COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27383, 8 May 1950, Page 7

COUNTRY NEWS

BALCLUTHA DRAMA FESTIVAL Three one-act plays were entered in the drama festival held at Balclutha on Thursday night bv the South Otago Federation of Women's Institutes. The judge, Mr A. R. Dreaver, of Balclutha, awarded first plact to Benhar, which presented M. E. Atkinson’s “ The Chimney Corner.” The members of the cast were Mesdames V. Gill. E. S. Macfarlane, D. Clarke. J. Sharpe and S. C. Dark, and the producer was Mrs Clarke. They will represent South Otago in further elimination festivals. The other entries were as follows: Clinton, “Anti-clockwise” (by Muriel and Sydney Box): Warepa, “ Seven Women ” (by J. M. Barrie). FIRE BOARD At the quarterly meeting of the Balclutha Fire Board, it was decided to approach the Dunedin Metropolitan Fire Brigade regarding the possibility of purchasing a quantity of V-3 thread hose for practice and competition work. The secretary, Mr F. Cooke, gave an outline of the new allocation of levies. In future the Fire Services Council will contribute 60 per cent, and the Balclutha Borough Council 40 per cent... the Fire Services Council to make a levy on insurance companies. The chairman, Mr J. R. Copland, was re-elected. PLAYWRITING COMPETITION At a recent meeting of the British Drama League (South Otago area), it was decided to hold a competition for oneact plays. There will be two sections the first for entrants under 20 years of age, and the second open. An offei made bv the Clutha Leader to give a first prize of £lO in the open section was accepted with thanks. It was decided that the result be announced at the annual drama festival and that an effort be made to produce the prize-winning plays next year. NEW POST OFFICE Good progress is being made with the erection of the new Post Office buildings in John street, Balclutha, and it is estimated that they will be completed in approximately three months’ time. Technicians have already made a start witn the work of assembling and installing equipment for the new telephone exchange, which will be on* the first floor.