BALFOUR NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21715, 30 May 1932, Page 2

BALFOUR NOTES

(From Our Correspondent.) After unusually mild weather for this time of the year the temperature fell on Tuesday and by night the w ‘ na was bitterly cold. Snow began to fall and on Wednesday morning the ground was white. Intermittent snowstorms continued throughout the day. au <i by dusk the snow had reached a depth ot about four inches. The thaw which began the following morning has been helped by a steady breeze and the snow is fast disappearing on the flats, ine high country, however, is still iinerally coated. N.Z.F.U. ;; 1 The local sub-branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union held a meeting on Thursday evening. Owing to the unpleasant weather conditions the attendance was small. Mr E. W. Stevens (vice-president) occupied the chair. The District Traffic Manager, Invercargill, acknowledged the thanks and appreciation of the branch for the improvements to the lighting of. the truck ing yards. . i A telegram was received from Mr Hamilton in reply to one from the branch asking him to support a reduction of 33 1-3 per cent, in interest charges. The matter had been fully investigated and it had been decided not to go further than 20 per cent. The local postmaster (Mr A. W. Stevens) was present and explained the new 4D scheme by which unemployed married men would be assisted to take up small fann holdings. _ The speaker also outlined the existing schemes and advised the formation of a local Unemployment Committee. After some discussion the secretary was instructed to write to the Unemployment Commissioner for particulars regarding the formation of such a body. The order paper for the provincial conference was read and discussed, after which various productive works for relief of local unemployment were mentioned. The straightening of the Waimea stream was fully discussed and it was considered that vzork should be seriously kept in view as it would employ a large number of men and improve hundreds of acres of land, which at the present time are very easily flooded, and therefore of very little value. Girl Guides’ Birthday Party. Tl.e first company, the Balfour Girl Guides, celebrated its first birthday on Wednesday evening, May 25, in the Balfour Hall. Despite the inclemency of the weather a goodly number gathered from the surrounding district. Games and dances enlivened the evening and items by the Balfour and Lumsden Guides were much appreciated. Before supper Mrs Coulston (District Commissioner), assisted by the Rev. Wilson, conducted the dedication ceremony of a flag presented to the Guides of Balfour by the Returned Soldiers of the district. This was followed by the enrolment of Miss Mabel Cowie to the local company. The Committee, Guides and Brownies took this opportunity of farewelling Mrs Humphreys, who has held the office of Brown Owl for over a year. The President (Mrs Hood), spoke in appreciation of her services and presented her with a “Thanks Badge,” this being an honour conferred only on very special occasions. Myrle McGregor on behalf of the Brownies also presented her Brown Owl with a small gift. Before breaking ranks Mrs Clouston spoke a few suitable words ,tp the Guides and wished the company all success. '

After supper, the Birthday Cake, lighted by one candle which was blown out by Isla Grant, the smallest Brownie, was cut by the first President (Mrs R. Grant) assisted by the present President. Apologies were read from Mossbum, Waikaia and Riversdale companies, Mrs Church, Mrs W. Macdonald, Guide Captain, and a congratulatory telegram from Miss Aitken of Gore.