SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 20311, 21 October 1929, Page 13

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

£F»om ■ Qua CoRaESPpxnBNT.] BALCLUTHA, October 20. Bowling.—Glorious weather prevailed on Saturday for the opening of the Stirling Bowling Club’s season. This club is the smallest in the South Otago Centre and one of the smallest in the dominion. Despite this, however, the attendance yesterday was one of the largest at, an opening function this season, visitors being prasent in strong force irom ivaitangaua, Balclutha, ana Benhar Clubs, while several centre officials were also present. Altogether thirty-four players took part in the day’s play. The green was in splendid order, and except for the fact that a breeze made play a little tricky at one end, was playing very true, and reflected great credit on the members responsible for its preparation. Mr J. G. Henderson, the president, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, and expressed the hope that all would have a good time. Ho also referred to the absence, through illness, of their veteran member, Mr George Anderson, who had the day previously been admitted to hospital tb undergo a serious operation. They much ’ regretted his illness, and he felt sure that all bowlers in South Otago would join with the Stirling bowlers in wishing him a speedy recovery. Miss Henderson then rolled the first bowl amidst applause, and the green was declared open. The usual match President v. Vice-president was played, the result being a draw. The tadies dispensed a delightful afternoon tea, and upheld the traditions of the club in the matter of hospitality. After the game Messrs Pryde (Kaitangata), Johnston (Balclutha), and Barnett (Benhar) thanked the Stirling bowlers lor the hospitality extended, congratulated them on their green, and wished them a successful season. Hearty cheers concluded a most enjoyable afternoon. Ladies’ Bowling.—The Balclutha and Kaitangata ladies’ clubs opened the season on Wednesday, there being good attendances at both greens. Several Milton ladies visited Balclutha, while Stirling ladies patronised the Kaitangata green. At Balclutha Mrs Marshall declared the season open, while Miss Ida Shaw did the honours at Kaitangata. On both greens the usual hospitality was extended to visitors, and pleasant functions took place. This coming Wednesday Milton and Stirling ladies will hold their opening functions, when they _ expect to see several visitors from sister clubs. On Labour Day a team from St. Kilda Club will visit Balclutha for the annual fixture. The Kaitangata Club is arranging a doubles tournament to start about 10 a.m. and to continue all day.

Cricket.—Cricketers put in some useful practice yesterday, full advantage being taken of the fine day. The Stirling Club opened the season, there be ing an excellent attendance. Prospects for the shield competition are good, ten teams having decided to take part. Two sections, north v. south, will be played, the winners of the respective sections to play off in the final. t.0.0.F.—A special meeting of Lodge Clutha was held last night, when a targe number of members (local and visiting) assembled for the purpose of witnessing the Linden Lodge initiation team at work. N.G. Bro. E. Perkins opened the lodge, and after extending a welcome to the visitors handed ver the meeting to Linden officers. Visitors were present from Pioneer, Leith, Unity, St. Kilda, Maori HdJ, Owaka, and Warepa. Bro. Kirkham, D.D.G.M., South Otago district, introduced Bro A. E. Carroll, of Loyal Stanhope Lodge Melbourne, who is a P.D.D.G.M. and Past Chief Patriarch. This distinguished visitor was heartily received. The Linden officers then carried .out their part of the evening’s work, three candidates being initiated _ with due ceremony. The officers officiating were • N.G., R. M'HarJy; V.G., L. Kitto; P.G., R. Burgess; C., A. Snellesky; VV., G. Smart; con., R. Hendry; supporters—R. Reid, C. Reeves, A Gallie, J. Campbell, M. K. Glover, F. Joseph; L.G., L. Smart; 0.G., D. Harborne. Linden Lodge was the runner-up in the recent competition held in Dunedin, and its work was very favourably commented upon and was much appreci ated. Representatives of the visiting lodges conveyed fraternal greetings to Lodge Clutha, and expressed their plasure at being present. They stressed the importance of these exchanges of visits, and said they were a great help , in. fostering the fraternal and social side of the order. During the evening Bro. Snellesky gave a recitation and Bro. Morris a wng, both of which were heartily received. Dancing occupied the remainder of the evening, excellent music being dispensed -by the Blue Star Band. A tasty supper was dispensed, and an interesting and enjoyable evening concluded with the singing of ‘ Aulcl -Lang Syne.’ Fire.—About 4 o’clock this morning a fife was discovered in a three-roomed cottage at Balcluthn North. The build ing was an old one. and it is said was occupied by two bachelors. The fire had a good hold when the brigade arrived, and as there was no water avail able efforts to save the place were unavailing, and the building was reduced to ashes. The insurances were not available at time of writing. Seventy-fifth Anniversary.—On November 3 and 4 there will bo celebrated in this district the seventy-fifth anniversary of South Otago Presbyterian Churches (Warepa, Puerua, Kaka Point, and Romahapa). A week or so ago Milton celebrated the seventyfifth anniversary, and the forthcoming celebrations are corresponding to those of the Toko. Church. The occasion will mark the arrival in this district of Rev. William Bannerman. The first service was held in the house of the late Mr Wm. Hay, “ Hilly Park.” Romahapa, on March 19, 1854. and later a service was held at Warepa Bush in a hut belonging to Ross and Gordon. The Rev. Mr Bannerman was inducted into the Toko.-Clutha charge on June 17, 1854, and for many years carried out his work in his wide district. The celebrations are being looked forward to with much interest throughout the district. The preacher on the Sunday at the various centres will be Rev. Dr E. 'N. Merrington, of Knox College, Dunedin, and on ./the Monday a social and reunion will take place at P.uerua. General.—The recent spell of ■ fine weather has caused the whitebait to make a fresh “ run,” and some good hauls were secured during the weekend. Fishermen also report good sport, and some nice trout and perch were secured in the Molyneux and district streams. Cattle are meeting with a good demand in this district at the present time, and at (Friday’s Clutha sale store bullocks made up to £l3 12s, while medium fat stock sold up to £ls 10s. Sheep are also selling well, and good wethers realised 425, while ewes made up to 40s.