SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 20135, 27 March 1929, Page 17

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[From Ouk Correspondent.] BALCLUTHA, March 27. RAM FAIR. The annual ram lair, under the auspices of the Clutlui and Mataura, A. and P. Society was held on the show ground yesterday, and was very successful. The weather was fine, and there was a large attendance, buyers being present from all over South Otago, and as far afield as Central Otago. The number catalogued was 316, but this was reduced by 55 not coming forward. The breeders represented included the best known in the district. The rams forward were lor the most part Romney Marsh flock rams, together with a lew stud animals and a sprinkling of Borcler-Leices-ters. The demand for stud Romneys was not very brisk, only lour cl nine forward finding purchasers. Top price was 32gs, paid by a To Houka purchaser for a ram offered on account of Mr Thos. Lockhead, of Te Houka. Another stud animal offered by the same breeder brought 28gs. Rams olfered on account of A. H. Moffat, Te Houka, changed hands at 20gs and 25gs respectively. In the flock rams the demand was very fair, and prices were considered good. A number of passings, however, took place, buyers’ prices not reaching tho values placed on the animals by vendors. Top price for one-shear rams was ISgs, secured for an animal offered on account Thos. Lockhead. Other rams on account of this breeder brought 17-igs. 17gs, down to ].2jgs. Prices for rams offered on account of S. AV. Moffat, A. H. Moffat, O. R. Throp, Moffat Bros.. R. F. Kirk (Kelso), R. Houliston. and others ranged from ogs to Hlgs, quite a number being disposed of at Sgs, 9gs, and lOgs. A two-shear ram offered on account A. 11. Moffat brought 20gs. Of tho 210 Hock Romneys offered, 13-1 were disposed of under the hammer, while a number were afterwards sold privately, the clearance affected _ being excellent. Some 21 Bordcr-Leicestor flock rams were offered, and these also sold well. Top price for these was BJgs, secured for an animal offered on account of Robert Lochhead. Other vendors were Holgate’s estate and 0. Arthur, and prices ranged from 2,\-gs to Sgs. the average price being about 41 gs. There were only two Shropshire rams forward, and these were sold at 4gs. LODGE MEETING. The quarterly summoned meeting of the Loyal Dalton Lodge was held last night, N.G. Bro. Moffat- presiding. An invitation was received from the Loyal Alexandra Lodge to attend the diamond jubilee celebrations on April 20, and il was decided to send a full complement of five. Tho delegates reported on the district meeting, and were accorded a vote of thanks. P.G. Bro. Jas. Craig was presented with a P.G.’s sash in recognition of his serving the lodge for a sccond time by going through the various chairs. The annual balancesheet was adopted. This showed that the membership totalled 306. The sick and general fund had increased during the year by £737 6s. and now stood at £14,497 0s 7d. The management fund was £9O 12s 7d, ‘a decrease of £7l for the year. The amount paid out to medical officers was £332 10s Sd, and to chemists £154 12s 2d. The sum of £449 Is 4d had heCn paid out in sick pay. and £l3O in general allowances. Tho total value of the lodge funds at December 31, 1928, was £15,395 7s 2d. One proposal lor membership was received. FOOTBALL CLUB. The annual meeting of the Clutha Football Club was called for last night, but, as only a dozen or twenty turned up, it was decided to adjourn for a week. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £73 5s 9d, an increase of £25 4s 4d over tho balance brought forward from last year. Receipts totalled £166 14s lid, while tho expenditure was £93 9s 2d. During the season £lO 10s had been voted to the children’s ward fund, while the Plunket Society, Rest House and Dental Clinic Committees had benefited to the extent of £l3 odd each as the result of a special effort on “old buffers’ day.” Sixty pounds of the balance lias been placed on fixed deposit, and the chib is in a very strong position financially. It was reported that the club’s insurance scheme had been successful, and as a result of the club carrying the liability for accident a good saving had been made compared with taking out a policy with a company. Other _ attractions interfered with the meeting, which generally is very largely attended. Indications arc that the club will have strong teams this season, as several new players have taken up residence in the district.