The Country

Otago Witness, Issue 3888, 18 September 1928, Page 35

The Country

LAKE COUNTY. September 13.—0 n Friday evening last a cold snap was experienced, and early on Saturday morning there was a slight coating or snow on the low-lying country in the vicinity of Arrowtown.' However, the snow quickly disappeared, but it was bitterly cold on Saturday and Sunday. For the last, few days the weather has been line. Football.—The Arrow Club sent a Senior seven (A. Barnett, T. Feebly, W. Peterson, R. Peterson, A. Reid, E. Saunders, and C. Forbes) to take part in the Vincent seven-a-side tournament held at Alexandra on . last - The Arrow team defeated Matakanui A by 5 to nil, but were' defeated m the semi-final by Becks A by ? to 5. The Senior competition was won by Heriot, with Becks A runners-up. Basket Ball.—Teams representing the Queenstown Rovers and Queenstown Convent played a match last week. After an Interesting game, Convent team won by 9 goals to 8 . Gun Club.—At a meeting held in Queenstown on the sth inst. it was decided to form a-Gun Club to be called the Wakatipu Gun Club. The following office-bearers were elected : —President, Rev. Father Ardagh; vice-president, Mr L. Mann; secretary, Mr W. D. Warren ; auditor, Mr James M’Mullan ; referee Mr J. Wills; handicappers, Messrs J. Wills and J. Munro; executive committee—Messrs L. J. Lynch, W. Edwards, H. Buchanan, J. Wills, and J. Munro. The club held its opening shoot at Queenstown last week, 14 members taking part. As clay-bird shooting was a new sport to the most of those present, only a small percentage secured “ hits." Mr J. Wills was the most successful, bringing down four out of six birds. Mining.—The wash-up of the Big Beach Mining Company at its Sugar Loaf claim last week was reminiscent of returns secured in the district in the early days. For three months’ sluicing the highiv satisfactory return of 500 oz was obtained, making a total of 7500 z since work was started in August of last lear. Tbe total working time was 32 weeks.

.Death.—The death took place at Roxburgh on Thursday last of Mrs Honora Beaufort, relict of Mr Thomas Beaufort, a wellknown coach driver in this district in the early days. The deceased lady, who was 66 years of age, was a daughter of the late Mrs Neylon, an old Arrowtown resident. She is survived by a large grown-up family. Lake County Co-operative Dairy Company. —The annual meeting of shareholders was held in the Council Chambers. Arrowtown, yesterday afternoon, Mr R. M. Paterson (chairman of directors) presiding over a fair attendance. The annual report and balance sheet showed that the company had experienced a very satisfactory season, notwithstanding the severe drought which prevailed during the greater part of the milking season. The retiring directors were Messrs R. M Paterson 'and M. Jenkins, and both were re-elected. Messrs D. Macleod. John G. Allan, and John Butel tendered their resignations, and Messrs William Reid, Leo Lee. and G. Butel were elected in their place. The directors now are Messrs R. M. Paterson, R. Jenkins, M. Jenkins, William Reid, John Reid, Leo Lee, and G 1 Butel. At a meeting of directors held afterwards Mr R. M. Paterson was unanimously reelected chairman.

Personal.—Mrs Charles O’Fee, of Crown terrace, who has been on an extended visit to the North Island, returned home last week. Mrs John Butel, sen., who has been an inmate of a private hospital ip Dunedin lor some time past, returned to her home at Arrowtown last week. Her many friends will be pleased to hear that Mrs Butel has made an excellent recovery from her serious illness.—Mr W. J. Churstain, who has been attached to the staff of the Public Works Department at Stewart Island for the past three months, returned to Arrowtown on Friday last.—Mrs A. Simson. of Queenstown, is at present visiting friends in Southland. LUMSDEN September 13.—Variable weather has been experienced of late, and the usual spring winds are much in evidence. The district experienced a cold snap during last weekend, and a good deal of rain fell. There Is abundant evidence of spring in gardens and in the fields, where numerous lambs are to be seen frisking about.

Tennis Club.—The annual meeting of the Lumsden Tennis Club was held on' Monday night, when there was a good attendance of members. The president, Mr W. Johnson occupied the chair. The local team was runners-up in the Campbell Cup competition Balfour being the winning team. The officebearers for the ensuing season were elected as follows: —President. Mr W. Johnson; Vice-presidents—Miss Adamson, Dr Brown and Mr J. Clouston ; secretary. Miss Brotherston • social secretary, Mrs Biggar; captain. Dr Brown; vice-captain. Miss Brotherston. It was decided to have the opening day on September 29

