NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3890, 2 October 1928, Page 52

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. PRESENTATION. A pleasant ceremony took place on Monday week last when the members of the Waitaki County Council visited Mr William Gardiner (chairman of the counoil) at the residence of his son-in-law in Oamaru and presented him with a framed group photograph of the members of the council and the staff. The presentation was made by Mr James Newlands, the acting chairman of the council, who referred to the invaluable services rendered to the district by Mr Gardiner, and expressed the hope that he would soon be sufficiently restored to health to permit him to resume his seat at the council table. Other councillors endorsed the sentiments of Mr Newlands.. Mr Gardiner expressed his deep sense of gratitude to the members of the council for the generous spirit that had animated them in making the presentation. He also paid a warm tribute to the acting chairman (Mr Newlands) for -the manner in which he was watching the interests of the ratepayers and to the councillors and staff for the good work they were performing in the county. OBITUARY. The death occurred last week, after a long and painful illness, of Mr Harry Schluter, of Pukeuri, one of the oldest and most respected settlers of the district. The deceased, who had reached the advanced age of 84 years, was born at Hanover. He arrived at Melbourne in 1857, at the age of 13 years, and came to New Zealand two years later, his father having preceded him by five years. He landed at Oamaru in a surf boat from the ship Dover. As a young man he was a boundary rider on Filleul’s Papakaio estate, and subsequently he took over the Great Western Hotel at Hillis’s Siding. In those days Kurow had not come into existence. His father, at the time, had the Boundary Creek Hotel, and when his father died he took over this hotel, in which he remained until 1903. He was a member of th- Waitaki Road Board prior to the formation of the Waitaki County Council, and was one of the keenest sportsmen in the district. Among the horses he trained and rode was the cross-country horse Honest John, which he piloted home on several occasions. One of the last horses he bred and owned wa Storm, which also had a number of wins to his credit. Possessed of a wonderful memory, Mr Schluter could recount many stirring incidents that occurred in the early history of the district. He was a great lo'-ci of animals, particularly of horses and cattle, and he was the proud possessor of numerous trophies awarded in the show ring to stock of his own breeding. His wife predeceased him 19 years ago, and he is survived by a grown-up family of one son and three married daughters. The Rev. D. J. Murray, a well-known Methodist minister, whose death is reported from Auckland, was at one time stationed. in Waimate, and was a frequent visitor to Oamaru. He was a wellread man, and a powerful preacher. Besides occupying the position of persident of the New Zealand Conference for a term, he filled a prominent place in the prohibition movement and also in the Masonic craft. PREVENTION OF CRUELTY. At the annual meeting of the Society ' for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, held in St. Luke’s Hall, Mr H. Orbell presided. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman said it had been a great credit to the society that it" had made such good progress. He remembered when the society had been formed, and said that Mr Forbes was one of its founders. People should give the society every encouragement, remembering that it was for the welfare of dumb animals. Mr Orbell added that the Otago Society had much too great an area to cover, and he thought that the North Otago Society should be allowed certain areas. He thanked Miss Webo (the secretary) and the committee for their valuable services, and also remarked favourably upon the work of the inspector. . Mr Forbes seconded the motion, and in doing so he pointed out that the society had a membership of about 500. which, he thought, was very creditable in view of its short .existence. He criti«ised the Otago Society, and said that it should give greater consideration than it did to the interests of the North Otago Society. He added that circulars had been sent to the Education Board, which had distributed them among the schools. He thought the society was doing excellent work. A. letter from the Wanganui Society, asking for assistance in the matter of formulating by-laws and reports, was received, and the secretary was instructed to forward particulars. The question of incorporation was lef oyer for the incoming committee to discuss. Miss Webb said that arrangements had been made for a lecture by Mr Simpson dealing with animal life, to be delivered at Oamaru. The election of officers resulted as fo»lows:—President, Mr H. Orbell (reelected) ; vice-presidents—Mr Tomlinson. Dr Scott, Archdeacon Russell; committee —Mrs Corlett, Misses Grenfell, Stockley, and Jones, Messrs H. H. Ross, G. Williams, A. A. Stock, and G. E. Hollands, auditor, Mr A. G. Kemp; inspector, Mr T. Green; hon. secretary, Miss A. F. Webb; hon. treasurer, Mr A. A. Stock. The inspector reported that 10 cases nad been dealt with since the last meeting.

