COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23887, 15 August 1939, Page 13

COUNTRY NEWS

TAHAKOPA Snorts Society The annual meeting of the Tahakopa Sports Society was held on Thursday evening, Mr C. Martin presiding. Mr Martin stated that the past year, the first the* society had been in existence, had been a successful one. The sports held last Labour Day had been successful and a good meeting hed been held this year. Although the society had not been, successful in raising as much money as the committee had aimed at, the result of the year's activities showed a credit balance of £sl. During the year the secretary and treasurer, Mr D. Smith, had left the district, and his place was now filled by Mr P. Stott. In the winter months a series of weekly dances had been held and these had resulted in the funds of the society being considerably increased. He stated that the committee was indebted to Mr J. Henry for the use of his property as a sports ground. The election of office-bearers resulted:—Patron, Mr J. A. Roy, M.P.. president, Mr C. Martin; vice-presi-dents—Messrs J. Henry, A. Griffin. E. Smith, E. Brown; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. Dryden: assistant secretary, Mr J. Hore; auditor, Mr A. A. Cook; committee—Messrs C. Stoddart. C. Birss, P. Stott. E. Brown, P. Martin, J. Blair (with power to-add). Advice was received from the Otago Centre that the date chosen by the society for a sports meeting, Labour Day. had been approved. Rugby Football

A meeting of the Tahakopa Football Club was held recently, Mr A. A. Cook presiding. Correspondence was received from the sub-union concerning representative fixtures. Members were of the opinion that competition matches should take precedence. Information was that on days on which sub-union representative matches were played competition matches would not be played. A match was to have been played on Saturday afternoon, after a spell of thret weeks, but a severe snowstorm caused a postponement. As a result of the two Saturdays misse' due to arrangements for Ranfurly Shield mate es and the further postponement onoaturday, the competition has been baaly disorganised, and it is doubtful If the remaining matches can be played J fa programme of representative matches is adhered to.

Another Snowstorm The severe snowstorm of three weeks ago was followed by another during the week-end. In sheltered places snow was still on the ground last week, and on Friday night snow again fell On Saturday morning two inches of snow fell in under an hour but much of it melted during the afternoon. Cold conditions continued, and frost followed on Saturday night. The weather on Sunday was also bad, hail and snow showers falling intermittently. Sawmill workers lost many days last month owing to the severe conditions, and present indications are that further loss of work will take place. Although there is not a great deal of stock in the Tahakopa Valley, several farmers are anxious over the prospects of the lambing season. School Committee

It was reported at the monthly School Committee meeting that the school had been closed during the severe snowstorm at the end of last month. The roll remained at 80. During the month a stove had been installed in the building used as the extra classroom, and although the conditions under which the children were taught were not good, a decided improvement had been effected. During the month a football and basketball tournament had been held at Tahakopa, and neighbouring schools had taken part. The school football team had retained the football cup, but the basketball team had lost its section by a narrow margin. EASTERN SOUTHLAND Cld Bridge Demolished The old suspension bridge across the Malaura River at Mataura. which has recently been replaced by a more modern structure, has now been almost completely demolished, and the heavy steel ropes . drawn across the water have been coiled ready for despatch to the Public Works Department. The task of handling the 16 steel ropes proved difficult for the workmen, for even after 71 years of stress and strain the ropes retained their natural coil and twisted themselves into knots which took hours to untie. It was intended that two of the old towers at the end of the bridge should be placed in the Maori centenary reserve at Tuturau and the other two at the entrance to the Mataura Domain, but when they were dismantled it was revealed that the segments were seriously cracked, and it seems impossible that they will stand re-erection. However, no decision has yet been reached as to what is to be done with them,

Women's Hockey

The second women's hockey representative trial match between Eastern and Northern Southland was played at Waikaia on Saturday afternoon. Eastern winning by 5 goals to The following teams have been selected for a further trial match at Gore on Wednesday, after which the team to represent Eastern Southland at the Dominion tournament at Blenheim will be announced:— Eastern A.—Goal-keeper. J. Browning (Hokonui); fuU-backs, A. McDonald (Waikaia) and H. Hunter (Wyndham); halves—J. Mitchell (Dipton). A. McLaren (Wyndham). and D. McDonald (Waikaia); forwards—M. Nicol (Hokonui), M. White (Hokonui). M. Sherriff (Hokonui). G. Jones (Riversdale), and J. Mcßain (Waikaia). Eastern B.—Goal-keeper. B. Sanson (Riversdale); full-backs. F. Sanson (Riversdale) and M. Folster (Mataura); halves—A. Adam (Mataura), D. Sherriff (Hokonui). and B. Johnston (Lumsden); forwards—A. Caughey (Riversdale). I. Sherriff (Lumsden). J. Wright (Riversdale). M. Sinclair (Wyndham). and J. Adam (Mataura).