OAMARU ITEMS

Evening Star, Issue 22636, 30 April 1937, Page 12

OAMARU ITEMS

RUGBY IN NORTH OTAGO It was unfortunate for footballers and enthusiasts of the game that atrocious weather was on hand for the ushering in of tho Rugby season in Oamaru last Saturday. The high wind and heavy rain precluded good back play, but from tho glimpses of ; concerted passing movements seen, ' the opinion that the standard is going to be higher in North Otago, tins season than for some years past. And for the soaking and inconvenience last week players will bo comforted in the knowledge f’at the sting has been taken out of the ground, as prior to Saturday there was a, tendency not to go all out in the “ friendly ” games because of the jar suffered when tackled. The salient lesson, to bo learned from the. opening games was the need for prompt action on the part of the referees to ‘put down rough and illegal play. In the game between Old Boys and Excelsior’there were several “incidents,” some of which caused the crowd to voice its disapproval in no upcertain manner. At Maheno the most objectionable feature was late tackling, and, if such illegal tactics are not to be allowed to creep into North Otago Rugby, there must be prompt and drastic action. Rugby is not a parlour game, and clean,, hard play exacts quite a heavy enough toll as regards injuries without fostering serious accidents by allowing illegal play, flayers and public will look to the referees to take united action to have this undesirable element stamped out. Excelsior let victory- slip through its fingers mainly as tho, result of halfhearted tackling by the backs. No player with pretensions to senior ranks should rely , on the round-the-neck tackle to bring an opponent down. It is ineffective, and looks bad; and last week it Jacked even the determination of a caress. It must have been disheartening to the forwards after the wonderful showing they put up to see victory virtually thrown away. Under the leadership of J. Easton and Jones, the pack appears well_ balanced, fnd should hold its own with the best in the competition. The coach and selector troubles appear to be in placing the backs. MMvor was a big improvement on M'Kendry in the second spell a week ago,-and he should be retained, behind the scrum. An improvement is urgently required in the five-eighth* line, and if individualism is not suppressed for teamwork; then a change is imperative. Papps, the ex-Taranaki full-back, did not show to advantage last Saturday, but his last season’s form points to him. bringing strength to the last line. A word of praise is due to those responsible for the improvement they have worked in the team, and if they can get the backs to shako down and improve their defence, particularly tackling, success is just around the corner. Old Boys have always .been regarded as a lucky team, and justice of the appellation was never more forcibly demonstrated than last Saturday. In the main, the team’s success was due to the great display given by its scouting custodian, S. Easton. - In scoring 13 points ho beat Excelsior himself, his total including two tries, one of which was a brilliant effort from 75yds out, in tho course of which lie raced round practically the whole of the Excelsior team. In all respects Easton’s display was a faultless one. Burton could hardly be judged on his _display at halfback, as he suffered injury to a hand early in the _ game, but it is doubtful if he is an improvement on M'Laren. With the inclusion of the Sonthlauder, G. Forde, at first five, it is probable - M'Lareu will do service in his old position at the scrum base. With the inclusion of such speedy three-quarters as Maslin (Varsity, Dunedin) aiid Martin (Eastern Districts, Gore), Old Boys’ back line will be a much more dangerour scoring arm than it was last week. Its success will be governed by possession of the ball, and the scrummaging of tho pack will therefore need to improve on its initial showing. , Always a hard team to beat on its own ground, Maheno proved no exception to the rule last week, and Athletic was all out to win by a five-point margin. The winners held a big advantage in the set scrums, but they were unable to capitalise this owing to injuries reducing the effectiveness of the rearguard, and the latitude extended the Maheno breakaways. The inclusion of eight men in the serum was to do away with the spoiler, but it looks as if he has been trebled instead of being obliterated. The Maheno forwards were continually ahead of tho ball in this respect, but were seldom penalised. Here again the way to bright football lies with the referees, who can still do much to gain the confidence of players by consistency in the enforcement of the laws of the game.... In at least one game last Saturday the international rule was applied in regard to the kick into touch, while the new rule requiring the side ‘penalised to stand back 10yds from the spot where a penalty kick is awarded was not enforced; if it were, it was in an isolated instance. The Maheno forwards excelled at spoiling, and they hunted well in the loose, particularly J. Johnston and Dougherty. Cameron has shown great improvement since he was brought up from the junior ranks about the middle of last season, and is fast becoming tho outstanding forward in a van that is recognised for its effectiveness in- all branches of forward play. Gray (wing) and Souness were its two best backs, although the latter is still inclined to run about too much, and thereby retard the attack. The Athletic ‘half, Hunt, a last season’s junior was easily the best back on the ground. His attack was crisp and his defence sound, and he, made several fine breaks that, with more support or a short punt over the full-back’s head, would have indubitably given a higher total. In a pack that did its full share towards victory, Carrodns. K. Wilson,, and Park were a tireless trio. ’. The draw for to-morrow should provide fast and exciting games. At Maheno Excelsior will be right out to open its competition account, and Maheno will require to produce its best form to avoid defeat. The two winning teams, Athletic and Old Boys, will contest the issue on the Oval. Injuries may cause the Athletic back line to line out below full strength, while Old Boys, by the inclusion of Forde, Maslin, and Martin, should be greatly strengthened in this department. As against, this, however, the advantage should he with the Athletic forwards, and, as the deciding factor is likely to be possession of the ball, much will depend on Athletic’s ability to keep from Old Boys’ speedy rearguard. Taking everything into consideration it should he a'battle of tactics, with victory going to the side making the fewer mistakes.

