North Otago and Provincial Section

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24603, 10 May 1941, Page 14

North Otago and Provincial Section

THE OAMARU DISTRICT

LABOUR ENVOY MR WILLIAM HOLMES MESSAGE FOR OAMARU Yesterday Mr William Holmes, immediate past president of the Trades Union Congress of Great Britain, who is making a tour of New Zealand, called at Oamaru on his way north. He was met fry the Mayor (Mr L. J. K. Familton), and shown some of the beauty spots of the town, and before he left, Mr Holmes left the following message to the people: " I regret I am unable to stay in your town, but I wish to thar>k your Mayor for his kindness in receiving me, and I want, through him,.to thank once more the people I have already met in New Zealand for their very great kindnesses to me. I have been very much impressed by the amenities of Oamaru during the short time I have been here. It is such amenities and our method of civilisation that our great nation is now trying to defend. All England hopes, with the assistance of her dominions and her Allies, to succeed in maintaining such a civilisation as you have been able to build up in New Zealand. With your help we.shall win through. Of that I am sure.' ITEMS OF INTEREST IN AND ABOUT TOWN Auction Sale of Leases.—Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Ltd., report having submitted to auction last Tuesday, on account of the Waitaki High School Board, 14 leasehold properties. All were sold at auction to the present lessees at the upset rentals, with the exception of one small property of 19 acres, which was passed in. Soldiers' Appreciation.—Letters conveying thanks for parcels sent to soldiers serving overseas have been received by the Moeraki Soldiers' Welfare Committee. One recipient stated that although his parcel had been for a trip to England and back to the Middle East, the contents were quite fresh and were enjoyed Clothing for Bombed Areas.—The members of the Townswomen's Guild are organising a collection of good clean clothing to be handed to the New Zealand Lady Gal way Patriotic Guild to be sorted, packed, and shipped for distribution to refugees in the bombed areas in England and Scotland. Various women s sewing guilds in the town have signified their willingness to repair and remake the articles, and residents are asked to give this appeal their sympathetic support. Engine Off Line.—An engine ran off the rails at the Oamaru Railway Station in the early hours of yesterday morning, when it passed through the points. Attempts were made to get the engine back on the line, but it ■ was found necessary to utilise a crane for the work. Theosophical Society.—Mr Harry Banks, of Auckland, gave an address under the auspices of the Theosophical Society in the Peter Pan Theatre on Thursday night. Mr Banks took for his subject, Is There a Heaven for All? " Three Generations.—The fact that Cr L. W Grenfell, who was not seeking re-elec-tion, was. the third generation of his family to be a member of the Oamaru Borough Council was commented upon by the Mavor (Mr L. J. K. Familton) at the Borough Council meeting on Thursday night Mr Familton said Cr Grenfell s grandfather and father had been borough councillors, and plso his uncle, and that was a proud record of a f amily s service to the town. , Badminton.—There was a large muster of players at the official opening of the season of the Oamaru Squash and Badminton Club on Thursday night. Mr H. J. S. Grater (president), declaring the season open wished members a successful season. A Yankee tournament was held, and some close games were witnessed. Man-power Committee.—The Man-power Committee, which deals with appeals from military service, will visit Oamaru next week, and appeals will be heard on Wednesday Countv Elections.—ln response to requests the county returning officer (Mr R.. K. Gardiner) is providing two extra polling booths in connection with the county elections, one in the Otepopo Riding at the school. Kakanui South, and the other in the Awamoko Riding, at Mr J. P. Conlan's residence, Windsor Park estate * The Home Guard.