The Country

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 57

The Country

LAKE COUNTY. April 30.—There has been a good deal of rain during the week, and threshing is being interfered with. Householders’ Meetings.—The following additional school committees were elected at the householders’ meetings held on the 19th inst.: Lower Shotcver, Messrs T. Houston (chairman), J. A. Bagrie (secretary), R. N. Grant, Chris. Hansen, jun., and J. G. Allan. Gibbston, Messrs F. C. Perriam (chairman), T. Kinross (secretary), Joseph Miller, T. Cowan, and A. W. Scott. Glenorchy, Messrs George Reid (chairman), S. Knowles (secretary), A. Hume, W. Northcote, and D. J. Thornton. Rees Valley, Messrs C. H. Koch (chairman), A. W Scott (secretary), J. Cronin, T. Kennett, and J. Aitken. Football.—The annual meeting of members of the Queenstown Football Club was held last week, when the following office-bearers were elected: President, Mr W. Yeint; secretary, Mr J. M. Romans; captain. Mr W. Farrant; deputy captain, Mr W. Flannery; committee, Messrs D. F. Macdonald, W. Edwards, A. Farrant, W. Farrant, and W. Flannery; delegates to sub-union, Messrs W. Vcint and D. F. Macdonald. The opening day was fixed for Saturday, May I. The season was opened at Arrowtown on Saturday last, when a match was played between Arrow and a Public Works team, the game resulting in a win for Arrow by 9 to 3. Accidents.—Two of the men engaged on the Arrow River irrigation works met with accidents during the week. On Friday, while engaged in blasting operations, Septimus M’Namara was struck on the head with a piece of rock and sustained a severe scalp wound. On Monday William Johnston, while proceeding to work, slipped off a nariow track and fell over an embankment. Two ribs were fractured, and he received cuts on the head. Both men were attended to by Dr Ferguson, and are making good progress towards recovery. Death.—The death is reported from Onerahi, Auckland, of Mr David Cockburn, second son of the late Mr and Mrs John Cockburn, of Queenstown, and brother of Mesdames M’Kinlav and Salmond. Queenstown, and Mr John Cockburn, of Arthur’s PoinJ. Deceased was at one time farming at Arthur’s Point, and subsequently made liis home in the North Island. He was 71 years of age, and is survived by his widow and one daughter. General.—At present it does rot seem likely that there will be any competition for seats on the Lake Countv Council or as distpet representative on the Southland Hospital and Bluff Harbour Boards. Most of the present members of the council are again offering their services, and the present representatives on the Southland Hospital and Bluff Harbour Boards (Messrs J. W. Miller and F. Reid respectively) have announced themselves as candidates. CROMWELL. May 1.- \nzac Day was solemnly observed lasrt Sunday. The brass band gave appropriate music for the hymns. Rev. W. P. Rankin conducted the service and spoke to the children. Rev. D. Wilson and Lieut. Harris, of the Salvation Army, led in prayer, and Mr E. C. Naylor, the newly-appointed Methodist home missionary, gave the address. Wreaths were laid on the monument by relatives of the deceased soldiers. At the close of the service the bandmaster, Mi J. Gordan, sounded the Last Post. Weather.—The weather for the past three weeks has been exceptionally fine. Rain set in on Thursday evening and continued practically all day Friday. The mountains are capped with snow. Gold Mining.—The Cornish Point people are the first to install electric power. This will be used mainly for pumping. Again rumour has it that the Kawarau Dam will be ready during the xjaonth of July, but doubts are expressed. The ncople here are a bit tired, hut wait patiently., Sport.—The bowlers top-dressed their green and closed for the season. Tennis has -also closed, but golf and hockey now come into their own.—The annual meeting of the golf club was held last Tuesday. Mr A. Scheib was elected president. Vice-presidents were Messrs Bradley, Hayward, and Mann. Captain, Mr D. C. Jolly; secretary, Mr N. Jolly, treasurer, Mr W. Mann; committee —Messrs E. Jolly, Stephens Webb, Wishart, Brydone, and Rev. W. P. Rankin; match committee, Messrs E. Jolly, D. C. Jolly, and Webb; green committee—Messrs Brydone, Hayward, Bradley, Stephens, and A. Scheib; handicappers, Messrs E. Jolly and A. Stephens. The Lord Dewar Cap was formally handed ever to the club Conditions were laid down for comuetition, and the following clubs were invited to challenge for the cun. with a maximum of eight players: Roxburgh, Queenstown, Pembroke, Alexandra, and Clyde. BALCLUTHA. May 1.— I To-day, Saturday, was observed as r* close holiday in Balclutha on account of the closing of the Exhibition. Special excursion trains were run from Invercargill and Balclutha, and the seating capacity of these was taxed to the utmost. The weather conditions were most disappointing, a disagreeable, drizzling rain having set in, but, despite this, the majority of the residents took advantage of the excursion. Balclutha Hospital Water Supply.—The application of the South Otago Hospital Board for permission to lay a pipe to the river for the purpose of pumping water for the hospital supnly was vetoed by the borough council. Whether or not the risk of piercing the bank for the above purpose would be attended by any very grave danger is a matter of conjecture. It is to be hoped that the City Fathers will look at the matter of water for the hospital in a reasonable frame of mind, and from the point of view of public-spirited men instead of from an individual standpoint. In any effort for the good of the public generally, prejudice and petty bickerings must cease before anything worth while can be accomplished. It is pleasing to note that the borough council is desirous of meeting delegates from the South Otago Hospital Board, with a view to discussing the whole question of the supply of water to that body, and if members of both bodies meet in a truly public spirited frame of mind, we are confident that p satisfactory solution of the problem will be arrived at. Clutha Valley Road.—lt is probable that a start will be made within the next few weeks to the main highway from the Balclutha

