TUAPEKA NEWS ITEMS

Evening Star, Issue 22086, 20 July 1935, Page 3

TUAPEKA NEWS ITEMS

[From Our Lawrence Correspondent.] The final selection of Mr Herbert K. Edie, of Tuapeka West, as the Labour candidate for the Central Otago seat in Parliament has been well received by his friends at this end of the electoral district, which embraces a very big _ area of Otago. It has over 40 polling centres, which means a good deal of travelling for the candidate when the time comes for addressing “ the free and independent electors.” In Mr W. A. Bodkin, the present member, who is seeking re-election, Mr Edie, a newcomer in the political field, will certainly meet “ a foeman worthy of his steel ” : for thbre is no disguising the fact that Mr Bodkin has given very general satisfaction in carrying out his parliamentary duties, and that there will be a decided reluctance at this juncture to displace him. That, at least, is an opinion that widely prevails in many parts of the electorate. A report has been in circulation for the past week or two that the Democrat Party, which has been creating a little stir lately, chiefly in the larger cities, is out to run a candidate for the Central Otago electorate. It ,ds not yet known whether the chosen one will be a- resident or a non-resident of the electoral district. The chief orgaiser of the party is said to be interesting himself not only in the Central Otago electorate, but also in that of ihe Clutha. At the last meeting of the Tuapeka County Council the chairman (Mr William Cameron) paid a well-deserved compliment to the county engineer (Mr F. D. Grant) on the very efficient way in which he kept ahead of his work. The recent exceptionally heavy floods in various parts of the county, brought about by the abnormal weather conditions, caused serious erosions on many of the roads where the traffic is anything hut light, Mr Grant set quickly to work, and with the help of his well-appointed staff, fully alive to their duties, there was practically no hold-up of the traffic. The auto petrol grading plant recently acquired by the county was put to the test on the highways, and its real value fully established. The steps taken to raise funds for the building of swimming baths in the borough still arouse a groat deal of interest, and there is now a feeling of confidence abroad that success will, crown the efforts of the promoters. The strategy employed from day to day to raise funds taxes the resourcefulness of the committees backing the respective carnival queens, affording no limit to the enjoyment of the contri butors to the funds. We are having wonderful weather everything considered, for the Juh month, invariably _ regarded as the severest of the winter season. Thr frosty nights are not of the intense order, but the accompanying winds are very nippy, and give reminders that the winter is not yet ended.