OTAUTAU NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 19897, 16 June 1926, Page 10

OTAUTAU NOTES

W.E.A. (From Our Correspondent.) Fourteen members attended the weekly meeting of the above in the Reading Room on Friday evening, when Mr G. McAnergney presided. The subject was “Robert Burns,” and Mr August gave a very fine lecture. In his introductory remarks he stated that Bums was the greatest of the rustic poets. His poems were printed and passed from hand to hand among the rustics of the period. He was probably the greatest writer of lyrics the world has ever known. He was essentially a national poet, and his work stood for much in the life of the people of Scotland. His poems were mostly written in Scotch, and such were only properly understood by those hailing from “the land of oatcakes.” He was entirely against the class distinction which was ruling in his day, and this was revealed in most of his poems. He also encouraged the poor to anticipate a better time ahead, and prophesied the eventual downfall of the rich. This trend of thought made him many enemies. He was also a great letterwriter, and these were published in two books, which proved most interesting reading. Owing to the fact that his parents were very poor, Burns did not receive a good education. At a very early age he took to excessive drinking, and this proved to be his downfall. Despite this fact Burns stood first among the poets of Scotland, most of his writings being of good quality. Waller Scott came next, although he was more of a novelist. Carlyle was third, brought up by a poor mason to become one of the world’s greatest philosophers. The patriotism of Burns caused many outbursts of poetic genius. His autobiography showed him to be lacking in the Scottish characteristic of caution. A very high moral tone pervaded all his writings. Mr August concluded by reading several of Burns’ most famous poems, including “Man Was Made to Mourn,” “Tam o’ Shanter,” and “Ae Fon’ Kiss.” Rev. M. Ayrton, in supporting these remarks, said it was only after Burns had been dead some considerable time that the people of Scotland woke up to the fact that a genius had lived among them, and had died unrecognised. He was a historian as well as a poet, and all his books were descriptive of the time in which he lived. Burns, being brought up in “a but and ben,” did not have a chance, and he succumbed to the evils of the day. Carlyle, in his essay on the poet, said that his downfall was due to a large extent to the elect of Scotland, although his own weak nature undoubtedly was also responsible. They could, had they wished, have placed him in a position where his ability could have had a chance to mature. Votes of thanks to the chair and to Mr August brought a very interesting and instructive evening to a close. Next Friday evening Rev. Ayrton will give a lecture on “Ruskin.” OTAUTAU PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE. The monthly meeting was attended by Messrs Lumsden (chairman), Laing, Hodges, Wesney, Best and Rev. Ayrton. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs G. Sinclair and A. Fisher. The Rev. Ayrton signified his intention of becoming a member of the executive. In extending a welcome to Rev. Ayrton on behalf of the members, the chairman said he thought he would be a valuable member, once he got into harness, and was sure that gentleman would be only too pleased to assist in “boosting” Otautau. Rev. Ayrton thanked the chairman for his welcome, and said it would be foreign to his nature not to take an interest in the civic life of the town. He had done so in other places, and he was pleased to receive the invitation. As far as possible he would assist to promote the best interests of the township. The Town Clerk forwarded bank receipt for £8 10/3, being proceeds of collection at Anzac service for beautifying the Soldiers’ Memorial grounds. John Winsloe, secretary of the Southland Court at the New Zealand Exhibition, advised having forwarded the photograph of Otautau. The chairman reported having taken delivery. John Fisher, Clerk Otautau Town Board, advised that the board had decided to contribute £lO towards the cost of fencing at the momument, and enclosed cheque.—Resolved that a letter of thanks be forwarded. The secretary was also directed to write the board asking that the position with regard to road at back of memorial be defined, as the League purposed fencing the ground. Messrs Macdonald and Weston, Invercargill, advised having received cheque for £122, and trusted the work done was satisfactory. —It was resolved to draw the attention of the contractors to the fact that plaster was peeling off the concrete paths, and that the front wall was cracked in three places, and to request that repairs be carried out. The chairman reported that there was a deficiency of £5 in connection with the recent show. It was hot so successful as last year, but the position was very satisfactory considemig the weather which had been experienced. He made complimentary reference to the excellent manner in which Miss Laidlaw had carried out her duties as secretary, and she was voted £5 5/-. It was resolved that the annual meeting and presentation of trophies won at the recent show be held on Thursday, June 24, Messrs Hodges and Wesney being appointed to draw up the programme. It was also decided that a social and dance be held on Friday, July 9. The matter of donations being given by the directors of the Invercargill Savings Bank was discussed, and it was resolved that the directors be written to asking that a donation be given towards the support of the District Nurse. The secretary was directed to write the Wallace County Council asking for a donation towards the funds of the League. Messrs Wesney and Hodges were appointed a committee to canvass for members. OHAI RAILWAY BOARD. The monthly meeting of the above, held in the clerk’s office on Friday, was attended by Messrs A. W. Rodger (chairman), W. Crawford, D. D. Macdonald, George S. Edie, D. McLennan, W. Excell and W. J. A. McGregor. Mr F. Williams (engineer), and Mr R. Donnelly (manager) were also in attendance. The chairman reported having interviewed Mr Mouat, of the Railway Board, in Wellington, regarding through passenger freights and passengers, and also with reference to the Nightcaps township service. As a result Mr Green, the Department’s superintendent at Addington, had visited Wairio and Ohai, and was submitting proposals to the Railway Board, which would probably prove acceptable, and place the traffic on a satisfactory basis. Regarding adjustment of terms for cancellation of Moretown licenses, Mr Crawford and himself had not got these finalised. They would be taking the matter up before next meeting. The District Traffic Manager had the board’s complaint about shortage of trucks still under review. The engineer submitted the following report:—Permanent Way: The permanent way gang has been employed since my last report on completion of Black Lion sidings, Ohai, ballasting board’s loop at 'Hnker’s, and track surfacing. Generally the section from Tinker’s to Reed’s is standing extremely well, particularly considering the amount of wet weather we have experienced during the previous month. The embankments appear to have reached their ultimate settlement, and the cuttings, while careful attention is essential, are giving very little trouble. I found the track in good order, and permanent hands, under Ganger Blackwell, are doing excellent work. The permanent way material at Tinker’s has been nearly all removed from the fenceline, and I have given instructions to have the fence completed here with a gate over Black Diamond siding in order that the whole of the line will be secured against the trespass of stock. Sleepers: There ap-

