SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22513, 4 December 1936, Page 1

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

(From Our Balclutha Correspondent.) CRICKET. The following team has been selected to represent South Otago in the Conntry Week matches to be played in Dunedin on December 9, UJ, and 11:—W. Hawke, J. Kano (Milton), \V. Hampton, W. Parker, R. Stewart, Espio (Kaitangata) ; J. Nimmo, L. Guest, A. Baxter, A. Stewart, A. Plew (Clutha) ; L. Dunn (Waiwera). The captain -will be selected prior to the first match. PERSONAL. Mr Denis M'Lure, who has been in the employ of Mr A. J. Henderson, Balclutha, for the past four and a-half years, has received notice that he has passed his final pharmacy examination. He has received an appointment with the U.F.S. Dispensary in Timaru, and leaves for his new position on Saturday. GENERAL. Vital Statistics for November.—Balclutha : Births 9, deaths 3, marriages 0 (1935: Births 18, deaths 5, marriages 2). .Kaitangata: Births 2, deaths 2, marriages 0 (1935: Births 0, marriage 1, deaths 2). RAINFALL. The rainfall for Balclutha for November totalled 3.65 in, compared with 2.79 in for November last year. The total fall recorded in Balclutha for the 11 months ending November 30 is 30.37 in, compared with 28.18 in for the same period last year. FLOOD PROTECTION. Mr J. Keller (Public Works Engineer) and Mr Evans (assistant engineer) visited Balclutha on Monday and were met by representatives of the Inch Clutha, Matau, and Otauomomo River Boards and Barnego settlers in connection with flood protective measures. They visited the scene of the recent floods, and will submit a report to the Minister ou the whole position. SCOTTISH SOCIETY. There was an attendance of over 300 at the initial evening under the auspices of the Clutha Scottish Society. Chief Simon Wright presided, and the evening was devoted to Scotch dances, interspersed with vocal and musical items. The programme was a most entertaining one, and the playing in of the haggis and the supper were not the least enjoyable features. Over 120 members were enrolled during the night, which augurs well for the success of this new society. OBITUARY. An early link with the South Otago district was severed at Hokitika on November 29 when Mr Robert Houlistom- passed away at the advanced age of 83 years. Mr Houliston canie to New Zealand with his parents, in the ship Robert Henderson in 1860. After residing on the Taieri for about 12 months, the family removed to Te Houka district, where, like most of the early settlers; they encountered many hardships. Deceased received his education at Balclutha School, the headmaster being Mr David Todd. On leaving school, he took on contract work, besides working on his father’s farm. This included sod-fencing, shearing, harvesting, and running a threshing mill, at all of which he proved an expert. He married Miss C. Cameron, of Warepa, in 1878, and took up residence in Balclutha, where he resided until the death of his father, when he took over the To Houka farm. He remained there until 1900, when he went to the West Coast and engaged in dredging for a time. After a few years at this, he purchased a 500-acre farm in the Hokitika Valley, and carried this on successfully j introducing new methods of farming to the Coast. For years he was a member of the AVest Coast Land Board, and his advice and practical experience were of great assistance. He was of a genial disposition, was noted far and wide for his hospitality, and was highly respected by all with whom he c-aiuo in contact. His wife pre-deceased him a short time ago, and he is survived by one son and a daughter.