SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 2579, 19 August 1903, Page 48

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES

(Fnou Otjb Own Cokeesponddijt.) INVERCARGILL, August 17. Spring is coming. Indeed, there are evidences that it has arrived. The keen frosts that have held sway for several weeks have relaxed their grip, crocuses and primroses are beginning to make a show, and there is also t, faint suspicion of life in the grass. The Gore A. and P. Society are somewhat concerned about the question of liquid refreshments at next year's meeting. Last year t&e Licensing Committee refused a permit for the chow, and the Show Committee laid in a stock of liquor which was available for the privileged many in the secretary's office. The weather, as will be remembered, was deplorable, tho ground being a perfect lake. Quite a number of officials and their friends found it necessary to have frequent recourse to the refreshment room, with the result that some of them got quite as wet within as without — one, it is said, having to hz sent home in -a milk-cart. This year the committee find themselves between the devil and the deep sea. Prohibition now being in 'force in Gore, they feel more than ever the need of providing refreshments on the grounds; but the experience of last year, and the intense general thirst which now exists in the district makes the provision of free refreshment a financial undertaking of some magnitude. ' Mr "M'AuliSe, the well-known giant of the police -force, who has for some time been mine host of the Gladstone Hotel, but was reduced in June last, has secured a lease of the Willingford Hotel, Temuka, and will leave for the north in a few days. Mr M'Auliffe is oae of the keancst of our anglers and shots, and will find the district to which he is going a perfect sportsman's paradise. Mrs Waugh, one of our oldest identities, died a few days -ago, aftsr a residence of nearly B0 years in tho district. Hor husband, who ■was corporation gardener lor many years, predeceased her about seven eyars ago. Gore has been in a bit of a ferment recently, rumours of raids having caused considerable excitement and kept the Goreites on the tiptoe of expectation. The seizure at Holland's Hotel, Gore, last Saturday week seems to have been carried out with great ability. Although" there had been some expectation that a descent would be made by t~e police — an expectation that had its genesis in the knowledge that liquor was being illegally sold in the township— the blow came as something of a surprise both to the victim and to the public. No one appears to have had the slightest suspicion that Detective M'llveney was within miles of Gore. It says a good deal for that gentleman's ingenuity that,, notwithstanding that he is probably one of the best-known men in Southland, and partly in Gore, his presence there was quite unsuspected until he presented himself, with Constables Scandrett and Quinn and Sergeant M'Kenzie, about 8 o'clock in the evening. A well-known Gore pressman was in the detective's company for about quarter of an hour wftbout the faintest suspicion of his identity, and when ha arrived mtlj on the scene immediately after the seizure he greeted the dectective with whom he ha 3 been hob-nobbing with, "Hullo! Where did you come from?" Further proof of the completeness of the disguise is furnished by the fact that _'^a detective entered the police s!ation in Gore in broad daylight without being recognised by anyone. The haul was a pretty comprehensive one, comprising a case of stout, one of ale, demijohns and bottles of whisky and brandy, etc., and a keg of beer. The excitement continued over Sunday, as th.c police ■ appeared to be unusually active, and when a buggy containing two constables and the detective started in the direction of Matauru in the afternoon a number of cyclists shot ahead of them to give the alarm. As, however, the buggy never reached Mataura, they had their work for nothing. The Technical Classes in Invercargiil are not baing so well attended as last year ; in fact, some of the classes were not proceeded with, so few were the pupils offering. This is true of painting, which attracted nine pupils last year, chemistry, plumbing, laundry (six last year), Latin, and mathematics (five last year). The numbers in the other classes compare as follows: —

