COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23016, 20 October 1936, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS

BALCLUTHA Bowling * Balclutha Club had a very successful opening on Saturday, there being a large attendance, and the green in good order. . Mrs Cunliffe, wife of, the president (Mr W. Cunliffe) rolled the first bowl, and the Mayor (Mr FleniT ing) declared the green open. Visitors ,were present from Kaitangata and elsewhere. and five rinks participated in the match. President v. Vice-president. The ladies provided an excellent afternoon tea. ‘ Cricket i Owaka defeated Benhar on Saturday by 185 runs to 81. Tomkinson (105, retired) topped the, score for Owaka. For Benhar the best scores were made by A. Stewart (23), H. Barrett (21), G. Barron (13), S. Latta (10). Angling Some good bags were secured by local anglers at the week-end. Two rods obtained 21 in the Pomahaka, some of the fish being outstanding in size, while two other local fishermen brought back 45 from the Gatlins. Mr W. Mason landed nine good fish at the Owaka, and another rod secured seven' from the same river. Worm and minnow fishers in the Molyneux did well, and Mr B. Bower landed an outsize in fish. PALMERSTON Lawn Tennis The Palmerston Lawn Tennis Club officially opened its . courts on Saturday, when there was a good crowd present. Mr C. Olsen, president, welcomed the members and visitors, and called on Mrs Olsen to hit the first ball over the net. Those present included players from Waikouaiti, Shag Point, Dunback, Auckland, and Balclutha. In spite of the slightly cold afternoon, some enjoyable sets were played. Bowling The opening day of the Bowling Club was also held on Saturday, a large number of members and visitors from Waikouaiti, Dunback, Hampden, Phcenix, Awamoa, and Kaituna clubs attending. The president (Mr N. Rolfe) welcomed the representatives of these clubs, who, in replying, wished Palmerston a very successful season. Mrs John Philip then rolled the first bowl, and later some interesting matches wei’e played. WAIKOUAITI A. and P. Society There was a very good attendance at a meeting of the committee of the Waikouaiti A. and P. Society held on Saturday evening, the president (Mr A. Fell) occupying the chair. Judges appointed are:—Friesian cattle. Mr Stott (Five Forks); Jerseys. Mr Peattie (Palmerston); hacks and thoroughbred horses. Mr J. F. Aubrey (Outram); coachers and ponies, Mr A. Walker (Outram); Corriedale and Southdown sheep, Mr,Twaddle (Bushey Park); fat sheep Messrs Stewart and Grandi (Palmerston); dogs, Mr D. Munro (Palmerston); butter and baking, Mrs D. Phillip (Highgate); flowers, Mrs D Burgess (Palmerston). Mr Grandi’s donation of 20s will form, a prize for a competition in judging pens of fat lambs, to be limited to the younger people attending the show. A subcommittee was appointed to attend to the erection of special yards, etc., towards the cost of which the Domain Board had made a donation of £5. “ Best maiden hunter ” will form a new class, a cup to be won outright being the prize. “A pair of draught geldings'’ will be another new class, and the prize money in a number of classes in draughts will be increased. A silver tray, a very beautiful trophy has been presented by Mr T. Hewitt for most points in draft horses, an additional condition being the champion to count two points and reserve champion one point. ( v

