COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22628, 20 July 1935, Page 21

COUNTRY NEWS

ALEXANDRA Winter Sports With the weather remaining favourable, the Manorburn dam has remained frozen over during the week, although the depth of ice is not considered very great. During the week-end skating took place, but casualties were again in evidence. Mr F. Backholm, with Miss S. Cameron as partner, encountered a twig which resulted in their receiving a nasty fall. Mr Backholm received a fractured nose, and Misa Cameron fortunately escaped with only abrasions. Mr V. G. Spain, skating at Oturehua on Saturday evening last, and not observing a roped-o 5 section, came into contact with the rope, receiving a nasty fall and breaking two small ankle bones. Fire Brigade

The annual meeting of the Alexandra Fire Brigade was held on Tuesday evening last, Superintendent W. Carline presiding over a large attendance of firemen. He welcomed to the meeting the Mayor (Mr William Bringans) and Cr E. Russell, representing the Alexandra Borough Council, and also the honorary members present.

Referring to the financial position of the brigade, the superintendent asked for suggestions that would assist in maintaining the finances. The annual report showed that there had not been any serious outbreak of fire during the year. The brigade considered that the reduction on insurance premiums granted by the Underwriters’ Association was very small, considering the very efficient firefighting force available and the up-to-date equipment supplied. The report showed the membership of the brigade to be 19, and not one resignation had been received during the year. The Mayor congratulated the board on its achievements in the past, and made various suggestions whereby the revenue should be increased. He also congratulated the members for the excellent attendances shown during the year, one fireman not shaving missed one parade out of the possible of 40 and several others had an equally commendable performance.

Cr Russel! also congratulated the brigade on the work the members were doing for the borough. He paid a tribute to the self-sacrificing work put in for the brigade by several members, who had served up to and over 25 years in the brigade.

Mr C. E. Richards congratulated members on their excellent attendances, and made special mention of the wonderful service' rendered to the brigade and the town generally by the retiring superintendent, Mr William Carline, jun. The remarks concerning Superintendent Carline were endorsed by Fireman A. M'Kellar, who stated that the brigade had suffered a severe loss by Superintendent Carline ? s_ relinquishing the position. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Superintendent, Mr H. G. Walles; deputy-superintendent, Mr B. S. Carline; foreman. Mr C. J. Rooney; assistant foreman, Mr Arthur Ashworth; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Hewitt. It was decided, on the motion of Fireman Archibald Ashworth, to forward a letter of congratulation of Sunerintendent Salmon, of _ the Dunedin City Brigade, upon attaining 50 years’ service at firefighting.

The Mayor suggested that the medals and bars earned by firemen during the year should be presented at a more public function than the present one. He suggested • that thev be presented at the annual social. —Other speakers spoke in favour of the_ suggestion, and it was eventually decided that the decorations be presented at the annual social on August 29.

Sunerintendent Carline. returning thanks for the complimentary remarks made to him. paid a tribute to the coiperaHon he had. received from the other members of the brigade. He stated that he would be iust as keen as ever on the wo-k of the brigade.

Superintendent Wallis also returned thanks for his election. He considered he had a hard task ahead of him to fill the position ap capably as the late superintendent

Properly Change Mr W. B. Sim, of Orookston, has entered into possession of the farming property at Fruitlands recently occupied by Mr H. C. Smith. Golf

The first round of play in the championship events of the men’s section commenced on Saturday last with the following results;—A. I. Milne beat J. J. O’Kane 3 and 1. F. B. Belcher beat J. D. Watt 8 and 7, V. J Schauman beat John Dutiqan 2 up. Fruitgrowers’ Conference

The following remits were recently passed by a meeting of the Earnscleugh Fruitgrowers’ Association to be forwarded to . the annual conference: —(1) That owing to the problems peculiar to each fruitgrowing province a chain of trial stations be established in each province to be linked with each research orchard; as, for example, Otago with its irrigation problems as 'they may affect the establishment of irrigation problems in other provinces; (2) that farmers’ motor trucks acting as they do as feeders to the railways be exempt from heavy traffic license fees. (3) That the Union Steam Ship Company be asked to provide cool storage accommodation for the carriage of fruit on the inter-island services. 14) That the Shipping Committee be requested to make available for Ofago additional special accommodation for the carriage of pears.

Horticultural Society There was a very large attendance of members at the special meeting of the Alexandra Horticultural Society, held on Thursday evening, when a very interesting and instructive address was delivered to members by Mr J. E. Sharp, assistant orchard instructor. The - subject of Mr Sharp’s talk was “ Propagation.” At the conclusion of his address he was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks.

