SOUTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23883, 10 August 1939, Page 15

SOUTH OTAGO

BALCLUTHA Personal Mr A. Dawson, retiring past-secre-tary postmaster, was the recipient of another presentation on Tuesday night, when representatives of the business and professional people of the town met him' at the Hotel Clutha and presented him with a wallet of notes in appreciation of the unfailing courtesy with which he had treated all with whom he had come in official contact in the 10 years he had been at Balclutha. Mr J. R. Copland (Deputy Mayor) presided and made the presentation in a few words of eulogy. Messrs R. R. Grigor, Angus, P. Mason, E. B. Lothian, Cunliffe, Dr Radcliff, and the Rev. Mr Fordyce followed in the same vein, and Mr Dawson suitably replied. Potato Prices Potatoes are being sold at Balclutha at the rate of 30s a bag. A wellknown Inch Clutha grower sent away no fewer than 600 tons at the beginning of the season for a price of £5 a ton on trucks, and 'thought himself lucky that the Government's Marketing Board would find a fruitful field for regulating prices, in the potato market is the opinion of a number of growers. MILTON Schools at Play A field day between sports teams from Toko and Mosgiel High Schools was conducted at Milton-on Tuesday. In the basketball match between secondary pupils played in the morning, the result was a draw, each side scoring 15 goals. In the afternoon the primary teams played, and again the result was a draw, nine all. A Rugby match was played on the local Domain Ground in the afternoon. The Mosgiel boys proved too big and experienced for the local boys, and • won an enjoyable game by 45 points to 5. The visiting players were billeted amongst the local pupils for dinner. To-day the Toko primary school football and basketball teams will visit Kaitangata for return matches, andnext Wednesday the teams will play return matches against the Owaka School at Owaka. Mass Meeting off Farmers A mass meeting of farmers was held at Milton on. Tuesday night under the auspices of the Milton branch of th« New Zealand Farmers' Union to pro-" test against, the recent increases in taxation imposed by the Government and to discuss suitable methods pi protecting their industry. There was an attendance of approximately, 70 dig- 1 triat farmers, and Mr Andrew Tweed, president of the branch, occupied the chair. An address was delivered by Mr R. H. Michelle, a past president of the Otago Provincial Executive, after which a discussion took place, the increase in the petrol tax and in the income tax being the principal subjects. The following resolutions were then carried' unanimously:, "That this meeting of farmers takes; strong exception to the continued increases in taxation, and views with alarm the recent, impositions; especially the petrol and income taxes, and feels that the position has become so serious that unless some release is given we would be compelled to take drastic action." > "That steps be taken to secure the circulation of a general petition among all farmers in the Dominion protesting against the land tax, hospital tax, ano : the increased petrol tax." '• That the Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union be asked to prepare and circulate among the branches in Otago a petition on these lines." The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair and to Mr Michelle. TAPANUI Borough Council Meeting: The monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held on Monday evening, the Mayor (Mr W. B. Naylor) presiding over a full attendance of councillors. The secretary, Otago Hospital Board, wrote advising that the levy on the Borough'Council for the current year would be £BS 14s. The Commissioner of Transport. Wellington, wrote giving details of an arrangement whereby the Transport Department would take over control of traffic in the borough. The duties to be undertaken by the-department wer« enumerated and the cost to the borough would be £3O per annum.— Decided to hold over the matter in the meantime pending an interview with the chief traffic inspector. A donation of £2 to purchase trees or shrubs was received from the Tapanui branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union. It was resolved to strike a general rate of 2s 6d in the £ on the annual value, and. in addition, to strike a special rate of 9d in the £ to provide for i the payment of the interest and sinking fund charges on the waterworks loan. A motion to make additions to the Town Hall was withdrawn after. the Mavor had explained that no provision had been made for the cost, and* further, that the council was faced with extraordinary expenditure in repairing or even in resealing a portion of the highway which had been badly damaged in the recent severe weather. The Hall Committee was empowered to nurchase new blinds at an estimated cost of -£7 10s. The Cemetery Committee was authorised to dispose of the large trees • at the cemetery, the proceeds of which were to be devoted towards the cost of a new mower. It was decided that a letter of sympathy be sent to the Prime Minister expressing the hope that he will make a speedy recovery from his recent ill-, ness. Accounts amounting to £l3l 4s 6d were passed for payment. Rugby Football At a meeting of the West Otago Rugby Football Sub-union held on Monday evening it was decided to transfer the representative match South Tuapeka v. West Otago. which was to have been played at Waikaka on Saturday, to Tapanui. and to hold the annual tournament at Waikaka on September 16. On Saturday the cur-tain-raiser will be Waikoikoi and Waikaka juniors v. Tapanui and Heriot juniors, to start at 1.30 p.m. Mr G. Murray has been appointed referee for Saturday's representative match.