OTOROHANGA NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17750, 29 June 1929, Page 11

OTOROHANGA NEWS.

DISTRICT HAPPENINGS.

A FINE DAIRY HERD. (Speoial to Times.) (Our Resident Representative. Among the many fine dairy herds of the Northern King Country is that depasturing on the Ivio Kio levels, the property of Mr P. H. Rowe. .The “Jersey Crest Herd” during the past season comprised 108 units, of which 27 were two and three-y earold heifers. Under the association s test this great herd averaged 3371bs of butterfat for the season recently closed. Twenty-five cows averaged 417 Jibs of fat; ten cows averaged 4-1 O lbs of fat; twenty-two heifers (two and three years old) averaged 31 mbs of fat. For the size of the herd these figures will take a lot of beating. This herd was only established by Mr Rowe In quite recent years, and is depastured on generously top-dressed paddocksAs Mr Rowe culls carefully and extensively it is quite safe to assume that these excellent figures will be bettered next season.

Munlolpal Building Activities. The Otorohanga town commissioners met to consider the tenders received for alterations and additions to the Municipal Hall. The following four tenders were received: A. M. Thomson (Otorohanga), £2058 12s (accepted); Speight, Pearce, Nicoll and Davys (Cambridge), £2450; C- S. Pratt (Hamilton) and Broadhead and Co., £3050. ocwoA The architect's estimate was £2130. The cost of altering the electrical Installation is not Included In the above tenders, which, however, provide for the erection of a Plunket rest-room in these building operations. The contractor starts at once.

A Warrior Passes. There died at Parihaka last Saturday Katonganui, a chief of very high rank, who in his boyhood days had his home at Otorohanga. Said to be 97 years of age, he was born in the Waikato, and was a close relative of Potatau and Tawhaio. Katonganui left Otorohanga for Taranaki with a war party some 75 years ago, and resided there ever since-

Reunion of Diggers.

July 15 has been fixed for the reunion of returned soldiers and exImperial men. The function will take the form of a social and smoke concert in Furner’s Ilall, Otorohanga.

Springing Heifers Wanted.

Despite the unfavourable day the stock sale at. Otorohanga on Wednesday was largely attended by district farmers and outside buyers. Springing heifers were in very keen demand, and these sold at firmer rates to dairymen who would have willingly bought more had they been yarded. Store stock were somewhat dull of sale- Beef sold at late rates, the fatted rejects from the dairy herds predominating..

Valedlotory'

Mrs Charles Cater and Miss Cater, very old residents of the Te Rau Mauku district, who arc leaving that locality, were farewelled by the settlers at the residence of Mrs McPherson. Mrs Cater was presented with-a beautiful eiderdown quilt and Miss Cater with a pyrex bowl.

The Weather. This district Is experiencing typical winter weather. Torrential rain fell during the greater part of Wednesday. On Monday there was a rainfall of .86 and on Tuesday .90 was registered at Otorohanga. The nights arc extremely raw and cold.

Let There Be Llghtl

Settlers -on the Pirongia road are asking to be. transferred from the Waitomo Electric Power Board’s area to that of the Te Awamutu Power Board. A deputation consisting of Messrs Potts, Seccombe, Cowley and Symes met members of the Power Board on the Pirongia road, and explained their position. They submitted that it was no advantage to the Waitomo Board to retain their district in its area, as there was no possibility of the board supplying the settlers there. The Te Awamutu Board’s line already crossed the Pirongia-Otorohanga road behind the settlers in two places. If they were included in the Te Awamutu Board’s area they could get supplied with light and power almost at once. The chairman of the Waitomo Power Board, Mr V- 11. Simms, thought that it would be many years before his board could supply the settlers concerned. He suggested the lending of assistance to get them power from Te Awamutu.

Mr Lee (past chairman) was not in favour of their board losing prospective consumers to another board. A special rating area would have to be formed before either board could reticulate the district and guarantees by prospective consumers would be required. The power board’s engineer is working on details as to cost and the amount of the guarantee that would be required. A further meeting will then be held with the settlers and the Power Board members to finalise the proposal.

