The Country

Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 31

The Country

LAKE COUNTY.

June 26. —For the past 'week weather conditions have been wintry in the extreme. Throughout Tuesday snow showers fell, but it did not lie on the low country. There was hard frost on Wednesday, but there was again a break yesterday, and to-day it is much milder. Football.—Arrow and Countrj- senior teams met on Saturday last on the Arrow ground in the first game of the third found for the cup competition. The Weather was fine, but owing to severe frosts the ground was very hard. After a - fast and interesting, game. Arrow proved victorious by 12 points to 6. Mr A. Jackways was referee. Prior to the senior game two seven-a-side schoolboys' games for the Miller Cup were played. Arrow Public School defeated Lower Shotover by 24 to nil, and Arthur’s Point defeated Arrow Convent by 9 to 6. Messrs Hay and C. Forbes refereed. Basket Ball. — Teams representing Queenstown Rovers and Arrowtown Club rnet at Arrowtown on Wednesday, 17th inst., the Arrowtown team winning by 13 goals to 3. For the winners goals were shot by Elaine Peterson (7), Annie Fitzgerald (5), and Mary Oakes (1), and for Queenstown by M. Buckham (2) and Violet Roycroft (1).- —On the following day at Queenstown a challenge match for the Browne Cup was played, Queenstown Convent defeating Queenstown Public School by 9 goals to 1. —Another schools’ match for the Tait Cup took place at Arrowtown on Saturday last, when Queenstown Public School A team defeated Arrow Public School by 12 to 11.

Golf.—A team (consisting of four ladies and twelve men) of members of the Wakatipu Golf Club journeyed from Queenstown to Pembroke last week-end and played a match against the Wauaka Club. The Wakatipu ladies finished 1 Up, but the Wakatipu men were 8 down. General.—Good progress is being made with threshing operations, and good yields are reported.—Messrs W. Nairn and T. Shore, who for some time past have been engaged in prospecting work at the old Criterion quartz reef near Arrowtown, are now installing a pumping plant for the purpose of cleaning out an old shaft. It is said that good returns were obtained from this reef when it was worked in the 'sixties. BALFOUR. June 26. —The weather lately has been cold, with a series of very hard frosts, which left in their train the usual complement of burst water pipes. Kitchen Evening.—Prior to her marriage recently. Miss Eileen Lyons was tendered a “ kitchen ” evening by the residents of St. Patrick’s at the home of Mr and Mrs Bullmore. Mr J. Brown presided. The evening was spent at cards, interspersed with gramophone items. During the evening Mr Win. Brown gave a recitation, musical items being given by Mrs Lamb, Mrs Bullmore, Misses Lyons, Brown, and M'Arthur, and Mr W. Bullmore, jun. After supper the parcels were opened, disclosing a large number of useful presents. Messrs Brown, Gluyas, and Bullmore spoke, eulogising Miss Lyons and wishing her every happiness in her future sphere. Mr Shand replied on behalf of Miss Lyons. An enjoyable evening was brought to a close with the singing of “ Auld Lang Syne.” Address on Economic Problems.—Under the auspices of the Balfour branch of the Farmers’ Union, Mr Adam Hamilton, M.P., addressed a representative gathering of farmers on the economic difficulties facing the farming communitv at the present time. Mr Cowie, president of the union, was in the chair, and briefly introduced. Mr Hamilton. Mr Hamilton spoke for over an hour, stating that New Zealand was experiencing the worst financial and economic difficulties in its history. The slump in prices and the war were to a large extent responsible. Times were prosperous during the war, and it was only natural to expect a slump sooner or later. The present slump looked as th,ougb it had come to stay. By means of graphs, the speaker illustrated the ebb and flow of the markets. In 1914 the farmer’s pound was worth 245, and farming was the best investment, but to-day the farmer was receiving 20 per cent.‘below the 1914 level, whereas the rest of the community was enjoying 50 per cent, above that. Dear land was not the farmer’s trouble. He was not getting a fair return for his labour. Costs must come down or prices go up. This was the only remedy. After Mr Hamilton had answered several questions, Mr Herron proposed a hearty vote of thanks for the address. Mr Cody also paid a tribute to the speaker for the manner in which he handled his subject. Mr Hamilton suitably replied. Mr Cowie thanked the ladies of the Women’s Division for supplying supper and all others for their attendance. WAIROA, HAWKE’S BAY. June 25.—Very heavy rain has been falling all over the district. For the past 48 hours alone as much as 3.45 in was recorded. The local county engineer reports that the roads all over the Wairoa county are standing up to the rain well. _ Small slips have occurred, but not sufficient to stop traffic. The most serious slips occurred in the vicinity of Mohaka where the great earthquake was felt so seriously.

