SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23683, 17 September 1940, Page 5

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[From Our Correspondent] PERSONAL. Air J. W. Brame, who died at Auckland on Thursday at an advanced age, was well known in Balclutha, where he was postmaster for many years, prior to being transferred to Bluff in 1910. He retired two years later and went to Auckland to live. During his residence in Balclutha he took a keen interest in horticultural affairs, and was also well known as an amateur photographer. He was one of the oldest members of Lodge Clutha (Masonic). There was a very large attendance of local and visiting Masons in the Masonic Temple, Balclutha, on Saturday night, when Bro. G. O. Sinclair was installed as Worshipful Master of Lodge Clutha. The installation was carried out by Prov. G.M. Bro. G. M. Sparrow, assisted by Grand Lodge officers. At the conclusion of the ceremony a very enjoyable banquet was held. Miss Dorothy Hall, who has been on the staff of the Balclutha Post Office for the past four years, has received notice of transfer to the Dunedin office.

Miss Joan Monntford, for the past four years on the clerical staff of South Otago Newspapers, Balclutha, has resigned, having received an appointment on the staff of the Balclutha Post Office, taking the place of Miss D. Hall, transferred to Dunedin.

Airs J; P. (Boyd, who is leaving Stirling to take up residence at Hastings, was the guest of honour at a farewell function. Airs Crawford Anderson presided over a large attendance, and presented Mrs Boyd with a "shoulder spray and Miss Elizabeth Boyd with a posy. An enjoyable programme was given, and during an interval Airs Boyd was the recipient of a monetary gift and best wishes were expressed for her future welfare. Mrs Boyd and her two children were also entertained by the Busy Bees, and were the recipients of gifts. FOOTBALL. The South Otago Rugby Union will bring the 1940 season to a close on Saturday next, when an excellent afternoon’s sport will be provided. A match will be played between third grade teams representing Star and Clutha, and Toko and Crescent, and this will bo followed by the main fixture of the day, Pirates I. v. South Otago. This game should prove very interesting, as South Otago are said to have the best team fielded for some years. Air C. G. Clark will referee the junior game and Mr D. Inglis the rep. match. GOLF, The ' Balclutba Club started the “ knock-out ” competition on Saturday. Results:—Robinson beat Frengley, Alarshall boat Egarr, Thompson beat Edwards, Fookos beat Bell, 'Drearer boat Butterworth, R. Guest boat Aloffat, Mathewson heat Allan, Fowler beat APLa.v, Grace boat Cavanagh, Sccats beat Murdoch, Angus beat Watson, Jolly heat Balneavos by default, Dodds beat Barnett by default, Baxter beat Throp by default, Scott beat Isdcol by default. In the final of the A grade championship. played on Saturday, J. Clark beat J. L. Guest, and in the B grade championsliip. played during the week, Fowler beat Grace. The first qualifying round of the Milton Club's championship was played on Saturdav and resulted: Sumpter 76, C. H. Hitehon 77. A. F. AVethey 92, Hoyle 92. Abdal 99, AV. K. Hitehon 95, AY. IT. Hitehon 97, Ransomc 105, George 104. Alurray 113, Sligo 116. The winner of the medal match was C. H. Hitehon, 77—9—68.

The best cards handed in by Milton ladies in the medal round were: Mrs George, 84—IS —66; Mrs Hitchon, 85— 19—66.

Balclutha ladies played an L.G.D. medal match, which resulted: —A grade: Mrs Moffat, 91—16—75. B grade: Mrs Copland, 108—20—83; Mrs Egarr, 123—28—95; Mrs Baxter, 110— 14—96; Mrs Aitken, 112—16—96; Mrs Grant, 113—17—96 ; Mrs Landels, 118 —20—98. AIR FORCE QUEEN. Following the decision of the Tokomairiro Patriotic Committee to hold a local queen carnival to assist the campaign of the Air Force Queen (Miss Mary Pratt), the county section selected Miss Joan Cochrane to represent it as queen, and at a meeting of the Milton Committee Miss Nellie Thornton was selected to carry the banner for the borough. The Mayor (Mr W. J. Cockburn) presided over a large attendance, and the meeting was very enthusiastic. Strong entertainment, publicity, and raffle committees were appointed, and an Executive Committee comprising Messrs T. Bell, Jas. Gray, 11. M. Rutherford, and one member from each committee and the conveners of the Ladies’ Committees was appointed to carry out the campaign. The tussle between the two queens has already started, and much interest is being manifested. On Saturday night the county queen held a very successful dance at Tokoiti, while to-night the borough queen will be introduced at a big community sing. Many novel and entertaining functions have been arranged, and for the next two months the people of 'Bruce County and Milton borough will have 'many calls on them. HELPING PRODUCTION. Some time ago the Bruce County Production Committee circularised farmers in the district with a view to ascertaining what they were prepared to do in the way of increasing production as part of New Zealand’s war effort. Although it was a bit late to secure maximum results, it is pleasing to record that some 25 per cent, of those circularised have replied, with the result that production in Bruce district will be increased. The increases promised so far are: —Wheat, 77 acres : oats, 123 acres; forage and root crops, 275 acres; certified grass seed, 35 acres. Those farmers who do not go in for cultivation have replied that they are increasing their flocks and dairy herds as their share of increasing production. As a result of a request to increase the production of cheese at the Milton factory a canvass was made of the dairy farmers with a view to their sending all milk to the factory instead of separating at home and sending their cream to butter factories. It was found, however, that transport difficulties and other things were against this, and there will be no increase in the number of suppliers to the factory this season. A number of the old suppliers have, however, agreed to increase their herds, and the output from the factory will show an increase for the season. OBITUARY. An old and respected resident of Milton passed away yesterday morning in the person of Mr John Walsh. Ho was of Irish descent, and was born in England 73 years ago. When two years old he came to New Zealand with his parents in the ship Chile, and the family first settled at Tokoiti and later at Lovell’s Flat. Subsequently they removed to Milton, where Mr Walsh was educated. On leaving school he was apprenticed to the tailoring trade, and on completing his apprenticeship he worked at his trade in various places, until 25 years ago, when he entered the employment of Mr H. E. Ransome,

