COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23220, 18 June 1937, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS

WANAKA Minister Visits Wanaka The Minister of Mines (Mr P. C. Webb), accompanied by Mr G. R. Hunter, M.L.C., and others, paid an official visit to Wanaka during the past week-end. The party reached Wanaka on Sunday. Mr Webb and Mr A. Douglas tried their skill shooting quail, and Mr Hunter and Mr Jones visited Cattle Flat Station to join in the more exciting pastime of pig hunting. The total bag for the day was very good, considering the short time both parties were out, as altogether over a dozen quail and two large pigs were secured.

Success attended the party on Monday, and good marksmanship and a plentiful supplv of birds resulted in a bag of just over 80 quail. During his brief visit Mr Webb, as Acting Minister of Labour, had several informal conversations with farmers in the district on the question of farm labour. Like most districts, Wanaka is feeling the shortage acutely, and the Minister was asked if some remedial measures might be applied so as to relieve the position. Mr Webb stated that the Government was doing its utmost to assist the farmers to secure competent labour, and that the Government placement officers in each town were doing valuable work in placing suitable men in positions on the land. WAIPIATA Miniature Rifle Shooting There was a good attendance of members at this week's shoot of the Waipiata Miniature Rifle Club. The Howell Rifle Button was won by D. Rapson with a score of 78. The Gaylor Handicap Button was won by D. Howell after a double shoot-off. The 10-man average this week showed an improvement over last week, being 75.2. Some of the best targets returned were:—D Rapson 78, D. Howell 77. F. A. Mathias D. Hall. S. Gaylor 76; V. O'Neill 75: W Cook, G. F. Scott 74; M. K.'M'Donald, C. Bulman, V. Gare, A, G. Mathias 73; D. Hazlett, G. Weir. V. Jones' 72; S. Mackay. D. Lamont, E. M'Lintock 71. WAIMATE Borough Council A rise in the borough rates from 10 5-16 d in the £ to Is in the £, bringing in £4OO more than last year, was recommended by the Finance Committee in a report to the Waimate Borough Council. The increase in the total rate demand over last year, it was pointed out. amounted to an additional Id in the £, but the reduced valuation for the borough from £116,000 to £IOO,OOO. together with adjustment drainage charges recommended, accounl for the raising of the rate by 1 11-16 d in the £. The report was adopted.

Rucby„ Sub-union Stating that he considered a motion passed at the last meeting was a motion of no-confidence, Mr J. v.. Riach, secretary of the Waimate Rugby Subunion, handed in his resignation at a meeting of the committee. Mr Riach has held the position for 12 or 13 years. The motion referred to followed a discussion in which it was urged that the salary of £ls a year paid to the secretary was too high for a small body like the sub-union, the motion being that the secretary be paid to date at the rate of his salary, and that the position be honorary for the rest of the season, when an honorarium would be voted according to the finances of the subunion. It was also decided to divide the offices of secretary and treasurer. Mr J. L, Menzies was appointed honorary secretary for the remainder of the season. KYEBURN Miniature Rifle Shooting: The following teams will represent the Kyeburn Miniature Rifle Club in a friendly shoot at Ranfurly on June 21:—A team: A. H. Griffiths, A. Mann, H. G. Wooding, W. Creighton, J. M. Griffiths, W. W. Pearson. B team: A. F. Pearson, J. M. Crutchley, C. M. Pearson. P. R. Wilson, N. Ellis, S. C. Pearson. C team: E. W. Strode. G. Creighton, J. R. Crutchley, E. M. Mackay, J. W. Pearson, F. R. Cassels. In the account of this week's club shoot W. W Pearson was erroneously credited with winning the Hislop button. This was caused by an error in the shoot-off handicap. The position is that J. W. and S. C. Pearson tied a third time and will shoot-off at the next meeting. CLYDE Rifle Club The Clyde Rifle Club visited Omakau on Monday night for a match, but put up a poor performance. Tuesday night's shoot was far below the previous week's standard. H. Tattersfield and J. Ross drew for top place with 79, but the latter did not shoot off. K. Morrison, a new member, took the handicap button and shows promise of being a good shot, his grouping being excellent. The results, were as follows:—H. Tattersfield 79, J. Ross 79, C. J. Davidson 78, A. Wood 78, D. Sinclair 77, R. Wilson 76, T. Stevens 75, E. George 75, D. M'Donald 73, K. Morrison 73, B. Laing 73, A. Isbister 73, J. Hollows 71 W. Thomson 71. F. Lindsay 70, J. Davidson 68, K. Olsen 56.

WAIKOUAITI School Committee At the monthly meeting of the Waikouaiti School Committee the secretary of the Palmerston Dramatic Club wrote offering to assist the school funds by giving a performance in Waikouaiti on a suitable date. This was fixed for June 24, and the secretary was instructed to express the thanks of the committee for the offer. St. John's Church On Wednesday afternoon members of the St. John's Women's Guild held a bring-and-buy sale, and as every valuable article was cleared the result must have been very satisfactory. Mr W. Williamson won the Guessing Competition and the prize in another competition went to Mrs Heehler. A card party was held in the evening and was also a success. Education Board

Several members of the Education Board paid a visit to Waikouaiti School on Thursday in order to inspect the work and to meet members of the School Committee. Complaints and requests were listened to sympathetically and immediate attention to them was promised.

LAWRENCE Weather Wintrv conditions have prevailed in Lawrence during the last week, a slight fall of snow taking place ort Wednesday night. Cattle Dog Trials The committee of the Tuapeka Collie Club decided to hold the trials on June 23 and 24. A new item on the programme is the women's yarding event, and it is creating considerable interest. Mr Andrew Gibson, of Miller's Flat, is the judge of the trials, and by the number of entries received keen competition is assured. Lawrence Fire Board

A meeting of the Lawrence Fire Board took place on Monday night, with Mr A. L. Hart in the chair. The balance sheet was adopted and the estimates for the year approved. An account for £3O for new plant for the Fire Brigade was passed for payment. Mr A. L. Hart was appointed chairman for the ensuing two years. The board decided to object to the proposed amalgamation of the fire boards in the district, contending that amalgamation would not lead to efficiency and economy in administration. Presentation

A meetmg of residents or Evans Flat was held on Tuesday night to bid farewell to Mr A. Girdler and to Mr and Mrs Darragh, who had been residents of the district for eight years. Mr R. Robson, on behalf of the residents of Evans Flat, handed the guests of honour tokens of appreciation and goodwill. At the meeting of the Evans Flat Women's Division of the Farmers Union, Mrs Darragh was the recipient of a Pyrex casserole from the members.