traffic bridge to Tuapeka Mouth. The course of the road has now been decided upon, and the work of construction is practically ready for commencement. Balclutha Literaiy and Dramatic Society. —The annual meeting of the above is to be held next week. It is to be hoped that the interest will be sustained and new members enrolled.

OTAUTAU

April 30. —There was an exceptionally large attendance at the public service on Sunday in the Town Hall to commemorate Anz&c Day. The devotional exercises were undertaken by Revs. J. B. Bickerstaff and L. Snell, while the former gave an inspiring address. Mrs Cupples presided at the piano, while a choir assisted with the singing. An adjournment was made to the soldiers memorial, where the service was completed. A large number of wreaths were laid on the memorial, and a most impressive service terminated with the pronouncing of the Benediction. The same day High MaSs was conducted by Rev. Father Buckley in the Church of the Sacred Heart, and fitting reference to “Anzac” was made by Rev. Father Buckley in the course of a short address. At the conclusion of the service the "Dead March’ was played by Mrs T. H. Cupples, and The Last Post” was sounded by Mr VV. Coulter. Before dispersing, Rev. Father Buckley returned thanks to Mrs Cupples and Mr Coulter for coming along and assisting with the W.E.A.—Close on twenty members of the W.E.A. assembled in the reading room to listen to the debate, "Is the world degenerating,” the affirmative being taken by Mr S. G. August, the organising secretary, assisted by Mrs Jaquiery, and the negative by Mr Tunnicliffe and Rev. M. Ayrton. Mr G. F. Griffiths officiated as chairman, and on a vote being taken at the conclusion the negative won by a large majority It was inti mated that Professor Fisher, of the Otago University, would be in Otautau in June, and would deliver an address to the class, while Mr J. J. VV. Pollard had also promised to be present some evening. A tribute was paid by the chairman to the excellent woik the organising secretary was doing in the interests of the W.E.A. all over South'and, and he moved that he be accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. This was carried with acclamation. A vote of thanks to the chair brought an instructive and profitable evening to a close. Mi August mentioned that the subject for this week would be "Longfellow.” Mr G. M Anergney was appointed acting-secretary for three weeks. Western District Hockey Association.—The monthly meeting of the above was held in Mr Hodges’ office on Monday evening. Mr C. Gardner (Clifden), who lias been appointed president, presided over the meeting, and in returning thanks for the honour conferred, stated he would do his very best m the interests of the game. In order to encourage the younger teams, he said he would give a 10-guinea cup, which would be awarded to the most improved team for the season, and this would need to be won twice in succession, or three times at intervals, and the awarding of the trophy would rest with the Referees’ Association. The meeting terminated with votes of thanks to the chair, to the ladies who provided supper, and to Mr Hodges for the use of his room. Welcome Social—The newly-apointed minister to the Otautau Methodist circuit, Rev. M. Ayrton, along with his wife and family, was tendered a welcome social in the Methodist Church, when there was a largo attendance. Mr. W. J. Wesney ably carried out the duties of chairman, and a very enjoyable time was spent. Speeches of welcome were given by the chairman. Rev. J. B. Bickerstaff. Messrs M’Anergney, G. A. Burnett, J. Fisher, and F. J. Best. Rev. Ayrton, in reply, thanked them for the warm welcome and kindly words expressed, and said he would render bis best service in the interests of the community and the Methodist Church. An enjoyable concert programme was supplied by the following: So!o9 by Misses Wesnev and Bickerstaff, Messrs Wesney, Bickerstaff, Griffiths, and M'Anergney; duet, by Mrs Brooker and Mr Wesney; recitation, by Mis 3 Joy Jaquiery; clarinet solo, by Mr W J. Wesney; and a musical monologue by Miss C. Harrington Misses Harrington and Strcud acted as accompan istps. The ladies dispensed a good supper, and the young people enjoyed a social hour with games before finally dianersing. WAIROA (Hawke’s Bay). April 26.—The annual meeting of householders in connection with the Wairoa District School took place on Monday evening, April 26, when Mr J. Macdonald presided. The question of a side school for North Clyde caused an animated discussion. Dr Somerville stated that the predominative feature of the Education Department was centralisation. and that the placing of a side school at North Clyde was only weakening the grade of the present, school. He favoured the action of the Department in turning the request down. Dr Hall Wright stated that the bridge between the north side of the river and the south side was unsafe for young children to cross, and thus the main echool was losing pupils. The secretary (Mr Haughton) stated that the grade of the main school wou'd not be affected by the erection of a aide school, but as the Department had placed the matter in abeyance for some time, it was futile to pursue the question any further, and it was wiße for both north and south sides of the river to work in unity until the Education Department chose to go into the matter again. The annual report dealt with many important ground improvements, which, done during the year, had given the school and grounds a fine attractive appearance The following is the new committee for the ensuing year: Dr Hallwright (chairman). C. Salnsbury (secretary). J. Alexander, S. Ashburn, T. Browne, W. Clow, W. Harris, J. M. Swain, and H. E. Stanton. The conclusion of the report was an expression of regret at the retirement of two greatly-valued members of the committee, who had many long years of useful work to their credit. Fire Brigade.—The members of the newlyformed Wairoa fire brigade are having some good practice, and before long, when they are properly equipped, ahould prove very effective in case of a fire. Long Service.—A long service record was marked at the annual householders’ meeting on Monday, April 26, when the committee for the ensuing year was elected. Mr T. Browne, who himself has had a good in-