Vice-Regal Visit. —His Excellency the Governor-General of the Dominion accompanied by Lady Bledisloe arrived on their first visit to Wairoa on the 20th inst, and were given a public welcome in the presence of a large gathering. An improvement in the weather took place just before the vice-regal party, arrived, so the function took place in the open air, in the coronation square. The Mayor

in extending a welcome to their Excellencies voiced the pleasure of all, and the honour felt at this their first visit to Wairoa. His Worship thanked Lord and Lady Bledisloe for their thoughtfulness in desiring that their visit be not one of any expense to the district. His Excellency who was received with great enthusiasm, gave a very stirring address. He thanked all for the kind welcome, stating, it had been their intention to have visited Wairoa some months ago, but the earthquake prevented it, and since then important, matters in connection with Parliament had delayed them. His first view of. Wairoa which was from the top of l’e Uhi hill was a wonderful one, and would leave an indelible impression on his mind, and also on the mind of Lady Bledisloe. He sympathised with them in the great uplveaval of last February, and expressed warm appreciation at the great courage and steadfastness' of the community in the way they had got to work to' restore all damage done. He felt sure that such qualities were going to carry them well through the difficult period we were now in. He was pleased to see the great harmony existing between the Maori and European races, and their loyalty to the King. His Excellency had a pleasing word for the large number of school children present, pointing out that the future of tlje British Empire depended upon the children. He further spoke at some length of the farming operations in the district, and assured Wairoa that h" would never neglect to speak most sympathetically with Ministers of the crown upon the various important requirements of the district. The viceregal party shortly afterwards left for Napier, their stay in Wairoa being a short one.

General. —The Wairoa Borough Council at its last meeting extended the time for imposing the 10 per cent, penalty on rates from February 28 until June 30. Mr R. J. Macdonald who has been manager of the Wairoa branch of the Bank of New South Wales since it opened, has been transferred to the managership at Taumarunui.—-Good progress is being made with two large viaducts on the East Coast railway near Wairoa. Five piers on the one at Maungatarunga are completed, and also the approach at the Wairoa end. Several of the steel girders already have been placed in position. A number of deviations in the same locality have also been completed. Practically all the foundations for. the large Mohaka viaduct are completed; and the higher stages of the structure is being commenced. NEWS TOPICS. Members of the Retention Committee and directors of the South Otago Freezing Company, Ltd., met last week to make a. presentation of a gold watch and* medal suitably inscribed to Mr Robert Hutton, of Balelutha, for his services during the time when the works were about to be sold. The chairman of the Retention .Committee (Mr Stuart Sim. Heriot), in making the presentation, stated that Mr Hutton had inaugurated the Retention Committee, and had impressed upon the producers the necessity for the works being a farmers’ concern. The chairman of directors (Mr P. M'Skimming) spoke on similar lines, and Mr Hutton suitably replied. The adjourned inquest concerning the death of Neil MacDonald, of Dunedin, which occurred recently at the Poolburn “ a,n ’ T 'Y, as held Clyde on June 19, Mr E. Jolly (district coroner) presidin'’. Evidence given covered the finding of the deceased at the bottom of the dam, his conveyance to the Dunstan Hospital, and death prior to admission. There was no evidence to show how the deceased came to fall the <0 feet from the parapet where he had been working. Dr K. Brokenshire related having examined the body, and gave his opinion that death was due to the fracture of the lumbar spine and spinal cord. The coroner’s verdict was given according to the medical evidence. MEETING OF CREDITORS. The adjourned meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of James M. Murison, salesman, was held at the courthouse on Tuesday. Mr J. T. Walter occupying the chair. After hearing a statement from bankrupt as to his position, in answer to Questions, ■ Ash moved that the official assignee be recommended to investigate the bankrupt’s affairs, with a view to a prosecution.—Seconded by Mr Wilson Elliott and carried. Mr Ash further moved that the official assignee be asked to investigate the position of the bankrupt with the South Otago Finance Company. Seconded by Mr Petrie and carried. The meeting was then adjourned sine die. A CLERICAL EXODUS. The clerical representatives of the Mount Ida parish, Catholic, Anglican, and Presbyterian, were, by a curious coincidence, bidden farewell by their respective congregations within the space of one week. Father M'Mullen commanded the respect of the entire community, and fulfilled for nearly 30 years his arduous duties in a scattered and farflung parish. He has received 16 months’ leave of absence, and the presumption is that at the conclusion of that period he will resume his ministry at Rapfurly. Meantime, he will leave on a trip to Ireland. The transfer of tire Rev. C. Forman to the parish of Waikouaiti has already been chronicled. The Rev. I. S. Young has retired from the active work of Hie ministry, and has gone to reside in Timaru. His work in the parish has been eminently successful. As a man, he won the respect and esteem of all classes by his frank and friendly courtesy,

