PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21642, 12 May 1932, Page 11

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(tmoM Ovb Sncui. OMsurosD.nn.i

OAMARU TROTS

Excellent acceptances have been received for the Oamaru trots on Saturday next, and, with good fields and the six--furlong track in splendid order, a fine day’s sport will be provided at the winter meeting of the club. The first race starts at 12 noon, and the last at 4.40 p.m., and •xcellent arrangements have been made for the conveyance' of patrons to the racecourse by the Railways Department and service buses in-time for the first race. The three ■ dividends .on races .of nine or more- starters ;proved a popular innovation at the last meeting of the club andxwill no doubt again be popular with' totalisator investors on Saturday. _ The Oamaru Municipal Band will be in attendance to provide music between races, and the catering at reasonable prices is again in the hands of Mrs Crombie. MAGISTRATE’S COURT The weekly sitting of .the Oamaru Magistrate’s Court, was continued before Mr H. W. Bundle, S,M.y,‘yesterday, morning. Judgment by. default .was given for nlaintiffs in the following civil cases;— North Otago Farmers’.Co-operative Association, Ltd., v, E.. F. Foss,£s 2s 9d (costs £1 10s 6d) ; Coker Bros. y. William Smyth, fl 2s 6d (costs 95).; North Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., v. P. Docherty, £9 5s 4d (costs £1 10s Cd). ' _ In the judgment summons cases F. G. Townsend v. J. Stanaway, £24 Os 2d (costs £1 8s); Radio Publishing Company v. J. Stanaway, £5 9s (costs 14s); W. B. Steel v. J. Stanaway. £5 18s 9d (costs 13s); and Williamson Jeffery, Ltd., v. J. Stanaway, the judgment debtor was ordered to pay off the amounts at the rate of £2 per month in each case, the first payments to be made on, May. 20. Default was fixed at five weeks, five days, six days, anti seven days’ imprisonment respectively. - ORDER FOR MAINTENANCE, Further, eyidence was given by Thomas Hatty Hottbn, fisherman, Oamaru, and the defendant, in. the complaint of Rose Karen Mead against Stanley Henry Mead, of Otemata, for a maintenance order. In making an order for 10s a “week in favour of "the wife, .Mr Bundle said, that'-when, the matter was. brought before’him ;in 1924 he was then chiefly concerned with' the welfare of the child. It was then suggested that the parties might make a home, and defendant said he was willing, hut nothing had been done. Since. that time the wife, had maintained herself, and the tnaintenanee of the child had been paid by the defendant. The defendant said that no order for the .wife’s maintenance should be made, because she; left him on ; her own accord and'without provocation. It was the wife’s duty to stay with the ’ husband, and the court was chary _ in making orders in cases where the wife had left the husband. But each case had to. be treated on its merits. The parties lived for a "month in a boarding house. •“.* They" were on bad terms/ and'the wife left and went to her mother. The husband took no further steps. The parties had not come together, and now the husband suggested. the Wife should be barred from maintenance. The wife was-destitute.’. His Worship' accepted the wife’s evidence that if she had been able to maintain herself she would have done so. There was jjn for 15s ior the child, who lived with the mother, and Mr Bundle made an order for 10s a week for the maintenance of the wife, ,ho order being made for past maintenance. Counsel for the complainant did not ask for costs. BREACHES OF TRANSPORT ACT. The heaping, of the police' prosecution against/Joseph Arthur,. Templeton for breaches of the’ Transport .Licensing Act, fiamely/ carrying J passengef«‘frbtii, Oamaru to ' the ' racecputoe /without a\ passenger service " license, . and using a' passenger vehicle for- the' carpiage of passengers without a certificate of fitness,, was continued. Sergeant Hall appeared for the Police Department. In his judgment Mr Bundle said the defendant Was a taxi driver at Timaru. and was charged under the Transport Licensing Act, 1931, that not being the holder of a-passenger service license 'granted under part 2 of the Act, did carry ,on a , passenger service between- Oamaru and "the-’Oamarrf racecourse on April-9, 1932. The, Act -in question- wa« passed to deal with the licensing and control of road transport services, and prohibited, inter ’ alia, the carrying on or a passenger service' contrary to the: provisions of the Act after the appointed day. This day was fixed by the Minister in charge as March 1, 1.932 (New Zealand Gazette 94, December 17, 1931, p, 3506). The facts, his Worship found; were that on the day in question the defendant drove a party under contract fromTirnaruto the Oamaru racecourse. Oh arrival there he ,was warned by Sergeant Hall that he must-not carry bn a service between the racecourse and Oamaru. He-went in to Oamaru, and

