WAIMATE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 18760, 26 December 1930, Page 12

WAIMATE.

DEATH OP CENTENARIAN. A long life terminated on Wednesday morning at 11 a.m., when Mr E. G. Thornton passed away at the Waimate Public Hospital. Mr Thornton had resided in the Waimate district for very many years, having occupied a farm at Redcliff, which he worked in conjunction with his two sons, both of whom have long passed the allotted span of three score years. Deceased celebrated his 105th birthday in September last, and retained his faculties and vigour to a surprising degree until a short time prior to his death. He was known throughout the district on account of his great age. In conversation he always referred to his sons as “the boys.” CHRISTMAS EVE. The business centre of the town presented a scene of activity on Christmas Eve as is usual on such occasions, many pepple having delayed their seasonal shopping until the last minute. The volume of business done appears to have been very nearly the same as that of preceding years, several shopkeepers having expressed the opinion that things were quite satisfactory, under the circumstances. The crowd was most orderly, there being a marked absence ot rowdiness, and the' cracker nuisance was practically non-existent. Everyone seemed to be out to make the best of things, and to enter into the spirit appropriate to the occasion. SEASONAL CROPS. The Waimate district is noted for the growing of special crops, and two products in strawberries and green peas have engaged the atention of a large number of people in the district during the past few weeks. The season has not been what mignt be termed propitious for growers, cn account principally of the long spell of cold weather causing delay sufficient to make it impossible to market the lines in time to catch the prices which obtain at Christmas week sales. Another factor against vendors has been the poor returns for green peas placed on the Dunedin, Timaru and Christchurch markets during the middle of December, a period when in normal times prices are usually good. This year, after paying id per pound for picking and railage and marketing expenses, many of the consignments sent forward have resulted in a very small return. The yields of (strawberries, raspberries and green peas are uniformly good throughout the district, but the question of a profit to growers depends entirely on prices ruling after the holiday season. ACCLIMATISATION MATTERS. At the last meeting of the Council of the Waimate Acclimatisation Society, the present (Mr J. J. Mumford) presided over a full attendance of members. In regard to next year’s shooting season, for which the Minister had asked for a recommendation, it was reported that the Oamaru Society in tended applying for a three months’ open season in May, June and July. The meeting considered that in order to give game a chance, two -months would be sufficient, and it was decided to recommend to the Minister that May and June be declared open months in the Waimate Acclimatisation district, on the same conditions as last year. It was also resolved to ask for an open season for pukeko, which are plentiful in many parts of the district, particularly In the Waitaki Valley. An open season for opossums was favoured for next year, and it was decided to advise the Minister to that effect. CHANGE OP PREMISES. We have secured commodious premises opposite the Arcadia Theatre and intend holding auctions sales on Saturday evenings at 7.30. We trust the public will extend to us a share of their business in this direction. Forbes Wallace, Box 47, Waimate. ...