COUNTRY NEWS.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13824, 20 July 1915, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

MOTUEKA

(From our Own Correspondent.)

The usual meeting of the Motueka Debating Club took place on Thvnlsday evening, Mr. L. Manoy being in the chair. It was decided to select the subject "Compulsory v. voluntary service" for the debate with the Riwaka Club on August 6th, providing that date is suitable to Riwaka. The debate of the evening was then proceeded with, viz., ''That the war will be beneficial to humanity." Mr. F. R-odger led in the affirmative, and was supported by Messrs. Nicholson, Griffin and Rhodes. Mr. H. Everett took the negative, and Messrs. Jen-1 jiings and Canavan also spoke. After j an excellent debate the voting was a tie, the chairman giving his casting vote to the affirmative. The team chosen to debate against Riwaka is as follows :—Messrs. Nicholson (leader), Everett, Griffin/ Rodger and Canavan, and a trial debate will be held in the club's room on Friday evening next. On Saturday the Rugby Union held a seven-a-side tournament in aid of the Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund. There was a large crowd present, and tbe gate takings will amount to about dE3O. Six teams entered for the competition, and the Tikaokao A team defeated the Huias by 9 to 3 in the final. The Mayoress (Mrs. Lowe) and some young ladies had an afternoon tea stall and cleared over £4. The mock court invaded the ground on. a lorry, and fined prominent and other citizens to the tune of £6 6s. The officials of the Rugby Union played a seven-a-side match with a team which included the Mayor and the chairman of the County Council. Both teams were in fancy dress, and this event caused great amusement.' One of our leading business men was got up as John Bull to the life, an ancient Druid also put up a good game, whilst one of leading drapers was a great fund of amusement. The referee used a clarionet for a whistle, and played the National Anthem for the kick-off-by the said John Bull.' The last named personage got knocked out in a loose scrum, and j an ambulance was rushed up at a gal- j lop. This was an ancient motor car, 'with a trooper at the steering wheel and another" soldier mounted on a | horse attached to the vehicle. At a later stage of the game the referee picked up the ball and as he was goi;^ full tilt for a try a realistic curate belaboured him with an ancient umbrella. The fun was fast and furious. There was a crowded audience at the pictures in the evening, Mr. H.Saunders giving the total takings to the Sick and Wounc'ed Soldiers' Fund - Mr J. H. Rankin auctioned a flag during the performance, arid the sum of £32 was realised. There were eighteen passed in bids of one pound, and several of ten shillings and lesser amounts. Mr. C. E. Lowe, on behalf of the Flaxmore Estate, was the final purchaser at £9 6s. At the football match a sheep presented by Mr. Stanley Fry was sold by Mr. Rankin for £4 ISsj also for the Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund. - Altogether about £105 was realised, and a generous measure of thanks is clue to all those who worked so lia'rd to make the function such a success..