NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 50

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

OAMARU RETURNED SOLDIERS’

ASSOCIATION.

A special meeting of the executive of the Oamaru Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last week to consider the question of ordering poppies for the next Poppy Day sales. The president (Mr N. N. Fraser) was in the chair. Mr T.Ju. Drummond (vice-president of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association) was present, and explained the scheme for the manufacture of poppies in New Zealand by disabled soldiers. He mentioned that at present the Christchurch Association was providing work for seven disabled men, supplying all the materials necessary for the manufacture and paying the men a reasonable recompense for their labour. Samples of the poppies made were submitted for inspection, and were favourably commented on. After a discussion the following resolutions were carried: — “ (1) That the Oamaru Returned Soldiers’ Association purchase poppies made under the auspices of the Christchurch Association; (2) that this association indicates its appreciation of the manufacture of poppies in New Zealand, and especially the efforts of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association.” GOLF. In the final of the North Otago golf championship, L. H. Sumpter defeated J.I. £. Holmes, 5 up and 4 to play. A foursome was played on Saturday with the following results: —Kinder and Gilchrist 95 (26). 69; M'Culloch and R. Hedges 93 (23), 70; Orbell and H. P. Familton 94 (21). 73; Humphries and Armstrong 89 (15) 74; M'Keuzie and Hewat 92 (18), 74; Cuthbertson and L. Wright 86 (11), 75; Pollock and Wilson 94 (19). 75; Barr and T. Hedges 101_(26), 75; Rivers and Donaldson 89 (13), 76; G. Sumpter and Uttley 93 (17), 76; Pattereon and Treseder 108 (30), 78; Milnes and W. K. Tomlinson 108 (30). 78; M'Beath and K. Familton 89 (10). 79; Currie and Bailey 105 (36), 79; C. Hedges and Ireland 98 (18), 80. . . The final of the knock-out competition was played and won by B. Roll, who defeated R. Mathieson 2 up and 1 to play, after having tied in the first match.

PERSONAL.

Mr H. R. Hill, who has been in Oamaru for the past month in connection with the preparations of the plans for the town planning scheme of the ..borough, returned to Wellington on Saturday. At the Athletic Football Club s function on Saturday night, the president (Mr D. Burns), on behalf of the members, presented a beautiful rose bowl to Mr W. Mavs, who was recently marricu, and conveyed the felicitations of the elu_> to Mr and Mrs Mays.

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

In spite of the fact that it was an oft day. the attendance at the Show Grounds on Tuesday afternoon for the CanterburyNorth Otago game was somewhat better than has usually been the case this seaeon. Although the game was ragged at times the spectators were treated to an interesting display, in which the honours were more evenlv divided than the score indicated. In the closing stages of the match Canterbury led by 28 points to 9 points. In the last two minutes, however, a sensational finish was staged, in which North Otago rattled on 10 points, leaving the final scores 28 to 19 in Canterbury's favour. The local side had a margin in its favour territorially, but the scores were prevented from mounting by a tricky cross wind, which made goal kicking very difficult. Otherwise the conditions for "play were very good. The teams taking the field were as follow:— Canterbury.—Thompson, Hart, Carleton, Brown, Innes, Mullan, Hodgkinson. Kirkland, Pease, Simpson. Stewart, J. B. Taylor, Willers, Chamberlain, King. North Otago.—G. Taylor, Kent, Grant, MTntosh, Ross, Trevathan, Hunter, Faris, M'Callum, Grocott, Vorath, Sim, Laird, W. Cameron, Campbell.

The visitors were the guests of the Rugby Union at a dinner at the Queen’s Hotel, and subsequently at a smoke concert. Mr A. Gilchrist presided, and a short toast list was honoured, in which the usual courtesies were exchanged. Great appreciation was expressed by the visiting manager (Mr E. V. Phillips) of the hospitality extended to the team. He specially mentioned the interesting and instructive motor trip that had been arranged to the Waitaki dam. Items were given by Messrs E. J. Mee, P. Linton, Hodge, Allan, Young, L. J. Smith, A. Kirkland, and R. K. King.

HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES.

The chairman (Mr W. Gardiner)' reported to the Waitaki County Council on Friday that he had met the representatives of the Oamaru Borough Council in reference to the allocation of heavy traffic fees, and it had been agreed, subject to the council’s approval to allocate 75 per cent, to the county and 25 per cent, jo the borough.- The county clerk stated that all mileage returns had been abolished, and last .year the borough received 23 per cent. The proportion payable to the Waimate County last year was £5B, and it was agreed to make a similar allowance this year. The chairman’s action was approved.

SHEEP WORRYING.

A letter was received at the Waitaki County Council meeting on Friday morning. drawing attention to the number of stray dogs at present playing havoc among sheep near the town, and probably in the country districts also. Cr Munro maintained that they should increase the fees on “ wasters ” that were never ied, and never tied up. The sheep worrying was done by these wasters.

Cr Smith supported the contention, and pointed out that it was a very serious business, and becoming worse year by year. Collies that were not trained were just, as bad. and he would like to see an increase on collies not in use.

Cr D. Clark said he had had a lot of worrying lately, and the dogs had always been retrievers and terriers.

Cr Smith said five years ago he lost £250 worth of sheep and lambs, and that was due to a collie dog. The collie was a past master, and had been there nine times before they got him. Cr Munro quoted an instance of 20 ewes costing 34s each having to be destroyed. They were in a terrible state through being worried, and not only was it a loss to the owner, but it was very cruel to the sheep.

The letter was referred to the Standing Committee.

FARMING CONDITIONS.