and. by his homely and unaffected simplicity of manner. He worthily upheld the traditions of the Mount Ida Presbyterian pulpit, and to his pastoral work he gave himself with a Conscientious zeal and devotion. At a very largely-attended meeting of the congregation Mr Young was presented with a well-filled wallet of notes, and various speakers voiced appreciation of hie services, and regret at his departure. Mrs and Miss Young had previously been presented by the ladies of the congregation with tangible tokens of appreciation and affection, and cordial recognition was made of the manner in which they had co-operated with Mr Young. CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. In giving judgment for plaintiff in the claim for £35 8s 3d, damages to a motor car, brought by H. T. Harvey (Clifton. Waiwera) against T. E. Steel, motor lorry proprietor, Dunedin, Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M.. said that he could not believe the story of Ernest Mowat, the driver of the lorry. Judgment would therefore be for plaintiffff for the full amount claimed, with costs of court £2. witnesses’ expenses £1 10s. solicitor’s fee £4 3s. Mr Bromner appeared for the plaintiff and Mr H. E. Barrowclough for the deft ndant. In the case of John Hurring v. the Public Trustee, as executor and trustee in the estate of H. 8. Hurring (deceased), a claim for £62 Bs. evidence was partly heard, and then, at 6 p.m., the case was adjourned till next Friday.

BALCLUTHA TRAFFIC BRIDGE. At the meeting of the Balelutha Borough Council last week Cr Kean criticised the Highways Board for its attitude towards the construction of a new bridge at Balelutha. It was in October, 1928, he said, that the board had written asking if the borough was agreeable to pay one-third of the cost that had been apportioned to the three local bodies concerned. The Borough Council had expressed itself as not being willing to pay. so much as the counties of Bruce and Clutha. which were equally, if not more, interested in the bridge than Balelutha. Later the Highways Board had advised the council that it was no concern of the board’s what the allocation among the three local bodies was. Other correspondence folloived until, in November, 1930, the Borough Council advised the board that it would agree to pay a share based on statistics, either those of population, rateable value, or use of the bridge, the apportionment to be made between the three bodies by a commission. Nothing was done for some time, and then tne council received advice that the board was setting up a commission, citing the three local bodies to pay one-third each or the cost already apportioned. Yet the board had previously stated that it was not concerned ■with what proportion each local body paid. The speaker suggested that the correspondence be handed to the press in order to show why the bridge had been held up.” It certainly was not the fault of the Borough Council. ! urthermore, it should be known that the present bridge was in a dangerously rotten state. Instructions had been issued by the Clutha County Council (the controlling body) to restrict the traffic to minimum loads. —Cr Copland, in agreeing with the previous speaker as to the dangerous state of the bridge, pointed out an anomaly in that while sheep and cattle crossing the bridge were restricted m number, large freight lorries could cross with full loads, grossing in somi> instances seven tons. DENTAL CLINIC. A meeting of the Dental Clinic Committee was held on Thursday evening, the chairman (Mr A. M'Kellar) presiding. lhe Health Department wrote statm<r that in accordance with the Government’s economy proposal the committee would require to charge fees for attention at the clinic. The amount to be paid bv Alexandra was £ll Ils.—After considerable discussion, the committee decided that it would be better to obtain the amount by public subscription or a concert, and this was agreed to. The annual meeting was fixed for July la. THEFT OF RABBIT SKINS. At a special sitting of the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, before Mr L. H. Denniston and A. Ashworth, J.P.’s, a young man named Ernest Thompson, residing at Dry Gully, Alexandra, was charged that on or about June 23, lie did steal one bag containing 179 rabbit skins, the property of Craven Paget. Mr T. E. Sunderland appeared for the ■'-''’used, and Constable G. B. Sorrell prosecuted on behalf of the police. Constable Sorrell said he interviewed Thompson, who at first denied any knowledge of the affair, but after further questioning he said he would tell him where the skins were if he went no further with the matter. He then admitted the matter, and the skins were found under a heap of leaves. The justices convicted and fined Thompson 50s.