SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23208, 6 March 1939, Page 13

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[From Our Balclutha Correspondent.] CRICKET POSTPONED. All cridket matches in South Otago were postponed on Saturday on account of the match in Dunedin between Otago and Sir Julien Calm’s team. A number of enthusiasts from this district viewed the play at Carisbroo'-. BOWLING. Balclutha Club played another enjoyable progressive doubles tournament on Saturday afternoon. J. Sim won the leads’ prize outright, while M. Campbell, M. Low, and W. Mayne tied in the skips, and in the play-off Campbell was successful. The final of the Balclutha Club’s junior championship was played on Saturday between J. P. Lyall and R. H. Paice. An interesting game resulted in a win for Lyall by 20 points to 15 points. On Saturday the Hokonui Club held a one-day rink tournament on the Gore and Hokonui greens. Conditions were ideal and the greens in great order. Twenty-eight rinks took part, including from South Otago Clubs (six from Kaitangata, two from Balclutha, and one each from, Stirling and Milton). The Stirling rink skipped by L. Duncan and a Kaitangata rink skipped by T. Sharp reached the semi-finals. In these Duncan beat Thorn (Mataura) and J. Ure (North End, Invercargill) beat Sharp. The final was played between Ure and Duncan and resulted in a win for the former by 17 points to 11 points. Owaika and Warepa played in interclub fixture on the Warepa green, the result being a win for the home team by 4 points, one rink being eight up and the other four down. An interesting match was played on the Milton green last week when two rinks a-side from the Milton Ladies’ Hookey Club and Bruce Hockey Club tried conclusions. The result was a win for the Milton team by 6 points. Scores (Milton names first): Mrs K. Heads, Misses A. Wilson, J. Wethey, Mrs Gray 15, Mrs Murray, Misses J. Campbell, J. Morris, Mrs U. Walker 7. Mrs Martin, Misses Ailison, J. Morris, Farrell 9, Mrs Carruthers, Misses H. Morris, Fagg, Mrs M‘Donald 11. Totals: Milton 24, Bruce 18. TENNIS. —Balclutha A I. v. A 11. Won by A I. by 16 sets (126 games) to no sets (60 games). Scores (A I. names first) Men’s singles; Betting v. Scott 9-4, Smith v. Guest 9-4, Archer v. Munro 9-2, Hayward v. Bowcott 9-5. Ladies’ singles: Mrs Moffat v. Miss Lyall 6-1, Mrs Qreenall v. Miss M'Noe 6-1, Miss Edward v. Miss Munyard 6-3, Mrs Aitken v. Miss Farqnharson 6-4. Men’s doubles: Botting and Smith v. Scott and Guest 9-8, Hayward and. Archer v. Munro and Bowcott 9-1. Ladies’ Doubles : Mesdames Moffat and Greenal! v. Misses Lyall and M'Noe 6-2, Miss Edwards and Mrs Aitken v. Misses Munyard and Farqnharson 6-2. Mixed doubles: Botting and Mrs Moffatt v. Scott and Miss Lyall 9-2, Smith and Mrs Greenall v. Guest and Miss M Noe 9-8, Archer and Miss Edward v. Munro and Miss Munyard 9-5, Hayward and Mrs Aitken v. Bowcott and Miss Farqnharson 9-8. Playing at High School. Stirling boat High School by 15 setc (127 games) to one set (77 games). A team from Lawrence visited Kaitangata and played the A team there, the result being a win for Kaitangata by 10 sets to six sets. SWIMMING CARNIVAL.

The Balclutha Amateur Swimming Club held the annual carnival on Saturday, and the function was most successful. Unfortunately the weather was dull and overcast, with a chilly breeze, and this no doubt prevented a larger attendance, this, however, being quite good, hut not up to that of last week. The entries were excellent, and as many as 12 races were necessary in an event before finality was reached. Some very fine finishes were witnessed, and tho swimming generally was of a high standard. Competitors came from several Dunedin clubs, Lawrence, and Milton, and a pleasing feature or the meeting was the number of local competitors who look part, showing that local swimmers are gaining more confidence and able to hold their own with outside competition. The carnival was very well organised, and, despite the lengthy programme, events were got off without delay, and the programme was completed shortly after 5 p.m. The club members all worked well towards the success of the carnival, and Mr R. W. M'Guffog (president), Mr G. M'Bride (secretary), and their band of assistants are deserving of credit for the expeditious way in which everything functioned.

