COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23558, 22 July 1938, Page 12

COUNTRY NEWS

EASTERN SOUTHLAND Mataura Water Supply After several lengthy debates, the Mataura Borough Council has come to an agreement over the water supply problem for the town. The borough engineer, Mr E. G._ Wilson, of Gore, was recently authorised to draw up a report and make recommendations for overcoming the problem, and at a special meeting of the council Mr Wilson’s report was adopted. The engineer’s recommendations were to the effect that the existing pipe line from the intake to the hills to Cameron’s Crest, a distance of 54 chains, should be replaced with six-inch pipes, and that the remainder of the pipe line to the reservoir should be duplicated with four-inch pipes. The cost of the work is estimated to be £SOOO. Authority was given for the engineer to draw up plans and specifications for the water supply improvements adopted by the council and for application to be made to the Loans Board for finance. Gore Aero Club The annual meeting of the Gore branch of the Southland Aero Club was largely attended, Mr F. Wallis, jun.. presiding. Members of the Gore Model Aeroplane Club were also present at the meeting. The chairman, reviewing the activities of the year, remarked that the club now had a thoroughly up-to-date aerodrome, which met with the requirements set by the authorities for all types of aircraft, and there was an enthusiastic band of pilots taking full advantage of the excellent facilities available. He added that arrangements were being made to have advanced flying tuition available to Gore pilots as an incentive to make themselves more proficient. The annual report and balance sheet were adopted. New office-bearers were elected as follows: Pres ; dent, Mr F. Wallis, jun.; vicepresidents, Messrs H. H. Doughty and G. W. Whittingham; treasurer. Mr H. G. Wallis; secretary, Mr S. B. Taylor; committee—Messrs' J. A. Yule, W. McKenzie, and G. Shaw, and two to be appointed by the Pilots’ Committee; Aerodrome Control Committee— Messrs G. Speden, J. Adam, and W. Cunningham, delegates to the Southland Aero Club, Mr H. H. Doughty. Mr G. Speden mentioned that the pilots had the nucleus of a fund with which it was proposed to erect a clubhouse at the aerodrome, and it was desired that the committee g've its sanction. —It was agreed that the pilots submit a plan of the proposed building to the committee.—The chairman stated that the question of a field day for the purpose of opening the new aerodrome was being held up pending a reply from the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) as to a suitable date for his attendance.

Obituary The death of Mr Robert L. Byars at Dunedin on Tuesday afternoon removed one of the most prominent and best known of the farming community of Eastern Southland. Mr Byars was a practical farmer, with wide experience, and his property at Otama was regarded as one of the best in the district. Born at Knapdale 61 years ago, he was a son of Mr and Mrs Alexander Byars, who were among the original settlers in the district, and, after receiving his education. he acquired a farm property ar Otama, which he worked by progressive methods up to the time of his death. A successful farmer throughout his career, Mr Byars took an enthusiastic interest in all matters concerning problems of the land. Ho was a member. of the Otama branch of the Farmers’ Union, of which he acted as chairman on various occasions. while he also served on the Gore sub-executive of the union for many years, having been president for two years. As a member of the Fertiliser Committee of the Farmers’ Union, he was appointed the Southland representative on the directorate of Dominion Fertilisers, Ltd., several years ago; but, owing to ill-health, he was forced to relinquish the position early this year. Mr Byars took a keen interest in. the experimental agricultural area which was formerly operated at Gore, and he was an enthusiastic advocate of a new area for Otago and Southland. Education administration occupied much of his time, and, in addition to being chairman and member of the Otama School Committee, he gave many years’ service on the Gore High School Board of Governors. Mr Byars was also an ardent worker for the Otama Presbyterian Church, of which he was an elder for many years. Several years ago he was appointed a justice of the peace. About 35 years ago Mr Bvars married Miss Elizabeth Peter, whose parents, the late Mr and Mrs Alexander Peter, were also pioneer settlers of the Chatton district. Mr.-’Byars is survived by his widow, three daughters—Mrs Long (Wellington), Miss Daisy Byars (Otamo) and Miss Ann;e Byars (Invercargill)—and one son - Mr Robert Byars (Otama). In addition. he is survived by two brothers —Messrs J. W. Byars (Waikaka) and A. Byars (Knapdale)—and one sister —Mrs W. Johnston (West Gore).

