COUNTRY NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 19357, 24 September 1924, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

LUMSDEN. CATHOLIC BAZAAR, (From our Correspondent). The weekly dances which are being held in aid of the Catholic Bazaar are being well attended, and most sociable evenings are being spent. It is the intention of the Committee to conclude with a fancy dress ball. QUEEN CARNIVAL. The Queen Carnival in aid of improvements to recreation grounds is now in full swing. Three queens have been nominated, being Rabbiters (Miss G. Taylor), Footballers (Miss I. Small) and Hockey and Cricket (Miss N. Bell). On Saturday the Hockey Committee held a gymkhana on the recreation grounds and an enjoyable afternoon was spent. The winners of the events were:—Motor driving (Mr H. Tuffrey), Thread the Needle Race (Miss M. Small and Mr J. Ogilvy), Wheelbarrow Race (Mr M. Reidy), Ladies’ and Men’s Wheelbarrow Race (Miss Johnson and Mr W. Johnson), Egg and Spoon Race (E. Ashby), Throwing the Cricket Ball (J. Grieve) and Tug-of-War (Rabbiters’ Team). All members of the Committee worked hard to make the day a success. The Rabbiters’ Committee held a hardup ball on Friday, 3rd inst., and over 70 couples were present. There were many original costumes. Excellent music was supplied by the Athol orchestra, Miss Sutherland (piano), D. Sutherland (violin) and J. Rattray (cornet). These were assisted by Tomlin’s orchestra, of Lumsden. Mr H. Waddick acted as M.C. Weekly euchre tournaments are also being held in aid of the hockey princess, and these are being well patronised. The Footballers’ Committee are reserving their energies for a concert, to be held at some future date. TOWN BOARD ELECTION. Very little interest was taken in the nomination of councillors for the Town Board, only three of the former members seeking re-election. Those nominated are Messrs W. Cummings, A. Heath, J. Richards, C. Moloney, O. Taylor and H. Hall. The first three mentioned are the sitting members, while Messrs Campbell, McAlister, Graham and Dr. Watson are the retiring members. As the number required on the Board is seven and only six have been nominated, these have been declared elected and nominations are being called to fill the vacancy. OTAUTAU. PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE. (From Our Correspondent.) Messrs W. J. Wesney (chairman), F. J. Best, G. Sinclair, W. Portecus, G. Hodges, H. Laing and J. Seatter attended the monthly meeting of the League on Thursday evening. The Chairman reported that he and Mr Matheson had canvassed the town relative to the proposed mail contract. Mr Hazlett had also been interviewed, and arrangements had been made with him to carry the mail, provided the next contract were let to him. The amount required had been over-subscribed. The Chairman also stated that in accordance with the wish of the Executive, Mr Lumsden and he had appointed Messrs Moore and Aitchison to fill the two vacant seats on the Executive. The secretaries of the Athletic Society and Birchwood Hunt wrote that Messrs C. Aitchison and A, A. Liddell had been selected to represent these clubs on the Executive of the League.—Both letters were received.

The Chairman brought up the matter of the erection of finger-posts directing the way to the bowling green, the tennis courts and the Recreation Ground, and the secretary was directed to write the Southland Electric Power Board asking permission to erect these three notices on the Power Board poles. The question of finishing the levelling of the ground at the Soldiers’ Memorial was discussed, and finally it was decided to hold a working bee to be held on Wednesday, October 1, the President undertaking to do his best to procure the necessary teams for the purpose.

It was resolved to write Mr J. C. Thomson, M.P., relative to the installation of a clock at the Post Office, and asking him to make representations regarding same. Arrangements for the dance in aid of Memorial Funds on Show night were discussed, the Chairman stating that no reduction could be made in the charge for Jellyman’s orchestra, which would amount to £7 10/-.—Members considered that in order to secure the funds it would be necessary to run the function as economically as possible, and it was left in the hands of Mr J. Seatter to interview Mrs Grieve on the question of obtaining an orchestra, and report to next meeting.

The chairman stated that several ladies had kindly undertaken to take charge of the supper arrangements, and, Messrs Best and Porteous were appointed doorkeeper and ticket-seller respectively. It was also resolved to ask Mr R. B. Collett to officiate as M.C.

