TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19917, 2 May 1930, Page 9

TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS.

TIMARU. CUSTOMS RETURNS. The.Customs returns at Timaru for April, 1930, were £8750 7s 9d, as against £4991 15s 2d for the corresponding month last year. The Little Playhouse. Timaru now has a "Little Playhouse" in which the South Canterbury Drama League will, from time to time, stage productions, that are expected to have a beneficial bearing upon tho fostering of interest in legitimate drama in the town. The League has bought the old Masonic Hall in Church street, and altered its shape and character to accommodate stage work. The move was proved on Wednesday night to have been a very successful one, for the official opening was attended by large crowds and all seating was booked up for the remaining nights. Mr F. J. Eolleston, vice-president of the League, stated at the opening that the. foundation of the drama movement, was laid by "The Eeaders," a group of people who had met in each other's houses for the reading and studying of plays. There were now 15 or 16 clubs affiliated to the League, and tho boundaries stretched from Orari to Waimate. Mr P. Watts Rule, an enthusiastic member of the League, had been largely responsible for the acquisition and transformation of the hall, and Dr. W. H. Unwin, the president, had done exceedingly valuable work in tho interests of the drama in Timaru. The League, said Dr. Unwin, was formed two or three years ago, and the three principal objects were the promotion of a yearly drama competition, a dramatic library, and a Little Playhouse. The three productions staged at the onening were by "The* Readers," the W.E.A., and the Timaru Catholic Dramatic Club, and the works of St. John Efvinc Philip Johnson, and Sir J. M. Barrie were called upon, the plays boing "She Was No Ladv," "Legend," and "Rosalind." .." Oddfellowship. Tho fortnightly meeting of tho Loyal Timaru Lodge of Oddfellows was held on Wednesday night, when Bro. G. Dobier, N.G., presided.. Three new members were elected and initiated and four were proposed for the next meeting. Letters of recommendation were accepted in favour of two members from Loyal Napier Lodge, and one from Loyal St. George, Invercargill. A member who is leaving for distant parts was granted a recommendation to the Lodge there. A refund of sick pay advanced to one of their members was received from an Otago Lodge. Official reports of the Hawke's Bay District and the Taranaki District were laid on thetable, that of Taranaki being especially interesting because of the information given regarding ' tho origin and progress of Oddfellowship. . The sick report showed five new cases on the benefit funds and four off leaving nineteen still on. Reference was made to the position-.of 'some of those who failed to join the Friendly Society bed scheme, and who afterwards had. to undergo treatment at the. Hospital. Reports from the juvenile lodges were very satisfactory. Bros. E. Lane and P. Hanlin were appointed official visitors to the next meeting of the Boys' Lodge, and P.G.'s Bros. E. McConachy, and C." Fryer to that of the Girls'. .It was announced that the Friendly Societies' annual \.ard tournament would be commenced this month. A keen contest is expected for officers in the next term as a very full list of nominations has already been received. A welcome was extended to P.G. Bro. J. Larcombe, a visitor from the Loyal Addington Lodge. The member congratulated the lodge on the progress it had made since, his last visit.

Accounts amounting to £3B 9s 7d were passed for payment, including two maternity allowances. Receipts for the evening amounted to £66 16s lid.

j GERALDINE. The annual meeting of the .South 'Canterbury Hockey Association- was held on Wednesday evening, in the hockey pavilion, delegates from Temuka and other clubs being present. Mr A'. Mrvskay was elected chairman. The chairman referred to the death of their immediate past ■ president (Mr J. J. Brett), and made reference'to Mr Brett's good qualities, and his good services to the game, both as a. club member and as a member of the Association. A amotion of sympathy was carried with Mrs Brett in her bo- ; reavement. The report showed a successful year's working. A representative match with the touring Australian team had been - played at Geraldine, and also representative matches, both ladies and men, with South Canterbury. Two 5 and 6 a side tournaments had been held, Lyttelton again win- : ning the senior men's game, and Geraldine Old Boys winning, the junior game. Seven of their players had won representative honours in South Canterbury, and Mr Brookes had been chosen to play in the New Zealand v. Australia match. The following officers were elected:—Patron, Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P.; president, Mr A. Mackay; seven vice-presidents; see'retary-tre** purer, Mr H« J. Bowkett; management committee: Messrs T. Histen, E. Martin, N. Preddy, A. Bryant, ,T. Sherratt, J. Henry, A. Maloney; delegates to South Canterbury. Association: Messrs D. Lack and H. Bowkett; auditor, Mr J. B. Stewart. Mr Maloney. was appointed sole selector of the Association.' It was recommended to the South Canterbury Association that one selector from each Association be selectors for representative matches. Messrs W. Searle, F. Smith, T. Sherratt, and H. J. Bowkett were appointed referees. Harvest thanksgiving services were .held Qn Sunday last at St. Mary's .Anglican Church. The choir gave the anthem,'' Than Openest Thine Hand,'' ; Miss A.. Williamson taking the solo. The service was conducted by the Rev. E. N. JBlakiston, Miss Hughes, presiding at 'the organ. ,

