NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 26

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

CORONER’S INQUEST.

An inquest toucning the death of Mr James Houston Milligan, who was struck down by a motor car, was held by the coroner '(Mr W. H. Frith) on Tuesday, 16th inst. . Senior Sergeant Scott conducted the inquiry, and Mr P. C. Hjorring appeared on behalf of the driver of the car, Mr F. H. Bryant. Dr Orbell gave evidence that he was called to the scene of the accident in Thames street, opposite the North Otago Hotel, on Sunday evening. He found Mr Milligan lying on the road, and be examined the body, and found life was extinct. The body was removed to deceased’s residence, where he made a further examination. He described the injuries suffered by deceased in the accident. The cause of death in his opinion, was shock due to these numerous injuries. No doubt deceased was dragged along a little distance, but witness did pot think the car passed over him. Robert Milligan, of Stour street, Oamaru. son of deceased, gave formal evidence of identification. Hie father was in his eighty-ninth year. His hearing and sight were good considering his age, but not perfect. Witness was at his father’s residence on Sunday evening, and his father said he did not intend to go to church that evening, but evidently changed his mind and had gone. He appeared to be in hie usual state of health, and he was in good spirits. He had returned from his afternoon’s walk. He had been as far as Victoria Home, and had returned at 5 o’clock. Witness did not see him again until after the accident. Witness had been aware that his father, when on his walks, had not been as attentive at times, such as crossing a street, as he should have been. Francis Harold Bryant, a fitter employed at the Waitaki Hydro-electric Works, stated that he was the owner of a motor car, and that he held a driver’s license for the current year. On Saturday afternoon he went to Mr Harrison’s residence at Richmond. He remained there until 7.45 p.m. on Sunday, when he left there for Oamaru. accompanied by Thomas Harrison, jun., and Mrs Reid. He stopped on the North road opposite Wise’s store, and Mrs Reid alighted . there. He then proceeded on to Oamaru. His speedometer was not working and he would judge his speed at about 20 miles an hour—not exceeding that. As far as he was aware no street lights were burning, and the night was very black, and the visibility very poor. The car lamps were burning. They showed a good light on an ordinary white road, but did not show up on an asphalt road. When approaching Exe street he was driving on his correct side of the road, near the trees. He did not sound his horn. No one did. The only traffic he could see was a car on the other side of the road. He did not know if it was parked or was approaching him, but he could see the lights full on, and facing him. about a block and a-half away. He saw no sign of anyone on the road, until a man suddenly appeared about three feet in front of his right hand mudguard. He appeared to jump forward. The car struck him. Witness put on the foot brake, and the car carried him forward to where he was lying on the road. He could not say whether the car went over him. He appeared to be on the bonnet, but then witness also felt a bump on the wheels. He fell clear to the right of witness towards the centre of the road. He was carried about 68 feet. The car was pulled up about 12 feet past the body, but witness thought he jumped out of the car before it actually stopped. Witness and Harrison went back to render assistance. Deceased was lying face downwards on the road. Witness sent a bystander away to telephone for the doctor and the police. Witness turned deceased on his back and held him in an easy position until the arrival of the doctor. He was still alive when witness turned him over, but on Dr Orbell’s arrival the doctor pronounced life extinct. The accident took place about 8 o’clock, and on examination afterwards he found the right head lamp of his car was bent back, the number plate was bent, and there was a dent on the right-hand side of the bonnet. There was no street light burning in the vicinity of the accident, and the visibility was very poor. The clothing worn by deceased was all black, with the exception of a white muffler he was wearing. To Mr Hjorring: Witness said if de ceased had looked up to the north there was nothing to obstruct his view of the car approaching. To Mr Frith: Witness said he pulled the car up in about 70 feet. The deceased gave a sigh when lifted up, but he did not speak. Thomas Edward Harrison, a fittter employed at the Waitaki hydro-electric works, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness as to coming into Oamaru from Richmond in Mr Bryant’s car. They left Richmond at 7.45 p.m., and the accident took place at 8 o’clock. Richmond •was about six miles and a-half from Oamaru. He heard Mr Bryant’s evidence and corroborated it, with the exception of the speed, which witness estimated at 18 miles or lees. He first saw deceased just as he hit the mudguard. The coroner feelingly commented that it was a very say affair, especially to himself. _ It- was the saddest inquiry he had held in his experience as coroner, as he had been a personal friend of Mr Milligan’s for 53 years, and had been associated with him in his activities in Oamaru. Although a very old man, it was indeed sad that he should have been cut off like that. He was a man who would be very much missed indeed. He (the coroner) could not think anyone was to blame in a sense, and thought it hardly right for a person of that age to be left alone. Mr Milligan had reached a ripe old age, and was a man everyone loved and respected and thought a lot of.. He had done his very best to alleviate want and suffering, and had done his work quietly and unostentatiously. It behoved motorists on such a night aa Sunday to be more careful than usual. Apart from that he could not think the driver was to blame. A sharper look out might have avoided the aeci dent. He would, not say that it would have, but it might have. He could only

bring in one verdict, that Mr Milligan met nis death through being run down by a car driven by Mr Bryant, receiving injuries from which he died. He did not wish to attach blame to the driver, but could not refrain from speaking about speeding. There was too much speeding, and he wanted to impress on motorists the need for care.

