SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22329, 4 May 1936, Page 3

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

I From 01-r Baixi.ctha Correspo.x»rxt.] May 3. THE WEATHER. Winter was ushered in in South Otago with ultra-seasonable weather on Friday morning. It was very boisterous and cold, and residents realised that winter was here.. Duck shooters were out early, and found conditions favourable. The Kaitangata and Tuakitoto Lakes wore again popular with sportsmen, who found game plentiful. .No big bags have so far been reported, however, the birds Hying high and showing indications of having been disturbed before the due date. A esterday the weather was atrocious. A cold southerly blow all day, and this was accompanied by heavy rain and bail showers, making conditions generally unpleasant. On the higher country snow fell, and the bills wore a while mantle. As a lesult of the conditions all outdoor sports wore abandoned. Today conditions were much better. A eoid wind still prevailed, but there was no rain, and the sun shone brightly at intervals PERSONAL. A. memorial service to ibe late Air S. V. White was hold in the Anglican Church at Balclutha this evening. There was a largo attendance, including the mayor and memhercs of the Borough Council, representatives of practically all the sporting bodies with which the deceased was connected at some time or other, and members of the Masonic Lodge. The Rev. D. Hillman delivered an impressive address, and the service generally wss a fine tribute to the memory of the deceased, who had played an active part in the affairs of the town and district. Out of 15 applicants. Miss Constance •T. Tichbon, M.A., of Christchurch, has been appointed to the position of D grade assistant at the South Otago High School. Miss Tichbon received her secondary education at New Plymouth Girls’ High School, where she was head girl in her last year. She then went to Canterbury College with a Taranaki scholarship and graduated M.A. in 1934. with honours in English and French. In the following year she took the graduate course in the Teachers’ Training College in Christchurch, where her work was highly commended. She takes keen interest in basketball, holds a medallion for life-saving, and an instructor’s certificate. She is fully qualified to take charge of the girls’ physical drill, and has considerable experience in dramatic work. Miss Tichbon takes up her new duties at the commencement of next term, filling the vacancy on the staff caused by the resignation of Miss Scoon, who left to get married. Mr D. M. Henderson has been appointed the Borough Council's representative on the South Otago High School Board of Governors, vice Mrs S. V. White (resigned). FOOTBALL. At the weekly meeting of the South Otago Rugby- Union on Thursday night the following transfers wore approved: —To Star, A. 3. Paterson, from Pioneer Club. Gore; to Chitlin—J. A. Dodds from Merton, M‘Brido from Athletic, Oamaru, L. C. Storey from Gleuorchy. M. Smith from Kingston; to Owaka—R. Jackman, C. Wilson. P. Cavanagh, from Romahapa ; to Toko. —D. A. Sinclair. L. Andrews, A. IT. Sinclair from Waihola, T. AUKinnev from High School ; to Crescent—W. Bates and .1. Devcreux from Romahapa. G. Hutton from Owaka; to Clinton— G. F.vfe, G. AFKenzie, W. Sutherland, R. Nieol. B. Peterson, from Waiwera. J. Faithful (Clntha) was regraded to second grade. The union agreed to the request of the Otago Union to alter the date of the match South Otago v. South Tuapeka from July 11 to July 4. Matches postponed from yesterdav will be played next Saturday, as follow:—Owaka v. Clntha 1., at Balelutha : Star v. Clinton, at Clinton ; Crescent I. v. Toko. 1.. Milton. Union v. Woodlands, at Owaka : Clntha ]T. v. Valley, at Clydevale; High School v. Cliijton HI., at Clinton; Toko. TH. v. Crescent 111., at Kaitangata ; Crescent 11. and Clntha 111, have byes. FARMERS’ UKIION. The annual meeting of the Clntha Branch of the Farmers’ Union was held last night, when Mr A. Renton presided over a good atetndancc, despite the inclemency of the weather. A vote of appreciation was accorded the members of the W.D.F.U. for the very fine way in which they had catered on the occasion of the very successful field day held under the auspices of the Young Farmers’ Club of South Otago at Balclutha recently. Variation in Weights of ’Trucks.—Mr C. I). AUlvenzie, business agent of the New Zealand Railways, Dunedin, met the union in the matter of variation in truck weights. Mr Jensen referred to the fact that truck weights for turnips varied as much as front half a ton to a ton between Stirling and Christchurch, and Mr Jas. Wood referred to the difference in weights of gravel. Other members also spoke on the matter, and said that there was little variation as far as potatoes were concerned. They pointed out that the difference meant a lot to those interested, as they paid on railway weights. Mr AUKenzie said he would look into the matter, but he could not understand the variations. The railway employees were instructed to be particularly careful in weighing trucks, and the department was out to assist users in every way. There might he mistakes, but these were liable to be made anywhere. The

chairman thanked Air ALKcnzie for attending, and said the members could rest: assured that the matter would be rectified.

