SOUTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21977, 12 June 1933, Page 10

SOUTH OTAGO

BAICLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS (From Our Own Correspondent.) BALCLUTHA, June 11. LAMB FOR CANTERBURY. Mr Cochrane, buyer for Messrs Thomas Borthwick and Sons’ Belfast works, made a start in South Otago again at the beginning of last week and on Friday night, after the stock sale here, despatched 21 trucks of lambs, approximately 1600 head, for Canterbury. These operations have meant increased prices for district sheep owners in disposing of the remainder of the season’s output of lamb, which admittedly has been a large one. Fat ewes have also gone up in price,- and these are now becoming scarce in the district. « UNEMPLOYED RELIEF. At a well-attended meeting of business men and others, convened by the Mayor (Mr D. T. Fleming), it was decided unanimously to reopen a relief depot in Balclutlia for the winter months. The following were appointed a Committee of Management, together with representatives to be appointed by the unemployed themselves: —Messrs J. H. Stevenson, J. T. Walter, and Captain Stone (of the Salvation Army). Representatives of the unemployed who were present voiced dissatisfaction with the "stand down ” week which has hitherto been enforced, and a resolution was passed calling upon the local Unemployment Committee to abolish the “ stand down ” week, and to take steps to assure the men concerned that they would in future get their full allocation of work. The Mayor, in closing the meeting, thanked those present for their attendance and promised help, and said that he Was sure if they all worked together in a spirit of co-operative harmony the relief depot would be a success, and if the unemployed had their own secretary it should also lead to a more equitable distribution of the money the Unemployment Committee had available forwork. MALE CHOIR. At the annual meeting of the Balclutha Male Choir it was decided to revive the choir for the ensuing season. Last year the choir had decided to abandon operations until further notice. _ The follow ing office-bearers were appointed:—Presi dent, Mr N. Bell: vice-president, Mr W. R. Scott; conductor, Mr J. H. Guest; deputy conductor, Mr W. R. Scott; secretary, Mr R. Craigie; librarian. Mr F. Crutchley; pianist, Miss Iris Murray; committee —Messrs E. B. Lothian, J. P. Wallace, and T. Lawrence. It was decided to hold the first practice on June 21. HOUSE SCARCITY. Consequent on the increased number of men employed on the new traffic bridge there is a scarcity of houses for renting in Balclutha at the present time. The contractor (Mr Williamson) states that owing to the conclusion of contracts elsewhere his firm has had they have been compelled to transfer a number of the firm’s permanent employees to Balclutha, and extra skilled men are expected to arrive from Christchurch this week. As many of the men who have recently arrived have brought their families the scarcity of the housing accommodation can be readily imagined. RUGBY FOOTBALL. Saturday’s South Otago games resulted:—Senior Grade: Clinton 17, Woodlands 5; Clutha 3, Owaka 3; Toko 22, Star nil, played at Stirling. Second Grade: Coast 24, Toko nil; Union ;/33, Clutha nil, played at Balclutha; Valley 14, Waiwera nil. Third Grade; Toko District High School 19, South Otago High School 13, played at Milton. Crescent teams had a, bye, and the seniors met University C at Kaitangata, the game ending in a draw, 17 points each.