hospital in Oamaru on May 7 of Mr Charles Grant, a well-known and highly respected Bettier of Awamoa. The deceased was ibout 60 years ‘of age, and had lived practically all his life in North Otago. His father was one of the first white men to walk from Christchurch to Dunedin. The late Mr Grant met with a serious accident some months ago, and from this he pever recovered. He was an active member of the committee of the North Otago A. and P. Association, and was an excellent judge of draught horses. During the last few years he had suffered heavy bereavements in the death of his wife and other members of bis family. The xuneral takes places this afternoon. Mr Grant was born in West Taieri, and was the eldest son of Mr Peter Grant, of Gowrie. He was educated at the old grammar school in Oamaru, and, after leaving school, he worked on his father’s farm at the Taieri. He subsequently farmed on his own account at Hindon, and 36 years ago he returned to North Otago and took up a farm at Awamoa which he worked successfullly ever since. He was married to a daugnter of Mr Malcolm Carmichael, of Taieri, who predeceased him a year or two ago. THE FIRST EUROPEAN. The question of who was the first European to settle in North Otago has frequently been asked, but no authentic answer has been given. It is believed, however, that Mr James Saunders, better known as “ Jimmy the Needle.” had the - distinction. He was a pakeha-Maori who lived on the banks of the Waitaki River. Ho was married to a Maori, and derived his pseudonym from the fact that he was a very tall, thin man, with disproportionately long legs. The first man to settle in Oamaru was Mr Hugh Robison, who had a clay hut on the bank of the stream that now passes under Thames street at the southern end. PRICE OF LAMB. The price of all weights of lamb was increased in North Otago on May 7 by per lb. This represents an increase of 9d on a 361 b lamb, and 10id on a 421 b lamb. The season opened with lamb at 9fd per lb. Various increases have been made, until the price to-day is 11 3-8 d per fb. Farmers are naturally elated at the trend of the market, but consumers of mutton and lamb view the situation from a slightly different angle. DEER CULLING. A party of Oamaru sportsmen, consisting of Messrs James Robertson, W. Doig, and J. B. Currie, who have been on a deer-culling expedition to the backblocks, accounted for 71 heads, nearly the whole of which were malformed. HUNTING IN NORTH OTAGO. The Waimate Hunt Club recently’ held a hunt in North Otago. Thirteen horses from Waimate took part, but only three from North Otago. The result was so disappointing that the Waimate people do not think it worth while trying to I’evive hunting in this district. HARVEST RETURNS. Our representative has been able to w secure further threshing returns for North Otago from reliable sources. These show that the high average promised early in the season is being well maintained. Mr R. Elliott, of Georgetown, threshed 897 bushels of Tuscan wheat from 20 acres, which averaged over 44 bushels to the acre. Mr Ivan Kennedy, of the same district, secured 32 bushels to the acre from 27 acres. At Ngapara, the yield of R. Love and Clephane from 66 acres (chiefly Hunters) was 37 bushels to the acre. Mr J. Kane, of Pukeuri, threshed 1482 bushels of Hunters wheat from 25 acres, securing the fine return of 59 bushels to the acre. The returns from Herbert in respect of wheat are not impressive. The oats yield in this locality, however, has been very heavy. For instance, Ml’ R. Cameron secured 84 bushels to the acre of oats from six acres, and Mr W. Frame 79 bushels to the acre from 12 acres. At Kia Ora, Mr W. Third had the handsome yield of 1799 bushels of Tuscan and Hunters wheat from 24 acres, an average of 74 bushels to the acre. Mr W. Lawrence, of Reidston, obtained 2423 bushels from 45 acres of Dreadnought and Velvet wheat, an average of 53 bushels to the acre. At Totaratahi, Blair Bros, threshed 40 bushels to the acre of Tuscan and Hunter’s wheat from 27 acres. From 105 acres? at Papakaio, Mr R. Gray secured 3576 bushels of Tuscan. Hunters, and Pearl, the average being 34 bushels to the acre. Mr G. P. Johnson, of Alma, obtained 29 bushels to the acre of Hunters from 25 