Untitled

Clutha Leader, Volume XLII, Issue 91, 23 May 1916, Page 5

Mr A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, visits Balclutha every Friday.*** Mr Robert Moffat (Te Houka) has kindly donated a sheep for the purpose of holding a weight-guessing competition in the Oddfellows' Hall oil Winter Show Day, the proceeds to be devoted to the patriotic funds. The amount of capital invested in land, plant and buildings in connection with the New Zealand boot industry represents a little more than £lO9 10s per head of the workers engaged in the trade. The sum is higher by £4.1 per worker than the investment in the same industry iu Australia. The ladies of Balclutha who have the interests of soldiers very close at heart are constantly organising some new effort to raise funds on their behalf. At the last meeting of the ladies' committee it was decided to open a tea-room at the Oddfellows' Hall on Winter Show Day in order to supplement the patriotic funds. Sympathisers are requested to assist by sending in donations of scones, pikelets, cakes, etc. About mid-day on Saturday a young man named Perry, who resides at Table Hill, near Milton, met with an accident in Prince Albert Road, St. Kilda. He was riding a motor cycle, and had just turned from Young Street into Prince Albert Road, when he collided with a tramear. Fortunately both were proceeding slowly at the time. Perry, who was promptly attended to by Mr Learv (chemist), escaped with a few abrasions, but the motor cycle was rather badly damaged. I The chairman of the Tuapeka County Council reported at the meeting of that body last week that he had taken the liberty of sanctioning the payment of £lO to the Y.M.C.A. from the council's Patriotic Fund. The action was approved, and Councillor Mclneruey suggested that, for a time at anyrate, they should discontinue building up the fund, which now amounted to over £4OO. After discussion this was agreed to on a majority vote, and it was decided that the members should make inquiries and report regarding the circumstances of returned men in the various ridings, so that, it' necessary, the accumulated fund might be used to give relief. The following letter has been received by Mr A. S. Malcolm, M.P., from lion. W. D. S. Mac Donald (Minister for Agriculture): "With reference to your letter of April 14, attaching a communication of April .'i to yourself from the Clutha branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, in regard to the establishment of an experimental farm in the Clutha district, I have the honour to inform you that your representations on this subject, together with those of the Union, have been carefully noted, and will be borne, in mind in the event of its being decided -to establish iu the South Island a farm such as that desired." The disonhouriug of a cheque led to the Tuapeka County Council last week expressing itself as determined to take a firm stand in its dealings with contractors. The clerk reported that the drawer of a cheque had stopped the payment of it, notwithstanding the fact that he had been advised that his tender had been accepted. It was resolved that one of the members should interview the contractor, aud, failing a satisfactory explanation beiug forthcoming, that the chairman, engineer and member for the riding concerned have power to deal with the contract for which the deposit was lodged. It Was further resolved that auy contractor giving trouble, of failing to carry out the conditions of his cotiti-ast, would be barred from future tenderi&gi The solemnity of one of the local churches was threatened on Sunday evening by the entry of a fox terrier during the service. The animal was evidently searching for its owner, and commenced his hunt by sniffing at the ankles of the worshippers, somewhat to the alarm of some of them. One young lady on whom the dog bestowed particular attention appeared almost on the verge of hysterics. The interior of the building presented a study in faces, the majority of the congregation having very evidently a severe task in controlling their features sufficiently to hide their ill-concealed mirth, but the minority, with a due sense of me fitness of things, looked quite shocked. A diversion was caused when the choir led off in a hymn which, as far as the canine was concerned, fell on unappreciative ears, the animal showing its disapproval by growling a very audible accompaniment, aud the members of the choir being in their most tuneful mood have really every reason, to feel aggrieved at the action of " such an unmusical animal. Fortunately the dog finally settled down to sleep, but wheu it was found that it was using as a bed the overcoat of: a well-known local school teacher the look on the faces of the boys and girls of school age was absolutely rapturous. Still owners who allow their dogs to wander into a church during the course of a religious service instead of leaving them at home to guard the family, plate are deserving of ceaanrfc >