The Rev. J. Gibson Smith left for Wellington by the Moeraki on Tuesday evening last. A great many members of the congregation and other friends assembled at the station to bid Mr Smith and his family farewell, and quite a number went on to Port. Tho Victoria Home, in Tweed street, was formally opened on Wednesday afternoon, when the Venerable Archdeacon Stocker ocqupied the chair. From the report submitted by the president, Mrs Baird, it appears that the home was originated by a number of ladies belonging to tho W.C.T.U. about six years ago, the object being to provide a home for friendless girls, and to assist them in every possible way. Quite a number of girls have passed through it to their very great benefit. At present the institution is not free from financial liability, tout no doubt thoughtful people in the community will recognise the great good that is being done by such an institution, and support it liberally. The building, which was designed by Mr C. H. Roberts, architect, is very suitable for the purpose, and in a very convenient situation. Says the Southern Standard • —The Gore police keep steadily adding to their stock of liquor at tho police station, and after the prosecutions that are to come on (if convictions are. recorded) the question will be what to do with it. The usual procedure is to destroy it, but some are inclined to regard that as nothing short of pure vandalism, and suggest a clearing sale, controlled by the police, <yi cash principles, as the most sensible and commonsense course to follow." rfie Standard has a keen sense >f humour. The police, now so active in suppressing the liquor traffic, would look well retailing the captured grog. A young man named Alexander Coutts had his spine injured by a. stack of bags of lime /ailing on him at Henderson and Batger's grain store at Gore last Monday. The patient has continued sensible throughout, but no hopes are entertained for his recovery. Mr Thomas Gxeen has been re-elected president of the Gore Racing Club without opposi-

tion — a po3t he has occupied continuously since 1897.

Scarlet fever seems to have pretty well died out .here now, but mumps it still very prevalent. In the Gore ■district both ailments have still a considerable grip, one of the last victims to scarlet fever being Mrs De-war, wife of Robert Dewar, town clerk of Gore, az.& daughter of Mrs Mooney, of St. Ciair, Duneuin.

Says the Southland Times: — "The new convent at Winton was opened on Sunday last by the Rev. Father O'Neill. The building, which is of two storeys, is of brick and concrete. The work was carried out in a very satisfactory manner by Mr Birss, of Invercargiil, under the supervision of Messrs Mackenzie and Wilton, architects. The building has been erected at a, cost of £1200, of which £900 has already been subscribed. After the sermon a collection was taken in aid of the Convent Building Fund, realising £92." A movement is on foot to organise a flaxmill workers' association in Southland. Mr A. A. Paape, the secretary of the Sawmill Workers' Union, has the matter in hand, and if one may judge from the success that has attended his efforts on behalf of timber workers there is every prospect of this department of labour being properly organised to their very considerable betterment. "Jhe flaxmilr industry is booming in Southland at present, and there must be a sufficient number of workers engaged in it to admit of a really good membership being worked up.

Mrs Bond's hotel, o-a the Crescent, has b*en acquired by Messrs Wright, Stephenson, nnd Co. for office and Btore purposes. Mrs Bond is applying for a transfer of her license to tho White Swan Hotel, which was recently closed by the Licensing Committee.

I understand that Mr James Gait, who lately sold hi« Marairua estate, Mataura, to Mr Holmes, of Oamaru, has leased Mr Thomas Fleming's property at Waikiwi, -with a purchasing clause.

Mr and Mrs Blue, whe are leaving Waikaka School for Knapdale, were the recipients of several presentations. From the local Church Committee, Mr Blue received a handsome family Bible; from the choir a combined barometer and thermometer; and Mrs Blue, two silver serviette rings. The school children presented Mr Blue with a handsome escritoire, and Mrs Blue with a Izdy's companion.

On Tuesday last, at St. Paxil'a Methodist Church, Mis 6 Piper, eldest daughter of Mr C. A. Piper, district traffic manager, was mai?.ed tc Mr S. Wright, of Christchurch.

