SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23498, 12 February 1940, Page 12

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[Fko« Och Couiiespondent] CLUTHA PRESBYTERY. Clutha Presbytery met at Balclutha yesterday, the Rev. S. T. Nicholls occupying the chair in the absence of the Moderator (Rev'. A. J. Wardlaw). The Rev. R. F.-Judson was elected Moderator of Presbytery for the ensuing six months. The Rev. A. R. Harper was appointed! Moderator of Gatlins parish in place of Mr Judson. The itinerary of the Rev. J. M. M'Kenzie, Messrs T. C. Brash, aud G. Steel, representing the Missions Committee, was approved. The Convener of the Life and Work Committee reported on arrangements for celebrating the church’s centenary within the Clutha Presbytery. These will include commemorative services at the places where the first services were held within the bounds-of the Presbytery by the Rev. Dr AY in. Bannerman; a dinner for all office-bearers within the Presbytery, and centennial pageants to be arranged. The report of the Finance Committee was adopted. It was recommended that the number of cars used on Presbytery days bo as small as possible in ordof to co-operate with the authorities in conserving petrol supplies. The honorarium of the Presbytery clerk was fixed at £ls, and members travelling expenses at 1 3d per mile. The induction of Mr W. Anderson to the Waihola-Milburn charge was arranged for .March 1 at Waihola, the Moderator to preside; It was decided _ that Presbytery applv for long-service diplomas to be awarded to Messrs AY. I. Clarke (Popotunoa) and AY. H. Carson (Kaitangata) in recognition of their services as Sunday s.chool ‘ teachers for 33 and 42 years respectively. PERSONAL. Mr D. P. Scott, of the main highways staff at Manuka Creek, has been transferred to Balclutha,. Mr AV. A. Thornton, of Milton, taking his place at Manuka Creek. Miss Ethel Pearson, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs T. D. Pearson, Balclutha, who prior to the holidays was teaching in the North Auckland district, has been notified that she has passed her final B.A. Miss Pearson has now been appointed to the teaching staff of St. Hilda’s Collegiate School, Mr and Mrs J. H. Guest, Balclittha, are at present on a motoring holiday in Nelson and West Coast district. Mr aud Mrs Alf. Mitchell, who have been managing the Hotel Clutha for the past few months, will be leaving in about a fortnight’s time for Washdyke, where they have purchased an hotel. BALCLUTHA COURT. A young man appeared before Messrs J, H. Stevenson and AV. Kean, J.P.s, at a special sitting of the Balclutha Court on Saturday morning on a charge of stealing 7s 6d. the property of George Bennett, of Carterhope. He pleaded guilty, and Constable Boyle, who had arrested him on Friday, said that accused had left Dunedin .with the object of securing employment in the country. On Thursday night he had stayed at Carterhope, a few miles south of Balclutha, and occupied a hut in company with Bennett, Next day the later discovered that the money was missing from a pair of trousers; Nothing was previously known against defendant, and a AVarepa farmer was willing to give him a job. • Only 2s Cd of the money had been spent, and under the circumstances the constable thought the Bench might consider discharging the accused without entering a conviction. This view was adopted, and after being admonished by the Bench he was discharged!, a condition being that lie refund the money taken at the first opportunity. CRICKET. —Owaka v. Clutha B.— More than usual interest was taken in the meeting between these teams at Balclutha. in view of the bearing the result would have on the shield position. Resulting as it did in a draw, the position now is that Clutha A have 18’ shield points, and Owaka 16.- Early in the season Clutha A travelled to Owaka, but owing to 1 rain the match was not started, and was held over to be played if necessary. With only two points between them, tho two teams will now play, when a draw or a win will give Clutha the match, while a win to Owaka will mean that the teams will have to play a second match to decide the shield winners. It is many years since such an interesting position has arisen in South Otago cricket, and the next matches will hold more than ordinary interest. Owaka batted first and knocked up the rather big score of 201 runs for the loss of only two wickets. The fielding of the home side was very poor, aud no less than 35 dropped catches were counted. L. Tabor and M'Phee opened and 50 were on before the partnership was broken. Tomkinson joined Tabor and they rattled on the runs in good style. Tomkinson played a good innings for 95 not out. His score included two G’s and 10 4’s, and it was unfortunate for him that his side declared before ho reached his century. Tabor’s 52 included only one 4, and he was run out. M'Phee 29 (one 4) and Gray 14 not out (one 4) made the rest of the runs. I. M'Leod (one wicket for 6) took the only wicket for Clutha B. The home side opened badly, and had two down for G. and three down for 14. A. Baxter and Frengley stopped the rot, and Tsukigawa also batted well, being top scorer with 21 not out. D. M. Frengley 17 (one 4> and Baxter 16 (two 4’s) were the principal scorers in Clutha’s 76 runs for five wickets. H. Brownlie (two for 23), A. Tabor (one for 4), and M'Nutt (one for 21) took the wickets for. Owaka, one player being run out. Clutha A won by default from Lawrence. GENERAL. Tbo Knitangata miners’ picnic was held at Gore yesterday, when a special train convoyed a largo number. Desoito the somewhat unfavourable weather, a pleasant day’s outing took place. During the past week canvassers appointed by the Balclutha Patriotic Committee have been collecting for the fund, and! up to yesterday £3Bl 6s had been secured. The committee aims at raising £I,OOO from Balclutha and district. The donations received include one of £SO, seven of £25. one of £lO 10s, two of £lO, and a number of £5, and range down to ss. Yesterday was Flag Day, and up to last night the amount collected from this source was in the vicinity of £45.