acres, while at Awamoa the yield of Mr A. Martin from 37 acres of Tuscan was not more than 22 bushels to the acre. Messrs M'Donald Bros., of Ngapara, from 40 acres, threshed 2010 bushels, chiefly of Hunters, securing the good average of 50 bushels to the acre. This yield was beaten by Mr D. Forrister, of Ngapara, who secured 824 bushels of Hunters from 15 acres, which works out-at 54 bushels to the acre. From 70 acres of Velvet wheat Mr J. M'Culloch, of Ngapara, obtained 3193 bushels, which represents 45 bushels to the acre. One of ' the best yields at Kakanui was that of t Mr W. S. Barnett, who threshed 1282 bushels of Tuscan from 28 acres, an average of 45 bushels. Other yields in this district varied considerably. A crop of six acres of oats grown by Mr F. Topliss, of Kakanui, is worthy of mention. It returned 684 bushels, which represents the phenomenal average of 114 bushels to the acre. A FINE WEEK. The week just ending has been one of the finest experienced in North Otago for several months. Cold, frosty nights have been followed by bright, warm days, which have enabled farmers to pursue their •work without the slightest interruption. 'The threshing of wheat from the stacks has been resumed, and chaff cutting has been in progress in several parts of the

district. Ploughing operations have also been actively pursued, while tho fine weather has enabled sowing to take place. 'The buyers of fat lambs report that lambs arc not fattening as rapidly as in former years, though fairly good drafts are reaching the works. There is an abundance of grass and of supplementary feed, and there is every promise of stock doing well during the winter. The supply of cream to the dairy factories is slowly diminishing, and will very shortly be at its minimum. AFFORESTATION. It may not be generally known that in the early days some of the settlers of North Otago made a determined effort to plant the district with forests of pines. In one case 40 men were employed for some months, and thousands of young pines were planted. Unfortunately, the failure of the Glasgow Bank prevented the owners from spending money in protecting the trees. Sheep were turned among the young plants, the whole of which were ruined. There are still many plantations which stand as evidence of the industry and foresight of the pioneers, and these are yielding a handsome return to the present owners. IN BANKRUPTCY. A meeting of creditors in tho bankrupt estate of Alexander Hall, labourer, of Peebles, was called for Thursday. There are only two creditors in the estate, namely, James Martin, of St. Kilda (Dunedin), £327 Is 4d; and Dewer and M'Kenzie (Oamaru), £l2 Ils Bd. Neither of these creditors appeared at the meeting, which was adjourned sine die. The assets in the estate are composed solely of an Oakland motor car, the estimated Value of which is set down at £4O. The bankruptcy is the sequel to a Supreme Court ease, in which the bankrupt was mulcted in damages in connection with a motor collision. A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. At its last meeting the North Otago A. and P. Association set up a subcommittee for the purpose of instituting a membership campaign. The sub-conu mittee met yesterday and devised a scheme for a thorough canvass of the district. The campaign will be commenced in Oamaru on Monday, and it is hoped to increase the membership in town by at least 25 per cent. The country districts will then be systematically worked. The association has a strong claim upon business people, as well as those engaged in the primary industry, and the sub-committee considers that there should be no difficulty in bringing the membership up to 750. BOOTMAKING BUSINESS. A case possessing somewhat unusual features was heard in the Magisrate’s Court, Oamaru, on Wednesday, when Geo. Goddard, instructor in bootmaking at the Otekaike Special School, claimed from C. Buckley an ex-pupil of the school, the sum of £53, which was alleged to have been paid to enable defendant to start in a bootmaking business in Port Chalmers. Mr Grater appeared for the plaintiff and Mr Sumpter for the defendant. Counsel for the defence desired to file as a special defence that the defendant was a minor, but his Worship reserved his decision on this point — After hearing the plaintiff’s evidence, his Worship said he would not” call for the defence. It was evident that the plaintiff had purchased the business on his own account, and there was no evidence of a sale to the defendant. The plaintiff would be non-suited, with costs. A COW’ DEAL. A case was heard in the Magistrate’s Court at Oamaru on Wednesday in which Mrs L. Mills, of Ardgowan, sued Thomas Harney for £3, the balance alleged to be due on the sale of a cow. Mr Swindley appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Grater for the defendant.