NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19994, 11 January 1927, Page 13

NORTH OTAGO.

(F&ou Otra Special Correspondekt.J

THRESHING OF CEREALS. The Oamaru merchants are much concerned in regard to what they allege to be the faulty threshing of cereals in this district. They state that many of the threshing mills in use are old and out of repair. The consequence is that the wheat and oats are supplied to the merchants in a condition that is anything but clean. In some cases, it is pointed out, wild oats, Canadian thistles, etc., may form part of an oat crop. Some of these are carried in the mill to a farm on which the oat crop is perfectly clean. The result is that the grade of the clean crop is seriously affected. The same thing applies to wheat crops in which disease has appeared. The merchants are of opinion that a Government official should inspect all threshing mills before they commence the threshing season, to ascertain if they are in a sound and efficient condition. In the meantime, the grading regulations are to be rigidly enforced, and it may happen that much cereal that, if properly handled would be first-grade, will have to be classified as second-grade. ' The question is one that affects the farmer perhaps more than the merchant, and for this reason it is felt that the Farmers’ Union might with advantage discuss the question and make representations in the proper quarter. BLUEGUM DISEASE. Many of the bluegum trees in North Otago, which were planted in the early days of settlement, have been attacked by disease, and are dying off. In some of the plantations the dead trees are converted into firewood. In others they are allowed to remain, thereby spreading the infection to the rest of the plantation. CATTLE TICK. The appearance of cattle tick at Gisborne will probably cause members of the Oamaru Harbour Board to exercise vigilance, so that the danger of the tick being introduced by coastal boats trading between Oamaru and Gisborne will be reduced to a minimum. ANNUAL PICNIC. The annual trades picnic is to he held on Saturday next, when the trading establishments will observe a close holiday. Timaru has again been chosen as the picnic place and special trains will be run for the. occasion. Should the weather remain fine it is anticipated that nearly 2000 people will proceed to the northern centre, where bowling, cricket, and lawn tennis rnatches will probably be played and Caroline Bay will be freely patronised. CROWN LANDS. The plan of the Wairuna Settlement, in the Qutha district, which is being thrown open for selection this month, is being exhibited in the office of the Wataki County Council in Oamaru. Mr George Livingstone) a member of the Otago Land Board, is prepared to supply intending selectors with full information. BOWLING. The position of the clubs in the interclub shield matches played to date is as follows:—Phoenix, 5 wins and 1 loss; Meadowbank. 5 wins and 1 loss; Pukeuri, 3 wins and 3 losses; Awamoa, 1 win and 5 losses. The third round will be continued on Saturday next, when Meadowbank meets Pukeuri and Awamoa. The Pukeuri Club defeated Awamoa on Saturday on the Pukeuri green by the narrow margin of three points. An effort is being made to arrange tor the annua] match between Phoenix and Timaru, to be played at Timaru on Saturday next. ALLEGED THEFT. A number of charges of alleged theft from private dwellings have been preferred against a young married woman who has previously figured in the court. She will appear before the stipendiary magistrate on January 19. NORTH SCHOOL THEFT. Some days ago it was reported that the North School had been entered and ransacked during the holidays. The police, as a result of their investigations, allege that the delinquent was a lad between 10 and 11 years of age. He will be charged in the Juvenile Court on January 19 with the theft of the sum of 8s 6d. BURNS LECTURE. The Mayor (Mr James M’Diarmid) will deliver a Burns lecture to the North Otago Scottish Society at its concert on Saturday, January 22. Mr M/Diarrnid will give a similar‘lecture at the Burns’ night of Lodge Kilwinning of .Freemasons. A PYTHON SKIN. The skin of a python snake, of the boa constrictor species, is on view m the window of the Polytechnic in Oamaru. Ihe skin is 24ft in length, and was cured by Mr H. Steffan, the well-known