ALEXANDRA Proposed Drainage Scheme With a view to placing the proposals for the suggested drainage scheme for the town before the ratepayers, the Alexandra Borough Council held a public meeting on Friday night The Mayor. Mr William Bringans, presided. and said the council thought the time was opportune for the drainage of the remainder of the borough, and with this object had had the necessary survey carried out, and had made the necessary financial arrangements with the Loans Board. The Employment Promotion Fund authority had also granted assistance to the extent of subsidising each man’s wages by £2 5s per week, and this was estimated to be a benefit to the borough to the extent of over £2OOO. The scheme seemed to be necessary in the interests of the health of a town which continued to grow and the climate of which was very warm in the summer months. Mr Bringans thought the town had everything to gain by the undertaking The scheme as at present surveyed would go to the railway station in one direction, to Kinnaird’s corner on the western boundary, and the Manuherikia River on the other boundaries The portion of the town between the Clyde road and the railway station would be drained into the Manuherikia River at a point behind Mr Marslin’s property, and the rest of the town would be drained into the Molyneux River above the motor camp. Any houses outside the area drained would have a septic tank and a sump installed. The method of financing the scheme was outlined by the Mayor He said the council proposed to raise a loan of £IOOO for making loans to ratepayers to connect their properties to the sewer or septic tank. This money would be loaned at 4£ per cent, interest and repaid by 20 equal half-yearly instalments. The cost of the scheme would be £9OOO, and the Unemployment Board subsidy would reduce the cost by approximately £2OOO. The proposal was to borrow the difference, £7OOO. at 3| per cent, interest and repay it by equal yeai-ly instalments over a period of 35 years. The annual cost of the loan would be £350. The council hoped to be able to meet this annual cost out of the ordinary revenue of the borough and without increasing the rates. One point that had given the council considerable thought, stated the Mayor, was the question raised by the Health Department of treatment of the sewage to be placed in the Molyneux River. There was no such intention of requesting this treatment to be done at present, however, and the Health Department was satisfied with the council making provision for treatment should it at any time be required. Mr Bringans took the opportunity of thanking Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P., for the work he had done in dealing with the various matters arising in Wellington. He hoped the ratepayers would vote in favour of the proposal. Mr Bodkin said the scheme had his wholeheax-ted support, and as a large ratepayer in the borough he considered it a sound business proposition and he commended it to the favourable consideration of the ratepayers. Mr Bodkin outlined the exceptional benefits of drainage to the housewife, and he thought Alexandra, with a drainage scheme, would bo one of the finest towns in New Zealand, and the scheme should gi’eatly add to its atti’activeness from a residential point of view. He did not think the treatment of sewage was a real issue in the immediate future, but even if it did have to be undertaken in, say, 15 years time, a considerable portion of the loan money would have been repaid and he

also , reminded- listeners . that iyhen a waterworks loan of £.BOOO was repaid this would allow the council another £356 annually to work on. The poll'will be taken on Friday. A Severe Frost , '

Following several days of cold southeasterly weather-a very severe frost of 14 degrees culminated on Friday night and Saturday morning on some orchards in the fi’ost alarm going and from then till 7 a.m. the prehardists fought a hard, battle to raisb th,e temperature. There is now a considerable number of orchardists throughout the area with’ frost, fighting equipment, probably ,50 .per .cent., and it can be stated'fairly accurately that they have made a 100 per cent. save. That is, of course, in the area in which the fuel pots are situated.. Among-the. other growers the degree of loss seems to vary from 33 1-3 per cent, to 100 per cent., but it is really, a little early yet to make a reliable estimate. The frost also appears to have been in belts, as it, was particularly bad in the Blackman’s Gully, Butcher’s Gully, and Manuherikia Valley area. Growers in these places estimate . their , losses to be very heavy. Strawberries ■ appear to have suffered a great deal, as also have stone fruits, but a correct estimate is as yet not possible. CROMWELL Cricket The Vincent Cricket Association fixtures commenced on Saturday. Cromwell and Lowburn met at Cromwell, Lowburn scoring an easy win. Batting first Cromwell were all out for 78 (J. Webbr33, A. Bell 11). Lowburn put on 131 for the first wicket, and at stumps had scored 259 for eight-wickets (D. Wishart 91. F. Partridge, jun., 71, D. Henderson 37, R. M’Donald 20, I. Campbell 13 not put. ■ '. ■ Miniature Rifle Club

