SOOTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20969, 7 March 1930, Page 14

SOOTH OTAGO.

BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Oob Own Correspondent.)

BALCLUTHA, March 6 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY SPECIALS.

Special prizes at the Balclutha Horticultural Society’s autumn show yesterday were won by the following:—Most points in cut flowers (amateur). Miss E.E.Moffat, who wins Mr W. S. Thomson’s special and the Retailers’ Association. Cup. That the competition was extremely close in this section is shown by the fact that two other competitors (Mrs J. Durham, Kaitangata, and Mr John Sinclair, Balclutha) scored 16 points each to the winner’s 17 points. Moat points in the open classes (cut flowers) went to Mr. John Sinclair, who also takes the club’s trophy valued at £5, for the exhibitor taking tho highest number of points in the whole section (amateur and open). The special prize presented by Mr P. M’Skimming for the competitor gaining l most points in roses, dahlias, asters, and sweet peas was won by Mr A* S, M’lntosh, of Kaitangata, while the Banquet Tea Company’s special for most points in annuals, sweet peas, and collection of cut flowers was divided between Mrs Durham and Miss M’Crostie, who were equal in points. Mr A. R. Allan’s special for most points in the decorative section went to Mrs Janies Guest, and tho South Otago Freezing Company’s prize for most points in the vegetable section to Mr J. M. Moffat with Mrs Durham a close second. The prize for most points in cabbage, cauliflower, peas, onions, and potatoes (Mr M’Skimming’a special) was won by Mrs Durham, The iuvemle competition for best collection of vegetables (six varieties) was won by Balclutha Primary School with a very creditable exhibit. FIRE AT BRIDGE.

At about a quarter to 1 this morning the Balclutha traffic bridge was discovered to be on fire. The firebell rang out an alarm and the brigade was quickly on the scene and extinguished the blaze, which was in the incipient stage. Superintendent M'Cutcheon, of the, brigade, discovered the fire when cycling across the bridge after coming oil the night shift at the freezer, and at once gave the alarm. Whether the fire, which was in the centre of the bridge, was the act of an incendiary or an accident caused by gomeone dropping a lighted match or cigarette stub against dry material on the decking is not known, but the latter theory seems the more probable. SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

At the monthly meeting of the Primary School Committee last night, attended by two delegates from the freezer in connection with the recent successful picnic, a vote of thanks was accorded the freezer employees for their assistance in the conduct of the picnic, which resulted in a satisfactory balance to credit. This money goes to the school committee, and will be expended on the school library, and in improvements to the grounds, in view of the forthcoming jubilee. The sum voted for new books in the library was £5.

Subsequently the ordinary business was proceeded with, and in reviewing the ac-t-cunts presented for payment surprise was expressed' at the amount owing to the Balclutha Borough Council for sanitary service and water supply, which formerly was met by the ’Education Board. It was pointed out that the committee could not be continually appealing to the public, and that it could not hope to carry on* without additional assistance from the Education Board or the department. The secretary was instructed to write putting the facts before the Education Board with reference to the borough, charges, and asking for relief.

The headmaster (Mr J. P. Hawke) submitted a scheme for improving the grounds (including tiled paths, a rockery, and fountain) that was highly approved and adopted. It was pointed out that pupils and “working bees” from staff and committee could do most of the work, and that the cost would not be bo great as might be supposed, while the improve* ment to the grounds would be incalculable Iho headmaster reported, inter alia that tlie number of pupils on the roll was n , ow 370, and that since the opening of itc school the attendance had been very satisfactory and with the natural] increase, in the roll during the year there was every indication that the grade VI status would be recovered. Swimming drill and instruction by the staff had been carried out at the municipal baths so far as the weather would permit, with the idea of teaching all the pupils of Standard IV. and Forms I and 11 to swim at least a tew yards A fair proportion had learned woifnT thls ,. yer V* al) d the experiment would be continued under the supervision ot the teachers as long as the weather was favourable.

Tj CLUTHA LADIES' GOLF CLUB Members of the Balclutha Ladies’ Golf §.w1 pent a J el> y Peasant afternoon on fml Ur , Cay on , tlle !™ ks - when a presentan V? 8 I * lade . t° Miss Allan, who is leavthstmt and resigning from the nkved f th a P Pt t a r«'i A . n! . ne 'u°le match was Played the trophy being two balls presented by Mrs T. M. Thompson and tiffs was t r hen b r MrS r> , oynt / r - Afternoon tea was then dispensed, after which Mrs J C, Anderton as the oldest member in nresentmg to Miss Allan an electric Vearfinii lamp and a leather-bound copy of John Galsworthy’s "Forsyte Saga,’’r e ferred o the active interest displayed by Miss m^i an u” le ' vek>are of the club and expressed regret that, although she was retaining her membership of the dub the dub was losing her services on the com" duded rv l ith n h P C ? Ptai l U The speak er conmembers of * hG Allan is f.,i-,- ' 3 career Miss S 3? 25 a farewell bv ihn ,K£fs "c Gre accorc led Hospital Mr T r rv, f i ■. a P ,cr tribute" to the dortoS a , hi « h and consideration T) r tv' ‘ reply, said be would b 8 S3"«“i .."-.in”'.S.®- I *.i»».. wlio Bathgate, formerlv of • i i ot . Ur .1.0 . F . tiye._ intendrng to devote thefr live" to missionary work in an alien land

RE.A MONSTER A mako shark weighing COOlb was 1 f o<l t Artl,l,r ’ fisherman, oil the Nu„„etH yesterday morning. It took four men to roll /he monster up the bench i ßay - r °’fi n - v tllc skeleton of the head showing rows of sharp teeth was oni view in a local butcher's window and attracted much attention.