OTAUTAU NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22130, 26 September 1933, Page 5

OTAUTAU NOTES

SCHOOL COMMITTEE. (From Our Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the Otautau School Committee was held on Monday evening, when the following were present: Messrs G. Sinclair (chairman), S. H. Herron, H. L. Chandler, A. A. Liddell and J. G. C. Baker. In the unavoidable absence of the secretary the latter was appointed acting secretary. Mr R. Brownlie, secretary, Southland Education Board, advised that the application of the committee for repairs to tanks and fence at the school residence had been referred to the architect for report. Mr Brownlie also advised that the full amount of the special grant available to school committees had been already allocated, and the board regretted that no funds were available to permit of any further grant being made. It was resolved that as the committee had received very few of these special grants application be made to be put on the list for next year. The Southland Electric Power Board wrote that it was prepared to give a small concession in connection with the yearly guarantee for the dental clinic. They were prepared to instal a separate meter on condition that £6 of electricity passed through it per annum. The charge for lighting, however, would remain as at present. It was resolved that the offer be accepted with thanks, and that the committee agree to the conditions imposed. It was resolved that Bluff be the venue of the next annual school excursion. The date for the picnic was fixed for the first Friday in February, on condition that the Railway Department supplied a fast passenger service, and that Isla Bank, Drummond and Fairfax schools be invited to join in. The fares were fixed as follows: school children 2/3, senior pupils 2/9, and adults 3/9.

It was resolved to forward a letter of thanks to the secretary of the Otautau “Dandies” for the handsome donation of £4 10/- to the funds of the dental clinic.

The headmaster (Mr A. I. Milne) reported that the average roll for the period ending September 15 was 192 and the average attendance 186.2, being 96.9 per cent. The door for the store had not yet come to hand, and he reminded the committee about the load of gravel for the gateway and the soil for the borders. Eight new pupils were admitted and four withdrawn during the first week of the term.—The report was adopted. Euchre.

Mrs J. Mackie won the ladies’ prize at the weekly euchre tournament on Monday evening with 20 points, the runner-up being Mrs W. Pulley with 19. The men’s prize was won by Mr P. Mackenzie with 25 points, Mr Stanley being second with 20. Next week decides the winners of the six week’s aggregate prizes. Building Subsidy.

The following is the number of applications for assistance in building in Otautau under the unemployment No. 10 scheme and the particulars relating thereto: Total cost of building, £5223: estimated cost of labour, £1644; and subsidy claimed, £737. There were 19 applications received at Otautau under this scheme. Cub Investment.

On Thursday evening, an investment ceremony in connection with the Wolf Cubs took place. Games and community singing were indulged in, and supper was partaken of. At a convenient interval, Cubmaster Baineaves, assisted by Assistant Scoutmaster F. Hill, enrolled the following boys: J. Cartwright, M. O’Brien, Allan Fisher, Eric Mackie, W. Batchelor, Bert Watts, V. Silverwood, L. Silverwood, Chilton, G. Sutherland, E. Sutherland and A. Sutherland. Four other boys also linked up with the movement the same day, viz, John and Hugh Herron, James Aitken and Charles Ballam. Scottish Society.

There was a good attendance at the member’s evening of the Otautau branch of the St. Andrew’s Scottish Society on Friday evening, when Chief A. A. Liddell occupied the chair. The following programme was rendered, items meeting with a good reception: Pipe selection, Mr D. Hawthorne; songs Misses Margaret Campbell, G. Renowden and Phyllis Gutshlag, Messrs K. Pritchett, and W. Liddell; duets, Misses Salton and Maxwell; sword dance, Miss Lora Sutherland; and Highland Fling, Miss Nancy Maxwell. Mrs Couppies, Miss C. Bums and Mr Hawthorne played the accompaniments. A hearty vote of thanks to the performers was carried by acclamation. A dance was subsequently held to music supplied by Mrs Cuppies, while Mr J. Campbell carried out the duties of M.C.

Personal. Mr G. Smith, of the National Bank, is on his annual leave. Mr A. R. Symonds, Mataura, has been transferred to the staff of the branch of the local telegraph exchange. Mr A. G. Ramsay, Dunedin, has been transferred to do the cable-joining work on the local Post and Telegraph line staff. An account of the installation of Miss C. J. Campbell as matron of the Presbyterian Children’s Home at Timaru, may be interesting to readers, as she is a native of Otautau and is wellknown in the district. “A large representative gathering from the Presbyterian churches of Timaru recently welcomed Miss C. J. Campbell on the occasion of her installation as matron of the Home. The Rev. A. J. Dow, chairman of the committee, the Rev Adam Begg, and members of the committee with their wives and friends were, present. The Rev. Dow formally welcomed Miss Campbell on behalf of the combined Presbyterian churches of Timaru, and the new matron suitably responded thanking the. committee and supporters for their kindness and the confidence placed in her. Afternoon tea was served and Miss Campbell shown over her new charge. The Timaru Presbyterian Home has the distinction of being one of the most up-to-date institutions in New Zealand.” Miss Campbell is a sister of Mr D. Campbell, Otautau.

Ball. There was a great attendance at the ball held under the auspices of the Boxing Club, in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, and the committee is to be congratulated on the excellent arrangements made for the enjoyment of patrons. The Ambassadors’ Orchestra supplied good music, while Mr A. T. Norman carried out the duties of M.C.