BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21989, 26 June 1933, Page 9

BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS

(From Our Own Correspondent.) BALCLUTHA, June 25. FARMERS’ UNION, v Mr A. A. Jenson presided oyer a fair attendance at the monthly meeting of the Clutha branch of the Farmers’ Union last night. The. chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr A. C. Cameron, provincial secretary, for his organisation of the Young Fanners’ Week, and the readiness with which he had agreed to four lads going from this district in place of the regulation two. The boys had had a very enjoyable experience, mul he (the speaker) hoped that it would prove to be the forerunner of many similar gatherings.—The vote was carried by acclamation. Mr J. Johnston reported on behalf of the delegates who attended the provincial conference in Dunedin, arid concluded bv stating that the conference had decided to cut down as far as possible the expenses incurred in running the union in Otago. The organiser’s expenses, which last year amounted to £276 10s, would not be a recurrent item this year. It was agreed that the chairman and Messrs Renton and Wood present the medals for home gardens won by Gerald Anderson and John Wallace (pupils of the Stirling School) at a function to be held at Stirling. Mr J. Wood said he would like to see the union go further into the matter of the South Otago High School, and to see the school definitely committed to a course of agricultural study. He would move: “That the j South Otago High School Board be again written to stating that the union would like to see the school committed to a course of agricultural training.” This, the speaker believed, could bo made a centre of agricultural education for this part of Otago. There was nothing nearer in that line than the Waitaki Boys’ High School. At' this stage Mr J. Garfield Anderson, principal of the South Otago High School, proceeded to explain at some length what had led up to the present difficulty in the teaching of agriculture, since the departure cf Mr Nash from the school staff. Incidentally he blamed " the Board of Governors for not being able to make up their mind as to what was best for the school. Although the board had decided to advertise for an A grade teacher the applications before the last meeting did not include one who was graded A. One of the applicants he had referred to had a D grade certificate, and was extremely well equipped to teach agriculture. He had been giving a regular course of lectures to farm cadets, and had had charge of a farm of 700 acres for six years, on which there were many experimental plots. At its last meeting the Board of Governors had decided to hold over an appointment till the end of the year. The union need have no fears about the agricultural work not proceeding at the school. He felt strongly that the academic curriculum should bo altered to make it more elastic, broader, and more suitable for the district. The matriculation examination dominated the whole educational system, which was a big mistake. There should be an engineering room, and boys should be taught to use their hands, instead of trying to force them all through the same educational mould. The motion to approach the High School Board was carried, and Mr Archibald Anderson moved that the following remit be sent to the Dominion Executive; — “ That in what is essentially a primary producing country, the general type of education is far too academic to meet too needs of the country, and that it should be broadened to give scope to agricultural, engineering, mechanical, and commercial courses.”—-Carried. Mr J. G. Anderson spoke of the instruction in wool classing given by Mr M’Gregor, recognised ns an expert, and it was decided til at Mr M'Grcgor should be invited to conduct a class in Balclutha, in conjunction with the agricultural class at the High School. rugby football. Clutha seniors met Woodlands on the Balclutha Show Ground yesterday. The weather was fine, but the attendance of the public was disappointing. In the first spell Henderson (Clutha) obtained a try through fast following up in the first three minutes. Tinsley Wilson's kick at goal missed. Bowcott initiated a passing rush, and the ball coining to 1. Gold (wing three-quarter), that player made a fine, dodgy run to score in a good position, but the kick at goal again failed. The spell ended with Clutha 6 points up. In the second spell both teams fell away, and the game was only second grade. No further score resulted, although Woodlands, who made many friends by the fair way they played the game, had rather the

bettor of it. Clutlia thus won by ,6 points to nil. The Rev. F. J. Handy was the referee. Other South Otago games resulted: — First Grade—Crescent 9, Star nil; Owaka 11, Toko 8. Second Grade. —Toko 30, Clutha nil; Valley 0, Union nil; Crescent 3, Waiwera 3 (drawn game). Third Grade.—South Otago High School 5, Toko 3; Toko District High School 14, Crescent 9. LAMB FOR CANTERBURY. On Friday night the buyer for Borthwiek and Son despatched 43 trucks of lambs from Balclutha for Belfast works. This represents over 3000 lambs. Another buyer also despatched a number of fat ewes for Addington. During the past few weeks a steady stream of fat lambs and sheep has gone Canterbury-wards from Southland and Otago. EVEN LOT OF LAMBS. A remarkably even lot of lambs was put through the Finegand Works by Mr R. D. Willocks, of Stony _ Creek, the other day. The average -weight of 240 lambs was 43.581 b, and there were only four classed second-grade in the whole draft. The average price on the hooks was 12s 2d, but the owner decided to “pool” them for sale on consignment at Home. PRICE OF DAIRY COWS. Dairy cows close to profit were in demand at Balclutha yards on Friday, elderly cows selling at £3 10s to £3 15s, and good young cows at drop brought up to £7. At the sale at Knitangata yesterday a number of really good cows were picked up at around £3 a head, while at a sale at Maungatua last week good dairy cows sold as high as"£9 a head. HOCKEY. Balclutha Men’s Club visited Gore yesterday, and defeated a combined Gore team by six goals to one. Balclutha ladies won their game against Owaka on the Balclutha ground by five goals to nil.