The Country

Otago Witness, Issue 4041, 25 August 1931, Page 31

The Country

LAKE COUNTY. August2o.—Rain fell on Saturday and Monday last, but since then the weather has been spring-like. Football.—The first match for the Teacher’s Cup was played at Arrowtown on Saturday last, when the Arrow and Country teams met. The game ended in a victory for Arrow by 10 points (a penalty goal, an unconverted try, and a potted goal) to nil. Mr D. Wheeler controlled the game. Basket Ball. —By defeating Queenstown Public School in two games at Queenstown on Saturday last, the Arrow Public School became the holders of the Tait Cup for 1931. The first game was won by 11 goals to 4, and the second by seven to four. In the first game Mabel Anderson (9), Daphne Peterson (1), and Elva Bakers (1) shot Arrow’s goals, Irene Buckham (2), Olga Gray and M. Burns goaled for Queenstown. In the second game Al. Burnes (3) and Olga Gray scored for Queenstown, and Mabel Anderson (3), Daphne Peterson (2), and Elva Dakers (2) for Arrowtown. Clay Pigeon Shooting.—At Queenstown last week the Wakatipu Gun Club held a 15-bird handicap match for a trophy (silver teapot) presented by Mr L. Curtis. Ten competitors took part, and the trophy was won by W. Edwards. The following are the scores: —W. Edwards (13yds) , 13 breaks, H. Ross (11yds and 3 stars) 12, Dr Anderson (13yds) 11. 11. Buckham (13yds) 10, L. Mann (15yds) 10, L. Curtis (15vds) 10, J. Munro (15yds) 9, J. M'Alullan (Hyds and 2 stars) 8, G. Cockburn (13yds) 8. 1). Hamilton (13yds) 8. Mr L. Curtis was not a competitor for the trophy. Wakatipu Defence Rifle Club. —The annual meeting of members was held in the Council Chambers. Queenstown, on the "th inst. There was a good attendance. Air A. Simson, vice-president presiding in the absence of the president (Mr H. Mackenzie, junr.). The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £22 6s 7d. The following office-bearers were elected: — Patron, Mr 11. Mackenzie, sen.; president, Mr H. Mackenzie, jun.; vice-presidents, Major Mackenzie, Dr Anderson. Messrs J. Mackenzie, A. Simson, P. Reid, J. Cockburn. R. N. Grant. D. H. Cockburn, A. E. Smith, J. A. Reid. J. Thornton, W. D. Warren, J. P. Kennett, and L. Mann; secretary and treasurer, Mr D. R. Gray (re-elected) ; auditor. Mr W. D. Warren; general committee. Messrs 11. C. Buckham. R. N. Grant. A. Simson. C. Hansen, and E. J. Lowen. The secretary was voted the usual honorarium of £lO. It was agreed to allow the Garston and Cromwell sections to retain the whole of their subscriptions for the incoming season, to enable them to carry out improvements to their ranges. Between 40 and 50 new members were proposed. It was announced that two additional cups had been presented to the club for competition —one from Air P. Reid and the other from New Zealand Breweries, Ltd. It was resolved that the Peter Re:d Cup be awarded at the opening match at Walter Peak to the best aggregate handicap. The New Zealand Breweries’ Cup is to be shot for annually on the Garston range between teams of five men a-side 'from clubs in Southland and AA akatipu. Wedding.—A marriage of, district interest was solemnised at St. Johns Anglican Church, Invercargill, on Wednesday. August 5, when Aliss Fanny Aiming Kirby, fourth daugter of Airs Kirby and the late Air George Kirby, of Invercargill, was married to Thomas Alurray, second son of Air and Airs Ihomas Davidson, of Queenstown. The Rev. J. A. Lush was the officiating clergyman. The bride, who was given away by Mr W. Al'Gill, of Gore, was attended by her sister, Aliss Ena Kirby, while Air Robert Davidson, brother of the bridegroom carried out the duties of best man. After the ceremony the guests adjourned to the Rosewood Lounge, where the wedding breakfast was partaken of, the usual toasts being honoured, and a number of congratulatory telegrams were read. Air and Airs Davidson’s future home will be in Queenstown. . Women's Division New Zealand Farmers’ Union. —A meeting of the members of the Queenstown district branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the County Chambers, Queenstown, on Thursday last. There was a good attendance, Airs J. E. O’Connell (president) being in the chair. Airs Linton Alann. who has been hon. secretary since the inception of the branch, tendered her resignation, as she is shortly leaving for Rotorua. The resignation was accepted with regret. Discussion took place regarding the lack of support given the movement since the branch was formed, and also to the little encouragement given the branch by the parent body. Finally it was unanimously resolved that owing to lack of support the branch disband. During the course of the meeting a most interesting display of knitting was made, the various articles shown being the handiwork of several of the ladies present. At the conclusion of the meeting, the president, on behalf of the members, presented Airs Alann with a framed sepia photograph of Queenstown as a small token of their appreciation of her services as secretary. The recipient made suitable acknowledgment.

