SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22520, 30 September 1938, Page 7

SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS

GIRLS' UNIFORMS

BLAZERS INSTEAD OF CARDIGANS HIGH SCHOOL BOARD WANTS CHANGE Permission to allow the wearing of blazers and felt hats, instead* of cardigans and berets, by pupils attending the Timaru Girls' High School, will be sought by the High Schools' Board of Governors from the Education Department. A motion to this effect was carried at a meeting of the board, over which Mr H. H. Eraser presided. In bringing the question . forward, the chairman said that he-had discussed it with the head mistress (Miss L. A. Hurle) and the secretary (Mr A. C. Martin), it having been decided that blazers would improve the uniforms. This was borne out at the recent basketball tournament at Timaru, when practically all the girls wore blazers. It was decided to renew representations to the department for assistance with the object of providing a preparation room at the Boys' High School, in which boarders, who now used the classrooms, could prepare their work for the following day.

An application from the Young Women's Christian Association (Dunedin) to use the girls' school hostel for a camp after Christmas was declined.

TECHNICAL SCHOOL \ ' WANAKA HOUSE WINS STEEPLECHASE Wanaka House won the teams' competition in the Timaru Technical High School steeplechase race on Wednes-. day, Tekapo House being runner-up. Hesults were as follows:—Wanaka House (158 points), 1; Tekapo House (184 points), 2; Hawea House (204 points), 3; Pukaki House (299 points), 4. SHIPPING PORT OF TIMARU

EXPECTED ARRIVALS Port Whangarei. Dunedin. this day, Poolta, Dunedin, this day. Breeze. Dunedin, this day. Gale. Dunedin. October 1. Holmglen. Dunedin, October 2. Port Jackson, Bluff. October 2. -Waiana, Dunedin, October 2. Karetu. Oamaru, October 7. Waipiata, Dunedin. October 8. iWaipahi, Oamaru, October 8. Wainui, Oamaru, October 12.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES Port Whangarei. Lyttelton, this day, Poolta, Lyttelton, this day. freeze, Lyttelton, this day. r Gale. Lyttelton. October 1. Holmglen. Lyttelton. October 3. Waiana, Lyttelton, October 3. Port Jackson, Lyttelton, October 5. Karetu, Lyttelton. October 7. Waipahi, Lyttelton, October 8. Waipiata. Lyttelton. October 10. Wainui, Lyttelton, October 12.

CAUGHT REDHANDED PICKPOCKET AT RACES AT GERALDINE MAN SENTENCED AT TIMARU How a pickpocket, who v-as operating at the Geraldine riub's recent races at the Orari racecourse, was caught redhanded was revealed at a sitting of the Magistrate's Court, Timaru, yesterday, when John Robert Moore, aged 50, was charged with attempting to steal a wallet and contents, valued at £5, the property of Pearce On passing out of the enclosure at the Orari racecourse after the last race a week ago someone pressed against him, said Pearce Ivey, farmer, of Orari Bridge giving evidence. He turned to the left side of the gate, but the person' who was pressing him continued to do so. Witness felt a tug at his coat, whereupon he placed, his left hand on accused's hand, which was on his wallet. Witness also made a grab at the accused's other hand and detained him. Accused begged to be allowed to go, but witness refused to let him go. ' _ Cross-examined by Mr L. M. Inglis, who appeared for accused, witness said that accused asked him • what he was doing when he grabbed him, and when told that he had attempted to steal the wallet, denied the offence and said that he wanted to get back to the enclosure to see a friend. Accused said: "What would I want with your wallet with £7O worth of tickets in my pocket?", to which witness replied: "All the more reason why you would want it."

