SHOOTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2810, 22 January 1908, Page 38

SHOOTING.

OTA-GO HTJSSARS. The following will represent "the corps against the North Ot&go 3foTurt«d SiS.ee iM Oamirru next Saturday: — Sergeant-major Farquharson, Sergeants "Williamson an<S Henderson, Corporals "Black and Cowi«, Trumpeters IX-n and JPr&ntica, Troopers Neale, Shand, J. Black, Kirklana, Gow, M'F»rlane, Wilson and Pallor. The teas* leaves h* the 3.10 p.m. train on Friday.

I,AKE COUOTY. January 11.— The weather for the past week has been very hot, the thermometer legißtering over 120 in the sun. and 90 in the shade. Week-end Trips. — The week-end excursions to the lakes- were commenced on Saturday last, when 160 arrived in Qneenstown. The excursion to the hea-d of the lake on Monday ■was well patronised, over 100 going up. Tonight 152 week-enders arrived in Queenstown. Serious Accident. — On Saturday last news ■was received in. Queenstown that Mr Ben Jtogers. an old and respected miner of Skippers, had met with an accident by ■which he lost his left hand and the tips oif tne fingers and thumb ol the right hand. It appears- that Mr Rogers was putting in a charge of dynamite in a stone in Skippers Creek, -when the charge- exploded. Bes"des -the injuries mentioned. Mr Rogers sustained several bruises to his body and face, and both eyes were injured. He was-taken. to the Wakatipu Hospital, where the 'eft arm was amputated at the- wrist, and the fingers and thumb of the right hard were amputated. Mr Rogers bore up wonderfully well under thß trying circumsxances, aiid is now making satisfactory progress. His eyesight is also intproving. For many years Mr Rogers represented Shotover Riding in the Lake County Council, .and was alea a chairman of that ibody. He is very popular, and has the sympathy of" tii©* whtrTe of the residents of the- district in his serious trouble. • * The Admiral's Visit. — Admiral Fawkes and -party arrived in Qtieenet&wn by special eteamer on Tuesday evening. They travelled by special steamer to the head af the lake on Wednesday, and left again on Thursday morning. The weather being perfect,, the Admiral and his party -had a most enjoyable time during their stay in the district, and •were greatly impressed with the beautiful ■oenary. W. M. R» — The final shooting match for th« Hallenstein clock -was 'fired on Wednesday last at Arrowtown. Lieut. White secured ■the trophy, while Private R. Shaw took first prize for ike day's contest. The corps' goes into camp on Saturday next. The military apoxte— thfr most popular event in the district during the year^-are to be he.'d on Saturday, 2Sth inst., on. the Arrow Recreation Ground. Mining. — The various claim-holders and mining companies throughout the- district bsve resumed work after the holidays. At IMacetown six men are employed in Farrell'a Reefs, and at Cardrcea there is considerable activity in mining. The Lone Star and Xiafranchi's dredges are working away steadily, and, it is reported, getting fair returns. The purchaser of the Maori Point dredge, which vras sold on the 31sfc ult., -was Mr li.'Bell, not Mr lr. Lynch, as .stated . lasfc. yreek. 