The Country

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 35

The Country

i-AKc GJDUNTY. September 20.—The weather during the week has been broken. A heavy gale was experienced on Friday morning, and in Arrowtown several corrugated iron fences were blown down. The gale was followed by heavy rain, which continued for several hours. cowling.—The annual meeting of the vvakatipu Bowling Club was held in Queenstown on Thursday evening last, Mr Thomas Rutherford presiding over a fair attendance. The balance sheet showed a credit of £6 19s. The following office-bearers were elected •— President, Mr Thomas Rutherford (reelected ; vice-presidents—Messrs T. Davidson, W. Nelson, and A. Scheib ; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Rogers; auditor, Mr A. H. Cooke ; general committee—president, vicepresidents, and Messrs Cooke, Dorden, and D. Hamilton. The fixing of the opening day was held over. Arbor Day.—Arbor Day was celebrated in Queenstown on the 12th inst., when the pupils of both public and Convent schools took part in the planting of 250 macrocarpas and 30 peppermint gums on a piece of land near One-Mile Creek. When the planting was completed, the children were addressed » P- F - Macdonald, head teacher of the Public School, on the benefits of afforestation. The children were afterwards regaled with sweets which had been kindly supplied by Messrs Berry, Lorden, and St. Omer. Kawarau Falls-Kingston Road.—About 80 men are now employed on this work. Roadmaking is now being carried on between Wye and Staircase Creeks. During the week some of the material was delivered for the bridge which has to be erected over the Wye Creek. The survey of the road at the Kingston end is also proceeding. Lambing.—Lambing is now general throughout the district. At-Gibbston lambing is practically over, and the percentage in that locality Is well over 100 per cent. Sale of Stud Sheep.—Messrs W. Paterson and. Son. of Ayrburn, have disnosed of their merino stud flock to Mr Hector Gibson, of Malvern Downs, Tarras. The flock ineludes all the ewes in lamb, ewe hoggets, and imported rams from Faulkner and Son, Bonoke Station, the well-known Australian merino breeders. Messrs Paterson and Son Intend in future to specialise in Romnev Marsh sheep. V. Personal.—Messrs T. B. M'Kinlay and James Cockburn returned to Queenstown on Friday last from America, where they had spent four months touring in Canada and the States.

WAIKAI A. September 21. —Stormy weather conditions have prevailed for a week past with every indication of a continuance, as the weather forecast is still unfavourable. Switzers Dairy Factory.—The annual report shows that the past season has been a very successful one. The coming season's cheese, till the end of December, has been sold to the New Zealand Producers at the very satisfactory figure of 9|d per lb, and as the company has again secured the services of Mr R. Brett as manager, the prospects look very’ promising. Personal. —Mrs James Moffitt, of Tapanui, is visiting Mrs M. Moffitt. OTAUTAU. Seatember 19. On Tuesday afternoon before commencing duties the pupils of the Otautau - School were assembled -in the school grounds for the presentation of the Kempthorne Prosser Cup and also the school football cup. Mr G. Sinclair, chairman of the School Committee, presented Alex. Browning with the K. P. Cup, which he had won at the Otautau Winter Show for most points in garden produce, and congratulated him on winning such a valuable prize. Gardening and agriculture were now taught in the schools, and it was a good thing to see a lad making it his hobby and winning so many prizes in open company. Mr A. C. Mills, president of the Western District Rugby Union, said it gave him much pleasure to present the “ Springbok ” Cup to the Otautau school fifteen, and congratulated them on their success. As this cup had been won by them for two years in succession, he said, on behalf of the union he would now give it to them outright. Mr Mills offered to present another more valuable cup next year for school competition. He exhorted the boys to “ play the game,” and if defeated at any time to give full credit to the conquerors. Allan Lumsden, captain, thanked Mr Mills on behalf of the school players. Mr Theo. H. Walker, the headmaster. thanked Messrs Mills, R. Buchanan, Rev. Mr Snell, and G. Sinclair for their attendance, and called for three cheers for the speakers and the donors of the cup. Town Board Election.—Considerable interest was evinced in the election of seven commissioners for the Town Board. Two hundred and thirty votes were recorded, the voting being as follows: —H. L. Chandler 150, Elisha Harrington 150, W. J. Wesney 141, R. B. Collett 140, Alexander Chisholm 134, L. J. Brown 123. W. A. E. H. Fraser 110, Bertha Jane Cupnles 106. R. Buchanan " 103, T. H. Hill 102. Robert Scatter 93, and G. H. Bone 56. The first seven were declared duly elected for the ensuing two years.

MOMONA September 24. —For those who thought that winter had passed a shock awaited, as for the past week the most boisterous conditions have prevailed. To-day, however, holds promise of better weather ahead. Farm Work. —The different operations of the spring are well ahead—potatoes, mangolds, and even in a few cases, turnips have already been planted. The pastures are fast taking on a green mantle, and given mild weather the grass should soon be under way. i ■ Fishing.—As yet the whitebait - have not appeared in any great quantities in the Taieri River. It takes not a little patience to catch sufficient for a meal of this delicacy. Election.—According to reports we are likely.to have four candidates seeking Parliamentary honours for this constituency. The first address by one of the candidates. Mr A. E. Ansell (Reform) was to be held at Momona on the 22nd inst., but owing to a poor attendance of electors (due, no doubt, to a bitterly cold night) it was postponed to some future date. Dairying.—The quantity of milk now being supplied to the dairy factory is over double that of last year at the same period. The veal industry seems to be meeting with the full support, of the local dairymen, as on the two days appointed each week a Jarge number of calves is sent forward. ’’ Welcome Home.-—A large number of the -residents assembled at the home of Mr and . Mrs Joseph M’Neill to tender . good wishes on their return from their honeymoon. A most enjoyable evening was .spent by all. Personal.-—Mr A. De Haro,..who was on the ■ staff of the local dairy factory, hes Accepted the position of first assistant with

Dyer’s factory, Outram. —Mr Harold Amos has been appointed seventh engineer on the Manuka. 0 1 :■ T 1 S M September 22.—During the past week we have had a good deal of rain and stormy weather. The rain was very welcome, being all that was required to start the growth. A spell of warm weather now should bring everything on with a rush. Dance.—The sixth dance run by the School Committee was held on September 15. The committee had decided to give the proceeds of this evening to the band, who have been so generous In supplying the music, and it is pleasing to be able to report that a good attendance enabled the committee to hand over £7 to the conductor of the band. At the close of the evening Mr Sullivan provided supper for the musicians. It is the intention of the committee to hold two more dances. Election.—A great deal, of interest was taken in the election of a Town Board for the ensuing two years. Eight candidates were nominated, and, only five being required, a poll was held on Wednesday 19th, and resulted in Messrs A. Hendry, J. Dow, O. Hughes, A. Walker, and W. Sullivan being elected, two members of the board, Messrs M'Laren and M’Lean, being defeated by a small margin. Illness.—We regreat to have to report that the town clerk, Mr A. J. Stewart, is indisposed, and has been ordered to rest for two or three weeks. We wish him a speedy recovery. Concert.—A concert organised by Miss M'Donald in aid of the Girls’ Club was held last evening. There was a good attendance. and a very enjoyable programme was presented. School.—Lee Stream School, after being closed for many years, was reopened recently, and a dance was held to celebrate the occasion.