NORTH OTAGO.

ACTIVITIES OF THE DISTRICT.

from there made six trips to the racecourse ' and back. He was "■ quite unable to accept the defendant’s statement that the fares whom he‘took out to the course and hack again - were taken as a result of the express contract of hire of his taxi. The evidence of the prosecution established that he was holding himself out as willing and ready to carry single individuals on payment of separate fares from Oamaru to the racecourse, and vice versa. He thought it was idle, on defendant’s own evidence, to suggest anything else. It was proved that from Oamaru to the racecourse was a defined route under the Act and that No. 9 District", Licensing Authority had control over such route. No license had been granted- to the defendant for a passenger service over that route. The defendant had a heavy traffic license in ' respect of his taxi to carry six persons and a driver. The defendant claimed that.no offence had been proved; that the defendant merely took passengers, who engaged him,-out to the races from Oamaru; and that he charged 3s for the run and Is 6d each for each additioned passenger over two. His counsel claimed that the defendant’s taxi could npt.be a passenger service vehicle, as it was not running from any particular place on a time table. The grammatical meaning of a service might be interesting, but his Worship was . dealing with the'definition'in the interpretation of the clause of the Act. If the defendant were to come within the' excepted class of motor Vehicles he had to show that all the conditions, (a)', (b), and (c), had been complied with. On his Worship’s finding of the facts it was impossible for him to do so. His taxi, while engaged in running from Oamaru to the racecourse and returning—at least on the last trip—was, a passenger service vehicle. He had not a license, and, as he was carrying on a service, he had to be convicted. The penalties provided by the Act were substantial —a fine of £IOO and in addition £lO for each day the service was carried on. As the Act. was a recent, one, - and its provisions might not be fully appreciated, his Worship would have- viewed the matter in a lenient manner if, possible, but the defendant disregarded the warning given him by Sergeant Hall, and persisted in running contrary to the sergeant’s advice. Defendant ..was convicted and fined £lO, with witnesses’ expenses (£l 16s) and court costs (£1 2s). A month was allowed in which to pay the fine. On the charge of carrying on a passenger service without a certificate of fitness Mr Bundle intimated that it might be withdrawn, but Sergeant Hall asked for a conviction only, as a man could obtain a license without a certificate of fitness. A conviction without penalty was accordingly entered. : MOTOR COLLISION CASE.

