NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 30

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

OBITUARY. Three old identities of North Otago have passed away recently. On February 23 Air Carl Frederick Augustus Deihl died at his residence in Humber street, Oamaru, at the great age of 91 years. Air Michael Downey, of Hakataramea, died on the 24th, aged 71 years; while Airs Helen Green, wife of the late Air Gilbert Green,; passed away at the residence of her son at Hakataramea, on the 25th, in her eighty-first year. ELECTRIC SHOCK. Information has reached Oamaru that Air Russell Al'Lay, formerly of Totara, received a rather severe electric shock when working on the Lyttelton tunnel electrification on Alonday week. His hands were badly burned, and he was admitted to the Christchurch Hospital, where he is progressing favourably. FARMERS’ EXCURSIONS. At the meeting of the Farmers’ Union Executive in Oamaru on Friday, Air C. E. Barnes, business agent of the New Zealand railways at Dunedin, was present to explain a proposed farmers’ excursion in June to the Alanawatu and Hawera shows. He stated that a tentatative itinerary had been drawn up, and-this he explained in detail. He said the cost of the proposed excursion, which would be limited to about 300, would be £l7 Ils 6d for each adult. This would include 14 days’ accommodation and transport. It was proposed that the excursion should take in Auckland as well as Wellington and Taranaki. No difficulty would, it was anticipated, be experienced in getting the 300 excursionists. Indeed, it was probable that the number of applicants -would be 500 or 600. It was intended to hold a conference in Dunedin to finalise matters.—On the motion of the chairman, Air Barnes was thanked for the information he had imparted. A letter was read from the South Taranaki executive stating "’that a tentative proposal had been made for 150 Taranaki farmers and their wives to visit Southland in May, and it was proposed that a call should be made at Oamaru.—The chairman said he thought they should endeavour to entertain the North Island visitors. They might entertain them at afternoon tea and drive -them round the district.— Air W. Forrester said he thought the idea of providing entertainment was a good one. At the same time he pointed out that the finances of the union would not permit of a large expenditure. He moved that a sub-committee be set up to organise the reception with power’ to add to its number. —The agent of the Railways Department stated that his department would be pleased to provide luncheon and afternoon tea for the visitors.—A committee, consisting, of the president and Alessrs Aleek, Dick, Rapson, Walker, and Forrester, was set up to arrange the details of the excursion. The president and vice-president were appointed delegates to the conference at Dunedin.

WEEK ON THE FARM. Although a break in the weather ocefirred on Thursday, the conditions generally have been favourable to harvesting during the past week. A large -proportion of the cereal crop is now either threshed or in stook. The reports from the mills indicate that, with few exceptions, the yields of both wheat and oats will" be much lighter this year than last year. By some it is estimated that the average wheat yield will show a decline of nearly 20 bushels an acre. The root crops have been stimulated by the rain of Thursday, but in many cases the rape has gone off badly. Lambs are coming in fairly well to the local freezing works, but the drafts off rape are not as heavy as at this time last year, and it is anticipated that the season will be later than usual. Summer fallowing, which has been delayed by the weather, has been in progress on several farms. The supply of cream to the local dairy factories, which is well beyond the flush, continues to diminish. FARMERS’ UNION. A meeting of the North Otago executive of the Farmers’ Union was held on Friday. Air D. J. Ross occupied the chair. A letter, dated January 29, was read from the Alinister of Customs stating that the matter of the duties on flour and wheat was under the consideration of the Government. A communication was also received from Mr J. A. Macpherson, ALP., dealing with the same subject. A press communique was read from the New Zealand Aleat Board stating that prosecutions had been successfully undertaken in against two firms which had sold foreign meat as New Zealand produce. The executive went into committee to discuss the action that had been taken in respect to the sufferers by the January hailstorm. A lengthy discussion took place, but no resolution was UNPLEASANT INCIDENT. An unpleasant incident occurred at the conclusion of the senior cricket match between the Oamaru and Union Clubs on Saturday. Union had put up a great stand, and had passed the fine score of 304 registered by Oamaru on the previous Saturday, M'Donald having compiled 180. The Oamaru wicket-keeper (Jones) ap-

pealed for the stumping of the tenth man. The umpire gave a decision against the ■wicket-keeper, whereupon Jones removed his gloves and walked off the field. As he was captain of the Oamaru team he was followed after a pause by his men. The incident is being freely discussed in cricket circles, and it will probably be the subject of review by the Cricket Association.