SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23697, 3 October 1940, Page 13

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[Fcoji Oca CorrkspoxuextJ PERSONAL. The death took place at Tokoili, Milton, on Tuesday of Mr \Villiam Audry Lilburne. at the a I'd of 64 years. He was ibe youngest son of the ialo Andrew Lilburne (wiio was well known as a veterinary surgeon) and Hannah Ldbnrnc, and was born m Milton Un leaving school lie was employed in farming pursuits, and his services were in demand as a shearer ami horse-breaker. He look up a small farm at Tokoiti about 30 years ago, and resided there till his death. He served in the South African War. He was unmarried, and is survived by a sister (Mrs S. Maxwell, of Dunedin). A brother, Andrew, died a little over three weeks ago at Gore. Mrs Mary Heckler, died at “ Hillside,” Warepa, towards the end of last month, was an old resident of the district. She was born at Park Circus Lane. Glasgow, 77 years ago, and was tho daughter oi the late Robert and Agnes Farquhar, who came to New Zealand in 1864 in the ship Andrew Jackson. After living in the Tokomairiro district for about two years they removed to Warepa, where they owmed ji store and carried on the post office, whicn was afterwards destroyed by fire. The railway was being put through the district when they resided there first. Mrs Heckler was educated at Warepa School, and married Mr William Martin Heckler in Khun Church, Dunedin, Rev. Dr Stuart officiating, For a time they lived on ” Glenfalloch,” Warepa, and later took over (ho “ Hillside ” property. Her husband predeceased her 16 years ago, and she is survived by one son, Mr William Heckler (Masterton), and two daughters, Mrs R. M‘Kerrow and Miiss Margaret Heckler (Warepa). The funeral was largely attended, Rev. T. M. M’Donald, of Green Island, officiating. Mr P. D. Grant, Public Works engineer, who has been stationed at Balclutha for the ■ past four years, has been transferred on loan to the Linen Flax Committee, Department of Industries and Commerce, as works superintendent, with headquarters at Christchurch, and leaves for his new position next week. During his residence here Mr Grant has taken a keen interest in the local bowling and golf clubs. Mrs Grant and family will not bo leaving Balclutha in the meantime. Mr and Mrs James Gray entertained members of the staff at an enjoyable function this week, when opportunity was taken to make a presentation of a dinner set to Miss J. Sheat, who is about to be married, and to Mr A. R. Martin, who left to-day for Trentham. Several members of the staff referred to the qualities of the departing members, and wished them the best of luck. Both made suitable acknowledgment. STATISTICAL. Balclutha rainfall for September was 1.17 in, compared with 2.06 in in 1939. _ Rain fell on 13 days, the heaviest fall being on the 27th, when ,29in was recorded. For the quarter the rainfall was 3.23 in, compared with 17.24 in for the corresponding quarter in 1939. For the nine months the rainfall has been 26.72 in, compared with 26.48 in in 1939. Owaka: Vital statistics for September, last year’s in parentheses —Births 3 (2), marriages 0 (0), deaths 0 (3). Rainfall, T.l2iu (,29in). Kaitangala; Vital statistics —Births 3, deaths 2, marriages 0; for the quarter—lo, 4, 1. FISHING. Despite the fact that thp weather was cold and somewhat blustery, some good baskets were secured by local {ind district fishermen on opening day. In the Molyneux individual anglers secured 12 and 13 fish, some weighing up to 64.1 b, while several fivepounders wore caught. One party of three secured 33 good fish. On country streams fish rose well to tho fly according to reports. In the Owaka River one party caught 15, on tho Waiwera one man got 10 averaging 2111 b; another caught eight averaging 21b in the Gatlins; while on the Upper Gatlins another angler secured a nice basket, one weighing 51b; and a Balclutha langler on the Gatlins caught 11 nice fish, Kailangata fishermen also report fair baskets. CLUTHA SCOTTISH SOCIETY. There was a good attendance at the monthly social of the above society last night. Chief G. Stewart presided, and was assisted by Senior Chieftain A. E. Paterson and Junior Chieftain F. Robertson, who had charge of the programme. Tho official party was piped in by' Mr A. Cameron, who is acting piper during the absence of the official piper, Mr L. Copland, in camp. After the usual opening exercises Mr S. M’Grcgor led a short community sing, after which a most enjoyable programme was contributed. An appreciated item was a bagpipe selection by Mr C. Park. This was a lament for “ Cobber ” Kain, composed by Mr A. Cameron. During the course of the evening opportunity was taken to bid farewell to Mr Ben Gold, who left to-day for camp ’on overseas service. Reference was made to the service rendered by Mr Gold at all times to the society and tho best wishes extended for his safe return. Supper was dispensed, after which an enjoyable dance was held. SCHOOL COMMITTEE. Tho monthly meeting of the Balclutha School Committee was held last night, Mr H. Holgate presiding. . A very fine display of work done by the school knitting circle was on view, this comprising balaclavas, socks, mittens, scarves, gloves, and articles for refugee children. Several complimentary remarks were made regarding these, and tho head master was asked to convey tbo committee’s appreciation of tho children’s efforts to Mrs Moncur, who had charge of them. Following a letter from the Otago School Committees Association, it was decided to again make efforts to form a subbranch of the association in South Otago. It was decided to support a petition from Stony Creek-Pukepito parents asking the Education Board to arrange for n more convenient time-table for the school bus. It was pointed out that infants attending tho school were leaving home at 7.45 a.m. and not returning homo till after 5 p.m., and this was considered’ too long a day for young children. The Head Master reported that tho roll number was 352 and average attendance 92.3 per cent. Tho Air Force Queen (Miss Mary Pratt) had visited the school that day. when a short programme was presented by the pupils, who gave the queen and her attendants a warm reception. Miss Pratt expressed pleasure at the singing of the children, and tho party left amidst rousing cheers. LINEN FLAX INDUSTRY, / It is reported that as a result of representations made by the South Otago Progress League and others tlie proposal to erect a plant and buildings to deal with linen flax at Clydevale has been abandoned, and tho plant will now bo erected at Finegand and Otanomomo. This latter proposal seems to be more reasonable, as there are large areas of flax growing in the locality, end for many years one of the largest flaxmills in Otago operated there.