SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23863, 18 April 1941, Page 3

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[From Our Correspondent) PERSONAL. Mr E. Gabitcs, who for the past five years has been ou Hie clerical staff of tbe Otago Electric Power Board, and who lias now gone to camp, was prior to bis departure presented with a well-filled envelope from the members of the staff. OBITUARY. The sudden death of Mr J. D. Landels, at the age of 62 years, removed a very well-known ami highly-respected resident of Balclulha. The late Mr Landels was the younger son of the late Mr and Mrs Adam Landels, of Lakeside Station, near Kuitangnta, who wore amongst the earliest rnnholders in South Otago. Ho was educated at the Balclntha District High School, the Otago Boys’ High School, and Nelson College. After gaining some farming experience he proceeded to the Argentine with the intention of taking up a ranch. After a short trial of the life, however, he preferred New Zealand, and after a visit to England returned to his native land. He was associated with several stock firms for a time, and was a stock agent in Balclntha for several years. He then entered into partnership with the late Mr William Bullion, and they conducted one of the first motor garages in Balclntha. Mr Landels retired from active business about 20 years ago. He was a keen sportsman, and in his younger days was a prominent member of the Clutha Football Club, being a well-known three-quarter, and represented South Otago. He continued his association with the club until recent years. He was a foundation member of the Balclulba Golf Club, and held an official position until a year or two ago. Ho was a keen fisherman, and was also interested in horses, and was a successful competitor in the old Clutha Mounted Rifles’ sports. He rose to the rank of lieutenant in tin's corps. Mr Landels served on the Balclntha Borough Council for several terms, and was the first chairman of the South Otago High School Board of Governors, and did much to further the intevcsls of the school, 110 resigned from this body only a short time ago. A lasting memorial to him will be the Balclulha Sports Ground, which he purchased and presented to the borough. In 1911 ho married Miss Bessie Dcuniston, daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Denuiston, of Eiilclulha. ami she survives him, together with two sons and a daughter— Messrs Adam (Dunedin) and Douglas (Clinton), and Margaret (Balclntha). The funeral yesterday was very largely attended. Mr Adam Campbell, who died this week at the age of 67, was another well-known resident of Clutha district. He was the fourth son of the late Mr and Mrs Donald Campbell, of Stony Creek, and be was educated at. the school there and at the Balclulha District High School. He followed farming pursuits, and when a young man joined the Clutha Mounted Rifles, and was one of the four troopers from who attended the Federal celebrations in Melbourne in 1901. Later Mr Campbell went to So"tb America, where bo remained for about 20 years, and was engaged as a stock buyer for European and American packing coP'panies in Chile and Patagonia. He returned to New Zealand and lived in retirement at Stony Creek. He was a keen angler and shooter, and was a member of' the South Otago Gun Club. He never married.

MILTON FIRE BOARD. Mr F. V. Drake presided over the quarterly meeting. The Department of Internal Affairs intimated that approval was gi' en to the establishing of a trust fund for Hhe. purposes of plant, renewal, and the appointment of trustees was held over till next meeting. At the annual meeting which followed. Mr Drake was re-elected chairman, and estimates for the current year, totalling £250, were drawn up and are to be submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs for approval. jg SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY. During Easter and the present week members of St. John’s Anglican Church. Milton, celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of the opening of the present church. Services were first held at the residence of Mr John Dewe, R.M., as far back as 1858 , and in that year Bishop Harper, of Christchurch, in which diocese Tokomairiro was included, conducted servreos and through the efforts of Mr Dewc a church and parsonage were erected and were consecrated in 1860. In 1864 Toko mairiro was declared a district parish, and in that year the Rev. R. L. Stanford airived from England and took over the charge. The parish prospered, and m January, 1866, the foundation stone of the present church was laid by Mr Dcwc, and on April 17, 1866, Bishop Selwyn (the first Bishop of New Zealand) dedicated mid opened the building. In February. 1867, Bishop Harper consecrated the church. Iho Rev. Stanford was followed by the Rev. R. Coffey, who was inducted by Bishop Nevill in 1873, and ho remained till 18//. The Rev. W. Donaldson followed, and vicars in charge of the panshin suhsequent years have been the Rev. T. L. Stanley (1881-84). the Rev. Canon G. Fyiies-Clmton (1886-90), the Rev. D. 6. Hampton (1890-97), The Rev. Geo. Christian (1896-97), the Rev. (later Canon) J. C. Small (1897-1914, 1921-31), the Rev. James Morland (1914-19), the Rev. H. J. Goldthorpe (1919-20) .the Rev. J. A. Kempthorne (1931-37). the Rev. A. J. T. Fraser (1938-41). Mr Fraser is now under orders to proceed to the Dunslan parish, and his successor will be the Rev. Hook. • . . The celebrations opened with special services on Good Friday, when the vicar conducted the morning service, while at night a Passion Play was enacted in the church. A service was also held at Lovell s Flat. On Easter Sunday there were further special services. At the evening service the bishop was the speaker, and conducted 8 Confirmation service at the conclusion. Easter Monday being wot, the picnic was abandoned and a children’s party was held in the schoolroom. At night the anniversary social was held, amongst the visitors bein" the Rev. James Morland and the mayor (Mr W. J. Cockburn). Mr Morland was the principal speaker, and greetings were extended by the Mayor, Messrs W. J. Sheat (representing the vicar’s warden), R. H. Michelle (people’s warden), F. Haynes, and Miss E. A. Gray. The birthday cake was cut by Mr Morland, and the first five candles were lit by Mrs W. M’Lean, a grand-daughter of Mrs M. VS. Marryatt, the oldest surviving parishioner. On Wednesday afternoon the Mothers Union held its sixth anniversary, when the vicar and the Rev. Morland were the speakers. Mrs P. H. Hudson (Dunedin), president of the Mothers’ Union, also addressed the gathering, as did Mrs Dickison. literature secretary (Dunedin). As Ibis was the last meeting Vhicli Mrs Fraser would attend, Mrs Contis (secretary) presented her and her little daughter (Mary Christina) with tokens of appreciation from the members and wished them and Mr Fraser all success in their new parish. Mrs Hughes was , appointed enrolling member during the vacancy. On Wednesday night a social function was held in the hall. There was a good attendance, and Dr H. D. Skinner, curator of Otago _ University Museum, gave a most entertaining talk on a visit to Rarotonga, Tahiti, and other South Sea Islands. Interest was added to the lecture by tbe showing of a series of interesting lantern slides. Yesterday afternoon the old members of the church were entertained at afternoon tea, and opportunity was taken to present an illuminated certificate to Mrs M. W. Marryatt, the oldest parishioner, who for over 40 years filled the position of organist to the church. Last night the dean and Cathedral choir visited Milton and delighted a large audience. The celebrations conclude this week-end, when a dance will be held to-morrow night, while on Sunday the morning service will he taken by the Rev. J. Morland, and the Veil. L. G. Whitehead, Archdeacon of Dunedin, will bo the speaker at night.