North Otago and Provincial Section

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24450, 8 November 1940, Page 11

North Otago and Provincial Section

THE OAMARU DISTRICT

FIRE BRIGADE CALLS TWO OUTBREAKS YESTERDAY OLD HOUSE AND GRASS FIRES At approximately 3.45 p.m. yesterday, the Oamaru Volunteer Fire Brigade was called out to attend a grass fire on the embankment at the rear of the Westpovt Coal Company's premises in Humber street. Clouds of smoke covered the main street, and as a result, many people visited the scene of the fire. The brigade soon had the flames under control and no serious damage was done. Just as the machine returned to the station, another alarm was received to attend a fire in an old wooden house in Humber- street, opposite Messrs Wright. Stephenson, and Co.'s store. It was stated that the house was owned by a Mrs Andrews, but was unoccupied. The flames had a good hold on the rotted wood when the brigade arrived, but the fire was soon extinguished.

PATRIOTIC CONTRIBUTIONS FURTHER LIST The following is a further list of contribution towards the patriotic appeals:— Omarama Sports Club £25, Meadowbank Bowling Club £7, Phoenix Bowling Club £3 16s, Maheno Bowling Club £3 'lOs. sundry collection boxes £5 Is lOd, Mrs B. J. Taylor £5, contributions Mary Pratt concert (R. Meldrum £l, Mrs W.; Kinder £l. E. D. Watts 10s) £2 10s, South School (badges) £4 13s, Moeraki Committee (euchres and dances) £5, Totara Committee (balance concert 7s, S. Wilson ss), 12s, Kauru Hill Committee (euchre) £2 0s 6d. "Anonymous" (Kauru Hill) £5 ss, staff Ireland ana Co. (weekly) 12s Bd, Weston Committee (as list) £47 4s 10d; Enfield Committee (as list) £4, Toe H community sing (balance) £6 19s 2d, Airedale Committee (as list) £33 4s, Windsor Committe (euchre £8 Is 7d, badges 10s) £8 lis 7d, North School (badges total i £5 lis fid) £5 lis 6d, Herbert Committee (bazaar and contributions) £BO 16s 9id, Oamaru. Little Theatre Society £33 13s, Master Nightingale and others £1 2s 7d, Duntroon Committee (per Mrs Anderson) £3 7s 6d, Papakaio Spinsters and Bachelors' Ball Commitee 10s 7d. V»>ston.—Proceeds dance £3 14s lOd, Droceeds euchre £2. school children's sale of badges -£1 2s 6d, Weston Basketball Clum £1 Is, William Anderson £5, H. J. Stevenson £l, estate late Robert Dick £3, A. E. Howell £2. A. J. Howell ss, A. Hill ss, B. A. Johnston ss, G. Third £l, J. Sawers £l. Kwing Hine 10s, J. Mitchell ss, J. Maw £l, F. Flett 2s 6d, G. Stevenson £2, W. J. Laney £l, T. Gemmell 10s, Miss McKenny 10s, G. Tate ss, H. Coe 4s. H. Grave 4s. Mrs J. D. Brown ss, A. A. Polwarth 2s 6d, C. Campbell 35,-. H. F. Weaver 10s. Miss A. Weaver ss, P. Wates ss. X. Clark 10s. M. H. O. 3s. Mrs Withers ss. Mrs Firth 2s, M. Stenhouse 2s, W. R. Gray ss. E. Beattv 10s, Mrs W. Warrington ss, W. Sutton 2s, Mrs A. J. Warrington Is Mrs Dunn 2s 6d, J. McKay 2s 6d. H. Holmes 2s. Mrs Wilson Is 6d. Ivan Mitchell £2, W. Harvey £l, A. H. Copland ss. C. Copland ss, J. Mitchell 10s, W. Harrington ss, S. McGooktn 10s, W. Lockie ss, "Anoynmous " ss, Mr and Mrs J. Gilligan 10s, Mr and Mrs G. Craig ss, Grimwood family 6s, Mr and Mrs G. Crozier ss. Mr and Mrs L. O'Neil ss, B. L. Halkett 2s 6d, "Anonymous " 2s 6d. W. Sewell ss. W. Cottingham 2s 6d, W. Anderson 2s 6d, D. Devon 2s 6d, J. Laney 3s, Mrs Martin 2s 6d. George Kelk ss, W. S. 2s 6d. D. Barton 10s.-H. H. Barton 10s, A. Harvey 10s, F. Moore ss, W.FaUoon 10s, " 2S " 4s 6d, A. Stewart ,Is. :S. 'G. S. 2s 6d. R. Allan £l, Mr and. Mrs G. Allan ss. Frew and Burdett ss, C. Biirdett 2s. 6d. G. Nisbet ss. William Gibson ss. H. Paisley 2s 6d, W. Dowthwaite 2s 6d. W. Warnock 10s. W. Goodson £1 Enfield (additional).—G. Fisher £2 10s, G. Rodgers 10s, W. Sinclair ss, R. White ss, A. Rodgers ss, T. Cox ss, Mr and Mrs W. R. Hudson previously acknowledged as £lO, should be £lO 10s. Airedale-Kosebery.—W. H. Ballantyne £5, C. H. Smith £l, R. A. Matheson £5, G. D: Jardine £l, C. A. McKenzie £l, J. Fisher £l, Mr and Mrs Fox, sen., £2, T. Portis £l, Mrs E. Hastings £l, W. C. Elder £l. G. H. Willetts £l, E. Roberts £l, W. T. Kirkpatrick £l, J. R. Fox, jun., £l, J. J. Poison £2, G. F. Neill £l, I. G: Robertson £l,l. Robb ss, G. Mahoney 5s Mr and Mrs J. Nimmo £1 Is, Mr and Mrs Stephens 10s, Mr and Mrs McGookin ss, Mrs Buick ss, Mr and Mrs Lory ss, Mr and Mrs J. Mavor ss, G. Pringle ss, dance £2 18s.