—Mrs Mills stated that the defendant had come to her place on December 7, 1926, and purchased a cow for £6. He stated he could not afford to pay at the time. He subsequently paid £3 off the account, but although repeatedly applied to, had failed to pay the balance.—Miss Mills, a daughter of the plaintiff, gave corroborative evidence.—The Defendant stated that when he bought the cow it was in poor condition, and was practically a store cow. The plaintiff stated that she considered the cow worth £4, but witness offered her £3. No deal was made at the time, but the defendant later sent along her son and offered to take the £3. Witness had paid this amount. He had never been approached in the street and asked for the balance owing.—His Worship stated that after listening to the evidence he was satisfied that the plaintiff had established her claim. Judgment would be given for the plaintiff for the amount claimed, with costs. LICE-INFECTED SHEEP. A number cf settlers were charged in the Magistrate’s Court at Oamaru on Wednesday with exposing for sale sheep infected with lice. A. M. T. Munro (Omarama), J. E. Austin, John Bews, C. E. Laurcnson, C. R. Grant, R. Appleby, N. E. Cameron, F. Blanchard, and R. G. Henry, first offenders, were each fined 20s, and costs. R. G. Haugh, sen., who was a second offender, was fined 30s, and costs. BOXING. The North Otago Boxing Association held a tourney in the Oamaru Opera House last evening. There was a largq attendance, and much interest was taken in the different bouts. The star event of the evening was a 10-round professional middle-weight contest for a purse of £5O between Harry Casey and Clarrie Pocock, both of Christchurch. Mr A. Smith was referee. Pocock stripped at 11.4 and Casey at 10.9, and after a good bout the referee awarded the fight to Casey. The decision was not well received by a section of the audience, though it appeared to give general satisfaction. Eddie Parker, of Timaru, has challenged the winner.

As a curtain-raiser several amateur bouts were staged.

In a four-rounds four-minute contest I. Harris, of Pukeuri (9.10), won on points from F. Kibblewhite (Oamaru) 9.13. 'The latter, though boxing with vigour, showed signs of lack of training. A lively six rounds of two minutes was fought by R. Lambert (9.0) and A. Nelson (9.fi), both of Oamaru. Both men were rather reckless, and wasted too much energy. The verdict was in favour of Nelson. H. Drew, of Dunedin (9.12), and W. Carey, of Christchurch (9.12), met in a six-round bout of two minutes and gave a good exhibition. Carey showed a disposition to clinch, but had the better condition of the two. Drew appeared to have the advantage in three of the rounds, but. the judge’s verdict was in favour of Carey. A special four-round contest was staged between Allan Campbell, of Oamaru (12.5), and W. Chisnall, of Tokarahi (11.9). Before the first round had proceeded half the distance Chisnail cried “ enough,” and his seconds threw in the towel. A WESTON SENSATION. A rather sensational story has reached the Oamaru police from Weston, a small settlement about five miles from town. Mrs Mary Eason, a widow, living at Weston, alleges that at about 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, after she had partaken of breakfast, she went to a front room to open a window. A man with a handkerchief covering his face sprang out from an adjoining bedrom, and grabbed her by the neck, at the same time demanding “ Your money.” She stated that she had no money. After a struggle she was struck, and fell to the floor. She then told the man that her money was in the washhouse, and she would go and get it. When she had