COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23058, 8 December 1936, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS

MILTON Personal After 25 years' service as treasurer of Loyal Milton Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., Past Grand Bro. A. E. Powley has resigned the position. A minute of appreciation of his lengthy and valued services was recorded at the fortnightly meeting, and P.G. Bro. George Melville was appointed as his successor. At the fortnightly meeting of Loyal Milton Lodge of Oddfellows, P.G.'s Bros. W. Kirby, R. H. Baird. J. Murray and Bro. G. H. Thomson were appointed as lodge delegates on the local United Friendly Societies' Dispensary Board of Management. P.G. Bro. John Taylor (president of the board) and P.G. Bro. H. E. Ransome did not seek re-election, and a minute of appreciation was recorded of their lengthy past services. Summer Show The sheep-guessing competition at Toko Farmers Club's summer show on Saturday was won by Mr H. Graham (no address given), who guessed the correct live weight (492£1b) of three fat sheep. Messrs R. M. Rutherford (Milton) and C. Clarke (Lovell's Flat) tied for second prize with guesses of 4921 b. The name of Mrs A. Carruthers, of Ngapuna, was inadvertently omitted from the list of judges at the summer show. Mrs Carruthers assisted Mrs Nyhon in judging the home industries. A noteworthy feature of the prizewinning list at Toko Farmers' Club's summer show on Saturday was that five of the splendid array of silver challenge cups, presented to the club at its jubilee show last year and in previous years, were won' outright by exhibitors, thus greatly decreasing the number of special trophies for competition at future shows. Following is the list of cups won outright:—Most points in cattle (Milton Dairy Factory Company's cup), won by John Howie; best 11.0 hack (Mrs Dalziel's "Chrysler" Cup), won by J. J. Morris. Dunedin: best local hunter (Miss Burnett's cup), won by W. Telford. Otanomomo; most points in fat lambs (stock agents' cup), won by C. N. Lowery, Crichton; most points in home industries (Mr J. R. Brown's cup), won by Miss B. Macdonald, Mount Gowrie.

BALCLUTHA Bowling Three rinks from Balclutha visited Milton on Saturday and defeated the local club by the narrow margin of three points. Results (Balclutha names first):—Mayne, Michie, Wyber, Parkinson 18, Kempthorne, H. Wilson, Smith, Clayton 20; Hall, Blair, O'Hara, M'Namara 23, Corston, Lilburne, Clark. Floyd 23; Dawson, Sutherland, Hayward, Johnston 18, J. T. Wilson, Paul, Cunninghanu Devanney 13. Totals: Balclutha, 59; Milton, 56. PALMERSTON School Committee Meeting The monthly meeting of the Palmerston School Committee was held in the schoolroom on Friday night under the chairmanship of Mr Jull. The matter of the asphalting of the tennis courts is to be proceeded with as soon as the committee is informed as to its financial obligation in connection therewith. An application from the North Otago Women's Bible Classes for the use of the school for their Easter camp was granted. The rector's report revealed the fact that there are 209 in the primary department and 50 in the secondary department. The annual examinations had been conducted by the board's inspectors, and their report, read out at the meeting, called forth the congratulations of the committee to the teachers. A collection at the school in aid of the health camps had been fairly well contributed to. A large sum has been collected from parents for the annual purchase of presents, and the prize giving is to take place in the Town Hall on the evening of December 17. The Visiting Committee, reappointed for the next two months, reported upon the generally excellent condition of the school grounds. ALEXANDRA Bowling On Saturday the only games played on the Alexandra greens were against two rinks from Miller's Flat, with the following results (Alexandra names first):—Leitch, Campbell, Mitchell, Hamilton 13, Bowden, Cox, Scott, Campbell 24; Forrest, Arnott, Watt. Provan 9, Arnott. Mosley, White. Stuart 25.

