NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 28

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. WAITAKI’S OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Waitaki High School Ohl Boys’ Association was held in the County Council Chambers last week, Mr A. W. Moss presiding ovei a large attendance. Mr Richardson, of Messrs Lee. Grave, and Grave, was present, and outlined in detail the new constitution as prepared by him, and already confirmed by the various branches throughout the Dominion. On the motion of Mr W. Atkinson, seconded by Mr H. B. Reid, the constitution was unanimously adopted. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr Richardson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation for his valuable services in preparing the constitution.

INTERFERENCE WITH WIRINC. At the meeting of the Waitaki Electric Power Board on Tuesday it was reported by the engineer-manager (Mr palmer) that many cases of interference with wiring had come under his notice. The Public Works Department was taking proceedings in certain cases, but in some cases ignorance had been pleaded. The department was issuing new regulations which required consumers to make themselves familiar with the wnole of the provisions of the Act. Boards would also be required to notify consumers every year, so that the pl-ea of ignorance could not be raised. Mr Dalmer stated that he intended taking proceedings in a case in which a consumer had Connected up the electric current without authority in order to drive a butter separator. On th c motion of Mr Macpherson it was decided that printed notices regarding interference be attached to a prominent place when all new installations were made. LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the executive of the North Otago Lawn Tennis Association was held on Tuesday. Mr C. J. Mollison presided over a full attendance. Affilia- | tion fees were secured from the Morven Club. After a lengthy discussion in regard to the uncompleted matches, it was decided, on the motion of Mr J. H. Main, that the whole of these matches be played before the next match day. A , letter was read from the manager of the Otago Daily Times and Witness Newspapers Company offering a cup for the winner of the Men’s Championship Singles at the Christmas tournament, the trophy to be known as the Otago Daily Times Cup. and to be won twice in succession, or three times at intervals. The chairman and other members expressed appreciation of the gift, and, on the motion of Mr Main, it was decided to send a letter to the manager expressing the thanks of the association for the gift. OBITUARY. The death occurred at his residence in Neu street, Oamaru, at an early hour on Thursday morning, of Mr John Thorpe, an old and respected resident of the town. The deceased was born in Lincolnshire, England, and came to New Zealand about half a century ago. He was 76 years of age at the time of his death. For a considerable period he held the position of foreman in Messrs J. and T. Meek’s flourmill in Oamaru, but retired a few years ago. He took a keen interest in public affairs, and was a member of the executive of the Oamaru Burgesses’ Association. He had been ailing for only a few weeks. The late Mr Thorpe is survived by a widow, one son, and a daughter. Mr Thorpe was an active member of the Phoenix Bowling Club for many years, and was also a prominent adherent of the Wesley Church. HILLCROVE RAINFALL. Mr W. S. D. Trotter reports that the rainfall recorded at Teawa, Hillgrove, for the 24 hours up to 9 o’clock yesterday morning was 23 points. The situation has been relieved a little, but more rain is required. ECC SUPPLIERS. A special general meeting of the members of the Dunedin Egg Suppliers’ Association is to be held in Oamaru to discuss the question of the liquidation of Steel, Ward, Ltd.

PRICE OF LAMBS. Buyers are already scouring the North Otago district for fat lambs for the opening of the freezing works. The opening prices for lambs are reported to be as follows:—Up to 361 L, IOJd per lb; 371 b to 421 b, lOd ; seconds, 94d. PEDIGREE STOCK. Mr A. H. Copland, of Weston, has sold his Friesian bull Bainfield King Dess to Mr G. Gudsell, of Mahcno. The animal has a very fine pedigree, and should be an acquisition to the Mahcno district. THE AWAKINO WORKS. Work at the Awakino hydro-electric power works is proceeding steadily, and at present about 200 men are employed. It is expected that this number will be considerably increased during’ the nextfew months. Not a few of those employed are married men %vith families, and these appear to be quite comfortable in their hutments. The railway line from Kurow is well advanced, and the locomotive is expected from the north next week. The heavy coffer dam material is expected to arrive in December, and work should then proceed rapidly. The railway bridge across the Waitaki River should be completed in a few months.

The hutments have been laid out methodically, and with electric light and othei amenities the little township should provide reasonable comfort. The Y.M.C.A. is providing everything that could reasonably be expected' for the amusement of the men, including billiard tables, picture entertainments twice a week, and facilities for card-playing and reading. Every arrangement is also being made to cater for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of those resident at the camp.

BUILDING OPERATIONS. Building operations are fairly active in Oamaru at the present time. Several new residences are in course of erection, while new business premises are being provided for Mr W. Aikenhead, and a handsome wliite stone building is being erected at the corner of Thames and Edens streets for Dr Smith Morton, and is to be used as mercantile offices. Everybody’s Theatre is also being entirely reconstructed- and modernised.