I A large contingent of men from the 14th reinforcements journeyed south on Saturday on final leave before proceeding to the front. About a fortnight ago a Temuka woman for the third time during four years presented her husband with twins. The first two died, but the other four (reports the Timaru Herald) are strong, healthy children. Two swans, one duck and one hare comprised a bag secured by Staff-ser-geant H. G. McMillan a few mornings ago. This was the result of about an hour's shooting on and iu the vicinity of the Kaitangata Lake. Publication of Tahakopa and Owaka patriotic reports has unavoidably had to be held over till our next issue on account of' pressure on our space. The report of the sitting of the Milton Magistrate's Court held vesterday will also appear in Friday's issue. - In our advertising columns Mr D. Munro notifies the public that the price of Kaitangata ami Waronui coal has been advanced. As Mr Munro was only notified on Saturday that a rise hail taken place, he regrets that he was unable to give his clients longer notice. \ isitors to the shQw will be given an opportunity of judging for themselves on Friday next the efficacy of the famous Wizard Light as an il'luminant, as it has been decided to have the sheep pens at the winter show lit up by the "Wizard." The local agent (Mr Geo. Coxon) will be present, and will be glad to answer any inquiries from intending purchasers or others interested. The Boy Scouts' demonstration and concert, which is to be held in the Oddfellows' Hall to-morrow evening, promises to be something extra special in the way of entertainments. Exhibitions of bridge-building, first aid, signalling, etc., will be given by the local troop, and the Balclutha Brass Band will assist at the concert. Given a good night a capacity house is assured. A barman who seemed to have very little knowledge of his legal responsibilities gave evidence iu a case in the Christclnireh Supreme Court the other morning. He was one of two men accused of forgery and uttering. "Don't you know," asked Mr Raymond, K.C'., of him "that drink stuck up on a slate or in a book cannot be sued for?" "No,'' was the barman's reply. The medical inspection of a large number of local cadets was held in the Balclutha Defence Office last night prior, to their transfer into the Territorials. Similar inspections will be held at Clydevale on Tuesday and Clinton on Thursday. To comply with the regulations it is necessary for all cadets when they attain the"age of 18 to be medically examined before being transferred into the Territorials. i At Waitaugi on Monday evening last s farmer named .John Slii.w hail a mare and gelding considerably slashed about by some sharp instrument (says the Hamilton correspondent of the Auckland Star). The act was that of eitlier a mentally unhinged or evilly designed The mare, which was tied in a "cow bail, w T as shockingly cut about on her hind-quarters, necessitating 19' stitches iu her wounds, one of wlncii is 1-2 inches long anil an inch deep. The gelding, which was tied to a rail and bailed against a fence, was not so severely maltreated as the mare. Mr Shaw had another mare similarly dealt with four months ago. ! Farmers in Clutha and surrounding districts should not fail to pay a visit to Reid and Gray's implement works when in Dunedin next week. This firm's latest pattern lime sower, which is admitted to be the best lime sower now sold in »evy Zealand, will be on view, and the linn will be delighted to explain rhe special features of their lime sowers to all interested. Over 100 machines have been sold recently; all are giving excellent satisfaction. ' There will also be a general display of ploughs, harrows, cultivators, waggons, drays and separators, and all farmers are invited to inspect. This display will be in Reid and Gray's show room, Princes Street South.'** A patriotic country school master wrote to the! Auckland recruiting officer and offered to enlist. His application was received last week, and he stated that he was between 45 and 46 years of age, had a family of seven children from 1(5 years of age down to five .months, and was able to do most things necessary in an isolated district. He had his wife's consent to his offer to enlist. His letter concluded: ""Our household of nine has no representative in the ranks; all my children are too young, therefore if I can be of use I should be glad to know it." A letter was forwarded to him stating that his application was appreciated by the ■Defence Department, but it was recoguised that his family responsibilities were such that his offer could uot be accepted. A large toadstool, which was mistaken for a mushroom, was the means of preventing what might have been a serious motor accident at Whenuakura a few days ago. A Waiiganui business mart and his wife were motoring to and when Whenuakura was reached the lady noticed what she thought t'o 'fee A mushroom of unusual size, and had the car stopped in order to pick it up. While she was away, and thinking to shorten the distance his wife would have to walk, the husbaud attempted to back the car, but to his surprise, it did uot move, although the reversing gear was working at full force. He found, on getting out to make an inspection, that the axle was broken and the wheel almost off. Had the car not been stopped, and instead been going at full speed when the wheel came off, a serious accident would probably have resulted. A warning to cyclists and.motorists was given in the Nelson Magistrate's Court a few days ago by Mr J, S. Evans, S.M. In dealing with the case of a motor cyclist who was convicted of riding at night without a light, Mr Evans said complaints were being frequently made about the practice of riding at without lights. The penalty he had imposed in the past for the offence was well known, but it was apparently not a sufficient doterrent. Accordingly, in dealing with any future similar case he would increase the penalty by 5.0 per cent. The maximum penalty allowed by law was £lO. He had in practice imposed a fine of £2; in future he would impose a penalty of £3." Fair warning was being given, and if people were foolish enough to ride without lights they would nave to pay for it. The practice was a highly dangerous one.