LUMSDEN. August 21.—Variable weather has been experienced for some considerable time, and during this last week a good deal of Tain has fallen. Given a period of warm days there would be a wonderful spring .as, although the ground is damp and cold, there is abundant evidence of spring growth.

Presentations. —On Tuesday afternoon in the Presbyterian Church vestry a social afternoon, under the auspices of the stallholders and committee of the recent sale of work, was held. There were 20 ladies

present, and a pleasant afternoon was held with competitions (ivinners, Alesdames Lawrence and Boyle) and solos by Miss Boyle, accompanied by Airs Irwin. Bi fore afternoon tea was served Mrs J. Campbell—on behalf of the Ladies’ Guild, presented, gifts to Alesdames M’Cutcheon and Lawrence, who are leaving the district. Both ladies feelingly acknowledged the gifts. Euchre.—The fortnightly, euchre evening under the auspices of the local Plunket Society was held last evening in Johnson's Hall, when there was a good attendance The prize-winners were Airs A. Small, sen., and Air C. 11. Humphries The consolation prizes went to Aliss AL Small and Air H. P. Campbell. Plunket Society.—The quarterly meeting of the Lumsden Branch of the Plunket Society was held in the Plunket Room on Tuesday afternoon. August 11. when Airs Marshall presided over the following members: —Alesdames J. Campbell. H. 1’ Campbell, Jamieson. Clouston, Taylor, King, and Irwin (representing Lumsden). Alesdames R. A\ 7 ilson. D. AlDonakl. Poppelwell. and Rasmussen (representing Balfour). Apologies were received from Dipton and Mossburn delegates, also from Alesdames APAlister, Hamilton, and Malone, of Lumsden. Correspondence dealing with the inclusion of Winton as a sub-branch of Lumsden was dealt with, and it was agreed to fall in with central council’s recommendation, and arrangements have been made accordingly. The registration fee of IDs and annual branch levy of £l4 18s Sd were passed for payment. Arrangements for the entertainment by the Gore Follies in aid of the funds was discussed, and it has since been decided to accept Airs Shelton’s (producer) offer to appear in Lumsden on September 9.