1 understand that the purchaser intends dismantling the dredge. If this ia 4rue, it' means-^fhe last • act of dredging on the Shotover. January 18. — The weather for the past week la* 'been all tha* couia be desJred. A nice shower fell on Sunday last, and also on Thursday. These were- badly wanted by "the farmers. ■ ■ - Tourists. — The number of tourists visiting the district this year constitutes a record. Large numbers arrive in Queenstown nightly hy the steamer, and the excursions to the lead of the lake and the various drives are herns well patronised.School. — Miss Copland, of Oamaru, has •been recommended for the position of teacher in_ the secondary subjects at th« Arrow District- High School. Miss Copland has been highly recommended; and possesses many .testimonials as to her educational attainments. Mr M. Mehaffey, who has been in charge of the High School, lias resigned his position/ the resignation taking: effect in March, and purposes following electrical engineering. Removals.— Mr H. H. Wilson, who has been assistant clerk in the Quef-astown Magistrate's Court for the last four years, has ■been transferred to Naseby, where he takes up a similar position in the Court there, and Mr J.-- Simon, clerk in the Wakatipu Service Office, has_ .received notice of his transference to_ Orepuki. Both gentlemen will leave many iriends in- Queenstown. as they were both most courteous and obliging officials. Personal —The Primate of New Zealand, Bishop Nevill, arrived in Queenstown on Thursday from Wanaka, -where he- and Mrs Uevill have been spending a holiday. Picnics. — The Roman Cathojic picnic took •place at Bob's Cove on Tuesday last, a large number being conveyed to that place by the Mountaineer, and St. Paul's Anglican Sunday School, Arrowtown, field its annual picnic at Mr J. Butel's farm on Wednesday. The weather b3ing^ perfect, both proved most enjoyable to young and old. The Queenstown Presbyterian Sunday School's annual picnic will be held at Beach Bay on Thursday next. General. — I am pleased to state that Mr B. Rogers, who- met with the dynamite accident at Skippers, is making satisfactory progress at the- Wakatipu Hospital. His eyesight will not be affected. — Through the representations of Mr Wesley Turton, solicitor, Queenstown, the Justice Department ha 3 authorised Mrs R. MvDougall, postmistress at CarSrona, to take statutory declarations. Tiiis -will prove . a great boon to Cardrona residents. There being no^ J~.P. there, persons had to make a long journey to Arrowibwn or-- Pembroke to make a declaration. Death?. — The death occurred at the Arrow Hospital en Monday last of Mr Robert Johnston, son of M!rs Johnston, of the Otago Hotel; Skippers. 'Deceased! had not been in good health fox some time past, and: became ■an "inmate- of the hospital a few weeks ago. H« was a native of Skippers, and had lived. •there all iis life, and- waa 36 years of age. Deceased was » most popular young man: in Skippers,, being of a cheerful, obliging^ and kindly nature, and general regret is expressed at his_early demise. The remains were taken •to for burial, the funeral taking place on Wednesday. The esteem in which th«";late Mr Johnston was held was shown by the- large number which attended to pay ; their-last tribute of respect to his memory. The- funeral service was conducted, by Mr Sobeitaon- <Presbyterian student). — Another ?>ldl_ resident of Skippers in the person of Mr jW.' Keating passed away at the Arrow Hospital on Wednesday morning. The late Mr Keating, who had exceeded the allotted span-, ■was highly respected by all who knew him. He* had been mining at the Upper Shotover ior_-» number of years. — The deaths of two former residenfer of Queenstown are also reported. Mrs Fleming-, wife of ex-Sergeant JPieming, died at Christchurch on Monday last after" a long illness, and Mr Silvanus Daniels, who resided in Queenßto-vra for a of years, died at his residence, Tnvercargill, on 10th January. He had reached the age of 64, and leaves * nridow and grown3UX. family.

