COUNTRY NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 8, 7 May 1920, Page 8

COUNTRY NOTES.

OTAUTAU. SCHOOL COMMITTEE. There was a fair attendance at the schoolroom on Monday evening to elect the new committee. The following were elected: — Messrs G. H. Stevens, A. N. Holmes, E. Harrington, J. McGill, J. Walker, G. Sinclair, and T. A. Mooney, Mr G. H. Stevens was re-appointed cliairman, and Mr T. A. Mooney was elected secretary. The chairman and secretary were appointed signing officers. By invitation of the N.Z. Teachers' Institute the following resolution was passed : — That this meeting of Otautau householdexs urges upon the Government the great necessity for reform in the national systern of education in regard to : (1) The extension of the school age and reduction of the size of classes. (2) The securing of morc trained teachers, and to this end, the paying of much better salaries, and (5) In order to give full effect to thesa measm-es a reform oi, the system of administration by establishing a National Education Boaxd and local Education Committee. It was decided that cocoa be supphed to country children during the winter. Messrs Holmes and McGill were appointed a visiting committeie. The headmaster's report was read, as follows : The roll number at preseht stands at 217—123 boys and 94 girls. The average for the month was 198 out of an average roll of 216, several very wet days spoiling what wouid otherwise have been a very good attendance. In comiection with school garden, load of manure and a load of brushwood have eome to hand. Owing to the dry weather and early frosts the potaioes did not yield wdl, but should bring about £1, v/hich I wouid like to spend on the garden next season. As winter is with us again arrangements should he made to supply a cup of cocoa to the country children, if such a course be thought advisable. — Adopted. The salary of the janitress was increased to 12s 6d per week. OTAUTAU PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE The annual general meeting, held in the Board Roorn on Monday evening (says the "Otautau Farmer"), was attended by Messrs W. J. Wesney (chaix), G. Sinclair, W. Porteous, C. N. Lawless, A. N. Holmes, J. McGill, Jno. Fisher, G. Bates, and T. A. Mooney. The balance-sheet, showing a credit balance of £278 10s lld was adopted. The chairman, in giving his report for the past year, said that in looking back over the first year's activities it was gratifying to know that many of the ma-tters talcen in hand have become accomplished facts. The League has proved a power in the district, taking in hand and accomplishing matters of importance to the district and town, having to a large extent

broken down the barrier of strong opposition and proved to the pessimistic that a body such as the League is a decided benef action to the community. The" first matter taken in hand was that of the Aparima River protection, Tesulting in a deputation to the Hon. Guthrie and the ultimate sitting in Otautau of the commission. Following on this arrangements were made to meet the Member, Mr J. C. Thomson, in Otautau, and to consuR with him in conjunction with the Otautau Town Board matters of importance to our town, this conference ultimately resulting in the almost eompletion of arrangwnents for the transfer of the Education Eiidowment to the Otautau Tovra Board for a memorial site, the League having agreed to pay the purchase money. The following other matter^ came under his notice : Running the winter show, hiring of boring plant for coal, cattle pens, housing problem, pillar box in North Otautau, erection of seats in recreation ground, concrete footpaths, finger posts, crane at railway station, stock yards at railway station, running of fete, tree planting, erection of pavilion at recreation ground, and the League has now under consideration an electric lighting system for the town. Some had said that they had made mistakes. If so, was it not better to try and do something even if mistakes did occur. The man who never made mistakes was the man who did nothing. He thanked the members for their past support, and asked that they continue same to the incoming chairman. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows : — President, Mr W. J. Wesney ; vice-presiaent, Mr A. N. Holmes; anditor, Mr W. Porteous ; executive ; Messrg G. Sinclair, J. McGill, G. Bates, C. N. Lawless, A. N. Holmes, W. J. Wesney, L. Brown, J. Fisher, P. Brown, W. Donnan, G. Goorgeson, F. Collier; Industry Compiittee, chairman and Messrs Holmes,

