SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23374, 18 September 1939, Page 12

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[From Oou Correspondent.] PARETAI FLOODS. There is little if any improvement in the position of the Parotai settlers ■whose laud has been under water about six weeks. There was a big crowd of sightseers to the locality yesterday, and the scene is indeed a desolate one. Right from Telford’s property at Otanomomo acres and acres of land aro under water, and towards the coast the scene is more like a big lake than a splendid farming area, as it usually is. Houses are isolated, and there is hardly a hoof of stock of any kind to be seen. Hens are huddled together around the houses, and here and there are to be seen an odd horse or two. Paddocks of turnips have been washed out, and the tubers are floating on the road or lined against the fences. In many parts the water is over the road, and the centre road is impassable. The new “ cut ” made for the Piicrua has widened considerably during the past week, and tho water appears to be receding from the land in the immediate vicinity, leaving behind a trail of desolation. The visitation is the worst ever experienced in the history' of the settlement, and a number of the settlers will probably _ have to walk off and leave their holdings. At the present rate of progress it may be weeks before the water is cleared away, and even when that happens the land will be unworkable for some time to come. The loss of feed, turnips, and pastures generally must be a tremendous one, and one really needs to pay a visit to realise the plight of the district. The flooding has been caused by tho blocking up of the mouth of the Kauo branch of the Molyneux, which has been silted up by high tides. The effect of this has been that the outlet for this part of the river . has been effectively blocked, and the water has had perforce • to distribute itself over the flats. A visitor to the old mouth stated yesterday that despite efforts to reopen this there was only a trickle of water going through, and the outlook of any improvement was far from promising. BASKETBALL. The South Otago Basketball Association held a very successful tournament on the High School Courts on Saturday, There was a large gathering of players, and some very interesting play was seen. Results:— First Round.—High School D 19, Clutha B 18; Kaitangata A 11, High School C 5; Ex-High 10, High School B 6; Stirling 9, Clutha A 1Second Round. —High School C 14, Clutha B 7; High School B 6, Clutha A 5. Third Round.—Stirling 27, Ex-High 5; Kaitangata A 13, High School D 8. Final.—Kaitangata A 8, Stirling ,7. The final of the A grade competition was also played during the afternoon between Clinton and High School A, the result being a win for the former by 21 points to 16 points, and they therefore win the A grade cup. The B grade cup was won by High School C. The points in the two competitions •wore: —A Grade: Clinton 19, High School A 15, Stirling 11, Ex-High 7, Clutha A 6, High School B 2. B grade: High School C 14, Kaitangata A 12. Kaitangata B 6, High School D 5, Clutha B 3. WOMEN’S HOCKEY. On the Balelutha ground on Saturday a match was played between Kaitangata and 851 clutha teams, and an excellent game resulted in a win for the visitors by three goals to two goals. CLAY BIRD SHOOTING. The South Otago Gun, Club held tho monthly shoot on Saturday. First on the list was a six-bird eye-opener, in which D. Campbell, J. Stiven, G. Sinclair, C. Falconer, and S. Aburn tied with the possible. This was followed by ,a 15-bird handicap match, J. Stiven' being the only one to register a possible. Scores: J. Stiven (20yds) 15, D. Campbell (19) 14, C. Willocks (11) 14, S. Aburn (18). 14, A. Campbell (12) 13, W. Elliott (17) 13, G. Sinclair (16) 13, G. Turner (18) 13, C. Falconer (11) 12, T. M r Kin-. lay (17) 12. The afternoon was concluded with a 15-bird match, all off 16yds on the fivetrack svstem. Scores: T. M‘Kinlay 15, G. Sinclair 15, W. Elliott 15, D. Campbell 13, G. Turner 13, A. Campbell 12, J. Stiven 12, S. Aburn 11, C. Willocks 11, C. Falconer 11. • Last week-end a team from the South Club (Dr Radcliffe, .1. Stiven, C. Wilson, T. W. Burgess, A. Campbell, and W. Elliott) visited Lauder and took part in the teams match for the Bodkin Cup. The team was successful in winning the trophy with a margin of six points. Six teams competed, W. Elliott in addition won the Lauder Club championship cup, the event going to 41 birds. Next Saturdav will be a big day for the chib, as the Otago day bird championship (at present held by S. Aburn) will bo competed for. In the morning a £25 open handicap match will be fired off, and the championhsip will take place in the afternoon. It is anticipated that there will be a big entry, competitors being expected from all over Otago. SOUTH OTAGO RUGBY UNION. A special general meeting of the S.O.R.U. was held on Saturday night, when Mr U. Walker presided over an attendance of 10 delegates. The meeting had been called to consider an application for affiliation from the Bruce Club, which was duly nominated and seconded by High School and Star Clubs. On being put to the vote the application was refused. After the special meeting a business meeting was held, when accounts for tho season were passed for payment, and it was left to the president and secretary to attend to claims under the benefit fund. These this season will amount to close on £6O. The Otago Union notified that a match would be arranged for a South Otago third grade rep. team and a junior team in fiunedin. on Saturday, September 30, and the nominations for this team were referred to the selectors. FOOTBALL. There was a good attendance at a match played between teams composed of “ old buffers ” on the Balelutha ground on Saturday. The old hands turned out in full force, and some excellent form was shown by some, particularly Tinsley Wilson, Dudley Inglis, veteran Ah. Rooney, Geo. M'Donald, N. Hislop, and others. The trophy at stake was “ Ye Olde Buffers’ Banner,” which had. been won twice previously iy the “ Diehards.” On Saturday the '■"invincibles ” turned the tables and defeated their doughty opponents by 21 points to 11. Scorers for the winners were T. Wilson (a try, penalty goal, and a conversion), D. Inglis (a try which he converted), Bert Hill and N" Hislop (tries), and D. M'Feeters (a conversion). For the losers the scorers wore W. Knowles (a try, converted by F. Archer), A. Rooney and A. Kirwood

(tries). Mr Lance M'Lcan made an impartial referee. After the game the banner was presented to Mr N. Hislop, captain of .the Invincibles, and cheers were exchanged. . In honour of their winning the third "rade cup, the Clntha Football Club entertained members of the team at a tea in the new club room on Saturday evening. There were about 19 present. Mr C. G. Clark (president) occupying the chair. The tables were decorated in the club colours, and n tasty repast was provided for the young players. After the loyal toast the President welcomed the boys to the new club room, congratulated them on their success, and asked them to stick together and to the club, as they were the coming seniors. Mr J. P. Lyall, on behalf of the sub-union, then presented the cup to the captain of the team (Washington), who suitably acknowledged. Mr Clark, on behalf of the club, presented a challenge cup for most improved player to G. W. Geddes. and congratulated him on the showing made. Mr P. Shand presented the miniature cup to last year’s holder of the big cup (E. Reid). The recipients were heartily applauded and suitably replied. A very happy time was spent, and the boys much appreciated the action of the club in recognising their efforts. A good deal of the success of the team is due to the coach, Air S. Latta. who has taken a groat interest in the training.