PERSONAL. Mr James Mills, whose death occurred recently at Duntroon, went to that district about six years ago for his health’s sake. He took up farming, and always showed a great deal of interest in local activities. He made many friends, and the deepest sympathy is extended to the familj- in its bereavement.

TROUT FISHING. There has already been a keen demand for fishing licenses, although the season will not open until October 1. A total of 150,000 brown trout fry have been liberated in the Waitaki River, and a further 100,000 will be liberated at an early date. In the Kakanui River 50,000 will also be liberated shortly. Yesterday morning 50,000 eyed rainbow ova arrived from the North Island and have been despatched to the hatcheries at Hakataramea.

NORTH OTAGO MOTOR ASSOCIATION.

The monthly meeting of the North Otago Motor Association was held on Tuesday evening. Captain H. S. Cox presided over an attendance of 16 members. Twenty-four new members ■were elected" to the association.

Accounts amounting to £36 7s 5d were passed for payment.

Mr Littlejohn, on behalf of the committee. reported on the consideration of the 18 applicants for the position of patrolman, and the recommendation for the appointment of Mr W. Harris, of Elderslie. was approved. It was decided to purchase a Ford cai for patrol work. Mr Asher reported that there -were a large number of bicycles in the town with rear red reflectors, and the secretary was directed to draw the attention of the police and borough inspector to the matter.

Mr Asher was requested to make inquiries and report as to the setting of head lights, and the secretary was instructed to write to the Dunedin Association seeking information concerning the matter. A letter from the North Otago Rugby Union requesting assistance in providing cars to take the Canterbury representa tive players to the Waitaki hydro-electric works on Monday next was left in the hands of the secretary. THE RAILWAYS. A request was received from the Dominion Executive at the meeting of the North Otago Farmers’ Union on Friday afternoon to place any important matters in connection with the railways before the Railways Commission before that tribunal was disbanded.

The president (Mr R Dick) said that a matter that might be brought before the commission was the building of the South Island railway. In view of the present financial stringency and the deficit on the working of the railways, further construction should be disconinued.

Mr Hood maintained that the South Island would receive the benefit of the railway, and they should take it, as they got little enough as it was. Mr L. Kelcher said he objected to expenditure on railways which, were going out of date. Could not the Government spend the money in building a motor factory, and thus give the men employment? There was no chance of the railway paying for axle grease, and he objected to money being spent on it. Mr Hood replied that it was hard. to prophesy, but in 20 years the railways would still be there. They had gone in for tractors on the farms, but were going back to horses.

Mr Dick said he was opposed to saying the railway would benefit the South Island. They all would have to ray for it. _ Motor lorries were a serious competitor to the railways, and to carry on with the construction of new railways seemed to him to be not a good policy. Mr M.,Austin submitted that the railways could run a fleet of lorries or district carriers to convey produce to the trucks from the farm. That was one way of drawing business to the railways, whereas nowadays the motor was compet•ng unfairly with the railways. Mr Kelcher trenchantly criticised the Government departments, and added that it would be a sorry lookout if the motors were run by the Government also. He contended that it would be far better if the Government dropped the railways altogether in favour of their being run by a committee. At present it was like a servant dictating to a master. They wanted to get the work out of the Government s hands instead of adding to it. If there was a scheme to get the railways out of the hands of the Government he felt sure they would be made to pay. The only way the railways got business was through having a monopoly. Some members supported Mr Austin’s ideas, and others Mr Kelcher’s, but it was finally decided, with but two dissentients, to request the Government to discontinue the construction of the South Island railway, in view of the heavy cost of construction and the railway deficit.