Mr Bundle gave his decision in the claim of the ,Waitaki Supply Stores for £19.8s 3d against Donald Campbell, jun., a counter-claim having been lodged by defendant for £2 4s. His Worship said the claim and counter-claim arose out of a- motor collision in the main street of Kurow on November. 23, 1931. He found that at the time in question the plaintiff’s van was proceeding , from the store in Wynyard street and across the main-road in Kurow on, its wrong side. The explanation given' was that there was a culvert on the correct -side of the road, and it was dangerous to proceed otherwise with a loaded vehicle. He had taken the opportunity of viewing, the locality, and he found there was a culvert at the entrance of Wynyard street to the main road which ;was badly; formed and not an-intersection to be used by motor traffic. In effect,. it was a blind street. For practical purposes it was an alleyway not used exclusively, but mainly by the plaintiff’s van/-. There was some, suggestion that the' day was' foggy, but the evidence was not sufficient to satisfy ' him that visibility was bad. ' He thought J ’ e visibility was quite reasonable. Whether plaintiff’s van had entered on the wrong or correct side of the intersection, the driver had a clear view of traffic in the main road. Defendant’s car was coming from, Oamaru, and he found it approached the intersection on its-correct side and that its 'speed was reasonable and that it' was not going fast; It was quite unreasonable to assume otherwise in face of the evidence. The" very astounding factor to-his mind was that the driver of plaintiff’s van/- whetV coming from Wynyard 'street, did riot see defendant’s car, and that defendant coining bn to the intersection djd not see plaintiff’s van. He bad considered the inatter from all angles, and that was clearly evidence, and'very strong and definite ■ proof of negligence on the part of the plaintiff’s driver and on the part of the defendant. To his miiiid it was, inconceivable where there was no traffic that neither man saw the other. - It was clear that plaintiff’s driver should have bad a view of defendant’s car., and that defendant should have had a view of the van. The reason given by plaintiff’s driver was that he was mainly concerned with looking to the right. That was true to some extent, but he . should have been extremely vigilant, aqd. as he- was on the wrong side he should have been doubly vigilant. Defendant may have looked to the right for traffic, and,, no); having seen the van, might have been lulled into a false sense of-security. He could only find definitely that the plaintiff’s driver and the defendant were both guilty of gross negligence in each not seeing the other. The man on the, running , board, might have been a broach-of -the regulations, but it did not otscure the vision of the defendant, as he was behind the line of vision. There was jdear and definite evidence of contributory negligence, and so there was the question of responsibility as to whom had the last opportunity of avoiding the accident. Neither vehicle was/ travelling fast, and they practically came together at rest. The damage was apparently very slight, but later it was found the van was more seriously damaged, due. no doubt, to it being the lighter vehicle. He had to consider which party had fhe last opportunity of avoiding the accident. Plaintiff’s driver did not see defendant’s car - until . immediately prior to the collision, and defendant did not see the van until five or eight yards off. Plaintiff’s driver said defendant struck him amidships. and defendant said his car had practically stopped when the van hit his right-hand corner bumper and lamp. He thought defendant’s statement much more likely, in view of the evidence of the position of .the vehicles. Both up to that time had equal opportunity of seeing the other, and he was unable to find_ that either, party had the last opportunity _of avoiding the collision. He was so impressed with the negligence of both parties that neither party could be found by him to he responsible. Judgment was, therefore, given for the defendant on the claim and the plaintiff on the counterclaim. without costs.

BOXING' TOURNAMENT Excellent entries have been received for the novice and open classes for the boxing tourney to be held at the Opera House on Saturday night, the proceeds of which are to be given to the Mayoress’s Relief Fund;: The main bout is of six rounds between Ellery (Windsor) and Davis (Dunedin). Ellery ,was champion of the West Coast from 1928 to 1930, and obtained decisions over Lister, who is now .fighting professionally in Australia; M. Houston, ex-Waitaki Boys’ High School champion; and Thompson, now a professional. He. tan into the semifinals at the 1930 amateur championships held at Palmerston, but was defeated after having held the title three years in succession. He has had 14 fights, and has lost only two. Davis is the Otago middle-weight champion, and his performances are well known. Ashburton, Waikouaiti. and Waimate boxers are well represented, as well as the O’Connell boys from Macraes, J. Thwaites and D. Richardson, and the programme should attract a full house.

