OTAUTAU

Otago Witness, Issue 3555, 2 May 1922, Page 23

OTAUTAU

April 28. —There was only a moderate attendance at the service held in the Town Hall on Anzac Day, due no doubt to the inclemency of the weather. Mr R. Seatter (chairman of the Town Board) officiated as chairman, Rev. A. Macdonald led the devotional exercises, and Rev. R. Richards gave an excellent address, in the course of which he stated that they had met to commemorate great deeds, and it was right and fitting we should remember .them. He believed that through the darkness would emerge a truer manhood, and through the great sacrifices made in the w»r they would see the birth of a new and better humanity. Out of the chaos would come a better understanding among people—a new love, a new spirit, and a- new brotherhood to met the difficulties at stake. The men who had landed on Gallipoli had covered themselves with imperishable glory, and great bravery had manifested itself. The task was great, but they never murmured nor shrank, and did their bit with grim, stubborn determination. This great event had given the lie to the fact that the British were a decadent race and that the colonials were soft and too fond of sport. It took men who were sports to go to their death with a cheer. Glorious deeds had been done for duty’s sake, and these men with great natures had inherited these natures from great-hearted parents, who did not regret the gifts they g’ave. in a righteous cause. The very heart of the Christian religion was self-sacrifice, and these men had showed to the full this sacrifice, and had laid dawn their lives like heroes in order that the world might be freed from . the yoke of German and Turkish tyrannj 7- . He concluded by quoting Bauce-corporal Cobber’s lines on the Gallipoli landing. A collection taken up for the soldiers’ memorial reaJised a fair sum. • Stock Sole.—At the monthly stock sale on Wednesday a large yarding of sheep (chiefly ewes) was forward, and prices were not quite so good as the preceding sale. Following are the values reaJised: —Fat lambs 17s 5d to 22s 9d,' s.m. ewes up to 223 Cd, good four-tooth ewes 24s 9d, six-tooth and eight-tooth ewes 24s 6d, and store lambs from 10s 4d to 16s 2d. District Nurse.—The term of the district nurse has expired, and residents have been at their wits’ to endeavour to retain her During Nurse Atkinson's residence in Otaut-au she has proved herself a capable nurse. With the object of ascertaining on what terms the residents could still have the privilege cf her services, Messrs K. Scatter, G. H. Stevens, and I. G. C. Baker approached the Charitable Aid Board at Riverton, when it was arranged that if £l2O per annum were forwarded to the board her services would be retained for the district. On Wednesday evening a meeting was held, when 30 gentlemen were presided over by Mr R. Scatter. It was unanimously decided to form a District Nurse Committee to canvass for guarantees, and all present signed up, a call of 5s to be ma.de at once. The following were appointed, five to represent the town and five the country: —Messrs W. A. E. 11. Fraser (chairman), L. Lumsden (secretary and treasurer), A. Harrington, E. Harrington, A. Bulman, M. Matthews, J. G. C. Baker, A. Gould, Dr Stewart, and G. H. Stevens. Soldiers’ Memorial.—The memorial is now nearing completion, and at a meeting of the committee, held on Wednesday evening, the date of unveiling was fixed for Wednesday, 31st May. The Hibernian Band from Invercargill is to be asked to give a programme of music, and also a conceit, in the evening. Invitations have also been sent to members of Parliament and Lord Jellicoe to be present. The memorial will be unveiled practically free of debt, which is a credit to the township. Scottish Fair.—The Scottish Fair (under the auspices _ of the local branch of St. Andrew’s Society) was opened on Thursday evening by Rev. A. Macdonald in the presence of a large gathering. Good business was done by the various stallholders. The function was continued on Friday evening, when an auction sale was held, after which dancing was proceeded with. It is anticipated that when the results are known it will be sufficient to provide uniforms for the Pipe Band. Hockey.—The opening of the hockey season took place on Wednesday, there being/ a large attendance. The Ladies’ Hockey Club provided afternoon tea, and a veryenjoyable time was spent. CROMWELL April 28. —There were quite a number of appropriate functions on Anzac Day in. Cromwell. In the morning at 0.30 a "large number of people proceeded to the school to witness the unveiling of the soldiers’ memorial for those scholars who had passed through the Cromwell .School. Short addresses were delivered by various speakers, and the actual unveiling, which was in the hands of the Rev. W. P. Rankin, was conducted in the vestibule. The whole ceremony, which lasted about three-quarters of an hour, was a very impressive one. At the conclusion of the unveiling a united service was held in the Town Hall in the presence of a large gathering of people. Mr M'Gregcr, Methodist missionary, delivered a very earnest address. The Cromwell Brass Band, under Bandmaster Gordon, greatly added to t-he success of both functions byplaying appropriate music. In the afternoon a memorial to. the soldiers erected in the Bannockburn Presbyterian Church was unveiled by the Rev. W. P. Rankin in the presence of p. large concourse of people. Then in the evening a memorial service was conducted in th Cromwell Presbyterian Church. A citizens’ memorial in Cromwell has not yet been’erected, though it is to be hoped that such will be done in the near future. The Memorial Committee have a fairly largo sum of money towards a monument, but as yet they have not decided on th© kind of stone it. is to be built of. The ground is now being got in order, and already a great deal cf work ha.s been done though tlrere is still a great deal yet to be done. Quite a number of citizens have taken part in working bees, though last Saturday only two men turned up, but this was attributed partly to the cold, inclement weather that prevailed and partly to the fact that there were p. number "of other functions on in the town that day. It is to be hoped that at the next working bee there will be a big response, so that the preparation necessary- will be carried out to a successful issue. Bowling.—All Cromwell is in high glee over the success of the CronTweliiaiis who journeyed to Oamiaru a.t Easter to take part in the bowling tournament held in that town. Cromwell’s success was due to the splendid play of the Rev. W. P. Rankin, who is acknowledged to> be one of the best bowlers in th© Central. Cromwell was successful in winning file rinks championship, and the Rev. Mr Rankin came second for the singles championship; consequently Cromwell are some bowlers! Play for the season is now over, and bowlers have to content the nselves with such side amusements as golf until spring comes again, with bowling weather as only Cromwell has for bowlers.

HERBERT. April 26.—The weather of late has been very windy, wet, and cold, and harvest operations have been delayed. The harvest is very late, and here and there one sees a paddock of stooks—quite an unusual thing for this district at this time of year. Th© mills are very busy at work when the weather permits, but will not be finished tin-ashing for weeks. The farmers are very busy working up the ground for wheat, and also oats for- eating off in the spring. Anzac Day.—On Tuesday, April 25, the school children placed wreaths around the trees in honour of the fallen soldiers. The children were addressed by Mr Fleming and the Rev. P. C. Rennie. In th© evening a service was conducted in the hall by the Rev. P. C. Rennie, assisted by Messrs James Fleming, M’ Ivor, and A. J. Ross, and Mr William Saunders Loder, M.M., one of our returned soldiers, gave a most interesting address. An apology was received from Mr Morrison, who was unavoidably absent. The anthem “Lead Kindly Light" was sung by . the choir. Some ladies' thoughtfully •wreathed with laurel the roll of honour; they- also made the wreaths that were placed by the oak trees. Harvest thanksgiving.— In connection with tbe Presbyterian Church the harvest thanksgiving service takes place on Sunday, May •7, and the usual sale of goods and produce is to be held on Monday evening, May 8. The ladies are making a special effort to make this sale a financial success, and are therefore making a canvass of the district.