NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 4069, 8 March 1932, Page 65

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT OBITUARY. The death occurred at Kakanui of Airs Isabella Matheson. The deceased was born in Stornoway, in the Isle of Lewis,* Scotland, and came to New Zealand in the ship Invercargill about 58 years ago. With her husband, who predeceased her 10 years ago, she came to Kakanui, where she resided up til! her death. Mrs Matheson was one of the last of the early settlers of Kakanui, and a large circle of friends will regret of her death. She leaves a family of 10 —seven girls and three sous. SUNSHINE RECORD. The total sunshine recorded at Oamaru the month of February by Mr D. L. Bain was 1231 hours, making a daily average of 4hr 15min. The maximum was 12 hours, which was recorded on two days, while on six days there was 10 hours or over. On six days there was no sunshine at all, lour of these being when the drought was broken from February 18 to VITAL STATISTICS. The following are the statistics for the month of February:—Births. 15; deaths, 12; Marriages 6. NORTH OTAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The North Otago Horticultural Society has every reason to feel satisfied with the results of the autumn show, which was held on Tuesday. The attendance during both the afternoon and evening must be deemed very satisfactory. In the cut blooms keen competition was experienced in all classes, and in the opinion of the judge (Mr Al. J. Barnett) it was a very creditable show, considering the long drought and the heavy rain over the week-end.

The Rcdcastle Cup for the best collection of cut flowers was won by Mrs R.. K. Ireland. , The outstanding exhibit was a vase of His Majesty montbretia, which was exceptionally well growm, and the judge stated he had never seen better. Although there was a paucity of entries in the rose classes, the blooms were very good and fresh for this period of the year. Mr A. G. Robertson was the most successful exhibitor, his blooms showing beautiful colour and texture.

The asters were good, but the dahlias from a numerical point of view were disappointing, as last year they formed a feature of the show.

The same might be said of the gladioli section, although Mrs J. S. Miller’s champion bloom, Kyle, was a very fine specimen. Air J. Hambley was placed a close second with a fine spike of Emile Auburn. Apart from the quality of the blooms, the care taken in the decorative work was a pleasing feature, and the judges expressed their satisfaction at the results obtained.

Originality and commendable skill were shown in the children’s classes, particularly in those for boys and girls under 10 years. While it did not conform strictly to the rules, the Union Jack, coloured-in with flower petals, by the Junior High School girls was artistically executed.

“Although 1 have been judging shows for over 20 years, this is the best and biggest display of vegetables I have ever seen,” said the judge (Mr J. Main). “ It is all the more creditable when the dry weather is taken into account, and I feel that many must have broken the council’s water restrictions,” he added with a wry smile. An outstanding feature was a collection of vegetables which was staged for effect by Air A. Petrie. It included over 40 different varieties, and for skill in arrangement it would be hard to beat.. Quality and quantity were in evidence in all classes, and the cabbages were entirely free from blight and well grown. The cup resulted in a tie between Airs J. Preston and Air W. J. D. Alilne, and was finally awarded to the former, as she had gained most firsts. The trade and exhibits only classes formed a distinct attraction. Air J. S. Aliller (Dunedin) provided a colourful stand of gladioli, in which the premier blooms were Red Lory, Jessie, and Bertie Snow. A fine stand of dahlias was exhibited by Aliss Edmonson (Waikawa), and Alessrs T. Park and Co. had a nicely arranged stand of pot plants and cut blooms. The Public Gardens were represented by a fine exhibition of Streptocarpa and foliage plants, with specimen plants, gloxinias, and begonias. The deft draping of the stand was accentuated by’ a hanging basket of begonias, and the result obtained presented a subdued and harmonious blend of colour.

PERSONAL. Air T. Spiers, who was appointed headmaster at the Hampden School, commenced duty there at the beginning of the week. Air D. Findlay left Oamaru yesterday on the first stage of his journey to England, where he intends to take up his residence, was the recipient of a presentation, accompanied by good wishes for the future, from the stiff of Alessrs Bulleid and Co. Aliss Nance Rowntree, of Dunedin, one of the few lady pilots of Hew Zealand, accompanied by Air Colin C. Byar, the youngest pilot of the Otago Aero Club, made a flight from the Oamaru airport over the town and Windsor district on Tuesday afternoon. They are guests at Crown Hill Farm, Windsor. NORTH OTAGO AERODROME. Saturday, Alarch 12, will be a “ red letter day ” in the annals of North Otago, as on that date the North Otago aerodrome will be officially opened. Aviation has made great strides in the past 20 years, and the time is now near at hand when an airport will possibly’ be as necessary to a city as a seaport is to-day. Oamaru has been constituted a branch of the Otago Aero Club, and a large and enthusiastic executive has been formed to advance the interests of aviation in the ‘‘White City.” Arrangements are well in hand for a very spectacular display by