OAMARU RACECOURSE. The Oamaru racecourse promises to be in excellent order for the Jockey Club s meeting to be held this month. The track has been well prepared, and shrn’d be fairly fast. The grass on the lawns in the enclosure has come on well, and the appointments are almost as perfect as they could be made. If the public are as appreciative of the efforts of the Jockey Club as they were of those of the Trotting Club in catering for the enjoyment of patrons the meeting should be highly successful.

crave-talbot track. The Government is obtaining a report upon the Gravc-Talbot track, between Milford Sound and Lake Wakatipu, with a view to putting it into immediate order. This track was first made by Mr W. G. Grave, of Oamaru, and a Mr Talbot. JUDGING AT SHOWS. Mr D. J. Ross, of Hillgrove, who judged one of the sheep classes at thc Canterbury Show, stated in conversation with our representative that he could not see what advantage would be derived by the various breeding associations fixing standards for judging at shows. In the first place, he considered it tvould be difficult for these associations to fix a definite standard by which judging would be done on points. Some judges. he° said, would give more points for the head of an animal than would other judges. Generally speaking, he did not think the present system could be much improved upon. He pointed out that a sheep that he had awarded first place at the Canterbury Show had won similar honours under different judges at the Waimate, Oamaru, and Dunedin shows. This showed, to his mind, that there was nothing very radically wrong with the system of judging that was at present in vogue.

THE RAINFALL. The rainfall registered by Mr W. Forrester, of Oamaru, for the month of November, was as follows: —November 2, 3 points; 4th, 10 points; 11th, 7 points; 14th, 2 points; 24th, 4 points; 29th, 16 points; total, 57 points. The registration for November last year was 2.64 inches, or nearly five times as large as last month. The rainfall registered for the 11 months ending yesterday was 16.89 inches, which is about five inches below the average over a period of years. THE KARTICI SLIPS. At the meeting of the Waitaki County Council on Friday a telegram was read from the Main Highways Board in regard to the charge upon the council for the completion of the work at the Kartigi slips. The board stated that if the council would contribute £5OO towards the work the board would proceed with the undertaking. It was not considered necessary to send a deputation to Wellington. On the motion of Dr Ross, seconded by Mr Rodman, it was decided that the council contribute £5OO from the county fund towards the work. Cr MTnnes asked if there was a proliability of the council being called upon to make payments for further works in the future.

Cr Rodman reported upon the result of his interview with officials of the Highways Board in Wellington. The officials had stated that the cost of the work had increased to £6OOO or £7OOO, owing to the increased erosions. Cr Rodman said he had asked whether the cost would not have been reduced had the work been proceeded with when the council first requested it. He was informed that it would not. The officials had suggested a contribution of about £lOOO, but he (Cr Rodman) had stated that the council would not agree to such an amount. Eventually the board had agreed to accept £5OO. Cr Rodman said the board was taking every precaution to prevent future slips. The officials were practical men, and had gone into the whole question. On the motion of the chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Cr Rodman for his efforts on behalf of the council. Cr Meek stated that he had visited Palmerston a few days ago. He found that there was a strong feeling in the Waihemo County against contributing towards the amount of £ll,OOO that was required to provide a road few the travelling public. Cr Meek said there was a feeling that the Horse Range road should be put in order. They did not know when their liability was going to end in respect to the Kartigi Beach road. The Horse Range was not as bad as the Kilmogg. At the same time he thought the £5OO required for the Kartigi ships were reasonable.

Cr Ross pointed out that the other side of the Horse Range was slippy. He stated that the railway had to be protected, and they should do the two protective works at once. Cr Rodman assured the council that the Highways Board would not make the Horse Range a main highway. The railway was a national affair, and they should not lose sight of this aspect of the question.

A BROKEN WEEK. The weather experienced in North Otago during the past week has been broken. One or two good showers of rain have fallen, and these have stimulated the crops and pastures and given the root crops a start. Shearing is now well advanced, and hay-making is in progress in various directions. Lambs have come on well, and some good drafts will be taken off the mothers when thc freezing works open m about 10 days’ time. The opening price for lambs has exceeded the expectations of the majority of the farmers. I Ire oat and wheat crops are looking well. The former are heading well, though somewhat stunted in growth. The supplies of cream to the local dairy factories are being well maintained, notwithstanding the dry weather that has been experienced during the past fortnight. Several good stands of lucerne are at present being converted into hay. SALES OF PROPERTY., A borough lease of 1368 acres was sold by Messrs Bruce Christie and Co. on Friday at 6s 8d per acre to Mr J. Williamson, the previous rent being 5s 4d per acre. Two other leases were sold to the present lessees at about the same rent is before. At Messrs J. D. Familton and Sons’ rooms, a property of 38 acres at Kakanui was passed in at £3O per acre. Another small property in the same district was passed i n at £75.