MAJESTIC PICTURES Warner Baxter is said never to have enjoyed a stronger dramatic role than the one he portrays in “ Surrender,” the Fox picture which will be shown to-night at tlie Majestic Theatre. He enacts the role of a French prisoner in a German war camp who becomes enamoured of a beautiful girl of Prussian descent. It is a role said to equal in vitality and sympathy that of Chico in “ Seventh Heaven.” Fascinating Leila Hyams appears as the girl. In support are a “ Fox ” news and a comedy, “ Rodney Steps Out.” MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING The following are the results of the weekly shoot of the Maheuo Club: —J. Clark 74 (3), 77; H. Davis 74 (3), 77; J, Lindsay 71 (6), 77; G. Davis 71 (5), 76; E. Nicholson 71 (5), 76; D. Grant 74 (1), 75; A. Lindsay 72 (3), 75; A. Weir 70-(4), 74; T. M‘Lay 70 (4), 74. The results of the Duntroon Club's weekly shoot are* as follow: —H. Dovey 79 (4), 80; R. O’Connor 78 (6), 80; G. Manley 77 (4), 80; J. Dovey. jun. 77 (6), 80; J. M'Cully 75 (7), 80; A. Fyfe 75 (10), 80; J. Dovey, sen., 74 (7), 80; A, Coppell 71 (9), 80; W. Rutherford 77 (2), 79; H. M'Cully -74 (4), 78. H. Dovey won the first rifle buttton and Rthe second, while R. O Conner won the first handicap button and. J • Dovey, jun., the second. The following team won the fern leaf badges: A. Fyfe 75, H. M'Cully 74, J. Dovey, sen., 74, A. Coppell 71;—total, 290. REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION Mr H. Cross presided at a well-attended meeting of the North Otago Referees’ Association. Mr M. F. Woodward gave an interesting and instructive address on the offside rule. The secretary was instructed to- forward an invitation to the country referees to attend one of the association s meetings. ' WAITAKI HYDRO Y.M.C.A. The members of the Waitaki Hydro Y.M.C.A class celebrated Mothers’ Day last Sunday by entertaining parents and friends at afternoon tea. Mr Albert E. Tew presided, and items were given by Miss M. Mulligan, Messrs F. Bevin, and J. Rimraer. Mr F. S. Hallett proposed the toast of the day, and Mrs Mowatt suitably replied on behalf of the mothers. Mr Len Palmer proposed the toast of “ Absent Friends.” An address by Mr H. M. Tomlinson on “ The Meaning of Mothers Day ” proved very interesting. MINIATURE RIFLE ASSOCIATION The sixth annual report of the North Otago Miniature Rifle Association discloses that the association experienced a very,successful season, both financially and from a shooting Roint of view. Early in the season the Kakanui Club found itself unable to carry on, but there are hopes that it will once again become a live body. The Otekaike Club, due to a scattered membership, was not so strong as formerly, but took part in the early rounds of the shield shooting. The remaining eight clubs —Oamaru, Railway, Weston, Awamoko, Duntroon, Totara, Enfield, and Maheno—all showed increases in membership. It was indeed a matter for congratulation that the counti/y clubs evinced such enthusiasm in this winter sport. Between all the clubs friendly rivalry existed and interclub matches were- followed by riflemen and the general public with the greatest of interest. Quite a numer of new members displayed an expertnfess with the* miniature rifle which was gratifying to the executive. As in former years the “North Otago Times” shield competition drew wide entries, there being 42 teams nominated as compared with 11 when the trophy was first instituted. For the whole, of the rounds no team got sufficiently ahead to be able to forecast a win, and it was mot until the fifth and final round that the winning team—Duntroon E—emerged, with a dozen other teams close up. Awamoko A gained first place for most points scored off the rifle. The latter club also provided the winners of the Individual Aggregate Championship and the Handicap Competition in G. Gibson and L. Lndeman respectively. The triangular representative fixture between Waimate, Timaru, and North Otago Miniature Rifle Associations took place at Timaru last season, and for the second time in succession the Waimate Association won the Lewis Shield with North Otago one point behind and Timaru third, the totals being—Waimate 785 points, North Otago 784, Timaru 782. The standard of shooting was very high, and once again demonstrated that there is little between ,the three associations as regards efficiency with the rifle. A “B” grade match, for teams consisting of the next best 10 men in each associawas fired at the same time as the Lewis Shield, and for this the Faulkner Shield was the trophy. Waimate secured this shield also, and to them the executive extended its heartiest congratulations. The association’s championship meeting was held at the Drill Hall. Entries were in excess of any previous year, and for the first time a credit ’ balance was shown. The prize money was well distributed. The entries were as follow (the figures for the previous season being in parentheses): Champion Teams’ Match 6 (7) ; A and B Grade teams, 27 (22); A Grade individual 62 (49); A Grade aggregate 62 (39); B Grade individual 53 (55); B Grade aggregate 42 (43). Weston A proved the winners of the Champion Teams’ Match; the A Grade teams’ match was won by Awamoko No. 1 and the B Grade by Awamoko No. 3. Three riflemen—D. Grant (Maheno), R. Gibson (Awamoko), and G. Brightwell (Railway)—tied for the A Grade individual, while the A Grade aggregate was won by R. Gibson (Awamoko). G. Doran (Oamaru) won the B Grade individual and A. Lndeman (Awamoko) the B Grade aggregate. Weston No. 3 team won the B Grade teams’ aggregate. The financial position of the association showed a credit balance of £9 Is Id as compared with £5 7s 8d the previous year. As one item of expenditure was £4 10s for hire of a bus to convey the representative teams to Timaru, the executive was confident that delegates would find the credit balance as being most satisfactory. The championship meeting resulted in a credit of £1 19s 2d. At tlie last annual meeting it was decided to adopt on trial for one year the automatic system of handicapping. This system appeared to have worked satisfactorily, and its continuance will be discussed at the annual meeting. A club has been formed by the Volunteers, and it is expected to link up with the association and participate in all competitions. The Cromwell Chib had also indicated its intention of joining the North Otago Association, The addition of these two chibs will mean that there will be .11 active clubs in the district for the forthcoming season. The usual social evening was held in the Bungalow Tea Rooms, when the prizes were presented. The executive thanked Mr A. Brown, who undertook the work of arranging the handicaps under the automatic system, also Mr H. Robertson, who kindly acted as auditor. The association was also indebted to “ Crackshot ” for his interesting notes in the North Otago Times, and by this means stimulating a greater interest in miniature shooting than before. Thanks were due to all members who had acted as range officers and scrutineers and also the press for publishing results of matches.