The pastures are still backward in North Otago, though with the spell of warm sunshine after the rains, the growth is now making good progress. The wheat crops are doing exceptionally well, the warm conditions during the week stimulating vigorous and healthy growth, and with favourable weather continuing good yields should be common throughout the district. Many farmers report that the wheat crops are looking better for this time of the year than for a number of seasons past. Heavy sowings of oats continue to be made and this is not to be wondered at as stocks of oats both in farmers’ and merchants’ hands are extremely low. The demand for seeds is very good and fair areas are being put under mangolds, swedes, ryegrass, and clovers. Lambing is now in full swing, and excellent percentages are being reported. Triplets are not uncommon, and numbers of twins are to be seen. In one small paddock the percentage was put down at over 150.

OAMARU GARDENS.

The appearance of the.Oamaru Gardens is at the present time exceedingly tidy, and with the spring flowers striking a predominant note and the weeping willows coming into leaf, makes a gorgeous and delightful picture. Wallflowers have been planted extensively and are corning on nicely, and daffodils and polyanthus are making a good display. Violas in the rose gardens add to the brightness of the surroundings. but the anemones and ranunculi. which have been planted in greater numbers than usual, are later on account of the severe frosts. On Saturday night 7 degrees of frost were recorded at the gardens. During the past week 27 returned men have been employed at the gardens, and good progress has been made towards the completion of the various schemes in hand. The money provided out of the R.S.A. Poppy Day funds has now been used up, and most of these men will now be thrown out of work. A few, however, are to be kept on under the gardens improvement fund. The extra work undertaken on behalf of the Beautifying Society has been completed, tree planting being finished in Teviot street (43 alders), Leith street (27 tamarisk), Mersey street (36 cratageus). Towey street (silver birch). Greta street (prunus trees). The new croquet lawns in the gardens have been sown down, and a new hedge of a variety of honeysuckle has been planted at the motor camp, and the ground filled in and levelled. The work on behalf of the Beautifying Society and returned soldiers has given employment to 27 men almost continuously during the past two months.

LAWN TENNIS.

Between 80 and 90 lawn tennis enthusiasts, including a number from other clubs, were present at the official opening of the Awamoa Lawn Tennis Club’s courts on Saturday. The six courts were occupied during the whole of the afternoon, and the two new courts will prove an asset to the club in the future. A thoroughly enjoyable time was spent, and afternoon tea was supplied by Mr and Mrs R. B. Nicolls.

In the presence of a large gathering of representatives of other clubs, friends, and members, Mr G. Bate, club captain, introduced the new president, the Rev. Mr Ashcroft, who, with a few suitable remarks, opened the Wesley Tennis Club’s courts for the season. During the afternoon refreshments were partaken of, and play was indulged in until the rain, which had threatened all the afternoon, finally put a finish to the activities of the day.

HERD TESTING.

The results of the testing carried out by the Waitaki Cow Testing Association, which was commenced this year, show that the average, considering the exceptionally dry season, has been very good Of the 78 cows tested, one is in the 100150 class, three in 150-200. 17 in 200-250, 15 in 250-300, 19 in 300-350, 13 in 350400, and 10 in 400-450. The lowest test was for 1981 b of butter-fat in 252 days, and the highest 4401 b in 312 days Mr J. J. Stott, of Balruddery, Maruakoa, has some Friesian cows under Government certificate of record test, with results that show he has gained quite an achievement, as he has only recently founded his Friesian stud. Willowfield Nancy Eve (Bruce of Pleasant Valley— Hampden Eve) is an excellent type of Friesian, and is one of the best cows in North Otago. Under test from December 9, 1929, to August 31. 1930, she has produced 19.388.81 b of milk and 644.471 b of butter-fat for 269 days, her best month being January, when the figures were 3038.71 b of milk and 102.101 b of butterfat. It is understood that Willowfield Nancy Eve has now passed the 7001 b of butter-fat mark, with still three months to go to complete the year’s test. Her best record for 24 hours is 1121 b of milk and 7151 b of milk for a week.

VALEDICTORY.

The pupils of the Totara School assembled in the school grounds on Fridav afternoon to bid farewell to Miss Wylie, who has been transferred to the Musselburgh School, Dunedin. There was also a good attendance of parents and friends. Mr Burgess, chairman of the School Committee, referred to the valuable work Miss Wylie had done during her six years’ connection with the school, and her loss would be keenly felt by the children to whom she had endeared herself. The headmaster Mr Moir, also spoke of the services rendered by Miss Wylie, both inside and outside the school, and especially the keen interest she had shown in instructing the girls in their various sporting activities.

The other speakers—Messrs E. Ewing, W Smith, and A. Sherwin —spoke in similar vein, and all extended their best wishes to Miss Wylie for a successful future.

At this stage, Ruth Mather, on behalf of the girls’ basket ball team, presented Miss Wylie with a dainty vase, while Mr Burgess, on behalf of the residents of the district, presented her with a travelling rug and solid leather suitcase, suitably inscribed. In replying, Miss Wylie thanked the members of the School Committee, parents, and other members of the staff for their loyal support, and expressed sorrow at having to sever her connection with the school. She had found a good deal of pleasure in teaching the pupils, and as they had always responded freely her work had been made easier.

Afternoon tea, provided by the ladies, was then handed round.

MOTOR ACCIDENT.

Last evening at about 7 o’clock Miss Dorothy Wylie, of Lune street, was cranking a car in front of her father’s shop in Thames street, when it slipped into gear and jumped forward across the footpath and crashed in to Mr Rivers’s shop window’. Miss Wylie was jammed by the car, and suffered injuries to her leg. ‘ She was attended by Dr Butler, and removed to the hospital.