—A number of men in Oamaru who have enlisted in the Home Guard, have for various reasons been unable to attend any parades at all. This has resulted in some administration difficulties, and such men would be assisting if they communicated with the Battalion Commander (Mr A. C. Whyte) or the Adjutant (Mr H. M. Ewart). Even if they cannot drill, there are duties they can perform. Memorial Service. —Nurses, doctors, St. John Ambulance, Red Cross, and Women's Auxiliary workers, as well as all others interested in the nursing profession, are invited to attend a Florence Nightingale memorial service to be held in St. Luke's Church to-morrow at 4 p.m. AMATEUR CYCLING OAMARU CLUB . At the Oamaru Amateur Cycling Club's annual meeting there was a large attendance of members and supporters. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President. Mr C. Nicolson; vice- . president, Mr H. Wilson: secretary, Mr L. Mcßae: referee, Mr J. Aitcheson; committee—Messrs D. McLeod, J. McNulty. R. Park, D. Willets. A. Todd, S. Hollow, C. Hood, J. Muir, J. Aitcheson; club captain, Mr L. Mcßae; deputy club captain. Mr G. Aitcheson; starter, Mr A. Todd; handicapper, Mr H. Wilson; timekeepers, Messrs J. McNulty and Todd: auditors. Messrs J. McNulty and J. Aitcheson. It was decided to open the season on Saturday. May 17, with a run to the Willows, Maheno. and back to Oamaru. The following programme was submitted to the traffic inspectors for approval:—May 24, Pukeiiri and return; May 31, Maheno and return; June 7, Hilderthorpe and return; June 14, Herbert and return. Votes of thanks were passed to the donors of various trophies and the traffic Inspectors who had helped in every way to make the season a success. SHIPPING ACTIVITIES PORT OF OAMARU High Water.—May 10: 1.35 a.m. and 1.52 p.m. May 11: 2.26 a.m. and 2.54 p.m ! Coastal Movements The Wainui will load about Tuesday for Wellington, Napier and Gisborne, via ports The Waipahi will load about Tuesday, May 20, for Wellington, Nelson and New Plymouth, via ports. The Waipiata, leaving Auckland to-day, is due about Saturday, May 17. She will load for Wellington and Auckland, via ports.

SERVICES ACKNOWLEDGED WORK OF COUNCILLORS TRIBUTES TO MAYOR AND MAYORESS Thursday night's meeting of the Oamaru Borough Council was the last for the present council, and the Mayor (Mr L. J. K. Familton) took the opportunity to thank councillors for the very loyal support they had given him throughout his term of office, which had been exceedingly pleasant. Councillors, he said, had given a great deal of service willingly and happily, and he hoped the ratepayers would shqw their appreciation by reelecting those councillors, again offering themselves as candidates. He thanked Crs E. W, Grenfell, N. N. Fraser, and E. 0. Watts, who were retiring from office, for the great interest they had taken in the work of the council. He also thanked the town clerk (Mr J. Branthwaite), the curator (Mr John Tait) and Mrs Tait for their unfailing courtesy and attention, and the office and outside staffs for their good services to the borough. Mr Familton spoke of the co-operation of the Waitaki County Council with the Borough Council, which, he said, was for the good of North Otago as a whole. He especially mentioned the great assistance given by the chairman (Mr James Rodman) and the county clerk (Mr R. K. Gardiner), and added that he did not know of another man in New Zealand who gave so much of his time to and did so much work for local bodies as Mr Rodman. Mr Familton said he had been told by a public man of Invercargill that there was not another town in New Zealand as beautiful and as good to live in as Oamaru, and he advised councillors to maintain the town's reputation in this respect. It was his opinion that Oamaru would be in good hands under the Mayorelect, Mr J. C. Kirkness. Cr Kirkness paid a very high tribute to the Mayor and Mayoress for their splendid services to the town. They had had a strenuous term of office through the war conditions, and he asked the Mayor to convey to Mrs Familton their thanks and very best wishes. He also wished the Mayor success at the election for the Waitaki Hospital Board. Other councillors spoke of the good work done by the Mayor and Mayoress, and the chairmen of committees acknowledged the good services given to the borough by the foreman (Mr F. G. Whiting) and the traffic inspector (Mr N. L. Colville). LIGHT FROSTS PREPARATIONS FOR WHEAT GOOD PROGRESS BEING MADE Conditions in North Otago this week have been good, with fine days and some light frosts. Farmers are making good progress with the preparation of land for wheat sowing, and if the present weather continues the work should be well forward by the end of this month. Wheat.