NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3957, 14 January 1930, Page 19

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. VITAL STATISTICS. The following are vital statistics for Oamaru for the three periods named, the figures for the corresponding period of the previous year being set out in parentheses:—December, 11)29, marriages 7 (16), deaths 15 (11), births 21 (29); quarter ended December 31, marriages 25 (31), deaths 47 (47), births 56 (77); 12 months ended December 31, marriages 110 (90), deaths 161 (149), births 253 (283). PRICES OF LAMB. Advice has been recevied at Oamaru that the prices paid out on killings during December are as follows:—Lambs, under 361 b, BJd; 37 to 42, Bid; over 421 b and seconds, 7?d. It is understood that the prices for present killings will be |d lea? all round, VALEDICTORY. A very enjoyable social function was |ield in the Salvation Army Hall, the guests of the evening being Adjutant and Mrs Ransom, who are leaving Oamaru for North Dunedin. The corps sergeantmajor, Mr Richardson, presided, and together with Mr E. Still, Mrs W. Tonkin, Mrs M’Kenzie, and Bandsman Burgess expressed appreciation of the work of Adjutant and Mrs Ransom during their stay in Oamaru. Adjutant and Mrs Ransom, in replying, referred in sincere terms to the happy time they had spent in

Oamaru, and returned thanks for the cooperation and help accorded them. Mrs M'Whirter contributed a song to the musical programme, and the orchestra played selections. CORONER’S INQUEST. The adjourned inquest concerning the death of John M’Cabe, aged 69 years, farmer, residing at Awamoa, who was found dead in a barrel on his farm on Tuesday morning, was continued by the coroner, Mr W. H. Frith, on Wednesday morning. The evidence of the sons, William and Alexander M'Cabe, showed that, following his usual practice, deceased had left home with a cart containing cans of milk, to fill a barrel at the piggery. The cart and horse, without the driver, were noticed later, and on investigating they found their father dead, head first in the barrel, which was about one-third full of milk. Deceased had been taking giddy turns, and had told witnesses that about two months ago he was emptying the cans when he took a giddy turn and fell over pn to the ground. —Dr Fitzgerald gave evidence that he examined the body, and there was no sign of injury. He was informed by deceased’s wife that deceased had been unwell for 12 months, having suffered from shortness of breath and attacks of giddiness. She told witness that during the last few months he had fallen several times, and on one occasion he fell out of the dray while getting chaff. From his own observations of the body, and from what he was told, he was of the opinion that deceased took a heart attack and was dead before he fell into the barrel. He considered that if deceased had taken a fainting turn he would have come round immediately he came into contact with the cold milk. He considered death was due to heart failure. — The coroner returned a verdict that deceased died at Awamoa on January 7 from heart failure.

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS. ( The show grounds at Oamaru have pre- < sented the unusual spectacle of a canvas i encampment for the big annual camp meetings of the Seventh Day Adventists. 1 Delegates from al] parts of the South Island as well as overseas representatives began arriving at the camp on Wednesday. > and by evening there was a total of 280 assembled, with more expected to arrive. Among the delegates of note are Pastor A. G. Stewart, a missionary among cannibals for over 20 years, and now vicepresident of the Australian Union Conference of Seventh Day Adventists; Pastor W. G. Turner, president of the North New Zealand Conference; Pastor R. E. Hare, home missions secretary of the Australian Union Conference; and Pastor F. G. Rampton, field mission sec retary of the Australian Union Conference. The Fijian delegate is Mitiele Nakasamai, an ordained minister with 10 years’ experience in Papua. The camp is under the charge of Pastor A. H Piper, president of the South New Zealand Conference. The large show grounds pavilion will provide ample seating accommodation for all. while cooking tacili ties have been installed so that the delegates will be provided with meals on the ground PUKEURI FREEZING WORKS. At the beginning of last week the Puketiri Freezing Works commenced operations for the season, and fat lambs are coming forward to the works very freely, find are of very good quality. The lambs j are of bigger weights than the average ot last year. At present there are 23 butchers on the boards, and another seven are expected next week, ■with probably more during next month. PERSONAL. Mr J. C. Watson, the first Labour Prime Minister of Australia, accompanied by Mrs Watson, is at present on a visit to Oamaru. In his youth Mr Watson was a compositor on the Oamaru Mail. At the meeting of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, on Friday afternoon, feeling reference was made to the death of Mr James Mitchell, who, said the president (Mr E. S. Brewster), had been a public-spirited gentleman who had taken a great interest in all matters relating ,c North Otago. He had shown a keen interest in the farming industry, and had made an able speech before the Parliamentary Committee on the sliding scale of wheat duties, and issued a leaflet on it He showed a valiant spirit on behalf of the wheatgrowing industry, was a great educationalist, and assisted by drawing attention to the association's annual

shows, and was instrumental in securirg electricity for North Otago, besides many other activities. A motion of condolence with the relatives of Mr Mitchell was passed in the customary manner. LANDMARK DEMOLISHED. Another old Oamaru landmark is being removed. The bijj chimney of Messrs James Craig and Company in Humber street is being demolished, electric power having taken the place of the old steam plant in the sawmill. THE FRUIT CROP. Air Inwood,- fruit inspector for the Department of Agriculture, has just com pleted a tour of inspection of the North Otago district, and has some interesting observations to make on the fruit crop Although, owing to the inclement weather, fruit received a setback in the early part of the season, said Mr Inwood, the yield would be a good one. Some tine specimens were to be seen in the Kakanui district. The tomato crop in North Otago this year was a good one, and, according to Mr Inwood, if growers would only realise that the first essential in the grow ing of tomatoes was the sterilisation ot the soil, they would find increased quality and quantity as a result.

