SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES CFrom Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, December 31.

Otago Witness, Issue 2651, 4 January 1905, Page 47

SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES CFrom Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, December 31.

Owing to the mercantile houses being closed during the greater part, of the week, very little business has b?en passing in the oat market. Prices remain anohaugedj and the only business doLe has-been with Auckland. The 2000ton order mentioned in previous reports did not eventuate in business here, and it is not known whether it has been placed elsewhere. There is at present another inquiry for 1500 tons, and merchants have" quoted the same as for the 1000 tons — namely, Is 7d f.a.q. and Is 8d for B grade. F.a.q. quality are getting very scarce at BlvLfi, and merchants- are not very keen to sell unless they have the oats in hand. Very few are offering from, the country, and as stocks at Bluff are. running very low, and a deoerit-sized- order such as 1500 tons would practically clear out the stores. Prices, to farmers at present axe Is 3d to 'ls 3jjd for B fffade, la 2£d for f.a.q., and .Is lsd to Is 2d for C grade - ' j 'The -chair market., is -still.- poorly 'supplied, : locai prices. run.fyotp; £2: 15s to £3 delivered-J ,ixr.'tKe. store._ This to 1 about-., £SFi 10s ;t'6 £2.JL2s- 6d oil the trucks at wayside' sta- : - / :'prices "represent \firsifrc.lass .-qua--lity;. i 'Thejre- v is,/a strong demand irom the north- 5 fff fqyrl }yihe&t, ¥ttt prices have- not improvedsince /last 'report, "aaicf* can- still be quoted at" fr,om 3s~lS.«kto-3s 2*di'f.*o.b., s.i.,'for-good whole quality; .medium --quality 'from' 3s, to 3s Id. Prices "locally- are ■ fully IS per -bushel. -better " lHah "these. „-.-"»,, " : '_ } "Practically no business is doing in the stock markets outside lambs, which are being sold for delivery In February. The prices for these are still running 11s to 12s, but the bulk of the business being done is by northern buyers, a "large number^of whom are at present in Sovith'and on the look-out for sheep. The holiday season has opened auspiciously in Southland so far as weather is- concerned. Tiuo, there has been a. pretty stiff nor'-wester blowing most >f the week, but it ha 3 not been of an oppressive kind, and the absence of rain has been r blessing to picnickers and those who are taking a. spell in the country, or at the seaside with their children. . Riverton is yearly growing in favour as' a holiday resort, and this year most of the available lodging accommodation on the western tide of the rirer ha» been taken up, and the hotels are fairly well filled. There are several families fiom Dunedin, an.d visitors from even so far librth as Wellington. South Riverton has many attractions. The pJace is beautiful ■from every point of view, and there is a magnificent outlook north and east, taking in river, sea; plain, and mountain. Notwithstanding regrettable drowning accidents, the beach is safe for swimming and for children paddling if reasonable care is exercised There is a .great current along the rocks when the tide is running in or out," but even then the most of the beach from the rocks to the signal pole, end all of it for s, long way towards Howell's Point, is safe for adults and a great part of it for children. Interest, is given to a ramble along the .beach by the search" for "shells"; v ahd red cod, eels,. butterfLsh," and (with "the, minnow) trout, can ba got along the 'rocks. It is an ideal place for rowing, but a sail should not be. undertaken except by experienced boatmen. The bush behind is full of fine ferns, and the walk to the "back beach," a- rocky piece of coast three miles away, is most enjoyable. The scenery up the Pourakino is exceedingly pretty, and the trout-fishing in both .it and the Aparima very good indeed. It is a great pity thnt more is not done to advertise the attractions of this lovely place. A few large photcgraph in the various illustrated papers of the colony, in the principal hotels in the cities, in the- Tourist Bureaux, and the Union, Company's steamers will tend to attract visitors, and put money in the pockets of Ihe townspeople. It is to be hoped that they will do something -to advertise the