PUKERAU NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22203, 21 December 1933, Page 14

PUKERAU NOTES

(From Our Correspondent.)

The hot weather and drying winds experienced during the past fortnight have dried up the soil very rapidly and a copious fall of rain is now urgently required to start off the turnip crops and also to replenish the water supplies of householders. Turnips sowed before and immediately after the rain which fell at the beginning of the month braird very quickly, but have made very little progress since, and the later sowings will not come away until the soil gets a good soaking. The daily supply of milk at the cheese factory, which reached 2700 gallons a few weeks ago, has started to recede. Feed for stock is in good supply, however, and under the influence of a warm sun lambs have thrived rapidly during the past few weeks. The first drafts of fats to leave the district came from Kaiwera last week when Messrs J. Clement and Burke Bros, consigned three trucks to the Finegand works. Most farmer are, however, delaying their drafting until early in January in order to allow their lambs to put on some extra weight. The oat crops are looking well, but without some rain very soon will be shorter in the straw than usual. A good deal of wool, mostly held-over clips, has been forwarded for sale at Dunedin and owners are hopeful of prices being renumerative enough to show a profit. The swimming pool has been the centre of attraction during the warm weather and is being well patronized by bathers of all ages and sexes during the day time and in the evenings. It is the intention of the swimming committee to erect a dressing shed immediately and to put in a concrete dam above the falls in order to divert the water and thus enable the pool to be drained out at any time. The monthly meeting of the local branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the hall last Saturday evening, Mr J. Clement, presiding over a moderate attendance. A motion of sympathy with Mr C. H. Tripp in the death of his sister was carried in the customary manner. It was agreed to make a grant of three guineas from the branch funds towards the costs of the improvements to be carried out at the bathing pool. The monthly meeting of the Pukerau Women’s Institute was held last Friday afternoon. The president, Mrs E. Hoare, presided over an attendance of approximately 16 members. The roll call “How to keep young” was well responded to, and brought forth some well-tried hints. A competition for the best frock costing not more than five shillings was won by Mrs Haggart with Mrs Sharp second. A play “Compromising Martha,” was read, the characters being portrayed by Mesdames Haggart, Hoare, Gordon, and Miss Carter.

Last week an entertainment novel to residents of this district was staged in the Pukerau Hall by a concert party of 15 Maoris from Colac. The proceeds were devoted to the Kaiwera building fund and the large attendance thoroughly enjoyed the programme of songs and choruses as well as instrumental selections, poi dances, and hakas. Mrs T. Herron, who presided, moved a vote of thanks to the performers and also thanked the audience for their attendance. The concert was followed by an enjoyable dance, music being supplied by the visiting troupe. Playing in the West Otago Tennis Association’s competition teams representing the Tapanui and Pukerau clubs met on the local court last Saturday afternoon under extremely warm weather conditions. The matches were closely contested, the local players being ahead in games, but losing in sets. Following are the detailed scores with Tapanui names first:— Men’s Singles.—M. Robertson 1 v B. Nixon 7; J. Quayle 6 v E. Hoare 4; D. Wickett 5 v L. Potter 6.

Ladies’ Singles.—Miss Grant 4 v Miss O. Nixon 6; Miss Quinn 3 v Miss E. Earle 6; Miss Robertson 6 v Miss J. McDonald 5.

Men’s Doubles—Quayle and Robertson 6 v Nixon and Hoare 5; Wickett and Buchanan 2 v Potter and Mason 6. Ladies’ Doubles.—Misses Grant and Quinn 6 v Misses Nixon and Earle 4; Misses Robertson and Munyard 6 v. Misses McDonald and P. Nixon 4.

Combined Doubles.—Quayle and Miss Grant 6 v Nixon and Miss O. Nixon 4; Robertson and Miss Quinn 6 v Hoare and Miss Earle 2; Wickett and Miss Robertson 6 v Potter and Miss McDonald 3; Buchanan and Miss Munyard 1 v Mason and P. Nixon 6.

Tapanui, 8 sets, 64 games; Pukerau, 6 sets, 68 games.