COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23884, 11 August 1939, Page 12

COUNTRY NEWS

WAIKOUAITI Debate _ ' ' ‘ ’ ; As part of the syllabus of the Young. People’s Own, a debate was held in the Presbyterian Hall on Tuesday evening, the subject being “Democracy v. Dictatorship.” Mr J. D. Brown; led for democracy, and presented a, carefully-reasoned case/ arid Mr G. T. .McCallum made the best of what might be considered an unpopular side, that of the dictator. ;• The audience; over which Mr.-S. Hagan presided,, was not large. The. standard of, speaking was high, and the contestants deserved the vote of thanks passed to them. Discussion- from the audience followed the debate. -.: Labour 'Party r,, V' ; The card party and dance arranged by the committee of the < Waikouaiti branch of the Labour Party held last Thursday was successful.. The prizewinners Were Mrs Jones' and Mr ,W. Hood. Music for the dance was provided by Mrs Park and Messrs R. Te Tau and E. Ellison, with Mr R. Raw-: son acting as M.C. There was a good attendance at the monthly meeting of the branch held on Monday evening,the vice-president (Mr J. Gent) presiding. Addresses were given by Oamaru friends, the subject Being the work of the L.R.C. Institute’s Birthday Party The seventh anniversary party of the Waikouaiti branch of the Women’s Institute was held on Wednesday evening, when there was a large attendance. MIDDLEMARCH Strath-Taieri A. and P. Society The monthly meeting of the StrathTaieri Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held in the hall 1 last Thursday evening, the president. Mr- E. Matheson, presiding. It was decided to install special lights in the hall for the convenience of members of the club. Mr A. J. Pacey was appointed to the position of caretaker. The president reported that the Taieri County Council’s engineer’s estimate for the proposed levelling of the ring in the Show Grounds was 12 men for 11 weeks. It was decided to make application to have the work done under Scheme 13 of the Employment Board, whereby the society would require to pay 3s 6d per week per man. and no accommodation would have to be arranged for the men by the society. The Weather The snow on the ranges Is gradually disappearing, but the Mount Stoker side of the Taieri River is still completely covered. Heavy losses on the runs there are feared, as it is over a month since the first heavy fall took place. Since then sheep have been left to their faie. as it is impossible even yet to get near them. EASTERN SOUTHLAND Death of Woman That the deceased died from asphyxia caused by suicidal hanging while suffering from nervous depression was the verdict returned bv the district coroner. Mr A. T. Newman, in closing the adjournfed inquest at Gore into the death of Myrtle Jeanme Gunn, aged 34 years, a married woman, who was found hanging in an outhouse on the property of Mr C. H. W. Tripp at Otaraia oh Sunday morning. Gore Plunkct Society Gratification at the successful year experienced by the Gore Plunket Society and its sub-branches was expressed by the Mayor (Mr A. T. Newman) in his presidential address at the annual meeting. Mr Newman also expressed pleasure at the manner in which the public had responded to the appeal for funds, and extended congratulations to those responsible for the success of (he year’s operations. After a review of the finances by the treasurer, Mr W. Scobie, the annual report and balance sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected:— President. Mrs J. Harper; vice-presi-dents—Mesdames E. Coventry. D. M. Cochrane and A. G. Henderson: recording secretary. Mrs A. V. Latty; corresponding secretary, Mrs W. H. Sadlier; honorary treasurer. Mr W. Scobie: honorary solicitor. Mr A. L. Dolamore: honorary auditor, Mr W. D. Shelton: car supervisor, Mr T. Cronin: Advisory Board —Messrs A. T. Newman, W. Scobie. A. L. Dolamore. H. C. Mac Gibbon, T. Cronin. C. M. Wilson and W. D. Shelton; committee —Mesdanies C. Weir. R. E. Sutherland. R. Fisher, A. T. Pettigrew. R. I. Rutherford. J. McKinnell and W. Todd. There was a short discussion on the utilisation of the bequest of £3OO by the late Frederick J. M. Dyer, of Mossburn, and a resolution that a new car should be purchased with the money was adopted.

Personal Mr H. Blaikie, who has been secretary of the Gore branch of the Labour Party for the last two years, and who is leaving shortly for Wellington, was tendered a farewell social by members of the branch on Wednesday evening. A presentation was made by the president, Mr J. Cooper, and Mr Blaikie suitably replied. Secondary Schools’ Matches r . The annual interschool matches between teams from the Gore High School and the Southland Technical, College were played on Wednesday. Owing to the wet weather the girls' hockey and basketball matches were abandoned, only the Rugby and boys’ hockey matches, being played. ;• The Southland teams were successful In both the senior and junior Rugby matches, the seniors winning by; 22 points to nil and the juniors by. ripe points to nil. Gore was successful :in i winning the senior boys’ hockey match by three goals to nil, , while .the junior match was drawn—two goals all. y, V

Rugby Football . The following Eastern Southland junior representative Rugby football team has been chosen to play Central Southland to-morrow;— •' '

