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Clutha Leader, Volume XLII, Issue 90, 19 May 1916, Page 5

The work of dredging the Lakes canal is now being steadily proceeded with, and good progress is being made (writes our Kaitangata correspondent). Judging by a letter received by a farmer in this district from his son at the front, "our boys'' while in Egypt did not suffer from want of "fresh" jam. The label on one of the tins which had been emptied at Christmas was found to bear the date 1916.

The Milton Borough Council is in somewhat of a quandary regarding supplies of carbide for the municipal acetylene gas lighting. Although 25 tons are on order from Dunedin,' shipments are being delayed, and no supplies are afloat. The council's indent agents' reserve supplies from Canada were aboard the Matatua, which sank iu New Brunswick Harbour. It is understood that no supplies of carbide will be available until the latter end of August, and the council's stock will be exhausted at the end of June. In consequeuce, the street lighting has been suspended this winter, and private consumers are being requested to be economical. The chairman of the Clutha County Council (Mr J. Gumming), three members of the works committee (Councillors North, Maginness and Christie), the county engineer (Mr J, Ramsay) and the county clerk (Mr A. McDonald) visited the Catlins district on Tuesday last to inspect the Catlins Valley and Puketiro tramways, and also a ditch at Ratanui, these matters having been previously referred to the works committee at a meeting of the council. The report •will be submitted at the next monthly meeting of the council. The party went by train to Tawanui, and from there walked to Puketiro, inspecting the roads en route. The following day they drove from Puketiro via Ratanui to Qwa&a,

I A concert and dance in aid of the Otago Biplane Fund will be heid in the Clydevale Hall on June 16. A. theque in the vicinity of £200,000 is to be divided among the different Southland freezing companies. The Kaitangata Borough Council has decided to give a social to returned soldiers on Wednesday evening, when exmayors, ex-councillors and the Press are cordially invited to attend (writes our correspondent). In order to ensure that there shall be enough butter retained in the Dominion during the season when the supply is less than the consumption, the Government has decided to immediately issue a proclamation prohibiting the export of butter without the consent of the Minister of Customs. At a meeting of the Otago Education Board on Wednesday an application was made by the committee of the Waitahuna School for repairs as the result of a fire. The damage was estimated at about £ls. The headmaster explained that the damper of a grate had fallen forward, hence the occurrence. It was resolved to forward the explanation to the Department, with a statement that the board did not propose to hold an inquiry unless the Department desired it. Truly, there is no accounting for tastes. The following is not, as might appear at first glance, a laundry list (says the .Mataura Ensign). It merely represents the breakfast items consumed by a cow belonging to a wellknown Gore resident: Nine barber's towels, one pair underpants, one lady's pinafore and a barber's overall for chair. Seeing the clothes on the line, the animal just helped itself. The cow's early demise is anticipated. Mr F. Norris (lion, organiser of the National Service League, Masterton) writes to us as follows:—May we suggest through your paper that'all public libraries in your district should grant honorary membership to every returned soldier until 1920 as a token of appreciation of their services to the Empire in this great struggle for freedom and right, and in towns where there are no soldiers' clubs that a writing table be placed for their special use. We feel certain the above privilege would be highly appreciated by our gallant lads. Some returned soldiers have been won- ■ dering what position they hold in regard : to reinstatement on the electoral roll. Mr Witty raised the question in Parliament the other day by asking the Minister of Internal Affairs what the position was—whether such men had to requalify by three or 12 mouths' resilience. Hon. G. W. Eussell promised to look into the position, and if legisla- j tion were required to secure their rein- ' statement the Government would immediately provide it. That the bracing air of the far-famed Catlins district is a tonic for jailed and other appetites was proved by the party of councillors who visited the district in the early part of this week, though it should be admitted that the members of the party as a general rule require little tempting at meal times. After a most hearty dinner at Owaka in anticipation of nothing more doing in the eating line until tea time, the visitors found themselves shortly after set down to a sum])- , tuous.dinner at Tawanui, which they demolished as if they had been in special i training for the occasion. Mr Justice Pring has delivered the j findings of his Royal Commission of In- j quiry into the charges concerning theh j negotiations for a State petrol monopoly j (states a Sydney cablegram). He states j that there was no evidence to show that I Hon. Mr Griffiths was guilty of corruption or of any intention to share in money illicitly paid. Mr Griffith, on the announcement of the 'Commission's finding, stated that he would not resume office until the suspicious circumstances were cleared up. He added that he had been advised to take criminal proceedings. As a result of the findings of the Petrol Commission Morgan has been arrested on a charge of initiating a conspiracy to bribe. The members of the Clutha County Council who visited the Catlins district during the week speak in high terms of the hospitality extended to them by the ladies at the various places visited. On the arrival of the train at Tawanui Mrs Gwyn had a capital dinner prepared, to which the hungry travellers did ample justice. In the evening the party was billeted out among the following residents: —Mr and Mrs Ombler, Mr and Mrs Miller ami Mr and Mrs Christie, where everything was done to contribute to the comfort of the visitors. The party returned to Balelutha by Tuesday evening's train, carrying home with them the happiest recollections of the hospitality which is proverbial of the Catlins district. At the Warepa winter show the prize for most points in the children's section was won by Miss May Stewart. The nail-driving competition was won by Miss Alison Allan, while the prize in the drake guessing competition was awarded to Mrs P. J. Curran (Milton), who guessed the correct weight. The dressed weight of the lamb was 3551b, and in this competition six persons guessed the correct weight, the ballot resulting in favour of Mr A. McLean. Mr D. Murray i was successful iu the sheep guessing competition, the competitor's guess being 1111b, while the correct weight was Balelutha, auctioned the produce donated to the Red Cross Fund, a very successful sale resulting in over £l2 being realised. The society tenders its sincere thanks to Mr Duthie for his valuable assistance, and also to all donors of produce and others who assisted in making the exhibition a success. To all lovers of good clothes we appeal. Economy is the general note throughout the Dominion at the present time, and a well-tailored suit or costume spells strict economy. It will last you twice as long as the cheap made garment. Everyone in Balelutha and district knows that I cater for high-grade tailoring. I solicit your patronage now for your Easter costume or suit. Patterns of newest fabrics from Chas. G. Kirby, tailor, Balelutha.***