LOYAL ALFRED LODGE Bro. J. A. Wray, assisted by Bro. J. Ninian, presided at the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Alfred Lodge, 1.0.0. F. One candidate was initiated into the Order, and one proposal for membership received. The initiation ceremony was carried out in a very creditable manner by the newly-elected officers, and in the event of the competition for the Bradley Cup taking place later in the year the lodge should have an excellent chance of recovering this trophy from the Waiareka Lodge, the present holders. A letter was received from the United Friendly Societies Dispensary asking for the continued support of all lodge members during the present year, pointing out the direct benefits received thereby. The Lyceum Lodge, Brooklyn, New York, advised that Bro. W. Newlands. of the

Alfred Lodge, had paid a visit to the lodge and had given an interesting address on the Order in New Zealand. An invitation was received from the Waiareka Lodge to be present at its church parade to be held at the Enfield Presbyterian Church on Sunday. • The secretary, Bro. J. Branthwaite, explained the procedure in respect to obtaining relief for brothers on the unemployment list, and all brothers under this heading are advised to apply at once, either to the secretary or members of the committee. A lecture on the ethics of chairmanship will be delivered by D.D.G.M. Bro. Branthwaite at the next meeting. After the business of the evening was concluded a social hour was spent, refreshments being provided by the Social Committee.

