NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 27

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. SUDDEN DEATHS. No fewer than six sudden deaths have occurred in and around Oamaru during the last few weeks. A recqrd such as this has never previously been experienced in the 'district. OBITUARY. The death occurred on Wednesday evening at the age of 76 years of Mr John Common, of Reed street, Oamaru. The deceased, who was born in Cornwall, came to New Zealand half a century ago. He had resided in North i Otago ever since. After many years’ residence at Enfield he joined the firm’ of Headland and Co. in Oamaru, with which he remained until that firm was merged into the firm of Bullied and Co. The late Mr Common was well known in musical circles, and particularly as a member of Wesley. Church choir. rle had been ailing for some time, and his death was not unexpected. He is survived by a widow, five daughters, and one \ son. Two of the daughters (Mesdames | F,. G. Marshall and E. Cross) reside in | Oamaru. .The death is. reported of Mrs J. Holds- . worth, of Morven, and formerly of Glen- . avy. The deceased was held in high esteem throughout the district, and the news of her death has been received with widespread regret. Miss Mary Ross Townsend, daughter of the late Mr F. H. Townsend, an early and respected citizen of Oamaru, was found dead in bed at her residence in Ure street on Saturday morning. The deceased, who was 54 years of age, and was housekeeper for her two brothers, had complained of feeling ill on Friday evening, and went early to her room. Later in the evening she improved and got up to wash the dishes. As she did not make her appearance at the usual hour on Saturday morning, a brother Went to her room, and found her apparently dead. Dr Orbell was immediately summoned, but could do nothing. An inquest was held on Saturday afternoon by the coroner (Mr W. H. Frith), when Dr Orbell, who had known Miss - Townsend for some years, gave the opinion that death was due to cardiac failure. After hearing the evidence of the brothers the coroner returned a verdiet in accordance with the medical testiMAMMOTH CAULIFLOWER. A cauliflower grown in the garden at Oamaru Public Hospital and turning the scale at 151 b has been on view in thq shop of Messrs Robertson and Rushton, seedsmen.

RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION. 1 The following officers have been elected by the North End Ratepayers’ Association for the ensuing year:—President, Mr W. R. Williams; vice-president, Mr A. E. Ahern; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. G. King; committee —Messrs G. Mitchell, G. Weston, G. Cartwright, J. Robertson, R. J. Wright. G. Trethewey, H. Ross, D. Arnott, J. Mercer, and G. Hollands. FROST FISH. Although the weather has not been particularly frosty during the past winter, a number of frost fish have come ashore on the Kartigi and neighbouring beaches. Some of these delectable fish have found their way to Oamaru. SALE OF HORSES. A sale of horses was held at “ Alta Vady ” on Thursday by Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. and Dalgety and Co. Very satisfactory prices were realised, as high as £39 being obtained for draughts, and £lO for hacks. WEEK ON THE FARM. The past week has been mild in North Otago, with a heavy fall of rain on Thursday. The conditions have not been favourable for farm work. Nevertheless, a good deal of preparation has been made tor spring sowing, while top-dressing has been in progress in all parts of the district. The early-sown crops are looking healthy, and if warm weather is experienced in the next few weeks a bountiful harvest should result. Lambing, though not yet general, has commenced in several parts, and twins are reported to be numerous. Dairy cows are coming in, and . the supplies of butter-fat to the local dairy factories are daily increasing. The outlook for all brands of husbandry is, at the moment, particularly promising. CLEARING SALES. There was a big attendance at the clearing sale held at Otiake by Messrs Dalgety and Co. on account of Mr H. M. Preston, who has sold his property. Bidding was brisk, and high prices were realised very generally. The ewes had either lambed or were near at the drop, and commanded special attention, while the horses were in good condition. The principal sales were as follow:— Sheep.—Four-year-old merino ewes, 34s 2d; failing-mouthed merino ewes, from 17s to 26s 6d, according to state of mouths; one, two, and three-shear halfbred ewes, 425; four-year-old half bred ewes, 335; crossbred ewes, from 24s 6d for older sorts to 40s 6d for younger; ewes with*lambs at foot, 235, all counted; light fat wethers, 35s 9d; store wethers, 31s 6d; wether hoggets, 225. Horses. —Four-year-old mare, £64; seven-year-old mare, £46 10s; sevenyear gelding, £42 10s; three-year filly, £39 10s; two and three-year-old geldings and fillies, from £l9 to £26. Cattle. —Dairy cows, from £5 10s to £ll 15s, according to class and profit stage. Implements and sundries realised full market rates. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co., in conjunction with Messrs Dalgety and Co., held a clearing sale of horses yesterday on account of Messrs. Aubrey Bros., of Alta Vady. Twenty were, offered, their ages ranging .from . three to eight years, and the prices obtained were:—-Six-year-.old. gelding, £43; eight-year-old gelding, £3B; five-year-old mare, £4O; six-year-old