Carting Sheep at Night.—Correspondence was road from the Alinister of Agriculture regarding the branch’s suggestion .that consignment notes he issued for the carriage of sheep by lorry at night. Tie said the matter hail been gone into, but the suggestion if adopted would materially weaken the control now able to he exorcised, and it was therefore proposed to continue with the present permit system which had been introduced with a view to minimising sheep-steal-ing. He pointed out, however, that the union was evidently under a misapprehension regarding the issue of permits when they thought that these could only he issued by a J.P. Permits could ho issued by a J.P., postmaster, auctioneer, constable, inspectors of stock, or inspectors of meat.— The dominion secretary also wrote regarding the matter, and said that if tlio proposed suggestions were carried out they would to a large extent nullify the safeguards now in practice.—The Chairman said the difficulty was that lorry-owners found it hard to got,someone to give the permit on occasions, hut this matter was now cleared up. and permits could he obtained from several sources which they did not know of before.—The correspondence was received, and it was decided to send a permit to the Provincial Conference on the matter.

Balance Sheet.—The. balance sheet showed that the credit balance was IDs Oil compared with £22 16s Id at the start of the year. In moving the adoption, the President said they were fortunate in coming out square. They had had to meet a payment of LI2 odd towards “ Point Blank.” and this iiad eaten into their funds. It was pointed out that they had received no capitation from the Provincial Executive cm subscriptions collected, although these had been paid in December, the secretary stating that lie had not received the money till April. It was also pointed out that the capitation received had only been on factory orders, and none had been received on bank orders, although several members had paid in this way. The membership, according to the capitation received, was only about 50. whereas it was close on 100. Later in the meeting the secretary said that he did not see how brandies were going to carry on with the pittance they received from those in power. Last year the branch had had a good credit balance, and the Provincial Executive immediately took steps to take it from them. As a result of their reduced income they had had to cut out the school garden competitions and other activities for the encouragement of agriculture in the district. Members agreed, and said they would bo hotter to carry on as an independent body, as the present position was becoming intolerable. Election of Officers.—The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year:—President. Air A. Anderson ; senior vice-president, Afr I*. Dipnie; junior vice-president. Air D. secretary and treasurer, Afr James Wood (re-elected) ; auditor, Air R. Dinnecu (rc-elcctcd); committee— Messrs A. Jenson. A. Renton, A. Christie, A. Afaxwell, J. Aioslev, G. Stewart, J. 8011, H. Holgate, -I. T. Walter. The president and Air Johnston were appointed delegates to the Provincial Conference to he held in June, and Air Renton was nominated as member of the Provincial Council. Remits.—lf was decided, to rend the following remits to the conference:— “ That any member of the Dominion Executive holding a salaried Government position should resign, as in the oninion of this branch the Fanners’ Union should be entirely free of Government or nolitieal influence.” “ That the os capitation on each member be restored to branches.'’ “ That owing to the unsatisfactory manner in which capitation is sent to the branches, the latter he given the control of collecting their own members’ subscriptions.” “That in the opinion of this branch the offices of the Provincial and Dominion Executives should he rolling ones, and no officer should retain office for more than two years,” Votes of thanks were accorded the retiring officers for services during the past year. SOUTH OTAGO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the above was held in Balclutha last night, when Air E. Aloorc presided over delegates from Milton, Bruce. .Stirling, Clntha. Lawrence, Waitahuna. and Owaka Clubs. The annual report referred to the affiliation with the New Zealand Association, and the success of the S.O. team in the Dominion tournament when it won the Floyd Shield. Nine teams took part in tiic competitions, and two tournaments had been held. Four representative matches had been played, South Otago defeating Northern Districts, drawing with Dunedin A, and being defeated by Southland and Dunedin B. The credit balance was £l2 2s 3d. £1 14s 6d less than at the start of the year, despite the fact that £126 6s 7d had been expended to send the team to the Dominion tournament. The report and balance sheet were adopted, general satisfaction being expressed at the year’s operations. The following officebearers were elected :—President. Airs Jas. Gray; vice-president, Air E. R. Lothian (re-elected) : secretary. Afiss J. Atom's (Milton) ; executive, Messrs P. Farrell and W. Kirby (Alilton), P. Low (Stirling); delegate to N.Z.H.A.. Miss S. Lay cock, who was accorded a vote of thanks for past services. Opening day of the fixtures was fixed for Alay 16. It, was decided to play two divisions—Kaitangata, Stirling. Clntha, and Owaka to be the south division ; and Alilton. Bruce. Lawrence, and AYaitaliuna the northern division. It was left to Die executive to go into the matter of encouraging hockey in Die schools with a view to bringing on young players, while it was decided to include a grade for school teams in Die seven-a-sidc touramonts. A recommendation was made to the executive that the seven-a-sidc tournament and all big games ho played at Kaitangata, in view of the lack of interest shown by Die public of Balclutha in the game of hockey. SOUTH OTAGO AERO CLUB, The annual nieoiing of the SiouDi Otago Aero Club was held on 'Thursday night, when Afr R. R. Grigor presided over a good attendance. The report showed that the club had a surplus of £23 16s 6d for the year. “ A ” licenses had been obtained by Pilots R. A. Brownlie. T. Jamieson. A. AUEarlane. and T. Lucas: while Pilots B. R. Renton and R. AY. ALSkimming had seen rod their endorsed “ A ” licenses. Pilots M'Farlano and Lucas had since proceeded to England for further tuition in the Royal Air Force. Five pupils wore at present undergoing training. At the South Island pageant Die club's pilots had been very successful in competition work. During the year the Balclutha airport had been officially opened, and was fulfilling requirements admirably. The membership included live flying members. 37 associate members, and 1.0 honorary members, and an appeal was made for more to join up. The balance sheet showed a credit at date of £47 Its 7d.

