OTAUTAU.

Otago Witness, Issue 3467, 24 August 1920, Page 23

OTAUTAU.

August 20.-The Methodist social, held on the stage of the Town Hall on Monday, 16th tost., to raise-funds for Foreign Missions, was not largely attended, this being due to the large number o£ %**£» held latelv A very enjoyable time was spent in Paying games, while the ladies provided an excellent supper. , Choral Society.-An endeavour is to be made to resuscitate the Choral Society A meeting to further the project is begin held on Monday, 23rd inst. Dor Stewart has consented" to act as conductor, provided a sufficient number join. If the society is re formed, a praotico will be held the same eV ThT S ii:vent of the Year .-About 350 invitations were issued for the Leap Year Ball riven by the ladies of Otautau in the Town Hall on Tuesday, 17th inst., and! a large number responded to them, over 70 couples taking part in the Grand March led off by Mrs D. Griere (the president) and Mr Griere. the Directress of Ceremonies being Miss I>. mil," who carried out her duties in .a capable manner. The hall-was beautifully decorated with ferns and evergreens, while a cosy corner was set- apart for engaged couples, but was not largely patronised. The music was supplied by Mr Jellyman (piano), Messrs M. Coulter (cornet), -and lx. mite and Couling (violins). The ladies were accorded the privilege of engaging th-eii partners till supper time, the gentlemen having their turn after that. A special word oi praise is due to Mrs Griere (the president) who,- throughout, looked after the comfort and convenience of patrons. The bachelors purpose returning the same at an early date. t-. . The Queen Carnival—The Country Princess Committee held a gala day on Wednesday last on the Show Grounds. A hockey match (Town . v. Country) resulted in a draw. Country possessed the stronger team, but the splendid defence of Town nearly resulted in a win for them, Country only scoring within the last- few minutes of the game. The school football match (Otautau v. Nightcaps) was also played, the . local boys winning by 5 points to 3 pomxs. A feature of the day's proceedings was to have been a wild pig hunt. Messrs W. Collett, F; Malcolm, and T. Burns went to considerable trouble on Tuesday to procure a specimen, which they secured. The strenuous efforts made to catch it must have knocked the "ginger" out of it, as when it was (released, it refused to budge. No entries were received for the jumping events. Mesdamea F. and H. Collie, Hall, Jas. Low, and W. Lindsay wore undefatigable ixi their efforts to supply the wants - of the inner man.

Football. —The last Banner match for the senior competition eventuated on "Wednesday, 18th inst., bet-ween Otautau and Riverton, at Riverton; the former winning by 14 pom bs to nil. The visiting forwards packed better than their opponents, while the backs outclassed the local men, Bell, as halfback, playing a great game. The banner and cup were brought to Otautau the same evening, and as it is 10 years since it reposed herte, a social was held in. the president's (Mr E. Matheson) rooms to celebrate the event, a large number of supporters' being present. The toast of "The King" was proposed! by the president. Mr M. O'Brien fallowed with "The football Club." In a felicitous speech, he pointed out that the team . had recorded 1.65 points in their vavour, with only 19 against them, this having never been equalled in the Western District Dtiring the war there had been practically no play. The club was doing very well, as they had a representative in the New .Zealand! team in the person of "Scotty" Baird, while lan Brown upheld the honour of the club as a player in the Southland representative team. Mr It. Brown, the manager, responded to this toast, paying a tribute to Ml- A. "Ward, of Riverton, who was one of the best sports in the Western District, and an ardent supporter of the game of Rugby. Messrs G. Griere, Hinchcliff, and D. Griere supported these remarks.' The toast of "Mr F. C. Mills," president of. the Western District Subunion, was proposed by Mr Brown. Mr Matheson stated that the success of the local club was largely duo to the efforts of the manager, who was whole-hearted an his efforts to secure the best teami available. ''The Defeated Western District Teams," ■was proposed by Mr Miller, Mr' T. King responding on behalf of the Riverton Club. In his reply, he stated that his olub had held the banner for five- years, and they felt a pang of regret in parting with it. They did so, however in. a sportsmanlike manner. Songs were contributed by Messrs H. Smythe, G. and D. Griere, the lastnamed also giving a'concertina selection. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Matheson for the lie© of his rooms concluded an enjoyable evening. A collection taken up in aid of the School Drum and Fife Band TJhiforin Fund realised £3 15s, Mr Holmes, the conductor, returning thanks to the -donors for their generosity. Sports' Ball.—At a meeting of the Sports' .Committee on Thursday evening, it was

decided to hold a grand ball on September J 3 to celebrate the wind-up of the quadrilles, ' and aho to show appreciation of the way the public had supported the football club and the quadrilles. Messrs L. Brown, _J* Coilett, lan Brown, W. Finnegan, G. Griore (secretary), A. Coulter, G. Hope, and V. Finnegan were appointed a, committee to •Supervise the arrangements. Mb J. **• Thomas has khidly given the use ot the- oKC hall for a set supper, and an orchestra is to be imported from Invercargill, thus ensuring that first-class music will be suprliecl. Mr D. Griere was appointed to take charge of the decorations. Gents are to be charged 10s, while ladies will be admitted free. A Bull Chase—Some excitement was caused in the main street on Thursday last. While some cattle were being driven through the town a bull broke loose, became unmanageable, and charged all and -sundry; at one stage of the game nealy entering, the local butcher's shop-. Eventually the animal had to be ringed to prevent it doing further damage. - Dairy Factory—The annual meeting of tlie Otautau Dairy Factory shareholders- takes place in the Beading Boom of the Town Hall on Wednesday, Ist September. A glance at the report shows that suppliers have been paid Is lOd per lb, and there is an undivided surplus iof £l6B 12s lOd. Ine directors recommend that a further bonus of gd be paid. One hundred and fourteen £1 shares have been applied for in the New Zealand Producers' Co-operative Association, Ltd. Messrs A. Gould and Ok A. Burnett retire as directors, by effluxion of time, while Messrs G. Scatter and F. Crosb-ie have resigned. The two former -are eligible for re-election.