The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: TUESDAY, MARCH 17.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 72, 17 March 1914, Page 5

The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: TUESDAY, MARCH 17.

Messrs A. L. Hood and IT. Broome, two employees at Marshall and Summers' Milton cycle and motor shop, have bought the Milton business. The, Baltlutha branch shop will continue in the meantime under the old linn. Recently Sir Joseph Ward, accompanied by Messrs G. Witty and W. J. Dickie, M's.l'., and the liew Liberal organiser, Mr Dennehy, paid a visit to Ashburton, where the. Leader of the Opposition was waited on fey Messrs P. O'Connor and.J. o 'Carrol, prominent members of the Ashburton Liberal PMty, who conferred with him on various political matters. It is understood that Mr Xosworthy is to be opposed by ' a prominent Liberal. We understand that in order to allow toe river steamers sufficient room to pass mder the traffic bridge after the altera' 'ions there have been completed the Public Works Department has arranged 'or the present cylinder at the north Wd to lie raised two feet. The bridge deck will bo gradually lowered to the l> nd of the span, thus allowing the steamers plenty of room. During the i ""al stages the bridge will not be altogether blocked for traffic, as a footbridge will be provided for pedestrians. The Rev. Mr Elliott delivered his lec- ; 'We on "Irish Life and Character" in we Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday even•'"g to a verv good attendance. The '%or (Mr D. Stewart) introduced the lecturer in felicitous terms, remarking "at he put Scotsmen first and the Irishman second. Mr Elliott, however, -Peedily made a good case for his coun- ; J'ymeri," first in love and first in war," we best and truest of friends if at the ■ . B »me time a good hater. In every rank I*ll ,ri, - llmell , he showed, had come l^ 11 to the front, and had done their full I "c as Empire builders, as soldiers, as ■ aen of k-tters, as men of science. The I aun- ,Vas well delivered, Bitn - 8 frcelv interspersed with good I »« r ' e - S Was vote ' l at once instructive and I toit?"' B ' A(l,li tional interest was lent ■ « nn evemn S ! s programme by the Irish ■£„ g \I e, " lcreil ] >Y tlle Misses Hisl °P) ■ all , ul IWlt . Mesdames Barty, Car■ttowh Slevwri f;ht and Messrs Way■jgj,. . an ,d Anderson, every one of whom mud m°"' election with great feeling. R*ovl7k y a * the P iano - Yotes of thanka ■toft.„?r Ir Currie tb the lecturer and and by Mr Elliott to the ■r*™») w«« heartily ctjried,

There are how .between twenty and thirty men engaged on the-river protection works in Baiclutha clearing up and laying sleepers for the Public Works railway line.

Nearly all the local boarding-houses are now full, there being a influx ot workers and seekers for work in Baiclutha during the last week or two. Perhaps never before were there so many strange faces seen in the town as there arc now.

While Messrs Leonard Bros, were bringing a traction engine and threshing mill from Duuedin to Baiclutha on Saturday a culvert at Titri gave way when the neaVy load was crossing it, and some bolts being broken the plant was delayed on the road. The injury to the culvert was only slight. "We notice amongst the "missing friends" in Lloyd's Weekly: Thomas Archer, late of Plumstead, and employed at Woolwich Arsenal, was living at Ratanui, near Catlins River, New Zealand, 1010. Walter Cundall, also known as Jas. W. Campbell, was living at Baiclutha, New Zealand, 1877.

General election rumours are rife elsewhere in the Dominion, and names of probable candidates are mentioned. So far as Clutha is concerned it looks as if Mr Malcolm will have almost a walk-over, unless the visit of Mr Russell, M.P. for Avon, one of the Liberal leaders, manages to instil some life into the local Liberal-Labour-ites.

The police made an exciting raid on an alleged "two-up" school in the bush on the town belt between Dliiiedin and Roslyn on Saturday afternoon. The detectives managed to surround the school and, on a pre-arranged signal, rushed the gathering. Ten captures were made, only one man escaping, and his name is known. Some of the young men belong to respectable families. They will all appear at the Police Court shortly.

The Clutha Rifle Club holds its first parade for the season on the Barnego range on Saturday, and another on Wednesday next week. This parade is necessary to enable members to class-fire. The range is practically useless for rifleshooting, and there is every likelihood of it being condemned and a new range purchased near the top of the river protective embankment in Tosh's and Harvie's properties. Mr G. W. Russell, the well-known Opposition Parliamentarian, is advertised to deliver a political address in the Oddfellows' Hall— this evening. Mr Russell is a forcible speaker, and his address should be worth listening to. This is his first visit to Baiclutha, so probably supporters of both political sides will take the opportunity of hearI ing him.

