MATAURA NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 22730, 5 November 1935, Page 11

MATAURA NEWS

BIBLE CLASS RALLY SUCCESSFUL GATHERING (From Our Correspondent.) The Mataura Presbytery Bible Class Labour Day Rally for this year was held at Mataura when ideal weather conditions prevailed so that all outdoor functions that had been arranged were able to be carried through. Assembling at the church at 10 a.m. the representatives from the various parish classes were served with morning tea just prior to the opening devotional exercises at 10.30 a.m., Mr A. G. Davidson, Home Missionary at Brydone occupying the pulpit and there was an attendance of some 100 members which increased during the sessions to 140 drawn from 17 classes of the 21 in the presbytery. Following a reading, the Rev. D. McNeur welcomed the various classes on behalf of the session, deacons court and local members and trusted that all would enjoy a happy day of fellowship. He stressed the fact of Labour Day, which made an urge on all to rally as workers. Christ’s message was “My Father worketh hitherto and I work.” Taking as his text “Jesus the bread of Life” Mr A. G. Davidson preached an inspiring address stressing the necessity for regular food from Christ s teachings for spiritual welfare. An adjournment was then made to the public school grounds where a basketball tourney and sports programme was held under the supervision of the Rev. W. G. Hannah, Messrs A. G. Davidson, A. Johnson and L. E. Currie. A picnic lunch was served and was much appreciated and at a suitable interval Sister Margaret gave a talk on the work of the Otago and Southland Bible Society. Greetings were then read by Miss May Cameron, district secretary, from the New Zealand Young Women’s Bible Class Union, Misses E. Morris (president Mataura District Committee), E. Wilson and E. Allen, while the Rev. D. McNeur conveyed greetings from the Anglican week-end campers at Mataura. The principal meetifig was presided over by the Rev. W. G. Hannah (Knapdale) and was addressed by. the Rev. Fraser Barton, B.A. (Gore), who took for his subject “The call to advance” exhorting all present to advance in their knowledge and love of the movement they belonged to. The following are the sports results: Senior 100 yards, E. McKenzie (Waikoikoi) 1, W. Smith (Waikaka Valley) 2, C. McLay (Wendon) 3. Junior 100 yards, D. Smith (Waikaka Valley) 1, R. Graeve (Gore) 2, R. Woods (Tuturau) 3. Senior 440 yards, P. McKenzie (Waikoikoi) 1, B. Smith (Waikaka Valley) 2, D. Smith (Waikaka Valley) 3. Junior 220 yards, D. Smith (Waikaka Valley) 1, B. Ward (Tuturau) 2, R. Graeve (Gore) 3. Junior hop, step and jump, D. Smith (Waikaka Valley) 1, P. McKay (Wendon) 2. Senior hop, step and jump, C. McLay (Wendon) 1, j. Muir (Tuturau) 2, C. McKenzie (Waikoikoi) 3. Senior high jump, McKenzie (Waikoikoi) 1, Somerville (Waikoikoi) and McKay (Wendon) and I. Muir (Tuturau), equal 2. Junior high jump, D. Smith (Waikaka Valley) 1, A. Gardyne (Waikaka) and W. Dickie (Tuturau) 2. ' Girls’ Events.—Senior 75 yards, M. White (Wendon) 1, J. Smith (Waikaka Valley) 2, N. Irwin (Mataura) 3. Junior 75 yards, V. Brewster (Mataura) 1, O. Cook (Waikaka) 2, G. Ward (Tuturau) 3. Double harness, O. McLay and M. White (Wendon) 1, B. Smith and O. Cook (Waikaka Valley) 2, L. Shaw and M. Hocking (Mataura) 3. Basketball.—First round: Mataura senior 11 v. Mataura Junior 4; Glenkenich 3 v. Waikaka Valley 2; Gore Junior 8 v. Wyndham-Mimihau 0; Waikoikoi a bye. Second round: Waikoikoi 10 v. Mataura senior 2, Glenkenich 2 v. Gore junior 1. Final: Waikoikoi 2 beat Glenkenich 1. Waikaka Valley proved the winners on points in the sports programme with Waikoikoi as runners-up. Prior to dispersing the opportunity was taken by the Rev. W. G. Hannah to move a vote of thanks to all who had assisted to make the rally such a success. Miniature Rifle Club. There was a very large attendance of members and intending members at the annual meeting of the Mataura Miniature Rifle Club held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Saturday evening, the president, Mr J. L. Richardson occupying the chair. The secretary, Mr E. Ramage, read the annual report which stated that the committee had pleasure in presenting the fourth annual report which disclosed such a successful year. The membership roll showed a steady increase and the future of the club was now assured. The committee had again secured a lease of the Horticultural Hall and the facilities they had thus been able to offer were the envy of all visiting clubs. Messrs F. F. Hesselin and A. Russell finished equal in the club championship, the shodt off being won by the former rifleman. To these members the committee offered congratulations. During the year ten inter-club matches were fired and the club was successful in six. Four home and home matches were also fired with the Wyndham club for the cup donated by tlie United Trading and Manufacturing Co., Ltd. By winning three of these the club retained the cup for the second year in succession. The financial position showed an improvement, the credit balance now being £8 17/3 while the club now possesses assets to the value of £52 14/6 an increase of £7 8/3. In conclusion your committee desires to express appreciation of the generosity of the donors of the fine collection of trophies which have been a big help in placing the club in such a sound position. In moving the adoption of the report together with the statement of accounts, Mr Richardson spoke in terms of the report and expressed his pleasure at such a splendid attendance which augured well for future seasons, the last of which had finished with a small credit balance.