The mayor (Mr J. H. Stevenson! officially opened the carnival, and paid a tribute to the great work being done by the club. Ho said The council had been accused of not doing enough to assist swimming, and that it should heat the baths. However, they could only go as far as their finances would allow them, and he could assure the club and the public generally that the council would do all possible to help the club. With such an active club and the support of the public they might be able to give better facilities next year. He wished the club continued success, and hoped their carnival and week-end activities would be successful and enjoyable. He extended a welcome to the visiting swimmers, and expressed the hope that they would leave with pleasant recollections of their visit. During an interval in the programme a finished and interesting display of diving was given by Mr D. Freeman and Miss M. Strong, who were heartily applauded for their exhibition. While the diving competition was on Miss R. Stewart, who gave a very nice display, was unfortunate enough to fall very heavily on tho water in the course of a one and a-half somersault dive, with the result that she was unable to compete in further events. This was very disappointing to the spectators. At the conclusion of the carnival the president (Mr M'Guffog) thanked the public for their patronage, and made special mention of the splendid support given the club by outside competitors. Following are tho results, abbreviations being:—B., Balclutha; L., Lawrence; T., Toko.; K., Kiwi; Kai., Kaikorai; D., Dunedin; Tai., Taieri; —

33 1-3 Yards Intcrclub Junior Boys’ Free Style Handicap.—First heat: D. Byars (T.), 6scc, 1; A. Brown (B.), 9sec, 2. Five starters. Time, 31 l-ssec. Second heat: 11. Murray (B.), 20sec, 1; V. Tie (B.), 20sec, 2. Five starters. Time, 34sec. Third boat: J. Kinvood (B.), 18sec, 1; D. Fraser (B.), 17sec, 2. Five starters. Time, 31 4-ssec. Fourth heat: J. Morris (L.), 14sec, 1; K. Hitchon (T.), 2. Time, 29 l-ssec. ■—Final.— J. Kinvood ... 1 J. Morris 2 Times, 31 l-ssec, 29 l-ssec. A very good finish. 33 1-3 Yards Interclub Junior Girls’ Free Style Handicap.—First heat: S. M'Farlane (L.), 14scc, 1; M. Sirett (B.), 18sec, 2. Time, 32 l-sscc. Second heat: E. Gold (B.), llsec, 1; P. Middleditch (B.), ssec, 2. Time, 30 4■—Final.— Miss M'Farlane ... 1 Miss E. Gold ... 2 Miss Sirett 3 Times—33sec, 31 l-ssec, 36 4-ssec. 50 Yards’Local Free Style Handicap. —First heat: Miss E. Clark (B.), Bsec, 1; D. Corbett (B.), llsec, 2. Time, 47 2-ssec. Second heat: V. Stephens (B.), ssec, 1; D. Baltimore (B.), also started, but was disqualified for starting before time. Time, 38 4-ssec. Third heat: L. Petrie (B.), scr, 1; 11. Melvin (B.), 2sec, 2. —Final.— D. Corbett I L. Petrie .... 2 11. Melvin ... 3 Times—44 4-sscc, 3osec, 40 l-ssec. 50 Yards Open Interclub Back Stroke Handicap.—First heat: Miss E. Dow (B.), 21sec, 1; C. Sell (K.), Bsec, 2. Time, 51 2-ssec. Second heat: I. Hall (K.). 3sec, 1; A. Wethey (T.), 4sec, 2. Time, 3Csec. —Final.— 1. Hall 1 Miss E. Dow 2 Time, 35sec. 60 Yards Intcrclub Junior and Intermediate Breast Stroke Handicap.— First heat: Miss E. Gold, 16sec, 1; Miss P. Shepherd (B.), 15sec, 2. Time, 5- Second heat: Miss P. Burleigh (T.), llsec, 1; G. Foxton (Kai.), 2. Time, 50 l-ssec. Third heat Miss E. Dow, llsec, 1; J. Purdie (K.), Isec, 2. Time, 50 l-ssec. —Final.— G. Foxton 1 Miss E. Gold 2 Time, 47 3-ssec. Won by a touch, same between second and third. 100 Yards Open Intcrclub Free Style Handicap.—First heat: J. Christopher (L.), 25sec, 1; D. Willyains (B.), 23sec, 2. Time, 84 l-ssec. Second heat: It. Cotton (L.). llsec, 1; Miss 1. Purdie (K.), 9sec, 2. Time, 70 4-5 sec. Third heat: D. Fairley (Kai.), 9sec, 1; 11. Smith (Kai.), lOscc, 2. Time, 75 3-ssec. —Final.