OMAKAU

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26043, 5 January 1946, Page 2

OMAKAU

THE HOLIDAYS There were many visitors to the district for the holidays, but the weather for the most part was not at all seasonable, dull and cool conditions prevailing with rain at times. With the advent of the New Year a decided improvement took place. THE RAINFALL The rainfall registered at Ophir for the past year shows an increase on that for 1944, the total being 21.47 inches, compared ' with 19.80 inches in 1944. The heaviest fall was in February, when 552 points were recorded, whereas' June was a comparatively dry month, only .018 inch being recorded. December was also " wet,” the fall for the month being 3.50 inches. At “ Brookdale,” Lauder, the total for the year was 27.56 inches, which is about on a par with the previous year's fall. The unusually heavy rain during December has had the effect of seriously interfering with haymaking and shearing operations. LAWN TENNIS The Matakanui Lawn Tennis Club held Its New Year’s Day tournament this year under ideal conditions. So numerous were the entries that only the Ladies’ Doubles and the Men’s Doubles could be played, the Mixed Doubles having to be abandoned. The following were the finalists: Ladies’ Doubles—Misses C. and J. Harvey beat Mrs L. Harvey and Miss J. Rhodes: Men’s Doubles—Messrs Felix Donnelly and Stan Leak beat Messrs J. and E. Duggan. The club held a largely attended dance in the Matakanui Hall in the evening. VITAL STATISTICS Tile vital statistics for the Blocks district for the past year are as follows (figures for 1944 being given in parentheses): —Births 31 (16), deaths I (1), marrages 4 (1). - The number of births registered was the highest for some years. PERSONAL At the Matakanui Hall on New Year’s Night opportunity was taken during an interval in the Tennis Club’s dance to extend a welcome to Gnr. D.-Harriott, who was well known in the district and recently returned from active service. On behalf of the Welcome Home Committee, Mr J. P. Donnelly (the chairman) expressed the good wishes of thf residents and made a presentation of a sum of money. On behalf of the Omakau branch of the R.S.A., Mr H. G. Wilson conveyed greetings from the members. Gnr. Harnott responded. WELCOME TO SERVICEMEN A largely-attended social and dance was held in the Ophir Hall on Thursday evening, when the Ophir Welcome Committee arranged a welcome to a number of servicemen from the Ophir district. Those welcomed were A.S. K. J. Stafford, Trooper G. Craw, Flight Sergeant D. K. Holden, Gunners J. Watson and L. Whyte, Private D. Wells (Ophir), and Secondlieutenant P Seorgie and Sergeant H. Laughton, of Omakau. Mr J. M. Maekay (chairman of the Ophir Committee) expressed pleasure at the large gathering from all parts of the district, and extended a warm welcome to the servicemen, who were all well known in the district. He congratulated them on their safe return, and thanked them for their service, and handed each guest a sum of money from the residents. On behalf of the Omakau Committee. Mr H. W. Oaten also handed monetary gifts to Messrs Seorgie and Laughton, and conveyed good wishes. Mr H. Alpine, representing t)ic Omakau branch of the Returned Services’ Association, extended good wishes from the association, and urged each returned man to take an active part in the affairs of the organisation. In replying, speakers lor the returned men made appreciative reference to the parcels received while overseas.