NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3897, 20 November 1928, Page 51

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. THE CROPS. Reports from the country districts show that the crops in North Otago have made rapid growth during the last week or two, and are now wearing a very healthy appearance. A spell of warm weather is now all that is required to ensure a bountiful harvest. NONAGENARIANS. Mr William Hall died at his residence at Herbert at the great age of 97 years, and Mrs Penelope Tempero, widow of Mr H. Tempero,. died in Oamaru on the same day i n her ninetyfourth year. PERSONAL. The friends of Mr William Milne, a well-known resident of Oamaru, and formerly a director of the Bank of Nev; Zealand, will regret to hear that he is at present rather seriously indisposed, c u i 3! meeting of the Waitaki High schools Board yesterday, leave of absence was granted the rector (Mr F. Milner) from March next until the end of the X® ar - r * Milner intends visiting the Old Country. Mr C. C. Cook, of Oamaru, who has been on an extended visit to Great Britain and the Continent, returned home last evening.

NURSE FOUND DEAD. Sister E. M. Cullen, of the nursing staff of the Oamaru private hospital, was found dead in bed in the house of a friend on Tuesday morning. She left the hospital about 9 o’clock on Monday evening, and after being in the friend’s house for an hour or two she complained of feeling ill, and asked for a stimulant. This she was given, and she went to a room to lie down. She was not disturbed, but about 5 o’clock yesterday morning heavy snoring was heard, and at 7 o’clock, W’hen her room was visited, she was apparently dead. Dr Orbell was summoned, but could only pronounce life extinct. The body was removed to the morgue, where a post mortqm was held by Dr Orbell. The deceased, who was 44 years of age, was a single woman, whose parents reside in Ashburton. She was a highly-trained nurse and a skilled violinist, holding the diploma of A.T.C L. An inquest was held in the police station, Oamaru, on Wednesday, before Mr W. H. Frith, coroner. John Baptist Cullen, a brother of the deceased, identified the body. He stated that his sister had had an illness about 12 years ago, but he did not know the nature of the illness. In correspondence with her mother, she had mentioned that she was run down. Dr R. G. S. Orbell stated that about 7.45 a.m. on Tuesday, he was summoned to 26 Nen street, Oamaru. On arrival ■ there he found the dead body of Nurse Cullen lying on the bed fully clothed, and covered with an eiderdown quilt. There were no signs of any struggle or of external violence. In conjunction with Dr Douglas he made a postmortem examination. On removing the brain, he found a large blood clot. This, in his opinion, was the cause of death. but concluded that it was Mr Spiers. The coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, that the deceased came to her death through a clot of blood on the brain.

WAITAKI HICH SCHOOLS’ BOARD.

■ A meeting of the Waitaki High Schools Board was held on Tuesday; present— Messrs E. P. Lee (chairman), G. Livingston, W. Kinder, and H. S. Orbell. Leave of absence was granted to Dr Douglas and Messrs Crawshaw and Gardiner.

The department advised that it would be prepared to 'make a small, grant for necessary equipment to re-establish the practical plumbing class at the evening technical class on condition that vigorous measures were taken by the Apprenticeship Committee to see that full advantage was taken of the class when it started.— The board decided to include the class in the course next year when classes reopen. The lady principal reported as follows: I wish to express my sincere thanks to the governors for the arrangements and practical assistance in connection with the official opening of the new building for the girls’ junior high school. I am very glad that the occasion was not allowed to pass without official recogntion and an opportunity "for the parents to participate in the function. I have to report that the gale on Thursday was responsible for considerable damage to the school fence on the Trent street frontage. It has been temporarily propped up, but it will be necessary to consider what should be done. The end of the school year approaches, and I have to recommend that the break-up ceremony will take place on Friday, December 14, in the Opera House. It is not very satisfactory owing to the doubtful weather conditions to plan for an outdoor ceremony when there is not a school hall to accommodate both parents and pupils. The Education Department has announced alternative conditions for the fixation of terms and vacations for the year 1929, and I suggest that the dates for the school terms be agreed upon by the rector and myself in consultation with the secretary. The rector’s report contained the following clauses: —It is with pleasure I report the successful inauguration of an old boys’ dinner in London. I enclose an official report of the proceedings, and also the secretary’s letter to me. The echool was most impressed by the ceremony held on the occasion of handing over the teak furniture in the Hall of Memories. -This historic gift will be carefully treasured by the echool. As regards the proposad organ, the committee has now definitely rejected the balcony location in favour of utilising one or both bays at the ends of the platform. Dr

