COUNTRY NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 19279, 25 June 1924, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS

OTAUTAU. (From our Correspondent.) “Farmers in this district have shown a good deal of apathy in connection with their own organisation, the Farmers’ Union, and every attempt to revive interest in the Otautau branch has been a dismal failure. Those who have been loyal, however, have intimated their intention of joining the Invercargill branch, and some will become members of the Aparima branch. Constable Edwin Jardine Porteous, who passed away at Fendalton, ■ Christchurch, on Wednesday last, at the age of 50 years, was a member of the well-known Palmerston family of that name. He was a brother of Mr William Porteous, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Otautau, and Mrs Macdonald, the Manse, Otautau. There was a large attendance at the first meeting of the Otautau branch of St. John’s Ambulance Association, held in the Reading Room on Friday evening. Dr Stewart gave a very interesting lecture. Otautau met Riverton on the local Recreation Ground on Wednesday last in the Association fixture hockey match, the former winning by 6 goals to nil, points being scored by Mrs Macdonald (2), and Misses McKechnie and Lumsden one each. Tea was provided in the hall, and before the Riverton girls left for home reciprocal greetings were exchanged between Miss McKay (captain of the visiting team) and Miss M. Reuowden (vice-captain). The death occurred at her residence, on Wednesday, 11th inst, of Eva Ethelina, wife of Mr G. T. Pulley. Deceased was a native of Tasmania, and was born in the district of Macquarie Plains. Her father was the late John Triflitt, one of the pioneer settlers in that historic island. Mi and Mrs Pulley were married in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart., and arrived at Lyttleton in 1984. Mr Pulley took up land on Cheviot Station, and was one of the very early pioneers in that State settlement, and there remained 9 years. Subsequently they removed to Southland, and took up a run in Flamborough district, Glenham. After remaining there for three years they came on to Otautau. During the last nine months, Mrs Pulley had been an invalid, and her demise was a happy release from a painful indisposition. She was a kindly hospitable neighbour and an affectionate mother, and is survived by her husband, and a family of one daughter and four sons. Prior to her interment in the Pulley family vault in the Wyndham cemetery on Saturday, 14th mst., a service was conducted in St. Mary’s Anglican Church by Rev. G. A. Dawson (vicar of Otautau parish, assisted by Rev. Thomas Moore (vicar, Wyndham). A large concourse of mourners bore silent testimony to the deep respect in which she was held, and the sincere sympathy of the district is tendered to the sorrowing relatives.

One of the early pioneers of the Otautau district, in the person of Mrs Margaret Campbell, passed away at the residence of her son, Duncan, on Wednesday last, at the age of 73 years. Deceased was a native of Victoria, and came to New Zealand with her husband in 1874, settling in Riverton. They eventually removed to Wairaki to one of the sheep runs in 1872, and after spending a year there Mr and Mrs Campbell came down to Wicola Station, and ultimately came to Otautau in 1875, at which time there were- only two or three houses in the township. Her husband pre-deceased her in May, 1909. The deceased lady was a staunch supporter of the Presbyterian Church, and was at church on the Sunday prior to her decease. She leaves a family of three sons and three daughters to mourn her loss, and to them' is extended the heartfelt sympathy of a wide-spread circle of friends. Deceased was always ready to assist anyone in trouble, and her presence has helped and brightened many a home in this district. The funeral took place on Friday to the old cemetery, a large number paying their last respects. Rev. A. Macdonald conducted the service both at the residence and at the grave-side. QUEENSTOWN. (From our Correspondent). The weather up to the present has been comparatively mild for Queenstown. We had a few days frost at the beginning oi last week, but a thaw set in on Wednesday. Rain also fell, accompanied by further snowfalls on the higher altitudes. The mountains are now well coated with snow. This time last year the whole country was covered in several inches of snow the higher levels having as much as three and four feet on them. The dairy stock in Lake County are at present looking really well for this season of the year. The long spell of favourable weather has ensured a plentiful supply of fodder. There is to be an election for a councillor to fill one vacancy in- South Ward in the Borough. The vacancy was caused by the resignation of Councillor R. P. Anderson. The two aspirants for office are Mr A. Lorden, an ex-councillor, and Mr F. Gavin, son of an ex-councillor, Mr M. J. Gavin, one of the soundest men who ever sat at the Council table, Some new blood is badly wanted on our Council and it is thought in some quarters that Mr Gavin should be given a trial. He is quite a young man. If he brings any of his father’s commonsense ideas to bear he will be an acquisition. Mr Lorden, on the other hand, is a resident of long standing, and has progressive ideas. He does not live in the ward. The election takes place next Friday. Things are moving ahead in connection with the hydro-electric scheme. The head dam or reservoir is almost completed and the power-house is now in course of construction. The poles for the town reticulation are expected this week, and Messrs Turnbull and Jones, the contractors, have made a start. Most of the generating machinery is here. It is expected that the light will be turned on about the middle of Steptember.

