SOUTH OTAGO NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 15, 25 June 1920, Page 10

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES.

Weather conditions locally are ideal, cold frosty nights, being followed with nice sunshiny days. When General Birdwood passed through Balclutha on his way to Invercargill, he was aecorded a reception at the railway station. The school children — Standards V., YI., VII., — were drawn up and there were also good crowds of returned soldiers and citizens. The General was accorded hearty cheers, and he gave the youngsters a holiday. He spoke to several Gallipoli men and others, and as the train steamed out, was sent off with such expressions as "Cheer-oh, Birdie," "What's the matter with Birdie?" etc., etc. He was also cordially welcomed at Milton. A poll was taken last week to deterinine whether a loan of £1000 should be raised for river protection work. Out of a roll of 444, only 67 exercised the' right to vote, and of these 66 voted for the loan, and one. against. Only 67 ra-tepayers interested enough in the protection of their property ? Seeiiis to me. there is something wrong somewhere. When the mighty Molyneux is rimning bank high and there ape dozens of citizens filling sandbags blocking up leakages in the hank, there is more interest. "Man came into the world first, woman after, and she has been after him ever since," is an old saying. Following the lead of the men of the tow.n, the ladies have formed a Literary and Debating Society. Good luck to them. The men's club are longing to cross . swords with the fair sex in an inter-club debate. It should be interesting, especially if the subject should be something like "Should woman's suffrage be abolished?" The men's club had a debate on Tu,esday, when the subject was "That a fallen soldier's memorial should be monumental and not utilitarian." .Good arguments v/ere given for both sfdes and an interesting evening resulted. At a speci'al meeting of the Bruee County Council last week, the coal mine . owners ,-of the Kaitangata- Wangaloa district met the Council and discussed the question of upkeep of the roads from the mines. After discussion it was decided that a royalty on j the coal be paid for the purpose of providing funds for the maintenance and upkeep of the roads. Balclutha's streets are at present in a bad state. Clyde street especially so. This is no doubt accounted for by the fact that the Council are laying the mains to the new waterworks, and traffic is confmed to the centre. When the water is laid on

we hope it will be a vast improvem the old supply. The position of the various clubjj Banner Competition now is:— Cr.escent 10 points, Toko 6, Cliifi Clutha 4, Owaka 2. Crescent havsaj six matches and won five. 1 On Saturday last, the OfagoJ team visited Balclutha and playedaii against the local club. The game w very even one, the score at half-tiJ ing two all. In the second spell C1 secured another goal, thus winning H to 2. In the evening the visitors weiel tert-ained at an enjoyahJe dance in I Oddfellows Hall. On Saturday night Mr and Mis T,j , Morrison, who> have been xesidents of H clutha for the past 15 years, and whoil taken an active part in musical circlsi: the town, were entertained at a jmI evening by the Balclutha Pipe Baritl made the recipients of a Iramed pholnji^: of the band, a set oi Doulton wars onil oak tray, and a letter of appreciationJ and Mrs Morrison are taking up their n dence in Waimate and leave for te ® week.