Bradshaw, of the Christchurch Cathedral, is to draw up fresh specifications. At the Invercargill old boys’ dinner I received a donation of £25 from an old boy and another of £2O at the school sports. w 1 A' e University sports £.• D. Blundell won the 440 Yards. 'He seems likely to gain a double blue. I received a cable from Mr Bulkely Evans (secretary of the English Headmasters’ Conference) that 12 English public school boys will join Waitaki next February as boarders for a two years’ course on the agi icultural side. The scheme has the warm approval of the Minister of Agriculture and the High Commissioner. I nav’e to ask the board formally for leave ot absence from March 1, 1529, till the end of that year to enable me to attend an Empire educational conference at VanC^tbLn? d + to ?° , on England and the Continent to study educational developriinv' + 1 lu Ve re . ceive d a personal invitation to the conference from the Canaaian Council of Education. As regards prize night. I should like this fixed for Ibursdajs December 13. We have arvr g r> d 4.K >a r en^ l s • Uay for December 1. Mr Rutherford, m the Metal Work DeS"e tn f“‘'ae “ V " y fi “ hi » h t decided that the name of Mr J. M. Forrester, as architect of the Hall f>* Memories, be incorporated in .the buildMOTOR ASSOCIATION. a T vr e P r °P°sals brought forward bv Mr A. M. Macdonald, of the Southland Motor Ot^o at M n f an l dls< r ussed by the North Motor .. Association on Thursday night, are of a far-reaching character Th 1 4 fl m <T - t i le i-- PrO ? OSaIs are follows:— that legislation be promoted whereby all motor associations would be given a status S h K“ k i” ,0 «“ho S ru‘e“ lheir districts would be defined, and all members 8 d aut . om . ati cally become members of the association operating in that district The executive for each district would be elected by the vote of the fion° wonw" fi UCI -\ distriet - Ea ch association on \ tB i m ? m bership subscription on a budget basis, according to its vZa? J xpendltu . r e for the ensuing tith’ njf r ie eubs c ri Ptions would be paid wml/ > e -n l lc ® n ? e fees- The associations i un <tertake the licensing of both vehicles and drivers, so as to have the various licenses issued by one controlling triet W mO K? r , association of each district. The vehicle registration and license fee would doubtless require to be paid nroln? the Mam Highways Board as at present, and the heavy traffic fees could be distributed amongst local authorities as is done now. but the drivers’ license ? n e . retained by the associations as part of their income. With increased revenues the associations would be expected to assume increased responsibilities, and would undertake the regulation and control of all motor traffic, and also make provision for all road signing work and such safety devices for the protection of motorists as might be thought necessary or desirable. The associations could also provide additional facilities for travelling motorists by establishing patrols tor their assistance and guidance. The great advantage of the scheme would, it is maintained, be that greater road facilities could be provided, the cost of which would be borne equally by all motorists instead of by the few, as at preesnt. It is suggested that the provision of club rooms (within, perhaps, a limited extent) might properly be provided for as part of the functions of the new associations, there might be some difficulty in dealing with the assets, and accumulated funds of existing associations, but it was thought that some equitable way of doing so would be found. If the South Island Motor Union approves of the main outline <sf the scheme it is proposed that it be forwarded to the North Island Motor Union, and, if it concurred, joint representations should be made to the Government on the matter.

