The Country

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 31

The Country

LAKE COUNTY. June .12. —Hard frosts set in on Saturday last and continued until Monday. On. Tuesday night heavy rain fell. This cleared all the snow off the low-lying country, and since the weather has been much milder. —Queenstown and Country teams met on the former’s ground on Saturday last, when, after an evenly contested game, Queenstown won by 5 points (a converted try) to 3 (a try). Mr D. F. Macdonald was referee. As a curtainraiser a seven-a-side game was played between Arthur’s Point School and Queenstown Combined Schools, resulting in a win for Arthur’s Point by 3 points to nil. • Wedding.—A marriage of district interest was celebrated at Dunedin on the Ist inst„ the contracting parties being Miss Florence A. P. Campbell, elder daughter of the Rev. David Campbell,'late of .West Taieri Presbyterian Church, Outrani, and John Mackenzie, eldest son of Mr Hugh Mackenzie, sen., Walter Peak Station, Lake Wakatipu. The ceremony.took place at the residence of the Rev. P. B. Fraser, Queen street, only a few immediate relatives being present. The officiating minister was the bride's father, assisted by the Rev. P. B. Fraser. The bride, who was given away by her grandfather, Mr Thomas Campbell, Dunedin, was attended by her sister. Miss Irene Campbell, while Professor S. F. Hunter, Otago University, carried out the duties of best man. Mr and Mrs" Mackenzie’s future home will be at Mount Nicholas Station, Lake Wakatipu. - ’ Death.—Mr John William M’Lean, formerly of Nevis, passed away suddenly at Queenstown on Saturday morning last. Deceased, who for the past eighteen months had been in charge of the Queenstown breakwater construction on behalf of the Public Works Department, retired to bed on Friday night apparently in his usual health, but on rising next morning at 6 o’clock he felt unwell. He called to a. neighbour, asking him to summon Dr Anderson, but before the latter arrived Mr M’Lean had passed quietly away. The cause of death was heart failure. The late Mr M’Lean was born at Waikouaiti on May 24, 1863, and he served his time as a carpenter in the employ of the late Mr Ptillar, of Waitati. Subsequently he spent a couple of years with the Government Survey Department, after which he was attracted to mining, which he followed for a great many years. His first, post of importance was that of manager of the Island Block claim. From there he went to Alexandra, where he was engaged in dredging. Over 30 years ago Mr M’Lean moved to the Nevis, where he was manager of the Ngapara dredge, also for the Graham and Jones’ mining company. Except for a couple of years when he was dredging on the Buller, West Coast, he lived for about 24 years at Nevis. Eight years ago Mr M’Lean secured a position with the Public Works Department, in which employ he worked at Tarras, Arrowtown, Kingston road, and Queenstown in succession. He is survived by his widow, who resides at Nevis, and a grown-up familv of five sons ,and one daughter. These are John Samuel M’Lean. of the New Zealand Railways staff, Dunedin; Frank Andrew, Earnscleugh; Samuel, Dunedin; lan Alex., Poolburn; Gordon, Glen Nevis Station, Kingston; and Miss Ivy F M’Lean, Nevis. Deceased is also survived by a sister, Mrs J. M’Donald. Tapanui, and by three brothers, Messrs Kenneth M’Lean (Oamaru), Donald M’Lean (Waipori), and Alexander M’Lean (Dunedin). The funeral took place at Queenstown on Monday afternoon, the service at St. Andrew s Presbyterian Church and at the graveside being conducted by Mr XV ilkinson, a College student, in the absence of the minister, Rev. J. S. Murray. Deceaseds five sons and a nephew acted as pallbearers.

MANDEVILLE. June 11.—In less than a fortnight the shortest day will have passed. The harvest has been so late this year that those on the land can scarcely realise that this day is but a few days off. There are numbers of farmers in this locality with stooks mi grain yet to gather. Mr Robert Crombie, just behind the township, is busy stacking to-dav. He has two stacks going up at tlie one time. There are indications that the depression is lifting. Fat lambs and ewes have moved up considerably lately, and butter is selling better. Wool appreciated some time back, but the rise has not been maintained, and at the moment is rather sick, while cheese is a drag on the market, because the quality is not what it should be. Most of the farmers about here have the teams ploughing. The indications arc that a bigger acreage will be under the plough than for many years past. More grain and more fattening feed for stock seem to be the’drift. Labour is more plentiful, and the difficulty of getting suitable team men has eased considerably. ’ Bridge.—The bridge under repair over the Mataura River at Otamita is still closed to traffic. It makes things extremely awkward, as Mandeville is tiie centre for a goodly number of Otama people. The business people here are naturally feeling sore that their customers are so cut off. This is the first winter since the local hall was built, that entertainments have not been held weekly. The reason undoubtedly is that support from Otama and Knapdale has been cut off through the repairing of the bridge. Bridges have to be replaced, we know? but many of us are wondering if .those in authority realise the inconvenience caused, and if is not possible to increase the staff to speed up the opening of the road.