FAT LAMBS The prices of all grades of lamb were reduced by id per lb yesterday., A few days ago a good line of 128 lambs was killed for export and averaged 54.81 b. TWO MEN INJURED While working at a stack of sacks of flour yesterday morning Messrs Albert Robbie and Ernest Hill, employees at Ireland’s mill, received injuries through the stack collapsing on top of them. Mr Robbie suffered injury to his right leg and Mr Hill received a dislocated foot. Both men were conveyed to the Oamaru Hospital by the St. John Ambulance. OBITUARY The death occurred at Oamaru of an old identity in the person of Mr George Turnbull, late of Windsor, at the age of 84 years. The deceased was born at Jedburgh, in Roxburgh County, Scotland, and came to New Zealand about 56 years ago. Mr Turnbull took up farming pursuits at Windsor, where he resided until 20 years ago, when he came to Oamaru. Of a retiring disposition the deceased took no active part in public affairs, but had made many friends, who will regret to hear of his death. A brother, Mr Robert Turnbull, died about three years ago, and there are no surviving members of the family. The death occurred on Monday at Hastings of Mr E. T, Earl, in his seventyfifth year, who for many years was headmaster of the Middle School, Oamaru. Mr Earl was born at Plymouth, England, and at an early age he went with his parents to Melbourne, where he received his primary education and entered the teaching profession. He was for two years in charge of the Model School at Collingwood, and went to Dunedin in 1883 to fill a similar position. Five years later he succeeded the late Mr Robert Beattie in charge of the Middle School, and he continued in that capacity until he retired from the service. Mr Earl was associated with several local associations during his stay in Oamaru, including the Cricket Club, Chess Club, and Musical Society. OAMARU JOCKEY CLUB At a meeting of the Oamaru Jockey Club Mr G. R. Mitchell presided. The programme for the July meeting was drawn up and approved. The secretary submitted an estimate of receipts and expenditure of the forthcoming meeting, showing that on a £6OOO totalisator turnover it would be possible to maintain the stakes at the same figure as last year — namely, £755 for seven races. This was rendered possible by the reduction of the totalisator tax by 1 per cent, recently passed by the Government. An alternative programme with stakes amounting to £7OO for seven races was also submitted for consideration. It was unanimously _ agreed that the stakes should be maintained at last year’s figure of £755, and that owners and trainers be notified of the fact, which meant that the recent relief granted by the Government to clubs had in this particular instance been passed on to them by the club. The particulars of the programme finally passed are as follows: Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, two miles, 115eovs; Novice Stakes, five furlongs, 80so vs; Oamaru Trot, one mile and a-half, lOOsovs; Grange Handicap, one mile, ISOsovs; Winter Hack Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, 120sovs; Waikaura Trot, one mile and a-quarter, lOOsovs; Farewell Handicap, six furlongs, 90 so vs. The North Otago Rugby Union advised that it had decided to meet the club’s request and postpone all senior games on the day of the winter meeting. A vote of thanks was accorded the secretary for his work in connection with the recent successful meeting on April 9. STEADY RAIN A steady downpour of rain commenced to fall on Tuesday night, and continued during the whole of yesterday. For the 24 hours ended 9 o'clock yesterday morning 63 points of rain were recorded by Mr William Forrester in Oamaru, and at 2 o’clock in the afternoon a further 27 points were registered. Late yesterday afternoon the rain showed no signs of abating, and there is every prospect that heavier rain will be experienced. Reports from the country disclosed that the rain has been more severe than in the town, three inches having been recorded at the “Dasher” Balrudry. The Main North, road was covered with water near Glenavy yesterday morning, apd was impassable at Parqora. The snow washed down from the hills at the back of Kurow has caused a flood in the Otekaike River. At Peebles a good deal of the country is under water, and the road " near Georgetown is blocked. The road at Elderslie is also impassable. Mr E. S. Brewster, Awamoko, reports that 2.87 inches have been recorded in that district since the beginning of the week. On Monday 65 points of rain fell in Oamaru, making a total of 1.55 inches so far this week. RUGBY NOTES CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE.

