SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23696, 2 October 1940, Page 12

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[From Oui: Correspondent] PERSONAL. Mr James Anderson Ferguson, who died in Auckland Hospital recently at the age. of 51 years, was the eldest son of Hie laie Mr James Ferguson, of Milton, and Mrs Ferguson, Wellington. Ho was educated at the Toko. High School, and afterward.joined the P. and 'l'. Department being stationed at Wanganui for several years. Ho enlisted from this latter place and went to tho tireat War as a wireless operator. Prior to Ida death tic was in the Home Defence Service at Auckland. Resides his mother he is survived by three brotherand two sisters—namely, Messrs Robert (Wairoa), John (Palmerston North), Milton (Wellington), Mias Jean (Wellingtonl . and Mrs Shale (Cambridge). The interment look place in tho Waikumete Soldiers’ Cemetery, Auckland. VITAL STATISTICS. nalclnlha.—For September, 1940; Mirths 12. deaths 5, marriage 1 (1939 —14, 7,3). For tho quarter, 1940: Births 33 (1939, 31 i, deaths 16 (16), marriages 8 (5). For the nine months, 1940: Births 98 (87), death--37 (47), marriages 26 (28). Milton. —For September, 1940; Births 2 (1939, ?), deaths 4 (2), marriages 1 (si. For the quarter: Births 22 (8), deaths 10 (10). marriages 3 (9). For the nine months: Births 50 (36), deaths 29 ( 24), marriages 18 (16). RAINFALL. The rainfall at Milton for September totalled 1.59 in, compared with 1.58 in for tho corresponding month last year. For tho quarter tho rainfall recorded has been 3.19 in, compared with 12.44 in, and for the first nine months of 1940 26.64 in have fallen, compared with 24.12 in for the same period last year. LADIES’ BOWLING. Tho Balclulha Ladies’ Bowling Club opened tho season on Tuesday afternoon, whenthere was a large attendance, including visitors from Gore, Milton, Kaitangata. and Owaka Clubs. The weather was cold, bub despite this an enjoyable game of fours was indulged in, tho green playing very well for so early. in the season. Mr M. Campbell, president of tbo men’s club, declared tho season open and wished the ladies a successful season. The Balclulha ladies provided afternoon tea. AIR FORCE QUEEN. Tho various committees in South Otago are working hard in an effort to raise funds for the Air Force Queen (Miss Mary Pratt). At Milburn on Friday a very successful fair was held, the chief attraction at night being a tug-of-war contest, which was won by Bruce, who defeated Milburn Lime in the final. A challenge pull between Milburn Lime and Waihola resulted in a win for the former. Tho Brnco County queen (Miss Joan Cochrane) and her maids-in-waiting were in attendance and were introduced to the crowd by Mrs W. H. Elliott. It is reported that close on £IOO was secured as a result of the effort. It is also stated that a similar amount was secured as a result of the gala day held at Milton on Saturday for tho borough queen. At time of writing tbo borough queen (Miss E. Thornton) is leading in the Toko, district contest. Last night there was a. packed house at, tho concert given by Miss Pratt and assisting artists from Dunedin. The programme was a most entertaining one, and the Air Force Queen had a great reception. Miss Pratt is singing at a concert to bo hold in Balclulha on Thursday night. BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL. Cr W. Moore presided over tho monthly meeting of the above. The financial statement showed receipts for the month totalling £754 3s 3d, and expenditure £1,688 15s 2d, the debit balance at date being £l3 13s 7d. Requests for donations were 1 received from tbo chairman of tho New Zealand Counties Association, to assist those who had suffered as the result of air raids in the Homeland, and from the secretary of the Air Force Queen Co-ord-inating Committee for funds to assist tho campaign.—Both were refused, the writers to be informed of tbe council’s decision to spend none of the ratepayers’ money on outside donations. It was stated that, while the ratepayers might not object to council contributing to these and other patriotic causes, they wou].d object to the roads being allowed to deteriorate through lack of finance by rate money being expended in this way. A deputation waited on tho council to support a petition from ratepayers of Taieri Mouth and Taieri Beach requesting that the Waihola-Taieri Beach road be improved so as to allow of lime being conveyed over it. It was pointed out that this road was shorter than tbe WaiholaTaieri Mouth road, and could also be used as an alternative route in the event _of Hoods on the Taieri Plains. —After hearing tbe deputation, which stated that tho settlers were prepared to assist with labour and carting of material for formation, ‘the, council decided to authorise the member of the riding (Cr Moore) and tho engineer to meet the settlers with a view to seeing what could be done in the matter of carrying out some improvement. It was slated that it had been decided that day to make a grant for metalling a further portion of the. road, and with the assistance of tho settlers a longer length could bo done.

Reference was made to the recent death of Mr A. E. Jiil 1, for many years chairman of the Counties Association and member of the Highways Board, and a motion of sympathy with his relatives was carried. Tho meeting opened with the Lord’s Prayer and closed’ with the usual motion of sympathy with those who had lost relatives through the war, special reference being made to those parents who had been bereaved through tho action of the Nazi U-boat in finking a British vessel carrying children to Canada.