The first representative match of the season was played on the Union grounds last Wednesday, when Wairarapa met the local combination, suffering defeat by 14 points to 3. Heavy showers fell during the day, consequently the. ground was in a wretched state — in fact, worse than it has been seen all the season, the game being anything but a scientific exhibition of football, although at timeß the local backs handled the greasy ball in a marvellous fashion, Ward being particularly noticeable, for the way in which he would snap the leather up from a mud hole or pool jf water. In spite of the inclemency of the weather, a large number of spectators assembled to witness the match, the takings at the gate amounting to £65. As the Wairarapa team (green) took the field, it was seen they were a far heavier class of men than the Southland team (maroon), andi on that account they were expected to give the local players a busy time. As far as the iorward game is concerned the visitors had. decidedly the best of it; but once the ball got amongst the Southland backs, they easily outclassed the opposing irear guard. Wairarapa played with wing forwards, who gave Fraser a lot of trouble behind the scrum; and playing with only one five-eighth as against two, it meant their backs having an extra man to tackle when the Maroons backs got going. Hence the three first tries scored against them, the fourth one being a scramble over the line among the forwards, resulting in W. Fraaer touching down, frrfm which Taylor kicked the only goal for his side. In the first spell play was first at one end of the field and then tho other; but iv the second half Southland settled down, keeping their opponents in their own twenty-five most of ihe spell. The Greens played a most determined defensive game, their forwards out-classing the local men, both in the scrum and line out. Conlon was undcubtedJy the best line-out man on the ground, taking the ball from Southland's thrown-in lepeatedly, and breaking away from the line on several occasions. Udy, the Wairarapa full back, played a safe game in that position, making only one mistake, when, taking the ball from, an opponent's kick, and having plenty of room and time to get h'"s return in he waited until the Maroon man came right at him, when ho quietly stepped into touch. It was hard to recognise his idea in. this action. The visitors' wing three-quarters were very weak, especialy in tackling. Workman put in some useful work in the first spell, but was not heard of again during the rest of the game. Rogers was the pick of the back division, saving his side repeatedly, and played with plenty of dash, his goal from a penalty kick being a beautiful kick. .Maguire, at half, found the ball too Bhppery to handle, but occasionally got it away from the scrum ; but to no advantage, the other backs mulling. Marsh occasionally shone out at five-eighths, but had little to do. Warner and Conlon, the wing forwards, proved themselves worthy of their places in that position, evnsing a deal of trouble to the local pack. The rest of the forwards are a grand lot, and with a good set of backs behind them, would take a lot of beating. For Southland, ManFon at full back had very little to do, but what he had he did well. Christophers, on the wing, playeu without making any mistakes, taking the ball and running in fine style, his first tiy being a grand piece of play. Reid, at centre, was not up to club form, his kicking and passing being very reckless, and on every occasion, when running 1 he would block the wing man. Bam, on the other wing, seemed too eager, and over-ran the ball at times, thus losing several golden opportunities. His try waa a credit ablo piece of play until ho croesed the line at the corner, when he tried to beat several opponents- in his endeavour to get behind the posts, and when cellared almost lost the ball. Burgess and Ward, at five-eighths, both played great games, and a better pair in that position coulc not bo picked. As before mentioned, Ward handled tho greasy ball marvellously, and the game can be said of Burgess. They started all the rushes, and made splendid openings. P. Fraser, at half, was prevented from getting tho ball away cleanly, by the opposing wing forwards smothering him, and thus often being penalised for off-&;de play. 'Ihe Southland forwards, although beaten in the loose, got plenty of ball, and their screwing the scrums occasionally ended in a fine ru«--h, with Jenkins and Purdue brothers in the van.

The game was by no menns an interc-stmg one to watoh, for neither team was seen to advantage on account of the unfavourable condition of the ground. In the evening the visitors attended the Zealandia Hall at the invitation of Mr Hagan, of the MaTtyn Hagan Comedy Company, and thoroughly enjoyed the evening's amusement. They left by express on Thursday, for Dunedin, expressing their appreciation of the hospitality extended to them during their stay.

Southland footballers are pleased to know that A. M'Nie and I. Jenkins have been selected to represent the South Island against the North at Auckland on August 26. Leaving here on Wednesday, it will mean losing these two valuable forwards in our nest two repie-

sentat^ve matches. This will be the first interpiovincial match that Jenkins has not repveserted his province since Southland formed a ui:ion.

The representative team and tlio?^ to play in the triuls are in stend>- tit";- .rip iveiy Mondcy and Friday evening, i.- Kere aie five more inter-pro, matches to be p . y-d here th"» Reason, the lescrves are requ'red to keep !1 fcrm. Murphy, who was on the tick li3t during the latter end of the club fixtures, has now recovered, and no doubt will be sscn wearing the maroon jersey again before the season closes. The following are the dates of Southland's representative matches — August 2-2 — Against Otago at Dunedin. August 26 — Against Hawke's Bay. September 9— Against Auckland. September 16— Against Otago, at Invercargiil. September 23— Against Wellington. September 30— Against Canterbury

All matches are played at Invercargiil except on August 22, when Southland go to Dunedin.

An association of returned troopers has been formed here, the object bsing to keep up that spirit of comradeship generated by association during the late war, and to seek the welfare of its members by securing employment and otherwise helping each other. SeTgeant Todd, of the Seventh Contingent, has been appointed secretary. At present the association is busying itself in receiving applications for the special gratuity due to each trooper who has served in South Africa.