BALFOUR. August 21. —The well-known Chartlea Park Homestead block was disposed o f recently by the trustees in Usherwood's estate to Thomas Aluir and sons, Balfour. A clearing sale of the live and dead stock was held at the homestead a week ago. the bulk of the offering making very satisfactory. prices. This was the first clearing sale to be held in the district for over a year, and attracted a large attendance from far and near. The sheep and horsc o were a good class, and realised prices in some instances in excess of rates nil ing recently. The manager of the estate, Air A. G. Brown, had everything well arranged, and the sale was put through in good time. Waimea Homestead Sale.—A sale has been announced of the well-known AVainiea Homestead block of 1050 acres on account of Air Reuben Butler, the purchasers being Air Walter S. Aliller. and sons, Wendon. The homestead is rich in the early history of the Waimea Plains, and was at one time the residence of the general manager of the New Zealand Land Company, Air 11. S. A T alentine, now of Dunedin. who was a noted host. The homestead was constructed about 60 years ago of stone which was adjacent to the property A sale of the live and dead stock will be held on the property next Thursday. Cattle Flat Racing Club.—The annual meeting of the Cattle Flat Racing Club was held on Saturday night. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted: President, Air J. Hood (re-elected) ; vicepresidents, Alessrs Hailes, Shuttlewoitn, F. AA’est, and J. Lamb; secretary. Air W Asher: treasurer. Air J. McAlath (reelected): Alanagement and Judicial Committee. Alessrs P. J. Alulqueen. Hailes. Lamb, Savage, Hickey, T. Hood, and J. AVMath; judge. Air J. Hickey (reelected): starter. Air J. Hood; handicappers, Alessrs Comrie and Al'Rae: clerks of scales, Alessrs A. O'Kane and P. J. Alulqueen; clerk of course. Air J. Ginivan: timekeeper. Air J. Al'Alath: parking stewards. Alessrs Lamb and AA’est; dismounting stewards. Alessrs Savage, J. Keown, and B. AA'est; patrol stewards, Alessrs Olsen. Hailes, Shuttleworth, T Hood. T. R. Keown. D. Al’Rae, W. Cullen, and Air Hailes in charge. Air Lamb was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for again placing his paddock at the club’s disposal.

WAIMATE. August 20. —Rain commenced to fall here on Sunday, and continued steadily until Tuesday. Although less than an inch was registered, it has done much to help those on the land, especially those who were forced to cart water as a result of the long spell of dry weather. This rain has soaked well in, and with the absence of drying winds often prevalent about here, has brought on the wheat, the most of which is just strongly- up. A large area has been sown in wheat, but owing to the hard state of the ground wheatsowing has been delayed to a fairly largo extent.

Rural.—Feed has been scarce for sheep, and consequently little business has been done in-store stock of late. The prospects for feed when the turnips are finished are not bright, thus- farmers are in most’ cases more inclined to sell at a fair price, and so reduce their holdings. Business in fat sheep is practically confined to local butchers, from which the demand equals the supply. Early lambs have made their appearance on a fairly large scale this year. ■ Grand National.—Among the Waimate visitors who attended the Grand National meeting in Christchurch were Airs Cohn Douglas, Aliss D. Napier, Aliss Alay Corrigan. and Airs Neil Rattray. Obituary.—From the community of Waimate, and particularly the Catholic section of that community, there has passed away a very well known and dearly loved lady in the person of Airs Johanna Keane. Because of its suddenness. her death caused a great shock. Known for her wonderful life of self-sac-rifice, ever ready to give her services to

