The long-looked-for meeting-of these two teams drew an attendance of over 6000 people to Carisbrook on Saturday afternoon. University's tally was made up a penalty goal and three tries, one of which was converted, while Pirates’s score consisted of two penalty goals and a potted goal, all contributed by their full back (Walker). Both teams were at full strength, and a sparkling exhibition of the Rugby code was provided.
Ever since Ophir was founded, all local public functions and entertainments have been held in the public school; but some two years ago the young people decided that they must have a hall, and with the aid of their elders some £250 was raised. Mr John McKnight undertook to erect a £700 Ophir Peace Memorial Hall with only that sum in hand, and a bazaar yesterday afternoon was expected to result in considerably reducing the balance required.
The gathering streamed inside at 3 o’clock and brisk business began, and was continued without intermission until 11.30 p.m. For two hours after 8 o’clock the available spaces between stalls and tables were crowded with fully 300 people, many of whom came from Ida Valley, Becks, Lauder, Matakanui, Clyde, Omakau and Alexandra. The takings for the day amounted to over £300.
The hall building has a frontage of 45 feet and a depth of 65ft over all. The foundations are concrete and the superstructure red pine and galvanised iron throughout, with the exception of the front, which is of poilite roughcast. The front elevation is an original design by Mr McKnght, the roof ending in an “eaves verandah” surmounted by a gable. Interiorly the building is lined with beaverboard above red pine dado. The main building has 14ft walls and the ceiling is curved with a camber of 2ft 6in, so that in the centre it is 16ft 6in from the floor. Ten feet of the front is occupied by the vestibule and a spacious committee room, succeeded by the entertainment hall. 40ft by 27ft, at the rear of which is a stage 14ft deep, 3ft high and 27ft wide. On the east side an open alcove 7ft in width runs the full length of the building, the floor of which is raised 6in above the hall floor, and at the stage end is the ladies’ dressing room. Similarly on the west side is an annexe 10ft in width running the full length, the front end of which is the men’s dressing room and the remainder the refreshment room, with seats and tables for 60 persons.
Wheat prospects encouraging
The prospects for wheat-growing in North Otago this year are most encouraging. Whether it is on account of the heavy yields or the high prices ruling in the past season, the fact remains that fully 50 percent more wheat will be sown this year than last. In many cases the land is being cropped for a second time in succession. One farmer in the Hakataramea Valley, who had 170 acres in velvet wheat last year, and sold his output at 7 shillings 6 pence per bushel, is this year putting down 300 acres of the same variety of wheat. Dreadnought is not in the same favour as before, and many farmers are turning to solid straw — Tuscan and other of the finer qualities. The land is in great heart and the weather is all that could be desired for winter sowing. — ODT, 31.5.1926