—This month should see the last of the deliveries of wheat to the mills, as most of the stack threshing has now been completed. Considering the heavy rains which were experienced during March, the wheat now being threshed is in exceptionally good order. Merchants this week are very busy attending to demands for seed wheat, and some very substantial orders have come to hand. The Cross Seven variety appears to be in great demand this season. Oats.—Some mixed lines of oats have been threshed recently, but for the most part these are feed Algerians and Duns, which are not very much in demand at the present time. The oats required principally at "the moment are white oats for the oatmeal millers. It is reported from Southland that the average yield of the Southland crop is about 70 bushels to the acre. The wholesale market for oats is quiet. Chaff.—There has been pome local demand this week from local feeders, but very few lines .re offering at the moment. . Potatoes.—There has been an improved demand lately from the North Island. It is understood that the North Island potatoes are now nearly finished. The market, if anything, is a bit weaker as digging is more general. Seeds.—There is some inquiry for ryegrass, but at the prices offering very little business is passing. There is also a fair demand for white clover, as it is understood that export business is possible. With the better weather prevailing there should shortly be some cowgrass and Montgomery red clover to offer. AMUSEMENTS MAJESTIC THEATRE " Stanley and Livingstone."—A picture recounting a most thrilling adventure will be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-day and to-night. This is Darryl F. Zanuck's production, " Stanley and Livingstone." With Spencer Tracy, twice winner of the Academy Award, starred as the heroic Stanley, Nancy Kelly and Richard Greene starred in the romantic roles, the Twentieth Century-Fox film features one of the greatest acting casts ever assembled. Included are Walter Brennan, also o an Award winner on two occasions, Charles Coburn, Sir Cedric Hardwicke (as Livingstone), Henry Hull and Henry Travers. OPERA HOUSE " The Saint Takes Over."—Stalwart George Sanders, who has made popular on the screen Leslie Charteris's famous mysterv fiction character " The Saint," is again seen in his favourite role in RKO Radio's "The Saint Takes Over," the latest offering in this highly successful series. Wendy Barrie has the romantic lead. "The Bank Dick."—W. C. Fields is starred in the character of a bank detective in his new Universal laugh-maker. " The Bank Dick," which will also be shown to-night. In the supporting cast are Una Merkel, Dick Purcell, Shemp Howard, Franklin Pangborn, Grady Sutton, Jessie Ralph and Cora Witherspoon. MINIATURE RIFLES Pukcuri Club.—Scores at the weekly shoot of the Pukeuri Club were as follows:—T. Matheson 78, J. Duncan 77, W. McCulloch 77. G. McDonald 77 H. Williams 77, G. Anderson 76. J. Hollamby 75. A. Anderson 75, R. Anderson 74, M. Wilson 74. G. Cunningham 73, A. Brown 72, A Paton 7.1, S. Paton 7fl, J. Ingram 70; rifle button. T. Matheson; handicap button and trophy, M. Wilson. Railway Ladies' Club.—Mrs Cayford presided at'the annual meeting of the Railway Ladies' Club. The following officers were elected:—President. Mrs Cayford; vice-president. Mrs Robertson; secretary, Mrs Andrew: treasurer. Mrs Brightwell; captain, Mrs Hartley; vice-president. Miss Middlemas; scrutineers, Mesdames Andrew and O'Donnell; handicapper, Mrs Machon; committee—Mesdames Cayford. Robertson, Andrew, Brightwell, Bartley, Machon, Algie. Goodall. Misses Middlemass, O'Donnell. Steele; social conveners, Mrs Brown and Miss Steele; coaches, Messrs D. Williams and C. Rennie; auditor, Mr A. Robinson. It was decided to hold the weekly shoots on Wednesday. Weekly scores: Mrs Andrew 77—2—79. Miss O'Donnell 74 —5—79, Mrs Cayford 72—7—79, Mrs Aitken 72—7—79, Miss Steele 72—6—78, Miss Brown 69—9—78 Mrs Machon 66—12—78. Miss Wilson 64—12—76, Mrs Brightwell 69 —6—75, Mrs Robertson 64—10—74, Mrs Bartley 66—4—70, Mrs Anderson 64—6—70 Mrs Algie 64—5—69, Miss McPherson 59 8—67. Miss Moore 49—15—64; rifle button. Mrs Andrew. Miss Hall, an old member of the club, paid a visit from Christchurch and scored a possible. PERSONAL Visitors to the Town New Club Hotel.—Mr H Nevill (Palmerston North), Mr 11. Maxwell, Mr R. Bird (Christchurch), Mr and Mrs J. A. Forbes, Mr E. K. Loughrey. Mr N. Fraser (Dunedin), Mr D. Larnack (Waimate), Mr and Mrs W. A. Thomas (Auckland).

