CENTRAL OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25101, 17 December 1942, Page 7

CENTRAL OTAGO

OMAKAU Lauder-Becks Presbyterian Church.— The annual meeting of members of the Lauder-Becks Presbyterian Church was held at Ophir on Tuesday night, Mr H. Thompson presiding over a fair attendance. The balance sheet and report were adopted, the financial position showing an improvement over the previous year. It was decided to make a special effort to reduce the debt on the manse at Omakau. by special collections throughout the parish. During the year congregations had been well maintained. Sunday schools were conducted at Ophir and Cambrian, and also branches of the Busy Bees. The Omakau-Ophir branch of the P.W.M.U. showed a great increase in its activities, and through this organisation the district’s quota for missions had been exceeded. During the past year the minister, the Rev. N. C. Hall, had left on military duties, bvit the church had secured the services of Mr H. Thompson, of Mataura, and appreciat.on was expressed of Mr and Mrs Thompson's, good work. The following office-bearers were appointed:— Secretary, Mrs M. Leask; treasurer, Mr E. Mawhinncy; Management Committee— Messrs C. Davies (Cambrian), W. J. Lennon, C. Deaker, W. Armstrong, and G. McKnight (Becks), and Miss E. Glassford (Ophir). Rain Benefits Growth.—The district has recently experienced several good rains, and is now looking very well. The crops are well forward, and there is an abundance of feed. Old settlers say it is many years since there was such growth at this time of the year. Shearing is fairly well forward, but during last week the rain interfered with operat.ons. and a spell of sunny weather is now looked for. On a number of occas ons snow has fallen on the ranges, but quickly disappeared, obviating the danger of late frosts. ' Welcome Social.—On Friday evening the residents of Ophir held a social function in honour of Private G. Pitches, who recently returned to the Dominion after service overseas with the N.Z.E.F. There was a large attendance, and Mr J. McKnight, on behalf of the district, welcomed the guest, and made a presentation of a sum of money. Mr E. Naylor, president of the local branch of the R.S.A., and Mr J. Donnelly, representing the Matakanui Football Club, of which Private Pitches was an active member, also spoke. WANAKA Windy Weather.—Strong winds have prevailed during the greater part of the week, but the weather for the most part has been fine. Bowls. —The following are the results of the first rounds of the bowling championships:—Men; F. Norris beat C. Collings, 20—13; D. Matheson beat J. Mayne, 14—8; J. Perrow beat C. Morris, 24—11; R. Miller beat R. Stevenson, 20—13. Women: Mrs Studholme beat Mrs Miller, 25—16; Mrs Scott beat Mrs T. Anderson, 19—10; Mrs Robertson beat Miss Jopp, 20—13; Mrs Milne beat Mrs Burrows, 18—17; Mrs Davie beat Mrs Wilson, 24—19; Mrs Perrow beat Mrs McKegg, 18—16. The winners of the Mixed Pairs patriotic match played on Saturday were Mrs Scott and J. Perrow. A Wanaka rink (Messrs Stevenson, Ballantyne, Robertson, and Wilson) travelled to Arrowtown at the week-end to play a Diggers’ Cup game, and won by 20—12. Personal.—Miss Joan Scaife, of the nursing staff of the Auckland Hospital, is visiting her parents at Glendhu Bay.—Mr J. H. Duncan, of Dunedin, paid a brief visit to Wanaka at the week-end. —Mr and Mrs Price and family, of Dunedin, are in residence at Wanaka.