those in need, her familiar figure will be sadly missed from many a sick bedside. The sick, the poor, and little children were all her loving charge, and she spent herself in the service of others. Her hands were always plying her knitting needles for someone, and during the Great War she was continually knitting away for her “ poor, boys in the trenches.” No greater happiness was hers than when bringing sunshine into the lives of others. Her house was always an open door, and she was known and loved for her bright and cheerful ways. Her ready wit was known to all, and many delightful hcu’-s were passed in her hospitable home by visitors from many parts of New Zealand and from abroad. As a true friend to all in need, she will be missed by all classes and creeds, for no barrier —neither social ror religious—ever existed for her when it was a question of exercising charity 1 n 1888. at St. Patrick’s Church, Waimate, she was married to the late Daniel Keane, who predeceased her 19 years ago. Father Goutenoire. familiarly known as Father John, officiated at the wedding. Seven children were born of the marriage, five sons and two daughters. During the Great War four of her sons donned the khaki, one son leaving on the first ship to leave these shores bearing the gallant boys >f the old pioneers to defend the Alother Country. Two sons saw service in France for the greater part of the war. During the epidemic of 1918 one son. well known in educational circles in Hawke’s Bay and principal of the secondary department of the Waipawa High School, died. The other sons are Alaurice (Christchurch), Daniel (Wellington), and Josepn (Lyttelton), and Father Arthur Keane, formerly of the teaching staff of St. Patrick’s College. Wellington, but now of St. Alary’s, Christchurch. Her two daughters are Catherine, who has been the constant life companion of her mother, and Alary, who is a member of the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, ir religion Sister Benedicts, of St. Benedict’s Convent, Auckland. On Tuesday morning a solemn Alass of requiem was sung by the school children. Father Keane being celebrant. Fathers O'Connor and Peoples (Timaru) being deacon and subdeacon respectively. Very Rev. Dean Holley (Timaru), O'Connor (St. Alary’s Christchurch), and Ginisty (Waimate) were also present in the sanctuary. A crowded congregation showed the esteem in which the deceased lady was held. AA’hen the finab absolution was given the whole congregation stood while the “ Dead Alarch ” was played. The funeral, one of the largest seen in the district for a loi-g time, wended its way to the cemetery, where many had already gathered at the graveside. The burial service was conducted by deceased’s son. Father A. Keane, assisted by Fathers O’Connor, P.P., and Ginisty. So was laid to rest one of the grand old pioneers of Waimate—a little Irish mother sleeping softly now- at last. An old and highly respected resident of the Alorven district passed away quiet* v on August 15 after a short illness, in the person of Air David Lundy. Since the Waikakahi land ballot of some 30 odd years ago. deceased had farmed successfully in the Alorven district. Being always of a cheerful disposition, and happy to give his assistance and advice which were keenly sought, he won many friends, to whom the news of his death came as a shock. Air Lundy, who was unmarried, took a keen interest in stock, and possessed a very fine herd of dairy cows. His advice on matters of stock sickness, etc., could be always relied upon. A larg«* funeral left the. residence of his brother, Air Robert Lundy, of Alorven, for St. Patrick’s Church. Waimate, where Requiem Alass was celebrated by the Rev. Father O'Connor. At the graveside a very large crowd paid their last respects to one of the most highly respected residents of this district. The . pall-bearers were deceased’s four nephews—David, Jim, Robert, and William Lundy—and Alessrs Robert and John Forsyth, of Alo’ ven.

' NEWS TOPICS. Flying-officer Olsen, instructor to the Otago Aero Club, had a busy time at Balclutha on Thursday last. Five pupils, who are practically ready to do solo flying, had short flights from the Stirling ground in company with the instructor, while Air J. H. Stevenson, in a second Gipsy moth, made a solo flight of one hour and a-half’s duration. The work of clearing the cool stores at Alataura is proving very propitious at the present time, and several men have been given employment loading out carcasses for shipment by the Rangitane. Tainui, and Alatakana. Last week 5000 carcasses were trucked to Port Chalmers to connect with the first-named vessel, while a large consignment of 43 trucks have been despatched to Bluff for the Rangitane. A further heavy consignment was scheduled for the Tainui, also at Bluff. A man who has just returned from a visit to Tahapoka, Papatowai, and other parts of the Catlins district reports that the bush districts seem to have suffered even more than the towns by the slump. Alost of the sawmills are closed, and the idle workers, many of whom have small farms in the bush, find it impossible to make a living off the land in the winter. The cows are dried off awaiting the spring, and the men are forced to go afield looking for work, and are finding little but odd jobs, or a few days a week as relief workers on some county job. Some even tried their hands at fishing at Tautuku, but without much success. If the sawmills do not reopen in the late spring things will be very bad indeed in many of the bush districts.

ACCIDENT. An accident occurred a£ Alatakanui, where Air Hector Kemp, an electric linesman employed by the Central Otago Power Board, was engaged in repairing lines damaged by the terrific gale on the previous evening. Air Kemp was making adjustments to the wires, and the heavy wind swaying the post caused him to lose his balance, his safety belt breaking, and he fell 35 feet to the ground. The danger sign on the post caught his face, scarring it, and he struck a prop used for erecting the pole which was standing against the side of the pole, breaking his jaw. He was attended to by Dr Scrymgeour, who found that no other bones had been broken, anti that he was not suffering any internal injury. He is now progressing favourably.

