SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 25698, 23 January 1946, Page 10

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

(From Our Correspondent.)

Personal.—At the meeting of Bruce County Council on Monday Mr John A. Murdoch was appointed rangerinspector to the council out of live applicants. Mr Murdoch is at present a member of the outside staff of the council.

Obituary.—Mr William J. M. Grant, who died at Milton last week, was horn at Port Chalmers 74 years ago, his parents having come to Otago in 1859 after a residence of five years in Australia. In 1882 the family shifted to Glenledi and commenced! farming. At the age of 22 Mr Grant worked his passage rlome in the s.s. Mamari, of the Shaw Savill and Albion Line. Ou his return to New Zealand he took over the management of the farm for some years, and subsequently was apprenticed to the engineering trade with the late Mr Dugald Crawford. Later he was one of those engaged in salvaging the cargo of the French barque Marguerite Mirabaud. stranded' at Akatore in 1907, and later was engaged in bridge building at Tuatapere. Shortly after the outbreak of World War I". Mr Grant joined the Samoan relief force, and after two years' service was invalided home. He then volunteered for home service work, and till the end of the war was with the dental corps in Trentham, and on military police work at Port Chalmers. He then engaged in the building trade, until failing health caused his retirement. In 1923 he married Miss Mary Adam, a member of one of the earliest pioneer families of Toko, district, and she survives him, together with one son. Found Dead.—A single man, James Thomas Blaney, 54 years of age, an employee at the Finegand linen fia.x factory, was found dead in bed in his Uut on Friday. He had arrived back at the factory from Dunedin on Wednesday, and was heard moving about in the hut on Friday morning, and was also seen in bed. Later he was found dead, and the police and a doctor were called in. No inquest will be necessary, as it is understood deceased had been under treatment in Balclutha Hospital for heart trouble. Bowling.—Milton was defeated by Clinton in a two-rink game at Clinton on Saturday by ?one point. Scores (Clinton skips first) : —Powley 15. Dee 15: McLachlan 19, Campbell 18;'Clinton 34, Milton 33. Cricket.—The Milton and Milburn Clubs played a friendly match at Milton ou Saturday, Milton winning by 79 runs. Batting first, Milton made 126 (R. Davis 39 retired, W. Heads 31). Bowling for Milburn, S. Bowie (four for 13) and F. Bowie (four for 24) were the best performers. Milburn made 47 (F. Bowie 29 retired). Best bowlers for Milton were A. Mudie (five for 190, W. Heads two for 19, R. Davis two for 21, and C. Maguire two for 14). Welcome Home.—A successful welcome home social was held at Lovell's Flat on Friday night in honour of Flight-sergeant' E. Robson and A.C. John Murray, a former prisoner of war. During the course of an enjoyable function Mr K. Clark presented the returned men with a monetary gift. A welcome was extended on behalf of the R.S.A. by Mr J. W. Keogh (president of the Milton-Bruce sub-branch), who mentioned l the fact that 16 men had left the district and all had returned, and the Rev. E. Brown, Mr E Robson (local R.S.A'. also spoke. At Waitepeka a w T elcome home was accorded Sgt. R. B. Somerville, there being a large attendance. Speeches of welcome we're made by Mr A. Finlayson for the residents, and Mr J. A. Miller for the R.S.A.