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION. The monthly meeting of the North Otago branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held on Tuesday. There were present: Mesdames Meek (president), Burdett (vice-president), Campbell, Frew, Corlett, and Diver. It was decided to make the rest tent at the show, along with a produce stall, an annual fixture. Votes of thanks were passed to those who had worked to make the arrangements suitable and convenient, special mention being made of the work of Mesdames Burdett, Hamilton, Corlett, and Frew. A letter was received from the private secretary of Lady Alice Fergusson expressing pleasure that the cookery book now in preparation is to be inscribed to her Excellency. The ladies of North Otago are invited to send recipes and suggestions. The donor’s name will be published for the payment of sixpence. As Mrs Polson (the Dominion president) intends coming sputh either in December or January, the next meeting will be arranged to fit in with her visit.

HIGH POWER GRADERS. Messrs Booth, Macdonald, and Co., through Mr Ernest Reid, of Oamaru, have just completed an order for four highpower motor graders for the Waitaki County Council, and one for the Waihemo County Council. These graders, which are driven bv M'Cormick-Deering tractors. are capable of grading miles of road every day, and will most certainly be an acquisition to North Otago. NO RATING. It may interest the present generation to know that in the year 1863 the only rating body in North Otago was the School Committee. According to cue history of Mr W. H. S. Roberts, taxation in the province of Otago was a thing almost unknown. “ The revenue of the Provincial Council was,” he says, “ derived principally from the sale of the magnificent landed estate of the provinces (the proceeds of which they squandered in the most reckless manner), and a small rate per head levied qn great and small cattle, on the various runs and hundreds.” Describing the first meetings of the Oamaru Town Board, Mr Roberts says, “ The meetings were on the whole very enjoyable; a comfortable room, a bright fire burning in the grate, the whisky was as a rule fairly good, and the cares of office sat lightly on each member.”

CANADIAN THISTLE. Some healthy patches of Canadian or Californian thistle are to be seen on some of the Oamaru reserves, and particularly on a plot that has received the attention of the Beautifying Society behind the Drill Hall. CUSTOMS RETURNS. The Customs returns for Oamaru for the month of November, 1928, compared with those of the same month of laot veare were as follow: —Customs duties. £693 8s 3d (£B7l 12s lid); tyre duty, £4l 10s ( —); passports. 4 (1); marine revenue, £36 12s 8d (£4 6s 7d). A VALUABLE ORGAN. The old boys of the Waitaki Boys’ High School have instituted a fund for the purchase of an organ for the Hall of Memories at the High EJiool. The instrument proposed to be purchased will cost about £3OOO. Dr Bradshaw, of Christchurch, came to Oamaru on Saturday and interviewed members of the Old Boys’ Association in regard to the most suitable position in the hall for the erection of the organ. AN OAMARU BOOK. An Oamaru writer, Mr T. F. Gallagher, has had a book entitled “The Wild Colonia] Boy,” accepted for publication by Messrs Henry Walker and Co., of London. The book, which is said to be particularly humorous, is expected to make its appearance in London in February.

WAITAKI BOYS’ HICH SCHOOL. Although the weather was unpropitious there was a large attendance of parents and others interested at the Waitaki Boys’ High School on Saturday afternoon for parents’ day. The first portion of the afternoon was devoted to an inspection of the art studio (in charge of- Miss Edgar), junior laboratory (Mr Botting), gymnasium (Mr Campbell), manual department (Mr Jackson), metal workshop (Mr Rutherford), and various classrooms. Tin; work done by the students in the

different departments was commented upon in terms of high praise by the visitors. A modern one-act play was produced in the gymnasium by students of the Junior High School, and the respective performers displayed considerable histrionic talent. Mr F. Milner (rector), in a short speech, expressed regret that the vagaries of the weather rendered it impossible to give the exhibition of massed physical drill that was proposed. He eulogised the" Minister of Education and the Board of Governors of the school for the foresight and enthusiasm they had displayed in making provision for the higher branches of education. Afternoon tea was served and musical items by the school band enlivened the proceedings. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr and Mrs Milner and the staff of the school for their hospitality.

CRICKET. The senior competition matches were continued in Oamaru on Saturday afternoon, despite the fact that unfavourable weather prevailed. The showers in the afternoon deadened the wickets slightly, and the outfield on the School ground was slower than usual. A troublesome wind and a greasy ball made the task of the bowlers a difficult one. The match between Oamaru and Albion was played on the School ground. Albion won the toss and elected to bat. the innings closing for 323. Oamaru followed with 34 for two wickets. At King George’s Park School won the toss and decided to bat, occupying the crease all afternoon for a total of six wickets, for 286 runs. Owing to the inclement weather conditions prevailing at Palmerston on Saturday the representative team there did not travel, necessitating the postponement of the North Otago v. Palmerston junior representative match. BUILDINC PERMITS. Building permits to the value of £9986 were issued by the engineer to the Oamaru Borough Council last month. These included permits for five residences valued at £4537, one building replacement valued at £4669, four additions to existing residences valued at £260, and four motor garages valued at £421.