OBITUARY. An old and highly-respected resident of Alexandra in the person of Airs Robert Lewis passed away in the Cromwell Hospital at an early hour on Wednesday. Aire Lewis arrived in this district many years ago with her husband, and subsequently’ went on to Springvale, where, through their combined efforts, a barren waste was turned into what is now one of the most productive farms in the irrigated area. Airs Lewis was of a retiring disposition. She is survived by her husband, three sons, and one daughter. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place at the Alexandra Cemetery on Friday last, and was conducted by the Rev. W. J. Bevis. WARDEN’S COURT. At the Alexandra Warden’s Court, before Air H. J. Dixon, S.M., Patrick Al’Elligott's (Air S. E. Sunderland) application tor a flood race was granted. The Alolyneux Electric Gold Dredging Company’s (Air T. E. Sutherland) application for amalgamation of claims was granted. Patrick APElligott’e application for a residential site at Earnscleugh was granted. Alessrs Lang and Cummings’s application for an ordinary’ prospecting license was recommended to the Alinister for approval. Edward Benjamin O'Reilly's (Air Sunderland) application for an ordinary prospecting license was recommended for the Alinieter’s consent. Samuel Cameron applied for an ordinary’ prospecting license, and the warden recommended this to the Alinister for his approval.

FRUITGROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. A very interesting and instructive lecture was give to the members of the Alexandra Fruitgrowers’ Association by Dr Cunningham, of the Government Plant Research Station, Palmerston North. Dr Cunningham, who received a very attentive hearing, confined himself chiefly t£> the subject of sprays. A number of questions were asked and answered to the satisfaction of those present, and at the conclusion of his address Dr Cunningham was, on the motion of Air A. Ashworth, accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his very enlightening address. On the evening of August 12 Dr G. H. Cunningham, of the plant research station, Palmerston North, delivered a very interesting and instructive address at Roxburgh on ’• Sprays and Spraying Experiments.” There was a large attendance, about 100 being present. The president of the Teviot Fruitgrowers’ Association (Air J. B. Gilmour) presided, ami, in introducing Dr Cunningham, referred to the excellent work he was doing in testing the various compounds on the market and advising the industry accordingly. Dr Cunningham dealt with the subject of sprays under six headings, and then enlarged upon the principal ones in use. Numerous questions were asked, after which a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Dr Cunningham, the mover remarking that the address was the most practical and instructive one fruitgrowers in the district had ever listened to.

MINING MATTERS. The quest for the precious yellow metal continues to interest quite a number of men who would otherwise swell the ranks of the unemployed. In various parts of the district ingenious methods have been devised to win alluvial gold, and up till recently the cradle and the sluice-box were encountered along th<S banks of the Alataura River. It is evident that sluicing, where finance has permitted of such an undertaking, is finding favour, and a claim has bce n established at Waimumu. The company concerned, however, has encountered some opposition from county ratepayers, who allege that the operations affect the Waimumu Stream which traverses dairy land. At the instigation of the company concerned a meeting of members of the company and ratepayers was convened by the County Council at Alataura, where the question of having the Waimumu declared a sludge channel was discussed. The dairy farmers represented expressed sympathy with gold miners, but stated that sluicing operations so discoloured the steam that stock refused to drink the water, and the returns suffered in consequence. It was suggested that if arrangements could be made for a system of filtering the problem would be overcome. No decision was arrived at on the question, and the meeting was adjourned pending a more representative attendance of dairy farmers.

TUAPEKA AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Tuapeka Agricultural Society wa~ held in the Town Hall, the president (Air Al. J. Fahey) being in the chair. The secretary’ submitted the balance sheet covering the past year’s operations. The receipts amounted to £l5B and the expenditure to £l7O. The past year’s show was considered satisfactory, and the chairman congratulated members on the satisfactory position disclosed. Assets, he said, amounted to £lB5 17s Id and liabilities to £39. At the ordinary’ meeting, a resolution that no show should be held owing to the prevailing conditions and the possible difficulty of running a successful show fixture was defeated. Air D. APNeilly was elected president, and Alessrs A. D. Crawford and G. Davidson vice-presidents.