COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22751, 11 December 1935, Page 12

COUNTRY NEWS

PALMERSTON Borough Council The monthly meeting of the Palmerston Borough Council was hold on Monday, when there were present: The Mayor (Mr W. B. Galloway), Crs Earley, Hopkins, Hodgetts. Morrison, Ross, Fastier, Eiddle, M'Gregor, and Thomas. Mr B. Bryce (Clifton) wrote asking the council to effect improvements at Clifton Hill, on the Boundary road, as the road was too narrow.—lt was left to the Works Committee with power to act. The Public Works Department advised that the Main Highways Board contemplated making a tour of the South Island, and would be present in Palmerston on January. 31. Local body members would be welcome to discuss any particular matters which they desired to be considered. —The letter was held over until the next meeting. The chairman of the Works Committee (Cr Earley) reported that water channels had been cleaned out on Birsa, Runbrake, and Tiverton streets. A new footpath was formed on Runbrake street, and the road widened. During the month the power grader was engaged in cutting off a shoulder on the Dunedin-Christchurch highway, to drain water off the bitumen. Holes on the main highway, Sanday, and Tiverton streets had been repaired. A water service had been put into a residence on Eonaldsay street, and a broken water main on Craig street repaired. Kirkwall street was being widened. Accounts amounting to £252 Os 4d were passed for payment. The next meeting was fixed for January 20.

Valedictory At the monthly meeting of the Palmerston Borough Council opportunity ! was taken to bid farewell to Adjutant Mills, of the Salvation Army. The Mayor;(Mr W. B. Galloway) stated that Adjutant Mills had done invaluable work in. the borough, especially with the unemployed. He then called on the Mayoress (Mrs Galloway) to present Adjutant Mills with a gold wristlet watch, suitably inscribed, as a token of the esteem in which she was held by residents of Palmerston.— Crs Riddle and Earley endorsed the Mayor's remarks, and wished the guest long life and happiness in her new sphere of life, and Cr Thomas also spoke.—The Mayor welcomed Captain Ingerson to Palmerstou. Cr Ross, Mr T. Pickett, and Mr W- Hopkins, sen., also wished Adjutant Mills long life and good health to carry on her good work.—Adjuta'nt Mills, returning thanks, expressed appreciation of the kindness and goodwill which was always extended to her in Palmerston. EASTERN SOUTHLAND Cricket The Eastern Southland cricket competition was continued on Saturday in ideal weather. On the hostel grounds, Gore, Celtic A and Waikoikoi drew for the second time this year. Celtic batted first and scored 180 for nine (Brown 57, Banning 24, King 27). Waikoikoi played out time with 127 for seven (G. Spittle 64 not out). Mataura defeated Lumsden at Mataura by a margin of 108 runs. Lumsden batted first, and was all out for 55 (Holden 13). Mataura replied with 163 (Clarke 31, Leitch 35, M'Connell 25). ALEXANDRA . Bowling On Saturday two Alexandra rinks played two Bannockburn rinks on the local green, the following beingthe results (Alexandra names first): —J. D. Provan's rink 32, J. Ritchie's rink 19; J. H. Timming's rink 21, R. Robertson's 19. Friendly Societies' Council The annual meeting of the Alexandra United Friendly Societies' Council _ was held on Thursday evening, the president (Mr A. M'Kellar) occupying the chair. The annual report disclosed that the council had continued active in the interests o£ the friendly .societies generally, the various activities being well patronised. The council had during the year been in_ communication with the Vincent Hospital Board in connection with a hospital benefit scheme for friendly societies Generally throughout the board's area. The financial position of the council was very good, the year finishing with a credit balance of £lB 17s, which would be distributed amongst the various affiliated societies pro rata. —The report was adopted. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—President, Mr J. R. Earwaker; secretary, Mr C. P. B. Nightingale; auditor, Mr A. M'Kellar; trustees, Messrs E. Russell and A. M'Kellar.

It was decided to hold the annual church parade in the autumn, when the seasonal work would be finished.

