NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 4030, 9 June 1931, Page 27

NORTH OTAGO.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT. THE SUNSHINE. The total sunshine recorded by Mr D. S. Bain for the month of May was 130-J hours, as compared with 133 hours of the corresponding month of last year. During the month there were three days with no .sunshine at all, ten days of six hours or over, and three days of eight hours. VITAL STATISTICS. The vital statistics for Oamaru for the month of May are as follows:—Births 24, deaths 13, marriages 2 (one by the registrar). OBITUARY. Mrs J. E. Dewar, who passed away at Duntroon on May 24, was one of the oldest residents of the district. She was born in Londonderry in 1854, came to New Zealand in the ship Agnes Muir in 1870, and later took up residence in Oamaru, where she married the late Mr Thomas Richmond, of Richmond Crossing, where she resided for some years. Mr Richmond met his death as the result of an accident, and Mrs Dewar later married Mr J. E. Dewar, of Duntroon, where she lived for the remainder of her life. She took an active interest in the affairs of the Duntroon Anglican Church. A large number of friends paid their last respects to an old and esteemed resident at the funeral service, which was conducted by the Rev. Al. Stace, of Hampden. at the Duntroon Cemetery. Mrs Dewar is survived by Mr R. Richmond (Otuki), Mrs Frater (Oamaru), Mrs Mines (Waimate). Mrs Menzies (Duntroon). and Mrs J. E. Dewar (Kakanui). The death occurred on May 31 of another old Otago settler in the persoji of Mr James Keith, of Oamaru. Air Keith was born in Oban. Argyllshire, Scotland, and arrived in Dunedin in the Storm Cloud in 1858. He settled on the Taieri, and married the daughter of the late Mr Archibald Al'Leod. of Sandy Point. Central Otago. Mr Keith came to Oamaru in 1904 to take up farming. He was of a quiet, retiring disposition, but was recognised as an authority on sheep. He had not. enjoyed the best of health for some years, and although the end was not expected he passed away suddenly on Sunday morning. He leaves a widow, three sons, and one daughter, to mourn their loss, one son having been killed in the war. SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT. The seven-a-side tournament, held at the Show Grounds on Wednesday under the auspices of the North Otago Rugby Union, attracted a large attendance of spectators. Fifty-eight teams competed in the various grades, and bright open Rugby was the order of the day, rousing the spectators to a high pitch of enthusiasm The games were run off expeditiously, and the line weather prevailing made the outing a very enjoyable one. Athletic A (Sim, Park. Steele. Mason, Turney, and Robertson) had a meritorious victory in the seniors. In the first two rounds the side had easy victories, but the clash with Maheno A was attended with great excitement. At the call of time the scores were 3 all. and it was not until the subsequent third change over that Mason scored a brilliant try for Park to convert. In the final the Maroons defeated Hydro by a try to nil. All seven men played with marked elan, but the greatest credit must be accorded to Mason and Park for the victory. OJd Boys B (Aluirhead. Collingwood, Al'Kay, Cox. Feathers. Stock, and Baird) had an unbroken series of wins in the Juniors, downing School A in the final. St. Kevin’s A secured a good margin over Old Boys A in the final of the Third Grade.

' Palmerston District High School proved much too good for the other sides in the Fourth Grade, running into double figures in each game. • School A defeated the other school teams in the Junior High Schoo] Grade, while North A gained the honours in the Town Primary School Grade, and Weston in the Country Primary. At the conclusion of the tournament the trophies were presented by the president of the Rugby Union (Mr J. Crowley). who congratulated the players, especially those in the winning teams, on the excellent standard of play attained. . The tournament was an exceedingly successful one, both financially and from the pleasure derived by the spectators in witnessing the games. WHEAT DUTIES. In replj- to the board’s communication, a letter was received from the Prime Minister at the meeting of the Oamaru Harbour Board on Tuesday, stating that, as recently announced, it was the intention of the Government to ask Parliament to make a reduction in the scale of duties in order to reduce the price of wheat and flour to the public to a reasonable level. The board could rest assured that the proposed duties had been decided on only after thorough and careful investigation had been made, and it was considered that when they became operative the local wheat growers and millers would be reasonably protected, and that there should be no diminution in the quantity of wheat grown and milled in New Zealand. Under these circumstances, there was no cause for alarm as to the effect which the reduced duties would have on the revenues of the board. Air Hayes said the district was not at all satisfied with the proposed reduction in the sliding scale of duties.

