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Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 48

A Press Association message states that the quarterly meeting of the Government Railways Superannuation Fund Board was hold on the 13th. Retiring allowances in favour of 23 members were passed, amountmg to £2213 3s per annum, and allowances in favour of seven widows and 12 children were approved, the annual liability being £292. The sum of £2070 Os 2d was passed for payment, representing refunds of contributions due to contributors who have resigned or been dismissed from the service.

A largely attended and representative meeting was held at Luggato, on the 11th inst. (our Ha wo a correspondent states) for the purpose of forming a body to further the interests of the Upper Clutha. The chairman of the Vincent County Council (Mr Shepard) was among those present, also Crs Ritchie, Poison, and M'Carthy, the last-named gentleman presiding over the meeting Some discussion took place as to whether a branch of the Farmers’ Union should bo formed, the councillors present and Messrs Faulks (Pembroke), Urquhart (Hawea), Scaife (Pica), R. K. Smith (Tarras), J. Kane, sen. (Luggato), and K. Munro (Tarras) being among the principal speakers. It was eventually decided that a league representative of the residents of the Upper Clutha be formed to advance the interests of the district in every way possible by united' action. It was further resolved that those present should arrange that meetings for the election of delegates be held in tie different centres, and that the first meeting of delegates appointed be held at Cromwell on August 1. Constables Martin (Kaitangata), Harney (Balolutha), and Fox (Milton) on Sunday night again raided Mrs Paterson’s Railway Hotel boarding-house, in Balclutha, but on this occasion they found no liquor. The Otago Education Board quarterly attendance returns for June show that 248 schools were m operation in. the district. The average weekly number of pupils on the rolls during the quarter were 21,148, comprising 11,040 boys and 10,108 girls. The average attendance was 10,269 boys and 9240 girls, making a total of 19,509, being 22 more than .for the previous quarter, and 382 more than for the June quarter, 1913. The averages for the city and suburban schools were:—Albany Street 650, Forbury 650, Oaversham 648, George Street 599, Macandrew Road 575, Normal 570, North-East Valley 570, Musselburgh 529, Mornington 527, High Street 520, Kaikorai 515, Arthur Street 477, Green Island 344, Moray Place 321, Kensington 319, Maori Hill 305, iSt. Glair 220, Anderson Bay 210, Ravensbourno 170, Wakari 141, Leith Valley 37. The averages for Oamaru were: —North School 408, South School 307, Middle School 206, The averages for the, District High Schools

were: —Port Chalmers 449, Balclutha 376, Mosgicl 348, Tokomairiro 264, Palmerston 239, Alexandra 187, Tapanui 174, Lawrence 172. During- the quarter a household school was opened at Poet Office Creek, and the school at Stoneburn was closed.

Mr R. W. Ayson, Kaihiku, while ploughing on 'his farm a few days ago, found a fine greenstone axe. weighing 21b 2oz. The axo is well preserved and of good colour. Maori war implements arc rarely found in , the Clutha district.

Speaking at the Town Hall, Riverton, before an enthusiastic gathering assembled to join in formation of a Wallace branch of the Reform League, Air Rodger, who was received with applause, stated that he had been requested at a former meeting to stand for Wallace, but had asked for time to consider the matter. The only drawback (the Southland News reports) was the matter of the extension of the railway—and, personally speaking, he considered that of greater importance than his candidature. The railway would not only benefit the district generally, but it would benefit Southland. The Government had been approached in the matter, and a proposal had been put forward, and after that was dealt with ho would stand in their interests for Wallace. For this purpose the district was being circularised, asking the Government to sanction the railway and the settlers would guarantee the cost of construction. It would therefore be seen that the settlers were prepared to help themselves. The Government would not bo called upon to pay anything. Hie sum of £12,500 would be raised locally and the balance would be taken up in debentures from the Government, bearing interest at 4 per cent., for which the settlers of the district would hold themselves responsible. At the conclusion those present signed the petition asking the’ Government to construct the line.

The rumour that there is likely to be some delay in the subdivision of Omarama is not without substantial foundation, and has caused keen disappointment to be felt in North Otago generally, and in the Kurow district especially, where the early partition of the estate and its close settlement (says the Mail) were anticipated as means of giving an impetus to the business interests of the inland town and simultaneously in a measure satisfying the demand for land that is abundantly manifest. On Saturday the Executive Committee of the Oamaru Expansion League met to consider the position, and decided to forward a strong protest to the Minister of Lands against any delay or any renewal of tenancy being offered to the present occupiers. It was also decided to convey copies of the league’s protest to Messrs E. P. Leo and F. H. Smith, M.P.’s

tor Uamaru and Waitaki respectively.

For failing to attend Matarae camp a Gore youth when asked his reason for nonattendance at the camp, replied that ho had never taken the oath, and had never been sworn in. In reply to questions by the magistrate (says the Mataura Ensign) defendant said that he did not intend to attend drill until he was sworn in. He had attended the camp last year because his mate did. He received his uniform the day he went into camp. He had been working during the last five months in North Canterbury and had been unaware of the time fixed for the camp to be held. Ho had returned to Tuturau only a month ago. Defendant stated further that ho did not intend to drill. “ You are fined £4 and costs 75,” said the Magistrate. “What is the alternative?” asked the youth. “It is 28 days at Taiaroa Heads. Have you any money?” replied the Magistrate, “Yes, a little.” “How much?” “Oh, a few pounds.” “Have you £10?”

“ Yes.” “ Well, there will be no alternative,” was the reply, and tbs youth departed rather crestfallen.