SUNDAY SPORTS. The question of instituting Sunday sports is agitating the people of Kurow at the presetn time. A proposal has been made that the local lawn tennis club should use its courts on a Sunday, and the proposal will be discussed at a' meet“"ing early next Monday. Meanwhile, the Domain Board, which is opposed to Sunday sports, is communicating with the

Minister of Internal Affairs to ascertain if it has the power to prevent the domain from being used on Sundays. VITAL STATISTICS. The vital statistics of Oamaru for the month of September were as follows:— Births 20, marriages 4, deaths 10. BANKRUPTCIES. One bankruptcy was recorded in Oamaru last month, making six for the first nine months of the year. SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS. The annual meeting of the South African Veterans’ Association was held in the Railway Hall at Oamaru on Saturday night. After the annual statement of accounts had been submitted, the following officers were elected:—Patron, Major H. S. Orbell; president, Mr A. G. Gibson; vice-presidents, Messrs H. Koppert and A. F. Stock; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr A. W. Woodward. The whole of the financial members, of the association were elected a committee. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the secretary for his past services, and Mr H. C. Thompson for his representation of the association at the annual conference. It was announced that the Timaru Association’s annual reunion would be held on Saturday, Cctober 6, and an invitation was extended to members of the Oamaru Association to be present. At the conclusion of the annual meeting a social gathering was held. SHOW JUDGES. The following judges have been selected for the North Otago A. and P. Association’s November show:—Draught horses: James Wylie (Sefton) males, and N. Cook (Amberley) females. Thoroughbred -horses: Appointment not yet made. Border Leicester sheep: W. B. Andrew (Timaru). Corriedales: H. M'lntyre (Pukerau). English Leicesters, Romneys, and Lincolns: J. M. L. Young (Winchester). Shropshires, Southdowns, and Ryelands: C. Parry (Salisbury). Fat sheep: J. K. Blair (Morven). Dogs and dog trial: W. Aubrey (Georgetown). Short horn cattle: G. P. Johnston (Alma). Ayrshires: J. Parlane (Halswell). Friesians: E. M. North (Omimi). Jerseys: D. Cameron (Lorne). General cattle: Combined judges. Bread and pastry: J. Presland (Oamaru). Butter: Mr Milne (Dunedin). Grain and seeds: R. B. Tennent (Dunedin). Cured meats: E. P. Lavery (Glenavy). Milk testing: J. Mitchell (Oamaru). THE “SWAGGING” FRATERNITY. A large number of swaggers from north and south have been passing through Oamaru during the last month or two. Most of them have been proceeding in the direction of the Awakino works. The number of men taken on at these works averages only a few every week, so that many are disappointed. It has been suggested that some form of shelter be provided in Oamaru for those going to and coming from the works. Farmers in the district have been most generous in their treatment of men who are carrying their swags, but those whose residences are on the main road have been bearing the greater portion of the burden. GROWING OF BARLEY. North Otago is recognised as one of the best barleygrowing districts in the Dominion. At one time large areas of this cereal were grown in the district, ’ but in recent years the acreage under barley has been comparatively small. This year a fair quantity is being grown under contract at 4s per bushel. A“DRY WEEK. Notwithstanding that heavy rain has visited other parts of the Dominion, North Otago has received no moisture during the past Week. Stormy winds have, however, prevailed, and these have made the country parched and dry, with the result that the sowing of root crops has been rendered impossible. The cereal crops have made considerable growth, and in many parts they have been fed off with sheep, so that they -will not go to straw The present indications are for a prolific harvest, though much will yet depend upon the weather conditions between now and Christmas. The pastures are somewhat backward owing to the cold winds that have been in evidence, and stock is therefore not as forward in condition as it might be. Lambing is now nearly finished in the low country, and the percentage is reported to be higher than usual. The cream supplies to the local dairy factories, though satisfactory, are reported to be somewhat lighter than at this period last year. THE UNITED PARTY. According