OAMARU JOCKEY CLUB. Owing to the club’s winter meeting being held on July 5, the balance date of the Oamaru Jockey Club has been extended for a period of 13 months to July , ~e fi nan c>al statement for that period discloses a net profit of £B2 8s ua, which, under the circumstances, is considered to be satisfactory. The club’s capital account stands at £989 10s 8d compared with £1707. Is lid the previous but the reduction has been caused v g - e Payments, amounting to £BOO, to the Joint Building Committee in respect to the completion of the appomtments at the course, bringing the total contributions up to £6250. During the season the club held two meetings and paid £3060 in stakes, and. the following taxes to the Government:—Totalisator £741 Ils, dividend £1334 7s, stakes

£l5l 15s, amusement £75 14s 10d: making a total of £2303 7s lOd. A very emphatic protest was entered against the increase of 2J per 'cent, in the totalisator tax, and the valuable services of Mr J. A. Macpherson, M.P., in this connection are acknowledged. The club is indebted to Mr William Gardiner and Mr L. Rogal for their valued trophies. The membership now stands at 304. compared with 300 the previous year.

SHOW SCHEDULES. The schedules of the forthcoming show of the North Otago A. and P. Association have been printed and distributed. The committee has decided to include classes for knitting, fancywork, drawing, feather work, raffia, and marquetry, also classes in needlework for primary school children, and two classes in hand w-riting for secondary and primary schools respectively. Cash prizes will be given in each class. A special leaflet containing full particulars of these classes is available, and will be posted to each school in the district. Attention may be called to the breeders’ group in the Friesian cattle sections, for which a special prize is offered by the Otago branch of the New Zealand Friesian Association. In other respects the schedule caters liberally in cash and trophies as in former years.

FARMING CONDITIONS. Since the ample rainfall conditions in North Otago and lower South Canterbury are very good. The winter-sown wheat is coming away well, and the prospects are very encouraging so far as wheat is concerned for a good year. From information gathered, there does not appear to be any greater area in wheat up to as far as Morven than last year, but reports from further north are to the effect that the area is much larger than in former years. There are still supplies of wheat going forward for late sowing, but on the whole there has not been a larger area than usual put under spring wheat. Seed oats are still in fair demand, and with the present good conditions prevailing both turnip and mango seeds are going out freely, and reports indicate that the ground is in excellent order for the sowing of these crops A fair quantity of cowgrass and ryegrass is also being sown at the present time. There is still a certain amount of mortality among . breeding ewes, but the trouble experienced earlier through lack of sugar in the dry feed has practically passed over and lambing is becoming fairly general throughout the district, with indications for good percentages.

NORTH OTAGO FARMERS’ UNION. The monthly meeting of the Provincial Executive of the North Otago Farmers’ Union was held on Friday afternoon. Mr R. Dick presided. Speaking of the regulations of the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club’s competition, Mr Dick stated that the distance fixed between the rows of mangolds was 22 inches. He thought that was too narrow, as farmers planted the rows 28 inches apart and it would have been very convenient for them to set aside a plot for the boys and girls to work on. In the calf-rearing competition the regulations stated the calves had to be born between the beginning of September and the end of October, and a difficulty arose through his calves being born in August. Mr Forrester replied thht the regulations were based on the Southland regulations, and the matter was experimental this year. The regulations would have to be adhered to, but he thought that next year they should conduct competitions of their own in North Otago. Commenting on the excellent address given by Mr E. P. Lee on “Empire Trading,” Mr Dick stated the question was one of moment to farmers, and he thought the union should do something in the matter. After a short discussion it was considered that, the question was being well in the press and the subject was dropped. The North Otago Motor Union advised that its executive was looking into the question of third party insurance where a relative was concerned. The secretary reported that he had communicated with Mr Macpherson, M.P., and he understood the Minister of Transport was inquiring into the matter.

Accounts amounting to £3 18s 6d were passed for payment.. The New Zealand Railways Department advised that it was not possible to alter th-e schedule to despatch the mixed train from Dunedin to Oamaru ahead of the Christchurch mail train.—Received. The Dominion secretary forwarded a letter from the Board of Agriculture concerning the embargo on account of foot and mouth disease, on the importation of live stock from Great Britain.—lt was decided to reply that the union was in favour of the restrictions remaining in force.

The Dominion secretary wrote in connection with Farmers’ Union badges.— Received.

The Dominion secretary forwarded the reply of the .Woolbrokers’ Association in connection with the revision of charges for handling and selling wool, quoting an example showing a difference of 8s 7d per bale in favour of New Zealand sales compared with London sales.—Received. The Dominion secretary advised that as the direct unemployment levy, whether from the workers or employers, could not be passed on, the union had supported the principle of the levy, and also forwarded particulars in connection with the stand taken against farm labour being brought under the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court.—Received. Numerous remits forwarded by the Dominion secretary, to be discussed at a meeting of the Dominion Executive at Wellington on October 29, were referred to the; president. A letter from the women’s division in connection with the proposed issue of a publication to members was received.

