BALCLUTHA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26198, 8 July 1946, Page 9

BALCLUTHA

SCHOOLS' CHORAL FESTIVAL Last year, as a cultural experiment, the schools in South Otago organised a choral festival, including items by individual school choirs, as well as by the massed choirs. The success of the venture far exceeded expectations and the second festival, held at Balclutha on Wednesday afternoon and evening, was equally well supported. Of a non-competitive nature, the festival featured individual school choirs of from 9 to 50 children, and all age groups were represented. The difficulties of mustei’ing sufficient children for a choir in some of the smaller schools must be considerable and their performances therefore were all the more creditable. The programme was admirably selected, and covered a very wide range, including verse speaking. Although most of the preparation was carried out by the teachers themselves, Mr G. E. Wilkinson, lecturer in music at the Dunedin Training College, again provided the expert supervision in the final stages before the programme was presented, and his services were recognised with a presentation from the organising committee. The first group presented by the massed choirs included “ Robin Hood's Song" (Wood), “Wanderthirst” (Baynon), “’Finlandia” (Sibelius), and “Nympth and Shepherds” (Purcell). A feature of the presentation of “Finlandia ” was a descant arranged by Mr Wilkinson, who conducted the massed choirs. In the second bracket, conducted by Mr D. G. Kennedy, of Balclutha School, “The Bells of Cantrer Gwaelod ” (Williams) was the outstanding number, the other two being “Lonely Woods” (Lully) and “At the Door on Summer Evenings,” an attractive Italian melody. Finally, again under the conductorship of Mr Kennedy, the massed choirs attractively rendered “ The Turtle Dove ” (Vaughan Williams), “Marianina” (an Italian melody), and “ lender Our Cottage Window” (a Czech folk song). Individual choral numbers were presented by Clutha Valley, Kelso, Tokomairiro, Waiwera, South Otago High, Clinton, Balclutha, Benhar, Kaitangata, and Stirling Schools. Congratulations to the organisers and the children were expressed by Mr Maxwell, senior inspector of schools, who paid a tribute to the high standard of music shown in South Otago schools. FREEZING WORKS The South Otago Freezing Company completed killings for the current season yesterday morning. The total number of sheep and lambs handled this season represents an increase of 7 per cent, on last year's 'total, the figures being 335,100 and 330,965 respectively. At 2945. cattle killings are on a par with those of last year. The manager (Mr E. E. Barnett) stated yesterday that during ‘.he oast few months weather conditions for the fattening of feed lambs had oeen very favourable, and that the average weight throughout the season was slightly higher than last year The labour position. Mr Barnett said, had b'en more difficult his vear than lasti He felt certain that had the labour been more readily available the killings for the season would have been higher than they actually were. The effect of the lifting of the labour priority on the freezing industry would not be known until before the commeneemept of the next killing season. HIGH SCHOOL SPORT Rugby football and basketball teams from Gore High School visited Balclutha and played matches against South Otago High School. The senior Rugby match provided a very bright exhibition, both si,des opening up play at every opportunity. The backs were evenly matched, but in the forwards Gore had a distinct weight advantage, and in the second spell this told luavilv in their favour, and South Otago very seldom gained possession. At halftime South Otago led by 9—6; Aitkenhead kicking two penalty goals while Dunn scored a try after a passing movement by the backs. Gore took the lead in ‘thcearly part of the second spell, Orr scoring three tries, one of which was converted by Wilson, who In the first spell kicked two penalty goals. After an excellent in-passing movement by McCabe and Aitkenhead. the latter scored wide out. There was no further score, the game ending: Gore High School 17, South Otago High School 12 Mr A Strang was the referee. x , The junior Rugby match was won by Gore by 6—3, after a very even game For the winners, Gee and Edgar scored, and for South Otago High School, Shields kicked a penalty coal. Mr I Stewart was the referee. Gore High School was also successful at basketball, winning the senior game by 18—9 and the junior match by 13—8.

ROTARY An interesting talk on the alms and objects of Heritage was given by Mr C R. McLean, a member of the Dunedin executive, at the weekly meeting on Wednesday evening of the Rotary Club 91 Balclutha. There was a fair attendance, and President Drew Miller was in the chair. Members decided to take steps later to Interest the public in the Heritage mevement. CARD EVENING There was a good attendance at the weekly card evening held in the Railway Social' Hall, and the prize-winners were as follows:—Mrs Arnold and Mr Murray. Mrs Barron and Mr G. Hansen, Mrs Stark and Mr narrington. POST OFFICE HOURS

The Balclutha Post Office will not In future be open on Saturday mornings. Instead, it will be open for all classes ol business on Friday evenings from 6.30 to 8.30 o'clock.