SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 25469, 27 April 1945, Page 2

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

(From Our Correspondent.)

Personal.—During the course of the annual social of the South Otago Freezing Workers' Union on Monday night opportunity was taken to make a ipresentation of a pocket wallet and shaving outfit to Mr R. Edinger, who has been secretary for seven years, and who recently resigned. At tho evening service of the Balclutha Methodist Church on Sunday the Rev. T. Steele presented Mr J. H. Guest with a fountain pen and books in recognition of his long service as choir master, a position he has recently relinquished. A presentation of books was also made to Mrs Guest. Football.—Following is the draw for the opening fixtures in South Otago on Saturday: Senior—Clutha Valley v. Clutha, at Balclutha; Crescent v.. Catlins, at Kaitangata; Clinton v, Toko, at Milton. Second grade— Clutha v. Union, at Lovell"s Flat; Clinton a bye. Third grade—Clutha Valley v. Clutha, 'at Balclutha, 1.30; Toko. v. High School, at High School; Crescent a bye. Up to the present no definite word has been received regarding petrol for the union, and teams will require to make their own arrangements for transport in the meantime.

Welcome Home.—One of the most successful welcome home socials to returned soldiers was held at Milton on Monday night, when St. John's Hall was packed. The function took tho form of a social and dance. The mayor (Mr C. Keinan) presided (and Mr R. Praser was M.C. The Milton Pipe and Brass Bands assisted at the function and items were given by Misses Curran (2), Lockhart and Camipbel] (quartet); Messrs F. McDonald and L. T. Norwell (duet); Miss Mercer (songs), Miss Athne Wisely (dance). Mrs Keinan was accompanist. During an interval the soldiers were assembled, accorded musical honours and welcomed by the mayor, Mr J. W. Keogh (president' R.S.A.) and tho Rev. L. T. Norwell (for the Ministers' Association). The men welcomed were Lieut. D. G. Murray, W. 0.1. F. Thomson, Sgts. J. M. Healey, T. W. Roberts. H. J. Dowdall, Cpl. C. J. Clery, Dvr. E. C. Wheeler, Bdr. A. L, F-agg, Pts. A. B. Camp'bell and G. Kennard. Apologies were received from N. J. Coombe and A. K. Hunter.

Obituary.—A highly-respected and well-known resident of Balclutha passed away on T ues day in the person of Mr Alexander Riach. a'fter a' fairly lengthy illness. The late Mr Riach was the youngest son,, of Mr Alexander Riach and was born in Oamaru in 1868. He was educated at Kaifcorai School, Dunedin, his father being for years .architect to the Otago Education Board. . ■ On leaving school he engaged in the store-keeping business and ' managed stores at Otokia and Hampden and elsewhere. He joined the T. and P.' Dairy Co., at Dunedin, and subsequently was appointed manager of the Oamaru branch, remaining there for some 16 years. He then'went to Waimate and, with Mr C. C. Capel,' established the Waimate Dairy Company. This was in 1918. and some three years later they sold out and came to Balclutha, where they established the Clutha Dairy Co., which they carried on till 1924, when the factory was burned down. For a short period Mr Riach acted as agent for the Otago Dairy Co., and in 1925 joined the staff of Donald Reid and Co.,' at Balclutha, where he remained till about a year ago ; when failing health..'caused his retirement. The late Mr Riach had many interests. In. his younger days lie was a keen Rugby 'follower and played for the Kaikorai Clpb. He retained his interest in the game and was for a time on the South Otago Rugby Union executive. He was a keen bowler, was a past president of the Phoenix club in Oamaru, and for a lenghty period was secretary of the Balclutha Bowling Club; He was also, secretary of the Balclutha School Committee for some years. For over 20 years he was secretary and treasurer of Columba Presbyterian Church in Oamaru, and was a Past Master of the Oamaru Masonic Lodge. In 1899 he married Miss Margaret Nicolson, of Hampden, and she predeceased him by six years. He is survived by one daughter (Mrs A. L. Willyams. Balclutha) and one son' (Mr Stan Riach, county clerk, Mosgiel. Anzac Service.—Weather conditions could hardly have been worse for the commemmoration of Anzac Day in Balclutha. Despite the cold wind and rain, however, there was an excellent turnout of returned men, recently returned soldiers" having pride of place in the parade, which was headed' by the Balclutha Pipe Band and the A.T.C. Drum and Bugle Band from Dunedin. The Britannia Theatre was packed for the service, at which the Balclutha Brass Band led the singing. Rev Mr Whittington was chairman, and associated with him were the mayor (Mr J. T. Walter), Mr R. Chalmers (president R.S.A.) and members of the clergy. Mr W. J. v Forrester (Dunedin) delivered the address, at the conclusion of which the. Bugle Band played tho " Reveille." After the service an adjournment was made to the soldiers' memorial, where numerous official and private wreaths were placed. The Pipe Band played a lament and the Bugle Band sounded " The Last Post " and " Reveille." , R.S.A.—The eleventh annual meeting of the Clutha District branch of the R.S.A. was held on Tuesday night. when the attendance was the largest yet seen, members of the Second N.Z.E.F. being much in evidence. Mr T.' Maker presided and urged members to stick together, as it was only by doing so that the association could achieve its objects. The annual report referred to the death of the president (Mr G. IT. McKay) during the year. The membership stood at 199, compared with 145 at the start of the year, and with one exception every member was financial. The general account showed a credit of £149 10s 5d (an increase of £22 15s sd). while the social fund had a credit of £29 14s 5d (an increase of £5 odd for Jhe year). Poppy Day returns were not all in yet, but it was anticipated that last year's record of £l6B 17s would be reached. Over £l3O had been expended from Poppy Day funds during the year. Tribute was paid to members of the Balclutha Red Cross Society for the way in which they had looked after soldier patients in hospital. The report and balance sheet were adopted, satisfaction being expressed at the position disclosed. Tho election of officers resulted :—President, Mr Russell Chalmers; vice-presidents, Messrs P. McGregor. S. G. Brown; treasurer, Mr T. D. Pearson; auditor. Mr S. Brown; committee, Messrs A. Maxwell. C. G Clark, H. Holgate, Jas. Gold (First N.Z.E.F.). D. Fraser. C. Cochrane. C. Maginnes, L. Duncan (Second N.Z.E.F.). Mr Pearson did not seek re-election as- secretary and the aopointment of a successor was left to the committee, tributes being paid to the retiring secretary for his work over the past years. A lengthy discussion took 'place on the proposal to purchase the Band Hall for conversion into an R.S.A. lrall. The secretary reported

that satisfactory arrangements had been made with the Balclutha Brass Band for the taking over of the building, and it was decided that the proposal be gone on with. It was decided that an appeal be made to members for financial assistance to carry out improvements, and also to make a public appeal later. As a result of an appeal in the hall over £l3O was received in donations and promises. A hall committee, comprising Messrs J. T. Walter, A. A. Jones, Ben Gold and A. Strang, together with members of tho old committee, was set up to complete matters and proceed with the proposal.