f January 20. — Windy and dry weather ia still prevalent. We have lately, however, had » few showers of rain, which did a lot of good. Pasture and crops of all kinds are much in need of more moisture, a 8 the feed is getting scarce from want of lain. Harvesting. — A small piece near the township has been cut during the week, but the general cutting won't begin for a week or two yet. Turnips are backward. Potatoes and. oat crops are looking well where the soil is good. An early harvest is anticip"^'7 Oddfeilowship. — The election and installation of officers for the ensuing six months resulted as follows: — G.M., Bro. T. Small; N.G., Bro. S. Sexton; V.G., PG. Bro. Alex. Macalister; P.S.. P.G.M. Bro. Jas. Martin; E.S., Bro. W. Crawford; I.S, Guard Bro. F. M'Donald; Warden. P.G. Bro. D. Fraser; R.S. to N.G.. P.P.G.M. Bro. A. Small; A.S., Bro. P. Malone. The local lodge is in a sound financial position, and is proving a much-valued institution. Heat Wave. — The heat wave from the Longwood bush fire, which reached us here last week, proved very trying. The smoke and hnzy reflection from -the sun made things very disagr-eaab'e for a day. but. thanks to a good rain, -the heat passed away during the night. Such fires as have been reported from the Western District and Waikaia are a na+ional calamity, and any one found mischievously causing the wholesale destruction of our rapidly diminishing forest" fhonld be severely punished. Ecclesiastical. — The anniversary service of the Lumsden- Presbyterian Church will Tie held on February 2, when the R-ev. Mr Lymburn will exchange pulpits -with the Rev. Mr M'jJonald, of Mataura. Railway Changes. — Mr John Fraser. our genial station master, who has been in charge here during the past five years, left with hi» family on Urars&ay last for luvercargill. Mr Fraser has been at>t)oint«s by the " dermitment to the rest>onsible position of officer in charge of the goods department in ' Irryercarsri l^. If the verdict of Lumsden's- publio and business people goesfor anything, the department could not havemade n. better selection for -the position now taken tit> by Mr Fraser. Sir and Mrs Fraser in their private capacity endeaTed themselves to all with whom they came in contact during their sojourn here. The T-umsden Tennis C^ub presented Mts Fraser on the eve of her departure with a pair of handsome silver -*erviette' rings, suitably inscribed. Mrs Fraser is an enthusiastic player, and a very minular member of the oitib. I understand that the business peonJ© of Lumsden and. surrounding distriot are taking steps to show in a tangible form their anpreciation of Mr Fraser's many sterling qualities. TPAPEKA WEST. After three weeks of extremely hot and dry weather, we are getting- a beautiful steady ram, which wag badly wanted for all growing crops, which were feeling the effects of the drought. Grass has dried up considerably, and the oats have commenced to ripen too soon, md would- have -been very light in the grain if the rain had not come. The straw is .a good length, and very heavy in most places. . This Tain will likely cause some--of the late sown crop to lie down. The turnips will feel the benefit of the downfa.il also. They were looking well before the rain, bat this -will give them a strong growth. There are some good crops of wheat in this district, which have stood this dxonghi better than the oate. The rain will .likewise be a great benefit for rep'enisbing the water supply for stock, and also domestic purposes. Shearing. — Shearing is- all done, and some of tha farmers sold their wool at "the first Dunedin eule, but the price* were rather disappointing. *_A few have held their clip for the next sales, which, at time of writing, look a little more promising as to prices: Roads. — I notice the county has t&e grader at work repairing- the roads. It is a good p>an to get them repaired at -this time of the year, as " th«y will thus get solid before winter, and the rama will not wash the dirt away. The contractor for the deviation of the Valley Hill has made a start also, which will be & benefit when finished. Picnics. — The annual picino was he-id 1 a. , short time ago; and was largely attended from here and the surrounding district. The Tis.ual dance was held in the evening. To finish the season's sports the young folk organised another picnic at th-e bush, on the banks of the Molyneux, •which is «n ideal place for an outing, with its beautiful greenery and flowers of all descriptions, including mistletoe, and everybody seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. KATANVI January 12.