Mr Macpherson suggested that a reply might be sent that the board was somewhat disappointed with the decision, and expressing the hope that the decision of the conference at Wellington would be given effect to. Mr Meek said the wheat growers were disappointed after the result of the conference in Wellington, at which it was agreed that a certain line of action would be taken. That was nothing like the announcement in the Prime Miister’e manifesto, under which the price of wheat worked back to 4s Id to the grower in March, and this could only be obtained by a short supply -in New Zealand. If there were a surplus then they would

have a great over-supply of wheat in New Zealand, and the millers would have to quote 10s to £1 less a ton to meet the market in competition with the Australian miller. The price of wheat would then come back to 3s Bd. Mr Ireland said the conference in Wellington did not commit the Prime Minister to anything. All he said was that he would go fully into the matter, and now he had given his decision. Mr Milligan agreed with the previous speakers, and said it was quite obvious from Air Aleck’s remarks that the basis indicated by the Prime Minister was too low. Anything that would not allow 4s a bushel to the grower was too low. The principle of the sliding scale had rightly been retained, but the basis was fixed at too low a level. He complimented Air Macpherson on the good work he had done in Wellington in the protection of the wheat industry. Air Al'lnnes said the price should be on trucks and not f.o.b. Air Ireland said they could only consider the general policy as it affected the board. Wheat and flour produced considerable revenue for the board, and if it were going to drop it would be a serious matter for the board. Mr Ruddenklau stated that the Prime Alinister had said that the price of wheat was to be 4s 6d at country stations. If he proposed to do that then they hadn’t much to complain about, considering the world’s parity. The reduced duty on flour was more important than that on wheat. They must not be too greedy. Air Ireland said Air Forbes did not promise 4s 6d, and those in the trade were of the opinion that the basis proposed would not give 4s 6d. That was the difference of opinion. Mr Alilligan supported the contention that the basis did not secure a price of 4s 6d. The matter of replying to Air Forbes’s letter was left in the hands of Alessrs Ireland and Macpherson and the secretary. PRESENTATION TO MR NORMAN - HAYES. At the conclusion of the meeting of the Oamaru Harbour Board on Tuesday, Air Ireland expressed his appreciation of the courteous and conscientious - manner in which Air Norman Hayes had carried out his duties as chairman of the board during his term of office of six years. Air Hayes had taken the broader view that the Harbour Board was a trustee of the port to get the best results for the district generally. The members of the board did not feel that they could let the occasion pass without giving Air Hayes some memento, and he asked Air Hayes to accept from them a silvermounted walking stick. This walking stick had an historic association with the port and with Oamaru. The main portion of it was made from teak from the rudder of the barque Premier, which was wrecked in the harbour on July 31, 1871 The rudder was dredged up by the Tnnaru dredge in 1928, during Mr Hayes’s term of. office. The handle was made from a piece of a walnut tree growing in Chelmer street, Oamaru. and the stick had been made by Mr Curwood (foreman of works) in his spare time at home. Air Ireland asked Air Hayes to accept the stick with the best wishes of the members of the board.— (Applause.) In returning thanks for the presenta tion Air Hayes said he would value greatly the walking stick given to him. He thought they had overstepped the mark in giving him credit which they thought due to him, for he could not have carried out his duties as chairman without the help of the members of the board. During the past six years the members of the board had been a very happy family, and he could look back with happy recollections of his association with them. — (Applause.)

PERSONAL.

