Notes from Ophir

Since the four days and nights of fog last week we have been enjoying typical Central Otago weather — bright, sunny days and clear, keen, frosty nights. In the sun yesterday afternoon the temperature rose to 81 degrees, and this morning it fell to 12 degrees, which is 20 degrees below freezing point.

Owing to the prevalence of whooping-cough, Blacks School is closed until next Wednesday. The youngsters not in bed are enjoying themselves in the sun and are sliding over the frozen ponds.

A very good game of rugby, the best this season so far, was played on Omakau ground last Saturday between Naseby and Matakanui first fifteens, when the latter won by six points to nil. The tries were obtained by Naylor and F. Donnelly. The game was very “willing”, but not at all rough. Mr J. Haig was referee. The local second fifteen travelled to Kyeburn, where they were defeated by six points to three.

Pictures were screened in the hall last night, and Ophir history was made by the first kinema show of consequence in the town. It was a very good country show, thoroughly enjoyable, and the large audience evidently encouraged the proprietor, who promised to return shortly.

Fruit stewed, onions fried

An examination yesterday of the Moray Place building which was gutted by fire on Monday evening shows that the contents of Reilly’s Fruit Mart are practically a total loss. The heavy machinery in the garage and the chassis of one or two cars are intact, but everything else is destroyed. A large quantity of water poured into the burning building by the 10 leads of hose which were in operation during the process of the blaze still lay on the floor and in the cellar of both premises yesterday. Salvage work on the cars was commenced in the morning. Fruit and vegetables lay in sodden heaps under the gaunt, charred skeleton of the interior. In one corner were the remains of a number of fowls, trapped in the blazing inferno. The place of origin of the outbreak has not been ascertained. The damage in the fruit mart is estimated at up to £5000. The stock included 4000 bags of onions.

DIYer wire

The Power Board man received an urgent call one night recently to the house of a Balclutha lady who complained that the lights had gone out. On making investigations the electrician discovered that the lady had been trying to make an extension of the cord hanging from the roof, and in doing so had snipped off the cord above the globe, twisted the ends of the wire together, joined them to the piece of extension cord, and wound tape round the juncture. Naturally, when the current was turned on there was a short circuit, the lights refusing to function. Fortunately there were no serious consequences.

Road on Clutha’s north bank

Over 16 men from Dunedin and 20 married men from Invercargill arrived in Balclutha on Monday to commence work on the Barnego road. At present there are 100 men engaged, and provision is being made to accommodate 150, excluding local men and those who have secured private board. Sixty tents are being erected in the borough reserve near the quarry at North Balclutha and another 50 in Green’s property, Barnego. When in full swing it is estimated there will be employment for 250 men. Over half a mile of work has been carried out so far. — ODT, 9.6.1926