— Esutanui i« enjoying a periofi of very dry, warm weather, some days being oppressively hot, Friday being one of them. About mitoight; however, on Friday some •thunder showers fell, which haw done an immense amount of good. Roads —The roads are dry, but very lough, and in some places roots of trees- are making their appearance, through the formation, and are very unpleasant to drive over. Ike Clutha County Council ate doing some metalline That body has got the- spending of the Government votes, and it remains to be seen if the money will be- more economically spent under the council's officer than by the Government officials. The metalling will prove a great benefit -to users of the road, especially to milk suppliers. Fires. — Tnere hare Been some ranker severe fires- in -this part ci the Catlins Bush, and the sawmillers are likely to be fho greatest- losers, one miller losing several chains of tramway and a viaduct, besides the- damage to the -trees. The fires are etill stmotildering, and only need some dry wind? to start them) -raging again. I hear that Inspector O'Brien ia to pay the scene of th« 'fires a. visit, to make inquiries as to thecause of the outbreaks. Visitors. — There have been many visitors here for the holidays, and each year brings more people to enjoy and admire the beauties of our forests^ lake, beach, and riveTs. Several points of beauty hitherto inaccessible , except on foot can now be reached by riding or driving. Many more visitors are likely to come when -they can be takerr by rail to the Tahakopa Valley. WAIKOPAITI. Jamiary 20. — The annual meeting of stibecribera took place in the reading, room on Monday last, Mr B. W- Fell, chairman of committee, presiding. The secretary's report •was as follows: — "Your committee Shave to report that the institution, in this its fortyfifth, year, i» still vigorous en<3 progressive. In April last the balance of J825 owing for improvements was paid off, and; tha committee then dteckfod. to add a supper roorn^ kitchen, and oloaktoom to the side- ol the hall. These additions and other alterations h»ve cob* about £160, and iave ptfoved of great convenience when large gatherings have been held in the building. It is hosed. th&

overdraft at the hank will ba cleared off ' during the coming year, so that the new committee may be enabled to do something towards renovating the interior of the Public Hall. During the year 61 new books were added ijp tb& library, and the supply of matter laid on tha tables of the readingroom has been improved. The amount re- 1 ceived for subscription's is slightly in excess of last year, the number of subscribers being I 67 — viz., 24 yearly, 13 half-yearly, and 30 quarterly, besides eight visitors' tickets. In the •winter months a series of card matches was played off by the members of the club against other teams, and. in each instance the final match was won by the club. It is hoped that the new rooms may be used in connection with the club during the long •winter •evenings, thereby giving increased accommodation and helping "tcr further popularise the institution. On the 29th July last the senior trustee (Mr Joseph Bates) died, and, with the consent of the remaining trustees, it was decided to. leave over the J nomination of a new trustee until the- annual ! meeting. Th« committee meetings' have been well attended, all the members taking a lively interest in the business of the institution, pwing to unavoidable- causes two vacancies occurred, to which Miessia Jamieson and Allcock were appointed." The balance j sheet showed the receipts to be JEII4 lls 5d j and the expenditure £234 4s, leaving a debit balance of JEII9 12s 7d. — Mr Templeton, in moving' the adoption of the report «nd balance sheet, "congratulated the committee on the work done during the year, especially on the improvements to the building, the debt on which !he hoped to see soon liquidated. The motion was seconded by Mr Croco'me, who expressed pleasure at the continued, success of the institution. The Mayor was then voted to the chair, and 1 the nomination of a- new trustee proceeded, resulting in the decision to recommend Mr William M'Dougall for appointment hy the Minister of Lands. The- following were electad as a committee for the ensuing year: — Messrs Thos. Allco'ck, jun., B. W. Fell. B. Hallett, M. Jamieson, G-. Maxwell, N. Stewart, and R. Temple-ton (together with the trustees, Messrs Davis, Heckler, and Malloch). At a committee meeting which followed Mr Jamie- ! son was appointed chairman, Mr Hall-ett treasurer, and Mr Davis aecrefcary. Bowling. — Th© Waifeouaiti Bowling Green i was officially opened for the season on Wednesday, the 15th inst. There- was a very 1-aige attendance, including a good many visitors from. Palmerston. and" Dunedin. The green was not in very good condition, as it has been injuriously affected by the longspell of dry weather. Mr A. S. Orbell (vicepresident) in declaring the greeit open for play, thanfced: the visitors and. others for their attendance, and hoped that next season, when the green would' be in better condition, many friendly games would be played with visiting teams. He asked Mrs B. Temple-ton- to roll the first bowl, which was done amidst applause. Mr E. H. Clark, on