WAIMATE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18636, 4 August 1930, Page 6

WAIMATE.

THE WEATHER. A very unpleasant day was experienced in Waimate on Saturday, thick mist accompanied by a cold, piercing wind, being in evidence all day. Rain would be greatly appreciated by the farming community. RACING CLUB. The annual general meeting of the Waimate Racing Club was held on Saturday night. The president, Mr E. C. d'Auvergne. presided over a fair attendance, bitterly cold weather probably accounting for a number who would otherwise have been present. An apology for absence was received from Mr J. Mitchell. The chairman thanked all the officials for their work during the past season, saying that everyone had done his best. He went on to state that since the issuing of the report, the Government had proposed an additional tax of 2$ per cent, on totalisator investments, and this meant that investors would lose 3 6 in the pound, which would strike them hard. They should protect strongly against the additional burden. It was decided that a telegram be forwarded to the Prime Minister on the lines indicated. The president spoke in favour of investments on the totalisator being allowed to be telegraphed and the publication of dividends. In his Opinion the prohibition was all humbug, as information was now wirelessed as soon as the races were finished. He then referred to the improvements which had been carried out during the year. They were of a permanent nature, and the course was in good order. The matter of providing turnstiles j at the main entrance was then brought up, and in reply to Mr Wall, who considered the present time was inopportune for their erection, the president assured members that they would not be gone on with until the Club was in a position to do so, but he hoped the incoming Committee would keep the matter in view. Mr d'Auvergne concluded by thanking the Press .for their assistance during the past year. The adoption of the report and balance sheet was then unanimously carried. The election of officers then proceeded. All present agreed that in their president they had the right man in the right place, and Mr d’Auvergne was unanimously re-elected. In returning thanks, Mr d’Auvergne said that he would, as he had in the past, do his best for the Club. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Vice-president, Mr E. Craighead (re-elected); Committee, Messrs E. C. d’Auvergne. E. Craighead, G. McCulloch, S. Dixon, H. Willetts, M. Cooney, J. Cooney, J. Dench, J. Matheson, J. Halliday, E. B. Harrison, W. P. George; auditor, Mr Jas. Rattray (reelected). The following new members were elected:—Messrs R. Gray, Ivi. Thyne, T. Sullivan, T. A. Curphy, T. Ditford, B. Barford. J. S. Manchester, H. N. Medlicott, D. Matheson, and C. de B. Galwey. Committee Meeting, At the close of the general meeting, a Committee meeting was held. Present—Messrs E. C. d’Auvergne (chairman), E. Craighead, G. McCulloch, S. Dixon, H. Willetts, M. Cooney, J. Cooney, J. Dench, J. Matheson, J. Halliday, E. B. Harrison, and W. F. George. Before proceeding with business, the chairman extended a welcome to Mr Halliday as a new member of the Committee. Mr W. F. George was unanimously re-elected hon. treasurer. The following were elected as stewards:—Messrs J. Atwill, C. G. Creemer, E. B. Fraser, M. J. Gorman, C. G. Holmes, and A. Jones. Grounds Committee—Messrs E. C. d’Auvergne, E. Craighead, W. F. George, J. Dench, J. Halliday, H. Willetts. (Convener, Mr J. Dench.) It was decided that Committee meetings be held on Wednesday nights, as previously. Accounts amounting to £l3/9/5 were passed for payment. CRIBBAGE. A cribbage match between Citizens and Acclimatisation Society teams was played on Friday, and resulted in another win for the Citizens’ team, the scores at the call of time being— Citizens 47, Society 34. Mr Winning congratulated the winners on their success, and Mr Franklin replied on behalf of his team. R.S.A. REUNION. The annual reunion of the Waimate Returned Soldiers’ Association was held on Saturday night, and despite bitter cold there was a large attendance, including South African, Australian and Imperial representatives, and a contingent from the Waitaki hydro electric works, in charge of Mr Geddes. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Capt. Hennessy and his wife, who had been a Nurse during the war. The Oamaru Executive also telegraphed an apology, regretting their inability to be present. Proceedings were opened by the president (Mr S. A. Grut) proposing the loyal toast, and at its conclusion he asked all to remain standing for a few moments, as a tribute to the memories of fallen comrades. The chairman intimated that Mr W. E. Leadley (Christchurch) would be in Waimate in August to give an address on the Rehabilitation report, and as it affected all of them, including South African and all Empire soldiers, he appealed for a good attendance. He referred to the excellent work that had been done for many years by Mr J. A. Lash, their past president, in connection with soldiers’ pensions, and the general satisfaction they would all feel at his appointment on a Special Pensions Committee. During the evening Mr Grut took the opportunity of expressing his pleasure at once again seeing a padre at their annual reunion, and asked him to say a few words. In complying, the padre (Rev. W. B. Scott) expressed his pleasure at being present, and said his experience of military life was one he was pleased he had had. He then related an experience as a padre on a troop ship, which appealed so much to his audience that at its conclusion they all joined in singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” as Mr Scott was leaving the hall.

The evening was a free and easy one, and every opportunity was given for Diggers to renew friendships lr de during the war period, and to relate and recall past experiences and adventures. There were no long speeches; the entertainment consisting of community singing, song and story, reminiscent of days spent together as Diggers.

A most enjoyable evening was concluded with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and a verse of the National Anthem.