SOUTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23796, 1 May 1939, Page 12

SOUTH OTAGO

BALCLUTHA NEWS CLUTHA FARMERS’ UNION The adjourned annual meeting of the Clutha branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Crown Hotel on Friday night, when there was a verygood attendance. Mr H. C. Holgate was in the chair. The balance sheet presented by the secretary (Mr J. A. Johnston) showed a credit balance of £3O 10s, but against this there was at least one account for £7 10s and several others not presented that would have to be deducted. Adoption of Report The chairman, moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said that the year had been a most interesting one, and the branch had been instrumental in getting the approaches to the new traffic bridge at the north end made safe for motorists. The competitions for roots and pastures had been very successful. After detailing several other activities of the branch, the speaker said his term as president had been a most pleasant one, and his only regret was that the attendances at meetings had not been as large as might have been expected from a membership of 130. Mr Holgate said he believed there never was a time in the history of New Zealand that called more for the farmers “sticking together’’ than at present. They had to face all kinds of exactions, including local one?, such as the recent increase in the saleyard dues by the Balclutha Borough Council, which was quite unjustifiable. Another exaction in the same connection had just come under his notice. If a man sold anything in the Balclutha yards he received a “chit” for advertising; it might be a penny a head, or it might be twopence. This was not justified for the reason that the stock thus charged for were not advertised at all. If they were, of course it would be a different matter, and the per head charge might be quite legitimate. This extra charge, he considered, ought to be strongly resisted by the combined farmers. The motion for the adoption of the report and balance sheet was seconded by Mr A. Anderson and carried. ? Election of Office-bearers The senior vice-president (Mr J. A. Johnston) was elected president, with Mr Q. Miller senior vice-president and Mr Selwyn Mosley junior vice-presi-dent; secretary and treasurer. Mr Alex. Renton; auditor, Mr R. D. Dinneen; committee—Messrs A. Anderson. A. Christie, A. A. Jensen, J. T. Walter, Ivan Mosley, H. C. Holgate, L. Christie. D. Johnston; delegates to Provincial Conference, the president and Messrs G. Stewart and H. Holgate. On the motion of Mr Holgate a minute of appreciation of the 13 years’ service of Mr James Wood as secretary was recorded. General Meeting At the ordinary meeting correspondence was read from the provincial secretary advising that Mr M. J. Scott, superintendent of the pig industry, Wellington, was visiting Otago and would speak at Stirling. Mr H. R. Devize, of the live stock division, would also give an address. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr W. Lee Martin) acknowledged receipt of letter from the branch urging that steps be taken to have ragwort declared a noxious week in the part of Clutha county adjacent to Bruce county, and in reply advised that the matter was being taken up with the Clutha County Council, in whose hands the responsibility rested for revoking the declaration in respect to ragwort.—Mr G. Stewart: It is too late for this season now. Hasborough Road The question of making Hasborough road, North Balclutha. safe for motor traffic, was again debated. Mr Anderson said a good job could be done by utilising a ledge in the river and it would not cost more than £IOO. , Mr Renton said he had Inspected the road, and the Highways Board was prepared to contribute £3 for £l. so that if the Borough Council was prepared to spend say, £2O, quite a reasonable job could be done. It was decided on the motion of Messrs Anderson and Mosley again to refer the matter to Balclutha County Council. Potato Growers’ Troubles Mr Ivan Mosley voiced a grievance from the potato growers of Inch Clutha when he said that under the new regulations if a bag contained over 1801 b weight of potatoes it was sent back to be rebagged. This was a great inconvenience to the grower, and was not, he considered, necessary, for the reason that wheat bags were allowed to contain 2031 b. It was decided to protest in the form of a remit to the Provincial Executive: “That potato bags be allowed to go up to 2001 b.” Farmers’ Lorries Mr Mosley complained that farmers now had to take out a heavy traffic licence to convey his milk to the factory. Two years ago the Minister had said that a farmer did not need a licence to carry his own milk, but he must not handle that of his neighbour without a licence. Yet he (Mr Mosley) had been compelled to take out a licence to convey his own milk to Stirling factory. Mr Andei'son said that at the Dominion conference in Wellington it had been stated that the matter of licensing rested with county councils, and a number in the North Island did not enforce it. _ Mr Renton: Neither does Bruce County Council. It was decided to forward a remit, to the effect that farmers be allowed to carry their own produce without taking out a traffic licence. Presentation Cup Mr F. L. Nicolson, manager South Otago Freezing Company, discussed with members the district for which the cup presented by the directorate should be allotted. , It was decided that the cup be a perpetual one for the best pasture in South Otago within an area comprising Waipahi to Milton, Cly devale, Owaka, Lawrence, and intermediate districts. Mr Nicolson said the company would present a miniature cup each season to the winner. The offer was received with thanks. Nominee for Executive It was agreed that the president be the branch’s nominee for election to the provincial executive. Personal Prior to relinquishing the managership of the South Otrgo Freezing Company, Mr F. L. Nicolson was on Friday afternoon met by the employees of the company and presented with a gold hunting watch suitably inscribed and a crystal lamp stand for Mrs Nicolson. The presentation was made on behalf of the whole of the employees by the secretary of the company (Mr E. Barnett). Mr Nicolson has consented to take a seat on the directorate in place of Mr P. McSkimming (resigned). It is understood that Mr W. Luke will carry on as manager of the works in the meantime. Charge of Gaming At a special sitting of the Police Court, Balclutha, on Saturday afternoon, William Mason was _ charged before Mr D. R. Jack, J.P., with using pi'emises occupied as a billiards saloon in Clyde street as a common gaming house. —Detective Sergernt Hall (Dunedin) said that, in comnany with Detective Russel] (Dunedin) and Constable Boyle (Balclutha), he had that afternoon raided the premises in question and searched the persons present, and' had obtained sufficient evidence for the present charge. He asked for