STAR9-BOWKETT SOCIETY At a meeting of, the Oamaru StarrBowkett Society a ballot- was taken in Group 11. As a result the holder of marble 89 will receive £SOO free: of interest. The sum of £SOO was sold at the upset, and in ; Group 111 £SOO was sold at a satisfactory' premium. AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY An effort by the trustees ■ of the Oamaru -Amateur Operatic Society to revive interest in the society, which has beeii defunct for some years, failed when a meeting called for the purpose lapsed for want of a quorum. Those present, however, considered That the matter should be-held in abeyance until next February, when an effort will be made to create more enthusiasm. The trustees stated that should a producer be found .meantime, and should sufficient support be offered, they would grant such of the society’s sceuery aiid appurtanccs as was required. ENDEAVOUR LODGE CONCERT Under the auspices of the Endeavour Lodge, U.A.0.D., a successful concert was held in the lodge hall on Wednesday night. , There was a good gathering of members, as well as members of the Loyal Star of the North Lodge, to whom a warm welcome wafe extended by P.A. Bro.‘ J. M‘Leod. At th« conclusion of the concert dancing was indulged in to music supplied by Mr R. Rae. The progranime presented was as follows Songs, Misses W. Pile, M. Christie, and Colclongh, Messrs C. Young and R. J. Hinkley; recitations, Mrs Drummond and. Mr E. M'Nulty; Highland fling, Thelma Mills, Dorothy Taverner, and Aline Hurndell; sailor’s hornpipe, Aline Hurndell; waltz clog, Dorothy Cayford; concertina solos, Mr A. W. C. Lee; violin solos, Mr L. Barsdell. The accompaniments were played by Misses R. Hinkley, W. Pile, and Colclongh. BOROUGH COUNCIL The fortnightly meeting of the Oamaru Borough Council was held last night, there being present the mayor (Mr M. F. Cooney), Crs I/. Macrae, R. Jenkins, A. R. Tait, G. White, F. Butterfield, A. Wilson, G. Mitchell, N. H. Colqulioiiii, G. T. Gillies, K. Familton, A. E. Hodge, and JVC. Kirkness. The Finance Committee reported a credit balance in the district fund account of £1.270 7s Id, and accounts totalling £1,700 were passed for payment. ■ _ The By-laws Committee recommended that all kerbside pump agreements be terminated and that the rent lie increased to £5 per annum each. — Adopted. _ The Town Hall Committee recommended that the tender of Bruce Steven (£25) for installing new mains at the Opera House be accepted.—Adopted. After full consideration, the Works Committee adhered to its previous recommendation with reference to the complaint in respect to the storm-water discharging into the South Oamaru Creek. —Adopted. The race inspector (Mr D. Fraser) reported that slight pollution occurred continuously during the fortnight, due to the flooded state of the Waitaki River. Tho race supply and the reservoir, however, were not seriously affected, and the supply remained satisfactory. . The Athemeum and Mechanics Institute wrote in connection with_ the desirability, of converting the institute into a municipal library.—Tho Mayor said the position was totally different from what obtained some years ago, as

there were so many private circulating libraries.—Referred to the Finance Committee. • ■ The New Zealand Express Company wrote asking that a space be reserved in front of their office: in Wear street for parking, and that the area be marked out.—Referred to the By-laws Committee. The Retailers’ _ Committee wrote in connection _ with illuminating the business premises of the . toFn, and requested that the South African arid Great War Memorials be festooned with coloured lights, and that the street festooning ,be carried along as far as Tees and Wansbeck streets.— Referred to-the Coronation-Committee. Mr I. Steenson wrote stating that the proposed alterations to the operating box at the Opera House would be £7o.—Decided not to’ proceed with the work. . Captain A. W’. Greville. wrote requesting special leave of absence of a council employee to attend the military camp at Dunedin in connection ■with the Coronation.—Permission granted, ~ . _ ’ . : The Automobile Association (North Otago) wrote in connection with the junction of Wye street and the main south highway, stating that in order to obviate the danger at fill's corner it would be necessary to remove part of the clay wall a distance of 20ft.— Referred to the' Works Committee. Cr Hodge reported that the lighting from Torridge to Orwell, streets was inadequate. There were only two decent lights (250 candle power) along this highway.—Decided to have installed lights of 250 c,p. - Or Kirkness reported oii the question of replacing several flumes carrying the town water supply. The cost would be approximately £4,250. —Decided to have the work done, and arrangements for financing : were referred to the Finance Committee. RESTROCH . Regret was expressed by the; Rev, A. H. Nordmeyer, M.P., > at the. Borough Council meeting last night that greater progress had not been made in .the matter of the proposed rest room site. The matter involved the question , of the transfer of the police section to the council, and some delay had been occasioned owing to the’ title’ being in doubt. Tho section,: he said, would have to be surveyed,: but legislation would not be necessary. The commissioner was endeavouring to expedite matters as speedily as possible. SUGGESTED CYCLE TRACK The possibility of a cycle track—or, even better, a new road—parallel to the railway track, from the Waitaki Avenue to Orwell street, is within sight. According to the Rev. Nordmeyer, M.P., at the meeting of the Borough Council last night, the general manager had been interviewed on the subject, and was agreeable to a track being formed conditional on a lease being taken up by the council from year to year at a rental of £2 per annum, and provided the Waitaki High Schools’ Board erected gates to protect property from wandering stock. Those terms would bo final. Another point which arose was whether the council had jurisdiction oyer the proposed site as the west boundary would be out of its area. “ I think you should look ahead and consider the possibility that Thames Highway might become too congested, and build a new track from the Waitaki Avenue to Leith street as far as Caledonian road,” said M 1 ’ Nordmeyer. He explained that the North Otago A. and P, Association might not be adverse to having a road running through the Show Grounds. By certain deviations a road could be formed to Orwell street, which would tend to take all the traffic from the secondary schools,;, ;