MATAURA NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21835, 12 October 1932, Page 11

MATAURA NOTES

ANNUAL SPORTS FIXTURE. (From Our Correspondent.) The adjourned annual meeting of the Mataura Athletic Society was held in the Coronation Hall on Monday night, members of the Evening Sports Club being present by invitation. The president, Mr J. W. Aitken, in his opening remarks, stated that the object 6f the meeting was to decide how the annual sports would be controlled by either one of the societies or by both societies combined. Correspondence from the Southland Amateur Athletic and Cycling Union stating that the Balfour Society’s appeal against Mataura being allotted December 29 would be heard by the New Zealand Union. Mr D. O’Brien, delegate to the South-

land Union meeting gave further information about proceedings there and stated that Balfour’s appeal was directed against the Athletic Society whose affiliation fees for the previous ■year had lapsed, and not against the Evening Sports Club. Mr W. Gardiner in opening the discussion stated that the Evening Sports Club had agreed to forfeit the date to the Athletic Society if that body desired the date and that accordingly the matter lay between Balfour and the latter body. Mr Butler, secretary M.E.S.C., in reply, stated that since the Athletic Society was definitely excluded the annual sports should be run by the Evening Sports Club.

Considerable discussion then ensued, Mr Reid finally moving that the sports should be run under the auspices of the Evening Sports Club and that the Athletic Society should assist. This was seconded by Mr T. Butler jnr. On being put to a vote the motion was carried. A question was then put whether the Sports Club should allow Balfour the day fixed or retain it themselves. Mr Leitch suggested that they should change dates with Balfour in view of the fact that the local shops would reopen on December 29.

After further desultory conversation the business was left in the hands of the Evening Sports Club with the suggestion that the latter body should call a general meeting at an early date. The monthly meeting of the Mataura Band of Hope held in the Oddfellow’s Hall on Friday evening was largely attended and was presided over by Lieutenant Scotney of the local corps of the Salvation Army. The very enjoyable programme of songs and recitations was given by a number of children present and an address on the evils of strong drink was delivered by Miss Martini, The evening concluded with the pronouncing of the Benediction and the singing of the National Anthem. The committee in charge of the local unemployment office met on Friday evening there being present: Messrs John Buchanan (chairman), J. W. Aitken, C. D. Smith, T. Richmond, I. Cullen, C. Rowe, T. Mitchell (postmaster) and E. J. Cameron (secretary). In accordance with notice of motion given a new executive of five members was formed. One application tender 4a scheme was approved of, one application for renewal of subsidy granted in this connection being referred to the executive.

A very acceptable programme of music was' given by the Mataura Kilties Band in Bridge street and the square on Saturday evening. The band paraded fourteen strong and were in full uniform for the occasion. The splendid dairying season being experienced is reflected in the intakes at the several factories here, Tuturau showing an advance of some 200 gallons as compared with the corresponding date last season. Tuturau P.W.M.U. The Tuturau Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union held its annual meeting recently, Mr N. Sansom of Brydone Home Mission charge occupying the chair and conducting the devotional exercises? Following the presentation of the annual report and balance sheet the election of officers was taken, resulting as follows: President, Mrs R. H. Dickie; vice-president, Mrs D. McNeur; secretary, Miss I. Pollock; treasurer, Mrs J. P. Fix; Maori Mission Birthday secretary, Mrs W. A. Dickie; Harvest Field secretary, Miss R. Oughton. Special features in the report were that during the year £lO 10/— had been sent for mission purposes, whilst in response to Sister Annie’s appeal the branch had been able to despatch to her four bags of new and second hand clothing which will be used in connection with her work in her station at Ruatahuna.