In the Colts Competition the games are progressing as follows: —Duncan beat the Rev. Bevis ; Fraser beat O'Neill, Ashton beat Leitch, Wells beat Forrest, beat M'Kissock. In the Dewar Cup matches play has progressed as follows: —M'Nish beat Hinton, Sunderland beat Skene, Gardner beat Harley. Second life: Sunderland beat M'Nish, Hinton beat Hamilton, Hewitt beat • Russel, Milne beat Mitchell.

Visit of Australian Swimmers Considerable interest was displayed in the visit of Australian swimming and diving champions, Arthur O'Connor, of New South Wales, and W. Fleming, of Queensland, to Alexandra on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Accompanying them was Mr D. Hellmrich, as manager. Upon their arrival in Alexandra they were met by the Mayor (Mr W. Bringans), the president of the Swimming Club (Mr J. A. Russell), and officials of the club, and entertained at afternoon tea. Friday being the hottest day yet experienced this year in Alexandra, conditions were ideal for swimming, and in the late afternoon and evening the visitors delighted the public by general displays of swimming and diving. The considerable interest the visitors showed in the younger swimmers and children was greatly appreciated. On Saturday a carnival was held in the baths, when a large party of Dunedin swimmers and numerous strong local and district swimmers entered into the carnival with considerable zest. The results of the various fixtures were as follows:

33 1-3 Yards Primary Boys' Handicap.—J. Lunn 1, R. Hewitt 2, D. Ashworth 3. Time, 19 l-ssec. 33 1-3 Yards School Girls' Handicap.—B. Campbell 1, P. Taylor-Cannon 2, M. Cadogan 3. Time, 18 l-ssec. 33 1-3 Yards Men's Dash.—T. Smith 1, E. Flannery 2, G. Field 3. Time, 21sec..

Men's Dive.—P. Mathieson 1, E. Flannery 2, K. Taylor 3. 50 Yards Invitation (Men).—W. Fleming (Australia) 1, G. Fields 2, T. Smith 3. Time, 26 l-ssec. Ladies' Neat Dive.—M. Cadogan 1, P. Taylor-Cannon 2, B. Campbell 3. . 133 1-3 Yards Teams' Relay.—J. Russell, B. Robson, Fleming, and G. Field (Bsec) 1. Australia-New Zealand Race.—A. O'Connor and W. Fleming 1, C. Jenkins and P. Mathieson (N.Z.) 2. Time, lmin 20sec. Lawn Tennis

On Saturday Alexandra played Clyde on the Alexandra courts, with the following results (Alexandra names first):—Men's Doubles: River's and Sorrell 9, Davidson and Stevens 5; Duncan and Hart 9, Ross and Blacker 5. Ladies' Doubles: Miss H. Keddell and Mrs J. Keddell 7, Misses Holt and Davidson 4; Misses Macßae and O'Kane 7, Miss Lopdell and Mrs Blacker 1. Men's Singles: Rivers 9, Davidson 7; Sorrell 9, Stevens 3; Duncan 9, Ross 8; Hart 9, Blacker 5. Ladies' Singles: Miss Keddell 5, Miss Holt 7; Mrs Keddell 7, Miss Davidson 2; Miss Macßae 7, Miss Lopdell 2; Miss O'Kane 7, Mrs Blacker 2. Combined Doubles: Rivers and Miss Keddell 9, Davidson and Miss Holt 8; Sorrell and Mrs Keddell 9, Stevens and Miss Davidson 5; Duncan and Miss Macßae 9, Ross and Miss Lopdell 2; Hart and Miss O'Kane 6. Mr and Mrs Blacker 9.