Full-back, S. McKay (Wyndham); three-quarters—J. Langham ; (Albiori), S. M. McKay (Wyndham), R. Clarke (Mataura); five-eights, J. Folster (Mataura), J. Coster (Mataura); half-back, J. Hannah (Mataura); forwards—F: Newton (Pioneer), J, Morris, (Wyndham), T. Valli (Wyndham),"E..McElhinney (Wyndham), J. ■ Thompson (Wyndham), F, McArthur (Pioneer), G. McKinnell (Albion), G, .McMullen (Pioneer). Emergencies: J: Mackie (Albion), D, CrosbierXWyndbaih);B. Gentle (Albion), and T, Renton' (Mataura). j .-Women’s Hockey,; , ~ The first representative trial women’s hockey match for the selection of the Eastern Southland team to travel to Blenheim this month to take part in the Dominion “K ” Cup, tournament was played at Hockey. Park, Gore;' on Wednesday afternoon. Eastern Southland defeated Northern Southland by five goals to. 'three. The game was marred by the slippery nature of the ground, and the standard of the play suffered as al Consequence. However, the trend of the play Indicated that Eastern will field a -strongteanl 'defend its Dominion . title. .. The: gbals • were scored for Eastern by M. : Shetriff (3), ,• J.;- Wright and M. Nicol. while 'O. Jones-' (2); and J. MCBain netted -ibr , Northern. ‘ , /, '■ . The following teams are- announced for the second trial- gander ial Waikaia to-iporrow:—' ' - , Eastern.-r-Goalkeeper. J.. Browning; , full-backs,. ;Et,, Huritet' - Malev: and A, Adam; fprwards-T-M. '‘NitofeM. ■White,;M. / Sherriff,;;;/M'C,: £iftiggu£c; J. Adam: , ■ ■ ’ • , • . , ’ .'Northern-Goalkeeper,Vß. Sapsoh; fulhbacks. haUrbkek£H^;'v ; McO(ma|di ;^B: : MbKinnell and B, /..Hodge;, forwardsT-J. Mcßain, G. Jones. J.- Wright';J.Whfte, and;A7 JLAWRENCE Farmers’ Union . • ?. At ft meeting of the Lawrence branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union held last Saturday evening members strongly criticised the impoSitipp: # the additional tax of 4d per gallon, on petrol. The attitude of thebrinch is that this tax falls heavily bp/the farmers, aS they cannot' pass it bn.-to anyone,else. It-will simply meatf.tbafc nroductioh Will be decreased. Many farmers in the district are. dependant upon motor transport, and petroldriven tractors for agricultural' work and this tax will hit them heavily. l Mr D. R. David Son, secretary of the branch, has forwarded the following telegram: “M. J. Savage, Prime; Minister, Wellington; Most emphatic .protest against petrol tax.”. . , : ; v The following reply has been received: “The Prime Minister has referred to me your telegram re petrol tax and representations will receive due consideration., H.G. R. Mason, for. Minister of Customs:’’ .- . • ■. Personal Miss Leila Hall, of Wellington, is - at present spending a short' holiday 1 .in Lawrence as the guest of Mr and Mrs t. Haii. ■ Mr E. O’Brien has been appointed relieving- secondary . assistant teacher, at the Lawrence District High School. The Rev. and Mrs W. H. J). Warren,, of Waikaka Valley, were, recent visi T tors to Lawrence as the guests of the. Rev. and Mrs F. Winton. : ■ ;,. ... ,t. Mr J. Guthrie, of is at present the guest of Mrs A. Guthrie. . Miss Margaret Martin, of Benhar. was a visitor to Lawrence for the, W ¥he ß ßev. and Mrs J. A. G. Simpson left on Monday for their new Home in Port Chalmers.; ’ Silver Wedding... To celebrate the ..twenty-fifth anniversary of their wedding Mr and Mrs J Anderson recently entertained a large party of friends at their residence at Tuapeka Flat. On behalf of those present Mr W. Kennedy presented Mr and Mrs Anderson with a crystal set, and several speakers voiced the good wishes - ot those present. A musical progxamme was rendered under ■ the direction of Mr I. Guthrie. ; Euchre Party • '

On Wednesday evening a ’successful' euchre party and dance were held in the St. Patrick’s Hall, the card prizes being won by Mrs W. Bell, Miss-'M.,, Roughan and Mr M. Fahey. ■ ;;

Rugby Football \ As the South Tuapeka represenia- 1 ' tive team will visit Tapanui to-morrow to play the annual match with .the' West Otago Sub-union, no competition, matches will be played locally. It has been decided to hold the annual seven-, a-side tournament at Beaumcn; on Sep- • tember 9. '

School Committee , - v ; At the monthly meeting of the School' Committee, Mr F. J. Gray, presided;: The. rector (Mr E. M. "Stevens) re-:i ported that the roll of the primary department stood at 95, with .ah average: attendance of 83.3, 89.6, 79.7 and 94:5.In the secondary department there was a roll of 32 with averages of 29.1, 28.9, 27.2, and 27.5. The school had been closed for four, days owing t.O they snow. Good work had been carried: out to the school grounds by the two.’, men employed under scheme No: 13. The secretary (Mr Fulton) was in-, structed to write Mr F. Belcher, agricultural instructor, regarding shrubs for planting and to spend’ £2 on ;orna-, mental shrubs. Messrs D. Christie and' A. Fulton were appointed a Visiting: Committee for the current month., It; was resolved that a letter be sent to Mr G. H. Bowie, secondary assistant,.' wishing him a pleasant , voyage . arid? every success on his visit to England!? 'Owing to the vacancy on the committee caused by the resignation' of the Rev.. J. Simpson, it was decided to approach certain parents regarding the tilling of the vacancy. The Otago Education Board wrote giving details of facilities for lending and reference lib*" raries. The matter was referred to th«, chairman and the rector. Accouriti totalling £26 18s 2d were passed for payment. > . ■