Go!f.—The results of the final match of the season were as follows:—Ladies Mrs A. M’Donald, 70, and Mrs Hunter, 74 Men, Mr F. Thomson, 73 ; M. Reidy, 78 net scores over 18 holes. The qualifying rounds for the club championships are being played off on the 13th and 15th inst. respectively. Town Board.—As only the sitting members of the Town Board were nominated for office these were re-elected for the ensuing term’ They are as follows: —Messrs F. Keith A Heath, G. Tomlin, J. Campbell, C. Maloney O. Taylor, and T. Small. ALEXANDRA September 15.—Alexandra has been enjoy- - Ing a most wonderful stretch of splendid * weather. Almost fit to be called summer. On Thursday the day was exceedingly hot, with a rather trying wind. This on Friday turned into welcome rain showers that undoubtedly will do a great deal of good to the gardens in the town, and to the orchards and farms of the surrounding district. Fruit trees are now coming into blossom, the apricots being a perfect picture, decked in a mantle of snowy white. It is to be hoped that frosts will keep away, for now that the critical time for the trees is about due much depends on the frost condttlons_for the next few weeks for the prosperity or otherwise of the fruit growers. Election Matters. —There is a simmer of political interest in the town. Central Otago’s highly-esteemed and much-respected representative, Mr James Horn, has intimated that he does not intend to seek reelection. General regret is expressed at the step Mr Horn has been compelled to take on account of ill-health, for it Is freely considered on all sides that no other electorate has been so well and faithfully served as Central Otago by its representative. - As a result of Mr Horn’s determination not again to offer his services to the electors, a large and representative deputation waited on Mr William Bodkin, of Alexandra, asking him to consent to stand After due consideration he has consented

to do so. Mr Bodkin’s prospects for election are very good, and, if he is successful, the electors will be very fortunate in securing the services of such an able man as Mr Bodkin will undoubtedly prove himself to be.

Debating Society.—The season of the Alexandra Debating Society came to a close last Tuesday, when the gentlemen entertained the lady members to an evening in the Town Hall. The principal feature of the evening was a-mock court, when various prominent citizens were summarily tried and " found drowned " for having committed various supposed misdemeanours. Another feature of the evening was the singing of a number of comic songs by Mr R. M’Carthy. At the conclusion supper was served, and then Mr Watts, the president, took the opportunity of reviewing the society's work for the season, and urged one and all to rally round next year for the successful carryingon of the society. Sport.—With the advent of summer, bowlers and tennis players are beginning to wake up from their state of winter hibernation on the golf course. Football, hockey, and golf are right enough in one way for they tend to keep one warm in winter time, while football notes, hockey notes, and more especially golf notes, be they in book form or in the press, have a very soothing and mollifying effect on one who enjoys a quiet doze on a winter evening. “ But,’’ says the true bowler, “ give me bowls ! ** RIVERSDALE. September 13.—Excellent weather conditions have prevailed for some time past witli the exception of one day, when a heavv snowstorm was experienced. Farming operations are well in hand, and some farmers have aiready sown most of their crop Athletic Society.—The Riversdale Athletic Society held its annual meeting recently, there being a full attendance cf members The society had a successful year. financially, the balance sheet showing a fair credit balance. The programme for the year- was revised, a few alterations being made, while the stakes were increased to £95. Farmers’ Union.—The Riversdale branch of the Farmers’ Union held a fairly wellattended meeting recently. Business of general interest was discussed, and in the course of an argument it was shown that southland has the largest membership in New Zealand. The membership in the Riversdale district is quite satisfactory. Boxing.—A boxing school has been started in Riversdale, and Mr W. North, the instructor, has to date enrolled over 40 pupils.