On account of his continued ill-health, Air William Gardiner has forwarded his resignation as member of the Papakaio Riding of the Waitaki County Council. Cabled advice has been received that Dr B. C. Rennie, son of the Rev. P. C. Rennie. Herbert, has obtained his F.R.C.S England, with honours. Dr Rennie is an ex-Waitakian, and has always taken an active interest in bis old school. In London he is an active member of the Waitaki Old Boys' Association. PAINFUL ACCIDENT. Mr D. K. Giffen, proprietor of the town buses, met with a painful accident when cleaning the window of one of his buses. He missed his footing and fell heavily, suffering a dislocated knee. Air Giffen received medical attention, and is at present confined to his bed. CHESS. At the weekly meeting of the Oamaru Chess Club a very interesting “ consultation ” game took place, Air D. L. Paterson and Air R. J. Cuddon-Large leading the respective sides. This is the first time most of the players have taken part in a game of this description, and the junior players should benefit from the experience. The game will be completed next week. The following is the present position of. the game:— White: 1 P—K4; 2 K Kt—B3; K B— B 4; 4 Q Kt P—K4; 5 Q B P—B3; 6 Q P—Q3: 7 Castle K side; 8 Q B—K3; 9 Q—Q B2; 10 Q Kt—Q2; 11 Q P—Q4: 12 K Kt x P; 13 K B—Q Kt 3; 14 Q B x Kt. Black: 1 P—K4; 2 Q Kt—B3; 3 KB— B 4; 4 B x Kt P; 5 B—R4; 6 Kt—B3; 7 Q P—Q3; 8 Castle K side; 9 Q B—K3; 10 K R P—R3; 11 P x P; 12 Q P—Q4; 13 Kt x. Kt; 14 P—B3. PUKEURI FREEZING WORKS. There has been a slackening off in the supply of fat stock to the Pukeuri freezing works, and the hands have been reduced to one board of slaughtermen. The total tally to date for the season now stands at 323,000. SUCCESSFUL OAMARU FANCIER. Air James Baker, of Oamaru, was very successful with his Yorkshire canaries at the Christchurch Show, gaining first, special, and cup for clear buff; first yellow hen; third buff hen; and in the young bird classes first and special clear

