SOUTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20288, 22 December 1927, Page 5

SOUTH OTAGO.

BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS. (ff»OM Oue Own Coeebspondbmt.) BALCLUTHA, December 21. RAMS FOR CHILE. Yesterday 10 fine Romney rams, from the stud of Messrs Joseph Mosley and Sons, Clydevale, passed through Balclutha on their way to the shipping port for Chile, whither they are bound to the order of a large South American ranchero. Apropos of this stud, Mr Mosley informed -your representative that his ram that was champion at Invercargill was, after the show, keenly sought by breeders from both North and Smith Islands, and he “ turned down two oners of SOOgns each, one from Masterton and one from Mo a Flat. Some good judges at the Invercargill show acclaimed this ram aa the best animal of his type in New Zealand to-day. His wool withstood the keenest tests that could be applied to it, and wa a without trace of hair. BACK FROM AUSTRALIA. Mr G. W. Stewart, station master at Balclutha, returned with Mrs Stewart on Saturday night after an absence of nine weeks on holiday in Victoria and New South Wales. Mr Stewart informed vc r representative that from conversations with bankers and others he found financial conditions much worse in both those States than in New Zealand. In neither had the railways been paying, and in consequence there had been wholesale dismissals, particularly in New uouth Wales where the fares were to be advanced this month in order to try and overtake the large deficit on working expenses. On one day in Sydney there wore 50CO unemployed men in the streets, it was estimated. This condition ot affairs in December was quite abnormal for the great city, where, of course, there were always a number of workless men. Conditions in the country districts were little better, and, in fact, _ the prospect was not reassuring. The displacement ot the Labour Government in New south Wales had led to many changes in the personnel of Government departments, and there had been wholesale charges of “graft" in high places. J. in-hare racing was in full swing while Mr Stewart was in Sydney, and from observation he came to the conclusion that the real _ ttraction was the gambling that went with it Legislation had been passed putting a stop to bookmakers plying their callin ' at night sports, including horse and dog racing, and it was thought that this would sound”’the knell of the tin-hare racing craze. There should be no regrets, Mr Stewart considered, inasmuch as it was the poorer working class that had furnished the huge “gates” at 2s a head, and filled the maw of the hungry bookmaker.

BALCLUTHA BOROUGH COUNCIL ITie ordinary monthly meeting, held last night, was attended by the Mayor (Mr S. V. White) and Crs Watt, M'Lintock, M'Neil, George Hunter, and J. R. Copland. Apologies for absence wore received from Crs Stokes. Guest, Gormack, and Walter. CORRESPONDENCE. The Minister of Public Works (Mr K. S. Williams) wrote stating that ho would advise the Main Hiuhways Board of the

council's support of the request to have the Balclutha-Kaitangata road declared a main highway.—Received. The Secretary Balclutha Fire Board wrote regarding the extinction of debt owing by it to the council, stating that the matter could not be considered until the end of the present financial year. ReJ, A. Anderson, Waiwera South, write asking the council’s permission to remove the gaa main from the Balclutha traffic bridge.—lt was decided that the applicant be advised that the council was agreeable, but that the consent of Clutha and Bruce County Councils would have to be obtained before the work could be earned ° U Tho Labour Department wrote reminding the council of the necessity of deciding the weekly half-holiday for 1928. It was decided that the council consider the matter at a special meeting to be held at the conclusion of the January meeting. ROSEBANK WATER EXTENSION. The Secretary, South Otago Hospital Board, wrote offering 250 ft of secondhand galvanised iron piping at 2s per foot for the proposed extension oi tne borough water service to certain residents of Rosebank. Prices were also received for new Sin piping from A. and T. Burt and John Chambers and 00., the price in each case being 2s foot. —After discussion, it was decided that new piping be obtained for the whole job from one of the Dunedin firms tendering.—On the motion of Crs Hunter and M“Neill, it was decided that the work be gone on with by the borough. The revenue to be received, it was considered, more than justified the expenditure of borough funds outside the boroughs.

FOREMAN’S REPORT. The Foreman (Mr R. H. Close) reported that a general clean-up of the streets, including grass mowing in places, was in progress before the holidays, ine repairs to the sale yards were now completed. Concreting had been done in some of the sheep pens, and the Laykold would be put down after the holidays. Cleaning-up operations had been in progress at the cemetery, and the domain at the bowling green bad been cleaned up. By raising the water-table in Lanark street at the school corner five inches, to taper off to nothing at fli chains along the street, would run the water right; also the corner at the school would want rounding to take water from the kerb in Drumclog street the same way. He estimated this to cost 30s per chain. H® suggested that two flush valves be put in the mains connecting with the big drain in Clyde street south, one at Rosebank. There was a half-inch service pipe at Rosebank new, used ob a flush valve, but it was a foolish thing so far as clearing the mains was concerned. —Mr MNeil moved that the foreman’s suggestion to alter the level of the channel past the school in Lanark street be carried out at a time convenient to the foreman. — Agreed to. The matter of flush valves in the mains to connect with the drain in Clyde street was left to the Works Committee.

TRAFFIC ’INSPECTOR’S REPORT. Mr M'Kenzie (traffic inspector) reported that motorists in and around Balelutha were very observant of the bylaws. He had no prosecutions at the last sitting of the Magistrate’s Court owing to the delay in receiving replies from the registrar of motor vehicles, Wellington. The “ silent policemen ” should be painted, as had been suggested some time ago. This matter was very important, as at present they were practically invisible. —The matter of painting the " silent policemen” was referred to the Works Committee. FINANCIAL. Accounts amounting to £702 ifis 8d were passed for payment. GENERAL. It was decided to install a telephone at the house of the sexton. Cr Copland reported that the Reserves Committee recommended putting in a fence at Miss Moir’s boundary. North Balclutha, at a cost of from £6 to £7. — Decided to carry out the work If Mies Moir was agreeable. The dog license fees were fixed the some as last year, and it was decided to obtain the necessary supply of dog collars from Messrs M'Grath and Co., Dunedin, at £3 per 100. In conveying to the council, the staff, and the press the season's greetings, the Mayor spoke of the loyal manner in which the council had supported him throughout the year, and also commented upon the unusual amount or work done by the borongh workmen.—Several councillors spoke in similar vein, and rocipro cated the mayoral sentiments.