reached the door the man picked up some dirt and threw it at her, and then ran away. The screams of the woman attracted her nephew (Eric Harner), aged 16 years, who went to the house of a neighbour (Mrs Kitchen). The latter proceeded to Mrs Eason’s house, and found her in a very distressed condition. The matter was later reported to the police. Mrs Eason alleges that a box in her front bedroom had been opened. She also states that in March last a sum of £lB in notes was abstracted from this box. The police can throw no light upon the mystery. They state that neither the lad Harper nor any of the neighbours saw anybody about Mrs Eason’s house during the morning. Their investigations are being continued. PERSONAL. Mr H. P. Agar, chairman of the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce, was a visitor to Oamaru on Wednesday. Mr A. R. Tait, solicitor, of Oamaru, has been admitted a barrister of the Supreme Court by Mr Justice Sim. Mr C. H. Hoskin, who has been in charge of the Oamaru bureau of the Labour Department for the past five or six years, has received notice of transfer to Christchurch, and will take over his new duties on June 1. He will be succeeded by Mr M'Gregor, of Christchurch. THE ELECTORAL ROLL. Since the old electoral roll for the Oamaru electorate was compiled, the addition of about 1020 names had been made up to the end of April. A further 730 names have been added by the bringing of a portion of the Waitaki electorate into the Oamaru electorate. A HEAVY FROST. The heaviest frost of the year was experienced in the country districts of North Otago on Wednesday night. The frost was not severe in Oamaru. SHEEP WORRYING. Several settlers in the Maheno district have suffered heavy losses of late through their sheep being worried by dogs. Mr W. P. Reid had six sheep killed and a considerable number injured, while Mr J. Wylie has lost heavily, the sheep destroyed on his property including several stud sheep. NGAPARA VELVET. It will be of interest to know that the seed for the Velvet wheat, which has this season been realising such high prices with the millers, was obtained originally from Mr J. R. M’Culloch, of Ngapara, Mr M'Culloch began selecting his Velvet about 15 years ago, and he later sold a considerable quantity of seed to the Lincoln College. The college has been distributing seed among the northern farmers, and in Canterbury Ngapara Velvet is now in strong favour with growers. HAKATARAMEA BRIDGE. The Hakataramea bridge, which is undergoing repairs, is now closed to all traffic between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. RUGBY FOOTBALL. The second round of the North Otago Rugby Union’s championship matches opened on Saturday in fine weather. Both senior matches were played on the Show Grounds in the presence of a good attendance of the public. Maheno outclassed Excelsior in every department and won by 34 points to 3, while Old Boys defeated Athletics by a fair margin. In the junior grade Old Boys drew with Athletic (3 all), and in the third grade Excelsion beat Athletic by 75 points to nil, School A beat Old Boys by 11 points to 8, and Pirates B beat Mahena by’ 8 points to 3. PERSONAL. Advice has been received of the death in Palmerston North of Mrs A. E. M’Gregor, wife of Mr A. E. M'Gregor, formerly’ chief post master at Hokitika, Westport, Gisborne, Napier, and Dunedin. The deceased was the second daughter of the late Mr George Brownlee, a well-known North Otago settler. She is survived by her husband, one son (Mr G. I. M'Gregor, barrister and solicitor, of Palmerston North), and several brothers and sisters. MASONIC FUNERAL. The funeral of the late Mr Archibald Murray, of Pukeuri, took place on Sunday

afternoon. The funeral cortege was one of the longest ever seen in the district, and included representatives of the Masonic lodges, the Farmers’ Union, the Golf Club, the bowling clubs, and commercial interests. The casket was covered with beautiful wreaths from the Bowling Centre, the Pukeuri, Phoenix, and other bowling clubs, the Farmers’ Union, St. Paul s Church, the Golf Club, and many private individuals. The ceremony at the graveside was most impressive, the Presbyterian service being followed by the Masonic funeral rites.