Milton, with whom he remained until his illness. In 1914 he went to Samoa with the New Zealand force. About 48 years ago he married Miss Ellen Moloney, of Dunedin, and she and one daughter survive him. SOUTH OTAGO PROGRESS LEAGUE. Mr A. L. Shepard presided at a meeting of the South Otago Progress League last night. Among the matters discussed ivas the unsatisfactory state of the post office clock, which has been out of action for some time, and it was decided to communicate with the P. and T. Department on the matter. The state of the main street footpaths also came up for consideration, and the borough council is to be approached with a view to having them improved. The matter of extending the footpath to the hospital was also considered necessary, and the South Otago Hospital Board is to be written to regarding this. COMMUNITY SING. Community singing has become very popular in ißalclutha, and at the fortnightly sing, under the auspices of the Patriotic Committee last night, there was again a large attendance. . It was “ Nurses’ Night,” and the nursing staff of the Balclutha hospital was present in full force, their bright uniforms giving quite a touch of colour to the gathering. “ Bags ” ,(Rev. O. T. Baragwanath) and “Bertie” (Mr A. R. Dreaver), the leaders, were in good form, as also was “ Geordie,” at the piano. The singing was hearty, (and an enjoyable interlude was provided by the nurses, who gave a tableau depicting the advance of the nursing uniform from the “ dark ages ” to the present time,- including the present war uniform. Nurse 'Williamson gave a commentary on the dresses, and Nurse M'lntyre gave a recitation. The “ turn ” was finished off by the nurses singing a number of “ nursery ” songs to popular tunes. Mr G. Paterson provided humour with recitation and song, while Miss Alma White gave violin solos “ The Gang,” comprising members of the committee, also contributed choruses that struck the popular taste. Mrs D. Brown and Mrs Baillie played the accompaniments. A large quantity of cakes was sold at auction by Mr Laing, and as a result the Air Force Queen will benefit to the extent of over £25. A cake weight-guessing competition resulted in Mrs W. Arnold winning, with a guess of 61b 13oz, the correct weight being 61b 14oz. MILTON PIPE BAND. The annual meeting of the above was held on Saturday night, Mr J. Campbell presiding. The sheet showed a credit of £52 8s 7d. Assets totalled £IBO, with liabilities £23 10s 9d. Th© uniform fund stood at £33 4s, and there was only £lO owing on fthe hall building. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Mr Campbell was re-elected president, and a large number of vice-presidents were elected. Other officers are: Patrons, Messrs J. Roy, M.P., and P. M'Skimming; secretary and treasurer, Mr R. BurTeTgh; committee—Messrs J. M'Grouther, T. Bedford, R. Allison, W. Allison, C. M'Grouther, W. C. Russell, G. Allison, W. Warnock, A. Henderson; auditor, Mr W. Kirby; trustees, Messrs G. H. Thomson, R Clark. It was agreed to donate two guineas to the soldiers’ parcel fund, and to transfer £lO from the neneral account to the uniform account. The secretary and pipe major (C. M'Grouther) wore donated bonuses in appreciation of services rendered. Motions of sympathy were carried with the relatives of the late Messrs D, M. Mawson. A. E. Stewart. H. Wells, and R. M'Leod, and also with Mr-R. Burleigh (secretary) in their bereavements. During the course of a social evening which followed, Mr Ray Wilson, who

has been side-drummer in the hand for some time, and who leaves for camp with the next reinforcements, was the recipient of a money-belt. OUTDOOR SPORTS. The South Otago basketball representative team visited Gore at the week-end and was defeated by Eastern Districts by 26 points to 16. The Zingari-Richmond team visited Kaitangata on Saturday and played Crescent, the result being a win for the visitors by 24 points to 12. There was a good attendance, and the game was more even than the scores indicate. Rugby and basketball teams from Toko. High School visited Mosgiel lasts week and played the Mosgiel school teams, the home sides being successful in both games. The basketball resulted 25-20. while the Mosgiel boys defeated the Toko, team by a large margin.