A very old resident of this town passed away last Thursday named Mrs Davidson, relicit of the late Robert Davidson. Her age was 88 years and her husband’s 81, making a combined age of 169 years. There are probably few couples which have so many years to their credit. The late Mrs Davidson was one of those who constitute the salt of the earth—one of the fine old sturdy pioneers—who left a great influence for good wherever she was placed. She came from Belfast, Ireland, to Australia in 1857 in the same ship as her husband-to-be and landed in Ballarat. Marrying the late Mr Davidson in 1859, she roughed it with her husband on the diggings until in 1863 the latter moved across the Tasman to New Zealand, where the Gabrael’s Gully rush was on. He later recrossed to Australia and brought his wife and young family to this country, finally settling in Skippers in 1864. The late Mrs Davidson had to journey to the Lakes in a waggon in those days. The deceased removed to Queenstown about 1873 and has lived there ever since. Her husband gave up mining early and carried on storekeeping and then sheep business and joined his wife in 1884. There were four of a family—three sons and one daughter. The eldest son, Mr W. Davidson, is a retired farmer; Mr Thos. Davidson is one of our local butchers and j Mr Robert Davidson is a miner. The ; daughter married Mr Alex. Boyne, one of our storekeepers. The funeral took place on Saturday. A member of an old Invercargill fanr named Thos. Dall, son of Mr S. A. Dau, of Waikiwi, passed away at his temporary residence, Frankton road, on Sunday last. Deceased was 44 years of age and was married, but had no family. The late Mr Dall has been ill for some years, being a victim of tuberculosis. He has tried several places in order to regain his belath. Much sympathy is felt for the widow. The late Mr Dall’s father came to Queenstown to-night, and it is stated that he intends to take the remains back to Invercargill tomorrow. . . The Arrowtown Football Club administered a very severe defeat to the County Pirates Club last Wednesday at Frankton. The final score stood at 40 to 6 in favour | of Arrowtown. The latter team scored 12

tries (two converted) to two trim. Hesvj rain fell during the match and made th< ground, which is situated on one of Mr O'Coniwll’e paddocks, very slippery. The exhibition of football was very poor. Queenstown are defaulting to Glenorehy tomorrow, owing to being unable to raise a full team. The points for the cup so far are: Arrowtown four, Queeustowo two, Glenorehy and Pirates nil. RIVERTON. (From our Correspondent.) The “head guessing” competition in connection with the Progressive League’s Carnival has now been completed. Nineteen competitors tied for first place and it was decided to draw for first and second prizes. The drawing was done by Mr Wm. Fraser and resulted as follows: —Mias Helm first, Mr Akhurst second. Mr J. A. Martin was duly nominated and being unopposed, was duly elected Councillor for the South Ward, Riverton, rendered vacant by the departure of Mr Buddle, PUBLIC MEETING. A representative gathering of businem people assembled in the Town Hall at Riverton on Monday evening to discum the question of better shipping facilties. Mr E. B. Patrick (Deputy Mayor) presided and suitably explained the subject. Mr Beer detailed the steps that had been taken to induce Mr Mackay to run the steamer. It was impossible to compete with the larger towns unless they had a water service. It was necessary to regain the trade which, before the war, amounted to 80 tons every fortnight. This could only be done by re-organisation. The vessel should run the first week in every month and it would regain the trade. The trip should be advertised thoroughly and a personal visit made to intending shippers. The whole of the Western District could be done in this way. The railway freight was 50/- as compared with 32/6 per ton by boat. The freight on beer alone would be a good saving. No doubt if the business people co-operated it would be a good thing for the shipping company, storekeepers and consumers. Mr Willett said if the people only realised what a saving was effected in freight by water they would avail themselves of the service. In the past they could, with lower rents, sell cheaper than the large centres. He would like to point out that the steamer should come on the first of the month. It would only be a short time before the cargo would amount tc 60 tons a trip. Mr Philip said it would be necessary to canvass the other places in the Western District as well as Riverton. Freight by boat would be cheaper to Otautau, Nightcaps, Orepuki and Tuatapere. It waa necessary for the steamer to come on tho first of the month. Mr McKay said the Kot are was bought as a timber boat to trade between Maori Beach, Waikawa, Catlins and Dunedin, and when running to Invercargill at had to sacrifice the timber trade. It took roughly £25 per day to pay the expenses of the boat. Seamen were paid £l6 a month as compared with £6 per month some years ago. Wages totalled about £220 per month. He had tried to get freights to the Western District, but so far had not met with any of success. He wished to pay a compliment to Mr Beer for his efforts inducing the Kotare to visit Riverton. Th< Hotelkeepers had also been generous in their support. On account of the bar it was necessary to have the beacons lighted and placed in a proper position. The vessel running to Riverton would cost £5O a trip. If an arrangement could be come to, say about £6O freight, the boat would come on the first week in each month. He was prepared to take goods from Invercargill to Riverton at a cheaper freight

than by rail. After several questions had been answered a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr McKay. In acknowledging the vote of thanks Mr McKay said he would make a trip the first week in July and if satisfactory another trip would be made in August. Messrs Beer, Martin, McNeil and Hill were appointed canvassers to secure freight for the n&xt trip of the Kotare, which will sail fo? Riverton in the first week in Jiffy. #