BRITISH FARMERS’ TOUR. A meeting of representatives ot various local bodies was held on Friday morning to discuss arrangements for the entertainment of the British farmers who will call at Oamaru on March 13 and 14 during their tour of New Zealand. There were present the Mayor (Mr Frank Craw •shaw), Messrs C. W. Kent, D. Clark, R A. M’Dowell. E. S. Brewster, W Forrester, R. Dick, W. Doig. and John Fraser. The visitors will arrive from the north at midday, and a general outline of the programme of entertainment was approved to include short motor trips via Kakanui, Maheno, and Kauru Hill, and Ngapara during the afternoon, with a civic reception at the Town Hail in the evening, followed by a social gathering in the Scottish Hall. On the morning of the second day of their stay in Oamaru transport will be arranged tc take parties to places of interest in the district, such as Hie Oamaru Gardens, Weston quarries, and the Waitaki High Schools. A Transport Committee consisting of Messrs John Fraser, W. Drug, R. r Meek, ami H. Hay w appointed to arrange details of transport, and Social Committee consisting of Messrs Crawshaw, Kent, Forrester, and Woodward was also appointed to arrange the reception, and report to the next meeting.

DRAFTING OF LAMBS. Reports indicate that in the Papakaio district and northwards, the fat lambs drafted for the works represent fully 50 per cent, of the mobs penned, which is considered very satisfactory. In one mob of 900 lambs no fewer than 452 were drafted for the works. NORTH OTAGO A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. The monthly meeting of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Friday afternoon, Mr E. S. Brewster presiding over a large attendance of members. It was decided to make a further grant of £1 10s to the Wheat Tariff Commission. Accounts amounting to £137 were passed for payment. The action of the secretary in writing on behalf of many exhibitors to the Railways Department expressing appreciation of the manner in which the stock for the recent show was handled, and also on behalf of the association, returning thanks for the smooth running of the railway arrangements, was approved. Messrs Gilchrist, Little, and Fraser were appointed a sub-committee to make arrangements about the forthcoming rain fair. The question of holding a meeting in February was left to the discretion of the secretary.

OAMARU STONE SHIPMENT. A boat is scheduled to call at Oamaru on January 20 to load 400 tons of Gay's Oamaru stone for direct shipment to Melbourne. MOTORING FATALITY.

About 1.30 on Saturday afternoon one of the rear tyres of a rural delivery car blew out while the car was proceeding along the road in the vicinity of Windsor Park The car slewed completely round and turned upside down, pinning the three occupants underneath. The driver, W. Gray, and a young woman named Miss Blanchard, of Livingstone, escaped with minor injuries, but the third occupant, Irving Grey Bremner. aged 19 years, of Wharfe street, Oamaru. received severe injuries necessitating his removal to the hospital. An operation was performed on Saturday night, but the young man succumbed to his injuries at I.lc o'clock yesterday afternoon. SCOTTISH SOCIETY’S DANCE. The North Otago Scottish Society held another successful dance in the society s hall on Saturday evening, when between 50 and 60 couples occupied the floor. A very enjoyable time was spent and excellent music was supplied by Mr and Mrs Sherwin and party. The duties of M.C. were carried out by Mr W. Miller. CRICKET. I The senior competition games were resumed on Saturday. School defaulted to Union and Albion met Oamaru at School Scores: —- ALBION. First Innings. Carrington, st Jones, b Walton .. ..101 Taylor, b Walton 16 A. Brooker, c L. Sumpter, b Zimmerman 4 Davey, lbw, b Calder 10 Geddes, st Jones, b Zimmerman .. 12 L. Brooker, c Walton, b Zimmerman 3 Keith, cG. Sumpter, b Walton .. 16 Jacobs, c and b Calder 5 Todd, not out 6 Chalmers, c substitute, b Zimmerman 9 Sim (absent) . . .. 0 Extras 21 Total 191

Bawling Analysis.—Zimmerman 4 wickets for 42 runs, Walton 3 for 67, Calder 2 for 30, K. Sumpter none for 13, L. Sumpter none for 22. OAMARU. First Innings. L. Sumpter, not out 19 Uttley, not out 14 Extras 4 Total for no wickets .. .. 37 COUNTRY LAWN TENNIS. A friendly match was played between the Totara and Weston Clubs at the Weston courts on Saturday' and resulted m a very even contest, each side securing 12 sets, but Totara won the match by 12 games, the totals being: Totara, 12 sets (112 games); 'Weston, 12 sets (100 games).