Successful Sports Club. The executive of the Otorohanga Sports Club recently met, when it was decided to increase the salary of the secretary, Mr Harry E. Lawrence, as a mark of appreciation of the good services he has rendered. The balance sheet disclosed that a net profit of £IOO odd had been made on the year’s working.

Proposals for improving the Island sports ground will be heard this evening, and. efforts will be made to promote the use of this beautiful location for all sports bodies in the lown and district.

Bad Weather. Heavy weather has been experienced in this district during the weejf, and as a result much further damage has been done to the roads, and more especially the main highway, 'which is in a very bad state for motor traffic. On Thursday evening a heavy thunder storm passed over the district, the lightning flashes being particularly vivid. Many of the low-lying areas along the waterways are flooded, and the Waitomo and Marigapu Rivers have overflown their banks in several places.

This has been the wettest month experienced here during the past seven years. Rain has fallen on 17 days and to date (29th.) 12.32 inches have fallen. The figures for the corresponding months of past years are:—l92B, 3.17.; 1927, 6.37 in.; 1926, 4.13 in.; 19-25, 7.27 in.; 1924, 9.1 lin.; 1923, 8.63 in. No serious damage is reported from country districts, although the expected

slips on new road formations have occurred in several ridings. At half-past six on Thursday evening the town and district were plunged in darkness, owing to the electric light failing. The light was restored after a delay of about three-quarters of an hour.

Valedictory.

About forty couples were present in Turner's Hall at the social and dance tendered to Miss Jean Osmond, who is leaving to take up nursing duties at the Waluku Hospital. Brown's string orchestra provided pleasing dance music,, while an excellent supper was much appreciated by the dancers and their friends.

The function had been promoted by the Tui Hockey Club. The president of the club, Mr Vernon Stagg, on behalf of members and friends, made a presentation to Miss Osmond of a valuable hat-box.

Mr If. J. Osmond suitably replied on behalf of his daughter. A Monte Carlo waltzing competition was a popular item, and this was won by Miss Mossman and Mr Eric Rhodes. Miss Osmond takes up her nursing duties on July 1.

Early Season Predicted. Herdsmen of the district predict a very early dairying season, as many of the units of the herds are already approaching profit. Sterility, the bane of the dairyfarmer, is not in evidence now, as was the common complain' last season. All stock are looking well and there are ample food supplies in sight to tide them over the remaining months of winter. Shortage of Farm Horses. The unfavourable weather has retarded agricultural activities, although plough teams arc being kept going between showers on many properties. The shortage of suitable farm horses throughout this territory is still acute. “Coldfix.” Mr J. Thomson, of Auckland, has contracted with the Otorohanga Town Board to resurface the footpaths in Maniapoto and Tuhoio Streets. The material to be used is “Coldfix,” and the work will be commenced straight away, the contractor’s staff being already in the town. Social and Concert.

The annual smoke concert and social of the Otorohanga Sports Club was held in the band room, when there was a large attendance. In the absence

of the president (Mr J. A. Ormsby), ihrough illness, the vice-president, Mr W. B. McAdam, presided. Wade's Orchestra enlivened the proceedingsSongs and monologue items followed the usual toasts, the whole contributing to a very pleasant re-union of the sporting fraternity and their wellwishers.

The sports club has unanimously decided to increase the salary of its able and energetic secretary, Mr Harry Lawrence. The club is in a very solid financial condition, as a direct result of the last successful gathering on the new Island Park.

Members expressed their determination to elevate the prestige of the- local club to the front rank of similar institutions in the metropolitan centres of the Dominion. Light and Power. The chairman of the Waitomo Electric Power .Board, Mr V. Simms, informed tile writer that he is strongly opposed to his board reticulating the Pirongia road district, seeing that the Tc Awamutu Power Board’s lines are already laid near the locality the settlers wish to have reticulated. (This matter was the subject of a conference between the settlers and the members of the Waitomo Power Board during the week.) Mr Simms declares that he will not be a party to what he considers would merely be a waste of publio money. He is prepared, as far as lies in his power, to assist the settlers interested in obtaining the light and power they require from the. Te Awamutu Board. The matter will be finalised when the engineer’s report is placed before the Waitomo Board at its next meeting.