OTAUTAU NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22770, 21 December 1935, Page 23

OTAUTAU NOTES

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING (From Our Correspondent) The monthly meeting of the Otautau School Committee was attended by Messrs G. Sinclair (chairman), E. Jellyman (secretary), J. G. C. Baker, S. H. Herron, A. A. Liddell and A. Fisher. The headmaster (Mr H. Gazzard) was also in attendance. A letter was received from Mrs McKeever asking for an egg drive for the health camp. The headmaster reported the steps which had been taken to comply with the request, and his action was approved. Mr A. Fisher reported on the deputation which had met the Hon. Adam Hamilton with a request for a subsidy for the dental clinic. The Minister said the object was a worthy one, and even if they could not get an education grant they might get assistance out of the proceeds of art unions. Mr Fisher definitely pointed out that if they got the subsidy they would still endeavour to get the building subsidy from the Unemployment Board. Headmaster’s Report. The headmaster (Mr H. W. D. Gazzard) submitted the following report: The average roll for the past month is 182 and the average attendance 173. My annual examination is completed, the new classifications made, and the classes are in their new rooms. Misses Couper and Petrie are very busy along with the senior girls sewing for the annual concert. The dux for this year is Mary Bone. Miss Couper, who has been probationary assistant for the past two years, leaves us on the 19th inst I would like to express my appreciation of her services to the school. As this is the last meeting of the year I wish to take this opportunity of thanking all members of the committee for their support and assistance and of wishing them, one and all, the compliments of the season. The chairman said it was satisfactory that the roll was keeping up and he trusted that when the school re-opened the school would go up a grade on account of the admission of the five-year-old children. They were sorry to lose Miss Couper, probationaiy assistant, as she had been a good teacher, and had taken a keen interest in the pupils and the school generally. She would be greatly missed. In support Mr Herron said the pupils spoke highly of Miss Couper’s abilities and it was a pity they were losing her. The headmaster’s report was adopted. Before closing the chairman thanked members for the good work they had done for the school and wished them, the headmaster and staff a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Garden Club. The monthly meeting of the Otautau Garden Club was held in the supper room of the Town Hall, when there was a good attendance of members and others interested. Mr W. J. Wesney, president, occupied the chair, and Mr B. P. Mansfield, superintendent of reserves at Invercargill, was also present. In introducing the speaker the chairman expressed his pleasure at the large attendance. This was their third meeting and it augured well for the success of the club. Mr Mansfield, he said, had already rendered good service and given some sound advice at the recreation ground that evening, and had come to the meeting armed with some very fine blooms to demonstrate on. In commencing Mr Mansfield said that he had received a letter from the Town Board and also one from the secretary of the club inviting him out to give a lecture to members. Otautau was a very important centre, and when he knew that a garden club had been formed he had departed from his usual custom with reference to visiting country centres at night, and he felt the least he could do was to endeavour to stimulate interest, and he was rather pleased to have the opportunity of doing the reserves round the town as well. The speaker stated that a garden club had a wonderful future before it, provided the members worked in harmony and brought along to the meetings exhibits such as were before them that evening. He considered it would add to the interest, if he brought along what he thought to be good varieties of roses for general gardening purposes. Mr Mansfield stressed the point that he did not intend to weary his listeners, considering the purpose might be better served if he heard the problems with which they were confronted in order that he might endeavour to help them. The lecturer then dealt at length with roses, the cultivation of the soil for them, pruning, manuring, planting etc. He said that cultivation of the soil was the first essential, and in planting they must have strong vigorous plants from selected budded stock. He did not think it was a good practice to grow from cuttings. Spraying was also dealt with and the various diseases enumerated, along with the manner of dealing with them. He said the soil should also be kept loose with the object of conserving the water to the benefit of the plants. He recommended planting polyantha roses for border purposes, as they were strong and vigorous and retained their colour. Roses also did well in soil which had a good percentage of clay. At the conclusion of the address questions were invited and answered satisfactorily, after which Mr A. A. Liddell,

chairman of the Town Board, said they had listened to a very able and instructive address on how roses should be grown, and the club was to be congratulated on being favoured with a visit from Mr Mansfield, who had a reputation far beyond the confines of Southland. Mr Liddell also commented on the nice display of roses that evening. Mr R. R. Walker also supported the sentiments expressed, after which a vote of thanks to the lecturer was carried by acclamation. In reply Mr Mansfield assured those present that it was a pleasure to be present that evening, and trusted that in the future he would be able to pay a second visit. Mr Wesney also took the opportunity to personally thank the visitor for coming out and said he appreciated his advice. The best rose bloom competition was won by Mrs McFadgen, with Mr W. J. Wesney second and Mrs McMillan third. Mr Wesney presided at the ordinary meeting, when it was resolved to request the Riverton Club to supply a paper for the January meeting, which it was decided to hold out of doors if the weather permitted. It was decided to ask Mr J. Bayne, Invercargill, to give an address on chrysanthemum growing in March, and to request the Winter Show Committee to include a class for chrysanthemums in its schedule. Mesdames Eason and Renowden, Misses Gould and Campbell were appointed a committee to make arrangements for next meeting. Bowling. Following is the draw for the competitions in connection with the Otautau Bowling Club:— Champion Doubles—First round: J. Matheson and T. Walkei’ v. D. Ballam and G. B. Saxelby; A. Fisher and C. Renowden v. J. Thomson and H. Chandler; J. Hall and G. Sinclair v. R. Brown and H. Gazzard; W. Seatter and J. Scatter v. G. B. Bums and A. C. White. Second round: A. Fisher and C. Renowden v. R. Brown and H. Gazzard; J. Thomson and H. Chandler v. J. Matheson and T. Walker; J. Hall and G. Sinclair v. G. B. Bums and A. C. White. Champion Singles—A. Fisher v. H. Chandler; C. Renowden v. G. B. Saxelby; J. Seatter v. J. Hall; J. Thomson v. A. C. White, J. Matheson v. H. Gazzard. Second' round: C. Renowden v. J. Hall, J. Matheson v. G. B. Saxelby; A. Fisher v. H. Gazzard; J. Seatter v. A. C. White; J. Thomson v. H. Chandler. Handicap Singles—First round: R. Brown (10) v. J. Matheson (10); G. Sinclair (scr) v. D. Ballam (4); J. Thomson (scr) v. G. B. Saxelby (4); H. Chandler (scr) v. C. Renowden (scr); A. C. White (4), v. J. Hall (scr); A. Fisher (2) v. H. Gazzard (6). Second round: J. Thomson v. J. Hall; R. Brown v. H. Gazzard; H. Chandler v. D Ballam; J. Matheson v. A. C. White; A. Fisher v. G. B. Saxelby; C. Renowden v. G. Sinclair. Handicap Doubles—First round: R Brown and D. Ballam (8) v. J. Hall and G. B. Saxelby (scr); G. B. Bums and G. Sinclair (scr) v. Matheson and H Chandler (2); A. Fisher and H. Gazzard (6) v. A. C. White and C. Renowden (scr). Second round: A. White and C. Renowden v. G. B. Bums and G. Sinclair; A. Fisher and H. Gazzard v. J. Hall and G. B. Saxelby; J. Matheson and H. Chandler v. R. Brown and D. Ballam.