WAIMATE. SAVAGE CLUB. Great Chief W. E. Evans presided over the annual meeting of the Waimate Savage Club held in the Tribal Meeting House, Messrs Newall and Jones's rooms. The annual balance-sheet for the year ended March Slst showed a credit balance of £lO 7s lOd. The annual report stated that the membership last year had increased from 91 to 106. Ten ordinary koreros had been held during the year, and the average attendance had been good. In accordance with the usual custom, a concert party had visited the Waimate Public Hospital and provided a programme much appreciated by the patients and staff. A public concert had also been given by the club in Olympia Hall on August 28th. The club orchestra, under the conductorship of Savage C. E. Manchester, had again during the past season given great assistance in the carrying-out of the programmes at the various koreros of the club. ) The election of officers resulted:— Great Chief, Savage E. W. Travers; Braves, Savages V. Heal and W. P. Black; High Scalp Hunter, Savage C. S. Eead; Chief Scribe, Savage A. J. Hoskins; Warriors, Savages \V. E. Evans, T. E. Bussell, d'A. S. Grut, C. S. Hood, and F. Akhurst; auditor, Savage T. E. Parry. The annual subscription was fixed at 80s, reducible to 26s if paid before June 30th. The opening korero was fixed for the first Tuesday in May. Basketball. The first annual general meeting of the Waimate Basketball Association was held in Knox Church Hall, when there were between thirty or forty present. The president (Miss Bowie) was in the chair. The following officers were then elected:—Patrons, Mr and Mrs G. Dash; president, Miss Bowie (reelected); vice-president, Miss M. U. Callaghan; honorary secretary, Miss M. Gunn (re-elected); honorary treasurer, Miss M. Cumming; committee, Misses Meredith, Kirkpatriek, and Spencer, and Mrs H. Dash; Savings Bank trustees, Misses M. Cumming and H. Kirkpatriek ; auditor, Mr T. E. Parry; Grounds Committee, Misses Gunn, Brownlie, and Sinclair; Selection Committee, Misses Bowie, Watson, and Kobertson; Match Committee, Misses Bowie, Gunn, and Callaghan; Draw Committee, Misses Bowie, Cumming, and Gunn. It was decided to form another grade, C, for primary schools and smaller players. The entry fee for tho C grade was fixed at 5s per team, and 10s per team was fixed for A and B grades. The opening of the season was fixed for May Bth, to start with A grade matches. Tho matter of representative colours and the question of affiliating with the Now Zealand Association were left over till •■». later meeting. Pergonal. - I

Mrs Gowan, of Christchurch, has roturned homo, after spending the Easter holidays with her son, Ensign G. Thomas, Waimate. Miss Georgina Joyce (Waimate) is spending a fortnight's vacation with friends in .Christchurch. PLEASANT VALLEY. A very enjoyable dance was held in the Pleasant Valley Hall on Tuesday evening, when the Pleasant Valley Tennis Club made a further endeavour to raise funds to pay for the laying down of the tennis court. Music was supplied by Sinclair's Orchestra, extras being played by Miss E. McGarva (Temuka), and .Mr Morris Gale. A waltzing competition wa9 won by Mr and Mrs Pat Bennett, and the Monte Garlo by Miss E. McGarva and Mr J. Murphy. Mr W. Seeler was M.C. A very fine asphalt tennis court has been recently laid down. The courts are not yet, available for play, but will be in good condition for tire opening of the next season. ORTON. The Orion Branch of the Presbyterian Church (Orari Home Mission Station) held a very successful concert and sale of work in the Orton School on' Wednesday evening. The Rev. Mr Stinson, Peel Forest, was in the chair, and there was a very large attendance. The work stall, sweets stall and produce stall all did good business and the church funds will benefit considerably as a result of' the evening's success. During the evening a very good programme was gone through, items being given by the "following:—Vocal solos. Mrs Ross Brodie, Mrs Ruddenklau, Miss Gwen Hughes, Mr G. Knibb, Miss Williamson, Miss Dorothy Keys, and Miss May Allen. Musical monologues, Mr Salmon and Miss Betty Salmon: recitation, Mr Forrester; piano solos, Miss Cain and Kelland; duet. Misses Snell and Simes; instrumental trio. Mrs Wild, Mrs Salmon, and Mrs Allington. Several competitions were held, the winners being: Live turkey. Mrs W. Hughes (Orari); sheep; Mr R.. Brodie (Rangitata Island); nail-dnvmg, Harold Manan. FAIRLIE. This year the sale of poppies in aid of-the R.S.A. fund resulted/in £24 being made. This shows a,good increase on last year's sales. There is also to be added the sum of £4, which was collected at the Anzac Day service. ORARI. The first meeting of the Orari Cribbage Club was held in the. Orari Hall on Tuesday evening, when there was an attendance of about 30 players. Messrs J. J. Earl and H. J. Brenton were elected captains of the A and B teams respectively. Teams were drawn up and a practice game was Wedl in the hall, in which the B team was successful. • , ... At the monthly meeting of the Girls' Auxiliary of the Oran Presbyterian Church,' which was held at the manse on Monday evening, opportunity wa& taken to make a presentation to the president, Mrs R. Taylor: Miss R. Rilloh, in. presenting her witlv a cake basket, expressed the good wishes of the members and their appreciation of her help. Mrs R. Taylor suitabljr replied. . . . Miss Vera Dunn is spending a holiday with her relatives in Oran. Mrs Wilkinson (Wellington), who has been the guest' of Mrs Stone-Wigg, Waihi College, Mas left to spend a few i^aj;A^sriaah

TEMUKA.