SHIPPING ACTIVITIES PORT OF OAMARU High Water.—November 8: 9.50 a.m. and 10.15 p.m Coastal Movements The Waipiata, from Auckland, will discharge and load out to-day for Wellington and Auckland, via Timaru and Lyttelton. -V The Karu will load about Monday, November 18, for Wellington, Nelson, and New Plymouth, via Timaru and Ly ttelton. The Wainul will load on Wednesday. November 13, for Wellington, Napier, and Glsbornc, via ports. ' '"/'>■ COMMUNITY SING SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION AT . TOKARAHI ~, Under the leadership of Messrs J. Weir and J. McLean, with Mr G. Dorward at the piano, a very successful community sing was held last: Saturday at Tokarahi, the hall being filled to capacity. A bring-and-buy stall did brisk business. and the leaders auctioned many, varied articles from the stall. Songs by Messrs Weir and McLean were greatly • enjoyed, and Mr George Meek's latest and appropriate lines on London were given by Mrs 'A. Gardiner. After supper a dance followed. The Red Cross ladies and Women's Division are grateful to all those who assisted, especially the song leaders and pianist from Oamaru, and they are pleased to announce that the funds have benefited by slightly over £25, half of which goes to the Soldiers' Parcel Fund, and half to the Women's Division minesweeper effort. KINEMA ENTERTAINMENTS MAJESTIC THEATRE " Disputed Passage."—This drama, which screens finally to-night at the Majestic Theatre, is from a story by Lloyd Douglas. Akim Temiroff is seen as Dr " Tubby " Forster. and is responsible for another brilliant portrayal of the kind that has placed him to the forefront of character players. Beautiful Dorothy Lamour has the feminine lead, while John Howard makes a success of his biggest part to date. Judith Barrett, Victor Vareoni, William Collier, and Keye Luke are also prominent. The story tells how Forster, a great doctor, chooses a young medical student. Beaven (Howard), as his most likely successor. Their hatred of each other is mutual and bitter, and finally Beaven falls in love with one of his patients (Miss Lsmour). The scene moves to war-torn China, 'and the story of mental conflict and devotion to an ideal is worked out against a dramatic background culminating in a gripping sequence in ' which the young doctor is dangerously injured, but is saved by the man who hated him, but loved him. ".Dad Rudd, M.P." —The uproarious .Australian comedy, "Dad Rudd, M.P.," comes to the Majestic on Saturday. The story deals with Dad Rudd's entry into politics, and through scene after scene the film romps its hilarious way until the various threads of .the story are brought together in a neat and entirely satisfactory climax. The bewhiskered Bert Bailev again portrays Dad admirably, and Fred McDonald as the half-witted son, Dave, is thoroughly convincing. The box plans are at the Bristola'.

OPERA HOUSE " Hot Steel."—Starring Richard Arlcn and Andy Devine, and featuring fast action, comedy and rugged . dramatic scenes, the Universal picture, " Hot Steel," may be seen on the screen at the Opera House to-night. Anne Nagel forsakes her romantic roles to portray a menacing "flirt" in the film. Peggy. Moran, blueeyed screen beauty, is seen as the young girl who captures the attention of Arlen from her rival. Other favourites in the cast include Donald Briggs, Joe Besser, Robert Emmet O'Connor. Wade Beteler and William Wayne. The action of the stor- takes place in and around a giant steel mill. " Heroes in Blue."—Crammed full of suspense and plenty of terse action, Monogram's " Heroes in Blue." also shows tonight. The plot concerns two young brothers, one g policeman, and the other a member of a gang. Joe, played by Charles Quigley, keeps money given him by the mob chieftain instead of playing it on a winning horse. The gang leader uses this as an excellent excuse to force the father of Jot. who is a nightwatchman, to act as a tipster when they want to make a haul on some of the stores on the old man's beat. How Terry, played by Dick Puree]], breaks up the racket and clears his brother and father, forms the exciting basis of the film.

