COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23351, 17 November 1937, Page 16

COUNTRY NEWS

QUEENSTOWN St. Andrew's P.W.M.U. The final meeting of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union was held in the MacKenzie Hall recently. Christmas gifts were brought for home and Maori missionaries. These, together with the many gifts made by the "Busy Bees," will be sent to the Maungapohatu Maori field. The sale of work has been undertaken by Mrs J. P. Fix. Miss M. Salmond, principal of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Training Institute, Dunedin, addressed the meeting on her, travels in England, Scotland, and Germany, dealing largely with her observations of women's work in the church. Rifle Shooting The second competition for the president's trophy and the P. Reed aggregate was fired on, Saturday over the 300 and 600 yards ranges and under difficult Conditions' owing td-"the heat and the resultant mirage. The following are the scores:—D. R. Gray; 29, 28 —57; E. J. Lowen, 32, 25—57: A. Simson, 25, 20—54; C. Hansen, 24, 28—52; F. W. Bailey, 29, 23—52; R. N. Grant, 26, 25-51; J. S. Toll, 26, 17-43; T. J. Toll, 21, 19-40. - ■ ■ Cup Shoot at 300 Yards.—D. R. Gray 30, JT S. Toll 30, E. —. Lowen-29, C. Hansen 27, F. W. Bailey 27, T. J. Toil 26, A. Simson 26, R. N. Grant 25. D. R. Gray was the winner Of the Simson Button. Cricket A match between Queenstown and Albion (Arrowtown) Cricket Clubs took place at the week-end. . The weather was fine, and the wicket in good order. Queenstown won by 25 runs. The following are the best performances:—Queenstown 152 (P. Lewis 15, J. Lynch 15, G. Lynch 66, J. Buckham 23; J. Mcßride three wickets for 36; J., Fletcher three for 29; G. Murphy two for 26; P. Mcßride one for 14, J. Little one for 28, A. Dakers one for 4). Albion 127 (J. Fletcher 51, G. Murphy 12, R. Romans 16, J. Robertson 21; J. Taylor four for 21, G. Lynch five for 37, J. Lynch one for 6). Personal Miss M. Ogilvie, of Wellington, is a guest at " Tutuila." Mr and Mrs J. C. Cockburn and Mrs J. W. Gardiner have gone to Timaru for a short holiday. Mrs Jefcoate, of Dunedin, is visiting Queenstown for a week or so. Mr and Mrs Fowler and Mr and Mrs Ruhen and child are guests at "Tutuila." *, , .. Mrs Wheatton and her daughter Doris have gone to Dunedin. Mesdames Raines and Webb have returned to Invercargill after being in private residence for a week or so. * Miss Millie McLean, of Crown Peak, is spending a short holiday in DunMrs Thornton and her daughter Mary are visiting Dunedin. The Weather and Crops

Some of the crops in the district are being dried up through lack of moisture. The Arrow irrigation scheme is proving a God-send to some of the farmers, who are fortunately placed. If the drought does not break soon, however, some of the crops on the higher levels will be ruined. It is the driest season on record.

Lake'Wakatipu Steamer Service Although the returns from the Lake Wakatipu steamer service showed a loss of £3743 for the year ended March 31, due largely to the inauguration of the road services and capital expenditure on the Glenorchy wharf, it is interesting to note the returns in the years 1930 to 1936. For the year ended March 31. 1930, the loss was £6902. This was reduced to £5266 in 1931 £2003 in 1932, and £336 in 1933. (These were the slump years.) For the year ended March 31, 1934, a profit of £7 was shown, increasing to £378 in 1935 and £1199 in 1936. In view of the fact that the rail passenger service between Lumsden and Kingston has been eliminated except in holiday time, all transport will go by road in future and consequently the steamer service will probably show further losses in the future. However, in view of the restricted train service the local bodies have invited the Railways Department to send an officer to Queenstown to go into the whole matter.