AIR FORCE BAND VISIT TO OAMARU APPEAL FOR RECRUITS The Royal New Zealand Air Force Band will arrive in Oamaru to-day from Christchurch, and will give an exhibition of quickstep and slow marching at the Show Grounds, commencing at 2.30 this afternoon. To-morrow afternoon the band will render a popular programme in the gardens, commencing at 2 o'clock, and tomorrow night a concert will be given in the Opera House, at which a programme of classical and modern works will be presented. At this concert, Mrs Chase's Girls' Choir will render " Consecration Hymn " (Jude) and " Silent Worship " (Handel). On Monday, at 12.30, the band will march from the railway station to the Town Hall, where the Mayor (Mr L. J. K. Familton) will address the gathering, and an appeal will be made for Air Force recruits. During the speeches, all traffic in Thames street, between Steward and Coquet streets, will be stopped. A. AND P. ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING Mr S. Gillies (president) presided at the annual meeting of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday afternoon. Mr E. S. Brewster (treasurer) said the statement of accounts showed that 26 members were not financial—the lowest number for some years. The secretary (Mr A. W. Woodward) reported that the actual amount outstanding was £55. The labour charges for the one-day show last year amounted to £64 2s, compared with £9l for a two-day show the previous year. The annual report and balance sheet were adopted. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr A. H. Copland; vicepresident, Mr W. R. Macaulay; treasurer, Mr E. S. Brewster; auditor, Mr D. V. G. Smith; Management Committee—Messrs H J. Andrew. W. E. Aubrey, W. Cameron, D. Cant, C. J. Cowan, W. Doig, C. E. Dunstan, S. Gillies, J. Kingan. W. McDonald, D. Malcolm, A. McDonald, J. A. C. McKenzie, G. Simpson (Kia Ora), J. Simpson (Tokarahi). C. H. Smith, G. Stevenson, D. Stumbles, J. Tisdall, W. T. Hamilton, and A. H. Chapman, jun. Monthly Meeting The monthly meeting was held after the annual meeting, Mr A. H. Copland presiding. Mr A. W. Woodward was reappointed secretary. Accounts amounting to £9 7s 7d were passed for payment. It was decided that letters of appreciation be sent to Messrs C. Don and W. J. R. Simpson, in recognition of their valuable assistance over a long period. Messrs Don and Simpson did not seek re-election on the committee. The North Otago Rugby Union wrote accepting with thanks the association s offer of the Show Ground. One new member was elected. It was decided that 14 additional single pens be erected at the Show Grounds. Mr E S. Brewster was appointed to attend to the erection of the pens prior to the show. OAMARU NORTH SCHOOL MONTHLY MEETING Mr S. Symon (chairman) presided at the monthly meeting of the Oamaru North School Committee. The headmaster (Mr W. E. Judkins) reported that the school holidays were to commence on May 8 and would continue to May 26. A New School The chairman, in referring to the application for a new school, stated that the present one was over 60 years old, and was showing many signs of decay, it was not profitable to expend any further money on repairs. After an inspection of the school, it was unanimously agreed to make application for a new school, to be put on the urgent list of new buildings. Mr H. Newell was the successful applicant for the position of cleaner. Accounts amounting to £2B 10s were nassed for payment. TRAD^COUNCIL FORMATION IN OAMARU It is intended to establish a Trades Council in Oamaru. Representation on the Trades Council is on the basis of one delegate to each 200 members up to 600. It is important that each union should send its delegate or delegates to attend the first meeting.