GORE

Southland Times, Issue 23734, 4 February 1939, Page 9

GORE

HEAVY RAINFALL WEATHER IN JANUARY • Although the rainfall for the month of January was very heavy at Gore; it did not exceed December’s heavy fall. The weather generally, was more boisterous than in December, however, and many gardens were severely damaged by a series of storms and gales. The rainfall for the month totalled 5.20 in, almost twice the average rainfall for January in Gore. Rain fell on 14 days. Despite the many days of rain and the dull days, there was an increase in the number of hours of sunshine for the month compared with January last year, when the sun shone on practically every day. The figures for the month were 228 hours, compared with 224 hours for January last year. The. last few days of the month were brilliantly fine and the best sunshine records were of more than 13 hours on the last two days of the month. The hottest day of the month was on January 31, when the shade temperature was 82 degrees. RETURNED SOLDIERS

At a meeting of the executive of the Gore Returned Soldiers’ Association the secretary reported that, the finacial membership of the association stood at 443, compared with 440 last meeting night and 405 for the same period last year. In the competition between the Mataura and West Otago SubAssociations West Otago was leading with 71 financial members, compared with Mataura’s 47.

Those present at the meeting were: Messrs T. F. Rusbridge (chairman), J. McDonald, P. R. Stewart, A. L. McDowell, E. J. Columb, M. Green, J. Adams, C. M. Wilson, R. Jones, A. C. Steel, W. D. Shelton and G. L. Gerken (secretary). Mr T. L. Macdonald, representing the West Otago SubAssociation, was also present. Motions of sympathy were . carried with Mr J. S. Wilkes in the death of his wife, Mr E. McGregor in the death of his sister, Mr A. Crawford (Waikoikoi) in the death of his wife, Mrs D. Risk (Kelso) in the death of her husband, and the widow and family of Dr Groves. MINISTER INDUCTED

There was a big attendance at the Gore Congregational Church when Pastor Gilbert J. Johnston was inducted to the charge of the church. The main speaker of the evening was the Rev. C. G. Hedley Bycroft, of Dunedin. The proceedings were opened with devotional exercises, following which the Rev. Mr Bycroft called upon the secretary, Mr W. Stevenson, to detail the reasons leading up to the calling of Mr Johnston to the Gore, charge. Mr Stevenson thanked those who had assisted in the pulpit and otherwise from the time of the departure of the Rev. K. A, Bell up to the appointment of the present pastor. The Rev. Mr Bycroft formally inducted Mr Johnston into the charge of the church.

Speaking to the minister and the congregation, Mr Bycroft based his remarks on Exodus XXXIILII: “And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And Moses turned again into the camp; but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man departed not out of the tabernacle.”

Following the induction ceremony a social function was held, a welcome being extended to the new minister by members of the congregation and visiting ministers. On behalf of the Congregational Church, Mr C. J. Burrows expressed his pleasure at the, opportunity of welcoming Mr Johnston. The church at the present time was not empty, and he hoped that before long it would see an increase in membership.

“I am delighted to extend a welcome fronf the Presbyterian Church and the Gore Ministers’ Association,” said the Rev. F. B. Barton. “I trust that your youthful fire will draw many to this building. We are all mysteriously and gloriously one in Christ Jesus, and we will feel how good it is to be associated under your ministry.” Other speakers were Mr H. McQuillan, the Rev. L. A. Day, Captain Elliott, the Rev. A. T. Kent, Pastor Marshall and Mr A. Martin.

During the evening items were given by Miss B. Neale and Master Owen Hymen. SCHOOLS’ EXCURSION

The Gore schools’ excursion to Bluff will be held today and it is expected that about 500 adults and children will make the journey to the port. The excursion of the Mataura school is also to be held at Bluff today. On Monday the Gore business premises will be closed when the annual trades picnic will be held. GORE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE When the roll-call was taken at the Gore Public School yesterday it was answered by 502 pupils. This number is 23 fewer than the number of pupils attending the school at the end of last year. The decrease is accounted for by the fact that 22 boys and 23 girls who were in Standard 6 last year have left school, while only 24 new pupils have had their names placed on the roll. It is expected that the infant classes will expand as the term progresses.