COUNTRY NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 19231, 30 April 1924, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS

OTAUTAU. 4 (From our Correspondent.) The party of Maoris who are travelling through New Zealand at the present time in the interests of Home Missions visited Otautau last week, when the Methodist Church was well filled. An interesting programme of poi dances, Maori hymns, etc., was enjoyed by the interested audience, while Rev. Seamer, Superintendent of Home Missions, gave a splendid address on the Maoris, and their life and customs. At the conclusion of the function the Chairman, Mr W. J. Wesney moved a hearty vote of thanks to the party for the education and enlightenment afforded regarding the ways of the Maoris, this being seconded by Miss Walker, and carried by acclamation. At a meeting of the Football Club, prior to the first banner match of the season, Mr W. Finnegan was elected captain, and Mr R. B. Collett deputy-captain. The match which followed between Otautau and Riverton was played in atrocious weather and resulted in a win for the former by 35 points to nil. The local forwards had a long way the best of the game, and Riverton seldom managed to get past the halfway mark. The back division, also, was far too superior for the visitors. Riverton commenced with 13 men, and shortly afterwards one retired, so they had to finish the game with 12 men, and are to be congratulated on putting up a good fight against overwhelming odds. Tries were scored for Otautau by Matheson (2), Ottrey (3), Cowan, Fisher, Spence and Mclvor; two were converted, one by Finnegan, and the other by Mclvor, while Matheson kicked a field goal. Mr W. Baird made an efficient referee.

The stage of the Town Hall was beautifully decorated on the occasion of the Scottish Fair on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, while the decorations on the stalls enhanced the general appearance. There was a large attendance of the public on both evenings, and good business was done. Mr J. C. Thomson, M[.P., who officially opened the Fair, congratulated the local branch of St. Andrew’s Society and also the residents on the possession of a Pipe Band, and said that the object of the function was to equip them with uniforms. He paid a tribute to the ladies for the manner in which they had worked to make the function a success, and hoped the public would rally round and see that the Band was equipped with the best Highland dress procurable in Bonnie Scotland. Following were the stall-holders: Needlework, Mesdames McLeod, F. Malcolm and Porteous; Sweets, Mesdames Arthur and C. L. Sutherland; Produce, Mesdames Liddell, Smellie and Geo. Low; Soft Drinks, Misses D. Mills and M. D. Low; Mysterious Parcels, Misses Morgan, M. Low and M. McKenzie; ’Xmas Tree, Misses Arthur (2), M. and CF. Stroud and M. Lumsden; Bran Tub, Misses P. Ireland, Mona Hardy and Master Ted Liddell; Tea Rooms, Mesdames Ireland, Hartly and Maxwell. Misses A. Hardy, P. Smith and A. Hope; Sheep Guessing, Mr J. Muir. The winners of the various competitions were: Marqueterie tray, Miss Twemlow; dressing jacket, Mrs H. McLeod ; razor, Mr F. Malcolm; fugi camisole, Mrs C. L. Sutherland; cushion, Mr J. Hardy; pair of pillows, Mrs Arthur; razor, Mr D. Campbell; set of pyjamas, Mr J. McDougall; pigs, Messrs A. Lindsay and Webb; table centre, Mrs Hope; chair, Mr Scott Ussher; picture. Mr I. R. McLeod; camisole, Mrs Geo. Low; set of military burshes, Mr T. D. O’Rourke; cushion, Miss Mina Macdonald; watch, Master T. Maxwell; cushion, Mr W. Smith. Following were the winners of the raffles: Hand-paint-ed cushion, H. McLeod; hand-worked table centre, Mrs I. R. McLeod; oil paintings, Mrs Hope, Miss D. Mills and Master J. O’Brien. Everything was sold at auction on Thursday evening. The nett proceeds were in the vicinity of £l2O, and it Is expected that with the amount already in hand, the band will be equipped with the necessary uniforms. Mr R. Buchanan carried out the duties of secretary very efficiently, and the energetic committee is to be commended on: the success of the function. The sheep-guessing competition was won by Mrs L. Moore, Mr A. McKenzie, Glenburn, and Mr Joseph Beck, Wairio, who all guessed the exact dressed weight, 751bs, the prize (the sheep) being divided amongst them.

Mr W. A. E. 11. Fraser, Chairman of the Town Board, presided over an attendance of 250 residents in the Town Hall on Anzac Day, at the public memorial service. The devotional exercises were taken by Rev. G. A. Dawson, and the address was delivered by Rev. A. Macdonald. In his opening remarks the Chairman said they were gathered together to commemorate the deeds of the heroes of Anzac, and it was a small sacrifice to devote one day in the year for this purpose. Rev. A. Macdonald, in his address, gave a brief history of the war, and the causes leading up to it. In the course of his remarks he said it was an unprecedented thing to witness the downfall of three Empires in the assassination of the Tsar of Russia and his family, the death of the old King of Prussia, and the banishment of the despot of Germany to Holland. The fruits of the war were the overthrow of the autocracy and the restoration of lands to their rightful owners, and also the liberation of Palestine from the heel of the Turk, it being now under British protection. Lessons were to be learned from the courage and heroism displayed by the soldiers in the various theatres of war, and the self-sacrifice of parents in allowing them to go. Mr E. Jellyman presided at the piano. A collection in aid of improvements to the Soldiers’ Memorial Grounds realised the sum of £3 2/7. A number of wreaths were laid on the memorial. OREPUKI. (From our Correspondent). There was an attendance of between 200 and 300 people at the Anzac Day celebrattion service in Cassel’s Hall on Friday afternoon. Mr J. Mclntyre presided. The proceedings were of an impressive nature,

the programme constating of hymns, Scriptual reading and prsyer, A duet, “On the Resurrection Morning,” was rendered by Mrs Summers and Mrs Castles. The lesson was read by Mr J. Miller and Miss Miller presided at the organ. A telegram was read from Mr H. P. Young: “I am with you all in remembering our gallant boys.” The Rev. R. C. Boyd, who was the only speaker, took for his subject “Voices of the Past.” The speaker said th® voices of the past called them to a fresh courage, a new concentration as also to a holy consecration and so doing they would keep the memory of the gallant dead ever fresh and green. The Dead March and the sounding of the Last Post closed the service. The young ladies of Orepuki have reason to feel proud at the success of their Leap Year dance held in Sorenson’s Hall on Wednesday evening. The function was well attended, patrons being present from Tuatapere, Pahia and other places. Love’s orchestra supplied the music. Careful attention to the floor had converted it into a good dancing surface, while the decorations were also excellent. Mrs N. Purdue and Miss R. Noble, as M’s.C., proved real hustlers and there was no delay between the dances. A dainty supper, rounded off a very enjoyable evening. A very fine first grade football match took place on Saturday last between Orepuki and Ohai teams The game was well contested and ended in a win for the Orepuki boys, the scores being Orepuki 14, Ohai 5.