To the Magistrate (Mr H. Morgan) witness ' said that accused's hand was placed inside the flap of witness's coat. His hand was actually on the wallet, which was half out of his pocket. Making a statement from the dock, accused said that if his hand had been near Ivey's coat the action was unintentional. When the Magistrate indicated his intention to convict, Senior-Sergeant D. J. Hewitt said that accused was an Australian, who had not been long in the Dominion. He had a rather nasty list of convictions in Australia. Counsel suggested that the accused be allowed" to return to Australia, where he had a wife and two children. "We certainly do not want him here," said the senior-sergeant. Accused was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour.

A charge of stealing the wallet and contents was withdrawn.

PERSONAL NOTES WAIMATE Mr D. Barnes, M.P., and Mrs Barnes arrived in Waimate yesterday and are staying at the Royal Hotel. Mr and Mrs D. B. Ashby, with their son, Kevin, returned to Waimate yesterday after an absence of six months, during which they visited England. Ireland, and France. . . x . Miss' Stephens (Oamaru) is staying with Mrs J.'J. Healey. Belt street. Mr D. C. Kidd was a visitor to Waimate yesterday.

STRUGGLE WITH GUN TWO MEN AT GRIPS STORY TOLD IN COURT A story of a struggle between two men near St. Andrews, one of whorr was carrying a loaded shotgun, was told to the Magistrate (Mr H. Morgan), at a sitting of the Magsitrate's Court, Timaru, yesterday, when John Edv-rd Blank was charged with having h.lled an absolutely protected bird, a paradise duck. ••.•■-."' Evidence was given to the effect that a duck was seen to fall to the ground and to be picked up by defendant after being retrieved by his dog. William Allen, farmer, said that on hearing a shot he went towards Blank's property and found Blank with a duck. Blank told witness that it was a dirty trick to catch him the way he did. Defendant wanted to take the duck away, but witness would not let him.

To Mr Inglis. witness said that these was some talk between Witness and I BlcVik about remarks made by Blank about him. There was a scuffle and witness took the duck from Blank. It was correct that witness had Blank •down with the gun between Blank's chest and witness. •-- Blank said in evidence that he did not shoot the duck. He saw two birds flying over his head, one of which was crying out as if it had been injured It fell and witness's dog retrieved it. Allen flew at his throat and said that he would choke witness. The gun was loaded and was lying across witness The Magistrate said that he was satisfied that Blank had shot the duck and fined him £5. and ordered him to pay costs. OBSTRUCTING USE OF RAILWAY

TAXI-DRIVER'S OFFENCE AT TIMARU

An unusual case came before Mr H Morgan. S.M., at a sitting of the Magistrate's Court, Timaru, yesterday, when John Thomas. O'Connor, a taxi-driver, was charged with having at Timaru, on August 24. driven a motor-car on the railway, thus obstructing the use of th The a defendant was secretary for the Taxi-drivers' Ball, which had been held on the night before the offence, said Senior-Sergeant D. J. Hewitt. He was sitting asleep in the car when a resident woke him i#>. with the result that he drove his car along Station street on to the railway line beside the station towards the flourmills in the locality. He did not respond to signals to stop, but fortunately an oncoming train was stoooed in time to prevent a serious accident. The car was pushed beside a clay bank. T _.. , Appearing for O'Connor. Mr L. M Inglis said that defendant had had a busy time as secretary of the ball committee and was not only tired, but ill when he fell asleep. When awakened he drove off but could not remembei

WAIMATE DRAMA FESTIVAL FINAL PROGRAMME PRESENTED CHALLENGE SHIELD WON BY HOOK CIRCLE The Olympia Hall was again packed on Wednesday evening, when drama circles in the district presented four one-act plays in the final section of the Waimate Repertory Society's first drama festival. Four plays were also presented on Monday evening, and at fne conclusion of the programme on Wednesday the judge (Miss Inglis, of Timaru) announced that the challenge shield had been won by the Hook Circle ("A Little Bit of Life"). Second in merit was the Morven Circle's presentation of "Spinsters of Lushe," and the third place went to "No Servants,' presented by the Hook Circle. "I consider this has been an excellent beginning for a drama festival," said Miss Inglis in announcing her decision. Not one play had been a failure and without exception the players had shown ability. Miss Inglis also expressed appreciation of the management and general arrangement of the whole festival. .

