Invercargill Gossip.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1830, 31 July 1891, Page 3

Invercargill Gossip.

(FKOM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

July 29. At present there is a lull in the storm cause*! hy the appointment of Mr Campbell as ranger, ami people here are heartily glad of it. as the matter has been discussed ad nauseam. I don't suppose we have heard the last of it yet, but it is to be hoped that it will soon be settled one way the other and put a stop to the bitter of opposing parties. It seems strange that Parliament has not long since seen fit to sift the matter to the bottom. Invercargill has lately been visited by a number of travelling evangelists in quick succession, the last being tht Rev. J. MacNeill, who proved anything but the least in the way of straight talk in fact, he was altogether too straight for the fancy of a great many. At times one could almost imagine the lost were seen pleading to be admitted to Heaven—3o vividly did he bring the picture before his bearers. We were told, no doubt for our edification, that there would be a lot of people from Invercargill (he didn't say anything about Queeustown) among other places, who would be locked out of heaven. " Talk about lock-outs,'' said the preacher, "that will be a lock-out!" Ihis was "cheering" news, indeed. For my own part lam of opinion that no one has a right to prejudge, and for a minister of the Gospel to tell people in all sincerity what Mr M'Neill did seems—to put it mildly —not quite the thing. However, he has left here without being asked to remain longer than he wished. Williamson's Juvenile Opera Company paid us a visit recently, and performed the "Mikado"and "La Mascotte." Fincincially and otherwise I don't think they had anything to complain of. The orchestral music was of a high order, and supplemented by assistance of several of our best musicians. Football is pretty freely indulged in at this season of the year, and advantage is always taken of the Wednesday half-holiday Last Saturday a team from Orepuki tried conclusions with the Invercargill teim, but no scoring was done. Indeed it was a wonder they played at all as the rain fell uninterruptedly throughout the game, and the players must have been wet through over and over igain, as the saying goes. The ground was, of course, horribly slushy, and the way those fellows hugged it, rolled on it, kissed it. and " scrummed '' on it was amusing to the onlookers. I pity the poor females who have to wash their " togs," if they thought it worth while to take them home. I don't know if the adult females of Queenstowu are on the aggressive, but according to some writers here they are knocking the poor males about at a dreadful rat*. Fancy, the women actually wanting to vote at elections ! Female M.D.s, barmaids, shop-girls, students, etc., are tolerated but many think the line should be drawn at the Franchise. The next thing will be the women wanting to get into Parliament. (Query : Are there not enough old women in the House?) I suppose your readers will have noticed that the Auckland girls have abandoned their intention of going in for football. They have shown their good sense in their action in this matter, and after that they might perhaps be entrusted with a vote. The Salvation Army is having a big time just now, Colonel M'Kie being the central figure. A splendid display of soldiers, and a big turn-out of the public welcomed him to Invereargill in the barracks last night, when the Colonel delivered an address of great power and created a favorable impression. StafF-captain Plant, the musical marvel, treated his hearers to several items. Col. Bailey and Major Rolfe, with other officers, were also present. Friday, 7th August, will be memorable in the annals of Southland, as the first Arbor Day held throughout the district. It is scarcely necessary to say to say here that the movement has been initiated at the suggestion of the Qaeenstown School Committee, and one and all will wish it success and that, in birthday parlance, there may be many happy returns.