OTAUTAU NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22043, 16 June 1933, Page 9

OTAUTAU NOTES

EUCHRE. (From Our Correspondent), Forty-four players attended the euchre tournament on Monday evening. The ladies’ prize was won by Mrs McDermid with 23 points, Miss E. Hassed winning the runner-up trophy with 21 points. Mr Peak secured the men’s prize with 23 points. A tie occurred for the runner-up between Messrs A. Thomas and E. Jellyman, the former Winning the play-off. Women’s Division. There was an attendance of 29 members at thg monthly meeting of the Otautau branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union on Friday, when Mrs McLeod (president) occupied the chair. The president extended a welcome to Mrs S. Mclntosh from Fairfax. • Mrs McLeod, who was delegate to the annual meeting of the Southland executive, gave a very interesting account of the meeting, and Mrs Evans thanked the president for her report. An offer from the Otautau Dandy Company to assist with an entertainment was received. It was decided to celebrate the third birthday of the branch on August 4, which will take the form of a social evening. After afternoon tea had been served Mrs Mclntosh gave a very interesting demonstration on the making of paper flowers. Mrs Cuppies moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Mclntosh on behalf of the members, which was carried by acclamation. In closing the meeting Mrs McLeod thanked the hostesses for providing such a dainty afternoon tea. Town Board. The monthly meeting of the Otautau Town Board was held in the board room on Monday evening, when the following commissioners were present: Messrs A. A. Liddell (chairman), J. Campbell, John Scatter, H. L. Chandler, E. Harrington and J. H. Smith. Mr W. J. McCulloch was granted leave of absence. The chairman’s action in letting a contract to Mr Lightfoot to supply gravel at 1/6 per yard was approved. The estimated income and expendi-' ture for the year 1933-34 was submitted by the clerk. Under this heading there was an amount of £405 for tarsealing the main street from Grieve’s io the boundary, which evoked a good deal of discussion. Mr Campbell thought this work should be held over for this year, and submitted that gravel was more economical. Mr Scatter supported these remarks, stating that gravel was far cheaper for maintenance on "the outskirts ,of the town, and owing to its cheapness he failed to see where any money could be saved. Mr Chandler agreed that the work should be held over, and maintained that some provision should be made in the estimates for a fire-fighting equipment, as if a fire broke out neither water nor apparatus was available. Mr Harrington said the bitumen was out on its own. and the new part at the southern end of the town had a real good foundation and would cost practically nothing for maintenance. He expressed the opinion that something might be done towards fire prevention with the money which would be received from Messrs Williams and Cull. The chairman agreed that a fire-fighting equipment was a necessity, but it was no use thinking about it unless the scheme was gone on with properly. A motion was eventually carried that estimates be approved. Mr E. Jellyman, secretary, Otautau School Committee, wrote drawing attention to the wandering stock nuisance. and stated the committee had spent a considerable amount of money and a great amount of labour in improving and beautifying the grounds and environs, only to have the results nullified and damaged by the nuisance. He asked that the board would in future rigidly enforce the by-law. Other complaints were also received, and it was resolved that the attention of the poundkeeper be drawn to the matter. The application of Mr J. A. Paterson for a building permit was granted. Mr W. J. Wesney wrote with reference to drainage work in Catrine street, and stated he did not want the ditch opened that runs round the bottom of the hill on his property until he had the opportunity to confer either With Mr Harrington or the board.—The clerk’s reply that the board did not propose to open up the ditch was approved.

Mr W. Sadlier, secretary, Otautau branch R.S.A., asked that the board bear half the cost of bringing the speaker from Invercargill to Otautau for the Anzac Day service.—The request was granted. Mr R. R. Walker, caretaker of the recreation ground, submitted a report showing the number of times the area was used for sports and other gatherings, and also pointed out that it was used for a camping ground. He stated that the pump required attention, one of the windows in the pavilion had been broken, and he asked permission to purchase a brush and disinfectant for use in the pavilion. The report was received, and it was decided to replace the broken window. The caretaker Was authorized to procure the disinfectant, and it was resolved to request that the. caretaker see that the.wire-netting was replaced round the ground lights. The foreman’s report was received. He also submitted a list of pipes taken from Mr McAfee. Mr H. Smyth applied for permission to install an electric motor in the hall, and submitted a sketch of the wiring necessary.—The clerk’s action in granting permission was approved. Mr C. Campbell, secretary, Southland Electric Power Board, wrote that his board had made an alteration in the policy of rating for this financial year. Subject to confirmation his board had decided to collect a general rate of 1513d in the £ on the basis of the unimproved value, and there would be no Special rate this year. Non-reticulated ratepayers will be asked to pay onethird only of the general rate.—The * letter was received. Mr John Fisher, clerk. Otautau River Board, wrote stating that there had been a tendency of late for carters to remove gravel from the Otautau river near the main bridge without any permit. The River Board had resolved to offer the Town Board the sole right to the gravel between the railway bridge and the old mill conditional upon the Town Board accepting the responsibility of keeping the gravel beds reasonably clear.—lt was resolved that the offer be accepted, and that 6d per yard royalty be charged for any gravel taken for other purposes than Town Board Mr G. B. Burns, clerk, Wallace County Council, forwarded a list of license fees collected by local bodies, the amount being £990 10/-. The expenses of the committee were £42 10/-, and the Town Board’s share of this was £5 2/6.—The letter was reThe request of Mr McMillan for permission to erect an enamelled sign in front of his garage was referred to the works committee, with power to act. The clerk, Wallace Licensing Committee, forwarded certificates authorizing the issue of annual licenses for the district. He also notified that the board could accept the annual fee by quarterly instalments should it so desire, the committee being in favour of such action.—lt was also decided that the board collect the fee for the current year, and it was resolved that the licensing committee should undertake the responsibility of the collection of the quarterly fees. . Notice of motion to strike the following rates was given by Mr Harrington: A general rate of IJd, a special rate of Jd, and a charitable aid rate of

Jd; a sanitary rate of 15/- fortnightly and 27/.6 weekly, and a refuse charge of 6/-; also the Southland Electric Power Board rate of 15-16 d in the £.

Messrs Williams and Cull, sawmillers, wrote stating a report had been submitted to them of the valuation of the timber on the Waterworks Reserve. The appraisement showed the timber to be 428,000, as against their previous independent valuation of 274,000 feet of milling timber. The State Forest estimate was therefore 58 per cent, more than their own, and they were not satisfied with it, as they did not consider that experienced valuers should show so large a difference in estimating an area of 94 acres. The area adjoining the Waterworks Reserve was purchased by them for £474, giving them cutting rights over roughly 300 acres, an estimated quantity of 2100 feet per acre as against 4070 feet on the Waterworks Reserve. The firm had been put to considerable expense in laying the tramway to this bush, and they asked the board to accept their original offer of £205 10/-, the firm to pay all expenses. The report of the State Forest Department on this area was also read. Mr Hodges, solicitor to the board, submitted the correspondence which had passed to the department on the matter.

Mr Williams appeared in support of the letter, and after discussion the board decided to accept the appraisement of the State Forestry Department, but to meet Messrs Williams and Cull to the extent of paying some of the expenses. ,

Dairymen’s Ball.

A meeting of the Dairymen’s Ball Committee was held at the factory residence on Monday evening, when it was decided to hold the ball in the Otautau Town Hall on Wednesday, July 12 and to engage the Ambassadors Dance Band for the occasion. The following committee were appointed to control the function: Chairman, Mr G. D. Low; secretary, Mr A. Beange; and Messrs J. D. Clouston, L. Collie, R. G. H. Robertson, J. Smellie and John Smith.