The presentation of the shield was made to Mrs J. C. Winning, who, in her acknowledgement, referred to "the handsome gesture" of Mrs A. G. Pitts in providing the shield for competition.

Mr M. Leadbetter. chairman of the organising committee, earlier in the evening spoke of the financial success of the festival. They had embarked on the venture without a penny in the cashbox, he said, but the generous public support would enable them, after paying royalty on the plays and expenses, to put aside a small sum for the future. He hoped that additional circles would be formed during the year so that at the next festival there would be more competitors and an even wider range of entertainment. The first play presented was "Beauty Culture," by members of the Waituna Circle, under the direction of Mrs M. J. Friel. The players were Mesdames W, Wilson, Smart, Baker, Haywood, Barrie, W. Ross, and Sergent. The Hook Circle presented "No Servants," the producer being Mrs J. C. Winning. The players were Mesdames Wilkin, Todd, C. Rose, Misses S. White, Langley, and Mr P. Newall. "The Spinsters of Lushe" was presented by the Morven Circle. The players were Mesdames Hassall, Tumaru, McKeich, Sutherland, and E. Marshall, and Miss Rona McAleer, and the producer was Mrs Tumaru. The Waihao Downs Circle, with Mrs d'Auvergne as producer, presented "Distant Relatives." The players were Mrs Green, Messrs Gil Thomas, Tom Rolfe, Frank Trott. and Miss Margaret Green.

doing so, nor could he remember seeing the train. It appeared that in driving off as he did he committed an involuntary act. His car was damaged to the extent of £IOO, and it was \ a question of whether he would be able to rehabilitate himself in the taxi business. Counsel suggested that to inflict a severe penalty would be tantamount to rubbing salt into a wound. Stating that if defendant had wanted to sleep he should have gone home to do so, the Magistrate fined him £2 10s : and ordered him to pay costs.

LAWN TENNIS SOUTH CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION SUCCESS OF LEVY MADE DURING YEAR "We made a levy during the year, with the result that for the first time for several years we were able to show a profit." said Mr A. E. Sandral. president of the South Canterbury Lawn I Tennis Association, at the annual meet- ! ins of the association last night. There had been some comment on the action of the Timaru Borough Council in raising the charges for the use of the Maori Park courts, but the council had been of the utmost assistance to the -association, said Mr Sandral. He had interviewed the reserves committee of the council on the question of the charges, which had been raised from 17s 6d to 30s. In his opinion this represented the cheapest tennis in New Zealand, and possibly in New Zealand and Australia. said he considered that the 12 courts at Maori Park were as good as any he had seen. They had received a great advertisement through the Dominion championships being played there and had thus gained much popularity. There was a possibility of another four courts at Maori Park in the future Mr Sandral expressed regret at the passing of the Timaru Tennis Club, stating that in view of its financial position there was no alternative. Hp said he regretted that this was his last night with the association, as his club was going out of existence, besides which he would shortly leave the Dominion. A remit from the Wai-iti Club that 25 per cent, of the levy collected be spent on junior coaching, was discussed, but in view of an assurance thai the matter would not be overlooked Mr Moore withdrew the remit. The chairman said that the committee would considpr the engagement o. a coach like G. Ollivier to give attention to young players for about two weeks, provided the cost was not exCG^SIVO Mr J. S. Satterthwaite said that his club (Highfield) felt that £25 was too large a sum to spend on representative matches, considering the association's limited income. Mr N. A. Moore (Wai-iti) supported this view, and suggested that more money should be expended on junior coaching. The chairman assured delegates that expenses in this connexion would be considerably reduced during, the coming year. A letter was received from the Aorangi Club, stating that at a meeting of the executive it was decided that the Timaru Borough Council's charges for the use of Maori Park were reasonable, and that no furtner action be taken to carry out the recommendation of the clubs annual meeting to protest to the Borough Council about them. Discussion took place on the use sometimes made of senior players win junior matches. . . , Mr Moore suggested that the posi- ' tion could be met by deciding each game on its merits, and not adding up points each Saturday for competition purposes. This was the practice in golf clubs, he said; • A motion by Mr J. L. Bush that the management commmittee be recommended that no player having played in two senior games be entitled to play in junior matches until he was regraded by the committee was lost. __ ~ , The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr W. E. Renton; vice-presidents, Messrs J. S. Satterthwaite, R. L. Eames; manage-