Molyneux Dredge The work of erecting the large Molyneux dredge is fast reaching completion, and all the heavy gear is now in place. On Friday last the contractor, Mr G. H. Fox, shifted the large tumbler, weighing approximately 17 tons, from the Alexandra Railway Station to the dredge site. This is the largest single piece of Lhe dredge, and its carriage to the scene caused considerable interest and speculation as to its prospects of reaching the dredge in safety. The river is still running very high, and still prevents the large vessel from going downstream under the Alexandra bridge. Personal Mr G. Farquharson, of Alexandra, has taken up an appointment in the Public Trust Office at Wellington. TAPANUI Cricket Tapanui played Pukerau on the latter's ground on Saturday and defeated it by 122 runs Owing to a thunderstorm breaking over the district before the commencement of the game, a later start was made. Tapanui batted first, and declared with nine wickets down for 198 (Kane 58, Rodger 56, Robinson 24 not out, and Wright 16 not out). Pukerau responded with 76, F. Edwards (39) and Jack Edwards (11) being the only double-figure scorers. Bowling for Tapanui. Robinson obtained three wickets for 16 runs and Rodger three for 35, and Spittle, with four wickets for 65 runs, was Pukerau's most successful bowler.

Bowling A bowling match was played at Gore on Thursday evening, when Gore A decisively defeated three rinks from Tapanui by 30 points. The following are the scores (Gore names first): — Craig. Wylie, Wilson, Brown 22, Cockerill. J. S. Varcoe. Lischner, Smith 17; Campion. Gresham. Taylor, Preece 17. Brooke, Robinson. Grant, S. Varcoe 16; Haigh, Garrick. Caverhill, Harvey 32, T. Varcoe, Wylie, Johnston, Buchanan 8. Totals: Gore. 71; Tapanui, 41.

TEMUKA Fishing Regulations It is understood that the law governing fishing baits to be used in the Opihi River and one of its tributaries —the Opuha—will probably have to be recast. The present regulations stipulates that worm and creeper cannot be used for bait. The old regulation permits fishermen to use, without coming under the scope of the law, baits which are not considered in the best interests of fishing. Regarding the regulations governing the type of bait to be used in the Opihi and Opuha, the curator stated on Saturday in an interview that he had discovered an angler using as bait the larvse of what is believed to be a brown beetle, and he had sent the larvae to Christchurch for examination. Although the fisherman was not in any way breaking the law, which in it's present form did not prohibit the use of such bait, he was following the letter rather than the spirit of the law itself. Shag Destruction The South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society intends still further to extend its operations in the destruction of shags. Recently a shaggery in the Pareora River gorge was destroyed and arrangements for similar operations have been made to be commenced in the Rangitata Gorge in the New Year. These operations will be carried out under the supervision of the society's officers. Personal Mr H. B. Breach, Miller's Flat, Otago, has been appointed to succeed Mr L. D. Maclachlan, of the staff of the Temuka Post Office. Mr Maclachlan has been transferred to Kaikoura. LAWRENCE Sale of Work The Holy Trinity Church Ladies* Guild held its annual sale of work on Thursday, when the Mayoress (Mrs R. F. Batchelor) officially opened the function. There was a good attendance of the public, the takings totalling £56. Cricket The Lawrence team journeyed to Waiwera on Saturday and was beaten by 15 runs. Batting first, Waiwera made 163 (L. Dunn 80>, and Lawrence replied with 148 (E. Winchester 48, B. Hart 30, A. Marslin 28, J. Cavanagh 21). Bowling for Waiwera, L. Edwards took four for 73 and L. Dunn three for 14, and for Lawrence J. Cavanagh took three for 43. ROXBURGH Musical and Dramatic Production The members of the Alexandra Musical and Dramatic Society are to be congratulated upon the excellence of the performance which they staged there last Wednesday evening, when, to a packed house, they played the musical comedy "Oh, Ma Cherie." It was easily the best entertainment that has ever been staged locally and would have done credit to towns many times larger than Alexandra. There was not a dull moment from beginning to end, and there was no lack of appreciation on the part of the audience. Both acting and singing were well above the average amateur standard, and indicated not only expert tuition but an intelligent conception of the theme by each player. The chief were Miss Hilda Wright and Mr B. Robson. WANAKA Lawn Tennis The Wanaka lawn tennis team travelled to Cromwell on Saturday to play Cromwell B. The match resulted in a win for Wanaka by 13 sets (122 games) to three sets (64 games). The following are the detailed results (Wanaka players first):—Men's Singles: Morris beat Rae 9—o, Wilson beat'Connolly 9—o, Dickson lost to Fraser B—9, Richmond beat Quilter 9—6. Ladies' Singles: Miss Scaife beat Miss Bennett 7—4, Mrs Morris beat Mrs Langbein 7—l, Mrs Waldron beat Miss Stumbles 7—3, Mrs Burdon beat Mrs Webb 7—3. Men's Doubles: Morris and Wilson lost to Rae and Connolly 7—9, Dickson and Richmond beat Fraser and Quilter 9—5. Ladies' Doubles: Miss Scaife and Mrs Morris beat Miss Bennett and Mrs Langbein 7—3; Mrs Waldron and Mrs Burdon beat Miss Stumbles and Mrs Webb 7—4. Mixed Doubles: Morris and Miss Scaife beat Rae and Miss Bennett 9—5, Wilson and Mrs Morris beat Connolly and Mrs Langbein 9—3, Dickson and Mrs Waldron lost to Fraser and Miss Stumbles 2—9; Richmond and Mrs Burdon beat Quilter and Mrs Webb 9—o.

