Fine animals on display

The fifty-ninth annual show of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association opened yesterday.

The weather was sultry and threatening, but very little rain fell, The attendance was very good for a first day. Very satisfactory entries were received, the total being 751, compared with 724 last year. Sheep accounted for 161 entries, as against 105 last year, and horses for 307, compared with 300 in 1921. Cattle showed a decrease, the entry totalling 159, as against 190 last year. The bulk of the stock was in excellent condition, notwithstanding the trying conditions experienced during the winter and spring. Sheep made a very fine exhibit, the wool being exceptionally good, while the condition of the animals left very little to be desired.

Court orders wage cuts

The Arbitration Court’s pronouncement with regard to the General Order based on the movement in the cost, of living for the half-year ended September 30, 1922, was made available late yesterday afternoon. The pronouncement is as follows: "The court made an interim pronouncement on October 6 last, in which it was stated that the statistical investigation of the movement in the cost of living for the six months ended September 30, 1922, disclosed a fall that, measured in wages, would represent a reduction of 3 shillings per week in the male adult wage, 1s sixpence per week in the adult female wage and 1s per week in the wage of juniors. "In accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1921-22, 
the court held a special sitting at Wellington on November 16, and heard representatives of the employers and the workers on the question whether a general order should be made in terms of the statistical finding referred to. "We have given full consideration to all the issues placed before us, and we have decided to make a general order reducing the rates of remuneration payable under the several awards and industrial agreements now in force by 3s per week in the case of adult males, 1s 6d per week in the case of adult females, and 1s per week in the case of juniors."

In a Queenstown garden

Radiant summer is opening in all its pride in the Queenstown Public Gardens. Where, indeed, do we see such a revelation of the riches of nature as in reserves such as this? The stupendous miracle of spring is daily giving place to a maturer development, to the unfolding of new treasures of form and colour. The queen of seasons has been heralded by a long procession of foliage and blossom, all bearing a message of ever-renewing life and a promise of greater glories to be embroidered on the garment of summer. The soft green swards have shone with daffodils and daisies, the cultivated areas have blazed with rhododendrons and azaleas, and the less conspicuous but sweeter perfumed wallflowers have never failed to charm — but now, outrivalling them all in perfection of grace, comes the rose. Of the three characters, the bush, the standard, and the climber, the last-named promises to make the most magnificent show.  The park, is indeed a paradise, and to walk through it or rest awhile in such surroundings is to experience a spiritual expansion of one’s nature. — ODT, 23.11.1922

Compiled by Peter Dowden