Tho new Masonic Hall at Bluff is just about finished, and is expected to be opened sonis time during next month. The couuty clerk, Mt R. P. Macgoun, at Friday's meeting of the South'and County Council, presented his annual statement, which showed that the overdraft estimated as available at last year's appropriation was £11,000, but Eome ridings had expended more than their allowance by over £4500. It would be necessary 'to increase- the council's overdraft to £16,000 to prevent some ridings being in debt. There would be a risk of the Auditor-General taking action if the margin was over the legal limit. This risk would arise when ihe expenditure exceeded the estimated riding balances, and was much increased when the taxes were not collected and placed in the county funds before the 31st March, 1901. The legal limit of the overdraft is equnl to the revenue collected during the 12 months up to 31st March each year and as the rates are Jib greater portion of the revenue, much depends on whether these rates are collected and in the county fund before, or aftei the. 31st day of March. Ihe ridings overdrawn last year were : Waihopai, £818 12s sd; Awarua, £979 4s 9d , Wallacetown, £124 18s 4d; Wintou, £032 lls lid; Oreti, £213 5s lid; Hokonui, £2£9 193 4d; Waikaia, £i 44 6s lOd ; Mataura, £43 6s lOd; Toitoi, £667 0s 7d;— total, £4541 0s lid. A proposal that a reserve of 10 per cent, on the appropriation balance at each riding b3 retained for future contingencies was carried.

Dairy factories are at a discount at Niagara, according to the Standard's correspondent. "The Six-mile or Haldane factory has been closed for two years; Chaslands is filling off every year; and ours cannot run this year for want of support.

As the rowing season i 3 drawing near, oarsmen from both the InvercaTgill and railway sheds are in steady training. The membership of the I.R.C. amounting to over 120, it has been found necessary to add to the shed, and the work is now in the hands of a local builder. The financial success of the Railway Club's carnival has enabled the club to buy several new boats, and they intend to do away with their old boathouseat the back of the railway goods shed and b\u!d a new one at the southern end of the jetty. During the past, at low tide, they have had to carry their boats a considerable distance across the mud before launching, but from the new shed they can launch in deep water. As tho championship legatta is likely to bs held at "Waihola this corning season, the I.R C. have placed an order for a best and best four to be delivered in December, and the R.R C. are a.so securing the same class of -boat, and an c-ndeavour will almost certainly be made to have all senior four events rowed in best and best fours at Southland regattas.

Mr H. W. Hay, for many years manager of Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co.'s business at Gore, has l'esigned that position in or-'ler to enter into pastoral pursuits at St. Ronalds, Dacre. Last Wednesday evening Mr Hay wa3 tendered a farewell suppei at Lock's Assembly Rooms, some 70 gentlemen from all parts of tho district being prseent. Mr T. Green presided, with Mr A M'Gibbon in the vice-chair. The Chsirman, in proposing "Our Guest, ' referred to his many good qualities both as a business man and a sportsman, and also the active part he took in the interests of Gore. He was glad to say that their guest would be able to visit them occasionally, as it wps not his intention to sever his connection with them altogether. Many others spoke in glowing terms- of Mr Hay, and wished him every siiccess in his new life. Mr Hay, in reply, thanked tho^e- present, and referred to the pleasure ho had in seeing so many assembled from all parts of the district. Many toasts were proposed and responded to, snd several songs brought a very pleasant evening to a close.

Messrs P. C. Gray and J. Martin will he Mr Hay's successors in the Gore management.

Mr Forsyth, travelling representative of the Core branch of the Sew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Atjency Company, wes entertaired by a number of friends on Wednesday afternoon prior to his departure ior WaimaLi, where he has been promoted to take charge of the company's branch there. Mr T. Gieen actc<l as chairman, and si>id although sorry to loose Mr Forsyth from their midst, he won glad this departure meant promotion. Mr Forryth had been amongst them for many years, and he was sure they would always bs glad to hear of his welfare in his new undertnkirg. Th- 1 Chairman said he had been asked, on behalf of their guests and many friends, to present Mr ForKyth with a purse of sovereigns, a duty he had much pleasure m performing. Mr Forsyth very suitably replied. Mr J. R. Sharp (manager cf the local branch of th"c firm) presented Mr Forsyth with a handsome enlarged photograph of the Gore staff. He said Mr Forsyth's promotion was a we'.l-deßcrved one. pjul he earned with him the good wishes of thn Goie staff for a successful future. Mr ForBvth suitably replied, and in doing so proposed the health of his successor, Mr Dun.