A handsome East window has been placed in St. Mary's Church, Stirling, by the friends of the late Miss Anna Pillans. The work, which was entrusted to Mr R. Eraser, of Duuedin, Is a striking example of excellent workmanship, and is a fitting memorial to one who for many years was a very able and devoted church worker. The window will be unveiled at a special service on Sunday afternoon, March 29, by the Most Reverend the Primate of New Zealand.

The second of the series of smoke socials, inaugurated by Sergeant-Major Rowe for local cadets and Territorials, eventuated in St. Mark's Hall on Friday night. There were about 50 present, Lieutenant Waymouth being in the chair. An enjoyable evening was spent with games, stories, songs, etc., Mr Edwards kindly attending to play the accompaniments. Messrs Ritchie BroSj supplied a supper which was enjoyed by ali. These socials have "caught on" among the young fellows, and apart from the enjoyment of the entertainments, they serve a good purpose in fostering a spirit of camaraderie among officers and men in the local corps.

A party of about forty from Balclutha and Stirliug held-a "moonlight picnic" at Messrs Smith and Thurlby's farm on Inehclutha on Friday evening, when a very enjoyable time was spent. Various games were played, while a dance was arranged for in the barn ami came off vcrv enjovablv to music supplied by Messrs .l/C. Bheddan, ,1. A. Willocks and George Anderson, junr. , Recitations and songs were given by Messrs A. aii.d G. Anderson, junr., L. Green and C. Mudford. An excellent supper was provided by the ladies present, and the party left for hortfe about 1.30, votes of thanks being tendered to Mr and Mrs Thurlby and Mr and Mrs Smith.

Something in the nature of a sleuthhound is wanted in Balclutha just now. The I'ublic Works overseer for the embankment finds that there is over a mile of rails missing, and naturally wants to know where they are. Local people possessed of rails have been questioned aa to the original ownership, andy While in some cases the rails are admittedly from the old embankment, in other cases the present owners are not aware of where they originally came from. The rails being searched for were those originally laid down on the bank after the ! 78 flood i some were afterwards taken up-river for temporary use by the River Board, but are supposed to haye been brought down again; while-the rails left lying oil what was practically a "no-man's-laud"—to quote the Minister for Public Works—were ever a diminishing quantity. Possibly the acb vent of reinforced or ferro concrete had ! something to do with the case. At anyratc there is a shortage in the rails which the Public Works people require should be made good.

The annual meeting of delegates to the South Otago Kugby Football Union is set down for Saturday, March 28, at Baldutha. The committee's annual report, which has now been posted to the various clubs, refers to club and representative play last seasou, and states that 20 jerseys were procured by the Union for the use of representative players. During the year t"he committee were called on to settle only one dispute. The report concludes: "The committee regret that on the year's work there has been a slight loss. This is probably due to the fact that during the year no less than four ' gates' were donated for various purposes, and also the expenditure. on the jerseys. During the year a motion I was passed recommending that delegates' expenses be paid providing a balance of £4 could be left at the end of the season. The balance being only £3 2s Id the expenses cannot therefore *be paid.'' The balance-sheet shows the receipts to be £73 15s 2d (balance 1912 £l3 0s Bd, gate takings £42 15s being the principal items)' and expenditure £7O 13s Id (expenses representative team to Gore £l3 10s, jerseys £7t 10s, refunds and grants to clubs and ''gates" donated •mounting to fit 1« ito).

At the Farmers' Union Provincial Executive meeting in Duneclin last week a letter was received from the Greenfield branch complaining of the insufficiency of forage allowance to horses of Territorials in camp. The Executive decided to forward the letter on to the Minister for Defence.

Mr A. Hutton, of Baiclutha, left last evening for a month's holiday in the North. His objective meantime is the Auckland Exhibition, but he will visit many of the chief towns en routo, going by train all the way through both islands. Possibly he may visit Queensland before returning.

Before commencing his lecture on Thursday evening, Rev. Mr Elliott made some reference to the great progress in the town since he resided in it over twelve years ago. He referred especially to the excellent manner in which the local cemetery was kept. He had been to the graveyard to visit the graves of some of his old friends, and was much struck by the neatness everywhere evident.

Lady readers are advised that this is the time to contemplate the obtaining of costumes. C. G. Kirby, tailor, Clyde street, Baiclutha, is this month making a specialty of ladies' costumes, and although he has a large number of orders in he.is prepared to undertake more in view of Easter holidays. He has a wide assortment of patterns, and his style is the latest." Gentlemen would also do well to inspect his overcoats, tweed and rainproof, of which he has a selection to suit all sizes and tastes. His made-to-order overcoats can't be beaten. C. G. Kirt>y, ladies' and gents' costumier.