In connection with the hospital scheme the council decided that the board's offer was not attractive enough to go further in the matter. The form of the scheme the council had in view was one in which each member contributed a given amount as hospital contributions, each member contributing being able to get free hospital treatment—a scheme similar to the doctor's list scheme. Personal Mr F. V. Macartney, of the local postal staff, who has been promoted to the accountants' branch, Wellington, left for his new position on Thursday. His successor, Mr A._ Riach, of Winton, has commenced duties here. Mr A. F. Stewart, manager of the Alexandra branch of the National Bank, who has been promoted to a similar position at Masterton, left with Mrs Stewart and family for his position yesterday. TAPANUI Cricket The second meeting for the season of Tapanui and Heriot took place on Saturday on the Tapanui ground. When the match was at an interesting stage a thunderstorm broke over the ground and the match was abandoned. Heriot batted first and compiled 137 runs (G. Sim 50, Pryde 35). Bowling for Tapanui, A. Rodger obtained six wickets for 37 runs and Robinson two wickets for seven runs. When rain, stopped play Tapanui had compiled, 69 runs for the loss of three wickets (D. Kane 35 and Robinson 21 not out). S. Ottrey obtained two wickets at a cost of 30 runs. CROMWELL Cricket Clyde and Cromwell B met in the association fixture at Cromwell on Saturday. M'Avoy £62) and Dore (34) put on 100 for the first wicket, and the innings closed for 140. Cromwell B had four down for 20. but two useful partner ships took the total to 103, Clyde winning by 37 runs. Principal scores for Cromwell were R. Varcoe 39 not out, C. Cunimings 26, and W. Hotop 12. Bowling for Cromwell B W. Paterson took six for 21, and R. Varcoe three for 20. Hollander, six for 18. was the most successful bowler for Clyde. Cromwell A had to draw on several young players for the association fixture with Excelsior A at Alexandra on Saturday. An interesting game ended in a win for Excelsior by four runs. Alexandra made 126 (Marslin 36; Henderson 28, Mount 26, King 22). Bailey, seven for 32, secured the bowling honours for Cromwell. The Cromwell team scored 122 (Macdonald 29, Bell 23, R. Toms 20. Cam Johnson 16). Mount, five for 50, was the most successful bowler for Excelsior.