Personal Messrs J. H. Waigth (manager) and J. Bennetts, representing the Co-operative Fruitgrowers of Otago, were in Alexandra during the week in connection with matters affecting the fruitgrowing industry. The Rev. A. R. Chisholm and Mrs Chisholm, of Waitahunn, are at present on a visit to Alexandra. Mr J. L. Thomas, who was for some years first assistant on the staff of the Alexandra District High School, is at present acting as headmaster at Lauder. Mr and Mrs R. S. Kinnaird will leave for Wellington to-day. MIDDLEMARCH Presbyterian Church The annual meeting of the Presbyterian Church was held in ’the church on Monday evening last. The Rev. I. G. Borrie, moderator of the charge, which is now vacant, presided and there was a very large attendance of members and adherents. The balance sheet presented by the treasurer (Mr W. Robson), showed a credit balance of £3O, which, after the large debit balances of the last few years, was considered eminently satisfactory. The reports from the various organisations in connection with the church were presented, which showed that, although there had been no settled minister during the year, steady progress had been made in all branches. The reports were presented as follows;—Church session, Mr J. Slater; Managing Committee, Mr James Dawson; Sunday school, Mr W. Robson; Ladies’ Guild, Mrs R. N. Elliot; choir, Mr James Dawson; Bible Class, Mr 6 Kennedy. The Sunday school at Ngapuna, under Mrs P. MTadyen, had been greatly handicapped during the year through illness in that district. Otherwise the attendance had been satisfactory. The ministerial duties had been carried on very well by divinity students from Dunedin and the question of appointing a settled minister was discussed at length. It was stated that the present manse was unsuitable owing to its being situated so far d'istant from the church, and it was finally agreed that the matter of a settled minister be deferred until the question of the manse be decided. After consideration it was finaby agreed that authority be given the incoming committee to dispose of the present manse and grounds to the best advantage and that a new manse be erected close to the church. The following were appointed a Building Committee: —Messrs J. Slater, W. J. Keast, J l . Dawson, 11. N. Elliot, and J. M’Master.

The moderator complimented the congregation on the progress made during the past year, and the increased interest displayed, after which Mr James Dawson and Mr W. J. Keast moved a comprehensive vote of thanks to all those who carried on the work of the various branches of activities. The following new members were added to the Committee of Management;—Messrs J. Leckie, J. M'Master, and W. iLeggett. The business of the evening was interspersed with several anthems by the choir under the leadership of Mrs JM'Master, which were much appreciated. Later the meeting adjourned to the Sunday School Hall, where a very enjoyable social was held. Schoolboy Injured While playing Rugby football on the school grounds on Thursday Harrold Keast had the misfortune to break his wrist. He was taken to the hospital by the headmaster, Mr Gillespie, where he was attended to by Dr Logan. CLYDE Fruitgrowers’ Meetings Messrs John Bennetts and H. Waigth (chairman and secretary respectively of the Co-operative Fruitgrowers of Otago) have conducted a series of meetings with their members and clients in the fruitgrowing areas of Central Otago. The object of the meetings was the securing of more remunerative prices for canning fruit. During the past few seasons growers have made individual contracts with the canning factories for their fruit. These prices have not been satisfactory, and Mr Bennetts urgently stressed the necessity of co-operation in thier efforts to secure a more payable price for this class of fruit. The prices last season were l|d per lb for canning apricots, peaches, and nectarines, and lid for jam, IJd for plums, and Id for pears, on rail, Dunedin. The prices suggested by the speakers were 2d per lb for canning apricots, peaches, and nectarines, and ijd for jam, l|d for plums, lid for pears, 2|d for greengages, if supplied on rail, Clyde, and also that a delegate from each centre meet the canners to discuss the prices. A motion to this effect was unanimously carried at Clyde on Thursday night, and similar motions were carried at Roxburgh, Cromwell, and Earnscleugh. Another question of vital importance to the industry was introduced by Mr Waigth in regard to the charging for cases. Christchurch retailers had declined to pay for eases in future. Mr Bennetts informed those present that the huge sum of £42,000 had been returned to growers by his society since the charging for cases had been in operation, and he urged them to stand firm in their determination to have the charges continued. Cases were paid for from Timaru to Invercargill without demur, and Nelson had now adopted the charge for cases. He and Mr Weight would attend a meeting of growers in Christchurch on the subject, and he wished this meeting to support them by embodying a motion that they would persist in cases being charged for at the old rate of 6d per bushel and 4d for half-bushel cases and a lesser sum for cherry boxes. The request was supported by all growers present.

Personal The many friends of Mr D. R. Corson, who recently left this district, will be pleased to hear of his appointment as manager of the newly-established branch in Oamaru of the Perpetual Trustees Company.

The Weather

Since the beginning of the week the weather ha« taken a decided change. Very light frosts have been experienced, and there has been considerable warmth during the day. Orchardists have been to speed-up pruning operations, which are now very necessary. The winter has been a favourable one for stock in Central Otago, feed being abundant, with no enow except on very high country. The closing of the gates on the Kawarau has lowered the river still more.

Miniature Rifle Club „ A meeting in connection with the formation of a miniature rifle club was held on Thursday night, when it was decided that a club be formed. Alterations to the building offered will make a suitable range. The following were appointed office bearers:—Patron, Mr H. E. Stevens; president, Mr W. Thompson; secretary and treasurer, Mr Ted Stevens; senior vice-president, Mr D, Sinclair; vice-presidents—Messrs J. Aitken, R. Forrest, and J. L. Davidson: committee —Messrs I. Wilson, A. Annan, and R. Sinclair; range officers —Messrs R. Forrest. D. Sinclair, E. W. George, and T. R. Robertson. The subscription was fixed at 7s fid. WAIKOUAITI Bowling Social On Wednesday evening members of the Waikouaiti Bowling Club entertained the lady members at a social in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Dancing and cards, together with vocal and instrumental items, formed a programme which was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. School Essays As part of the school jubilee celebrations. Mrs Arthur Woods offered a prize for the best essay in each of Standards IV, V, and VI. These essays have now been judged by Mrs Woods and the Rev. T. W. Potts. Mavis Read was awarded the prize in Standard VI, Rod M'Kenzie in Standard V, and Linda Toomey in Standard IV. The subject of the essay was, " Bonds of Empire,” and it is understood that the judges are well pleased with the general high standard of the work.