OTAUTAU NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21854, 3 November 1932, Page 7

OTAUTAU NOTES

THE RAINFALL. (From Our Correspondent.) The local observer (Mr J. G. C: Baker) reports that October was a very mild, pleasant month with plenty of sun, very light winds, no storms, rainfall below normal, temperatures above normal, and only a few light frosts. Following was the rainfall:—

The Rev. H. Hayman, a missionary from the Solomon Islands, delivered a very interesting lecture on Thursday evening in the Methodist Church, dealing principally with the educational side of missionary work. The Rev. N. Challenger occupied the chair, and at the conclusion of the address expressed his appreciation. Dairy Factory. On Monday morning at the local factory 5175 gallons of milk were received, which is a record in the history of the factory so far. One new 1000gallon vat has been installed recently, making seven in all, and there is only room for taking in another 500 gallons. The factory is turning out 2 tons 4cwt of cheese per day. Seven hundred and twenty calves have been sent from the factory this season. Cycling. There was a fair attendance at the committee meeting of the Amateur Cycling Club on Monday evening, when Mr W. J. Wesney (president) occupied the chair. It was decided to hold another road race on Saturday evening, November 12, the course to be up the main road past the racecourse to the Hundred Line through Aparima township, and home via Strathvale road. The following signified their intention of donating prizes: Messrs T. C. Muir, W. Seatter, G. Sinclair, A. A. Fisher and W. J. Wesney. It was also decided to hold an evening sports meeting on Wednesday, November 23, and the following programme was decided on: Half mile, mile, and two mile cycle races, boys cycle race, ladies’ cycle race, 100 yards foot race, 220 yards race, ladies’ relay race and wheelbarrow race. River Board. The monthly meeting of the River Board on Tuesday evening was attended by the following members: Messrs John Muir, F. J. Collie, G. Low, J. G. Flett and James H. Smith. In the unavoidable absence of the chairman (Mr John Smith) Mr Muir was voted to the chair. . ; ■ Before commencing the business the chairman moved a resolution of sympathy with Mr John Fisher in his recent bereavement, this being carried in the customary manner. The clerk submitted a report on the deputation which had waited on the Hon. Adam Hamilton with reference to the transference of the remainder of the grant from the Opio to the Otautau stream. Mr T. Burns wrote offering to lease a small portion of land on the esplanade, stating that he was prepared to fence it and pay 10/- a year on condition that the board would grant a lease for five years. It was left in the hands of Mr Smith and the clerk to deal with the application. Mrs McStay wrote again with reference to the transport of a plant and asked that she be granted the use of a set of wheels for its removal. The request was granted, conditional on Mrs McStay employing the labour and returning the wheels in good order when finished with. Hallowe’en Social.

There was a good attendance at the Hallowe’en social in the Town Hall on Friday evening, the function being held under the patronage of the local branch of St. Andrew’s Scottish Society. Chieftain Fisher occupied the chair in the unavoidable absence of Chief McCrostie. The first part of the programme was provided by the juniors, those taking part being: Misses Nancy Maxwell and Alison Angus, Highland fling; items, junior choir; recitations, Miss Betty Ireland and Lily Maxwell; the clansman’s sword dance, Misses Nancy and Lily Maxwell, Kathleen Smellie and Alison Angus; duets, Misses P. and M. Gutschlag and Misses Jean Campbell and Lily Maxwell. The haggis parade was a feature of the proceedings, the procession being led by Pipers Millar and Hawthorne, followed by the band, Clansman Liddell and Chieftain Fisher, and the junior and executive members of the society. A bun-eating competition was won by Miss Nancy Maxwell, with Miss Alison Angus second. Clansman J. C. Millar, on behalf of the members, congratulated Clansman Liddell on being elevated to the position of Mayor, and in humorous vein invested him with the insignia of office, together with a book of rules for his guidance, one of which was that he must be on the Main street on New Year’s Eve to duly treat his followers according to the manner bom. The adult portion of the programme was proceeded with as follows: Solos, Mr K. Pritchett; instrumental trios, Misses Mason, Teviotdale (mandolin), Jessie Teviotdale (piano), and Mary Teviotdale (banjo); recitation, Mr Andrew McKillop; duet, Mrs Ireland and Mr Alex Coulter; solo, Miss Agnes Wilson; instrumental trio, Misses Fraser (guitars and ukulele); solo, Mr W. R. Ayson; trio, Miss Renowden (piano), Messrs M. Coulter (comet) and D. Roberts (saxophone). The accompaniments were played by Mrs T. H. Cuppies and Miss C. Bums. Thanks were expressed to Mesdames Cuppies and Maxwell for training the children for the junior items, while a vote of thanks was moved to everyone who had contributed to the success of the evening. Dancing was afterwards indulged in to music supplied by Mrs Cuppies and Mr W. B. Ireland. Tennis. At a special meeting of the Otautau Tennis Club on Tuesday evening, at which the president (Mr Janson) presided, Mr J. A. Smith was appointed secretary in place of Mr S. R. Stevens, who is leaving the district. The president assured Mr Stevens that the members were sorry to lose his services both as a player and as an energetic secretary, but he hoped that Mr Stevens would benefit from his change, especially as far as his health was concerned. , , The question whether it would be advisable to persevere with A and B grade teams in the Western District competition was discussed, it being eventually decided that the B grade team should drop out of the competition. This fact was greatly regretted, but owing to the shortage of players and also to the many difficulties encountered in arranging the teams, it was considered the only advisable course to take. , In order to stimulate interest within the club it was decided to run a combined handicap doubles, the first round of which must be completed by November 12, the games to be 50 points up. The draw and handicaps are as follows: Miss W. Porteous and M. Baineaves (6) v. Miss O. Stroud and R. Janson (5); Mrs Janson and C. Bulman (6) v. Miss C. Bums and J. Thompson (8); Miss M. Brown and F. L. Smith (5) v. Miss M. Hardy and H. Smyth (9); Miss M. Chisholm and R. S. Harrington (3) v. Miss D. Stevens and G. Smith (6); Miss B. Smellie

and C. A. Harrington (4) v. Miss C. Hope and T. Stroud (6); Miss G. Renowden and K. Pritchett (5) v. Mrs Wesney and W. J. Wesney; Miss P. McDougall and I. D. McKenzie (6) v. Miss T. Seatter-and K. McKenzie (6); Mrs F. L. Smith and M. Mclvor (8) v. Miss B. Stevens and G. Excell (13); Miss E. Laing and F. Gordon (11) a bye.

Inches. Days rain fell. October, 1932 1.95 12 Average for October 3.40 15 First 10 months of 1932 31.34 138 Average for first 10 months 34.80 138 Methodist Church.