SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22804, 12 November 1937, Page 12

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

|Frow Oite Baecutpha Coesespondent.] OBITUARY. The death took, place at Balclutha on Wednesday of Mr Charles Dabinette, who has been resident in the Dominion fox close on 82 years. The third son of the late Mr and Mrs Job Dabinette, he was born at Curry Rivell, Dangport, Somerset, England, on Christmas Day, 1853. He came to New Zealand with his parents when two years of ago in the ship Isabella Hercus in 1856. The family commenced farming at Warepa shortly, after arrival, and the deceased remained there till 1904, when he removed to Inch Clutha, and_ ho remained there till the time of his death. The late Mr Dabinette was a great sport and took an active part in hares and hounds, horse racing, and angling. He followed the latter sport right up till the time of his illness, and the day before he took ill was engaged trout fishing in the Molyneux. As a matter of fact, it was a chill caught 'while engaged in this that brought on the sickness that eventually caused his death. He was at one time a member of the Clutha Mounted Rifles, disbanded with the introduction of the Territorial system, and was a fairly good performer with the rifle. He took great interest in the affairs of the Early Settlers’ Association, and was ft well-known and popular figure at the Bruce-Clutha and other gatherings. _ He gave a number of gifts, including moa bones, to the Early Settlers’ Museum in Dunedin, and was

most interesting to talk to about th© early days of South Otago. Fiftythree. years ago he was married at Outram to Miss Sarah Mosley, and r ebe ‘predeceased him by about two years, being 85 years of age when she passed away. Two sons, Messrs Charles Ernest and Alfred Leslie, both of Stirling, survive. The interment took place at BaJclutha to-day (Friday), Rev. _Mr Comber being the officiating minister. GENERAL. Mr A. V. King presided over a good attendance of those interested in the National Party at a meeting held at Clydevale this week. After hearing ehort addresses By Messrs L. Colbourne (organiser) and L. J, Edwards (South Otago secretary), it was decided to form a branch of the party, and Mr King was elected chairman and Mr A. Pannett secretary. , Owing to a suspected case of infantile paralysis being admitted to the Baklutha Hospital from the Owaka district, the Owaka District High, Owaka Valley, and Tahatika Schools have been closed in the meantime. A meeting of the South Otago Health Camp Committee was held this Rev. A. L. Miller presiding. Preliminary arrangements for the camp to be held at Pounawea in January were made, and Mrs A. T. Harris, of Clinton, was appointed camp mother. Further arrangements will be made at a meeting to be held at Pounawea. Gina, th© Solomon Island Methodist missionary, gave his last address of his present New Zealand tour in the Balclutha Methodist Church on Thursday night. The building was packed, those present including visitors from Kaitangata. Milton, and other parts of South Otago. Rev. W. H. Greenslade presided and extended a welcome. Gina’s story of his life and work proved very interesting, and his singing and playing of various instruments was much enjoyed. Rev. A. _ L. Miller (Presbyterian) assisted with the service, while Mrs E. Hughes and Mr J. H. Guest sang a duet during the evening. Mr M'Caffrey presided at the organ. In the course of his opening remarks Gina stated that during his 16 months in New Zealand be had delivered 608 addresses, sung G 69 songs, and travelled 0 miles, while he had slept is li6 bods.