TUAPEKA NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 19841, 14 April 1928, Page 5

TUAPEKA NOTES

[Feou Odb Correspondent.] Between 280 and 300 members of the Presbyterian Young Men’s Bible Classes held their annual camp and conference at Mount Stuart during the Easter holidays. These men come from classes as far north as Auckland and as far south as Invercargill. From every point of view tho gathering was a great success, the weather being ideal tho cominissiariat arrangements splendid, and tho meetings inspiring and helpful. This is probably the, last Easter conference of the New Zealand movement, for, although the district camp will still be held at Easter, tho business meeting- will in future take place about New Year, when delegates from all the districts will gather on their way to or from tho summer conference. Mr Stanley Wilkinson, of Christchurch, is the president for tho present year. Tho principal speakers at the camp were: Bovs. IV. Bower Black, Ij.lj.lC, of Christchurch; E. J. Tipler, 8.A., Roslyn; W. M. Ryburn, M.A., India; A. C. Wbitelaw, L.L.8., travelling secretary; and Dr J. D. Snlmond, of Knox College Three other district camps were hold simultaneously at Purau, Canterbury; Chau, Wellington; and Hunua Falls, Auckland. All tho arrangements are well in hand for tho official opening of the Lawrence-Roxburgh railway. To suit the convenience of tho lion. F. .1. Rollcston, the celebration takes place on Thursday, 19th instant, instead of the day preceding, and will be observed in the borough and immediate districts as a close holiday. Tho unveiling of the tablet in recognition of Mr John Bennett’s services to flic district in pushing forward railway communication from Lawrence, will be performed at 9 .a.m. by Mr W. Cameron, chairman of the Tnapeka County Council, the ceremony taking place on tho east side of the traffic bridge cn the route to the railway station. Mr Bennetts is to be entertained at a social in the evening, when he will bo the recipient of a substantial souvenir in appreciation of his service to the district. The excursion train from Dunedin is timed to reach Roxburgh at 11.35 a.m., and immediately thereafter tho Hon. F. J. Rollcston, Minister of Justice, will proceed to declare tho lino officially opened. Tho Minister and tho visiting Parliamentarians will bo entertained early in the afternoon at a complimentary luncheon and a picnic and sports gathering in the vicinity of the railway station will be held later in the day. It is quite evident the Roxburgh people arc out to make the most of what promises to be a memorable function. Tho local footballers hold a meeting on Wednesday evening, at which there was a capital attendance, the Rev. J. A. Dow in tho chair. Dr Sutherland was elected president of the club, and Mr H. J. Dent secretary and treasurer. A number of vice-presidents were also appointed. It was resolved that the opening match of the season, married v. single, be played on the local recreation ground on Saturday afternoon. Matches against the Waitnhuna Club and one of the Dunedin dubs are to be arranged. Dr Sutherland intimated that he would present the club with a match fooball. and lie was accorded a vote of thanks for his promised gift. The traffic on tho branch railway from Milton to Miller’s Flat has been very heavy for some time, and more so during Eastertide, when the race meetings were on at Lawrence and Beaumont. It is pleasing to record that tho trains were run pretty well to time and without mishap in any shape or form. Mr M'Gonigal (ho new traffic manager) had charge of tho

train arrangements and satisfied raU» way patrons that lie was fully alive to his duties. The borough of Roxburgh is working into a good sound position financially. At the last meeting of the council the clerk reported that the whole of the rates, with one exception, had been collected for the year 1927-1928,and tbit tho inbreasc for tho period reached £2,235 15s, leaving a credit balance of £396 12s sd. The receipts from the pictures for seven months came to close on £6OO, the last return being £3l Bs. The acquirement of a cinematograph plant has been a good move on the part of the council. The annual meeting of the Tuapeka County Council (a statutory fixture), tabes place on the fourth Wednesday May. Mr William Cameron, member for Waitalmna riding, then retires from his occupancy of the chair. Mr Cameron has given plenty of evidencool, his capacity and efficiency as an official*