COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23200, 26 May 1937, Page 12

COUNTRY NEWS

BALCLUTHA Maternity Services Balclutha was visited on Monday by the committee recently set up-by the Minister of Health to report upon the maternity services of the Dominion. The members who visited Balclutha were Dr F. F. Corkill (acting chairman), Mesdarnes J. Fraser, A. M. Hutchinson, N. G. Kent-Johnston, and Dr T. L. Paget (inspector of private hospitals), with Mr J. W. Buchanan (secretary). A conference was held in committee with Messrs Rennie (chairman), Adam King, F. Waite, M.L.C., D. M'Gregor, and Roy (secretary of the South Otago Hospital Board). Subsequently the visitors conferred with Drs Radcliffe and Frengley and Mrs Crawford Anderson (representing the W.D.F.U.), and the hospital was visited. The object is to investigate local maternity problems with a view to providing a better service where necessary. Afterwards the committee visited Kaitangata. Season for " Boners "

Recently the Finegand freezer has been putting through a large number of cattle, principally " boners," as the animals which provide the boned beef for export are called. On one day last week 60 of these " boners " were killed, including a large proportion of bulls.

Rugby Premiers Crescent is leading in the senior banner competition with 10 points, Toko and Catlins come next with 7 points each, Clinton, Clutha, and Star following with 2 points each. In the Second Grade Valley is at the top with 10 flag points, and South Otago High School leads in the Third Grade with 7 points.

Freezing Works It was at first anticipated that owing to the backward season the South Otago freezing works would be far behind last season in total killings, but events are proving otherwise, and it is now anticipated that the shortage will not amount to more than 20,000 to 30,000 sheep and lambs. The total killings for the season amount to 223,000 sheep and lambs, and 2700 cattle. It is hoped to get another 30,000 to 40,000 sheep and lambs before the season finally closes.

Personal Mr Thomas M'Cormack was entertained on Monday night in Gold's Central Tea Rooms at a social, on the eve of his departure from Balclutha after some eight years' residence, and presented with a suitcase from fellowcitizens and a fountain pen from members of the local Returned Soldiers' Association. Mr D.' Sinclair presided, and made eulogistic reference to the guest of the evening, who suitably replied. High School Board At the monthly meeting of the South Otago High School Board, held last evening, Mr A. R. Dreaver, who at present holds a C position on the school teaching staff, was recommended for appointment to the vacant B position. Mr Dreaver, although occupying a C position, holds a B certificate. Applications were received for the C position, but no decision was arrived at. Mr W. Roy introduced the subject of the representation of the board on the Otago Education Board, which had the right to appoint three members —a similar number to the parents of the pupiis attending the school. Yet the Education Board, Mr Roy said, had no connection with the school, and its representatives did not require to report back to the Education Board. He considered that the parents should have a greater representation, say, four members, and the Education Board should be reduced to two representatives. Other members agreed that the position was an anomalous one, and that something should be done about it. PALMERSTON Rugby Football The monthly meeting of the Eastern District Sub-union was held last Friday night. The following delegates were present:—Messrs C. M. Olsen (president). I. Lang. F. Rouxelle, F. Gibson, I. Fisher, J. Renno, A. Leckie, G. Reid and the secretary, Mr George W. Thomson. Mr I. Lang was elected to fill the vacancy on the Emergency Committee in place of Mr Hogan, who has resigned. A lengthy discussion took place with regard to some clubs playing members who had not procured the necessary transfers. It was decided to advise the clubs concerned that the clearances and transfers for any such players must be in the hands of the secretary before Friday, May 28. It was decided to hold a seven-a-side tournament this season on a date to be arranged by the Emergency Committee at a meeting to be held next Saturday. The following representative fixtures and dates were confirmed: --North Otago. at Palmerston, July 17; Maniototo, at Palmerston, July 31. The Otago Rugby Union advised that an Otago team would play at Palmerston later on in the season, the date to be arranged. The executive decided to support the Southland Union's request for a match with the Otago sub-unions, and suggest that the match be played at Alexandra. Saturday's Match.—Palmerston v. Watea: Palmerston journeyed to Hampden, and in inclement weather met the Watea fifteen. The weather conditions and the state of the ground retarded the play considerably, and what might have been an interesting match developed into a forward scramble. Watea being the victors by 8 points to 3. Palmerston juniors won by default from Waikcuaiti. The draw for next Saturday is:— Seniors. —Palmerston v. Seacliff, at Seacliff (Dunedin referee): Dunback v. Watea. at Hampden (Mr Lang). Juniors.—Palmerston v. Merton, at Palmerston (Mr C. Olsen). EDIEVALE Rifle Shooting The opening match for the season 1937 of the Edievale Defence Rifle Club took place on the local range on Saturday last. The shoot was the President's Match. The conditions were seven shots with two optional sighters over 500 and 600 yards. Weather conditions were not conducive to high marksmanship, a cold air with a very dull light prevailingall the afternoon. However, some good scores were registered, particularly so by President Graham, who registered 67 points out of a possible 70 points—a very meritorious performance, indeed —which brought him in the winner of the match, closely followed by Riflemen L. Adam and A. Sim. who were second and third respectively. Following are the total scores:—W. Graham 67. L. Adam 67. A. Sim 65. L. White 64. J. Lee 64. J. Smaill 63. J. Adam 62, .T. M'Cann 62. G. Finlayson 62. B. Simon 62. I. Kemplhorhe 69. L. Jenkins 59. M. Kempthornc 58. P. Finlayson 55.