a remand to May 31.—This was granted, and the defendant was allowed bail in his own recognisance of £IOO. Hockey In a friendly game on the sports ground on Saturday Cjutha girls’ team defeated Kaitangata by 2 goals to 1. Basketball In the South Otago competitions on Saturday High School A defeated Balclutha A by 13 goals to 2, Clinton beat High School B 14—11, High School C beat Balclutha B 11 —3, High School D beat Kaitangata A 11—5. RUGBY FOOTBALL On the Balclutha Show Ground on Saturday Clutha 111 scored a runaway victory over Toko 111, the home team winning by 39 points to nil. The winners’ score was made up of tries scored by Hayward, Blair, McLeod, E. Michie (2). I. Gold (2), Geddes (2), Washington (2). Michie converted two and Hodgins one. Mr Williams was the referee. The second match, between Clutha II and Clinton 11, proved quite an exciting contest, and was narrowly won by Clinton by eight points to seven. Clinton included several players regraded this season from last season s seniors, and they bustled Clutha badly at the start, Stewart kicking a penalty goal for Clinton within two minutes of the kick-off. The only further score in the first half was a try scored by I. Brown and converted by McDonald. The spell closed with Clinton eight points up. In the second spell Clutha showed up much better, and Hanley (centre three-quarter) potted a goal shortly after the start. Both sides fought hard for supremacy, and the play at times was decidedly lively. T, Hansen, who led the Reds in numerous rushes, was at last rewarded when he crossed the line to score, but Lang’s kick at goal missed. In the closing few minutes Fyfe narrowly missed potting a goal for Clinton. Mr McAllan (Milton) was the referee. Other South Otago district matches resulted; —Senior A: Clutha 30, Toko 8; Clinton 6, Crescent 3. Senior B: Star 17, Catlins 7. MILTON RUGBY FOOTBALL The grade matches in South Otago were commenced on Saturday in fine weather, and the Toko Domain ground was in first-class order for the senior game between Toko and Clutha. Owing to the influenza epidemic. Toko experienced difficulty in fielding a team, and the services of two retired players were requisitioned. Clutha fielded a team mostly composed of last year’s seniors, and, with the advantage of two or three games together, they showed a decided advantage over the Toko team in the latter stages of the game.. Clutha kicked off facing a strong sun. and play was very fast, neither side gaining much advantage. From a lineout near Toko’s line, Clutha backs all handled for Shand to dive over well out. His kick missed. Shortly after McPherson, on the opposite wing, scored a good try, which was convened by Shand. This was all the scoring in the first spell, and shortly after half time Stewart kicked a penalty goal for Toko. \McPherson and Shand again scored for the visitors, and then Toko attacked strongly, several players being nearly over. From a scrum on the Clutha line. Brown dived over, and Stewart added }he major points. Clutha 14, Toko 8. From this point on the Toko players- tired quickly, and Clutha rattled on the pace. Moflatt scored, converted a try, and kicked a penalty goal, and McPherson and Shand again scored. Greenall converted the last try. The game ended: —Clutha 30 points, • Toko 8 points. Mr T. Fox (Benhar) was the referee. Toko Second Grade team was two players short when it left for Kaitangata to play the Crescent team. In an interesting game the home team won by 17 points to nil. The newly-formed Bruce Territorial Football Clyb held its official opening on Mr R. Flett’s ground on Saturday, but the attendance of players was disappointing. Pianoforte Recital In continuance of his educational tour of the schools in Otago and Southland, Mr Paul Schramm, the celebrated Viennese pianist, paid a visit to Toko District High School on Friday and presented an illustrated pianoforte recital to the children. He played compositions from the works of Schumann and Debussy, and at the conclusion Mr J. Mclntyre, headmaster, returned thanks on behalf of the staff and pupils. Personal Constable Adam Kerse, who has been stationed at Milton for the past few years, has received advice that his transfer to Pleasant Point will take effect on Tuesday next. Mr and Mrs Walter Fagg (Milton) will leave at the end of the present week for Invercargill, where Mr Fagg has secured a position in the Rosedale Woollen Mills. Both Mr and Mrs Fagg have been keen members of the local branch of the St. John Ambulance Association, and their services at hockey matches will be greatly missed. Mr Fagg has also taken an active Interest in Toko 1.0.0. F. Lodge.