SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 24005, 2 October 1941, Page 4

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[From Our Correspondent.] PERSONAL. Mr and Mrs H. Williamson, of Ralclutha. this week received advice that their son Robert, who is serving with the New Zealand Forces in Fiji, is dangerously ill with pneumonia at Suva. Mr J. F. Kirk, who was in the employ of the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company at Clinton, lleriot, and Ralclutha ior many years, and who latterly has been with the National Mortgage and Agency Company, has severed 'his connection with the latter firm. Ho lias taken a prominent part in the affairs of Ihe (Tutha and Matau A. and P. .Society and the National Party during his 13 years’ residence in'Ralclutha. Mr J. W. Blair, who has been on the railway stall' at Tahakopa for the past six years, and who has been transferred to Fdcndalc, was, prior to his departure trom the Gatlins centre, the recipient of a monetary gift at a farewell function. He also received a suit case from the Tahakopa Football Club. Mrs Blair was presented with an electric toaster from the ladies of the district. Mrs Eliza Hansen, who died at Milton on Tuesday' night at the ago of 67 years, was the second daughter of Mrs and late James Barron, and was born at Green Island. She attended the Brighton School, and about 45 years ago married Mr 11. Hanson in Dunedin. They lived in various parts of South Otago till they took up residence at Kaitangata, where they lived for. a number of years. About 19 years ago Mrs Hansen moved to Milton. She is survived by her husband and eight sons and three daughters. There are also 37 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. SCHOOL COMMUTE]!. Mr H. Holgale presided over the monthly meeting of the Ralclutha School Committee last night. The head master (Mr A. Hall) reported that the roll number was 394, and that the attendance was still affected by a few eases of mumps. Miss D. Sirott, supernumerary', had left to take up duties in the’ North Island, and Mrs Honour was absent owing to illness. The South Otago Freezing Works Cricket Club (now defunct) had presented the school with a quantity of valuable cricket material. It was also decided to hold Parents’ Day ” on the same lines as last year in December, and the matter of a' concert was hold over till next meeting.

RAINFALL. The rainfall recorded in Balclutha for December totalled 3.31 in. Rain fell on 15 days, the. highest fall (lin) being recorded on the 24th. In September last year the fail was 1.17 in. For the nine months this year the rainfall has totalled 23.99 in, compared with 26.72 in for the corresponding period last year, and 26.48 in in 1939. In Milton 1.38 in of rain were recorded for September. Rain fell on 12 days, the highest fall (.45in) being on the 24th. In September last year the fall totalled 1.59 in. For the nine months the fall recorded has been 20.96 in, compared with 26.34 in in 1940. VITAL STATISTICS. Balclutha.—Births 9, deaths 3, marriage, 1. For September last year the figures were 12, 5, 1 respectively. For the nine months: Births 110 (105), deaths 48 (37), marriages 35 (27). Milton.—Births 7 (20), deaths 4 (4), marriages 1 (1). For the nine months: Births 42 (50), deaths 29 (29), marriages 21 (18). PLUNKET SOCIETY. Tho annual meeting of the Balclutha branch of the Blanket Society held on Tuesday night, was presided over by Mr D. M. Henderson, and was fairly well attended. It was decided to make an appeal for funds during tho coming year. Last year’s committee was re-elected, and it was reported that Owaka and Tahakopa sub-branches were doing excellent work. CHILDREN’S HEALTH CAMP. Mr T. Maginness presided over a meeting of the South Otago Health Camp Committee on Tuesday night. Information was received that the convention buildings at Pounawoa would only be available till January 17, where as in the past they had been available for four weeks from January 1. It was decided to make further inquiries, and to confer with representatives of the Convention before finally deciding whether to hold a camp or not.