Otautau BADMINTON

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 11

Otautau BADMINTON

NEW SEASON UNDER WAY Mr E. T. Silverwood presided over the annual meeting of members of the Badminton Club.

The balance-sheet was read showing a credit of £4 5/9.

The report stated that the season generally had been successful, there being a membership of 37 financial members as against 41 the previous year. Several friendly games were played as follows: A grade, two matches with Riverton and one with St. John’s, Invercargill, all of which were lost; B grade, two with Riverton, which Otautau won. Wairio Club was visited on the opening night there, and some members gave a demonstration at the club recently formed at Clifden. Five members left the district, Misses W. Porteous, O. Stroud and M. Collie, Messrs R. Sutherland and M. Baineaves. Regret was expressed at the loss of Miss Couper. another very popular member. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: President, Mr E. T. Silverwood; vice-presidents, Mrs Reekie, Miss Stevens, Dr Reekie and Mr H. Macpherson; secretary, Miss D. Stevens; treasurer, Mr H. Macpherson; committee, the above-mentioned and Mesdames Silverwood and Macpherson, Misses Harrington and Chilton, Messrs R. Stewart and W. Bailey; floor committee, Misses Petrie and Laing, Messrs L. Nichol, H. Smyth, F. James and Dr Reekie; selection committee, Miss Harrington, Messrs Silverwood, Macpherson and James; auditor, Dr Reekie. It was decided that the playing nights be Mondays and Thursdays. The subscription was fixed at 5/- and 6d a member a night. WOMEN’S DIVISION Mrs W. Smellie presided at the annual meeting of members of the Otautau branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, when there was a large attendance, including several visitors. A motion of sympathy with Mrs J. Low and family, Mesdames G. Low, F. Hamlin and A. Durant, was carried in the usual manner. The president’s report stated that the branch had 105 members, while three had resigned and one valued member had passed away. The programme had been varied and enjoyed by all, travel talks being given by Mrs Johnston and Mr W. J. Wesney, and talks on the following subjects: “Gardening,” Mr W. H. D. Gazzard, and “Poultry,” Mr Tracey King (Riverton) They had received a visit from the provincial president, Mrs Mclntosh, who spoke on the aims and objects of the movement. Miss Caskie took charge of the dress making classes, of which three were held the first term, while one is at present operating in the evenings. The competitions had been good, but more exhibitors could take part. The keenest rivalry was in the best bloom competition, some very fine exhibits being shown. Thanks were due to the secretary, Miss Muirhead, for her willing and faithful work during the past six years, and the president wished to thank all for their help and comradeship during the three years she had been in the position. The secretary reported that this was the end of the seventh year, and the roll showed 99 senior and seven junior members. Eleven monthly and five executive meetings had been held and all were well attended, while Mesdames Smellie, Mcßeath, Moore and herself had represented the branch at provincial executive meetings. The most points competitions have been very keen, especially the best bloom and vase of flowers, thanks being due to Mr H. W. D. Gazzard for acting as judge. The funds were assisted by the bring and buy fair run in conjunction with the Nursing Committee. the annual ball, and a produce stall. Thirty-five members had enrolled in the first dress making class, while 12 attended the present one. During the year the members served luncheon to the visiting West Coast farmers and their wives, while the sixth birthday social last August was attended by large numbers of members and visitors from all neighbouring branches, Members were grateful to those who gave lectures or demonstrations and to those who performed in the debate and readings. Special thanks were due to Mrs Cuppies for her Press reports, Miss Beggs for organizing the hostesses, Miss Smellie for arranging the competitions, and to Miss James and Mrs Kennedy for their work at the exchange table.

Officers were elected as follows: President, Mrs W. Smellie; secretary, Mrs Harold Hogg; vice-presidents, Miss Muirhead, Mesdames A. W. Moore, H. McLeod and R. James; committee, Mesdames D. Mitchell. Black, J. Kennedy, L. Mcßeath, J. B. Cuppies. H. D. Collie, H. Clothier, A. Chilton, Misses Smellie, Beggs and Isa James; advisory members, Mesdames W. J. F. McCulloch and W. Smellie; reporter, Mrs J. B. Cuoples: auditor, Mrs W. J. F. McCulloch; delegates, president, secretary and Mrs McLeod; arranger for hostesses, Miss Beggs; exchange table, Mesdames Muir and J. Kennedy; competitions, Mrs Moore and Miss Smellie. Mrs Smellie presided at the monthly meeting which followed, and a motion of sympathy with Mr and Mrs Steve James and family was passed.

It was decided to hold a Coronation ball on May 19, a percentage of the takings to be donated to the King George V Memorial Fund. Mesdames Kennedy and Janson, Misses Kennedy and McKenzie were responsible for the play-reading item, “Suppressed Desires,” this number being well received. The competition results for last year were: Most points for the year, Mrs A. W. Moore 1, Miss Isa James 2; best Id oom, Miss Isa James 1, Mrs F. C. Chilton 2. The competition results for the first meeting of the year were: Best single bloom, Mrs D. Mitchell 1. Mrs J. Brown 2, Mrs H. Clothier 3. Best vase, Mrs Black 1 Fruit, Mrs A. W. Moore 1, Mrs Black 2, Miss Isa James 3. The hostesses were Mesdames G. H. Stevens, H. L. Chandler, A. W. Moore, G. Sinclair, R. W. Janson and Miss Collie. RUGBY FOOTBALL The first game in the junior competition was played on the Otautau recreation ground on Saturday between Otautau and Riverton. The teams were fairly evenly matched, but the visitors had slightly the best of it at the finish. The score at the end ot the first spell was: Riverton 10 (two unconverted tries and a potted goal), Otautau 8 (a converted try and a penalty goal). In the second spell Otautau endeavoured to equalize the score, making three unsuccessful attempts to kick penalty goals. The score, however, remained unaltered and the visitors won by two points. Mr R. B. Whitehead was the referee.