OTAUTAU. June 11.—Another of the fast-diminish-ing band of pioneers, and an old and respected resident of the township, in the person of Mrs Johanna Lynch, passel away at her residence on Sunday at tne ripe age of 86 years. The deceased lady was a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and with her husband came out to New Zealand in the ship Idespus, landing at Auckland. After spending a short time in Gisborne, they came to this township where Mrs Lynch has resided ever since. She was noted for her integrity, uprigntneSs of character, and honesty of purpose, and has watched the township grow from its early stages to the present day. She was predeceased by her husband and two sons several years ago, and leaves a family of five sons to mourn their loss: Thomas and Daniel, Invercargill; Timothy, Matamata; Michael, Australia; and John Otautau. The funeral took place on Tues’ day, the Rev. lather Donegan officiating at the church and the graveside. Football.- —The Otautau seniors journeyed to Nightcaps on Wednesday to play a banner match, and were defeated by 10 points to 3. Mr J. Prendeville controlle 1 the game.

Home Missions. Home Mission services were conducted in the Methodist Church on Sunday, when Rev. 0. S. Ream occu pied the pulpit both morning and evening, and at Aparima in the afternoon. Special addresses were delivered, and good congregations were present. On Monday evening an excellent programme was submitted by a party from St. Peter’s, Invercargill. when the church was well filled with an appreciative audience. Rev. O. S I earn delivered an interesting and instructive address on his personal experiences in Taranaki, and especially referred to the great social service work in t'ci Cltaes ' At the conclusion Rev A. Challenger, who officiated as chairman, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the per formers and Rev. 0. S. Pearn, this being carried by acclamation.

Cribbage. On Tuesday evening the members of the Otautau Cribbage Club journeyed to Nightcaps to play an association match, and after an enjovable game were defeated by the home team the difference being four games The final scores were: Nightcaps. 75: Otautau, 71. -Euchre. There was only a small at tendance at the euchre social on Monday evening, run under the auspices of St Andrew s Church. The winners were Mrs Jellyinan and Mr P. Sheridan, with Miss V\. Clark and Mr Maealister the winneis of the runners-up trophies. BALFOUR. June 12.—The recent unsettled weather culminated last Friday in a heavy fall of snow. Between three and four inches icli in this district, but a good shower of rain the following day cleared most of it away, and as a consequence the rivers ran high for a few days. Plunket Society.—The monthly meeting of the Plunket Society was held in the rooms last Thursday week, when the following members were present: Mesda™ea ,-R- 1- Wilson (president), D. M’Donald, M. Rasmussen, S. D. Ilender--J' yncdl< ,? nd Hailes, and Miss Martin. Mrs Wilson gave a report of the annual meeting held at Lumsden, also a clear review of the branch’s financial position. The Lumsden quarterly meetings for the Balfour delegates to attend are to be held in August, November, and February. Mesdames Leitch and O Connor were proposed as new members. The half-yearly quota to Lumsden was passed for paj’ment. A guessing competition for a goose donated bv Mrs Church was won by Mrs D. McLean. The usual vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting, after which a dainty afternoon tea, supplied by Mrs J. Lynch, was partaken of.

Women’s Christian Temperance Union. —Mrs M’Donald presided over a good attendance at the last meeting of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The meeting opened with Scripture reading and prayer. Apologies were received from several who were unable to be present. A hearty welcome was extended to Mrs J. Kcir. On the conclusion of the business of the meeting, Mrs William Orr read a most inspiring paper on “Making the Most of Life.” In returning thanks to Mrs Orr on behalf of those present, Mrs A. G. Brown expressed the plea.-ure it had given them to listen to her most instructive address. The meeting closed with the Temperance doxology. Football.—The Balfour and Riversdale senior footballers met at Balfour last Saturday, week for the first time this season, resulting in a win for the visitors by 9 points to nil. —On account of the unfavourable weather, all northern distinct matches were postponed last Saturday. The match Northern v. Central at Invercargill on Country Day resulted in a win for Northern by 13 points to 10. The following Balfour players were included in the Northern team: S. Keown, M’Rae. Muir, and G. Keown. There were no senior grade matches played in the district on June 13 on account of the Eastern v. Northern match taking place at Balfour. NEWS TOPICS. Mr W. D. Carson, mine manager at Kaitangata for many years, is reported to be resigning at the end of this month. Mr Carson has long been recognised as one of the leading authorities on practical coal mining in New Zealand.

Farmers throughout the Clutha district, helped by the favourable weather, are busy threshing, chaffcutting, and in many cases ploughing. Others are cutting gorse and rabbiting where the pest exists in numbers. The depression has not apparently affected the seasonal work on farms, which, if anything, seems to be more thorough and consistent than usual.