nings on the High School Committee, said he understood Mr T. Lambert, whom he was sorry to see was retiring, had had 20 years to his credit aa a member of committee, and he well deserved the thanks of the householders of the district He moved to place on record Mr Lambert’s services to the school. Dr Hall Wright endorsed, and said those who got back on the committee would miss him very much. Mr Lambert briefly returned thanks. Dairying.—The dairying season at Wairoa has been a fairly satisfactory one, and despite the dry weather, nearly as much butter has been exported this season as last. The production of the herds throughout the district has been steadily falling for some weeks, and there are a number of the dairy men who are now facing a serious situation. The position, however, is not nearly as bad as around Gisborne, and so far dairymen have not had to get rid of many of their cows through the medium of the freezing works The factory has made nearly as much butter this season as last, and at the end of March the output showed a decrease of only two tons. A total of 121 tons of butter has been exported this season, but export has now been discontinued, and butter for local supply is all that is now being manufactured Possibly the most pleasing point to the directors is the fact that throughi ut the whole of the season the quality has been well maintained, and there is every likelihood of the factory topping the list for New Zealand when the final results of the season are known. During the last few months no butter of a less grade than 95 has been sent away, and many of the consignments have graded out at 95} points. One consignment actually graded 96 points, a grade seldom reached by any factory. The result is one that reflects the greatest credit on the manager, Mr Blair, and the factory staff. Several consignments of butter have Iseen sent away for exhibition purposes at forthcoming wintei shows, and it is hoped that Wairoa butter will show up well against all-comers. Consignments have been forwarded to Palmerston North, Wellington, and Auckland, and as practically all the well known New Zealand factories will be competing at these shows, the results will give a very fair indication of the quality of the Wairoa product. Football.—Though the weather was dull and showery on Saturday, there was a good attendance on the several football fields for the opening day, the chief attraction being the presence and the play of Cyril Brownlie, of Frasertown, George Nepia, of Nuhaka, and T. Corkill, of Wairoa. Results were: Pirates defeated Mohaka, 11 to nil; Nuhaka defeated Mahia, 41 points to nil; the latter team was weak, while Nepia proved irresistible. Tapuae and Waiau scored a draw. 6 all; Nuhaka defeated the Wanderers by 9 to nil in the junior game, and Pirates beat Nuhaka 26 to 3. In the third grade match Old Boys (17) defeated High School (nil), Tanuae defeated Pirates, 3 to nil. Hockey.—The hockey season for Wairoa opened on Saturday with four ladies teams in the field, and the prospect of two more ladies’ and two mens’ teams competing. Sports Club in a verv fast match heat Fraser town by 3 points to nil, while Tapuae had an easy win over Nuhaka. Fine weather and good grounds favoured the various leaniSi It is a matter of regret that the local school with a roll of over 430 cannot raise a team this season.