WAIKAIA. September 14.—Rev. G. H. Lawrence presided over the annual meeting of the parishioners held in the vestry of St. Mary’s last Saturday evening. The secretary read the annual report, and all of last year’s officebearers were re-elected. Personal.—Mrs William Wilson, of Gore, spent last week-end here with her parents’ —Mrs Johnson, of Dunedin, is visiting her daughter, Mrs Garvey.—Mr James Sproat has taken over the business of his late brother, and intends to settle here again.— Mr J. S. H. Robertson has returned after six months’ trip abroad, and has resumed teaching at Upper Waikaia School.—Miss M’Donald left for Dunedin last week. Reunion.—The returned soldiers of the district held a most successful reunion last Saturday evening, which was attended by about 60 ex-soldiers, including about 20 who came from Gore for the occasion. Mr F. R. Darling (president) occupied the chair, and had associated with him Mr W. D. Shelton, president of the Gore R.S.A The chairman welcomed the visitors, after which the following toast list was honoured : —“ The'’ N.Z.R.5.A.,” proposed by Mr R. G. Charters, reply Mr W. D. Shelton ; ’’ The Imperial Forces,’’ by Mr R. B. Bannerman, reply Mr R. Rose; "The Gore R.S.A,” by Mr D. Thomas, reply Mr C. M. Wilson ; “ The South African Veterans,” by Mr J. Adams, replies Messrs G. M'Kechnie, W Moffitt, and Columb ; “ The Soldier Settlers,” by Mr A. H. W. Aitken, replies Messrs Elliott and Collins; “ The Chairman," by Mr Shel- . ton. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Black, Rose, C. Woodward, and R. Lindsay. Routine orders were given by Mr Aitken, and a saxophone solo by Mr V. Daker. The singing of the National Anthem concluded a very enjoyable evening Football Tourney.—On Wednesday afternoon the Waikaia Football Club held a seven-a-side tournament in aid of the club’s accident funds. The weather was beautiful, and there was a good attendance. Fourteen teams entered, comprising three school teams, five Junior teams, and six Senior teams. Lumsden won the seven silver cups offered as trophies in the senior games, while Gore High School carried off the trophies for the Junior competition. A competition was also provided for schoolboys. Gore School being the winners. Messrs Brett, Allen, and Baldwin were the referees. In the evening a very successful footballers ball was held in the Masonic Hall. FERNDALE. September 12.—The' storm predicted in our last notes took langer to cbmo than was expected Except for a little rain during the week of Gore’s gala, we have, had a fine dry spell, unusual but not unwelcome at this time of the year. At the end of last week a change set in with a drizzling rain, and on Saturday afternoon snow commenced to fall and fell all Saturday night and part of Sunday. It was about Bin deep on Sunday morning, and much deeper in the drifts. Monday was a bright sunny day, but Tuesday brought some rain which helped to clear the snow away.

The Farm. —Most of the farmers are well on with their work of ploughing and making ready for sowing crops. On the lower-lying lands grass is beginning to spring. The dairymen are busy preparing for their cows to come in. I saw a milk cart already on the road yesterday. Several dairymen are investing in lorries to convey their milk to the factory so as to save time to spend it on their farm work. Mr W. Y. Dickie’s I herd of Friesian cows returned to the disi trict yesterday ’from pastures at Chatton. Mr Dickie has invested in a very highlypriced Friesian bull, and is to be commended ■for his enterprise. Sheep.—There are already a good many lambs in the district. Junor Brothers have several hundred on Waearlkiki. Mr Dickie ■ has a good many too, and most of the farms i have a sprinkling. <- 1 The School.—The trees on the eastern boundary of the playground have been topped and trimmed, letting In more sun. The teacher. Miss Cameron, has Invested in a basket ball for the children, and posts will soon be erected for the game. The funds for the ball came out of prize money won at -the Invercargill Winter Show by teacher and pupils with their exhibits from the school garden.

Social —There have been two successful euchre juarlies held recently. At the first

one the prizes were won by Mrs T Dickson and Mr BJatch. At the second, Mrs Waters and Mr Gordon Scott were the winners. One more party Is to be held for the finish of the season. The Tasman Flight.— We heard yesterday with pleasure and relief that the intrepid airmen had landed safely in Chri-’church. WAI ROA (Hawke’s Bay). September 12.—The weather for the past week In Walroa has been beautifully, fine, and the many trees and willows in the district are presenting a beautiful appearance, their new leaves coming on rapidly. Roads.—The prospect of a large loan for the Walroa borough for tar-sealing some of the main streets is causing a good deal of alarm among the ratepayers, who consider they are already very heavily taxed. At the recent meeting of the local Borough Council several letters were read objecting to the proposed loan, and a great majority of the ratepayers have signified their intention to vote against all loan proposals. Although the work of tar-sealing the streets is viewed as an urgent' necessity it 13 doubtful if the loan will carry. Plunket Society Ball. —There was a gratifying attendance at the Plunket Society’s annual ball, and the promoters have every reason to be satisfied with their efforts. The decorations were exceptionally good. There were numbers of .novel dances during the evening. Elections.—ln view of the coming elections for the House of Representatives a oranch of the Labour representation has been formed in Wairoa as part of the Gisborne electorate. It is intended to secure visits from the leader of the Opposition and possibly other speakers during the electoral campaign. Boxing.—The Wairoa Boxing Association has invited both Tom Heeney and his brother, Jack, to visit Wairoa on the occasion of a tournament coming off on the 20th inst Personal.—Father Joyce concluded a very successful mission in St. Peter’s Church on Sunday evening. He left for Napier the following day. Large attendances marked all the services during the week.—Mrs E. Pomfert, of Wairoa, has returned home again after having undergone an operation. In Napier.—Mr T. Olliver, a retired business man of Wellington, has spent some time in the IVairoa district visiting various por--1 ions of the east coast railway route and Waikaremoana Hydro-Electric Works.—Miss M. Gardiner, of Palmerston North, is visiting Walroa. —Miss J. Muir, of Palmerston North, is spending a few weeks in Walroa. r.nd is the guest of Mrs W. Cohen—Mr J. Osler, of Wairoa, who has been on a visit to Dunedin, has returned home again.