The fact that the South Otago Hospital Board has refused to contribute to the hospital insurance scheme being launched by the Fanners’ Union has excited some comment. A proposal came before the board to contribute £2 towards the preliminary expenses, but even this moderate amount was not voted. At the same time it is realised that the scheme, by ensuring payment of fees, will be a great benefit to the board from a financial point of view. Inquiries are already being made by the returning officer for Clutha electorate as to the lease of the Coronation Hall as J 1 Polling place for Milton at the forthcoming general election. On the principle of effecting economies on polling day the returning officer of Clutha electorate is proposing to eliminate the usual polling booths at Raurekau and Glenore, where 18 and 22 votes were recorded respectively at the 1928 election. He considers the electors in these localities will be amply catered for at other booths not too far distant, and that the postal voting system would provide for those electors who are more than five miles distant from a polling booth on election day. , The Rev. C. W. Foreman, who has been in charge of the Naseby parish for some j ears, was met recently by a large number of friends and members of his congregation, who wished to bid him farewell before he departed to take up his new duties in the Waikouaiti district. Appreciation of his services to the district was expressed by several speakers, and Mr Foreman was presented with an envelope of notes from the Naseby and Wedderburn a wallet of notes from the Waipiata members of his congregation, a wallet from the Naseby Lawn Tennis Club, a leather suit case and chinaware from the Oturehua members, and a leather-bound copy of the new Anglican Hymnal from the staff and scholars of the Naseby Anglican Sunday School. Mr Foreman briefly returned thanks for the gifts.

VETERAN SETTLER PASSES. The death of Mr James Knarston at his residence at Taieri Mouth on June 1, at the advanced age of 91 years, removes a prominent personality and a settler of over 60 years’ standing, writes a correspondent. Mr Knarston was perhap. best known to Dunedin visitors to the seaside resort through his connection with the river traffic and by his association with the general store and post office at. Taieri Mouth. Of a genial disposition and obliging nature, he made a host of friends, who will greatly regret his passing. Few men knew the Taieri River better than Mr Knarston, whose once well-known waterman’s skiff was for long a dependable means of transit from the Mouth to the train connection at Titri. He came weekly to Dunedin on business for many years, and was a familia.r figure in the city. He took an intelligent interest in all that pertained to the welfare of the Taieri Beach district, and gave service on the School Committee and as an office-bearer of-the local Presbyterian Church. Mr Knarston had been in business at Taieri Ferry and laieri Mouth for GO years or more, amt the former store at “ the Ferry,” originaiiy owned by the late James Harrison, was a link with the coaching days. Mr Knarston was well acquainted with the first of the riverside settlers, and he, with them, knew something of the ups and downs of early colonising days. Born in the Orkney Islands, he followed the-sea for some years, and could recall adventurous times in ’’ the grey North Sea,” and had had experience of the. toll taken by the dreaded “Yellow Jack” in the West Indies. On coming to New' Zealand he found employment as it offered in Otago, where he elected to settle and eventually to set up in business as a general storekeeper and to take up land He was thrice married, and is survived by his widow and a grown-up family of six sons and three daughters.

FARMERS’ UNION. Mr J. Johnston presided over a meeting of the Clutha branch of the Farmers' Union last week. The president reported regarding the visit of Mr Neiderer, organiser for Otago and Southland, and said that meetings had been held at Paretai. Warepa, Stirling, and Stoney Creek. The work of the union had been interestingly placed before those who attended these meetings. Some discussion took place on the conditions -governing the threshing of wheat, and members were of opinion that the farmer should insist on the mill cleaning the grain in an efficient manner. The following remits to the Otago Provincial Executive were carried :—“ That the Government be asked to make a searching inquiry into the apparently huge profits being made by the petrol and oil companies, and to take steps to have prices greatly reduced.” “That owing to the heavy expense of the present system of electing country members of the Otago Harbour Board, a system of election by postal vote be submitted.” In speaking on the latter subject Mr \V. S. Thom son said that the expense of this election was unnecessary, and a cheaper method would relieve the ratepayers. Under the present system polling booths had to be provided whether there was an election or not.

The opinion was expressed that the farmers were paying too much for the use and purchase of chaff and grain sacks, and it was resolved that the secretary write to the Dunedin Stock and Woolbrokers’ Association on the subject. It w’as decided on the motion of Mr Thomson to ask the Railways Department to send an official to discuss some inexpensive but much needed alterations at the Warepa railwmy station. Mr J. Mitchell, proprietor of the Britannia Theatre, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for the free screening of an interesting and educative stock film for the benefit of farmers.

A short discussion on the preliminary arrangements for the decisive launching of the South Otago health insurance scheme concluded the business,