COUNRY NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 18824, 18 May 1920, Page 3

COUNRY NEWS

WAOIATUKU, (From Our Own Correspondent.) On Friday evening the residents of Waitnatuku aud friends of Mr and Mrs James Robie, ■'Bloomfield,” tendered them a farewell social in the local hall prior to their removal to Invercargill. Mr John Buchanan occupied the chair and carried the proceedings through capably, and Mr Alex Brown acted as M.O. Mr William Strang, on behalf of the assemblage, presented the guests with a pair of handsome Morris chairs. In doing so he referred to the many years the Robie family had spent in the district, a period that extended back over 30 years. Previous to taking up “Broomfield” (which he has just sold) about 24 years ago Mr Robie had done a considerable amount of draining in the district and especially on “Monte Christo” and “Almondell.” Whilst Mr Robie was a man of a quiet and retiring nature and never figured in public, his services were always gratuitously given to those in need. .-Vs a veterinarian he was most capable and many animals in the district had been saved through his instrumentality. They had been good neighbours and in their retirement they carried the very best wishes of their Waimatuku friends. Mr John Robie very brieflly returned thanks on behalf of his paremts. Musical items were rendered by Misses Simon, Mr aud Mrs Burns aud Messrs Charles Brown and James Galt. Football ia again being taken up .y the country districts. Otahuti and Waianawa localities have resuscitated their pre-war clubs, and Wrights Bush has formed one. On May 1 Wrights Bush played Oathuti upon the latter’s grounds, (situated on Mr Charles Lindsay’s farm) and were beaten by t>—o. On May S Otahuti played Wrights Bush a return match in Mr Rodger’s paddock and again won by 6—o after a very keenly contested game. On May 15 Waimiwa played Otahuti on Mr Lindsay’s grounds and won by 6 —o after a very fust game. On each occasion the teams repaired to the local hall, where refreshments were provided by the lady friends of tho home team. Great enthusiasm has been evinced in these matches and the residents have turned out in force to witness the contests aud “barrack” for the players.