Continuing, the president paid a tribute to the efficient manner in which the secretary had carried out his duties, which was in no small measure responsible for the success of the session and he urged the club to retain his services. In conclusion he thanked all for co-operation and assistance. Th result of the election of officers was as follows: Patron, Mr F. J. Medley; president, Mr A. D. MacFarlane; Vice-Presidents, Messrs G. Cullen, J. Richardson, W. Webb, F. F. Hesselin; secretary and treasurer, Mr E. Ramage; assistant secretary, Mr E. Duncan; range wardens, Messrs G. Adam, O. Davis, W. Ramage, H. A. Price; trustees, Messrs J. L. Richardson and E. Ramage; committee, Messrs W. D. Ramage, J. P. Quilter, T. Gaudion, C. Clearwater; handicappers, Messrs W. Webb, F. F. Hesselin; auditor, Mr J. R. Quilter; official coaches, Messrs W. Webb, F. F. Hesselin, R. C. Barclay; range captain, Mr W. Webb; card marker, Mr E. Duncan. It was resolved that the subscriptions and range fees remain as formerly and that Messrs Richardson and Keen be appointed a sub-committee to go into the question of the lighting and targets. , y Considerable discussion ensued on the question of the engraving of trophies and it was finally agreed to leave the present process unaltered. A further resolution was carried that the championship shoot be conducted

on the same lines as previously. The-incoming committee was recommended to communicate with the defence department relative to a free issue of ammunition.

Following the annual meeting an adjournment was made for a social hour at which the presentation of prizes and trophies won during the year was made by his Worship the Mayor, Mr John Buchanan, who in the course of his remarks congratulated the club on the success of their year’s operation and urged the necessity of continual practise for efficiency. He, himself, had pleasant' recollections of his association years ago with rifle clubs although he confessed that on the miniature range he had not been very successful. He congratulated the winners and said the trophies were not to be considered by their intrinsic value but rather be taken as something as worthy of aspiring to win as it was only by having some trophy to shoot for that a successful year resulted and interest was maintained. He |hen presented the trophies as follows: Championship shield and miniature and monthly cup, F. F. Hesselin; A grade aggregate and miniature and monthly cup, W. D. Ramage; R.S_A. Cup and miniature and monthly cup, B grade, H. A. Price; A grade monthly cup, G. W. Cullen; B. Grade monthly cup, C. Clearwater; A grade trophy Qdoz. spoons), T. Gaudion; B grade trophy (goods value of 10/6), J. Haugh; A grade challenge cup, R. C. Barclay; B grade challenge cup and the Mayor’s trophy, G. Adam; most consistent shot, miniature shield, T. Gaudion; consolation, A grade, A. D. McFarlane; consolation, B. grade, H. R. Willcocks.

Subsequently an appropriate toast list was honoured, this being interspersed with vocal and elocutionary numbers by many present.

Band Of Hope.

There was a splendid attendance of children as well as adults at the customary meeting of the Mataura Band of Hope which was held in the Oddfellows Hall on Friday evening, Cap.tain Packer of the Salvation Army presiding and conducting the opening exercises. Before the children dispersed supper was served to them and a happy function resulted. The usual programme was contributed by the following:—Solos, Dorothy McLeod; accordion solo, Dorothy Perry; duet, Annie McGillivray and May McKinnon; recitations, Daphne Phillip, Tui Wylie, Lily Jenkins, Muriel Thompson, Edna Gourlay, Marie Cowan, lan McEwing, lan McKelvie, Avis McKelvie, Miss Nellie Irwin. In an interesting address entitled “Recruits” Mr Charles Peck urged the children against the evil of strong i drink, - r ■ 9 j