ment committee, Messrs N. A. Moore, S. H. Sullivan, R. J. Lewis, D. Morgan, C. Durning, J. M. B. Scholefield, T. C. Morrison; auditor, Mr F. J. Robertson; delegates to New .Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, Messrs A. N. Leslie and E. Reeves. Appreciative reference was made to the services given the game in South Canterbury by the retiring president by Messrs Moore and Satterthwaite, who for the association wished him success in Melbourne, where he will go at an early date. ANNUAL MEETING OF GERALDINE CLUB A GRADE TEAM ENTERED IN COMPETITIONS A decision to open the Geraldine Tennis Club's season to-morrow, was made at the annual meeting this week. The president (Dr. L. Carrington Mail) presided over a fair attendance. It was agreed to affiliate with the South Canterbury Tennis Association, and to enter an A grade team in the association's competitions. Officers were elected as follows— Patron. Mr J. R. Lack; president. Dr L C. Mail: vice-presidents, Messrs A B Lane, A. H. Gimson. H. W. W. Williamson, Mesdames Brehton,; Bennett and Miss E. L. J. Davies; secretary. Mr J D Wylde Browne: treasurer. Mr Pat Callanan; club captain Mr C Stringer; women's secretary. Miss Joan Lapthorn; committee. Messrs A. H Steward. P. Finch. L. Charman. H. Bell, H. Collins, Misses Hislop. Galloway, H. Richards. Jill Lapthorn, W Bird: auditor. Mr W. J. Rule: delegates to the South Canterbury Association. Messrs Oxford and Barr. It was agreed to send a letter to Miss Madeleine Kennedy, thanking her for her past services as women's secretary. OPENING OF SEASON TO-MORROW ST. PETER'S CLUB AT TEMUKA Opening day was fixed for to-mor-row at the annual meeting of the St. Peter's Parish Tennis Club at Temuka. The report and balance-sheet showed a satisfactory year and a good credit balance. It was decided to enter only an A grade team in the competitions. The following officers were elected: President, the Rev. L. A. Barnes; vicepresident, Mr L. A. Nicholas; secre-tary-treasurer, Miss J. Joynt; men's captain, Mr K. W. Davies; women's captain, Miss I. Ives; committee, all officers mentioned and Miss M. Nicholas and Mr S. Nicholas; delegates to Temuka Town and Country Tennis Association, Messrs K. W. Davies and S. Nicholas. WAIHAO DOWNS CLUB'S MEETING Mr E. C. Wright presided over a good attendance at the annual meeting of the Waiha- Downs Tennis Club. The annual report and balance-sheet showed a credit. The election of officers resulted:—Patroness, Mrs J. Falloon; patrons, Messrs A. H. Turner, A. W. Richards, and J. G. Millar; president, Mr E. C. Wright; vice-president, Mr H. Ward; secretary and treasurer, Mr F. L. Trott; club captain, Mr C. G. Baynes; committee. Misses Nancy Thompson, R. Trott, and Mr G. Cleland; delegates to Waihao Sub-Association, Messrs E. C. Wright and C. G. Baynes; entertainment committee, Misses Norah Thompson, Myra

Olorenshaw, F. Turner, Messrs W. Peck, G. Thomas, and E. Wright. It was decided to enter two teams for the sub-association's C grade competition. ■ The official opening of the clubs courts will take place to-morrow.