district before next season, and also to get a steam or oil launch for passengers placed on the river, so that Jnvercargillites coming out by the morning train will be able to get up the river as far as it is snagged., have time to enjoy the scenery, and return home by the afternoon train. The Riverton regatta this year was confined to crews from the Riverton and Ijiyercargill Rowing Clubs. iiO others turning up, and all tho prizes except that for the Senior Fours fell to Riverton crews. Of course, the local men had .an advantage in knowing the course thoroughly, but they had the even greater advantage of magnificent form, resulting from assiduous practice ; while the town men, with the exception of their winning crew, showed signs of want of reserve strength.- Possibly in the' Senior Fours the best crew won, and they won easily; but they were all fresh,- while all the Riverton iiien "had rowed at least once. For moat' of "the rime the water was very lumpy through the conflict of a strong nor'v/oster and the incoming tide, and this militated against fast times, and no doubt had so)nething to do with the delay, which was , so very marked, the race set down for 3 o'clock not coming off till 4.30. As usual, the regatta : v/na largely attended by visitors from Inver- I cargill and the country, anct the hillside was

' dotted with picnic and family parties. The course has been somewhat shortened by the making of the new railway embankment, but i a mile and a-half course in full view of the spectators is still available, and two miles can ba got by starting the races in the openwater beyond the narrows. The summer midday train service to the Lakes has begun, and extra trains are now running from Invercargill to Kingston on Tuesdays. Thursdays, and Saturdays, and back on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The Ryal Bush correspondent of the Southland Times mentions a rather notable case of tsohool attendance — the case of a boy who has not lost even a half day in 10 years. News has been received here ef the death, at Greyniouth, to which town he was promoted from Invercargill only a few weeks ago, of Mr John Buchanan, of the National Bank. He was a fine, powerful young fellow, notable in several department® of athletics, and hia friends here are as much surprised as grieved to hear -of his death. The Bluff Regatta Committee has decided to conform to the requirements of the Rowing Association., and consequently crews from affiliated clubs will compete on Monday. The Riverton crews have been practising very regularly during the past week, an 3 - their supporters are very confident of their success. ; Competitions in connection with the Gor6 Band of Hope were held last Monday and Tuesday, when Mr Alfred Burton, of Dunedin, iudged the reciting; Mr E. G. Macpherson, of Wyndha-m, the music; and Mr Gilchrist, master of the East Gore School, the essaya. The judges spoke very warmly of the efforts of "the"' children. „ ' * On Christmas Day Mr Chas. Gray, organist and choirmaster of St. John's Church, Invercargill. was presented by the members of the choir ' with a sjlver-motmted baton. The inter provincial cricket match Otago v. Southland was u-iayed on the Eastern R-eserve on, Monday and Tuesday last, anu resulted in a win for Otago by nine wickets. The highest scores bn each side were 43 in the first innings by Mr Wilson, the Southland skinner, and 33 by Baker, for Otago. In bowling Fisbe{Otago) was easily first, with six wickets for 28 runs. Crockett (Southland) coming next with five wickets for 25 runs. During Otago' s second innines Wilson, the Southland skipper, fielding at "silly point," had the misfortune to get his nose broken by a hard-driven ball from Seideberg's bat. December 26.— Christmas Eve saw the town packed with people. The early trains from the country were all filled. The express on that day ran half an hour late, owing to the strong wind and the heavy train, consisting of 16 large carriages packed with people. The evening trains also landed large numbers, so that when night came' the crowd was so dense that the footpaths proved inadequate for the traffic, and the street was resorted t to. The night was a- fine one, a slighrt breeze keeping the air cool. The Pipe Band paraded the street from 8 till .9 o'clock, and added to the enjoyment of the visitors- and- townspeople alike. Thereafter the Garrison Band turned out and played appropriate music. Fire Brigades. — A free public demonstration | "will be given"in the Queen's Park on January ! 