THE WHEAT PROBLEM. Wheatgrowers in North Otago are deeply concerned as to the probable effect of the political change upon the wheatgrowing industry. The sliding duty on wheat, imposed by the Reform Government, is, it is feared, in jeopardy, as it is believed to be opposed by both the United and Labour Parties. Should the duty be removed, the Dominion would be flooded with Australian wheat, and probably flour. It is not thought by local millers, however, that the duty will be lifted before a large portion of next season’s harvest is dealt with. In the meantime, millers are buying cautiously. Limited forward delivery purchases have been made on the basis of 6s 5d per bushel on trucks for Velvet, 5s lid for Hunter’s, and 5s 8d for Tuscan. Millers state that these prices will probably not be maintained, as the future is pregnant of important possibilities. The promoters of the wheat pool are feeling anxious. A BROKEN WEEK. The past week has been broken by the election and shows, and farm work in North Otago has been seriously disturbed. The weather has been generally fine, though cold winds have prevailed, and these have impeded the growth of all forms of vegetation. Shearing is well advanced on the low country, and the clips are reported to be good. Lambs are making fair progress, and some good drafts are expected to be available by the time the freezing works open. Dairying has reached the flush of the season, and the supplies of cream to the local dairy factories are quite saitsfaetory. SHOW CARNIVAL An innovation was introduced by the North. Otago A. and P. Association this -year in the shape of a night carnival. The grounds were lighted with electricity, and the various amusements and side shows were liberally patronised. The attendance of the public was quite satisfactory, a sum of £39 Is being taken at the gates. PRICE OF LAMBS. It was expected that some indication would have been forthcoming at the Oamaru Show yesterday of the probable opening price for lambs in the coming season. Inquiries made from the representatives of freezing companies, however, revealed nothing definite. The price will

probably be fixed after the sale of slipe wool m London next week. . The opinion is expressed that the opening price in the North Island will be about 9Jd per lb for lambs up to 421 b in weight. If this opinion proves well founded the opening prrne in Canterbury and North Otago should be about 9fd per lb.

SUMMER WEATHER. Beautiful summer weather was experienced in North Otago on Saturday and Sunday. Hundreds of people yesterday visaed ■ various seaside resorts, while Gardens, which are just now a blaze of bloom and variegated colours, were liberally patronised. SUNDAY TRAIN EXCURSIONS. For some time past the Railways Department has been running Sunday trains between Dunedin and Oamaru. These have been fairly -well patronised, At the coming ■week-end the experiment is being made of running an excursion train from Dunedin to Timaru on Saturday, returning on Sunday evening. It is probable that this excursion will be taken advantage of by a considerable number of Oamaru residents, particularly as Saturday will be the second day of the Timaru races. WAITAKI FARMERS’ FREEZING COMPANY. The M' aitaki Farmers’ Freezing Company in its annual report, says:—The stock dealt with for the past three seasons is as follows:— 1926. 1927. 1928. Sheep M .. 20,395 27,187 32 180 Lambs .. .. 173,172 231,409 262,496 Totals .. 193,567 258,596 294,676 The working account for the year shows a surplus of £5065 12s 9d. This, less £5OO written off preliminary exnenses, has been transferred to the appropriation account. Your directors wish to express their appreciation of the support accorded the works during the past season, and look forward with confidence to its continuance. The retiring directors are E- Austin, A. M’lnnes, and D. Williams, all of whom are eligible and offer themselves for re-election. Mr D. V. G. Smith, the retiring auditor, also offers himself for re-election. The balance sheet shows that the assets (all of which are secured by debentures to the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, Ltd., and the National Bank) amount to £235.736 i f d h <■ The Eability to the New Zealand J . 7floating Company, Ltd., stands ’ *l nd p_aid-up capital is zy<s,izo 1/6 2d. BOWLINC. The first of the season’s matches in connection with the North Otago Bowling Centre were played on Saturday on the Meadowbank Green lietween Meadowbank and Phoenix. The weather was beautifully fine, and the green was in splendid order. The match ended in a win for Phoenix by the narrow margin of 8 points after some keenly contested games. Afternoon tea was provided by the Meadowbank Club.