PRIMARY PRODUCTION NORTH OTAGO COUNCIL PROBLEM OF FARM LABOUR NO SINGLE MEN AVAILABLE The problem facing farmers through the shortage of experienced farm labourers was fully discussed at a meeting of the North Otago Primary Production Council yesterday morning. Mr J. D. McLeod occupied the chair. The Director of Primary Production wrote asking for a review of the present position, and asked the council to consider a proposal for the payment of the cost of removal for married workers, the suggestion being that the Government pay 60 per cent of this cost up to £ls, the farmer 20 per cent., and the worker 20 per cent. The director pointed out that the supply of single men was depleted, but all applications for farm workers could be filled if farmers would employ married men. The reason for married men refusing to accept employment was the cost of the removal of his family to the farm. The workers should , guarantee to stay in employment on the farm until the middle of next year. Cost of Removal

Mr P. Brown (employment officer), who was asked to furnish to the director a return as to the present position, stated that no single men were available in North Otago. The trouble in respect to married men, he said, was that under scheme 13 their wages were probably £1 a week more than those obtaining on the farm. He had asked for a definite ruling on the matter, and had been instructed that he had to accept a reasonable excuse for a married man not accepting work on a farm. On a farm a married man received £2 ss, plus an allowance of £l, which, with the tax of 8s 3d taken off. left him £2 16s 9d to take home to his family. With rent to pay, this was too little, compared with the £4 15s or £5 received on scheme 13. Married men were expected to take farm jobs, but, as he had said, he had to accept a reasonable excuse. Leave of Absence Mr J. D. McLeod said the ballots were upsetting the farm routine, and this was affecting North Otago more than the position of permanent hands. . Mr D. J. Ross said that as time went on they were going to be faced with a very serious shortage of men, especially during the harvest season. The council should appeal for all key men in primarv production. Mr McLeod said they could not object to men being taken away for three months* training, but they could object to their being taken away at an inopportune time. They did not want to give the impression that they wanted farming to be a sheltered industry. Mr B. B. Walton suggested that they should apply to the authorities for those farm workers being called up in the January draft to be released during harvest time. • , ~ , The meeting carried a resolution asking the National Council to secure leave of absence for experienced farm workers called up in the January draft for two months during the harvest period. Manpower Committee It was also resolved to make representations to the authorities that two 'members of the North Otago Council be allowed to confer with the Manpower Committee of Otago and Southland, in order to give that committee information concerning local conditions when dealing with appeals in North Otago. It was decided to request the Director of Manpower to circularise all stock firms asking them not to employ farm hands and shearers in their wool stores when other men were available for this work. The council decided to make inquiries as to whether married men's quarters (three-roomed cottages) were available from the Public Works Department for farmers employing married men, on a rental basis. The secretary (Mr T. Sell wood) was empowered to compile a register of all voluntary workers willing to assist in seasonal farm work, free service not expected, and such workers to be asked to notify the secretary or stock firms of their farming experience. It was further agreed to apply for an increased allowance for married farm workers to bring up their wages to the level of scheme 13 wages.

BOWLING MAHENO WOMEN'S CLUB The opening day of the Maheno Women's Bowling Club was held on Wednesday in the presence of an excellent attendance of members and visitors, including representatives from the Phoenix, Meadowbank. Awamoa, and Weston Clubs, who suitably responded to the welcome extended by Mrs T. Livingstone (president). Mr T. Livingstone (president of the men's blub) conveyed good wishes, and floral sprays were presented to Mrs Caldwell (pastpresident), who rolled up the first bowl, and to Mrs Robert Wilson, who again gave the club an iced birthday cake. Phoenix Team to Play Dunedin The following rinks have been selected to represent Phoenix Women's Bowling Club in a match against the Dunedin Centre on Wednesday, November 13, at Dunedin: Mesdames Watts (lead), Bremner, McLean, Reid; Mesdames Milligan, Reid, Adams. Ashton; Mesdames Jamieson, Henderson, Grant. Sorley. ITEMS OF INTEREST IN AND ABOUT TOWN ' Musical Recitals.—This afternoon, commencing at 3 o'clock, in the North btago Women's Club rooms, a musical recital, arranged by the Misses Cartwright, will be presented, proceeds being devoted to patriotic purposes. The recital, which will be presented again to-morrow night, commencing at 8 o'clock, is open to both members and non-members of the club, and a small admission charge will be made. TO-MORROW'S FIXTURES Lawn Tennis Meadowbank Senior to play Awamoa, at Awamoa.—J. L. South, H. Hare, >P. McLaughlin. K. C McDonald; Misses D. Miller. N. Blight, Mesdames A. R. Tait, P. Robinson Oamaru Seniors to play Wesles', at Oamaru.—S. G. McDougall, W. D. Robson, R. Meldrum, W. Samuels; Misses J. Corrigall. I. Gunn, R. Corrigall, S. Cameron. Cricket Oamaru A.—J. Watson, Beattie, Doran, Thomson. M. Dick, Milne Heasley, Campbell. Scott. Watts, Gardiner. Oamaru B.—Jones, Turvey, Uttley, Robertson, Kemnitz, Miller, Kent, Slyiield. Reid. Cahill. Blackburn Union.—Borrows, Maddigan, Doig, Rawstorn, McCallum, Tonkin, Hedges, MagonParker, Hutcheon, Forbes.