Queenstown Christmas Carnival The Carnival Committee met last Friday evening, the Mayor presiding. A balance sheet of receipts and expenditure at last carnival showed a profit

of £B7 12s Bd. The committee also has a credit of £146 10s in the Poa4 Office Savings Bank. It was decided to hold the carnival, as usual, between Christmas and New Year, and a further meeting will be held shortly to arrange the programme, which will probably be on similar lines to that of last year. The committee is intent on providing first-class music for the soqhal functions. Fire Brigade The Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Municipal Band held a very enjoyable dance in the Garrison Hall on Friday evening last. Opportunity was taken at the function to make certain presentations to the members of the Fire Brigade, including two-year service bars and certificates. In making the presentations, the Mayor (Mr W. H. Overton) referred to the excellent service rendered by both organisations. The Dand, which was recently re-formed, supplied a much-felt want in the town. The Fire Brigade was a very essential institution in the town. Its members gave voluntary as well as efficient service. The Mayor made a strong appeal for new members to fill vacancies which had recently occurred. The first presentation was that of a badge to Superintendent W. H. Nelson, in recognition of his services as oastpresident of the Southern Districts' Sub-association. The Curtis Cup (oneman event, for yearly competition) was presented to Foreman A.- E. Farrant. This cup carried a miniature, kindly given by Mrs B. Curtis. Other awards were made as follows:—Two-year service bars —Superintendent W. H. Nilson, Deputy Superintendent M. Davidson, Foreman A. E. Farrant, Junior Foreman W. Davidson, Secretary T. H. Tallentire. Firemen W. Nelson, jun., and W. Farrant; three-year certificate, Fireman J. C. Scott.

ALEXANDRA Athletic Club The annual meeting of the Alexandra Amateur Athletic Club was held on Thursday evening, the president (Mr James Wing) presiding. The balance sheet showed the club to be in a satisfactory position although the usual meeting was not held on New Year's Day. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—Patrons, Dr A. E. Gladstone and Mr W. Bringans; president, Mr James Wing; vice-presidents-Messrs W. Carline, W. H. King, H, Hesson, B. Provo, W. R. Lloyd Williams, A. E. E. Mathieson and T. W. Lynch; secretary, Mr A. W. Findlayi assistant secretary, Mr J. A. Russell; treasurer, Mr W. J. Russell; auditor, Mr F. R. Whitelock; starter, Mr G. D. Fisher; handicapper, Mr A. C. H, Parsons and the handicapper for the Otago Centre; C. Theyers, E. Russell, H. Kemp and C. P. B, Nightingale; timekeepers—Messrs J. Muir, E. Marslin, and J. Smith; press stewards, Messrs M; Campbell and A. Johns; superintendent of children's sports, Mr A. MeKellar and others to be elected if required; superintendents Of sports, Messrs B. Provo and W. Coard! referee, Mr W. Carline; judges of field events—Messrs W. Saunders, T. W. Lynch, A. K. Hamilton, DowdesWell and E. A. Cockburn; marksmenMessrs C Rogers, K. R. W. Tily and J. Kennedy; Programme Committee—Messrs G, D. Fisher, B. Provo, T. W. Lynch, W. Carline, W. Coard, E. C. Mathieson, F. Keith, J. Smith and J. • Donovan; Grounds CommitteeMessrs W. Coard (convener), W. Maynard, G, Fisher, J. Munro, G, Campbell, A. Walker, W. Sanders, G. Hesson, J. Smith, C. Mathieson, and A. Dowdeswell. It was decided to write to the Borough Council asking for the use of the Recreation Ground, and the Town Hall on New Year's Day. It was decided to exclude piping and dancing from this year's sports programme. Personal Mr Leslie Hunt has accepted a position with a mining company in Siam and left for his new appointment this morning.

~..;■- r . ,: I^PLEMARCH, C :.; ; . 2g The Weather Following a week of extremely hot and dry weather, which was,having a detrimental effect on crops and pastures and holding back all farm work owing to the dryness of the soih a very welcome change set in on Monday evening, a thunderstorm passing oyer the plain and 23 points of rain falling between 5.30 and 7.30. This will relieve the position for the present and •enable turnip sowing to be proceeded with, and will brighten the prospect for the man on the land considerably. Pastures have stood up remarkably well to the dry spell, and lambs are progressing favourably. A few sheds nn the flat have commenced shearing. Cream supplies are back considerably on nrevious years, and a number of farmers are reducing their herds, Social A very happy evening was spent In the A. and P. Hall on Thursday, when Miss Dolly Williams was entertained by her large circle of friends prior to leaving the district, where she has resided all her life. She is to be married in Dunedin, where she will make her home. The evening was spent in dancing, and Miss Williams was the recipient of many valuable and useful presents. Miss Williams thanked all those present for their gifts and for their good wishes. School Baths

The school bath scheme is proceeding satisfactorily. The Labour Department, which is providing all the necessary labour, has notified the committee that 24 men will be available to commence the job on January 16, 1938.