Mr Best again generously offered to donate £1 1/- as first prize for the garden competition at the next Winter Show.— The denor was thanked for his offer, and it was resolved that entries close on Friday, October 31. The Secretary was also directed to write Mr W. Alexander, Invercargill, asking him to officiate as judge, and Mr Best was delegated to interview him on the matter. BALFOUR. THE FOOTBALL SEASON. The local Football Club held its annual dance on Friday evening. There was a very good muster of dancers, and the floor was of the best. The football season will close definitely at Balfour on Saturday afternoon, September 27, when the long-talked-of match, Married v Single will be played. The weather has been exceptionally dry lately and there is a water shortage. On Monday rain fell and the inhabitants of the village were again smiling. HOCKEY MATTERS. The Balfour Ladies’ Hockey Club held a wind-up practise match on Saturday afternoon, when there was a full muster of players. A and B teams were picked, and some very good play was witnessed. It is safe to say that next year the local girls will make the hockey competition in the Northern District something to be talked about. They have been very fortunate in having at their service, an experienced coach in Rev. Evans, who has not spared himself in trying to teach each and every girl how to play correct hockey. That the girls appreciate Mr Evans’ effort was strikingly demonstrated on Saturday afternoon. When the game was over all players and spectators were treated to afternoon tea, after which Miss Kathie Condon (captain), in a neat speech, called upon Mr Evans to accept for Mrs Evans a lovely Doulton plate, and for himself, a handsome military hair brush Mid comb. Tie large gathering of players and supporters present was an indication as to how Mr Evans’ services as coach are appreciated. On behalf of the club she had great pleasure in asking him to accept the articles mentioned, as a slight way of expressing their thanks to Mrs Evans and himself. (Applause). Mr Evans, in returning thanks, said he was completely taken by surprise at the turn of events that afternoon. Generally when such a function was under way, some little birds would whisper what was doing, but on this occasion the “sparrows” were faithful to their trust. He took a keen in-

NOTES FROM THE VARIOUS CENTRES.

terest in hockey, and he could assure all present that anything Mrs Evans or himself had done in furthering the Ladies’ Hockey Club had been a great pleasure. He thanked one and all for their very kind gifts, which would be long appreciated by his wife and himself. (Applause). MANDEVILLE. GENERAL NEWS NOTES. Lambing is now well under way in this district. Stormy or rough weather has been conspicuous by its absence so far. Present indications point to record percentages. Though not yet at poverty point the shortage of grass is just acute enough to be annoying. Twenty-four hours’ rain would be very welcome. Oat sowing, which as usual is being confined to small areas, is nearly finished now. The fishing season will soon be with us again. Followers of this sport who keep their eye on the streams in anticipation are unanimous in their opinion that the Otamete and Waimea are well stocked. All that is required is a little more water for a very successful opening. The local tennis court, which was recently top-dressed, is now in good playing form. The opening date for the season will soon be announced. Building operations are brisk here at present. Messrs Crombie brothers are just erecting a new shearing shed on their township property. Mr R. B. Ross is adding rooms to his house, and Mr H. W. C. Horrall is also making expensive alterations to his dwelling. Last Friday evening a hard-time social was held in the hall. It was hard times with a vengeance. Dungaree, sacks, binder twine, etc., were very popular in the fashions of the evening. The prizes (which were awarded by public vote) for the best hard times costumes, were gained by Miss C. Duggan (washerwoman) and Mr Clarence Cross (swagger). Music was supplied b; Mr J. Green (violin) and Mr Sraw (piano Mr W. Stevenson (Wenddn) officiated . M.G, MATAURA PERMANENT PASTURES, Under the auspices of the Mataur: branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Unioi. Mr R. McGillivray Government Fields In structor, delivered a lecture on “Gras Lands and Permanent Pastures” in th< Coronation Hall on Monday night. Mr W Y. Dickie (President) presided over a fail attendance. In the course of his remarks Mr McGillivray pointed out how necessary it was to have good pastures, and explained the way to go about top-dressing, liming and working the land. At Home they went to more trouble in putting down their pastures, and would never feed off a young paddock, but make hay of it when it comes to seed. Mr McGillivray dealt with experiments at Home and in New Zealand and the grasses to be used. Meadow foxtail was first in the grasses, then perennial ryegrass, timothy and cocksfoot. An experimental farm was sown with 10 different grasses and the feeding values of the different plots had been watched and the likink stock have for the different plots observed. In order of rotation 40 sheep to the acre had been fed on it for a short time. The feeding capacity of the paddock was eight sheep to the acre for six months of the year and five to the acre through out the year. The stock in all cases eat down the timothy plot bare while at the same time other plots would have quite a good bite left on them. Stock went for dogstail, showing the palatability of that grass for sheep purposes. A number of questions were asked and answered by Mr McGillivray and a fund of information was afforded the farmers present. Mr G. Irwin moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr McGillivray for his able and most interesting address.