. The Kawarau Men’s Club held a successful final shppt. followed by a snclal evening. The competition was a novelty handicap, and the trophy was given by A. Ree. This was won by R. M’Donald. Another trophy, presented by Mr W. Veint for the highest score off the rifle, was won by F. Geering, and a trophy presented by Mr R. M’Donald was won by A. Stephens. In a-review of the season’s activities, the president (Mr A. Key) congratulated the club on the success of its first year. He thanked members for their support, and referred to the interest in the Ladies' Club and the success of its representatives at Oamaru. For the members, Mr H. T. Wilkinson paid a tribute to the excellent work of the president and the secretary (Mr F.'Geering). Horticultural Society At the annual meeting of the Bannockburn Horticultural Society there was a fair attendance of members, Mr John Swann being in the chair. The patron (Mr James Ritchie) presented to the winner, Mrs T. Smith, the M’Grath Cup for the most points at the 1936 show. The meeting decided to send to the Rev. B. League a letter of appreciation of his work for the society, and a similar appreciation to Mr J. Stewart, formerly assistant secretary. Office-bearers were elected as follows:—Patron. Mr James Ritchie; president. Mr J. Swann: vice-presidents —Messrs R. Bowie, A. Dewar, and new Presbvterian minister; committee— Mesdames Bennetts, A. Crombie, E. Joblen, J. Ritchie, T. Smith, W. Scott, Misses F. Short, A. Parcell. A. Robertson. Messrs W. Gunn, T. Crabbe, and L. Scott: secretary and treasurer. Mr H. N. Hendra; assistant secretary. Miss Joan Robertson: Schedule CommitteepMesdames Crombie, Bennetts, J. Ritchie, T. Smith, and two secretaries. The next show will be. held on February 13 or 20, 1937. Mrs T. Smith has presented a miniature cup for most points in the baking section. .

R.S.A. 1 An attendance of 15 returned men met Mr Ferens (Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association secretary) on the occasion of his visit to Cromwell last week. The Mayor presided. In a most interesting address, Mr Ferens gave a resume of the executive’s activities jn the interests of returned men. and recounted the success of their activities in the direction of increased pensions. The association still hoped for greater benefits. Mr Ferens further referred to the record financial success of the last Poppy Day appeal, and the Anzac stamp campaign, He answered several questions, and received a hearty vote of thanks from those present. On the suggestion of the Mayor, the meeting adopted a motion recommending the Dunedin executive to support a petition for an irrigation scheme for the Upper Clutha Valley, in which was the Pisa Flat, originally ear-marked for returned soldiers. MIDDLEMARCH Louisa Roberts Hospital The series of social evenings which has been running on through the winter months under the auspices of the Louisa Roberts Hospital Committee for the benefit of the hospital funds was brought to a' successful close in the A. and P. Hall on Friday evening when a fancy drdss social and dance was held, during which various competitions were engaged in by the very large number present. The costumes were interesting and amusing, and the judges—Mesdames F. James, T. Carruthers, J. Jones, and J. Aubray—nad great difficulty in making their decisions. The card competitions .were under the direction of Mr T. Carruthers during the series, and Mr Albert Robertson acted as M.C. for the dancing competitions. Before proceeding with the presentation of prizes the chairman of the committee (Mr F. Howell) expressed the appreciation and thanks of the committee to all those who assisted so materially to make the evenings so successful, especially the women who were unfailing in their attention to the supper requirements. He also made special mention of the members of the orchestra—Mrs Ayson and Messrs G. Peat. Newman, and Tisdall—who had given so much of their time so ungrudgingly for the benefit of (he hospital and the enjoyment of all. Following are the Srize-winners: —Women’s fancy dress, liss Gwen Elliot 1, Mrs Sutherland 2: women’s fancy dress, F. Howell 1. Mr C. Sutherland 2: pair. Mrs G. Peat and Mrs Albert Robertson 1. Mr Albert Robertson and E. Peat 2; cards — Women. Mrs J. Schluter (consolation, Mrs W. M’Clintock): men, E. Heenan (consolation, E. Liddicoat): women’s aggregate number of games for the series, Mrs Kennedy 47 games: men’s aggregate, R. Campbell 47 games; Monte Carlo waltz in fancy costume. Miss B. Robertson and Con White: lucky spot waltz, Mr Cockburn and Miss Pickei-ing; waltzing competition. Mr and Mrs A. M’Gregor.

Weather With only 25 points of rain so far this month, and a succession of drying winds, the district is greatly in need of a change. Pastures continue to go back, and nothing is making headway. The hard frost of Friday night has damaged most of the fruit, and the prospects generally at the moment certainly look gloomy.