INCREASE IN BANK CHARGES. Notification was received at the meeting of the North Otago Farmers’ Union on Friday afternoon of an increase in the charge made by the banks for keeping accounts, and it was decided to . forward a remit to the Dominion Executive protesting against the increase. One member commented that the banks in America not only kept the account free of charge, but also supplied the client with a free cheque book.. Others termed the in-' crease in the charge as ' iniquitous ” and “not a fair thing.” - ■

TRADE DEPRESSION. It is reported that the system in use by Sydney firms of giving employees a week’s holiday without pay during quiet times, has been adopted by an Oamaru firm owing to the present slackness of trade. WOMEN’S DIVISION FARMERS’ UNION. In response to a request from the newly-formed branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union at Hampden, Mrs W. C. Marshall represented the Oamaru branch at a very enthusiastic meeting held at that centre. A keen interest was shown in the report of the Dominion Conference, and all matters connected with the activities of the Women’s Division. Th-e new branch at Hampden gives promise of assisting greatly in the work of the division in or th Otago. GOLF. The annual return match between Oamaru and Timaru was played on the Timaru links on Saturday, Timaru winning by 354 to 64. The results were as follows (Oamaru names being mentioned first): — Singles.—L. Sumpter 0, v. Barker 1: Cuthbertson i, v. M’Kay i; M'Ewan 0, y. Crammond'l; Holmes J, v. R. Wilson i; Mathieson 1, v. Houlighan 0: R. bowler 0. v. Lynch 1; K. Familton 0, v. A. Marshall 1; Humphries 0, v Kerr 11. Wright 0. v. Cameron 1; L. Wright Y; Stevens 1; Mulligan 0, v. Ritchie 1; C. Hedges 0, v. Martin 1; Pollock 0, v. Baxter 1; Woodward 0, v. Webster 1; Uttley 0, v. M'Clelland 1; M'Dowel] 0, y. Tennant 1; M'Donald 0, v. Torlesse 1; Maude <1 y. Ussher 1; R yan 0, v Green 1; M Culloch 0, v. Moyes 1; Kinder n’ Vr C ° X n ead He dges 1, v. Oxford 0; Main 0, v. Sutherland 1; Bates i v Gee 4; Smith i, v. Hassell Bird o', v Newton 1; Cobb 0 v. Bridges 1; Slater v rox 1. Totals: Oamaru 4, Timaru

Four Ball.—Sumpter and Cuthbertson . v - B, ark er and Kemshed 0; M’Ewa.n and Holmes 0, v M‘Kay and Crammond * " lat hieson and K. Familton 0 v W A Scott and Wilson 1; Fowler and Humphries 0, v Houlighan and Lynch 1; L. Wright and Hedges J, v. Cameron and Webster T. Wright and Mulligan 0, m ++ ? rU n e an d Ritchie 1; Woodward and Uttley 0 v Martin and Baxter 1; M‘Culloch and Pollock 0. v. M‘Clclland and lennant 1; Kinder and M'Dowel] 0, v Torlesse and Ussher 1; R. Hedges and l V f £ reen T a ? d Moyes 1; R yan and M Donald 0, v. Ledmgham and McDonald 1, .Mam and Maude 1, v, Oxford and Bridges 0; Smith and Bates 0, v. Suther,and and Gee 1; Cobb and Slater 0, v. Hasse 1 and Newton 1. Totals: Oamaru, 6’’; Timaru, tOtaIS: ° amaru ’ RUGBY FOOTBALL. A match was played between the Maheno and Dunback senior teams at Maheno on Saturday, and resulted in a drawn game. Heavy rain fell throughout the play, and the ground soon became very sodden, which made the game verjslow There was a good gathering of spectators., who found much amusement in witnessing a hard-fought scramble in the mud. . Dunback had the advantage in weight in the _ pack, but tile Maheno backs were superior, and on a fine day would have put up a good exhibition. Play was fairly even throughout, and went from one end of the field to the other. The final scores were:— Maheno g points. Dunback 6 points. The visitors were afterwards entertained by the Maheno Club at a smoke concert.

SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

One of the best programmes of the season was submitted at the Scottish Hall on Saturday night on the occasion of the ,? month Jy social and dance. Chief W. Miller presided. The numbers given were of exceptional merit, the vocal soloists, Mrs M’Whirter, Miss Greaney, Miss Doris Taylor. Messrs J. M‘Kay and Johnson Mayfield, and Master Alan Batchelor, singing in an accomplished manner. National dances were given by Miss Maud Murcott, Miss Lulu Downing, and Fairlie Miller and Joan Dwyer, and were greatly appreciated. Mr T. Gill was heard to good advantage in a recitation, and the Rev. A. C. Wedderspoon provided a treat with a dissertation on “ Scottish Humour.”

~After. supper had been served a very happy time was spent in dancing to music supplied by .-Mrs Sherwin’s orchestra. The duties of M.C.’s were carried out by Messrs G. Craig and J. Christie.