25- by the Invercargill Fire- Brigade. Medals I and trophies are given -for the winners of the ; various competitions. „The- N Gore,i Bluff, and Rfwlw,ay> brigades arc expec£e^#o.,send"team&. 1 The ■ body of CliarleS'. Francis;" of • WyndlTam, _.was found' in the*"!agoon ,oa, the Wy-ndhans racecourse bn i^iihday*lkst."'" < An, inquest, was • '-held and (stST'open verdict ' returned. -, J The 'p^'ncipal" "athletic^ fixture of ..the past week was/ tKe'-Cliltotf-sportsr which "iank in Southland next .to the • Southland Caledonian Society's . The- programme comprised 24 {events, Jarfeb the prizes -were ."good, and attracted, besides, the best of our local performerSj some athletes -' of ''coloiiiallfame— :iiot- - "able," R. J. ' Scott, the famous wrestler, and M'Lachlan, the short-distance runner. The 100 yds Hatidicap was run in heats, and in the final D. Do"dds' cain« oiit in front. M'Lachlan took the 220yds'and 440 yds. and'W. Couling the ruife and the half-mile. Scotfc took first prize in all three styles of wrestling, his toughest opponent being T. Johnston, "of Bluff. The i Sawing Handicap was won by Meer and Hogan, I end the chopping events by W /rower and D. O'Connor. Death has been busy during the past wsek, and has removed:" Mrs Sweetnian. of Otautau, • a lady noted for her kindness and business capacity. Mr C. M'Ken'zie, of Lady Barkley, brother of Mr M'Kenzie, the well-known sawmill; and Mr. Shand>, schoolmaster at lamehills, an enthusiast in Volunteering and trcutfishing ' s A young man from Dunedin :n'amed Mills had 1 a narrow escape from mutilation "at the Gor station on Friday. He attempted- to board the up train after it had started, -a-nd, stumbling, .would have,- fallen .between the train and the platform •' but for the asaistance of three bystanders. Mr T. P. . Gilfedder, of the Advances .oi Settlers' Department, was on Friday .presented by the members of the 'local staff-wit>h a set of oovers on the occasion -of his 'marriage. -A large number of Dunedin anglers are at ' present visiting the "Waiau and getting good sport. Mr J.- Peake got a six and a ninepounder a few days' ago, and My' Osmond is ' i having- great catches. - The Southern Standard says that through a mistake lOO.OOOgaI of water 'collected in the Gere reservoir for the use of thV Fire -Brigade - | in case of fire has bee.n allowed to run away, and, iH the abeenoe of the "Mayor from . the town, no ore V .'■"-thority to nailer the refilling of it. The Southland Defence Rifle Association held 'ts fourth annual meeting on the Grasmere Range on Monday and Tuesday last', when over 120 competitors were present," which must be considered very satisfactory considering the number of counter attractions. On both days -a stiong wind was blowing across the range, and while the finish of the cham-V pionship was being fired! at 800 yds, no less jthan 16ft of windage -allowance was necessary to keep the . .shots on the -target. In all 11 matches were fired and, besides cups and. j medals, close on £70 was shot for: — 200 yds mateh — Mr R. G. Cowan (Limehills R.C.), first, with 33 -500yds— Corporal France (Gore Rifles), first, with 3S 600yds— Corporal France (Gore Rifles) first, with 32 700yds— Lieutenant M'Kay (Kelso M.R.), first, with 29 Nursery Matoh — P. M. Ayson (Wyndham R.C.), first, with 63 300 yds Magazine — Private Young (Gor© Rifles), first, with .. . * 26 20Oyd« Cover Mateh — Colour-Sergeant Lyell (Oreti) • first, with- 21 " Cadet Match— Cadet Robertson-' (High §>ihool). first -with- .". ".. " %i Last Try. 500yds— Mr R. Duthie (Southland R.C.), first, with ..' .. .. .. 33 Trooper A. R. Ayson (Murihiku) won the ohaanpip'nship with 153./ Gore Rifles won the CaleI doniah Cup with 630. and the teams' volley firing •went- to Gore with 37 points. " Although . Gore came out well, the Bisley representatives div not distinguish themselves. The shoot must be considered the best yet held, and the arrangements .made. wexe*.such that no hitehi occurred during the two days, for which, the committee and -the secretary especially (Ba,ttalion. Sergeant-ma-ior "Linnie) deserve credit.