— Miss I. Purdie 1 J. Christopher ... ... 2 R. Cotton 3 Time, 69 l-ssec. A great finish, Miss Purdie winning by a touch; inches between second and third. 50 Yards Second Class Interchib Free Style Handicap.—First heat: W. Weir (B.), 16sec, 1; Miss D. M'Lean (T.), losec, 2. Time, 45 l-ssee. Second heat; Miss L. Goss (T.), 13sec, 1; Miss E. Clark (B.), 13sec, 2. Time, 43 2-5 sec. Third heat; D. Byars (T.), Bsec, 1; S. Whitson (Tai.), lOsec, 2. Time, 35 2-ssec. Fourth heat: N. Elliott (L.), 7seo, 1; E. Duthie (L.), 7sec, 2. Time, 35 3-ssec. Fifth heat: J. Christophers (L.), 6sec, 1; Miss R. Smith (Kai.), 7sec, 2. Time, 35 3-ssec. Sixth heat; C. Graham (Tai.), 6scc, 1; R. Smith (Kai.), 3sec, 2. Time, 33 4-5 sec. Seventh heat; R. Cotton (L.), 2sec, 1; R. Melvin (B.), 7sec, 2. Time, 30 3-ssec. Eighth heat; D. Fairley (Kai.), 2sec, 1; K. Nelson (Kai.), 2sec, 2. Time, 30 2-ssec. First semifinal: Byars 1, Weir 2. No time kept. Second semi-final: Elliott 1, Melvin 2. Time, 34 2-ssec. Third semi-final: Graham 1, Nelson 2. No time kept. —Final.— W. Weir 1 D. Byars 2 Time, 44 2-ssec. A good race. Won by a foot, with about the same between second and third. 100 Yards Open Interclub Breast Stroke Handicap.—W. Dyson (K.), scr, 1; E. Marshall (T.), 20sec, 2; R. Smith (Kai.), 4sec, 3. Time. 77 2-5 33 1-3 Yards Open Interclub Balloon Race. —D. Fairley 1, G. Bell (B.) 2, W. Weir 3. Four started and Fairley won easily. 100 Yards Open Interclub Life-saving Handicap.—B. De Crewe and W. Dyson (K.), scr, 1; R. Arbutlmot and T. Wyber (B.) 6sec, 2. Only starters. At the turn the Balclutha pair were ahead by a touch, but in the return swim the Kiwi reps, secured a lead and won with a little to spare. Second tncthod of towing was used. 100 Yards Open Interclub Medley Relay Race (back stroke, breast stroke, and crawl). —First heat; Lawrence (26sec) 1, Toko. No. 1 (22sec) 2, Balclutha No. 1 (2Cscc'l 3. Time, 82 2-ssec. Second heat: Toko. No. 3 (13sec) 1, Kaikorai No. 1 (4sec) 2, Balclutha No. 2 (22sec) 3. Time, 72sec. Third heat: Dunedin 1, Kiwi No. 1 (scr) 2. Time, 69 3-ssec. —Final.— Lawrence (I. Templer, G. Cotton, J. Christophers) 1, Toko. No. 3 (A. Wethey, E. - Marshall, K. Hitchon) 2, Kaikorai (11. Smith, J. Herniston, D. Fairley) 3. Time, 82 3-ssec. Open Intercluh Diving.—J. Stewart (K.), 23.6 ipoints, 1; E. Duthie (L.), 18.5 points, 2; Miss 11. Smith (Kai.), 16.6 points, 3. Fifteen competed. At night a very successful dance was held in the Band Hall, the visiting competitors being the guests of the [peal club. There was a largo attendance, and all present spent a happy time dancing to the music supplied by the Clutha Dance Band. Mr T. Wyber was M.C. During an interval the president (Mr M'Guffog) presented the prizes won during the day, the recipients all being heartily applauded. Yesterday the visitors were taken to Kaka Point, where under ideal conditions an enjoyable picnic was held. Displays of surf work were given, and altogether the outing was a highly successful and enjoyable one. During an interval in the proceedings Mr D. Tilson, jun., presented the Welfare Society’s cup to Mr T. Wyber, winner of the beltman’s race run a few weeks ago under the auspices of the life-saving section of the Balclutha Club. An interesting feature of tho afternoon’s programme was a very clever acrobatic display . by Miss R. Smith and Mr D. Freeman. Visiting competitors were billeted out amongst members and supporters of the local club during the week-end. and they speak highlv of the hospitality extended on all sides. FARMERS’ UNION. In the absence of the president fMr H. Holgate), Mr Q. Miller presided over the monthly meeting of the Chitlin branch of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday night. Tho Chairman made reference to the death of Mr John Ckri stie. and said

