COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22267, 21 May 1934, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

PALMERSTON The second round of the Eastern District Eugby Football Sub-union's competitions commenced on Saturday. The game here was between Palmerston and Dunback, and proved to be the best exhibition : this -season, with many sparkling movements. After give-and-take play, first M'Knight and then Clearwater scored for Palmerston, Dunback opening its account shortly after with a try by A. Murray, Ruxelle converting. After halt time, D. Murray increased Palmerston s lead with a dash from his own twenty-five line to score behind the posts. Parkhill converted. M'Knight then scored again, Morrison converting, and Hannah kicked a penalty for-Dunback. The ex-All Black, E. T. Stewart, turned out again for Palmerston after a long spell, and was a tower of strength at full-back. Parkhill, M'Knight, Gibb (Palmerston), O'Connell brothers, and M'Cormack (Dunback) were the best players. The game ended: Palmerston 16, Dunback 8. Mr C. bta - lard (Dunedin) was the referee, palmerston Juniors defaulted to Waikouaiti Juniors, and Waitati defeated Merton by 13 points to nil. Mr T. Kirkwood (Waikouaiti) was the referee. The deputy chairman (Mr J. N. Clearwater) presided over a fair attendance at the fortnightly meeting of the Palmerston Young Farmers' Club on Friday night. The speaker for the evening was Mr J. E. Davies, of the Department of Agriculture, Dunedin, who gave, a lantern lecture on "The Fungoid Diseases of Plants." A general discussion on farming topics followed, the talk—one minute speeches—being given by Messrs J. N. Clearwater, N. J. Hitchcock, J. R. Crossan, and R.. Smith. The president (Mr N. M. Wright) announced that he had selected the following to attend the educational week for young farmers in Dunedin on June 18:—Messrs J. N. Clearwater, J. A. Ballingall, C. R. Coutts, P. D. Davis, and N. J. Hitchcock. Community singing at the close.of the meeting was led by Messrs J. A. Jack (banjomandoline) and R. Smith (bagpipes). Vocal solos were given by Mr P. M'Gregor and instrumental items by the abovementioned players. The Palmerston Harrier Club held its weekly run on Saturday from the premises of Deputy Captain A. Forrest. Setting off. at a brisk pace the pack'ran along the railway line to the High School, whence they ran to Tiverton street. At the sale yards the slow pack turned and followed the boundary road for a distance, then cutting across country and following a route past the hospital.to Gilligan street and back to the railway yards. In view of the Edmond Cup race the fast pack indulged in some speedy work. They travelled along the Dunback road and thence across country, circling Janets Peak. In a fast run home Pearson, Day, Whitfield, and Martin all ran well. In the slow pack P. Roberts and W. Corrigan were in good form. The club will hold its first handicap race next Saturday with a mile and a-half run. The club handicapper (Mr H. Johnson) has assessed the runners' merits as follows: A Ross 400 yards, P. Roberts and A. Heenan 340, E. Heenan 300, J. Heyes 280, J. Fletcher 260, W. Corrigan 240, B. Johnson 240, D. B. Martin and C. Dixon 180, A Forrest 100, J. Whitfield 60, G. L. Day 40, T. G. Pearson scr. Other entrants will be handicapped on. the grounds. ' : WAIKOUAITI Waikouaiti played Seacliff at Waikouaiti on Saturday, and won by 36 points to 6 points. ' In the first half Ross scored a try ind Davis converted (5), Ross a penalty goal (8), Bell a try and goal (13), Ross a try and goal, making Waikouaiti 18, Seacliff nil. In the second half M'Nattie scored a try and Gaffney a penalty goal for Seacliff (6). Ross, a penalty drop kick, a try, and Davis two goals, Dempster a try and a goal, Bell a try, making Waikouaiti 36 points. Mr Jones was the referee. The Palmerston B team defaulted to Waikouaiti B. The first meeting of the new School Committee was held on Friday evening, when Mr Andrew Fell was appointed chairman, Mr Turnbull vice-chairman, Mr J. V. M'Fie secretary and treasurer, and the Rev. T. W. Potts delegate to the Dental Clinic. The whole committee was appointed a Works Committee, and also a Visiting Committee. Dental clime finance was one of the many matter discussed, and the committee decided that only those children for whom the fee had been paid would be sent to the clinic for treatment. ROXBURGH The official opening of the new bridge over Shingle Creek, erected by the Tuapeka County Council, took place on Friday afternoon, There was a representative attendance of the public, and representatives of the Vincent County Council, Borough of Roxburgh, and Teviot Power Board were also present. The chairman of the Tuapeka County Council (Mr R. C. Hall) presided, and in an appropriate speech traced the history of the bridge and outlined the policy of his council in regard to the public works of the county. Mr John Bennetts, representative of the riding, and Mr J. Ritchie, chairman of the Vincent County Council, also spoke, after which Mrs Hall cut the ribbon and declared the bridge open for traffic. An adjournment was then made to the Shingle Creek Hotel, where afternoon tea was served and a short toast list honoured, the principal toasts of which we're " Early Settlers," responded to by Messrs A. H. Tamblyn and W. S. Craig, and "Local Bodies," . responded to by Messrs Laloli (Borough of Roxburgh), Weaver (Vincent County Council), M'Donald (Teviot Power Board), and H. A. Tamblyn (Rabbit Board). The new bridge is a handsome structure of reinforced concrete and has ample capacity for three cars. It was constructed by Mr Williams, of Oamaru. MIDDLEMARCH The weather right throughout the week has been most unpleasant with a heavy wind blowing continuously. On Wednesday afternoon a heavy north-west wind swept the plain, changing suddenly to the south-west on Thursday morning and bringing with it heavy showers of snow, which covered all the high country. The wind has somewhat moderated, but the conditions are exceedingly wintry. At midday on Thursday the barometer touched the very low point of 28.90, but rose during the night to 29.65. The indications at present are for frost, the absence of which at this time of the year is exceptional. . Some excellent stock are going forward from the district to the Dunedin Winter Show, many of which have been in preparation for the last 12 months. In the cattle sections Mr A. Carruthers will again be a strong competitor while the new exhibitors, Messr* W. Moynihan and W. Guy, are also sending cattle forward that should be heard of in the prize list. In the sheep_ sections Mr D. B. Craighead, who has maintained the reputation of the district for fat lambs during the last 10 years, is again going forward with 33 entries, while Mr F. G. Glover is also sending some sheep. The Calf Club, which v has done such excellent work amongst the children, will be represented again by the winners of last year and many others. CLYDE A meeting of the Clyde Town Trust was held on Monday last. Mr S. A. Stevens was in the chair. There were also present—Messrs W. M. Lopdell, C. J. Hanning. F. R. Bould. and C- G. Gray. The secretary reported that an exchange of 50 books had been arranged with the Alexandra Library and these books were now available to library members. A further number of books will be available shortly. The treasurer reported that the income since last meetinc amounted to £l7_los and disbursements £5 Os 7d. A motion was passed endorsing the statements that have been made regarding a dam in the Fraser River.