Oamaru taxidermist. The snake was shot by Mr John M’Leod on the bank of the Irawadi River, in Northern India. CRICKET. A cricket match between a team representing the Union Club and Seacliff was played at Oamaru on Saturday afternoon. Union made 131 in their first innings (Cross 36. Hunter 36). Seacliff made 51 in their first innings (Milne 23) and 49 for seven wickets (Simmons not out 15, and Hooper 11) in the second. Rain interfered with the conclusion of the game. A match between a junior Oamaru team and the country was commenced at Duntroon on Saturday, but was interrupted by heavy rain after Oamaru had made 104 in their first innings. The chief scorers were Jacob* 22, ITamiltou 23, and v\ ca\cr (not out) 22. DEFENCE' RIFLE CLUB. Th- Oamaru Defence Rifle Club completed their long range shooting in the championship series on Saturday under fair conditions, but the shooting, on the whole, was distinctly poor. The following are the scores: — 800 900 yds. yds. Hp. Tl. Rflmn. G. Gillies .. 43 36 8 Rflmn. Mosley .. 28 45 0— 83 Rflmn. Smith 40 39 3 Rflmn. Koppert . . 43 38 0— 81 Vice-pres. M’Clatchie 37 37 4 78 Rflmn. A. Doran .. 26 25 24 —75 Rflmn. Murdoch .. 25 38 97Pres. Orbell . . .. 38 30 4 72 Rflmn, Campbell .. 33 26 10 —69 Rflmn. G. Doran .. 27 38 368 Rflmn. Barnard .. 32 27 564 Vice-pres. Hedges .. 36 18 458 Rflmn. M’Pherson 34 .15 8 .>7 Rflmn. W. Gillies . . 19 26 702 GLENAVY SALE. The opening sale of the year for Glenavy was held yesterday. Ihero was a yarding of 1200 fat lambs with a pen or two of fat wethers and ewes. The quality of the lambs on offer was extra good. The fat stock buyers, commenting on the fact, remarking that the lambs were easily the primest that they bad seen in any yards this season. The way buyers bid bore out these remarks, the yarding being sold under the hammer at full schedule Prime heavy lambs made from 26s 4d to 28s prime light lambs 24s 6d to 26s lOd, lighter lambs 23s 4d to 24s 3d ewes in wool 255, shorn heavy ewes 23s 9d, shorn wethers 255. There was a large attendance of farmers keenly interested, and much speculation before (he sale commenced as to PP® es ; In everv case sellers were well satisfied with the prices received, and it looks as if this popular fixture will more than maintain its reputation as one of tne nest fat stock saleyards in South Canterbury.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

TUG-OF-WAR CONTEST. One or two teams from the redoubable Enfield Tug-of-war Club intend taking part in a contest at Christchurch in the first week of February. The first prize for this contest is £IOO, and the second £25. The contest is limited to 12st weight, so that some of the heavier-weights of Enfield will be unable to compete. GIRL GUIDES’ CAMP. About 50 Girl Guides from various parts of the South Island went into oamp at the Waitaki Girls’ High School yesterday. They are under the control of Lady Marjorie Dalrymple, the Dominion commissioner, and will remain in camp for a week. BORDER LEICESTER BREEDER. It is stated that Mr G. P. Johnston, the well-known Border Leicester breeder of Gore, has purchased a property in North Otago, and intends transferring his stud to this district. The arrival of this breeder will add interest to the various competitions in Border Leicesters in North Otago, where the breed is much in favour among sheepowners. HISTORICAL EVENT. The sale of the Redcastle homestead to the Christian Brothers recalls an interesting event in the career of the original owner, Mr John M’Lean. When he and his brother were in Australia, prior to coming to New Zealand, it is alleged that a conspiracy to do them physical injury was disclosed in the nick of time by a Chinaman. ’ The Chinaman was brought to New Zealand, and acted as cook to the M‘Leans for many years. When he died a substantial monument was erected over his grave in the Oamaru Cemetery. PRICE OF PETROL, A reduction in the price of petrol was made in Oamaru to-day. On the average it amounts to l|d per gallon. It is now being sold at 2s 3d for a single gallon and 17s for a case. LAWN TENNIS. The country lawn tennis tournament was commenced at Kui’ow on Saturday under ideal conditions until about 4 o’clock, when heavy rain fell, and play had to be abandoned. The men’s events were got off on the Kurow courts, while the ladies’ were played at Hakataramea. The only matches that were completed were the ladies’ championship singles and the men’s handicap doubles. The remainder of the matches will be completed at Kurow on Saturday, January 22. The following are the results : Men’s Championship Singles. First Round.