that deceased had been a foundation member of the branch, and his work and interest had done much to place the branch in the position it held today.—A motion of sympathy with the relatives was carried in silence. The Minister of Railways notified that the matter of improving the level crossings at Stirling and Balclutha was being looked into. The chief organiser forwarded a list of new members secured in the branch’s district during his recent visit. Mr J. Egar, of tho New Zealand Institute of the Blind, solicited assistance in collecting funds. —Left to the secretary to arrange for collectors on the occasion of Mr Egar’s visit to Balchitha.

Mr A. "Renton reported on the visit of the Highways Board to the district and said he bad brought up the matter of improving Hasborough road by having the bluffs removed and cornel’s taken off. Mr Baker had stated that it was the duty of the Balclutha Borough Council to improve access to the town, and little help could he expected from the board. He (Mr Renton) had then offered the services of the Bruce County engineer in making an estimate of the cost of the work for the borough council. He had suggested to the members of the board that the Employment Board and Highways Board do the work, but Mr Baker said they could expect no assistance from the Employment Board in future. The matter now rested with the council.—The report was received, and it was incidentally stated that the day after the visit of the Highways Board an accident had occurred at one particularly bad corner, and the borough council had next day started to cut down the willows. —lncrease in Yard Dues.— Some discussion took place on the action of the Balclutha Borough Council in increasing yard dues, the opinion being ifreely expressed that the increase was quite unjustified in view of the fact that the council was showing a substantial profit on the yards and spending very little, improvements asked for only having been partly carried out.— It was eventually decided to write the council protesting against the increase. Mr Holgate arrived shortly after this matter had been discussed, and intimated that the Clutha and Matau A. and P. Society had also decided to enter a protest against the increase. One member remarked that the farmer was a good “ milk cow ” for different ones, but there wore too many “ milking the cow.” —Ragwort Menace.— Mr A. Anderson drew attention to the spread of ragwort in South Otago, particularly on Inch Clutha and in several parts of Balclutha. The matter was one for concern, and something should be done about it.—Members agreed, and said the growth of ragwort was reaching alarming proportions, whereas its spread could be prevented if taken in time. —It was decided to draw the attention of the Agricultural Department’s officers to the matter. —Native Birds.— Mr G. Stewart said his attention had been drawn to the wholesale slaughter of Native pigeons by Public Works employees in South Westland and other bush districts. They were the only places where Native birds were now existing, and these men were killing them for food. It was a shocking thing that their bird-life should be so ruthlessly slaughtered. He did not know what they could do in the matter, but he felt strongly on the matter. —It was decided to write the Minister of Internal Affairs drawing his attention the fact that it was reported that Native birds were being destroyed. —Conference. — Arrangements were made for the conference to he held at Balclutha on Friday and Saturday. The secretary reported that over 50 delegates would lio nrosaiit ami it was into.nded to t.aha »

them for a visit of inspection of the Benhar pottery works on Friday afternoon, thence to Stirling, where afternoon tea would be provided, and then through Wangaloa, the Island, and back to Balclutha. Conference would start at 7.30 p.m. and conclude some time on Saturday. The Dominion president (Mr Mulholland) would address conference, and many matters of interest, including increase in farmers’ costs and wages, would be discussed.—The programme was approved, and Messrs Holgate and Johnston were appointed delegates to conference. GENERAL. On Saturday members of the South Otago Hospital Board paid their annual visit of inspection to Owaka, Kaitangata, and Milton Hospitals. They had a very enjoyable trip, and found buildings, grounds, and tilings generally in good order and condition. They wore entertained at morning tea at Owaka, lunch at Kaitangata, and afternoon tea at Milton. There was a “ gathering of the n ttA ITnii.aiio’nf.a vasf.aivila-v.

the Balclutha, Kaitangata, Milton, and Dunedin Pipe Bands met on the Recreation Ground for the first interchange of visits for this year. There was a good crowd of spectators present, many visitors coming from various parts to see the display, which was most successful. The Kaitangata Band proved admirable hosts, and the gathering was um&t an in v able. .*