Clutha News Items.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 61, 6 July 1908, Page 2

Clutha News Items.

(From the Clutha Leader,)

Our Kuriwao Correspondent reports a yield of 48 saoks of potatoes for a quarter of an acre of land there. The receipts from the Bowling, and Tennis Clubs' Carnival total to <date £260 15/9, this including the £6 10/ netted at the Bruce auction?

The latest thing in strikes is the bakers' strike in Wellington, and the cry is ,that the Arbitration Act must be ended or mended, but how to mend it seems a diliicult problem^ The charge against George Pislier, of keeping liquor for sale will, we understand, be dealt with by Mr lienrick, S.M., at the Court here on Wednesday, 15th inbt £ In order to raise funds for new instruments, and also to help to finance their trip to the next contest, the Balclutha Brass Band have decided to give a dramatic entertainment at an early date. Mr Thos. Telford and others interested give notice that they intend to proceed with the erection oi a lock at the ( " mouth oi the l J uerua river, at Port Molyneux, for the purpose of assisting in the drainage of the fcjouth Molyneux swamp, and any, objections thereto must be sent -to the Marine Department, Wellington, before the 17 th inst.

In view of hen departure for Mataura, the residents of Ciinton have decided to Bntertain Mrs liedpath at a farewell social next Priday evening. Mrs JtCedpath has sold out her well-known bakery to Mr Topp, that gentleman having also bought out Mr Mcintosh's business in that line.

On Tuesday evening the Methodist Young Women' f-v Bible Class gave a social in the Wesleyani Church class-room, and some 40 persons including visitors from other classes, attended. An excellent programme was gone through, consisting of songs, choruses, and all kinds 6f games, so that when the proceedings came to a close at 11 o'clock everyone agreed that a most enjoyable time had been spent.

The Eector, Mr McElrea, in his report to the School Committee this week, made some remarks ui gential interest to parents, on the subject of encouraging their children to read. Too often nowadays the children. are heard to say that -hey have no Lome work, but general information now forms a very, important part in examination tests, and much of this the pupil has to lind for himself, lhere is a very good library at ihe school, and this might be utilised to a much greater extent than it is. While there are good, useful and instructive books to be had there is no excuse for the pupil who says he is aoi given enough home work. Despite the bad weather, the attendance is keeping up satisfactorily at the Balclutha D.H. School. In the secondary department the roll number is 39, while the average attendance for the past month has been 37. At the committee meeting on Wednesday, the liector referred to one pupil who cams from Pukepito, a tance of eight miles, with astonishing regularity,.

At a meeting of the Tennis Club's committee, held on Monday evening, prizes for the winners, in last season's tournaments were presented as follows Combined, Miss Dare and Mr P.C. Hislop (Mr Win. Guest'B trophies) ; Ladies' Singles, Miss Murray (import Company's trophy) ; Gents Singles, Mr F, C. Hislop (Utago Farmers' trophy). The Ladies' (Mr G. W. Hutehins' prize) and Gents' Doubles have not yet been concluded. In his speech last Friday night, Mr Malcolm severely criticised the Law-rence-lioxburgh railway, pointing out that the district did not grow enough oats to feed its own horses, that large quantities of sheep had to be sent from there every year to be wintered in the Tapanui district, and expressing his fears that the fruit industry would not provide much traffic for a railway. The Tapanui Courier, referring to the says it is worthy of note that the estimated export of fruit from Coal Creek was 800 tons during the past bountiful season, a quantity which could be taken down the Tapanui branch line in one day without undue pressure on the railway departments The Minister of Ha lways has informed Mr Malcolm that he cannot see his way to carry firewood on the railway at lower rates. This is the second time Mr Malcolm haß attempted to get a reduction, as he was sure it would result in a benefit to the householder, and also to the settler, who could then clear his land at a gayi instead of a loss. Once the land was cleared, production would, of course, have been greatly, assisted. Mr Malcolm hopes to associate with himself the members of other bush districts in pressing the matter on the Minister's attention, and also in securing necessary amendments of the Fencing Act. LOYAL DALTON LODGE. Th« half-yearly meeting of the Loy al Dalton Lodge wasi held on Tuesday evening, when there was a splendid attendence of members, with .N.G. Bro. W. Bain in the chair. The main business was the election of office-bearers which resulted as follows :—N.G., Bro. J. Guest, V, G. Bro. R. R. Grip or ; Fj.S. Bro. A. H. Reid ; Warden, Bro. J. Knowles; Guardian, Bro. T. A. Fleming. Three new members were inI itiated and one proposed, while P.G, Bro. W. Bain's naiue was added to the list on the merit board. Th •: .oipts for the evening amounted to about £2OO. It was decided that all Past Grands be presented with a certificate, alloting seven every half year. P.G. Bro. C. J. Wood, secretary to the Ball Committee, reported that all arrangements had been made for the ball on Wednesday, Bth inst., and there was every promise that it would, as usual, •be most successful.