—Grant 9, Pavletioh 0; Bennett 9, Potts 3. Second Round.—L. M’Kinnon 9, Rutherford 7; Whitehead 9, Gawn 1; Francis 9, Bennie 7; Collis 9, Grant 2; Bennett 9, Newburn 5; M’Kenzie 9, M’Master 4;, Shand 9. A. M’Kinnon 5; Brockett 9, Williams 1. . Third Bound. —L. M’Kinnon 9, Whitehead 2; Collins 9, Francis 2; Shand 9, Brockett 3. Ladies’ Championship Singles. First Round.— Miss Hedley 9, Mrs M’Kenzie 0; Miss Hughes 9. Miss Colli© g Second Round.— Miss C. Lawlor 9, Miss Barclay 1; Miss N. Collins 9, Miss Hedley 7; Miss Hughes 9, Mrs M’Kinnon 0; Miss Condon 9, Miss Lawlor 3. Third Round—Miss C. Lawlor 9 Miss Collins 2; Miss Hughes 9, Miss Condon 2. Final.—Miss Lawlor 9, Miss Hughes 6. Men’s Handicap Doubles. First Round.—Munro and A. M’Kinnon 31 M’Phail and Neill 25; Bennett and Rutherford 31, Whitehead and M’Kenzie 21; M’Master and L. M’Kinnon 31. Pavletich and Newburn 22; Duthie and Shand 31 M’Oaw and Gawn 25; Brockett and Grant 31, Potts and Condon 28 . Second Round.“-Collins and i 4 r&ncis 61, Munro and M’Kinnon 17; M’Master and L M’Kinnon 31, Rutherford and Bennett 30; Duthie and Shand 31, Brockett and Grant 22. , r- • xi Third Round.—Colima and Francis 51, M’Master and M’Kinnon 22. _ Final.—Collins and Francis 31, Shand and Duthie 19. Ladies’ Handicap Doubles. First Round.—Mrs Robinson and Miss Collie 31, Misses Hedley and Rutherford 29- Misses Lawlor 31, Mrs M’Kinnon and Miss Condon 29; Misses Hughes 51, Misses H. and S. Middleditch 25. Second Round—Misses Sutherland and Hutchinson 31, Misses O. and Q. Middleditch 28; Mrs Robinson and Miss 31 Misses Hollands and Barclay 22; Misses Hughes 31, Misses Lawlor 26; Mesdames Valentine and Sargeant 31, Mesdames M’Kenzie and M'Caw 27. Men’s Championship Doubles. First Round.—Duthie and Shand 6, M’Kenzie and Whitehead 2; Collins and Francis 6, Newburn and Pavletioh 0. Second Round.—Brockett and Grant 6. Potts and Condon 1; Duthie and Shand 6 Collins and Francis 2; M Master and L M’Kinnon 6. M’Caw and Gawn 1; Bennie and Williams 6, Bock and Bennett 5 Third Round.—Duthie and Shand 6, Brockett and Grant 2. OAMARU BURGESSES’ ASSOCIATION. The monthly meeting of the Oamaru Burgesses’ Association was hem la st night, Mr A. H. Vile presiding. Seventeen new members, including a member of the borough council, w-ere elected. On the motion of Mr C. H. bwinard, a resolution was passed strongly opposing any proposal to make a road through Tokaro Park. , ~ It was decided, on the motion ot Mr M. Robinson, that the Oamaru Burgesses Association favours a federation of all burgesses associations in the Dominion with a view to concerted action in matters of general civic interest. On the motion of Mr C. Smith, it was resolved —“That this association will gladly join with the Retailers’ Committee of the Chamber of Commerce in an effort to advertise better the attractions ot Oamaru as a holiday resort.” CHINESE TROUBLE. At the meeting of the Oamaru Burgesses’ Association last night, and after some discussion, the following resolution was passed: —“That the burgesses ot Oamaru should seriously consider whether, in view of the effort that is being made to drive Britishers out of their lawful possessions in China, they are justified in continuing to support Chinese tradesmen.” ELECTION OF MAYORS. The following resolution was proposed at the meeting of the Oamaru Burgesses’ Association last night by the chairman: “That in the opinion of this association the mayors of boroughs should be elected from the borough councils, as in Australia. and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Internal Affairs.” After a lengthy discussion, in which .1 was pointed out that the system of electing mayors from the council was in existence in Australia and other parts of the Empire, the resolution was held over for further discussion till the next meeting. UNIMPROVED VALUES. Air M. Robinson has given notice :o move as follows at the next meeting of the Oamaru Burgesses’ Asociation:— “ That steps be taken to secure a poll of the electors of Oamaru upon the question of rating upon unimproved values.”