COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23542, 4 July 1938, Page 12

COUNTRY NEWS

WAIMATE Cars Collide Two cars collided on the Otaio bridge shortly before 9 a.m. on Thursday. Mr Bruce Richardson, of Willowbridge, a passenser in a car driven by Mr W. J. Fletcher, of Willowbridge, received a blow on the chest and suffered two broken ribs. Mr Fletcher and Mr Frank StoweU, of Timaru, the driver of the other car, travelling south, escaped without injury. The collision occurred two chains from the south end of the bridge. The guard rail was smashed and Mr Stowell’s car came to rest hanging precariously over the side. Potato Picking Reflecting the unfavourable growing season this year, the tonnage of potatoes railed from the Waimate district for the three months ended June 30 has fallen by approximately half compared with the corresponding period of 1937. The total railed during the current quarter has been 1200 tons, as against 2300 last year. The recent downpour stopped potato digging in the district completely and many farmers decided that the remainder of their crops would have to remain in the ground for the winter. Practically all the men who received work notato picking through the Placement Bureau at Waimate have registered again for relief. No more seasonal work will be offering until sheep-crutching operations and turnip hoeing start later in the year. National Party The second annual meeting of the National Party in the Waitaki electorate was held in the Foresters’ Hall, Waimate. The hall was filled to capacity with delegates from all branches of the electorate, and included Mr J. A. Poulton, the district organiser, and Mr D. C. Kidd, the Nationalist candidate for the electorate. Captain N. A. Rattray presided. The annual report and balance sheet were presented. The report showed a very large increase in the membership of all the branches and disclosed a thorough organisation throughout the electorate. Branches had been formed in the newly-added portion of the electorate to the south, and these were actively engaged on the organisation programme. The report went on to outline the activities in the electorate in regard to meetings. The election of officers resulted as follows: Chairman, Captain Rattray; secretary, Mr T. A. Wilson; executive— Messrs J. Bitchener, E. C. d’Auvergne, H. B. S. Johnstone, N. A. Rattray, J. T. Hay, T. L. Hayman, J. Dempsey, G. Dash, T. Evans, G. R. Watters and F. Morrison; delegate to Canterbury District Council, Captain Rattray; delegates to National Council—Messrs T. L. Hayman, N. A. Rattray and G, Dash. Mr Poulton, the party organiser, addressing the gathering, said that while the party word had been “ hope, it was now, as the result of organisation, “ achievement.” The indications throughout New Zealand were most inspiring. Membership of the party in the Dominion had reached six figures and marched onward. The result of the election promised to place New Zealand again on the plane of liberty, sanity and justice. • . Mr D. C. Kidd was warmly received and said that his welcome by all the branches had been heart warming. The success of the campaign appeared to be assured if the excellent spade, work done already was followed up in the days ahead. The responsibility on the shoulders of the electors in the coming election was great, but the evidence was that the electors were alive to the responsibility and awake to the facts. National Party A decision to form a branch of the women’s organisation of the New Zealand National Party in Waimate, comprising representatives of the Waimate, Morven, Studholme, Waihao Downs, Hook and Hunter branches of the party’s organisation, was made at a largely attended meeting of women supporters of the party, when addresses were delivered by Mrs W. A. Bodkin and by Mrs Mackay, the Canterbury organiser of the ladies’ section of the party. Car and Lorry Collide A New Zealand Breweries’ lorry and a car collided at an intersection in the Studholme Junction township about 4 p.m. on Friday. The driver of the car, Mr W. Miller, of Wainono, suffered a fi'actured rib, extensive bruises and facial cuts, and is an inmate of the Private Hospital, Waimate. His condition is satisfactory. His brother-in-law and sister, Mr and Mrs L. Milson, of Hokitika, and formerly of Waimate, passengers in the car, suffered slight facial cuts, but were able to return to their home after receiving medical attention. The lorry was driven by Mr M. Jamieson, of Timaru, with Mr T. Daly, of Timaru, as passenger. Neither was injured.