some eight or 10 aeroplanes on Saturday afternoon, when the. residents of North Otago will be treated to a succession of aerial thrills by noted air pilots of Canterbury, Southland, and Otago. PORT STATISTICS. I’he following are the port statistics •or Oamaru for the month of February— Coastal cargo: Inwards 241 tons (sugar 10 . Ollli 35 > furniture 16, other goods 87) outwards: 1219 tons (flour M2, pollard and bran 270, lime 202, manufactured oats 29, woollens 28, wheat 18, Cane s Emulsion 7. other goods 33). Overseas: Inwards 151 tons (coal 102, bags 41, other goods 8); outwards 627 tons (frozen meat 443, wool 160, casings 15, pelts 6, sheep skins 3). DWELLING BURNED. A six-roomed dwelling house on the North road was completely destroyed by hre on Friday evening. The flames were first noticed shortly after 8 o’clock, and as the hre was situated outside the Oamaru , oa J., ai ’ ea > th* 3 brigade did not attend. Ihe house burned for upwards of two hours. It was owned by Mr Robert Carlile, of the North road, and was occupied by Mr L. R. Smart. The building was a fairly old one, of wood and rough cast, and had just been completely renovated inside. The occupant was absent at the time of the outbreak. The insurances, amounting to about £6OO are held by the Eagle, Star, and British Dominion office. BOWLING. After the rain of Friday night the weather cleared for the Mills Shield games on Saturday afternoon. The greens were in excellent order and played surprisingly well. ° The first section was won by Awamoa by 10 points. In the second a tie resulted, and in the extra head played Phccnix won by a point. Phoenix won by two points the extra head necessary to decide the third section. Section 4 was won by Phoenix by 15 points and section 5 by Awamoa by 12 points, the totals being Phoenix three sections and Awamoa two sections. In the other Mills Shield game Meadowbank defeated Pukeuri by 7 points. LAWN TENNIS. A friendly match was played between teams from the Totara and Wesley Clubs at the Wesley courts on Saturday. After a close and interesting game the visitors won the match by a narrow margin of two sets. An enjoyable day was spent and the visiting team was hospitably entertained. The totals were : Totara, 13 sets (113 games); Wesley, 11 sets (102 games). In a match between Maheno and Enfield, played at Enfield, the home team proved the winner by 14 sets to 10. CRICKET. With Union assured of the Senior Championship, interest centred mainly in the School-Albion game on Saturday in view of Waitaki’s annual match with tha Christchurch Boys’ High School, which takes place this week. The wickets favoured the batsmen, and although School did fairly well to make 205 runs, both the Oamaru and Union batsmen gave unaccountably poor exhibitions. Albion lost five wickets for 69 runs. Oamaru made 91 and Union replied with 120 for eight wickets. In the second grade matches St. Kevin’s defeated Union B by a good margin, and the Albion-Union match resulted in a draw. NORTH OTAGO AERODROME. Saturday, March 12, will be a “ red letter day ” in the annals of North Otago, as on that date the North Otago aerodrome will be officially opened. Aviation has made great strides in the past 20 years, and the time is now near at ahnd when an airport will possibly be as necessary to a city as a eeaport is to-day. Oainaru has been constituted a branch of the Otago Aero Club, and a capable executive has been formed to advance the interests of aviation in the district. Arrangements are well in hand for a veryspectacular display by’ the greatest aggregation of aeroplanes ever seen in North Otago piloted by noted air pilots of Canterbury, Southland, and Otago.

GOLF. The summer golfers of Oamaru spent a very enjoyable afternoon on Saturday at Waianakaru on the_golf links of Alessrs A. J. Grave and R. K. Ireland. The day was perfect and the course was in excellent condition. The fine sole of grass on the fairways and greens was in splendid order. Twenty-three players made the journey and al] spent a very enjoyable time. At the conclusion of afternoon tea Mr Al. S. Holmes, on behalf of the visitors, thanked Air Grave for his kindness and three hearty cheers were given. The match was an eclectic one, the following being the results:—R. Hedges, 42 (15), 27; R. Watson, 45 (14), 31; J. Rivers, 37 (5) 32; A. Robertson, 44 (11), 33; D. Steven, 49 (15), 34; J. R. Scott, 38 (4) 34; A. ATBeath. 39 (5), 34; E. ATKenzie, 41 (7), 34; A. J. Grave 46 (11), 35; H. Al'Dowell, 46 (11), 35; G. L. Cuthbertson, 38 (3), 35; W. Widdowson, 48 (13). 35; J. C. Kilpatrick, 40 (5) 35; B. Roll, 42 (7), 35; Al. S. Holmes, 41 (5), 36; G. Catto, 49 (12), 37; K. Kinder 46 (9), 37; D. Al’Donald, 53 (15), 38; F. S. Alilnes, 45 (7), 38; D. Banks, 54 (14), 40. IRRIGATION SCHEME. At a joint meeting of delegates of the Steward Settlement Water Race Committee and the North Otago Irrigation Committee it was suggested that much valuable information would be obtained if two areas could be worked under the supervision of a competent person for demonstration purposes. The suggestion was approved, and it was left with the Steward Settlement Committee to report on suitable sites. It was reported that the Public Works Department w-as willing to make surveys of the various holdings and advise tenants of the best places to construct their races. It was decided to make "inquiries as to improvements being effected to the water races at the Otekaike Settlement.