Health Stamp Campaign The local effort in aid of the health stamp campaign is meeting with encouraging results. So far the sum of £44 Ss 6d is in hand, and this will be augmented by the final proceeds of an art union which is at present in prpgress. . i Defence Rifle Club In a teams' match fired by the Cromwell and Bannockburn Defence Rifle Clubs, four men aside, the secretary's team (311) defeated Mr J. C. Parcell's team (298)! Conditions were 10 shots at 300 yards and 600 yards. Scores:—Secretary's team: W. Veint, 43, 45—88; A. Bell, 44, 42—86; E. Laurence. 39, 37—76; X. Toms, 29, 32—61. Mr Parcell's team: J. C. Parcel 1, 40, 40—80; J. Jocelyn, 35, 37 72; V. Parcell, 36, 40—76; M. Jolly, 33. 37—70. On December 8 another round of the Cairnmuir Cup was fired, 10 shots at 300 yards, 500 yards, and 600 yards. A varying breeze and light made conditions a little difficult. Scores: J, C. Parcell, 44, 45, 46—135; W. Veint. 44, 44, 42—130; A. Key, 34, 45, 39—118; E. Lawrence. 39, 36, 35—110; J. Jocelvn, 33, 39. 34 106; A. Jocelyn. 36, 32. 33—101; V. Parcell, 33, 38, 26—97; N: Toms, 32, 29, 34 95. Rainfall With 185 points for the month, the rainfall for November was well up. tr> the average. Rain fell on seven- days, the maximum being 62 points on the 19th, •and the minimum six points on the sth. So far this season there h as n °t been sufficient rain at one time to cause the usual rise in the rivers. Since the winter months three feet has been the highest point touched on the gauge, and generally the Kawarau has been running at an average winter level. . Valedictory Mr and Mrs R. Smart and family, who have resided in Cromwell for the past few years, left on Saturday, morning for Southland. Mr Smart has represented a well-known petrol firm in the. Central area, and has been transferred to Otatitau. Both the parents and the members of the family, all of whom are talented musicians, have given valuable service.to many local organisations, and for the fewdays preceding their departure, theee services were fittingly recognised in a series of presentations and-expressions of good wishes for the future. The Weather . . / "'. , . The district is now . experiencing a period of real heat, and this is welcomed by orchardiste, whose crops, particularly stone fruit'and tomatoes, were somewhat backward. With the improved conditions better progress" has been made with shearing, which is now in full swing. * BALCLUTHA , / Farewell to Bank Manager A large number of clients of the National Bank, including several ladies, assembled on Monday evening to bid farewell to the popular manager of the branch, Mr R. D. Macdonald. Mr E. R. Grigor, on behalf of the clients, made the presentation to Mr Mwedonald of a sum of money, and in doing so wished him and Mrs Macdonald every happiness in their retirement at Oamaru. Mr Macdonald had, he said, been an ideal country banker, doing his duty to client and bank in a tactful way. It was the wish of the subscribers that Mr and Mrs Macdonald would purchase something that would serve to remind them of the 12 years they had spent in Balclutha. The Mayor.; (Mr D. ,T. Fleming) also spoke, and said he was sorry indeed to be losing so good a citizen, who had been active in all social and public activities in the town. Mr Norman Bell refered to the good feeling that existed among members of the local staff of the Bank of -.New Zealand with Mr Macdonlad, and. other speakers were Messrs J. H. Stevenson, W. Kean, Mrs C, Stevenson, Mr; James Thomson (who. had been a client of the bank for 50 years), and Mr John Christie.

Mr Macdonald made a suitable reply, and said he would never forget the kindness shown to him by the people of Balclutha. Mr Macdonald then introduced the new manager (Mr Lewis M'Donakl), who briefly- replied. ; ■-■■'■ ~

Tribute from Jury ', .■'"'.. Returning a verdict of accidental drowning at the inquest .touching, on the death of Charles David .Farquhar,, .who was drowned at" Te ' Hoiika, the jury added a rider commending the two brothers of the deceased, for their attempt at,rescue. The two boys, Francis- James Farquhar, and Archibald, had formed a chain with the drowning man by linking hands, but had themselves been pulled into the-water, and somehow managed to struggle, out/although neither could swim. The acting coroner (Mr W. Kean, J.P.) expressed sympathy with the parents, Mr and Mrs George Fraquhar, of Toiro. Personal

At the meeting of the executive of the South Otago Aero Club on Monday night Messrs A. M'Culloeh, Ross, and D. H. Ballantyne were admitted as associate members.

South Otago Aero Club The executive of the South Otago Aero Club met on Monday night, the president (Mr R. R. Grigor) occupying the chair. Advice was received from the Unemployment Board that the club's application for assistance in extending the aerodrome was under consideration.

It was decided that the Department of Civil Aviation be asked to suggest plans for a hangar at the aerodrpme. Arrangements were made for the executive to meet members of the Borough Council at the aerodrome to discuss proposed improvements.

The official opening of the: aerodrome was tentatively arranged for early in the New Year. It was decided to seek the co-operation of the Otago Aero Club and the Defence Department in holding a pageant to mark the occasion. It was reported that all the flying pupils were making good progress, and that new pupils of a good type were enrolling for tuition. The secretary was instructed to convey the club'e congratulations to Pilot A. N. Macfarlane on his appointment to the Royal Air Force. Reference was made to the departure from Balclutha of Mr R. D. Macdonald, who had been a valued member of .the executive since its formation, and it was decided to forward to him a letter of appreciation. . School Break-up

The Balclutha School Committee has decided, on the advice of the headmaster, and, owing to the ; prevalence *of sickness in the school, to postpone the break-up concert until early, in the New Year, and to mark the break-up >. with .a.. prize-