LAWRENCE NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3775, 20 July 1926, Page 67

LAWRENCE NOTES.

LAWRENCE, July 14. The rainfall at Lawrence during June was I.Bin, compared with 2.07 in for the corresponding month last year. Rain fell on 16 days, being light on most occasions. The heaviest fall was on June 14, when .39in fell. This month has been dull and cold, with occasional fogs. There is practically no unemployment here. The remarkable absence of frost has allowed all the mining claims to work full staffs right through the winter. The high price of rabbitskins also keeps a large number of men employed. That part of the main highway from Waitahuna to Lawrence, which has been so much discussed recently, is now being attended to by. the county. For more than a week motor lorries were carting gravel from Gabriel’s Gully to this part of the highway. The monthly meeting of the District High School Committee was held in the Athenceum rooms on July 12, Mr W. R. Smyth (chairman) presiding. The rector (Mr H. Marshall) reported the attendance for the past month in the primary department was: Roll number, 158; average, 144; secondary roll, 15; average, 13.6. The Education Board advised that Mr E. R. Pettit had been appointed to the position of secondary assistant. A letter was read from Mr Burns, rector of the Tapanui High School, to Mr Marshall, stating that a dental clinic had been established at Tapanui for the treatment of the children in the primary classes, and that the nurse had not sufficient work to keep going all the year. The department would probably send her to another school. It had been suggested that if a clinic was established at Lawrence the nurse could work both places. It was resolved that Mr Burns should be invited to give parents and committee his advice on the subject. After the School Committee meeting a meeting of the High School Memorial Committee was held. The secretary (Mi Darton) submitted the financial statement which stated that after all liabilities had been met by a credit balance of £5 was in hand. It was decided to put another name on the tablet and also put a cement moulding around the memorial to give it a more finished appearance. The school accounts amounting to £lB 7s 9d, were passed for payment. Two years ago the Education Board decided to close the schools at Blue Spur, Wetherstones, and Forsyth, and transport the pupils to the education centre at Lawrence. It was rumoured that the board intended closing the Whenuakoa School, about three mites from Lawrence but this

proved to be incorrect, as the board had only suggested the course. The committee hud asltc J its views on the subject. This hus stirred up a hornet’s ne3t on the committee, and the residents ure unanimously opposed to the closing of the school, which has an attendance of 16 pupils. A strong protest against the suggestion is to bo forwarded to the board. The residents consider that their district is not on the down grade as regard school attendance, and in view of the board having built a new school a few years ago, the closing of the school, they say, is inadvisable. Owing to the difficulty of securing sufficient members, the strength of the Borough Council was reduced at the lust election to six. Recently however when a councillor resigned, there were no nominations for the position. The position is most unsatisfactory, as two more resignations are probable. The recently formed Ladies’ Hockey Club played its first match last week, when it journeyed to Beaumont, and met the local club. After a fast and interesting game the visitors were victorious by 4 goals to 1. The Lawrence Football Club has not been successful this season, having been defeated by the Waitahuna Club m three consecutive matches. A return match is to be played here next Saturday, when the local men expect to play to more advantage than they have in the past. The m#mbers of the Lawrence Golf Club journeyed to Balclutha and played a match with the homo team, which won by three game 3. The visitors found the greens fast and the course difficult compared with their own. The Masonic Lodge St. George held a very successful social evening in St. John’s schoolroom last Wednesday evening, a large gathering of members and their wives being in attendance. The first part of the function took the form of a progressive whist drive and later a “musical programme was submitted a dance concluding the evening. The entertainment was so successful that another similar evening wiil be held at an early date. A progressive euchre match between the Druids Lodge and Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge was held on Tuesday night in the lodgeroom, the Druids winning by 15 games to 11. The first annual meeting of the Waitahuna Collie Club was held in Brown’s Hall last week, Mr D. Murdoch (president) occupying the chair. The secretary read the balance sheet, which showed a credit balance of £l3 Bs. The position was considered to be very gratifying. The trophies and prizes won at recent trials were Dresented to the various winners. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: —President, Mr D. Murdoch; vice-president, Mr A. J. Lunan; secretary and treasurer, Mr T. T. Ritchie. The old committee was re-elected, with the following additions:— Messrs F. 11. Crump, H. B. M’Corkindalo. R. M'Caw Jas. Rutherford, and J. Sturgeon.