Swimming The Wanaka Swimming Club held an exhibition of diving and backstroke swimming in the lake on Sunday. The two Australians, Messrs A. O'Connor, and W. Fleming, and Mr P. Mathieson. of Dunedin, kept the large crowd assembled at the wharf enthralled as they gave a display of fancy and comic diving. Mr Mathieson also gave a demonstration of backstroke swimming, for which he holds all New Zealand records, as well as some Australian ones. A number of swimming enthusiasts from Alexandra accompanied the champions, and assisted in the display.

Wanaka Progress League A well-attended meeting of the Wanaka Progress League was held in the Pembroke Hall on Thursday last. Owing to the unsatisfactory position to date, the secretary was instructed to write to the Postmaster-general on the question of a daily delivery of second-class mail matter to Pembroke. It was also decided to write to the Minister concerned, asking his assistance in procuring a supply of electric power for the district. The Bank of New Zealand and the National Bank of New Zealand are to be approached with the object of persuading them to operate a branch in Pembroke. CLYDE Horticultural Society A well-attended meeting of the Dunstan Horticultural Society was held on Friday night, Mr T. R. Robertson (president) occupying the chair. A large volume of correspondence was dealt with, principally in reply to the secretary's appeal for donations. The response was most liberal, as also has been the same official's efforts in Clyde in the same direction. About £ls in cash donations has already been promised, apart from specials. The offer of Mrs Snow, of Mosgiel, in presenting a memorial cup in memory of her late husband, at one time stationmaster at Clyde, was very much appreciated. The cup will be allotted as a challenge cup for pip fruit, carrying with it a miniature cup. The president, secretary, and Mrs E. C. Wood were appointed to allocate the special prizes. As in the past, owing to the limited space in the Town Hall, exhibits, fruit in particular, have not been shown to the best advantage. The president, secretary, and Mr E. Wood were appointed a sub-committee to go into the question of a different system of staging the exhibits. The show will take place on February 13. Cricket Clyde A obtained a two-point win against Excelsior B with a few minutes to spare at Clyde on Saturday, putting up the good total of 165 in a one-innings' match. Ashton 36 and Leeson 34 not out played very steadily. Henderson 28 and Caskie 19 also played a valuable innings. Excelsior replied with 86. but was playing for a draw, which they very nearly succeeded in doing, only 12 minutes being left to play out time. Pierce's 31 was the only strike. Ashton three for 22. Caskie four for 34, and Douglas two for 21 bowled for Clyde. Lees two for six, Agnew four for 41, Aitken two for 55, Kelly one for 55, Devanney one for 16, shared the wickets for the Alexandra team. The Colts made a good stand against the stronger Cromwell team, knocking up 77 (Bergin 21, Paterson 14. Rankin, Harming, and R. Wilson 12 each). Cromwell got a two-point w;n with 114 runs, Gibson 50 being a big factor in the score, and Oldfield 27 was the only other batsman to make a lengthy stay.