yellow; third yellow ticked; third clear b}>ff; third yellow hen; first, special, and championship for light mule; and first for heavily-variegated mule. PAPAKAIO PLOUGHING MATCH SOCIETY. At the annual meeting of subscribers to the Papakaio Ploughing Alatch -Society the balance sheet, which was adopted, disclosed a very substantial credit balance. The delegates who attended the annual conference of the ploughing match societies held at Rakaia, reported that the conference had decided that, owing to the financial depression, no matches would be held for one year. The Papakaio Society therefore decided to fall in with the recommendation, and has abandoned its match for one year. WAITAKI COUNTY ELECTIONS. Further candidates for seats on the W aitaki County Council have been announced in Air J. B. Chapman for the Papakaio Riding and Air P. F. Dougherty for the Kakanui Riding. OUTBREAK OF FIRE. Shortly before 5 o’clock on Saturday afternoon Rugby patrons returning from the Show Grounds noticed smoke issuing from the upper storey of Air J. Cagney’s bookseller’s shop in Thames street, and the alarm was immediately given to the Oamaru Fire Brigade. The two front rooms of the upper storey were occupied by Miss Alitchell as a ladies’ hairdressing parlour, and at the rear were two unoccupied rooms, in one of which it is thought the outbreak started. The unoccupied rooms were gutted I)s’ fire, and damage bv' smoke and water occurred in Aliss Mitchell s rooms, while on the ground floor some damage was done by fire to the stock at the rear of Air Cagney's shop, though most of the damage was caused by water. Slight damage by water ' vas to , a , portion of the stock in ~ . •. C- Cook’s drapery establishment adjoining. The building occupied by Mr Cagney is insured for £2OOO and £lOOO in two offices respectively, and the stock, including fixtures, for another £3OOO. The flames had a good-hold before the arrival of the brigade, but with a good pressure of water available the outbreak was confined to the one portion of the building. MEN’S HOCKEY. In a closely-contested game between the Oamaru and Rovers'teams, played at King Georges Park on Saturday, the former secured a win by 3 goals to 2. Oamaru played with only 7 nine men, and the score 2 all until near the final whistle. D. Taylor secured all three goals for Oamaru FAT STOCK PRICES. Advice has been received in Oamaru ot a further rise in fat lamb prices, the new schedule being: Up to 361b,* 6Jd; 36/421b, sjd; overs, s£d; and seconds, sgd. The price for ewes has advanced |d, in all grades, but there is no change in the price for wethers. RUGBY FOOTBALL. A cold wind blew across the Show Grounds on Saturday, adversely affecting the attendance and the standard of football. Though playing three juniors in the senior team, Athletic got home against Alaheno on the Oval by two tries to a try, and thus stand level with the Greens on the championship ladder. A rearrangement in the Athletic backs was all to the good, for the rearguard showed combination and team work for the first time this season. It might even be said that because of ‘he juniors Athletic secured the victory, for Wilson at fullback gave an outstanding display, easily the best in that position for the side this season. Old Boys ran into second place on the ladder by defeating’ Excelsior by 11 points to 3 on No. 2 ground. In the country, Duntroon maintained its unbeaten record. Tokarahi drew level with Omarama for the second place on the ladder. secured its first win of the season by defeating Kurow. JUNIOR. School 9 beat Old Boys 3. Athletic 19 beat Alaheno nil. THIRD GRADE. St. Kevin’s 17 beat Old Boy's nil. School 37 beat Excelsior nil. FOURTH GRADE. St. Kevin’s 12 beat Athletic B 3. Athletic A 41 beat School D nil. School C 6 beat Old Boys 3. COUNTRY COAIPETITIONS. Duntroon 16 beat Otiake 3. Ngapara 6 beat Awakino 3. Tokarahi 5 beat Kurow nil. GOLF. Medal Alatch played by the Ladies’ Club was won by Aliss Familton, 103— 18—85, with Aliss Hewat, 104—18—86 runner-up. A match was played between the seniors and the juniors on Saturday, the best 10 net scores to count. The victory went to the seniors by 38 points. The scores were: Seniors 788, Juniors 82G. „ , the , w eek-eud members of the Golf Club who had not previously visited the Waianakarua links were invited to play over the course, and spent a very pleasant day as guests of Messrs A. J. Grave and R. K. Ireland. The morning match was won by D. V. G. Smith (97— 30—67) and the afternoon one bv F. S. Milne (46 —12—34). On behalf of the players, Air J. H. Alain warmly thanked the hosts for their hospitality and for the enjoyable outing.

CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION. The gift of a sunny afternoon was responsible,. for the largest gathering that has yet visited St. Kevin’s College, Redcastle, on the occasion of the annual Corpus Christi procession. The picturesque grounds of the college were an excellent setting for an open air religious function, yet it was evident that much art and care had been bestowed in making the route of the procession as devotionally . impressive as could be. All the .Catholic schools and societies associated with the parish of Oamaru were well represented, and the distinc-

tive badges and colours of separate units as they moved around made a striking picture. The Alounted Rifles’ Band accompanied the singing. Bishop Whyte officiated, and he was attended by Fathers ATGettigen and Walls, as deacon and subdeacon, with the Very Rev. rather O’Reilly as master of ceremonies. After the processionists had traversed the rectangular avenue around the lawn they formed up in ’-front of the col"’^.cre an altar had been erected. The bishop, in a brief address, referred to certain noteworthy anniversaries that were being commemorated in the church this year, not the least of which was the fortieth anniversary of the publication of 1 ope Leo XIII’s famous encyclical on Labour, sometimes referred to as the Magna Charta of the working man. This local celebration in honour of the Blessed Sacrament brought to mind those biennial celebrations, eucharistic congresses, one of which was to be held next year in Dublin. It would mark the fifteenth centenary of the arrival of St. Patrick to evangelise that country. Bishop Whyte gave quotations from the famous hymn of St. Thomas of Aquin, “ Lauda Sion,” bearing on the function of that afternoon. The benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed, and terminated the function.