behalf of the visitors, thanked the members of the club for their hospitality, amd gave it as hi» opinion that in a few years' tirae the Waikouaiti green would be second to none in Otago. Refreshments were handed ( round by the ladies, and a- very enjoyable afternoon was spent. . j Sharks. — The acjeuxacy of the report -which was published recently- that some sharks were seen by bathers on the Waikouaiti beach is very much doubted" by local residents. The fact is tha* two young men, while swimming in deep, water far beyond j the breakers, saw an object some distance I away, and at ones jumped to the conclusion that it was a shark, and so the report was spread. It is' believed by those who have bathed in the bay for many years that the ] object seen, was nothing more- formidable than a- porpoise, which is, of couise, perfectly harmless. No fish offal or other matter ! likeily to attract sharks is deposited in the, I bay, which has always been noted as being particularly free from sharks. As the beach shelves so gradually, it is an especially safe one for bathing, and' visitors need' not be a.irai<& to indulge in tha luxury of a sea bath. Dairy Factory. — The milk supply at the dairy factory has now decreased slightly, and there has been no occasion to use the fifth ' vat this season. The milk payments have been largo for the last two months — viz., November J61029 aad December £1304, the latter being the largest monthly payment j yet made.. i i Dl/XTROO*-. January 10. — The weather for the past three weeka has been very warm — hot, scorching, days one after the other, without a shower of any" sort. This morning, however, we had an hour's rain, which iad' dried up- by liidday. We have only had about 85 points of rain in the last six weeks, and everything is looking just about as dry, as possible — in fact, the paddocks will soon be as bare as last season if rain does not- soon fall. Agricultural. — The crops are ripening fasttoo fast to please the farmers of this- district. I am. afraid a good number of farmers will' have to start cutting next week, instead of about three weekst" time, as was expected a few days ago. The crops are bleaching more than ripening. Some autumn-sown oats are cut, and a few stacks are to be seen. Straw will be very scarce again this coming winter, as most of the crops are not more than three feet high; two feet six would be about the average. The grass is now pretty well used up. The potatoes are out in flower, and a good rain would be very beneficial both for them and the turnips. These- are also very backward, a good 1 acreage having to be thinned yet. The thermometer registered 96 in the shade last Tuesday, 7th. Creamery. — The Taieri and P-eninsula company have- made a, start -with £h& mw creamery on the Dtratroon side of the liver. Wedding.— On Wednesday the Bth a very pretty wedding was celebrated at the residence of the bride's parents, the contracting parties being Mi James Dovey and Miss Bella (Bell) Feddis. The ceremony Waa conducted on the lawn by- the Rev. P. S. Hay, and Miss Hay played the wedding .march. A large number of friends and neighbours assembled' to witness the ceremony. The bride wore a soft white silk dress trimmed with lace and chiffon, with the usual wreath, and veil, and. carried a lovely shower bouquet of white sweet peas and maidenhair ferns: She was attended by her two sisters, Miss Feddis Missr M. Feddds- and Miss E. Grant, niece of the bridegroom. The Misses Feddis wore white silk dresses trimmed with lace, white hats trimmed with blue, and little MSss j Grant wore a white silk dress and white silk granny bonnet. Mr H. Dovey officiated as best man, and: Mr George Dovey as groomsman. The bride's travelling dress was a pretty navy blu© costume, •white' silk vest, . white hat trimmed with chiffon and white feather and cream roses. Mr Hay proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom, which, was thmnlr ■with musical honours. The bridegroom, in a neat speech responded. The* healths of the bridesmaids and of the parents were also suitably propjßedJ and responded to. The happy couple the-n- took their depasture for Dunedin, where the horeyinoon is. to be-, spent. At about 8 p.m. dancing- waa commenced: in two large joouis which had been xoa&t into one, about

25 couples taking part- in th» Graact March, and Mr H. Waters officiating; as MIC .in. bis usual efficient style. Singing and dancing were kept up till early morning, while at 11.50 supper was handed round. Those Mho helped in the evening's amusement with ' songs were Miss Archibald, Miss Mills | (Oamaru), Mr W. Winohester, Mr H. A. j Dovey, and Mr Wise. Mr H. Brown (Oamaru) officiated at the piano for the dancing, Mr P. Fridd violin. An enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the singing of " Auld lang syne." I noticed some very nice presents, both useful, valuable, and ornamental, inoluding several cheques.