SHOOTING SEASON. The shooting season opened yesterday, and whilst a large number of licenses were issued, not very-many birds were shot. Parties commenced to take their departure for their respective camps about 10 p.m., and shortly after 4 a.m. there were numerous cars on the road. The weather was mild with not a breath of wind, and the birds, almost without exception, flew high, in almost every instance, well beyond the range of the guns. The result was that generally speaking poor bags were secured, one and two brace being about the average bag, mostly greys. Most li-cense-holders report the ducks fairly plentiful, but very wild, and inclined to fly high. The major portion of the reports have come from the country adjacent to the sea coast, and the birds, when disturbed, flew inland. It is anticipated that those who went to the lakes and lagoons well inland would meet with success. Vital Statistics. Vital statistics for the month of April, the figures for tho corresponding month last year being given in parentheses, are:—Births 5 (5), marriages 2 (4), deaths 4 (2). Golf. The ladies' section of the Temuka Golf Club announced the following draw for a stroke competition to be played on the Temuka links to-mor-row:—Miss Dick v. Miss Taylor; Mrs Lee v Miss E. Bremner; Mrs McLeod v Miss H. Bremner; Mrs Austin v. Miss Scrimshaw; Mrs A. Guild v.. Mrs .M. Grant; Miss Thomson v. Miss Johnston; Mrs Mclnnes v. Mrs Laurenson; Mrs May v. Mrs, Lucy; Mrs Foxon v. Miss Puflett; Miss Ferguson v. Mrs Shand; Miss K. McShane v. Mrs Cooper; Mrs McMillan v. Miss Coughlan; Mrs Smart v. Miss White; Mrs Shiels v. Miss Manson; Mrs Taylor v. Mrs Topham; Mrs M. Guild v. Mrs Scrimshaw; Mrs Sheen v. Miss M. Twentyman; Miss M. McShane v. marker. A Coincidence. A coincidence occurred in connexion with the. recent poll taken by the Temuka Borough Council on the proposal to erect and equip a fire brigade station. The number of votes recorded in favour of the proposal was 169, and those against 43. Reference to newspaper files shows that these were the identical figures recorded when the previous loan —Waterworks loan —proposal was before the ratepayers. Personal. Mr W. E. . Lucy, A.M.LC.E., who has been spending a holiday with his parents, Mr and Mrs T. M. Lucy, King street, Temuka, has returned to Dunedin. The following is a list of recent guests at the Crown Hotel, Temuka: Mvsers C. E. Seager, M. Hanna, Law rio, L. Moody, T. Niven, R. McGillivray (Christchurch), Mr and Mrs -P. Witt, Mr Palmer, Mr C. Ward, Dr. Palmer (Christchurch), Mr Moody (Malay)* Mr McCauley, Mr Ball, Mr Forbes, Mr Graham, Mr Mr BatCß OChristehurch), Mrs Greenwood, Mr H. L. Donn, Mr Lee, Mr B. .T, Taylor, Mr Smith (Christchurch), Mr M.'B. White (Hawera), Mr W. Slowly (Dunedin), Mr Manning, Mr G. H. Fox, Mr D. Daly, Mr D. Hislop,vMr Ml Marshall, Mr Dickson, Mr Martin, Mr Spang, Mr Sutcliffe (Dunedin), Mr T. Black, Mr Ackland (Wellington)," Mr and Mrs Hudson (Christchurch), Mr Car rick, Mr Frew, Mr Hubble, Mr and Mrs Hanley, Mr Mannix, Mr Fairolough, Miss Eden, Mr Whitford (Dunedin), Mr Lawlor, Mr and Mrs Munro, Mr E. C. Munro (Kurow), Dr. and Mrs Crawshaw (Christchurch), Mr and Mrs Tyree and Masters Tyree (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs Tipping, and Miss Tipping (Christchurch), Mr Granville, Mrs L. Treleaven and Master Treleaven, Mr and Mrs T. Quirko (Christchurch), Mr Cuthbertson and Miss Cuthbertson (Invercargill), Mr and Mrs Pomfrett-Podd and Miss Pomfrett-Dodd (Christchurch), Mr T. Smith, Miss Ferguson, Mr H. Millar, Mr and Mrs Bobbie, Mrs Smith (Dunedin), Mr Best, Mr H. Christie, Mr H. Field, Mr D. .Collins (Christchwch),