TAPANUI Shooting The third cup match of the Tapanui,. Rifle Club was fired on Saturday over the 300, 500, and 600 yards’ ranges, when the conditions for shooting were fairly good. The following were the scores:—W. Kirk, 35. 33-1, 29-2—101; J. A. McDonald, 32-1, 32-2, 29-4—100; C. Kennedy, 32-1. 31-3, 32-1—100; W. Hancox, 31-2, 32-2, 30-3—100; A. Gow, 33, 31-2, 30-3—99; J. Black, 34, 30-1, 33—98; W. Graham, 32, 32, 34—98; G. Scott, 33, 31-2, 30-1—97; K. Rodger, 33, 31, 31-1—96; B. Roberton, 25-8, 29- 24-7—96; D. A. McDonald, 31-1, 33-1, 29-1—96; P, Edgar, 33, 31-1, 28-3 96; E. C. Sim, 31, 31, 33—95; J. H. White, 30-3. 21-2, 30-3—89: D. Kane, 30- 27-2, 27-2—89; E. Blamires, 12-7, 22-10. 14-12—77. A. and P. Society The twenty-eighth annual meeting of the Kelso A. and P. Society was held in the public hall, Kelso, on Saturday evening, Mr D, Jenkins (president) presiding over an attendance of 30 members. In moving the report and balance sheet, the chairman considered that the society had had a most successful year, a profit of £B4 13s 6d being shown on the year’s working, which was due in a certain measure, to the rodeo held, in conjunction with the Heriot Collie Club and also to the ram fair. He thanked officers and members for their co-operation during his term as president, and hoped , the society would continue to progress. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr G. M, Love; senior vice-president, Mr D. McPherson; junior vice-president, Mr J. Kitching; secretary, Mr H. King; General Committee—Messrs J. A. McDonald, James Pullar, R. Hamilton, A. Ottrey, H. McDonald, A. G. Dumbleton, H. Clark, W. Steel, A. Smith, A. W. Sim, F. Chittock, E, Forsyth, J. Burnett, S. J. Ottrey, J. W. Andrew, John Black, jun., J, Irving, K. Rodger, J. Edgar, Peter Smith, D. Jenkins, A. Body, W. Sommerville, J. Whitefield, O. Duff, T. Morrow, W. Fleming, J. Simpson, P. W. Finlayson, G. Metzger, K, G. Sim, W. Thomson, M. Dillon, E. McAuley, E. B. Paterson, P. Dolamore, and E. Gutschlag. It was decided to hold the annual show on November 16. The secretary was granted an honorarium of £3O.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring president (Mr D. Jenkins) for the interset he had taken in the society during his term of office. Land Sale Mr D. Coubrough, of Glenkenich, has purchased the property of the late Mr J. F. Herbert, “Ardmore,” situated about two miles from Kelso, and comprising 576 acres. KYEBURN Miniature Rifle Shooting The following were the details ol the club shoot held on July 5. The standard was much lower than usual, and the top 10 men’s average was only 75.7. The Preston Rifle Button was won by P. R. Wilson after a keen shoot-off witn J. M. Griffiths, four targets having to be shot, in which three possibles were recorded before they could be separated, J. M. Griffiths won the J. B. Hislop Handicap Button by half a point. The following were the scores: P. R. Wilson 78, J. M. Griffiths 78, A. Mann 77, J. M, Crutchley 77, H. G. Wooding 76. C. M. Pearson 75, J. R. Crutchley 74, A. F. Pearson 74, R. Craig 74, W. W. Pearson 74. J, H. Reid 73, R. J. Wilson 73, W. Cameron 73, J. W. Pearson 72, H. Kindness 72, S. C. Pearson 71, G. Creighton 70. The following are the details of a club trophy for the best three of the first four rounds by a new member (with handicap): R. Craig 240, R. Creighton 240, W. Cameron 240, Mrs J. M. Griffiths 240, F. Henderson 237. H. Kindness 236, J. Graham 236. Shoot-off: W. Cameron 73-6—79, R. Craig 74-4—78. Mrs J. M. Griffiths 39—11—50. R. Creighton 40—9—49. LAWRENCE Sitting of Court At a sitting of the Lawrence . Court judgment for the plaintiff was given in the case Tuapeka County Council v. James Tait Morrow, claim £3 2s Bd, with costs (16s) and solicitor’s fee (15s 6d). Persona! Mr D. A. Fletcher, who has been manager of Tuapeka Motors, Ltd., for the past two years and a-half, has severed his connection with that firm and will leave Lawrence to-morrow. CLYDE The Weather After the hardest week’s frost for some years a thaw set in on Tuesday and most of the snow has melted. In consequence, roads are soft and the main street in Clyde is a quagmire. Skating In common with all parts of the Central Otago, ice skating has been the principal sport lately. Unfortunately the Manorburn dam is the nearest ice. Since the old mining dams have been out of use very little, if any, skating has been indulged In locally for the past 35 years. Miniature Rifle Club The Clyde Miniature Rifle Club had a successful shoot on Tuesday night, with the excellent average of 77.2. Two possibles were registered and no less than 11 had to shoot off in the handicaps. C. J. Davidson and H. Tattersfield tied for the rifle button and Jack Davidson secured the handicap. A special prize for the best four out of five shoots may have had some influence on the improved scoring. The scores were: C. J. Davidson, H. Tattersfield 80, J. Hollows, H. Laing, J. Ross R. Wilson, W. Thomson 77, J. Davidson. J. L. Davidson 76, T. Stevens 75, E. George 74, A. Thomson 73 W. Waters 72, H. Munro 72, Tattersfield 71, F. Lindsay, B. Laing, A. Isbister 70, J. Waters 68, J. R. Hollows 67, L. Stevens 65.

WAREPA Miniature Rifle Club There was a good attendance of members at the weekly shoot of the Warepa Miniature Rifle Club. The gold button was won by A. Webb, with a score of 76 “off the rifle."_ The A button was won by L. Christie, and the B. Button by W. Keys. The best scores were: A. Webb, R. McKeriow, W. Agnew, L. Chrktie 76, G. McQuade, E, Roberts, A. Brownlie, A. Copriand 75, W. Somerville, E. Milligan, J. Johnstone 74, M. Cross 73, E. Cross, A. Christie, G. Edwards 72, J. Findlay, W. Keys, H. Lee 71, W. Ashley, D. Edwards, T. Joyce 69. TAUMATA Miniature Rifle Shooting In conjunction with the Taumata and Clutha teams’ match on Monday evening, the local club fired its usual shoot for the gold and silver buttons. By registering 77 “ off the rifle,” A. Brown secured the gold button, while the handicap button went to A. Miller after a shoot-off with W. Taylor. The 10 highest scores were:—A. Brown 77 — 7 —79 A. Miller 76—9—79. W. Taylor 73 —i0—79, B. Peterson 734—77, S. Smith 73—4—77, A. Shirley 71—5—76, J. Taylor 68—8—76, S. Robertson 75 scr—7s, A. Broad 69—6—75, H. Carruthers 60—12 —72.