Thomas Buhnan and William Leader wore charged on last at the Magi&tra'i-'s Court, Riverton, with having illegal po^-es^ion of trout, and were fined, Bidmau t'2 10s a: d costs and Leader £1 and c^s:t;.

The carcase of a la-ge =periu whale, 61 ft in length, -was found on Sunday last on th" bech si Ot'ira, about five miles from Fortroso, by Mr Joseph Thwaites, jun. The "find" was secured, and Thwaitos is understood to have disposed of it for a hp noisome sum to an Inverrargi.l syndicate. — Wyndham Farmer.

There is very little to report in the oat market Offerings from tbo couvury are limited, and there are very few parcels of B grade, the bulk being io rome extent discoloured. B grade has held its plare in the m-arket, but the prices are easier, as the quality goes below B.

The two local bowling clubs had another of their fraternal gatherings Last Thui-.day evening at Ra<"«ide's restaurant. About 45 gentlemen put an an appearance, and a moat sociable time -was spcat. At the sramp oi cards

tho Southland Club proved victorious by 14 games. It was quite a treat to see the earnestness and evident enjoyment of the players dunrj the evening. The warriors fought thfi'r battles o'er again, and "jokes went round and. harmless chat." It did not dawn on me how apropos wa3 'hat little quotation till I had penned it. The next lines run:

"When, hark! a> gentle voice th«y hear,

Low tajiping at the bolted door." The tapper was a poor old beggar man. Well, before the gathering dispersed 1 the bsg-gar was at this particular feast. Tho Tournament Committee announced! a d'sficit of £2 odd, and the secretary askcl for a shilling subscription to wipe it off. The shillings were forthcoming, and : "Slowly down his wrinkled cheek The big round tear was seen to roll, Which told the thanks he could not speak." I think myself it was not a tear, but a wellde^cied, broad, contented gr.n. The meeting decided on making an attempt to have the next association tournament held here, and also on having an evening for piogressive. euchre, ladies to be invited.

The Essex is now at the Bluff loading 4400 carcases of mutton, 17,000 sacks oats, and some horses and dairy cows for South African poits. This shipment of oats will bring the stocks in Bluff stores pretty low, and it is hoped will have a good effect on local markets. Buyers are paying up to Is 8d f.o.b. for B grade and Is 7d for C grade.

Fowl wheat is rather quieter than last week, and good whole samples are selling at from 3s Id to 3s 2d. There is no inquiry for milling wheat. Small parcels of linseed arc occasionally offering at prices ranging from £9 15s to £10. Chaff is dull of sale at £2 5s to £2 7s 6d,~0n trucks. Even at this price it is higher in proportion than oats.

The -supplies oi fat sheep are becoming exhausted, and -rcrtk the favourable fattening weather we have had lately the ends of the mobs have been putting on condition in great style. Prices still keep firm at 20s for primefreezers, while occasional lines under keen competition average 22s to 23s under the hammer. First-class store ho^ets are ranging from 12s to 133 6d, medium and inferior down to 10s. The demand for all olasses of store stock still continues strong, and the abundance of feed is unusually general for this time of the year.

Occasionally we hear of splendid results from the different dairying centres. The Teturn of lljd ocr lb for butter-fat during the last season at Mataura is particularly gratifying. There is no doubt there is a great future for dairying in Southland. One may say that £10 is the average price for oiu best grasa lands, and as an acre of this land will milk one cow during the summer, for a man with a family there is certainly nothing for bringing in ready money like the dairy farm — unless, indeed, it bs a pubhehcuse.

Subject. Last Drawing Singing Botany Wood-carving Mechanical drawing .. Architectural drawing .. Photography Carpentry Dressmaking Cookery Arithmetic English Book-keeping .. .. Shorthand Typewriting t Year. T . 27 37 " 15 27 9 13 7 21 22 8 13 60 14 o This Year. 27 22 9 8 Id 14 7 10 20 23 9 13 32 8