NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 28

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. THE WHEAT CHOPS. A well-known wheatgrower of Hakataramea Valley, who was in Oamaru last week, told our representative that the season had been so mild that earlysown wheat crops had become very rank. Their growth had not been retarded by the falls of snow that are usual in the winter, and it was proposed to turn pheep on to the wheat to eat it down. PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAY. A collection of 75 photographs by the world’s leading pictorial artists, comprising portraits, landscapes, still life, and architectural subjects is at present on view at the Star and Garter Tea Rooms ,in Oamaru. The collection is on loan to the photographic societies of the Dominion. and was secured by Mr Beck, of the Mahan Studios, from the Otago Photographic Society. A collection in aid of the Plunket Society is being made from those who inspect the exhibition. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES. A subject of peculiar interest to the Waitaki Power Board is that of an appliances approval board. This subject was discussed at the recent conference in Wellington, and, in his report concerning the conference, Mr J. M. Forrester said: “ This has been a burning question in more ways than one, and it was pleasing to hear Mr Kissell say that a Bill had been prepared. On the second day he read and explained the measure, which was ultimately referred to the engineers present for urgent consideration. No doubt, this year will see provision made for a satisfactory inspection of all electrical appliances marketed in the Dominion. One board asked for a consolidated Electric Power Boards Act incorporating all powers, regulations, etc., now contained in other Statutes, but this request did not meet with the approval of the confer • mice.” WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL. At the monthly meeting of the Waimate County Council, the financial statement showed a credit in the bank of £lOl7 18s 2d. The tender of Mr Joseph Browne for maintaining the water races was accepted. Mr J. K. M'Kenzie, of Haka, was granted permission to erect a private telephone line to connect with the Kurow exchange. The Waitaki Electric Power Board advised that the Haka district had been tr ansferred to their district from South Canterbury. It was considered that the Haka district should be subject to the same rating responsibilities for loan purposes as the original area of the Waitaki Board, but it was not thought probable that a rate would eve, ’ ■» colletced. Permission was granted Messrs Henry, M'Lean, Henstridge, Lavery, M’Naughton, and Rainey to erect a telephone line from Glenavy to Tawai. On the motion of Cr Hayes, the engineer was Instructed to apply for the transfer of the Government grant of £l5O for the Slips road to the Te Aka-Waitangi road. The engineer and Cr Woodhouse were appointed to interview Mr W. Black, of Waihao Gorge, regarding his request that the council take over a road formed by him to give access to his son’s property. BOXING. A meeting of the committee of the North Otago Boxing Association was held on Wednesday evening, the chair being occupied by Mr D. Thomson. The secretary reported that over 30 entries had been received for the Waimate novice tournament. A sub-committee consisting of < Messrs Nightingale, Campbell, Thomson, and the chairman was set up to make the draw for the tourney. The secretary stated that much enthusiasm was being displayed at Waimate over the tournament, and it was hoped that, as a result, a boxing association would be formed. Messrs T. Nightingale and A. Smith were appointed referees, and Messrs D. Kennedy, Notman, Thomson, and H. Nightingale judges. Seconds, weighingin stewards, and other officials were also appointed. Mr D. Campbell reported upon • the business done -at the Auckland conference, particularly in regard to next year’s championships. He stated that the voting was eight for Greymouth and seven for Oamaru. A earty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Campbell for his report. It was decided that a letter of congratulation should be sent to Mr Alan Campbell upon his excellent performance in winning the heavy-weight championship at Auckland. WHITEBAIT. Whitebait has begun to run in the Kakanui River, and some fairly good catches have already been made‘ at the river mouth. MOTOR TRAFFIC LICENSES. During the month of August three heavy traffic and 15 motor licenses were issued by the Oamaru Borough Council. The Waitaki County Council issued three heavy traffic and 26 drivers’ licenses. BANKRUPTCIES. During the month of August one bankruptcy was registered in North Otago, which makes a total of five for the first eight months of the year. WEEK ON THE FARM. Broken only by a southerly gale on Thursday, which.was followed by a bright day yesterday, North Otago has enjoyed a week of delightful spring weather. This has enabled farmers to continue their spring sowing and the top-dressing of pastures. The country is in great heart, andeverything points to another prolific season. Lambing is now becoming general on the low-lying country, and unless severe weather conditions occur the per-