to the Oamaru chairman of the United Political Party, that organisation is fully determined to run a candidate against Mr E. P. Lee at the coming election. Mr Wing, the Dunedin organiser of the party, was in Oamaru a few days ago, consulting the leading men/ bers of the organisation in this part. It is expected that the name of the candidate will be announced in a few days. THE RAINFALL. Practically no rain has fallen in North Otago during the past month. In several parts the registration has been less thqn half an inch. Rain has threatened on several occasions, and the glass has been very low, but the much-needed moisture has not arrived. Good rains have fallen in the back country beyond Kurow. AWAKINO ELECTRIC WORKS. The con-druction of the railway line from Kurow to the Awakino camp will shortly be completed. Between 40 and 50 men are employed on the work. Two small bridges and several cuttings have been necessary. When the line is finished it will be used for the transport of material for the works. A part of the county road is to be submerged by the dam, and a gang of men is employed in making a deviation which will prove all that is requLvd for future traffic. The camp itself

means the appearance o. a small township, scores of hutments having been erected and painted in French grey. The Y.M.C.A. canteen, which is almost completed, is situated on a small hille* which overlooks the camp. It is being taken over to-day by Mr R. J. Jeffs, and will do much to provide social reunion for those employed in the camp. The camp is being supplied with water from tanks, the water being pumped from the Awakino Creek. A large cook house and mess room are nearing completion. The latter will accommodate 100 men. There are at present 186 men in the camp, apart from the administrative staff, and work in excavation for the huge dam has already been commenced. There are 25 married couples and 57 children in the camp. The children of school age are taken by motor bus to the Kurow School every day. Provision is being made for hospital accommodation and medical treatment, and it is reported that religious services are also to be held at th. camp on Sundays. It is anticipated that well over 300 men will be employed on the .works by the new year. Mr R. H= Packwood and his staff, who have their own offices and appointments, are losing no time' in pushing on the preliminary operations. FAREWELL TO BANKER. Representatives of the farming and commercial community were present in large numbers at the banking chamber of the National Bank in Oamaru on Friday to bid farewell to Mr G. W. M'Douall, who has been accountant at the bank for many years, -and who has been promoted to the position of manager of~the branch that is being opened in Waimate. The Mayor (Mr Frank Crawshaw),. on behalf of the gathering, presented Mr M'Douall with a valuable set of banking volumes, together with a welLfilled wallet. The Mayor said he was voicing the opinion of the citizens generally when he said that in the departure of Mr M'Douall Oamaru was suffering a Very severe loss. At the same time, he congratulated Mr M'Douall upon his well-earned promotion, and wished himself and Mrs M'Douall every happiness in their new home Messrs G. Livingston, G. Stringer, and J. M'Diarmid also testified *.» t’i® excellent qualities of Mr M'Douall as a citizen and bank official, and stated that he was worthily maintaining the high traditions that had been set by his father, who was for years manager of the bank in Oamaru. and who had been a firm friend to the settlers of the district. Mr M’Douall expressed his deep sense of gratitude to those who had paid him so generous a tribute, and said that Oamaru, which was his home, would al ways have a warm place in his memory and affections. He emphasised the fact that the most cordial relations had always existed between the customers and management of th® Loyd- an-t between the various members of the staff. AN UNFAIR EXCHANGE. A farmer of the Oamaru district who had hung out his best Sunday clothes on the line for an airing was surprised to find, on returning from work in the field a few days ago. that the clothes had*been stolen and replaced by garments which were very much th® worse for wear. POTATOES AND FROST. Some of the early potato crops in tlm Oamaru district have suffered a good deal from frosts and southerly winds during the past wejek, and now present a blackened appearance. Fortunately, the major portion of the crons are not yet showing above the ground