MILTON Orchestral Society Mr H. G. M'Clymont has ■ accepted temporarily the position of conductor of the local Orchestral Society, as successor to Mr William Kennedy, who recently removed to Wellington. Horticultural Society The Bruce Horticultural Society has decided to resume its activities, which were discontinued last season owing to lack of public support during recent years. It is intended, however, to hold only the autumn show. Mr W. J. Corston was re-elected president, with Miss Walt and Mr D. J. Sumpter as vice-presidents, Miss J. Hislop and Mr G. H. Clark as joint secretaries. A Revising Committee was appointed to prepare a schedule of exhibits, and the question of allotting prize-money was deferred until next general meeting of the committee. Golf The Toko Golf Club's Men's Medal Match on Saturday afternoon was won by a new season's player, A. R. Wethey, with a score of 86 'handicap 20k net 66.

Next. Saturday afternoon a Mixed Foursome Stroke Competition will be played for the Leckie Cup, in conjunction with a Sealed Hole Competition.

Price of Eggs The price of eggs showed a sudden drop of 5d per dozen yesterday morning as compared with last week's prices, and they arc now being retailed locally at 2s per dozen.

Hockey In the northern division games of the South Otago Women's Hockey Association's Shield Competition, played on Saturday afternoon. Bruce A beat Bruce B by 6 goals to nil, Milton A beat Waitahuna on the latter's ground by 6 goals to 1, Lawrence defeated Milton B at Milton by 6 goals to 1. Football Accident While playing In the Rugby football match between Toko and Catlins Club at Owaka on Saturday afternoon, J. Tisdall, a member of the Toko team, received a fractured rib. Beekeepers' Association

A representative gathering of beekeepers assembled in St. John's Hall, Milton, on Friday, when a lantern lecture was given by Mr D. S. Robinson, apiary instructor. Following the lecture it was decided to form a branch of the National Beekeepers' Association Mr J. Horn was elected president and Mr J. Campbell secretary. LAWRENCE Rugby Football The sixth series of Rugby football matches under the jurisdiction of the South Tuapeka Sub-union were played on Saturday. At Lawrence, the home team beat Waitahuna by 8 points to 5. For the winners, W. Torrance scored a try, which was converted by A. Wilson, who also kicked a penalty goal: and for Waitahuna, E. M'Keich scored a try, which was converted by A. Ryan. Tuapeka Mouth beat Beaumont by 6 points to 3. For Tuapeka Mouth, J. Tappin and A. Scott scored tries, while for Beaumont J. Pearson kicked a penalty goal. The position of the teams is now as follows:

EASTERN SOUTHLAND Rugby Football The following team has been selected to represent Eastern Southland to play Northern for the- Grant Cup atJßalfour next Saturday:—Backs: H. Tutty (Pioneer), A. Spittle (Albion), R. M'Caughan (Mataura), T. Milne (Albion), H. Morrison (Albion), M. O'Shea (Albion), G. M'Lennan (Wyndham). Forwards: K. Henderson (Albion), T. Robins (Pioneer), J. Mattingly (Pioneer), C. Veitch (Pioneer), W. Southern (Albion), L. Naylor (Albion), B Herron (Pukerou), J. Pow (Wyndham). Emergencies: Leitch (Mataura), Easton (Albion),. Adam (Mataura), Soper (Albion), Coster (Mataura). The following are the junior fixtures for next Saturday:—Second Grade: Pioneer v. Mataura, at Mataura; Albion v. Wyndham, at Gore. Third Grade: Mataura v. Edendale, at Edendale; Pioneer v. Albion, at Gore; Menzies Ferry a bye. Fourth Grade: Pioneer v. Gore High School, at Gore; Mataura, a bye. Rifle Shooting

The annual teams match between the Gore and Mataura Defence Rifle Clubs was fired on the Gore Club's range at M'Nab, and resulted in a comfortable win for the Gore team by 749 points to 712. The shooting conditions were good, although the dull, light troubled several of the marksmen. Gore started well at the 300 yards range and scored 251 points, against Mataura's 240. At the second range the Gore team increased its lead to 18 points, and this was further increased to 37 at the third range. The highest scores for the afternoon were registered by W. D. Milne (Gore) and J. Burnett (Gore), whose totals were 99 and 98 respectively out of a possible 105. Obituary

The death has occurred at Wyndham of Mrs Mary Finlayson, at the age of 76 years. Mrs Finlayson was born at Glasgow. Scotland, in 1860. She accompanied her parents to New Zealand in the ship Oamaru, arriving at Dunedin in 1876. Her father, the late Mr Hugh M'Kerrow, obtained employment at Dunedin in the Survey Department. In 1884 Mrs Finlayson married the late Mr Thomas Finlayson, of Wyndham, and she resided in that town until her death. Mrs Finlayson was a member of the Wyndham Presbyterian Church, and was also prominently associated with the Wyndham Scottish Society. She is survived by two brothers, Messrs H. and A. M Kerrow, of Wyndham, and one sister, Mrs A. Sinclair, of Mosgiel.

T3 d o £ 4) > fo S Won Lost Dra\ t/5 i/5 s 5 Lawrence 6 3—3 23 11 9 Tuapeka Mouth 6 3 13 43 13 8 Waitahuna 6 2 3 1 15 38 5 Beaumont 6 1 5 — 12 31 2