pears to be an impression that some of the sleepers are disappearing at Ohai, and I would recommend that they be counted and our books balanced, which would enable me to see if such is a fact. Moretown Branch: I have had no inquiries for 401 b rails. I am of opinion that if there is no chance of disposing of them it would be better to defer lifting the permanent way until the summer months. At present our engine power is fully employed in handling the traffic offering on the main line, and the whole of the time of the permanent way gang is required keeping it in order. If the board agrees, the deposits retained should be returned, and the contractors advised that no tender has been accepted.— The engineer was authorised to take complete stock of timber. On the recommendation of the engineer it was decided to defer the work of lifting the Moretown line, the clerk being directed to return deposits to contractors with an intimation to Messrs Keen and Egan that they have the option of taking up their tender when the board finally resolved to proceed with the work. The manager submitted the following report: Black Lion Siding.—Coal and a dross road for the Black Lion Coal Company have been laid at Ohai and connected with the yard there. The sidings are ready for traffic, but require another coat of ballast. The ballast will be spread when supplies come forward. Electric light: The yards at Ohai and Wairio require additional lights as a safety measure during night shunting. I attach a price received for same, including the lighting of Nightcaps Station. Passenger Service: An average of six passengers, not including free school children, travel each trip between Wairio and Ohai by the morning and evening train. I would recommend withdrawing the railway carriages and van, and substituting the motor rail coach until the passenger traffic warrants a better service. Ballast: Fifty-one waggons of ballast were removed during May and used at Tinker’s on the board’s loop and on the Black Lion Coal Company’s sidings at Ohai. Coal Output: The quantity of coal carried for the month of May was 18,183 tons, an increase of 844 tons, as compared with the corresponding month of last year. The manager was directed to obtain quotations for extra lighting of railway yards at Wairio and Ohai. In view of the lack of support for the passenger service, the manager was left a free hand in the determination of whether to run carriages or the motor coach when a limited number of passengers were travelling. The clerk reported the acceptance by Messrs A. W. Rodger and W. J. A. McGregor of the engineer’s computation of the amount due for compensation for coal along the routes of the railway. The Valuation Committee (Mr W. Crawford, convenor), submitted report with recommendation of amounts payable for land compensation between Reed’s and Birchwood, and the clerk was directed to submit offers accordingly to the various owners, through the board’s solicitors. Mr CrAwford was appointed to interview the District Public Trustees regarding compensation claims in the late S. D. Mills’ 68 The Auditor-General wrote, taking exception to two items of expenditure in the board’s balance-sheet, and the matter was left in the chairman’s hands to take the necessary steps to have the expenditure validated. F. Frosdick, engineer, London, wrote accepting appointment as consulting engineer for supervision of locomotive and waggons, for which tenders are being invited in Britain. An alteration in construction suggested by Mr Frosdick was endorsed by Mr Williams, the board’s engineer, and approved by the board. The clerk was directed to inform Mr Frosdick by week-end cable. The manager was authorised, after consulting with the manager of the Kaitangata Railway and Coal Company on various phases of transport, to proceed to Addington and inspect several trucks offered by the Railway Department S J. Collie, “Glenisla, asked for par- . ticulars of lease with his predecessor, J. Henderson.—The clerk was directed to The Chief Postmaster wrote regarding details of handling daily mails between Wairio : and Ohai, and the manager reported these were working satisfactorily. S. Keely, Ohai, applied for a crossng.— The matter was referred to the engineer, as was also the question of improvement to gate of Ohai stockyards and better facilities far handling sheep in the yards.