■ mare, £33; seven-year mare, £39; 'other -mares and geldings, including some useful sorts, from £lO to £26. BANKRUPTCY. William Edward M'Dowell. motor agent, of Oamaru, has been adjudicated bankrupt. This is the sixth declaration in insolvency in North Otago during the present year. THE FARMERS’ CO-OP. The annual report of the North Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association for the year ended July 31 is as follows: — .The directors have pleasure in submiting the twenty-seventh annual report and statement of accounts, showing the position of the association’s affairs. From a trading point of view, the past year has shown a marked improvement as compared with recent years, and reflects the general prosperity experienced by the farming community during that period. Satisfactory progress has been made in the realisation of doubtful advance accounts, resulting in a reduction of approximately £BOOO in debts. Practically the whole of our doubtful accounts have been eliminated, and provision has been made against possible future losses. The gross earnings for the year amounted to £18,086 9s 9d, and after making provision I for depreciation, bad debts, and portion I of the cost of extensive alterations’ to the association’s premises, the net amount available for distribution is £3508 15s 2d. which the directors recommend shall be allocated as follows:—To payment of dividend of 5 per cent, on the paid-up capital and, after allowing for income tax the balance be carried forward. With the improved prospects generally, it is confidently anticipated that the year upon which we have entered will mark the beginning of a return to general prosperity and the resumption of regular dividend payments. The directors retiring this year are: Messrs A. Gray, R. Hamilton, James Newlands, Joseph Preston, Thomas Paterson and J. G. A. Ruddenklau, all of whom are eligible for re-election, and offer themselves accordingly. Messrs D. V. G. Smith and W. J. Davies are the retiring auditors, and offer themselves for re-election. The balance sheet shows assets amounting to £130,896 12s lid.

PERSONAL. The Ven. Archdeacon Russell has been appointed chaplain of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand Freemasons. SUB-UNION FOOTBALL. A match between the Waimate and Waitaki Rugby Sub-unions was played at Duntroon on Saturday in the presence of a considerable number of spectators and in fine weather. The Waitaki players had the better of the game from start to finish, a feature of their play being the brilliant following up of the forwards and their smothering tactics. The scores were: Waitaki 12 points, Waimate, 3. WHEAT MARKETING ASSOCIATION. At a meeting oi Waimate wheatgrowers, which was addressed by Messrs Mulholland and Woodfield on Friday night, some opposition was shown to the proposed wheat pool. Mr George Ruddenklau said the scheme should be dropped, as, in his opinion, it was impracticable. He explained that Denmark and Canada pooled only their exportable surplus, and he suggested that the best method was for the wheatgrowers to enter into contracts with the millers as he and his brothers had done. Mr R. Finch, an Oamaru accountant, adversely criticised about 20 of the clauses in the agreement which farmers were being asked to sign. Messrs Kippenberger, Mulholland, and Woodfield replied to the criticisms of Mr Finch, but the latter asserted, with due respect to the speakers, that the arguments used in support of the wheat pool could only be described as unconvincing. In spite of Mr Finch’s opposition, a strong committee was set up by the meeting to assist in the canvass for shares in the association.

REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY. The North Otago senior -and junior representatives journeyed to Timaru on Saturday to play return matches with South Canterbury’s junior and senior teams. There was a large attendance of spectators at Fraser Park, the weather being fine, whilst the grounds were in excellent order. A large number of Oamaru supporters made the journey to .view the match. The senior teams were as follows: — South Canterbury.—Full-back, G. MTntosh; three-quarters—H. A. Scott, Judge, B. Trotter; five-eighths. A. Gaffaney and W. Neutze; half-back, P. Roper; forwards—T. Manning, G. Giddings, H. Coxhead, W. Manning, A. Stevenson. J. M'Bride, R. Bassett; wingforward, E. Halstead. North Otago.—Full-back, F. Mansfield; three-quarters —A. MKerrow, W. -M'Cone, B. Blackmore; five-eighths, L. Hollow and J. Ross; half-back, A. M'Donald; forwards —W. Cameron, R. Cameron, L. Ward, D. Campbell, A. Clark, A. Sim, J. Pringle; wing-forward, T. Direen. The half-time scores were:— South Canterbury .. 14 points. North Otago .. .. Nil. The final scores were:— South Canterbury .. 27 points. North Otago 3 points. In the junior game between North Otago and South Canterbury representatives, a good exhibition of football was witnessed at times. The scores were:— South Canterbury 8 points, North Otago 3 points. - At the conclusion of the matches the visiting teams were suitably entertained by the South Canterbury Union.