The competitions were commenced on Saturday under very encouraging circumstances, and the standard of play on the Oval gave promise of excellent games during the season. The splendid state of the Oval, which is now a very line ground indeed, contributed to the fast open game spectators like. Veitch was the outstanding player on the field, and, as the mainstay of the Old Boys’ forwards, was mainly responsible for the Blacks’ win. He was head and shoulders above the rest of the pack, comprising mostly younger players, who under his inspiration gave a very good account of. themselves against the solid Athletic pack. Familton, Darling, and Robertson were always willing, and contributed their full share to the victory. In the rear division Old Boys had two inside backs of decided merit Tempero was always dangerous and gave thrust to the Black attack, while Roy Hunter, formerly of the Excelsior and Hydro teams, sent out beautiful passes from the base of the scrum. Taylor, at full-back was always safe, and Cameron gave promise of becoming an acquisition to the three-quarter line. The Athletic forwards were always a hardworking lot, but nevertheless could not take liberties with their lighter opponents. Sim and Park were always in the thick of the fray, and Hollands and Orlowski kept step with their more experienced team mates. Hollands, in particu-, lar, was always on the ball. The Maroon backs, too, appear to be a better lot than for some seasons past, though Purvey will need to brighten up his work at

the base of the scrum if the best is to be made of the back line as an attacking force. Budd played soundly, and Sullivan showed that he possesses speed and resource. Both H. Stichman and Blackledge, on the wings, were rather disappointing, but Wilson, at full-back, was fairly sound on defence, and with confidence should improve as the season progresses.

