COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22710, 24 October 1935, Page 17

COUNTRY NEWS

LAWRENCE Young Farmers' Club The monthly meeting of the Lawrence Young Farmers' Club was held on Saturday night, Mr K. Crawford (chairman) presiding over an excellent attendance of members. A report was submitted on the ball held during the month, which showed it had been a successful function. After the business had been transacted Mr Smith, superintendent of the Agricultural Department, gave an illustrated address on the "Grasslands of New Zealand." The speaker received a hearty vote of thar.ks for his interesting and educative address. The club expressed its thanks to Mi R. S. Thompson and Mr J. Rose (president of the Waitahuna Farmers' Club) for donations to the finances of the club. PALMERSTON Golf # In the final round of the golf competition, over 36 holes, Nicol beat Hudson with 12 up and 10 to play. Twelve players from the Ardleigh Golf Club played a friendly match against an Oamaru team on Messrs Grave and Ireland's private links at Waianakarua. OMAKAU Miniature Rifle Club The Omakau Rifle Club brought its first season to an end on Monday, when some 30 odd members gathered for a novel competition of one minute for eight shots on the nine-bull targets. This was followed by a social evening and the presentation of buttons and medals. Deep regret was felt at the announcement of the death of Mr J. A.ston, who had been one of the club's most popular members. Before the presentations were made a brief silence was observed as a mark of respect. In the snap-shooting contest F. D'Arcy (75) proved the winner, after shooting off with J. Stevenson (75). The following are the button and medal winners:—M. Cahill, gold medal for the highest aggregate of the season; H. Glassford, gold button for the highest shoot off the rifle each week; F. D'Arcy, the silver button for the best shoot off the handicap each week; J. Watson, the bronze button for the most improved shoot each week. WAIMATE Ewe Hogget Competition The judges of the Waimate A. and P. Association's Ewe Hogget Competition, Messrs W. Macdonald (Pukeuri) and M. M'Rae (Waihao Downs), reported that, on the average, the hoggets were very creditable and, considering the unfavourable season, were in wonderful condition, although they la?ked the bloom which in a better season would certainly have been in evidence. An indication of the keenness of the competition is given by the fact that only one point separated the first and second prize winners. The placings were as follows, the maximum points allowed being 100: — E. Neal (Hunter) 92 points, 1; Jas. Stowell (St. Andrews) 91 points, 2; Preece Bros. (Waihao Downs) 78 points, 3; H. B. L. Johnstone (Hook) 76 points, 4; A. W. J. Robinson (Hunter), 75 points, 5; M'Donell Bros. (Waihao Downs) 73. points, 6. Women's Bowling Club Including representatives of the Men's Bowling Club, Timaru Women's Clubs, St. Paul's Croquet Club (Waimate), and club members, there was an attendance of over 90 at the opening of the Waimate Women's Bowling Club 1935-36 season on Tuesday afternoon. <s Mrs Kirk, president of the club, extended a welcome to those present and expressed the hope that the season would be a successful one Mrs Hadley, president of the Kia Toa Club, Timaru, and Mrs Gunn, of the West End Club, Timaru, replied. The Mayor (Mr G. Dash) officially declared the season open. Mrs J. B. Sinclair, wife of the president of the Men's Club, put up the kitty and the Mayoress (Mrs Dash) played the first bowl.

WAIKOUAITI The Weather A good shower of rain fell at Waikouaiti in the early hours of yesterday morning, and several light showers during the day, but a steady rain is still badly needed. Social A successful social and dance was held by the Waikouaiti Young Farmers' Club on Thursday evening. The following items were rendered:—Songs—Miss Ronsley and Mr Arthur Macdonald (Dunedin); recitations, Miss J. Bargh (Palmerston); bagpipe selections. Messrs A. Cullen and J. Hagan. During the evening a lucky spot waltz was won by Miss C. White and Mr M. Pernio, and a Monte Carlo waltz by Miss T. Shand and Mr F. Caldwell. A guessing competition was won by Mr C. Hall. The duties of M.C.'s were carried out by Messrs J. Hall and M. Nicol.

Murray (Greymouth), Mr H. Windle, Misses D. and G. Holland (Gore). New Club Hotel—Mr T. Hart (Lawrence), Mr A. D. Blair, Mr C. O. Mathias, Mr E. Amos, Mr H. J. Petrie, Mr and Mrs F T. Breese, Mr W. Wilhemson (Dunedin), Mr G. T. Alley, Mr F. S. Barraclough, Mrs G. G. Holmes, Mrs H. Kearns (Christchureh), Professor Galli (Invercargill), Mr H. S. Furness, Mr J. C. Brown (Wellington). OBITUARY MR W. S. WARD The death yesterday of Mr William Samuel Ward, of 9 Dee street, Oamaru, has removed a very familiar figure from the town, as out of his life of 70 years no less than 05 years were spent in Oamaru. Mr Ward was born in Dunedin, and came with his parents to Oamaru at five years of age, landing by surf boats on the foreshore. In his youth he secured employment at looking after sheep on the cape, and later at the old works at Kakanui. As a young man he started a carrying business in Oamaru, and for many years he was manager of thfl Oamaru branch of the New Zealand Express Co-npany. Leaving the employ of this company, he set up in business on his own account, in what was known as the "Old Curiosity Shop." situated in Thames street about where the United Friendly Societies' Dispensary now stands. When the premises now occupied by Burton'3 Emporium were erected, he removed there, and subsequently sold the business to Mr H. B. Burton. He then commenced a wholesale business on the site now occupied by Mr D. S. Bain, chemist, removing later to the premises now occupied by Messrs Mercer and Mitchell, at the corner of Tyne and Itcheu streets, continuing in business there until he was bought out by Messrs Rattray and Son, Ltd., about eight years ago, since when he has been living in retirement Mr Ward was a very old identity ot the town, and was associated with its early progress, though he did not take part in public life. He was a foundation member of the Protestant Alliance Lodge, and went through all the chairs of the lodge. During his long association with the town be made many friends, by whom he will be greatly missed. He is survived by Mrs Ward and six sons and three daughters, of whom Messrs Lyall and Norman Ward, and Mrs Whelau reside in Oamaru. One son, Mr Charles Ward, was killed at the Great War.