The women bowlers of Oamaru are displaying much enthusiasm in the game, and both the Phoenix and Awamoa Clubs have a good membership. Playing for the Reid ferns on Saturday, Mrs M’Lean and Mrs Ashton (challengers) were defeated by Mrs Glass and Miss Slater (holders). EXPERIMENTAL PLOTS. Apart from the experimental plots established in North Otago last year with the. object of ascertaining the fertilisers that are best adapted for the renewal of the pastures the department is this year making experiment! in regard to wheat. Co-opers.cive plots have been put dowi at Papakaio on the farm of Mr D. Borrie. An experiment has been made with the use of sulphate of ammonia, and on the farm of Mr M. M Phee nitrate of soda has been used. It is too early yet to make a definite pronouncement, but the present indications are that sulphate of ammonia will produce better results than nitrate of soda. THE PIC INDUSTRY. Mr C. Carrington, of Peebles, has engaged in the pig industry on a somewhat extensive scale. The breed of pig he has selected is the Tamworth Berkshire cross, which appears to produce the bacon that is in demand on the Dominion market. Mr Carrington, who feeds his pigs chiefly on lucerne, recently sent a consignment of pigs to the Addington market. These realised £3 17s 6d per head. After deducting freight and charges, however, the net return was £3 10s per head. A GOOD HERD. As showing what can be done by judicious culling and feeding, it may be mentioned that Mr James Martin, of Alma, has a small dairy herd of 10 which have produced remarkable yields. The averages of the herd for the month of October were as follow:—Ten cows, average 13501 b of milk, 58.941 b of butterfat of 4.3 test, at Is 6d per lb. This represents £4 8s per cow for the month. Two of the cows gave 75.901 b and 77.401 b of butterfat respectively. The herd includes four heifers, and their average was 11741 b of milk, £5 test, and 53.461 b of butterfat. BOXING. The Waitaki High School annual boxing tournament was concluded on Saturday evening before a large attendance, ■when the finals were decided. Mr T. Nightingale acted as referee. The following were the results:—

LIGHT-WEIGHT. Murray v. Laing.—Laing tackled his elusive opponent in a determined manner, but Murray, by superior ringcraft, kept out of reach, and retaliated with welljudged punches when opportunity offered. Murray won easily on points. WELTER-WEIGHTS. Hamilton defeated Couper. MIDDLE-WEIGHT. The final of the welter and middleweight between Hamilton and Statham proved very even, and after an extra round had been ordered the judges’ decision was given in favour of Hamilton. FLY-WEIGHT. I n the final between Haig and Kent, the former -was aggressive from the start, and often swung wildly, but sometimes connected. Kent put up a good resistance, but lost on points. FEATHER-WEIGHT. Murray was awarded the fight over Nixon (who was much smaller) in the first round. BANTAM. Enal between Middlemass and MGiilivray the first round was slightly in favour of Middlemass, but M’Gillivray kept him busy throughout, and by winning , e . p ex t two rounds gained the judges’ decision. JUNIOR SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP. Watson knocked out Flower in the first round, and Flower was unable to rise at the end of the count. HEAVY-WEIGHT. the final between Corson and Neill, Neill put up a game fight, but was outclassed by a lad who made full use of his leach and his height, Corson winning by a small margin. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. The first round of the final between n on , a . nd proved very willing. Neill did most or the forcing in this n? U ?p' r In th v- seeond round a cut on n “ 8 *?ce, which he had received on the previous night, gave trouble, but he gamely fought on. Corson won the of n points mPlonShiP by a Small margin TROPHIES. A trophy for the most scientific boxer (presented by Mr Les ■ Murray) was ■awarded to Murray, and it was decided to write to the coach, Mr T. Harris (Jonor of the trophy for the moet imProsed boxer), asking him to select the most improved boxer. OAMARU SHOW CUPS. Otllo A ari cp P s all «tted by the North i d Association were won at last week’s shpw as follows:— cup for most points in Corriedale sheep, to be won three times—"Obnstone (won outright). fi l>z2r. Ver i cllalle nge cup for most points in sheep classes—Gorge Simpson. Champion cup for dog trials—John Anderson (win twice). —vouu an Sih er challenge cup for most points in SHv a ? Allnutt (Morven). Kt& rpoi “ to » Past president’s silver challenge cup for S Gr?M t (K , u n riiSSf l “ h ° r “ F. c Ediss„r inte in p ° nr 4 h c jump . ‘ iSht *“■ Snver cup for most points in dairv br “ d Z