McGill and Sinclair ; Beautifying Committee, W. Porteous, W. Donnan, C. N. Lawless, and L. J. Brown; River Protection, Messrs G. A. Burnett and P. Brown; Sports, Messrs R. Collett, L. J. Brown, McGill and Bates. Letters were received from Messrs Spry, Ltd., and ihe Otautau Timber Company re ported on the visit to Winton to inspect the plant belonging to the Winton Borough Council. — It was decided that more information be obtained and that a deputation wait on the Town Board on Monday evening. TUATAPERE. The Waiau Rovers journeyed to Riverton last Saturday, when a match was play,ed with the Riverton team. The game was a most williDg one, and was keenly followed by a large crowd of interested spectators. Mr R. Fluerty, of the Tuatapere team, and a member of the local R.S.A., had the misfortune to break his leg. The game ended in a draw, 12 points being registered on either side. The Pipe Band held a very successful social at Orepuki last Friday night, when a good number of local residents made the journey with the band. The function was in aid of new uniforms, about £200 beitig now in hand. Mr James King, who has held a seat on the Land Board for some years, will again be a candidate for the pcsition. It is a long time since such general in-te-rest was taken in a meeting locaily as the annual meeting of householders. The schoolroom was well-filled, in spite of the stormy night. A feeling was abroad among a large section of the community that the headteacher of the school, and a returned soldier was not getting a fair deal on account of his religi'on — a sorry state of affairs in this enlightened age. Owing to some uncertainty as to the actual state of the fmanees, the meeting decided not to adopt the balance-sheet. The following were elected to form the committee : — Mr C. Dunearn (chairman), M. Dowling (secretary), T. J. Harris, T. Ward, and Mrs Curow. All are new members. An appreciative vote of thanks "to the headteacher and his slaff was carried by acclamation. EDENDALE R. S. A. The commemoration of Anzac Day at this cenire opened at 10 o'clock a.m., at which hour a large squad of returned soldiers, under Lieut. P. Robertson (president local R.S.A. branch) assembled in front of the Soldiers' Monument. A magnificent wreath, 4£t in diameter, the loving work of women's hands was reverently laid on the monument, also a smaller one on behalf of the returned men Short addresses in keeping with the solemn oecasion were delivered by Revs. A. C. Swainson (Anglican) and W. B. Cuming (Methodist).

At 7 p.m. the Public Hall was packed for the united service, extea seating accommodation having to be proyided. Mr W. H. Fortune (Presbyterian lay preacher) presided, and he was supported by Rev. W. B. Cuming (Methodist) and Mr II. E. Niven (Anglican lay reader). Rev. J. Pringle (Presbyterian) was absent, owing to a pressing engagement at Gore. The interior of the hall was tastefully emhellished for the occasion. A large Union Jack was stretched prominently on a trestle on the stage representing a grave, and the lovely wreatlis which had lain at the base of the Soldiers Monument through the day were deposited on the entwined crosses of Saints George, Andrew, and Patrick. Prior to opening the service, the returned soldiers under Lieut. P. Robertson, and the members of the Wyndham Pipe Band assembled in full strength at the monument, and marched therefrom to the hall, playing suitable music in slow time. The follo-wing was the order of the religious service. — National Anthem ; prayer, led hy Mr Fortune; praise, Psalm 124 (2nd version), "Now Isarel may say, and that truly ;" Scripture reading (Psalm xc), Mr Niven; hymn, "For all the Saints who from their labouxs rest;" prayer, Mr Fortune ; anthem, "The ransomed of the Lord shall rejoice," Choir ; collection ; Scripture reading (Revektions, xxii), Mr Niven; hymn, "Through the night of douht and sorrow;" address, Rev. Mr Cuming; hymn, "0 God our help in ages past;" Benedictlon; organ solo, "Dead March" ("Saul"), Mr W. Chaplin ; trumpet call, "The Last Post," Sergt. R. Robertson. A strong, well-balanced c^ioir, directed by the organist (Mr W. Chaplin), led the singing. The large congregation included representatives from Brydone, Menzies Ferry, Mataura Island, Seaward Downs, and Merton Mains. The ofiextory amountcd to £6 14s ld.