The report, and balance sheet wore adopted. The election of officers resulted :—l’rosidont. Air 1!. R. G rigor; patron, Mr P. M l ,Skimming; vice-pre-sidents. .Messrs J). R. Jack and T. M. Thompson ; executive. Alessrs Fred. Waite. AI.L.C.. J. If. .Stevenson, I). Sinclair, K. Mitchell. G. Harvey, R, W. M'Skimming, J. Bower: lion, •engineer. Mr B. T. AN. Owen; lion, medical officers. J)rs I). G. lladclific and 1). At. .Wengley: lion, auditor, Mr E. E. Barnett. 'Pilot J. H. Stevenson was appointed club captain to take charge of and direct flying. _ Alessrs AVaitc. Stevenson, and Al'Skimming wore appointed a sub-committee to go into ways and means of raising money for the erection of a hangar. PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the South Otago High School Parents’ Association held on Friday night was well attended. Airs E. At. Poynter presided. The annual report dealt with work done during the year, and made an appeal for a larger membership. The balance sheet showed a slight credit balance. Airs Poynter was re-elected president; Airs I). Alnlvey secretary; Alesdames G. Green. R. 1). AVillncks and Knarston and Alessrs N. Bell and 0. R. Throp an executive committee. The rector (Mr <l. G. Anderson) detailed the balance sheet of the school funds, and reported that the credit balance was over £2O. This money was raised by term subscriptions from the pupils, concerts, and special oiforts, and was spent on books, magazines, sports, and ocher material for the school. Mo urged the erection of live courts lor the school, and said that the money could be raised from the annual concerts and by a grant from the school funds. He also stressed the need for a gymnasium, and asked the association” to take this matter up with a view to having the building erected this year. Thcv had purchased the necessary equipment ponding the erection of the gymnasium, and lie thought the parents and people of the district would willingly support the proposal if approached. It was decided that a deputation wait on the Board ' of Governors in the matter and ask it for support. After the meeting those present spent a pleasant hour or two playing flag bridge, and partaking of a very nice supper provided by the ladies. GENERAL. At the meeting of the Clniha County Council on Thursday a deputation from the South Otago Freezing Company made a request that the Balclutha-

Fincgand road be widened, levelled, and the bridge widened. After discussion it was decided to provide the sum ol £3OO on this year's estimates for the work, and to ask the company' for a contribution of £2O. The rainfall recorded in Balclutha for April totalled l.C2in, compared with 2.01 in for April last year. The vital statistics for April wore:—Births 6. deaths 4. marriages 3. The figures for April, 1935. wore:—Births ,5, deaths 3, marriages 2.