centage of lambs should be high, as the breeding ewes have wintered remarkably well. Cows are now coming in rapidly, and supplies to the dairy factories are every day increasing. VITAL STATISTICS. The vital statistics of Oamaru for the month of August were as follows:—-Births 16, marriages 5, deaths 15. CUSTOMS RETURNS. The Customs returns for Oamaru for the month of August were as follow, the returns _ for the same month last year being, given in parentheses:—Customs, £978 19s 9d (£962 17s 2d); passport fees, nil (10s); meat export levy,' nil (£361 Ils 4d); marine revenue, £53 10s 2d (£6B 10s lOd). - OAMARU RACECOURSE. The appointments at the Oamaru racecourse are now well on towards completion, and it is hoped that everything will be in apple-pie order for the Trotting Club’s meeting in October. As this will be the first meeting held on the new course, and as attractive stakes are bein-r offered, it is anticipated that there will be record nominations and a record attendance. SMALL BUSINESSES. Although the population of Oamaru has not increased to any appreciable extent during the last few years, the number of small businesses established has been remarkable. No fewer than eight grocery businesses have been started in the north end of the town during the last three or four years, while other businesses have shown a considerable increase. The opinion is held by not a few that Oamaru has a sufficient number of businesses to serve a population twice as large, yet, singularly enough, there is scarcely an empty shop in tlie town. THE RAINALL. Mr William Forrester reports that the rainfall in Oamaru for the month of August was as follows:—August 6. 2 points; August 13, 53 points (highest fall); August 14, 12 points; August 16, 16 points; August 17, 7 points; August 20, 6 points; August 23, 20 points: August 24, 4 points; August 30, 38 points;—total, 158 points. The rainfall for August last year was 175 points. For the eight months of\ this year to date 13.13 inches have been registered, against 15.72 inches for the same period last year. ODDFELLOWS’ RALLY. A large number of members of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows from Dunedin and the surrounding districts was in Oamaru on Saturday for the rally that had been organised by Lodge Oamaru in connection with the 1000 new members’ campaign. The representatives of visiting lodges were officially received at a crowded lodge meeting in the Lyric Hall. Later, an official welcome was extended by the noble grand and the Mayor (Mr Frank Crawshaw). The provincial grand master suitably acknowledged the welcome, after which a flashlight photograph of the gathering was taken. An initiation ceremony followed, and emblematical certificates and medals were presented to those responsible for securing 25 new members. The visiting lodges and Otago district officers made responses to the welcome extended them, and vigorous addresses were then given by prominent officers concerning the foundation and progress of Oddfellowship and the objects of the membership campaign. Supper was then handed round, after which the following musical and vocal programme was presented:—OvertureBros. F. C. Burry (piano), R. J. Meldrum (violin), and H. Macdonnell (guitar); recitation, Sister I. E. D Isaac; selection" (guitar), Bro. H. Macdonnell; song, Bro. G. A. Mosslyn; selection (violin), Bro. R. J. Meldrum; duet. Sisters Riddell and Raffles; song, Bro. D. R. H. Couper; song, Bro. H. Vowell; song, “ Oddfellows,” Sister D. Riddell. A memorable gathering concluded at a late hour with the singing of “ Auld Lang Syne ” and the National Anthem.

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. The North Otago Caledonian Society, in its annual report, deplores the lack of interest taken in the last children’s gathering, and states that it is a question whether, in view of the experiences of the last five years, these gatherings should be continued. The expenditure on the new cycling track to date had amounted to £359 18s 3d. With the cost of making this track taken into consideration a profit of £66 18s Id is shown on the working account for the year. Attention is drawn to the fact that about 70 members are unfinancial on the books. It is proposed to hold a garden fete m the summer in aid of the funds. The following directors retire, but are eligible for re-election:—Messrs G. Cameron, G P. Gerrie, D. MTntosh, A. M'Kenzie, J. W. Stringer, W. James, D. M. Percy, J. Briscoe, and A. Gilchrist. GOLF. The first senior qualifying round in connection with the North Otago Golf Club was played on Saturday on the Awamoa links, the results being as follow:—L. Sumpter 82, G. Cuthbertson 82, Scott 84, T. Wright 90, Fraser 91, Kilpatrick 93, M'Beth 93, Ireland 94, K. Familton 94, Irvine 94, Nichols 95, G. Henry 95, Mae Ewan 96, Armstrong 97, Mulligan 97, K. Sumpter 97, Holmes 98, Hewat 98, C. Hedges 98, L. Wright 99, B. Roll 99, Reid 100, L. Cuthbertson 101, H. Familton 102, Grave 104, H. Corson 107. REPRESENTATIVE FOOTBALL. The North Otago Senior representatives journeyed to Ashburton on Saturday to play the initial game with Ashburton. The game was played before a large attendance, Ashburton winning by 24 points to 9. The North Otago B representatives journeyed to Palmerston on Saturday to play a match against Eastern Districts, the latter winning by 6 points to 3. There was a good attendance of spectators, and the ground was in fairly good condition.

JUNIOR FOOTBALL. A Junior team from North Otago played Eastern District Juniors representatives as a curtain-raiser to the Senior game, the former winning by 9 points to 8. The North Otago Junior representatives made a presentation of a framed photograph of the North Otago Junior team to Mr Palmer for the services he had rendered to the team when acting as mariager on various trips. Mr M'lvor (captain), who made the presentation, spoke of the interest that Mr Palmer had taken in the Junior team and of his efforts on behalf of junior tootball in North Otago. FARM EDUCATION. A party of boys from the Waitaki. Boys’ ’ School will visit the stud farm of Mr G. P. Johnston at Alma on September 22. Arrangements are being made by Mr Johnston for experts to explain to the boys the different points in stud stock and to demonstrate the advantages of breeding and feeding.