Excelsior, with a much improved team on last season, ran up 14 points against the hardy Maheno boys, but managed to cross the line only once, the remaining points coming from W. Cleland’s accurate goal kicking. The game developed into a forward tussle, and was not interesting from the spectators’ point of view. With weight in their favour the Blue forwards should be a factor in the competitions if proper training is followed. W. Cleland and Dennis were perhaps the pick of the forwards. A. Stichman gave a good exhibition at half-back, and J. Temper© in the first five-eighths position was the best back on No. 2 ground. He runs straight, and capped off a nice cut-in with a try. Grainger, though not the full-back of a few seasons ago, inspires his team mates with confidence, and after a gallop or two the rear division should settle down to an attacking force. The Maheno vanguard, as usual, were a hardworking lot, and contested the issue stubbornly. G. and A. Newlamls, with Gil-' lies, were generally in the picture. The Green backs are not as promising as they were last season, when L. Hollow and Loder strengthened the attack. C. Diver went well on the wing, but was starved for the ball, and Lindsay made a good last line in defence. In the Junior Grade School and Athletic possess scoring ability, as was shown by their 21 and 25 points against Old Boys and Maheno. Georgetown, a new team in the country competitions, occasioned some surprise by defeating Duntroon, last year’s winners of the competition, while Ngapara gained a decisive victory over Awakino. The official programme for the opening games was printed for April 30, and at that time the information available was to the effect that C. Veitch would be playing for the Kurow team. Owing to the wet weather the games were postponed a week, and in the meantime it was found that Veitch was available to play for Old Boys, his old team. A correspondent has rushed into print without making sure of his facts, and has questioned whether the playing of Veitch is in order, leading other followers ot the game to express doubt on the point. The position is that Veitch, being still a member of the Old Boys Club, is entitled to play for the club. He has not resigned from the club, and according to an authority the question of residence does not apply, and even if he lived in Timbuctoo he could still play for *the club of which he is a member. REFEREES FOR SATURDAY. The following are the referees for Saturday’s matches: — Juniors. —School v. Maheno, xvo. 2 ground, 1.15 pan., Mr M. F. Woodward; Old Boys v. Excelsior, No. 2. 2.45 p.m., Mr R. J. Hinkley. ; Third Grade.—Athletic v. Excelsior, No 3, 2.45 p.m., Mr H. Cross. Fourth Grade.—Excelsior v. Athletic, No. 3, 1.15 p.m.. Mr A, Keith. TEAMS FOR SATURDAY. Excelsior Juniors v. Old Boys.—Maddigan, Wray, Jacobs, Rogers, Cunningham, Omnet, MTntosh, Irving. MTlwhenny, M'Kendry, Bryan, Pollock, Easton Stringer, Ross; emergencies, Goodall and Koppcrt. . ~ ~ „ , Excelsior Thirds v. Athletic.—Henderson, Tully, MTntosh, White, Butts, Weller, M'Kerrow, Faris, Tempero. Carroll, Brosnahan, Hintz, Harle, hlynn, Pygall; emergencies, Barnes and J. Strmger. . _ Excelsior Fourths v. Athletic. —-JDayey, Laney, Carson, Goodall, Shalders, Forbes, Lambert, M'Grath, Ruddick, Cagney, Dick. M'Kay, Bremner, Wilton; emergencies, Nesbit and Croft. WAITAKI COUNTY ELECTIONS Despite heavy rain throughout the day, polling for the Waitaki County elections was almost up to that of last election. The only council election was for the Kakanui Riding, Mr W. M. Cooper defeating the retiring councillor, Mr R. Dick, by a big majority. Five of the retiring members of the Waitaki Hospital Board were returned, but Mr G. O. Pringle lost his seat to the Rev. A. H. Nordmever. For the Waitaki Electric Power Board three retiring members were re-elected, but Mr D. J. Ross lost his seat to Mr James Pringle. Waitaki County Council (Kakanui Rid;n!r)_\V. M, Cooper 250 (elected), R. Dick 143. , T Waitaki Electric Power Board.—James Newlands 554. A. MTnnes 544 J. D. Rutherford 475, R. B. Meek 474 (elected), D. J. Ross 448, informal 11. One return to come, which cannot affect the result. Waitaki Hospital Board.—J. Rodman 586, A. MTnnes 538, W. Forrester 515, Mrs J. M. Munro 469. D. J. Ross 456, A. H. Nordmeyer 451 (elected), G. U. Pringle 378, R. Dick 301, W. M. Cooper 298, if Williams 261. informal 22. One return to come, which cannot affect the result. __ PERSONAL Queen’s Hotel.-Mr R.. Y. White, Mr A. Newson, Mr J. Wilson, Mr W. W. Wade (Christchurch), Mr J. E. Boreham, Mr R. Verner Neville, Mr J. D. Knowles, Mr A. Hardy. Mr J. Millar, Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., Mr A. Haig Mr R .Milne, Mr J. S. Hoar, Mr W. Pikery. Mr B. Williams (Dunedin). Mr C. Campbell (Auckland), Mr F. T. Brown. Mr A. H. Tomlinson. Mr S. Newman, Miss E. M. Burnett, Mrs E. Burnett (Wellington), Mr J. N. Cobb (Oamaru) New Club Hotel—Mr W. MKee. M E. S Grass (Dunedin). Mr T. R. Smith (Orange, New South Wales). Mr A. Jackson (Christchurch). Mr W. R. Parson Mr R. Sinclair (Auckland), Mr A. Midglcy (Lyttelton). ~ , ~, o Mr Sydney W. Pascall, president of the Rotary International, who was to have given an address at the Oamaru Rotary Club yesterday, was unable to visit Oamaru owing to blockage on the Main North road, and he proceeded by train to Dunedin.

Seniors. Points Ch. P.W.L.D P. A. Pts Excelsior . .. 1 1 14 0 2 01 tl Boys . . .. 11 9 8 2 Athletic .. .. .. 1 — 1 — 8 9 — Maheno .. .. .. 1 — 1 — 0 14 School ,. . Juniors. 2 Athletic ., 5 2 Old Boys . . . . I 1 21 — Maheno .. . ,. .. 1 — 1 — 5 25 — Athletic .. Third Grade. .... 1 1 2 Excelsior .. .. .. 1 1 — 2Old Boys . . . , 1 1 — — School .. . . .. 1 — 1 — — Athletic .. Fourth Grade. .. .. 1 1 —'— 19 <5 2 School C . . .. 1 — 1 — 6 19 — Country Competitions. Georgetown 1 1 9 3 2 Ngapara .. 9 2 Kurovv . i , 3 2 Duntroon . . .. 1 — 1 — 3 0 Awakino .. 14 — Tokarahi ., . .. 1 — 1 — 3 14 —